Germans having made their way through the Right were falling in upon the Left wing The Portugues General perceiving the danger sent Count Schomberg the Count de St. Lorenco and other chief Officers to give a check to the Enemy These having gathered the dispersed Troops and drawn fresh succours from all sides restored the Fight yet so that both wings were joyned together and so pressed the harder upon the Spanish Troops almost tired with the fatigue of the long Service Hereupon the Marquess of Carazena who from a Hill viewed the Action and gave orders seeing his Left wing born down sent orders to James Correa who Commanded on the Right either to come immediately to the relief of the Left or else by charging upon the Left of the Portugueses to draw them away to him Correa obeyed not his orders whether through cowardice or Treachery or that the ground would not permit is uncertain Thus the Italians and Germans being forsaken by their Friends and beset on all sides by their Enemies were almost all cut off yet dyed not unrevenged having made a great slaughter and amidst the multitude slain many Officers of note Count Schomberg narrowly escaping when his Horse was killed under him Now at length the Spanish Right wing came on after their Left was utterly lost but it was a matter of much difficulty to charge over the heaps of dead Bodies and scatter'd Arms. Besides the Horse were gauled by the scattering Companies of Foot who with their Pikes discomposed and broke their Ranks so that they were forced to wheel often and rather defend themselves then offend their Enemies At length being seconded by their Foot they gave such a violent Charge that the Portugueses who had stood long to it before with various Fortune fainting began again to decline till their General the Count of Castanheda seeing that was the last effort coming in with his Guards and what Troops he could gather and acting the part of a Soldier as well as of a General inspir'd new Courage into them and restored the Fight In this Heat when the Success stood doubtful two things concurred to bestow the Victory on the Portuguese One was the taking of James Correa General of the Spanish Horse the other that the Swissers serving in the Spanish Army being discontented for want of their pay went over to them The Spanish Horse dismayed at these two unexpected Accidents immediately fell off the Portugueses pressing upon them yet so as not being suffer'd to pursue the others rather retired then fled Nothing remained now but the Foot who being beset for that Count Schomberg had seized all the advantagious Posts The Spanish Army totally routed sought desperately having scarce any hopes left to escape The Fight had lasted seven Hours and both sides being tired both the Spanish Horse and Foot because the Portuguese did not pursue marched off with Speed and began to gather up such as had fled farther so that they made a considerable Body Count Castanheda unwilling to suffer so great a Party to escape sent Vasconcellos and John de Silva with some Troops of Horse who wheeling about a Monastery fell in with them and stayed their March till the Count came up with the rest of the Army The Spaniards being thus enclosed without hope of safety either by fighting or flying were finally overthrown and cut to pieces About 4000 Foot of several Nations who before the Spaniards were enclosed had retired to a place of Strength seeing the whole Army lost surrendered upon Discretion Near 1000 more who had fled to the Woods were either taken or perished there In all about 5000 of the Spaniards are reported to have been killed and not fewer taken and of both sorts were many Officers of Note Nor was the Victory cheaply bought above 2000 of the Victors being slain among which were several remarkable Persons This was the decisive Battle of Montesclaros which finally settled the Crown upon the Head of the new King of Portugal The Marquess of Carazena seeing all lost made his way to Villaviciosa where he ordered the Forces he had left there to continue the Siege to rise from before the Place least they should be overwhelmed by the Victorious Army They with all speed drew off their Artillery and marching in good Order though often attacked by the Portugueses made gooâ— their Retreat first to Jurumenha and thence to Badajoz whither the small remainder of the Army was fled Thus the Marquess in his old Age tarnished that Reputation he had gained in his Youth 6. This great Battle was the last Action of Note King Philip of Spain's Death that concluded the War betwixt Spain and Portugal for this Year on the 17th of October dyed Philip the IV. King of Spain leaving that Crown to his Son Charles II. then but four Years of Age and the Government being in the Queen his Mother she soon after concluded a Peace with Portugal Having now put an end to the War we shall in the few remaining Years have occasion only to treat of the Deposition of King Alphonso which insued and the tendencies to it 7. However to the end that Narration may be no ways interrupted though this be not exactly the proper place we will proceed without interruption to what remains Great debates had been at the Court of Madrid after the death of King Philip upon the subject of Peace or War Not only the multitude but even the most considerable of the Nobility considering the great Expence the many Losses and the little Progress made in the War were inclinable to Peace The Queen her self was for it but politick seemed averse the better to discover the dispositions of the People Nor would she seem to comply with their desires alone till the English Ambassador then Resident at Madrid had signified to her that unless she would hearken to some Proposals of Peace the King his Master should be obliged to protect and defend his Brother the King of Portugal with all his Forces both by Sea and land These Threats joyn'd to the general consent of her own Subjects at length drew the Queen to assent to a Treaty By her the King of England was chosen Mediator and Guarantee for the Treaty and Peace that was to ensue Commission was given to the Marquess del Carpio then a Prisoner at Lisbon to make the Overtures and Treat with full Power Not to enter into the tedious Transactions of the Treaty or to â—â—ll up too much space with the Articles at large the substance of them whereupon the Peace was finally concluded was this That both Kings should restore all Places taken during the War which either of them possest appertaining to the jurisdiction of the other except Ceuta on the Coast of Africk which the Marquess del Carpioâ— â—â—served to his King That all Confiscations made during the War should be restored by the Peace That all Trade and Commerce should be free betwixt the two Crowns and the Portugueses
of Humane Vanity Those few Restorers of Mankind and small Remnant of that wonderful Desolation cleansed the Place and laid the Foundation of the first City in the World after its Destruction That it was called Saga Albina as the Rabbies will have it whom some learned Authors follow is very uncertain as are all other Things depending on Humane Faith which is very fallible though depending on the Credit of that very Age much more when delivered so long after The Infallible as being Divine Historian clears this Doubt when he calls it Babel for this Name belonged to the City before the Erecting of the Tower which was no more than a part of the other It is no less uncertain that Araxa a Daughter of Noah according to the same Authors remained as Sovereign of that City when the Inhabitants being grown too numerous were obliged to divide and spread themselves farther about the Earth 2. It was not so much their Multitude that obliged them to separate Wâ—â— the Of 〈◊〉 of Noah dispersed as the Discord that began to grow among them and even their Vices for they all rather chose to follow the Example of their wicked Ancestors who had suffered than to take Warning by their Punishment Even the Memory of that Chastisement instead of reclaiming served only to make them the more guilty For after having begged and obtained Mercy from God they proudly attempted to raise Works against Heaven and brave his Omnipotence They had the Presumption to believe they could secure themselves against another Deluge without the Assistance of God And whereas the surest Fence Mortals have against the just Indignation of the Almighty is his Mercy when humbly sued for yet they began that so famous Tower which as it was a Work prodigious for Men in that Infancy of their Reparation so it â—roved so meer a Nothing to GOD that He made 〈◊〉 of no other Engines to destroy it but the Tongues oâ— the Builders Hence many Ages after sprang that Greek Fable Of the Giants destroyed with Lightning for â—â—â—mpting to climb up to Heaven by laying Mountains upon Mountains Thus the most favoured Part of the Creationâ— in Heaven and on Earth both Men and Angels 〈◊〉 gave themselves up to Pride and Rebellion 3. Nimrod The Tower of Babel built Grandson to the wicked Cham was the Founder of this fond Structure which perished before it could be finished Wherefore finding now that GOD needed no other Power against the Machinations of Men but themselves and Discord still increasing more than the People which yet multiplied to Excess Life being granted for so long a Term of Years they concluded there was no Way to escape the Hand of GOD without they could find out Means to avoid one another the greatest Grievance being then to tolerate themselves This made them resolve to spread themselves farther than the narrow Bounds of the adjacent Provinces to seek the remote Parts of the Earth and commit themselves to the Sea in Vessels made after the Pattern of the Ark. So they marched into distant Countries and touched remote Shores still stretching farther and farther till they had filled the Circumference of this Terrestrial Globe The Heads of this first Transmigration were the Sons of our Second Father Sem Cham and Japhet Some say Asia Africk and Europe were their three Portions which were called the Three Parts of the World till Experience taught us they were but one of the two Continents which divide this Lower World and may seem to have been divided into three Parts in respect to them three 4. After these three first Universal Planters had separated themselves and inhabited the nearer Regions the Multitude still increasing their Children thought of sub-dividing and travelling to find out some remoter Habitations where every Head of a Family might erect himself a Sovereignty Tubal lands in Portugal Among these Tubal the fifth Son of Japhet sailing the Mediterranean passed out of the Mouth of the Streightâ— and leaving the Cape formerly called Promontorium Sacrum now Cape St. Vincent behind landed in the most Western Part of Europe and being invited by the Pleasantness of the Soil and Sereneness of the Air founded on the Edge of the Sea not far from the Mouth of Tagus the City Setubal Other Countries pretend he first built Cities among them I will not dispute it with them so I be allowed he came hither This happen'd about the Year of the World not to be too precise in such dark Antiâ—uities 1800 about 150 Years after the Deluge and â—070 before Christ and till the time that the Divine WORD was made Flesh we will reckon thus diminishing still the Years 5. These first Antiquities to most Men seem fabulous and therefore I will lightly run them over till those Times that afford us more Light of History there being no solid Grounds to fix the Credit of what passed before the Time of the Romans and Carthaginians Only as for the first Peopling of Spain by Tubal we have the Authority of Josephus who says That of Jobel came the Jobeli afterwards called Iberi Celtiberi and Spaniards 6. The first Form of Government as the most perfect was Monarchical and that not confined or restrained as since the Insolence of Subjects has made it but absolute There were no Laws to bind the Sovereign or People the Will of the Monarch was positive Law Princes at first studied rather how to maintain Tubal the first King of Spain than enlarge their Dominions In this manner Tubal governed Spain the Term of an Hundred Years and then gave them a Form of Law or rather Advice in Verse to be transmitted to Posterity He also settled a Form of Divine Worship as knowing that The Fear of GOD is the Beginning of Wisdom Tubal having reigned 155 Years 2009. died and was buried in that farther Part of Spain which in respect to his Ashes was called Promontorium Sacrum and which for many Ages the Natives thought it profane to tread And this Name continued till the first King of Portugul Don Alfonso Enriquez changed it to that of Cape St. Vincent 7. By the Death of Tubal Iberus the second King the Monarchy of Spain devolved upon his Son Iberus of whom some say the River Ebro took Name and Spain that of Iberia He invented the Art of Fishing reigned 37 Years and died in the Year 1972. 1972. before Christ Observe always that the Year one died the other commenced his Reign 8. Jubelus Jubelus the third King Jubalda or Idubeda Son and Successor to Iberus spent most of his time in the Study of Astrology or Natural Magick and ended his Days having reigned 64 Years 9. Upon the Death of his Father 1907. Brigus took upon him the Sovereignty Brigus the fourth King who built many Towns and Fortresses which still preserve his Name as appears in Lacobriga Conimbriga Medobriga Brigancia and others From his erecting so many Castles it is supposed
Portuguese Gentlemen raising the greatest Power they were able gave him Battle and put him to flight D. Fuas Roupinno commanded in the Castle of Puerto de Mos at such time as Gami King of Merida came to attack it D. Fuas hearing of his approach with a small body went out and lay close in Ambush The Moor giving an Assault to the Castle he fell upon him so unexpected and furiously that most of the Moors being slain Gami and many others were made Prisoners Gami and his Brother were sent for a present to old King Alonso who then reposed himself at Coimbra This same D. Fuas being Admiral at Sea destroyed the Gallies of Mauritania the first time near Cape Espichel 1182. and brought nine of them to Lisbon others he burnt in the Sea of Ceuta Engagements by Sea Returning thither afterwards with 21 Galleys he fought 54 of the Enemy but was totally destroyed and found a Grave where before he had raised Tropheys Joseph Aben Jacob Miramamolin of Morocco Andaluzia Murcia and Valencia with 13 Kings and the mightiest Army that till then had been seen to revenge the harms suffered from the Portuguese passed the River Tagus and having destroyed Torres Vedras 1184. and whatever else stood in his way laid Siege to Santarem where Prince Sancho then was During 6 or 7 days he incessantly Battered the Town and gave several assaults to it so that many of the Defendants were killed the Prince wounded and the Walls shaken At this time King Alonso being 91 years of Age came to relieve the Town but scarce had the occasion to draw his Sword the Infidels flying precipitously at the very sight of him Both the Father and Son pursued the flying Enemy with such Execution that the River was dyed with their Blood The Miramamolin ended his days in the very River being first wounded by the Prince 9. The most glorious King Alonso having Governed 17 Years without the Title of King and 46 with it and having lived 93 at length departed this life in the month of December 1185. and year of our Lord 1185. In his life time he is said to have overthrown 30 Kings The Death of King Alonso besides a number of lesser Princes and inferior Commanders It must be observed that most of these were Kings of particular Cities His Piety appears in the great number of Churches he Erected reported to amount to 150. He instituted two Military Orders that of the Wing before spoken of which for want of Revenues died with the first Knights And that of Avis as our Author will have it tho' I find no other to confirm this Antiquity which continues to this day To the Knights Templers and Hospitallers he assigned considerable Revenues As to his Person he was 11 Spans High a Gigantick Stature his Hair Red a large Mouth long Visage and large sparkling Eyes He lay in the Church of the Holy Cross at Coimbra in a wooden Tomb till King Emanuel erected one more Majestick for him His Sword and Buckler are there still to be seen His Arms the Arms he bore on his Sheild were Argent 19 Scutcheons Arzure 10 of them in the nature of an Orle the other nine in Cross and in Saltire all joined together with twists of Silk running from one to the other each Escutcheon charged with Thirteen Bezants 10. King Alonso was 53 Years of Age when he Married Mafalda His Wife and Issue the most Beautiful Lady of those times and second Daughter to Amadee 5th Earl of Marienne and first of Savoy This Queen followed the example of her Husband in erecting several Churches and Monasteries By her the King had Issue Henry who died young Sancho who inherited the Crown John Malfalda Wife to Alonso the second King of Aragon Vrraca Wife to King Ferdinand the second of Leon from whom she was divorced on account of Consanguinity after she had by him Alonso who inherited that Crown Teresa second Wife to Philip the first Earl of Flanders and Sancha his Bastard Children were Peter Alonso Teresa married to Sancho Nunnez from whom her Father took her and married her to Ferdinand Martinez the brave Lord of Braganza and the Lady Vrraca married to Peter Alonson Viegas the Grandson to Egas Moniz the King's Tutor CHAP. IV. The life and Reign of King Sancho I. from the Year 1154. till 1212 all his Actions in Peace and War his Arms and Issue 1. KIng Alonso had enjoyed the regal Title 15 Years when his Wife Queen Mafalda bore him his second Son and Successor Sancho 1154. He was Born at Coimbra the 11th of December Sancho succeeds his Father Alonso which being St. Martin's Day he had that Name given him together with the other From his very Infancy he was bred in the Field amidst the noise of Arms and surrounded with Dangers His Actions under his Father At the Age of 13 he engaged with the King of Leon in the Plains of Arganal and tho' not Victorious came off with Honour He was the first Christian Prince after the Conquest of Spain by the Moors that advanced to the Walls of Sevil. His Father King Alonso had ordered him to pass the River Tagus to defend that plentiful Country The Moors suffered him to pass undisturbed by Evora and Beja but having passed Sierra Morena he was met by the King of Sevil with a numerous Army in the plain of Axarafe here they came to a Battle which was obstinately fought on both sides till the valour of the Christians overcame the multitude of their Enemies whom they pursued to the Gates of Sevil making that River run Red with the blood of Infidels In his return to Portugal the Prince wasted all the Country carrying a vast Booty without meeting any opposition By the way he laid Siege to Niebla and had now reduced it to great extremity when advice was brought him that the City Beja was distressed by the Moors Thither he hasted and charging the Besiegers put them to the rout and relieved the City The King of Bajadoz had sent Ravadan a famous Commander with an Army to spoil that part of Portugal which he performed as was expected from him being on his return he was overtaken by the Prince and forced to quit the Country and his Booty with more hast than he came This Prince valiantly defended Santarem against the Miramamolin till his Father came to raise the Siege and they both entred the place in Triumph These were his principal Exploits till his Accession to the Crown which was in the Year 1185. 1185. 2. The third day after his Father's Death in the 30th Year of his Age and the 10th after he was married Prince Sancho was Proclaimed King in the same place where he was Born Since this is the first King that died in Portugal we will set down the manner of publick lamentation made for his Death which continues to this day The manner of lamenting the death
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
the Host in the end of her Head-cloaths and going home the Blood trickled down and she not observing it was told of it by those that met her Being come home she locked the Bloody Hood with the Host in a Closet In the dead of the Night her Husband awaking saw a great light upon the Chest and calling upon his Wife asked whether she saw it not She then declared the truth to him and he rising ran to the Parish Church and to the Dominicans The Friers still preserve the White Hood or Vaile bloody in a Glass Case the Parish keeps the Host and Blood gathered on a Ball of Wax Some Years after the Prior of that Church which is Dedicated to St. Stephen going to show that Relick to the People found it shut up in a Cristalline Pyramidal Case with a hole so small that neither the Host nor Ball could be put in unless it were miraculously The Ball is still to be seen round with drops of Blood on it the Host is bent and Bloody Many Persons of Credit have affirmed That they have there seen our Saviour in several Postures of his Passion Another Miracle is Recorded of a Christian who was slave to a Moor and daily recommended himself to St. Dominick of Sovereira His Master every Night loaded him with Irons and laid him in a Chest upon which he made his own Bed One Night this Chest with the slave in it and the Master upon it was brought to the Door of the Chappel of that Saint in the Town of Penamacor This Miracle so wrought upon the Moor that he imbraced the Faith and the Slave and he lived there as Hermits all the residue of their lives The Chest and Chains are still kept in that little Church 8. No sooner was the King seated on the Throne Alonso resumes his former gifts and opposes the Clergy but he made it appear that what he had before bountifully bestowed was only to secure himself and not to reward those that promoted him He took from the Military Orders what he had before given them neither did he make account of what he swore at Paris in order to be Regent for his Brother 1268. for he so treated the Clergy that several of them had recourse to Rome for Redress of which were the Bishops of Braga Coimbra Guarda Porto and Viseo Pope Clement the Fourth and after him Gregory the Tenth 1272. reproved his oppressing the Clergy and forbidding the Jews and Moors under severe Penalties not to turn Christians The King at first shunned the Pope's Commissioners but when he could no longer do so appointed to hear them before the Cortes or Parliament summoned to meet at Santarem where he shewed some disposition to obey them though at the same time he designed nothing less The Pope offended at his proceedings 1274. issued out Bulls containing the highest Censures and in case the King was not reclaimed within three Months absolving his Subjects from their Allegiance The King continued obstinate and the Nuncio went away leaving him Excommunicated 1175. and the Kingdom under an interdict The Pope died and the King no way relented 1276. Pope John the 20th or 21st Born at Lisbon was promoted to St. Peter's Chair He sent a Spaniard his Nuncio to perswade the King by fair means to comply The Nuncio accompanied by Dominican and Franciscan Fryars of which latter order he was attended the King and found him as obdurate as ever 1277. Sickness made the King begin to relent and Death surmounted all difficulties At his Death the King ordered his Son to perform all he had refused to do 9. During this King's Reign certain devout Women went from Evora to Rome to obtain of the Pope the confirmation of a Monastery of Bernardin Nuns in that City A battle betwixt private Men and their forces There wanted not Civil Broils among the Subjects for Peter Estevas de Tavares and Ferdinand Alonso de Cambra fought a Battle in the Plain of Gouvea in which much Blood was shed and many Persons of note killed the latter obtained the Victory The Holy Laurence Mendez a Dominican of the Province betwixt the Rivers Duero and Minho walking in a Field an Angel appeared to him and gave him a small Box which he said contained many Relicks brought from a City then fallen into the hands of Infidels Which Relicks are still preserved in the Monastery of Guimaraens where the said Laurence placed them 10. King Alonso was of such extraordinary Stature King Alonso described that all Men admired when King Sebastian caused his Tomb to be opened His Countenance was Majestick his Eyes little but Sparkling his Hair black his Complexion fair He died at Lisbon on the 20th of March 1279. 1279. being 64 Years of Age His Death and having Reigned and Governed 34. Ten Years after his Death King Denis his Son translated him to the Monastery of Alcobaza near to his Father and opposite to his second Wife Queen Beatrix whose Tomb being afterwards opened she appeared as Beautiful as if she had been a live His Issue His Issue by the first Wife most Authors agree he had two Sons as they do in calling the second Robert who they say succeeded his Mother in the Country of Bologne About the Elder they vary some calling him Ferdinand others Peter and lastly others say he is the same with Alonso Denis counted among the illegitimate By his second Wife he had Denis who succeeded in the Throne Secondly D. Alonso Lord of Portalegre who lies buried in the Monastery of St. Dominick at Lisbon Thirdly Sancha Fourthly Mary Fifthly Vincent who died young Sixthly Ferdinand who died also in his Infancy all these Buried at Alcobaza Seventhly Blanch Abbess of Lorvan first and then of Huelgas at Burgos Eighthly Constance Buried at Alcobaza Illegimate he had Ferdinand a Knight Templar Giles Alonso Alonso Denis Martin Alonso gotten on the Governour of Faro's Daughter as was said before Ellenor Alonso Vrraca Alonso Elenor for whom her Father built the Monastery of St. Clare at Santarem where she was famous for Sanctity and Roderick Alonso who died Young 11. The Arms of the Kingdom of Algarve His Arms. given by this King were Sanguine Semee of Castles Or. Over these he placed the Arms of Portugal so that the Castles of the former made an Orbe to the latter He also made an alteration in the number of Bezants in each Escutcheon of the Portuguese Arms leaving but Eleven in each whereas before there were Thirteen He was the first that stiled himself King of Portugal and Algarve Men famous in his time Men famous for Sanctity in his time were St. Gonzalo St. Laurence Mendez and St. Giles all three Dominicans at least the two latter without dispute Also St. Walter of the Order of S. Francis Pope John the 21st famous for his Learning and Dignity was Born at Lisbon Many Men were famous for Military Exploits the
Hair reddish and curled his Beard forked and long his Limbs gross and his Presence Majestick He died at Lisbon in May 1357. being 67 Years of Age 1357. and having Reigned 31 Years and a half His and his Queen's Tombs are to be seen in the Quire of the Cathedral of Lisbon 12. Queen Beatrix 〈…〉 Wife to King Alonso was Daughter to King Sancho the Fierce of Castile and of Queen Mary the Daughter of Prince Alonso de Molina By her the King had Issue 1. Alonso who died Young 2. Denis died much at the same Age. 3. John died in his Infancy 4. Mary who was Queen of Castile Wife to King Alonso XI and Mother to King Peter 5. Peter who Succeeded his Father 6. Elenor Queen of Aragon Second Wife to King Peter IV. This King reduced the number of Castles in the Orle being the Arms of Algarve His Arms. to 8. and the Bezants in each Escutcheon to 10. CHAP. X. The Life and Reign of Peter the First of the Name and the Eighth King of Portugal with his Actions and Death from the Year 1320 till 1367. 1. KING Alonso King Peter the first his Earth and his Queen Beatrix were Unfortunate in their Children who all died Young But Peter the 5th who was Born at Coimbra on the 19th of April 1320. He was by some called the Cruel by others 1320. Executor of Justice and this last Title most properly appertained to him His Accession to the Crown was in the 37th 1358. Year of his Age being twice a Widdower by the Death of his two Wives Constance and Agnes His First care was to secure Peace with his Neighbour 1357. the King of Castile which was accordingly Ratified The following Year it was farther Confirmed Peace concluded with Castile and it was agreed that Ferdinand Prince of Portugal should marry Beatrix Eldest Daughter to King Peter of Castile and the Princesses Constance and Elizabeth should marry John and Denis Sons to the Lady Agnes de Castro That both Kings should Aid each other by Sea and Land That the Portuguese should not joyn with the Aragonian or any other Prince without acquainting the Castilian That he should assist him against the Aragonian with whom he was then at War King Peter having now the Power in his Hands He punisheth the Murderers of his Wife the Lady Agnes de Castro and being at leasure to meditate his Revenge for the Death of his beloved Agnes was grieved at nothing more than that he thought the Lives of the Three Murderers too small an Expiation for the Death of her in whom he had lived Yet for some farther Satisfaction he resolved to make up in Torments what was wanting of Life in them We saw in his Fathers Life time how far he proceeded in his Revenge so as to raise a Civil War But scarce was he now seated on the Throne when the Three Murderers Peter Coello James Lopez and Alvaro Gonzalez were Attainted of Treason and their Estates Confiscated Next he contrived how to get them out of Castile and soon found the means to effect it for Peter Nunnez de Guzman Lieutenant of Leon Mem Roiz Tenorio Ferdinand Gudiel de Toledo and Fortun Sanchez Calderon being fâ—ed from Castile were then in Portugal He knew that King was no less desirous to reach them than he was to have the other Three Therefore he agreed with the Castilian that both should at the same time secure the Fugitives of the other which was accordingly put in Execution 2. James Lopez Pacheco had the good Fortune to be abroad a Hunting the Day the others were taken He being missed Guards were set upon the Gates that none might give him Notice but a Beggar got through unregarded and not only informed him of what had happened The Murderers Racked but changing Cloaths with him he got away with a Carrier to Aragon and thence into France Alvaro Gonzalez and Peter Coello were carried to Portugal as were the Four Castilians taken there conveyed to Sevil. King Peter was at Santarem when the two Prisoners were brought to him He instantly put them to the Rack to force them to discover their Accomplices But they continued silent or else answered far from the purpose which caused the King to lash Coello on the Face to which he returned nothing but reproachful Language The King smiling hereat said to the standers by Bring me Vinegar and Onion for this Rabbet for Coello in Portuguese signifies a Rabbet and that was the Sauce then used giving them thereby to understand he should be Burnt Whilst they were yet Living their Hearts were cut out one at his Breast and the other at his Back Lastly he caused them to be Burnt and the Table he dined at to be set in sight of the Fire Nor did King Peter's Amorous Flame expire here But before we shew what farther Effects it had we must observe in this Place that the Kings of Castile and Aragon being ready to break into War our King sent his Embassadors to the latter 1360. to Mediate a Peace That Prince complained to them that their Master should take part with Castile against him yet offered in regard of the Ancient Friendships betwixt the two Crowns and in respect to the Pope to give ear to Conditions of Peace 3. This was the posture of Affairs when our King discovered the Love he still entertained for the Lady Agnes The Funeral Pomp for the Lady Agnes de Castro by performing her Funeral Obsequies Being in the Town of Cantannede in the Presence of several Persons of Note he solemnly Swore That he had taken to Wife the Lady Agnes de Castro at Bragança Six Years before that time Then he caused the Witnesses of the Marriage which were Giles Bishop of Guarda and Stephen Lobato Master of the Robes to be Examined This done the Bishops of Lisbon Porto and Visco the Prior of Sancta Cruz and other Persons of Note meeting together published the said Marriage and the Causes why it was concealed as also the Dispensation granted by Pope John the 22th in regard that they were within the forbidden Degrees of Consanguinity An authentick Instrument to this purpose being formed several Copies were dispersed and the Original is still preserved among the Records at Lisbon Not content herewith he caused two Tombs of the whitest Marble and most exquisite Workmanship to be erected One of them for himself and the other for the Lady Agnes whose Image stood on the Top with a Crown on her Head that she might appear like a Queen after her Death These Tombs were placed in the famous Church of Alcobaça Then entring the Church of S. Clare at Coimbra he caused the Body to be taken up and being Crowned and Cloathed in Royal Robes placed it on a Chair where his Subjects kissed those Bones that were once beautiful Hands as being the remains of their lawful Queen After this Ceremony being put into a
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
concluded a Truce for Eleven Years conditionally That both Kings should be obliged if they designed to make War at the expiration thereof to notify the same to the other Party Eighteen Months before Several discoveries had been of late Years attempted through the industry of Prince Henry 1420. and now this Year 1420 the Islands of Puerto Santo and Madera were First found such were the beginnings that gave Encouragment to the Discovery of India and America But of these Discoveries we have writ particular Books 1422. In the Year 1422 the King changed the computation of time till then used in Portugal which was from the Reign of Augustus to that of the Year of our Lord in imitation of King John the First of Castile who had made the like Reformation there before 5. This same Year the Constable Nunho Alvarez Pereyra being 62 Years of Age took upon him the religious Order of the Carmelites 1423. in the Monastery of Lisbon built by himself Peace ratified betwixt Castile and Portugal There he lived a very exemplary Life the space of 9 Years and died aged 71 Years To secure the Peace with Castile the King sent his Embassadors thither but one of them being overthrown and almost killed at the exercise of Tilting the Castilian sent an Embassador to Portugal who exchanged the Ratifications War now ceasing 1424. Prince Peter the Kings Second Son resolved to Travel and setting out with a Train sutable to his Quality he ran through a great Part of Europe Asia and Africk Four Years he spent in this imployment having been nobly entertained in the Courts of all Princes These Travels being then rare especially in such Persons gave occasion to many fabulous Relations thereof afterwards spread abroad which rendred the Truth it self suspected The King in the mean while applying himself to the Civil Government Enacted many good Laws 1428. Prince Edward was now 26 Years of Age and yet unmarried Prince Edward contracted to Ellenor Sister to Alonso King of Aragon therefore a Match was at this time concluded for him with the Princess Ellenor Sister to Alonso King of Aragon and Naples Her Dower was 200000 Florins At the same time also the Lady Elizabeth Daughter to the Earl of Vrgel and Grand-Child to Peter the Fourth King of Aragon was contracted to Prince Peter coming home after his Travels and the following Year she was Conducted to Portugal This same Year Philip of Burgundy 1429. Earl of Flanders being the second time a Widower sent to ask the Princess Elizabeth in Marriage which was granted and she sent into Flanders with a Portion of 150000 Crowns 6. The King sent two Embassadors to mediate a Peace betwixt the Crowns of Castile 1430. Arragon and Navarre the two latter whereof were hard pressed by the other The Castilian also that he might not seem to proceed upon unjust Grounds dispatched an Embassador to the Portuguese to acquaint him with the righteousness of his Proceedings 1431. Now at last came the final Conclusion of the long-desired perpetual Peace with Castile for the ratifying whereof Peter Gonzalez Malafaya being sent thither he accompanied that King in his Expedition against the Moors of Granada At their return from that War the Peace was proclaimed in Castile and an Embassador came thence into Portugal to see the same performed there This was the end of those Pretensions which had alarmed these two Kingdoms for the space of almost Fifty Years The victorious King John at length overcome with Age King John falls sick fell sick of his last Malady He was removed to Alcouchete to try whether the Air would do him good but perceiving his Death draw on he caused himself to be carried back to Lisbon There on the Fourteenth of August 1433. 1433. having performed all the Parts of a good Christian His Death he gave up his Ghost Yet with the Authors leave I cannot conceive with what Piety an Usurper can die not having made Restitution The News of his Death being spread through the City it is impossible to express the Sorrow the City was filled with His Body was carried to the Cathedral on the Shoulders of his Sons the Nobility the whole Multitude of both Sexes and all Ages following 7. He had a pleasing Aspect His Character his Stature large and his Strength proportionable for his Helmet kept to this Day is too large for any Head and his Battle-Ax too weighty for any Arm. Prosperity and Adversity he bore equally was Constant Magnanimous Merciful Bountiful and Religious His Buildings were fair and sumptuous as appears by the Monasteries of Peâ—â—longa and Carnota and the Palaces of Lisbon and Santarem and above all the prodigious Structure of the Church of our Blessed Lady of Batalla or of the Battle erected in Memory of the famous Victory obtained at Aljubarrota To describe this wonderful Pile would take up too much room in the small compass of this short History therefore we shall pasâ— it by To this Place was the deceased King with mighty Pomp translated by his Son King Edward just the Day 12 Months after his Death that is on the 14th of August 1434. 8. King John had Eight Children by his Wife Philippa His Wife and Issueâ— Daughter to John Duke of Lancaster 1st Blanch who died in her Infancy 2dly Alonso Born at Santarem and lived but 10 Years 3dly Edward who succeeded him in the Throne 4thly Peter Duke of Coimbra a Man so learned that he wrote several Books he also travelled a great Part of the then known World as was said before and married Elizabeth the Daughter of the Earl of Vrgel which also has been above intimated Being Governour of the Kingdom during the Minority of his Nephew King Alonso he gained many Enemies and was at their instigation put to Death by that King 5thly Henry Duke of Viseo and Master of the Order of Christ who being studious in the Mathematicks fitted out Ships at his own cost to discover the Coasts of Africk wherein he made a great Progress and occasioned the Discovery of India To the end he might wholly addict himself to these Affairs he settled his abode at Sagres near Câ—pe S. Vincent in the Kingdom of Algarve where he died 6thly John Master of the Order of Santiago in Portugal and Constable 7thly Ferdinand Master of the Order of Avis accounted a Martyr for his great Sufferings and Death in slavery among the Moors of Africk 8thly Elizabeth married to Philip the third Earl of Flanders and Duke of Burgundy This King's Bastard-Children were Alonso Earl of Barcelos and first Duke of Bragança and Beatrix married to Thomas Earl of Arundel in England 9. This King reduced the ten Bezants His Arms. before used in each of the five Scutcheons of the Arms of Portugal to five the Cross of Avis appearing underneath in Memory that he had been Master of that Order and because he received the
the King how he left his Brother in Servitude and tho he was the chief Cause of his falling into that Misfortune yet advised not to Ransom him at so dear a rate as by restoring Ceuta to the Infidels Those many Portuguese who escaped out of Africk most Wounded Naked and Starved Landing on the Coast of Spain in the dead of Winter found such extraordinary Charity in the Towns of Castile The Charity of the Spaniâ—â—ds 〈…〉 through which they travelled that I dare avouch they had not met the like in their own Country They were all bountifully Cloathed their Wounds dressed and Money liberallâ— bestowed upon them In every House they had the 〈◊〉 Beds given them and being well recovered were supplied with all they could desire to carry them home The King informed by these People of the charitable Entertainment they had found ceased not to extol the goodness of those who had shown such Favour to his Subjects and to express his Gratitude he sent Letters to Sevil and other Places of Andaluzia where his Subjects had been received full of Acknowledgments and Commendations and offering himself and his Kingdom ready to require them 5. The King before the News came of this Disaster was removed from Lisbon to Santarem flying from the Plague that then raged in that City The Plague at Lisbon Having Advice there of the danger his Forces were in at Tangier he made all possible Preparations to relieve them but too late for before any could set out part of the vanquished Fleet returned 14â—8 The following Year the King summoned the Cortes or Parliament to meet at Leyria He gave them in Charge to consider what was to be done concerning Prince Ferdinand left an Hostage to the Moors for the delivery of Ceuta Differences in the Cortes about the ransoming of Prince Ferdinand He produced a Paper written by that Prince signifying that Ceuta could not be maintained and therefore it was better to give it up then suffer it to be taken The Princes Peter and John with all the Commons voted that the Place should be delivered but the Archbishop of Braga said That a Christian Town could not be given away to the Infidels for one Man without the consent of the Pope Others were for deferring the Exchange for some time and in the mean while to offer a Summ of Money and all the Moors in Portugal which were many for the Prince and in Case this were not received that the Pope and Christian Princes should unite their Forces against Africk which if it could not be effected then Ceuta should be delivered 6. The King stood dubious amidst such variety of Opinions At length he resolved to have recourse to the Pope and all the Christian Princes believing they would all together assist him to ransom his Brother From them he received nothing but words of Comfort and Advice not to surrender Ceuta The Plague was now so diffused throughout the Kingdom that the King wandred from Town to Town Being on the way to Tomar a Letter was given him which he no sooner opened but the infection it brought seized him 14â—â— In that Town he diâ—â— on the 9th of September King Edward 〈◊〉 of the Plague in the 47th Year of his Age having reigned Five Years and near a Month. In his Will he ordained his Brother should be ransomed with Money but in Case that were refused then Ceuta should be given for him That his Wife Queen Ellenor should Govern the Kingdom and the Prince his Son He was well Shaped Strong his Visage round his Beard thin his Hair black his Eyes heavy but taken altogether his Countenance was graceful He loved gay Apparel and always appeard in Publick with Splendour As to his Inclinations he was Merciful and a lover of Truth and Justice For outward Accomplishments he was an excellent Horseman loved Wrestling and was much addicted to Hunting He writ some Treatises in Latin favoured learned Men and was very Religious Several New sorts of Money were coined by him and considering how prodigal his Predecessors had been in giving away the Revenues of the Crown he confirmed a Law invented by his Father That no Female should inherit any Gift of the Crown 7. His lawful Issue as he had no other was as follows His Issue 1st D. Alonso his Successor 2dly Ferdinand Duke of Viseo Master of the Military Orders of Christ and Santiago and Constable of Portugal and also Father to Emanuel who was afterwards King 3dly Philippa who died of the Plague at 12 Years of Age. 4thly Ellenor married to the Emperor Maximilian who was Grand-Father to the ever-renowned Charles the 5th D. John de Silva and Meneses fell passionately in Love with this Princess and followed her till he saw her married after which he became a Franciscan Fryar and led a very exemplary Life at Montorio near Rome 5thly Katherine contracted in England and Navarre yet never married 6thly Joanna Born after the Death of her Father and married afterwards to King Henry the 4th of Castile CHAP. V. The First Part of the Life 〈◊〉 Reign of King Alonso the Fifth of the Name and Twelfth King of Portugal from the Year 1432. till 1469. 1. KIng Alonso the 5th The Birth of King Alonso Succeeded his Father being but Six Years of Age. He was born at the Palace of Sintra in the Year 1432. His Father in his Will ordained 1432. That the Queen should have the Government of the Young King and Kingdom His Accession to the Crown and Differâ—â—â— between the Qâ—â—â—n and Nobility but every Nobleman striving to draw the Power into his own Hands caused all to run into Confusion whence ensued greater Destruction than had been produced by the preceding Plague They blamed the King for committing the care of the Realm to a Woman she a Forreigner and what they most resented a Castilian as they termed her tho' she was Daughter to the King of Aragon The Princes Brothers to the late King were the Heads of these Factions and particularly Prince Peter who was always an Enemy to the Queen Prince Alonso being proclaimed King in the Sixth Year of his Age on the Tenth of September in the Town of Tomar the Second Day after his Father's Death Queen Ellenor took upon her the Government as had been ordained by her Husband's Will and so far laid aside all former Animosity with Prince Peter that they did nothing without his Advice and desired him joyntly with her to Sign the Writs of Summons for the Cortes or Parliament Before the Cortes could meet Prince Peter upon pretence of Zeal to secure the Succession in Case the Young King should die before he was Marriageable caused his younger Brother Ferdinand to be Sworn Heir to the Crown conditionally if the other died without Issue The Queen pleased with these outward shows of Loyalty in Prince Peter discovered to him That the King her Husband had declared to his Confessor
Fight being naturally Enemies but the Elephant being young was frighted and forcing his way through a Place that was barred ran about the City overturning all he met The Rhinoceros was afterwards sent as a Present to the Pope but the Ship was cast away however the dead Rhinoceros being cast a Shoar was taken up and the Skin stuffed and carried to Rome John Diaz Golez a Portuguese Pilot flying from Justice escaped into Castile where he perswaded certain Merchants to fit out Two Ships and Trade into Brasil King Emanuel complaining to the Young King Charles these Encroachers were punished John Wallop an English Gentleman of Worth afterwards Governour of Callis came into Portugal offering to serve in Africk upon his own Expence He served Two Years at Tangier honourably and then returned home having received the Order of Knighthood of Christ and other considerable Favours and continued always a great Favourer of the Affairs of Portugal 5. Soliman the great Emperor of the Turks having taken Grand Cairo and all the Dominions of the Egyptian Soldans King Emanuel pressed the Pope to excite all the Christian Princes to joyn their Forces against him but without success The Body of S. Auta one of the 11000 Virgins was now brought to Lisbon and placed in the Monastery of the Mother of God where it is held in great Veneration The King being extreamly afflicted for the Loss of his Queen had thoughts of retiring to Algarve contenting himself with that little Portion of his Kingdom and leaving the rest to the Prince his Son But the Prince led away by his Favourites being too forward and dropping some disrespectful words of his Father moved him to change that Resolution and not only to retain the Power in his own Hands but to marry the Wife he had designed for him 1518. To this purpose The King marries again D. Alvaro da Costa was sent Embassador into Castile and the Treaty so privately managed that the Bride was contracted to the King by Proxy before the Design of the Embassador was known in Portugal Her Portion was 200000 Crowns down and 5000 per Annum during her Life She was conducted to the Borders of the two Kingdoms by several Noblemen of Spain and there received by Jayme or James Duke of Bragança accompanied by a great Train of Persons of Quality on the Twenty third of November At Crato the next Day she was married by the Archbishop of Lisbon Thence they went to Almeyrin because the Plague was brief at Lisbon Here the King on St. Andrew's Day received the Order of the Golden Fleece sent him by his Brother-in-law King Charles 6. Ferdinand Magellanes a Gentleman of Worth who had served well in India and Africk being refused some small Addition to the Pension he enjoyed for his good Services some envious Persons disswading the King from showing him any Favour discontented at this hard Usage solemnly Unnaturalized himself as the Custome was then and went over to Castile at such time as the Molucco Islands were thought to appertain to the Conquests of that Crown He there offered to find out a New way to those Islands 1519. and being furnished with Five Ships sailed from Sevil about the beginning of August Magellan discovers the Streights of his Name and discovered those Streights which will Eternize his Name being of him called the Streights of Magellan The Particulars of this Voyage as more properly appertaining to that History are to be seen in the Portuguese Asia The King laid a Duty upon Corn to which imposition some Places consented John Mendez Cecâ—oso Mayor of Evora opposed it The King sent for and promised to reward him if he would comply but he persisting obstinately was confined to his House Soon after he commended him for his Resolution and remitted that Tax The Commonalty of Castile now rising in Rebellion against their King 1520. who was gone into Germany being chosen Emperor upon the Death of Maximilian sent the Dean of Avila to offer the Crowns of Castile and Leon to King Emanuel He believing no Confidence could be reposed in those that were Rebels to their Lawful Sovereign not only advised them to return to their Obedience but sent Supplies of Ammunition and Money to the Cardinal Adrian afterwards Pope the Constable and Admiral then Governours during the King's Absence 7. Ellenor the new Queen of Portugal was the last Year at Evora on the 18th of February delivered of a Prince called Charles who lived but Fifteen Months This Year on the 18th of June 1521. at Lisbon she brought forth the Princess Mary Many Matches were proposed for this Lady but none took Effect so that she died a Maid at the Age of 57 Years After long Debates and Three several Embassies sent by Charles Duke of Savoy to obtain Beatrix King Emanuel's second Daughter for his Wife Beatrix Daughter to King Emanuel married to the Duke of Savoy the Match was concluded She had 150000 Crowns Portion and was conducted to Savoy with extraordinary Expence Eighteen Sail were fitted out to transport the Princess and a most splendid Retinue accompanied her In fine she embarked on the 5th of August lay Five Days a Board on the River and then set Sail on the Day of the Feast of S. Laurence By this Princess the Duke of Savoy had his Son Emanuel Filibertus from whom the Dukes of that House are descended Bernardin Ribeyro a Man well born and an ingenious Poet was in love with the Princess and she favoured him for his Wit Seeing her depart he became a Hermit at Sintra thence he went a Pilgrim into Italy and returning through Savoy he received Charity of the Dutchess who knowing him ordered he should not stay in the City He returned Home and ended his Life with his Pilgrimage The Venetians who had for many Years enjoyed all the Trade of Spice being now depriv'd of it by the Portuguese having discovered India sent an Embassador to pray they might be allowed all that was above what the Kingdom consumed at a certain Rate This Embassador was honourably entertained but received not a satisfactory Answer 8. Such was now the flourishing Estate of Lisbon that it was thronged with Forreign Embassadors and Merchants from all Parts In the height of this Prosperity and Grandeur King Emanuel fell sick of a Lethargy then the epidemical Distemper reigning Perceiving his End draw nigh he performed all the Acts of a good Christian King Emanuel dies and died the 13th of December 1521. the Ninth day of his Sickness the 53d Year of his Age and 27th of his Reign His Body was Interred in his Church of Belem where his Son built him a stately Tomb. Before his Death happened a most cruel Famine and after that a terrible Plague The Pestilence continued the following Year and such prodigious Earthquakes shook the Island of S. Michael that Mountains fell upon some Villages and others were overturned into the Sea with great slaughter of the
the Malice and Virulency of our Times bear with the Mention of solid and real Praises What you are and what you merit neither is nor will be unknown it may prove the Subject of an abler Pen when those who know shall see a fit Time to recommend your Memory to Posterity All that remains Sir is to beg a favourable Acceptance of the Tender I make It is the entire History of a Kingdom from its first Plantation to this present Time The Original was dedicated to a King The Translation has not I hope so much degenerated but it may be worthy of you If you think it so I have gained my Point and shall reap a singular Satisfaction if it gives you any I am SIR Your most Obedient Humble Servant JOHN STEVENS THE PREFACE POrtugal though a Kingdom of but a small Extent and which for these latter Years has not furnished us with any great subject of History yet in past Ages it did so largely extend its Dominions and raised such admiration throughout Europe by its wonderful Discoveries and stupendious Conquests that it is much to be admired all its past Glories should be Buried under its present obscurity Nor is it less to be wondred at that England which so lately received from thence a Queen yet living should know so little either of her Country or Progenitors This I say in regard that till now there has not appeared abroad in the English Tongue any History of that once so famous Kingdom unless we will reckon as such some small fragments which at several times have crept into the World and which seem rather to stir up our curiosity to know who those People were than any ways to satisfy our desire of Knowledge This fault I conceive must be chiefly imputed to the Portuguese themselves whose care it ought to have been to deliver to Posterity and Foreigners their own honourable Actions so methodized that they might delight in seeing them together reduced into the form of a compleat History But they though furnishing so much matter for Authors to employ their Pens were yet supinely negligent in duly recording and publishing of it It is true they had many Writers who snatched their Actions from utter oblivion by leaving that piece-meal which ought to have been reduced into one Work but this was a labour most Men were averse to as believing it above their strength because those Writings were partly so voluminous that it required almost a Man's Age to reduce them to a less compass and partly so scattered abroad in sundry parts of the Kingdom that they despaired of ever being able to bring them together Emanuel de Faria y Sousa our Author was the first that I can find ever undertook to digest and publish to the World the compleat History of his Country and give a perfect account of the Actions of his Countrymen in all parts of the World He not only undertook but performed it with general applause not only of the Portuguese who are the subject of his great Enterprize but even of the Spaniards in whose Language he Wrote This his labour was not finished till the Year 1640. and appeared not in publick till many Years after He has observed a strict method of History without running out into endless Digressions which only serve to swell Volumes and are no way material to the subject in hand Being a Portuguese I cannot affirm him to be altogether impartial for there is no Man whom the love of his Native Country does not a little sway yet this can be no exception against him because if such all History would be lyable to the same censure and besides he was a Man that proposed to himself no interest in flattering the great ones living always a private retired life which will plainly appear in that he spares not often to expose the Vices and Enormities of notable Persons for the sake of their Posterity and no where extols any though never so mighty for the hope of pleasing their descendants But to be short let the History speak for it self for my commendation as being a party too much concerned in it cannot add much to its Reputation and yet this I must say that I cannot at all doubt of its meeting applause because having run through the Kingdoms of Spain and Portugal with a general esteem in its original Language I cannot be perswaded that the Translation can have so much detracted from its first value as to render it unacceptable to the judicious lovers of this sort of Learning Thus much may suffice as to the History in General but to descend to particulars The first Book contains all that hapned in Portugal from the time it was first peopled by Tubal the Grandson of Noah till the time of the famous Viriatus The second begins with Viriatus and ends at the Birth of Saviour The third reaches from the Birth of our Saviour till the Conquest of Spain by the Moors The fourth from the Moorish Conquest till the erecting of Portugal into a particular Kingdom under its first King Alonso the First or rather his Father Count Henry The fifth from the said Count Henry till King Sancho the second The sixth from him till King Ferdinand inclusive The seventh from King John the First to King John the Second The eighth from King Emanuel till Henry the King and Cardinal and the Governours left by him at his Death The ninth Book has the lives of the three Philips Kings of Spain and Portugal till the Year 1640. where the Author concludes and the Supplement begins Having given this short account of the main History and named the Supplement I must not omit to say somewhat in relation to it Emanual de Faria having concluded as has been said just at the Year 1640. there ensued that very Year the great Revolution in which the Portuguese cast off the Dominion of the Spaniards and set up a King of their own This mighty work was in a manner done in a day all places submitting to the new King and expelling the Spaniards with such success as is scarce credible but that the thing is still fresh in the memory of many persons living However though the Portuguese in so short a time had asserted their Liberty and cast off the Foreign Yoak yet the consequences of so great an Enterprise were a continual War for the space of almost Twenty Eight Years Now this War is the principal subject of the Supplement and indeed a matter well worthy to be known as a most material Transaction of this Age. Being a thing so remarkable and near our times I have been very particular in it and therefore given an exact account of the Transactions of every Year apart I have not been sparing of any labour in perusing such Authors as have writ of it and extracting from them as much as my intended Brevity would permit and tho' I designed to have been much shorter the variety of accidents is such that it has obliged
Castile still retains a Castle for its Arms. 1875. He reigned 32 Years 10. Tagus succeeded his Father Brigus Tagus the fifth King and bent all his Cares to the extending and improving his Dominions Hence he was Sirnamed Orma which signifies a Building or Monument From him the River Tagus took its Name and in his time the Portuguese began to stretch themselves through the yet uninhabited Country and to People and till many at that time waste Mountains and Valleys His Reign lasted 29 or 30 Years 11. His Successor was Betus Betus the sixth King which signifies Happy or Fortunate Of him Spain was called Betica which Name is still continued to the Province of Andaluzia and in the famous River Betis The Multitude being now greater than Portugal could bear they spread themselves into Andaluzia where Betus founded several Towns the Inhabitants whereof were called Betuli or Bastuli Till this time the Portuguese acknowledged one only God without worshiping Idols or following other Superstitions which then were rife in other parts of the World 12. This was the happy Estate of Lusitania Gerion câ—mâ—s into Portugal when a wicked and vicious Man came out of Africk into Spain his Name was Gerion which in the Chaldean Tongue signifies a Stranger and with him came others 1830. He durst not at first enter Lusitania but fix'd his Abode near it in the Island Erithrea Ernea or Junonia lying in the Western Sea which in the Year of Grace 580. overflowed it The Piece of Land called Erithrea which Name fell afterwards to the Island of Cadiz afforded such rank Pasture that the People were obliged at certain times to bleed the Cattle lest they should die being overflowed with Blood Gerion passing over from thence to the Continent began to commit Violences carrying away some Cattle which the Portuguese unskilled in Arms had no way to prevent but by removing their Habitations He growing bolder committed so many Robberies till he was forced to enlarge his Territory to contain his Flocks which in the Infancy of the World was the greatest Treasure But being taken with the Delightfulness of the Island he only watched the Death of Betus which happened the 31th Year of his Reign 13. Gerion lost not the Opportunity he had wished for Gerion becomes K. of Portugal but immediately upon the Death of Betus passing over into Portugal and bountifully bestowing upon the Natives what he had got by his Robberies so far gained upon them that they suffered him to assume the Title of King He introduces Idolatry He to establish his Sovereignty introduced a new Superstition and Sacrifice never before known to the People and they looking upon him as more than Man took him for their Legislator All other parts of Spain followed the Example of the Portuguese and received him as their Sovereign Of him it is thought the City Girena took its Name But he having usurped the Crown held it like a Tyrant and the People feeling the Oppression wished but knew not how to get rid of their unsupportable new Lord. 14. The People of Andaluzia meditating how to deliver themselves from this Oppression of the Usurper 1794. and hearing that Osiris victoriously ranged the World making it his business to assist the distressed gave him an Account of their miserable Condition worse in the Apprehension of what was like to follow than even in their present Sufferings for the Dread of what a known Tyrant may do is a greater Calamity than what he does really act Osiris soon accepted the Invitation and flew with Diligence to the Relief of that Distressed People Gerion understanding the Danger that threatned him Osiris comes into Spain kills Gerion and gives the Crown to his three Sons sent before his three Sons with some chosen Troops to give a Check to Osiris while he came up with the main Body of his Army The two Hosts met upon the Banks of the River Guadiana where they charged one another with such Fury that Osiris was near losing the Honour he had before gained by so many notable Victories For Gerion and his Sons were brave and the Lusitanians though not then used to handle Weapons were strong of Body and bore the Brunt with Resolution But the Fortune of Osiris never failing and Gerion being slain his Men despairing of Success placed all their Hope of Safety in Flight Osiris used this Victory with such Clemency a Quality inherent to such as fight for Justice and do not conquer to tyranize that he appeared to the Conquered rather as a mercifull Judge of their Differences than an haughty and successful Commander and therefore yielded the Crown of Spain to the three Sons of the Deceased Gerion who were called Lominii 15. This was the End of Gerion such will that of all Tyrants be Some Authors are of Opinion he was slain by Hercules the Grecian and the reason of this Mistake is that then the Name of Hercules was rather titular to all Heroes than peculiar to any one Gerion was the first in Spain that made Account of any Treasure besides Cattle discovered Mines of Gold and taught the Value of it From the Riches he thus gathered he got the Name of Chryseus or Deabus which in the Lybian Language signifies a Man of Gold or Lord of great Riches This Humanity of Osiris in restoring the Sons of Gerion to the Crown so far gained upon the Portuguese that in return they gave up their very Souls receiving the new VVorship which the Idolatrous Osiris brought among them Of him they learnt to make their Year but of Four Months after the manner of the Egyptians which Custom continued in Spain till the Romans having subdued it reduced the Account to their own Form Osiris is allowed to have taught the People an easier way of Tilling and Sowing than they used before Gerion reigned 34 years and was the first that oppressed and fleeced the People the Property of Usurpers who when they do best treat their Subjects with more Cruelty than Lawful Princes do at worst Osiris returned to Egypt Osiris returns into Egypt leaving behind him some of his Companions who were Arâ—â—â— of those called Scenitae and took their Seats near the Mouth of the River Guadiana From them Cape St. Vincent was also called Promontorium Scenâ—â—icum This Battle fought between Osiris and Gerion near the place where Tarifa now stands was the first that ever happened in Spain Gerion was buried by his Sons in the Island Erithrea in the same manner as is used at present and was the first so interred in Spain Some will have the Family of Osorios to be descended from Osiris but that is hard to prove and no Task of mine CHAP. II. Of the Lominii Hispalus Hispanus Hercules Italus Sic-Orus Sic-Anus Sic-Celeus Lusus Sic-Ulus Lisias Licinius Palatuus Gargoris Abidis Argentorius and Baucius Capetus Kings of Lusitania 1. THE three Gerions 1780. or Lominii began their Government
with such Brotherly Love The Lominii three Sons of Gerion reign and such perfect Union that they gave occasion to the Fable That Spain was ruled by a King with three Heads Such was the Entrance of their Sway that it seemed they were resolved to preserve with Justice what their Father had gained with Violence But it was not long before it appeared they had rather be thought Sons of such a Father than Fathers of their Subjects They were good no longer than till they had the Power to be wicked which was till Osiris was removed Then remembring the People of Andaluzia Aragon and Valencia had been the Cause of their Father's Death by calling in Osiris they removed towards those parts on pretence of Affection but in reality to wreak their Revenge 2. Osiris being basely Murdered by his Brother Typhon his Son Orus Lybicus succeeded him having slain the Murderer The People of Andaluzia now again oppressed by the Tyranny of the Lominii who upon the departure of Osiris were exercising their revenge on those their Subjects Orus Lybicus or Hercules comes into Spain 〈◊〉 the Lominii 〈◊〉 makes his Son Hispalus King sent for and to Orus Lybicus called also Hercules who speedily came to their relief as his Father had done out of Africk where he had killed the Giant Anteus and marched after the Enemy who were retired to the Fastnesses of Lusitania and there resolutely waited his approach The Lominii had posted themselves in a secure place called formerly Saltus Tercenorum Hercules seeing them in place almost inaccessible resolved to save his Men and avoid the hazard of a Battle by challenging the three Brothers to fight him hand to hand which he did and they accepting of it were all three slain successively 1718. The Portuguese seeing their Princes slain began to move to revenge their Death but Orus making use of perswasions rather than force appeased them and calling the Nobles to him he made a Sacrifice of Thanksgiving This done he advanced as far as the Promontorium Sacrum where he built a magnificent Temple wherein the Aegyptian Ceremonies taught by the Founder were for many Ages after Religiously observed The People in acknowledgment for the Benefits received by Hercules or rather swayed by fear joyfully received his Son Hispalus for their King who continued in Lusitania with many of his Aegyptians 3. Hispalus was installed 42 Years after the Gerions had begun to Reign and being peaceably seated on the Throne his Father Orus Lybicus marched away for Italy The gentle Government of Hispalus was the reviving of the hearts of that People after so many Calamities but Prosperities are not durable for he died the 17th Year of his Reign Among the memorable Customs introduced by him were those of Burying the Dead and wearing Mourning for them what sort of Mourning it was appears not but that which many Ages after was used till the time of King Emanuel of Portugal and Ferdinand of Castile was on the lightest occasions rough Canvass and the deep used for Kings and such like occasions of the coursest Sack-cloth and that always White as is still used in China 4. Hispanus succeeded his Father Hispalus and was Proclaimed in the Temple of Hercules with great Ceremony The Spaniards in those days held it a crime to look upon the setting Sun therefore those that lived upon the Coast used to turn their backs towards it those who lived near the Promontorium Sacrum retreated at Night far off from it believing the Gods spent the Night there in Sport and Pastimes not to be seen by Mortal Eyes Only the Priests and the King on the Night of his inauguration were permitted to stay on that point of Land and look towards the West but as soon as the Sun quite disappeared they prostrated themselves on the Ground and then retired to the Temple where they continued till break of day when the King returned to the same place and continued there till the Sun again spread its Beams over all that part of the Country Then he returned joyfully to the People offered Sacrifice and was thence forward esteemed wiser than all others as being one that had seen Divine Secrets and Hidden Mysteries It is a common Opinion among the vulgar that Hispalis now Sevil was built by Hispalus and that the Name Hispania came from Hispanus 1169. who died when he had Reigned 32 Years leaving no Issue 5. Hercules Hercules Governs Spain and leaves the Crown to Hesperus after the Death of his Grandson Hispanus returned to Spain which he Governed Nineteen Years in Peace with singular Wisdom and Goodness and finding his end draw on he appointed Hesperus one of his Officers his Successor The Funeral Obsequies being performed 1650. Hesperus took upon him the Sovereignty but the giddy People being dissatisfied with his Government revolted from him to his Brother Atlas Italus who came out of Italy pretending a right as being the Elder Brother though neither had any other Title but the choice of Hercules which was of the Younger Hesperus deposed and Atlas set up in his place By this desertion of the Subjects Hesperus was easily deprived of the Crown and flying into Italy outlived not long his Misfortune Italus having Reigned in Portugal the space of Ten Years returned into Italy 1618. leaving the Dominion of Spain to his Son Sic-Orus He leaves the Crown to his Son Sicorus during whose Reign the Noise of Arms was not heard he left his Name to that River of Catalonia that washes the Walls of Lerida and is now called Segre but formerly Sicoris and a great part of that Country was of him long after called Sicoria he Reigned 55 Years 6. Sicanus the Son of Sicorus succeeded his Father Sicanus Succeeds them and Sicceleus him he is reported to have waged War in Italy and thence to have passed over and conquered Sicily which of him our Author will have to take the Name of Sicania and he to have Reigned 31 Years His Son Sicceleus immediately entred upon the Government and of him also is continued that Romantick Story of going into Italy with an Army where also he is said to have died in the 44th Year of his Reign 2453 from the Creation 797 from the Flood and 1509 before the Birth of Christ 1509. 7. After the Death of Sic-Celeus his Son Lusus was proclaimed King Lusus ascends the Throne and for the singular Affection he shewed to the Western part of Spain where he spent the most of his life that Country took his Name being afterwards called Lusitania Under this Name was comprehended all the Country between the Rivers Guadiana and Duero the main Ocean bounded it on the West and its limits on the East were formed by an imaginary line drawn almost straight from the turning of the River Duero near Castrominho down to Guadiana which River divided it from the Province Betica Nothing else is recorded of Lusus but that he
reigned 33 Years Siculus the next King and dying left the Kingdom to Siculus who being born in Lusitania preserved the same Affection his Father had done for that Province and People He also is supposed to have passed over into Italy and to have overthrown the Aborigines whence sailing into Sicily 1416. he subdued that Island and left his Name to it where he ended his Days having reigned 61 Years 8. The Death of Siculus was so much resented by the Spaniards and particularly the Lusitanians that he leaving no Heir An interregnum for 100 Years they resolved not to submit themselves to another King Above an Hundred Years they lived at their Liberty referring all Controversies to the ancientest Men Bacchus in Spain and standing to their Decision till Bacchus the Son of Semele with a numerous Army of sundry Nations came into Spain The Fame of so mighty an Army terrified the Spaniards but they were no less delighted with their Luxurious manner of living all their Martial Exercises being intermixed with Pleasures and Delights Hence the Sports used to this day in Portugal called Folias are supposed to have deduced their Original which consists of Dancing Taboring and Singing The Word is either derived from the Latin Folia or leaves because the Bacchanals were so Crowned or from the Italian signifying Madness which is proper enough to such Divertisements and to the Feasts of the Bacchanals 9. Bacchus finding the Lusitanians opposed his Command and cut off many of his Army retiring to the Mountains after doing the Mischief employed his Tutor Silenus to work upon them by fair means which he did so effectually that they submitted themselves to him only upon condition he should not use the Name of King which they would allow to none since the Death of their beloved King Lusus However Bacchus finding them an Ignorant and Credulous People perswaded them that the Soul of Lusus was transmigrated unto his Son Lisias Lisias made King who for the Love they bore him was returned to Reign over them This Fiction so took with the People that they put themselves wholly into his Power congratulating with themselves the Happiness of having recovered their admired King Bacchus returned into Italy and his Son remained possessed of this great part of Europe which he enjoyed not full Three Years 1299. He dying the Lusitanians would not admit any other King but chose for their Commander Cacus chose General one Cacus a bold Fellow and one of Lisias his Companions he raising a powerful Army marched against Palatuus King of Andaluzia whom in a Bloody Battle he overthrew and by that means remained possessed of the greatest part of all Spain puffed up with this Success he became Insolent and Cruel which rendred him Odious to the People 10. Palatuus who lay lurking in the Mountains laid hold of this opportunity sent some to sound the affections of the Multitude and finding them well inclined towards him adventured to raise Forces and march towards Lusitania Hercules the Theban in Spain overthrows Cacus At the same time Hercules the Theban with the rest of the Argonauts being by stress of Weather cast ashore in Spain near the mouth of Guadalquivir was lovingly received and entertained by Palatuus this Courtesie obliged him to espouse his Quarrel and so joyning their Forces they overthrew the Tyrant Cacus or Licinius who fled into Italy whither presently after Hercules returned Still the Lucitanians preserved their Liberty as before as they did whilst Erithreus whom some call the Son others the Cousin of Palatuus reigned in the other parts of Spain Palatuus seems to have Reigned 67 Years and Gargoris is said to have been his Son but for this there is no manner of Authority 11. The Tyranny of Cacus or Licinius lasted Thirty Six Years which are to be included in the 70 of Palatuus his Reign and many more Lusitania remained free from any subjection being governed only by the Rules of Reason 1158. and some of Tubal's Laws which remained in Verse Gargoris finds the use of Honey and its making It fell out accidentally that a Man called Gargoris which formerly signified a burning Coal or Flame found a Swarm of Bees in a hollow Oak and discovering their Honey taught the use of it to the People This sweet Discovery was worth a Crown which the Multitude iâ— Requital for that Benefit freely bestowed upon him He was afterwards by the Latins called Melicola for discovering to the Spaniards the Use of Honey Whilst Gargoris reigned he had a Daughter got with Child by some Gallant or as some thought by her own Father for as soon as the Child was born Abidis exposed Brought to Court Teaches the People to yoke Oxen plow and sow he caused it to be exposed to the Wild Beasts But they instead of destroying nourished the Infant of which he being informed caused him to be cast into the Sea and that Element milder than the Grandfather carried it up the River Tagus as far as Santarem formerly called Scalabis where it was suckled by a Doe Of her being grown up he took to a natural Swiftness so that they that hunted in the Mountains admired to see in him the Figure of a Man and the Wildness of a Beast Gargoris hearing hereof and not imagining it was his Grandson caused him to be taken in a Gin and being brought before him he by known Signs perceived it was the same he had exposed His Hatred now turned into Love he called him Abidis causing him to be carefully instructed And he was so great a Proficient that it was he who first civilized that barbarous Multitude He also taught them to yoke Oxen to plow and sow 11. Troy being reduced to Ashes 1130. Vlysses with a part of the Grecian Fleet driven by Storms out of the Mouth of the Streights arrived at length at the Mouth of the River Tagus Ulysses in Portugal and entring landed where he found already built a City on the Hill to which he left his Name which remains to this Day being called Vlyssippo which is the famous City Lisbon Here in Memory of the Favours received of the Goddess Minerva he built a stately Temple and dedicated it to her Gargoris upon the News of his Arrival marched towards him with an Army but they both meeting and conferring together parted Friends And not so content Gargoris gave to Vlysses his Daughter the Mother of Abidis in Marriage However the Greeks committing several Insolences in the Country they became odious to the People who rising up in Arms against them Vlysses stole away to Sea leaving his new Wife behind How long Gargoris reigned cannot positively be set down the best Guess that can be given is Seventy seven Years 1105. At the same time that Vlysses sailed out of Tagus Diomedes enter'd the River Mino in the North of Portugal There he founded a City which after the Name of his Father
and Viriatus perceiving the Enemy's Battel broke in the Pursuit rallying his Cavalry he gave such a Charge that Servilianus with his Elephants fled leaving 6000 Men dead Soon after this Servilianus pursuing a Lusitanian Robber called Corroba besieged him in a strong Place where Hunger forced him to surrender upon Promise not only of Life but that his Men should march off with their Arms yet so as to swear never more to employ them against the Romans But the Consul unmindful of his Promise when he had all the Troop of Robbers consisting of 500 Men in his Power cut off all their Right Hands except the Captain 's 8. Spring coming on all Lusitania was full of Warlike Preparations Viriatus marched against the Consul who had besieged the City of Erissana and with wonderful Cunning made his Way into it where having well encouraged the Defendants he sallied out so furiously that Servilianus was glad to retire to a Place of Advantage Viriatus makes Peace with the Romans Here he was so straiten'd that he made Proposals of Peace which were agreed upon and Viriatus allowed a Friend of the People of Rome This done the Armies parted one into Andaluzia the other into Lusitania One of those who approved of the Peace concluded was Quintus Servilius Cepio the Consul's Brother yet afterwards considering how dishonourable it was to Rome he openly blamed his Brother and by that Means obtained the Consulship and a numerous Army to better the Affairs of the Romans in Lusitania The Peace broken Cepio kept his Designs so private that the Lusitanians thought of nothing but their Country-Affairs They were awaken'd by the News brought that the Consul had by Storm taken the City of Arsa not far from Sevil. Viriatus was then at Valencia who immediately marched with some Troops towards Lusitania By the Way he reduced Segorbe which had revolted when Cepio appeared with a mighty Army He finding himself too weak for so powerful an Army with his Horse amused them till his Foot were got into the Mountains Cepio pursued him to cut off his Retreat into Portugal He as he fled into the Heart of Spain used excessive Cruelty to all that bore the Roman Name But finding this turned not to Account he sent an Ambassador to Cepio to put him in mind of the Peace so solemnly and so lately concluded The Consul having heard the Ambassadors and sounded their Dispositions with mighty Promises prevailed upon them to murder Viriatus Their Names were Dictalcon Minurus and Aulaus all three Captains of Note among the Lusitanians Viriatus killed by Treachery These three having undertaken this base Action returned and for some time kept Viriatus in hand with the Hopes of Peace till waiting their Opportunity in the Dead of the Night they enter'd his Tent and slew him as he lay asleep Thence they fled to give the Consul an Account of what they had done whose Countenance they found altered as it generally happens to Traytors after they have committed the Treason 9. In the Morning the Lusitanians missing their General they went into his Tent where finding him dead the whole Camp was filled with Lamentation and in Revenge of his Death they put all the Roman Prisoners to the Sword His Funeral-Pomp To perform his Funeral-Rites with all imaginable Pomp in the midst of the Field they raised a vast Pile of Timber leaving a Place for the Body The Top of the Pile was adorned with Ensigns and other Trophies of Arms. Then their Idolatrous Priest going up to the Top called upon the Ghost of Viriatus and killing some Captives with their Blood sprinkled the Arms which done he came down and set fire to the Pile which in a Moment consumed the Body The Funeral-Rites thus performed the Army chose one Tantalus for their General but he wanting the Fortune and Conduct of Viriatus could not so much as lead back his People into their own Country Servilius to gain the Reputation of a merciful Conqueror was content that the Lusitanians delivering up their Arms should be dispersed into several Parts Viriatus as to his Person was of a large Stature strong Limbs curled Hair large Eyes broad Eye-brows a stern Countenance and a large hooked Nose As to his Qualities he was modest liberal prudent of a ready Wit and quick of Invention Some of Viriatus's Soldiers gathering up his Ashes brought them back into his own Country and buried them together with his Sword In the time of King John the III. who reigned from the Year 1521 till 1557. in the Territory of Belas two Leagues from Lisbon and in the Lands of Peter Machado Carregueyro in turning up certain old Ruins was found a Stone Chest with this Inscription Hic Jacet Viriatus Lusitanus Dux In it was found a Sword on which certain Characters were Engraven The Prince and many other persons of Note saw it and Machado offering to sell the Sword they would give nothing for it so he gave it to a Friend of his of the Island Madera and by that means it was lost The Chest was broke in pieces and no part of it remains CHAP. VI. The Actions of the Lusitanians after the Death of Viriatus from the Year 133. before Christ till the Year 80. when Sertorius takes upon him the Command with his Exploits till the Year 70. 1. THE Lusitanians not loosing their Courage 130. though they had lost their General Tantalus Commands the Lusitanians broke out again under their new Commander Tantalus but not with the same Fortune as before being easily suppressed by the Consul Decius Junius Brutus who reduced then to sue for Peace It was granted upon tolerable Conditions one whereof was that he should assign them Lands to live upon These Lands were along the delightful Southern Coast upon the River Turia now Guadalaviar where they built the most famous City Valencia the foundation whereof is therefore assigned to Brutus the Consul This Army thus Disbanded Brutus entred Lusitania without meeting any opposition till he came to Eburobricium a City seated on the Sea-coast near to which now stands the Town of Alfazeyran the Inhabitants of this place adventured to come out a League from their Walls and give the Consul Battle He in the heat of the Fight vowed he would there build a Temple to Neptune if he obtained the Victory and having without much difficulty overthrown his Enemy performed his Vow He laid Siege to the City and soon was Master of it 2. The next Year Brutus with his victorious Army passed over the rapid River Duero and coming unexpectedly upon the People that inhabited between that River and Minho made a great slaughter of them which obliged such as could escape to fly to the Mountains Thence in Parties they came down and cut off many of his Men nay the very Women showed such Valour that the Consul was obliged to kill a great number of them but perceiving the harm was done him from the Mountains he
the mean time came Pompey the Great from Rome and was joined by Metellus Marcus Perpenna came also from Sardinia with 30 Veterane Troops to the Assistance of Sertorius The Lusitanians encouraged with this Aid and lying now in sight of the Romans pressed their General to lead them out to Battel But he weighing the mighty Power of the Enemy meditated how to gain some Advantage by Policy Part of his Army carried away with Heat and forgetful of good Discipline adventured contrary to his Orders to charge the Romans but came off with Dishonour which nothing displeased Sertorius Here it was that he convinced his Men by the Example of two Horses One very lean and poor he gave to a lusty Young Man ordering him to pull out the Hair of his Main and Tail which he attempting to draw out by Handfulls laboured much but profited little The other being a beautiful strong Horse he gave to an ancient Man for the same purpose and he plucking Hair by Hair did that with Ease which the other could not do with great Pains Thus he said they were to proceed against the Romans whom it was impossible at one Stroke to overthrow but easie to compass at many Sertorius laid Seige to Laurona now Leiria 4 Leagues from Valencia on the Banks of the River Xucar Pompey and Metellus came to raise the Seige but lost 10000 Men in the Attempt and endeavouring to gain a Rising Ground which lay opportunely for putting of supplies in the Town they found Sertorius had prevented them Next Pompey designed to besiege the Lusitanian Army hemming it in between his own and the Town but Sertorius having left 6000 Men in Ambush they attacked him in his approach so that he was glad to return to his Camp and look on whilst the City was taken and Burnt The Roman Army consisted of 1000 Horse and 30000 Foot but the Lusitanians were 70000 strong This done Sertorius returned victorious to Evora which Place he fortified with strong Walls and brought Water to it from several Springs through a stately Aqueduct His whole Family at this time consisted of an old Nurse and three Slaves And though he was Sovereign in Portugal for some Years he had no House of his own Now it was he built one so small that it would not contain an ordinary Gentleman of our Times He married at Evora the Daughter of a Noble Citizen called Firmius Liberius by whom he had no Children 10. Spring coming on 72. Pompey and Metellus drew out of their Winter-Quarters and marching through Andaluzia separately strove to recover those Places which Sertorius had Garrison'd But he losing no Time advanced against Pompey and met him on the Banks of the River Xucar Pompey resolved to fight that Metellus might have no Share in the Honour of the Action And Sertorius thought best to have to do with them apart Sertorius worsted by Pompey and Metellus Thus agreed they drew out Sertorius facing Afranius and Perpenna Pompey The Charge being given Sertorius began to gain upon Afranius when understanding that Perpenna gave way to Pompey he hasted thither and presently put the Enemy to flight In the mean while Afranius encouraging his Men had almost routed that Wing which Sertorius left near possessed of Victory but he returning thither soon restored the Battel Now had Pompey's Army been entirely cut off but that Metellus appearing Sertorius stayed his Soldiers from the Pursuit and said Halt halt for I would have sent this Boy to Rome well scourged had not that old Woman snatched him out of my Hands However Metellus did not attempt any thing upon the Victors contenting himself to have saved the flying Army Sertorius returning to his Camp missed his Hind lost in the Hurrey of the Battel which made him extreamly melancholy But some time after certain Country-men bringing him Tidings of her he ordered them to conceal the Matter and at a certain Time appointed to turn her loose Then calling together his Chief Officers he told them The Goddess of the Woods had appeared to him assuring him that the Hind should return with Instructions how he should behave himself Whilst he was yet talking the Hind set loose came running to him and laying her Head betwixt his Knees licked his Hands 11. It is incredible how much the whole Army rejoiced at the Return of the Hind And Sertorius to make use of that Heat marched towards Valencia where Metellus was wasting the Country He so hemmed him up in a Plain that he must either perish or fight However he sent Mummius with a Party of Horse to conduct a Convoy of Provisions to him Sertorius having Notice thereof marched out by Night and in the Morning putting the Guard to the Sword he took the whole Convoy Metellus contemning Sertorius marched to seek him and Perpenna after him Thus they were soon engaged with such ill Success on the Romans side that they began to fly The old Metellus disdaining to be thus disgraced did Wonders exceeding his Age till he fell wounded with a Dart Sertorius routed by Metellus And the Shame of losing their General bringing back his Men they so fiercely charged the Lusitanians disorder'd in the Pursuit that they recovered the Day putting them to the Rout with great Slaughter Sertorius did all that Metellus had done before to stay his Men but could only stop the victorious Romans till his Army escaped Which done he followed after to a strong City standing on an Hill Metellus encompassed the Place thinking to starve it but Sertorius had before laid in sufficient Stores A few Days after with a Party of Light Horse he made his Escape deceiving the Roman Guards and returned safe into Lusitania where he was received with unexpressible Joy CHAP. VII The remaining Actions of Sertorius from the Year 70 before the Birth of Christ till his Death which was in the Year 68. What else happen'd in Lusitania till the Coming of Julius Caesar and his Exploits till the Year 57 before Christ 1. THE following Year Sertorius put to Sea with a Fleet 70. resolving to destroy all the Ships he found in the Roman Harbours The Romans sustain great Losses by Sertorius and in a short time scouring the Mediterranean he did great Harm This was a great Loss to Pompey and Metellus but a greater they sustained by the Means of Herculeius a Lusitanian Captain who cut off six Troops of Horse and a Legion which under the Command of Probus Emilianus were conducting a great Convoy of Provisions This put the Roman Generals upon taking new Methods Pompey went away to Navarre whilst Metellus gave an Account of his Losses to the Senate of Rome and pressed for considerable Supplies 69. They came accordingly and the two Generals took the Field again Metellus marching apart from Pompey near Italica which was not far from Sevil was met by Herculeius and so pressed that he betook himself to a Mountain The Lusitanian Army lay at the Foot
City where the two Idolatrous Bishops were deposed They to recover their Honour feigned Repentance And St. Stephen then Pope believing the Fiction ordered them to be restored but his Command was not obeyed by the Council who therein took the Advice of St. Cyprian then Bishop of Carthage Another Council was held at Braga to decide whether the Baptism of Hereticks done with an Intention was valid And it passed in the Affirmative After the Plague followed a no less Evil which was an Inundation of Germans over all the Provinces of the Empire Most Places now known in Portugal only by their Ruins were by them overthrown and not by the Goths For the Germans designing to return home spoiled all they could not carry away whereas the Goths coming to settle spared much for their own Use Thus ended the Empire of Galienus CHAP. II. The Heresie of Priscilian The Coming into Spain of the Vandals Alans Suevians and Goths The Kingdom of the Suevians setled in Portugal And all other Passages of Note from the Year 271 to the Year 448. 1. Claudius II. and Aurelianus were Successors to Galienus 271. in the Empire Claudius and Aurelianus The latter was he that overcame the most Warlike Zenobia Queen of Palmira Under these Emperors suffered Martyrdom nine Sisters the Daughters of Lucius Catelius or Caius Atilius Governor of Galicia and Lusitania as some Authors have it born at Braga but others say he was a German These things are very obscure and uncertain as are all the Affairs of Lusitania till the Time of Constantine the Great Only this is certain That a a great Number of Martyrs suffered under the Heathen Emperors 311. throughout all Spain and consequently Portugal had a great Share in them Constantine the Great The Emperor Constantine after quieting the Troubles of Spain the better to settle the Spiritual Government assembled a National Council at Toledo The Church settled In it the Metropolitan Churches were settled which were Braga and Merida for Lusitania Toledo Sevil and Cordova for the rest of Spain Another Council was afterwards held at Iliberi which was near Granada for settling many Things relating to the Affairs of the Church There met at it 19 Bishops 3 whereof went out of Portugal which were Vincentius of Ossonoba in Algarve Januarius of Alcazar de Sal and Quincianus of Evora Constantine regulated the Government of the Empire reducing it to a better Form than any of his Predecessors had done He employed Spanish Forces in remote Parts In Egypt was a Body of Spanish Horse and another of Lusitanian Foot Also Spanish Horse in Arabia and others in other Places Constantine favoured Lusitania bestowing great Privileges on it and eased it of heavy Taxes These are all the Memorials that remain of him in this Kingdom Nor is there any of five of his Successors 2. In this Age Priscilian the Heretick condemned the Heresie of Priscilian was condemned at Rome in France and Spain he having before suffered Death for it This Heresie was first broached in Egypt and thence brought into Spain by one Mark who soon gained the Affections of some Ladies because he allowed among his other Tenets that Married People might be divorced only upon Dislike of one another A certain Lady called Agâ—â—pe was the great Favourer of this new Doctrine and in her House it was taught one Helpidius a Grammarian being the chief Professor Priscilianus born in Galicia with some Smattering he had of Rhetorick and Philosophy and a little Skill in Magick of a Disciple in a few Days became so absolute a Master of this Heresie that it ever after took Name of him A Synod assembled at Zaragoza condemned all the Professors of this Heresie yet they prevailed so far against this Decree that Priscilian was made Bishop of Avila Upon Complaint made to the Emperor Gracian he ordered that Priscilian and the other Heretical Bishops should not only be expelled their Sees but all Spain After this Priscilian with Bribes obtained an Order from one of the Emperor's Secretaries to be himself restored to his Bishoprick and the same for one of his Companions the other being dead The Catholick Bishops flying to the Emperor for Redress Priscilian was not only deposed but beheaded for his Contumacy The other Bishop called Instancius recanted Some of Priscilian's Disciples brought his Carcase into Spain where he was reverenced as a Saint and their most solemn Oaths were made by him The Emperor Maximin would have put them all to the Sword but St. Martin opposed it being very angry that the Spanish Bishops had prosecuted Priscilian to Death Nevertheless Maximus defended the Bishops and was offended at St. Martin for opposing them 391. A second Constantine filled the Imperial Throne in the Person of Theodosius so equal was their Justice Clemency and Religion About this time there is some Account that the Lusitanians of Ambracia built Placensia in the Province of Cantabria There is still a Town there of this Name and we find one Protasius Bishop thereof mentioned in the Fifth Council of Toledo But let us come out of this Obscurity though not into full Light yet to somewhat more Clearness and speak of the Coming of the Goths into Spain 3. The Goths were descended of Magog Goths who they were one of the Sons of Japhet and Brother to Tubal who first planted in Scandinavia that vast Northern Tract of Land which in the manner of a Peninsula contains Sweden Norway and Gothland Out of the last came the Goths well known in the World no less for their many Victories than for their beastly Barbarities After this broke out the Suevians The Suevians Vandals Alans Burgundians and Selingi driven out of Sweden by the Goths And lastly came that Inundation of Vandals Alans Burgundians Selingi and other Northern Nations out of the Countries about the River Tanais and the Palus Maeotis Whilst these Nations were yet employed in Germany and France the Roman Army in Great Britain saluted two of their Generals Marcus and Gracianus Emperors successively and then killing them both promoted Constantius who fearing the like End as the others had met with passed over into France where joining with the greatest Men he made himself Master of most of that Country Encouraged with this Success he sent out several Commanders of Note to possess themselves of Spain expelling those that govern'd there for the Emperor Honorius There had been no Difficulty in compassing his Design but for Didimus and Verinianus who being then in Lusitania hasted with a good Power to secure the Passes of the Pyraenean Hills However Constans the Son of Constantius with certain Veterane Legions and some Troops of Alans and Suevians all in Rebellion against the Empire forced their Way The two Brothers pursued and overtaking him they came to a Battel in which the Imperialists were overthrown and Constans obtained a compleat Victory Thus the Spaniards were forced to submit themselves to Constans The
Italy the Alans and Lusitanians before dispersed began to take heart and recover what they had lost founding also many new Towns Among these were Albuquerque and Terabrica which last was rather repaired being called Alankerken which signifies The Church of the Alans and now corruptly Alanquer Whilst the Alans thus without any King only following their Generals paid Tribute to the Emperor The Suevians incorporate with the antient Lusitanians Hermenericus the Suevian King at Lisbon applied himself to the repairing of the Towns that had been destroyed treating the Native Lusitanians no otherwise than his own Country-men The Lusitanians having the free Liberty of their Religion and being equally admitted to all Honours with the Suevians the two Nations joined Marriage and by that Means became so entirely one that there was no knowing the Suevian from the Lusitanian or the contrary Being thus joined into one Body they could afterwards never be parted but notwithstanding the Invasion of the Goths the Inhabitants of Portugal were afterwards called Suevians Thus the Portugueses are descended from the Suevians no less Noble than the Goths if either of those Barbarous Nations deserve to be esteemed Honourable And thus the Province of Lusitania lost that Name and was long after called Suevia 8. The Alans enjoyed Tranquility 419. without any King as did the Suevians or Portugueses under their Sovereign Hermenericus till Gundericus King of the Vandals thinking it easie to subdue the Alans in Lusitania and the Silingi in Andaluzia if Hermenericus were once oppressed he broke the Peace with the Suevians and rushing suddenly with Fire and Sword into their Territories Hermenericus though surprized at this unexpected Invasion gathering his Forces together received the Enemy so successfully that he sent him to seek new Seats in the Islands of Majorca and Minorca where we will leave him to be spoken of by those Historians to whom it belongs 420. Gensericus the Brother of Gundericus The Suevians Alans and Silingi join in League against the Romans succeeded him Who understanding that Etius Honorius's General was coming into Spain to revenge the Wrongs done by his Brother he joined in League with Hermenericus King of the Suevians and with the Alans and Silingi believing none would dare to oppose their United Power At Merida they Mustered their Forces Etius dreading their Multitude but much more surprized at the death of the Emperor 423. attempted nothing upon them Thus Gensericus was left at leasure to pass over into Africk where he utterly abolished the Name of the Roman Empire and Hermenericus 427. whilst the Vandals were employed in Africk enlarged the Borders of his Kingdom to almost the same extent it now bears 9. Valentinian the Emperor Wars betwixt the Romans and Suevians who succeeded Honorius understanding the Vandals were gone over into Africk Commanded his General Sebastian to invade the Alans left in Lusitania Merida and all that Territory was easily taken from them as was Lisbon and Estremadura from the Suevians Sebastian now Victorious forgetting his Duty caused himself to be Proclaimed King of what part he had recovered of Lusitania yet his Friends failing him he was soon killed and by his Death the Alans and Suevians had an opportunity of recovering Merida and Lisbon Hermenericus grown Old and Infirm caused his Son Richila to be Proclaimed King who proved one of the most fortunate Princes of the Suevians whilst Hermenericus rejoyced in the hopes of surviving in the Person of his Son Andebalus the Imperial General was on his march to recover what Sebastian had lost Richila to begin his Reign honourably gathered a mighty Power and meeting Andebalus on the Banks of the River Xenil then called Silingus slew him and the greatest part of his Army 10. All Andaluzia easily submitted to the Victorious King Richila makes himself Master of Lusitania and Andaluzia as did also Merida where there had been an Imperial Garrison ever since Sebastian took it All Lusitania in like manner was brought under and Richila became absolute in Andaluzia and Lusitania Old Hermenericus died contentedly leaving such an Heir in the Town of Britonium near Viana de Caminha on the mouth of the River Minho 440. Another Author who calls him Monarch of Spain says he was drowned in the River Guadiana near unto Merida Richila being sensible how much more easie it is to gain than to preserve too large a Dominion voluntarily resigned up Cartagena and Carpentania to the Romans and entring into League with them by that means established a large and peaceable Kingdom 448. He died Eight Years after his Father and left his Son Ricciarius to succeed him being equal to him in valour but more fortunate in the true knowledge of the Evangelical Law which he professed living and adhered to at his death CHAP. III. The Kingdom of the Suevians subdued by the Goths two Kings set up by their consent all again reduced under one with the other remarkable occurrences between the Years of Grace 448 and 560. 1. RIcciarius succeeded his Father Richila 448. not only in the Kingdom of Portugal Ricciarius his Reign but the greatest part of Spain The beginning of his Reign was disturbed with some Conspiracies of the Great Men but he privately took off many of them and by that means secured his Life and Kingdom He Married a Daughter of Theodoredus King of the Goths her Name is not known Ricciarius after his Marriage raising a great Army made War upon those parts of Navarre which were yet subject to the Roman Jurisdiction and through them he forced his way into France to see his Father-in-law Theodoredus The old Man perceiving his aspiring Spirit gave him considerable supplies for the carrying on of his Designs In his return he conquered the Province of Tarragona and Carpentania which his Father had abandoned to the Romans In Aragon he took Zaragoza and Lerida in Catalonia after plundering the Province of Cartagena he returned loaded with Booty and Honour into Lusitania Ricciarius being now at rest 451. his Father-in-law Theodoredus died and Theodoricus his Son succeeded him Him Ricciarius thought to have been no less forward toward his Assistance than the Father had been and upon this conceit he resolved to conquer the other Lands of the Empire The Goth who was in League with the Romans and feared the Ambition of his Brother-in-law might involve him in his own Ruin advised him to moderate his extravagant desires Ricciarius offended at this wholesome advice marched against his Brother-in-law with a powerful Army Theodoricus was not backward to meet him being strengthned with Succours from the Kings of France and Burgundy He is overthrown by Theodoricus King of the Goths The two Armies furiously ingaged in the Plains about Astorga both Kings were present in all places where the greatest Danger was Encouraging their Soldiers and the Men fought as those who had their Kings to be Spectators of their
Catholick Church were now infected with the Arian Heresie taught them by one Ajax a Galatian whom the Queen being her self an Arian brought with her The love of the Queen and the perswasions of Ajax wrought upon the King so effectually that he not only gave his Subjects the Example of embracing that Heresie but persecuted those that continued firm in the Faith All the care of the Prelates for repressing of this current was fruitless for it spread it self during the space of 100 Years in which time the Catholicks suffered Oppression Banishment and cruel Deaths There is no further memory of the Actions of Remismundus after his Marriage till his Death nor much of his Successors Theodulus Varamundus Mirus Faramirus and others till Theodomirus during the 100 Years that the Arian Heresie continued 490. In the Year 490 some Fishes were taken in the River Minho which on their Scales had certain Characters expressing that same number of Years 497. Not long after came into Spain Euricus King of the Goths with a design to subdue all the Country and began with Lusitania where having made great havock he returned Victorious into France and died at Arles Amalaricus 530. Grandson to Theodoricus succeeded Euricus he being Married to Crosilda â—he Daughter of Clouis and Sister to â—â—hildebert Clotarius and Clodomirus Kings of France treated her ill because she was a Catholick he being an Arian She complained her Brothers by the means of Ausbertus Archbishop of Braga 531. Childebert hereupon came into Lusitania and having overthrown and slain his Brother-in-law returned into France laden with Booty and carrying away his Sister who died by the Way 7. In the Year 549 549. Agila was Proclaimed King of the Goths he being overthrown at Cordova retired into Lusitania There he raised new Forces to withstand Athanagildus a valiant ambitious Captain who being possessed of Sevil stiled himself King of Spain He was supported by Roman Forces under the Command of Patricius Liberius a General in esteem with the Emperor Justinian 554. Near to Sevil they came to a Battle wherein Agila was otherthrown and afterwards Murthered by his own Subjects at Merida 555. Athanagildus thus became Sovereign of all that part of the Kingdom of the Goths which lies between the Mouth of Tagus and Cape St. Vincent The greatest part of this Dominion was again recovered by the Romans notwithstanding that Athanagildus did all he could to oppose them till he died at Toledo in the Year 567. 567. In these times were famous for Piety and Learning Men famous for Learning the Bishops St. Julian of Evora Lucenius of Coimbra Aprigius of Beja Idacius of Lamego and Ausbertus of Braga a Fleming by Birth Also the famous Orosius born at Tarragona in Catalonia flourished at Braga The Prelates of Spain finding it not only convenient but necessary to consult with St. Augustin then Bishop of Hippo in Africk for the better settling and adjusting of matters of Religion then much perplexed with Doubts and Controversies Baleonius at that time Bishop of Braga made choice of Orosius to be sent to him with this Message The chief point given him in charge was about the means of extirpating the Heresies then spread about Spain St. Augustin having therein given his own Opinion ordered Oresius to pass over into the Holy Land there to take the advice also of the other Pillar of the Church St. Hierome who resided there at that time There Orosius found the Priest Avitus a Lusitanian who for the love he bore his Country sent by Orosius at his return some relicks of the Protomartyr St. Stephen whose body had been about that time miraculousâ—â—â—ound out This may be supposed to be the same that was held in Veneration at Ossel which Town some will have to be in the Territory of Beja and others of Bajadoz CHAP. IV. The Reigns of the Tributary Suevian Kings from the Year 560 till 585 when Lusitania was again subdued by Leovigildus the Goth. And the Government of the Gothish Kings till the Year 672. 1. WE are now come to the End of the 100 Years which Historians pass over without any considerable Mention of our Portuguese or Suevian Kings In Theodemirus 560. the Memory of our Princes is happily renewed Conversion of the Lusitanians from Arianism since through his Means most of the Subjects returned to the true Faith At the Beginning of his Reign he was an Arrian but miraculously converted He removed his Court to the City Braga where his Son being desperately sick and no Medicines availing he asked one Day which had been the Religion of St. Gregory of Tours this Saint being then famous for Miracles It was told him he had been a Catholick Immediately four Gentlemen were sent with as much Gold and Silver as the sick Person weighed besides other Gifts to offer at the Shrine with a Promise That if the Prince recovered he should embrace the Catholick Religion The Sickness hereupon decreased yet the Prince recovered not perfect Health Whereupon the King begged some Relick of the Saint promising to renounce his Heresie The Relick was refused the Ambassadors and they at Night spreading a thin Veil over the Sepulchre said They would reverence it as a Reliok if in the Morning its Weight were considerably increased Accordingly the next Morning they found it as heavy as if it had been made of some weighty Metal This Veil the Ambassadors brought with them and the same Day they landed the Prince perfectly recovered The King performed his Promise embracing the Faith and by his Example and the Preaching of another St. Martin who then came out of France according to some Authors or as others will have it out of Greece most of the People were converted Theodemirus had before erected a Church in Honour of St. Martin of Tours Of this Church he made the other Martin Abbot first and then Bishop whence he was preferred to the Archiepiscopal See of Braga 2. Two Years were spent in the Embassages and other pious Works of the King Several Synods for his Son's Health and all things being now in Peace he ordered Lucrecius Archbishop of Braga to assemble a Synod for the better regulating the Affairs of the Church 563. Eight Bishops being met they again condemned the Heresie of Priscilianus and took Order for the propagating of the Faith 569. Another Synod met after that at Lugo to appoint the Limits of every Diocess which were afterwards confirmed in the general Distribution made throughout Spain 570. by King Wamba Theodemirus dying the Crown came to his Son Ariamirus who with the Approbation of St. Martin now Archbishop of Braga ordered another Synod to meet in that City which was accordingly done two Years after 572. Twelve Prelates assembled there and one of the principal Matters handled was the fixing the due Time of Observing of Easter After settling the Affairs of the Faith the King raised
Forces 577. and invading the People called Rucones now Rieja subdued them Luiva was now King of the Goths and took for his Companion and Successor his Brother Leovigildus Which done he returned into France leaving Leovigildus in Spain to secure his former Conquests and add others to them He victoriously traversed the greatest part of Spain and at last enter'd Galicia Ariamirus in vain striving to put a Stop to his Progress who now perceiving how ineffectual Force proved thought better to try if Fair Means would prevail Therefore he sent Ambassadors to Leovigildus to put him in mind of the Peace and Alliance established betwixt their Predecessors and to desire the Renewing thereof Leovigildus content with this Submission curbed his aspiring Thoughts concluded a Peace and retired 3. Leovigildus had now two Sons Hermenegildus and Recaredus The first was married to Ingunda Daughter of Sigebert King of France and his Wife Brunechilde Upon this Marriage he lived apart from his Father and had the Stile of a King given him at Merida There by the Means of his Wife who was a Catholick and of his Uncle St. Leander Archbishop of Sevilâ— he embraced the Catholick Faith and in Baptism was called John Leovigildus the Goth Wars upon his Son Hermenegildus on Account of Religion His Father being an obstinate Arian was so offended at his Conversion that he deprived him of the Regal Dignity The Prince fled into Portugal and was there protected by King Ariamirus who was a Catholick Hermenegildus raised Forces but his Father coming speedily upon him he fled with 3000 Men to Ossela a Place thought impregnable But Leovigildus for all that enter'd it by Force put all to the Sword burnt the Town and carried away his Son Prisoner to Toledo From thence he made his Escape to Sevil where he fortified himself King Leovigildus laid Siege to that City being assisted by King Ariamirus of Portugal and having forced his Way into it carried away Hermenegildus to Tarragona where he was put to Death in the Year 586. Which Passage is here related to avoid interrupting the Narration 4. Our King Ariamirus died at that Siege 583. and his Son Eburicus then very young succeeded him in the Crown of Portugal under the Protection of Leovigildus the Goth. Endeca usurps the Crown of Portugal Endeca a Noble-man in great Power at the Portuguese Court taking Advantage of the King 's tender Years married Sisegunda the Queen-Dowager and with the Help of his Friends possessed himself of the Government upon pretence of managing it for the young King But having in Process of Time secured his Interest he usurped the Regal Title and put Eburious into Prison at first and soon after obliged him to take the Habit of a Monk that so he might forfeit his Pretensions to the Crown The Tyrant Endeca fearing Leovigildus the Goth who was Protector to the deposed King joined in League with Gunteranus the French King But the Goth whose Courage was not to be shocked sent his Son Recaredus against the French and himself invaded the usurping Suevian He is deposed and shorn a Monk by Leovigildus the Goth He soon took him Prisoner and obliged him to take the same Habit he had before forced upon the Rightful King and to enter into Holy Orders banishing him to the City Beja then possessed by the Goths Yet Leovigildus though he was thought to have conquered that Kingdom for Eluricus kept it for himself adding it to his other Dominions Thus ended the Kingdom of the Suevians after it had with various Turns of Fortune lasted about 180 Years 585. It expired in the Year 585. The People dissatisfied with Leovigildus rose up in Arms and proclaimed a Noble-man called Malaricus King but he being soon overthrown and taken Prisoner by the Forces of the Goth the Kingdom of the Lusitanians or Suevians was entirely brought under the Dominion of the Goths He persecutes the Catholicks but dies one himself The Lusitanians at this time continued firm in the Faith and Leovigildus ceased not to persecute the Professors thereof deposing the Catholick Prelates and filling their Places with Arians who perverted many of the People Leovigildus having raigned 18 Years died at Toledo a Catholick though he had lived an Arian His first Wife was Theodora Daughter of Severianus Governor of Cartagena and his Wife Theodora Daughter to Theodoricus King of the Ostrogoths in Italy and Sister to Isidorus and Leander Archbishops of Sevil and of Fulgentius of Cartagena By her he had Hermenegildus whom he put to death and Flavius Recaredus who succeeded him 5. Recaredus 586. born at Sevil in the Year 566 now in the 20th of his Age Recaredus succeeds inherited his Father's Throne He proved an excellent Prince and having embraced the Catholick Faith restored all those that his Father had expelled He becomes a Catholick His pious Intention of Assembling a National Synod was for some time obstructed by the Treasonable Conspiracies of the Hereticks The first Council was held at Merida under the Direction of Claudius who governed the small Remainder of the Roman Empire along the Sea-Coast of Lusitania Suna the Arian Archbishop being now compelled to resign that See to Mansona the Catholick before expelled by Leovigildus conspired with other Hereticks to murder him and Claudius Witericus who was afterwards King now one of the Conspirators laying his Hand upon his Sword to execute his Purpose he could not draw it whereat being moved he discovered the Treachery and was therefore pardon'd Suna the Heretical Archbishop was banished as were the other Accomplices and their Estates confiscated Amidst this Confusion Gunteranus King of France made War upon Recaredus sending against him an Army under the Command of his General Bossus Claudius a Man fortunate in War marched to oppose him and overthrew him near Carcassonne with a great Slaughter Some will have it that Claudius with only 300 Men defeated Bossus who had 60000 But let every one judge thereof as he pleases 6. Recaredus having thus subdued his Enemies both at home and abroad was at leisure to assemble the Council he had before designed at Toledo 589. Seventy two Prelates met together there A Synoâ— at Toledo St. Leander Archbishop of Sevil presiding The King himself made an Oration at the Opening of the Council Now the Arian Heresie was totally extinguished the Catholick Faith triumphed and Recaredus for his singular Piety had the Title of Catholick or Most Christian King conferred upon him 601. After triumphing over his which were the Enemies of Christ Recaredus dies our Religious King Recaredus died at Toledo He was born at Sevil in the Year 565 reigned 16 and lived 37. His Coin has been seen in our Age at several Places Some at Lisbon with this Inscription on the one side RECAREDUS REX and on the Reverse OLISIBONA PIUS Others at Evora with RECAREDUS REX and on the
Back ELBORA JUSTUS Recaredus had two Wives The first before he came to the Crown was Balda Daughter to the famous King Arthur or to Fonto a Gothish Lord. The Second was Clodosinda Sister to Ingunda the Wife of his Brother Prince Hermenegildus Her chiefest Portion was the Peace established between Spain and France then at War By his first Wife though some will have him to be Illegitimate he had Liuva who succeeded him in the Throne and was of such excellent Beauty of Person and such amiable Behaviour that all his Subjects rather adored than obeyed him except Witericus whom the late King had pardoned for discovering the Conspiracy at Merida This Man before enured to Treachery now compassed his wicked Designs apprehending his natural Lord cutting off his Right Hand and depriving him of his Crown and Life in the Second Year of his Reign 7. Witericus thus Tyrannically possessed of the Government and Regal Throne of all Spain 603. held it seven Years Wetericus usurps which ended in an ignominious Death yet such as he deserved He died miserably dragged about the Streets of Toledo 610. by the People Flavius Gundemarus of the Blood of Recaredus Flavius Gundemarus reigns in that Right ascended the Throne and proved no way inferiour to him for Valour Moderation and Piety He desiring to honour the Church of Toledo 611. made it the Metropolitan of all the Province of Cartagena To which purpose a Synod was held at Toledo in which it was ordained that Criminals should have the Benefit of Sanctuary In this City Death cut him off so early that it is doubted whether he reigned full two Years 612. Our Lusitania then subject to the Gothish Kings Lusitania governed by Lieutenants was governed by their Lieutenants whereof there was one in every Province and some Comites or Counts for then this Title began to be honoured for being rare as now it is little regarded for being so common It is to be observed that at this time the Name of Comites was not Titular as now but denoted a Power and Jurisdiction over Lands of the Crown In Spain there is no Title given by the Kings that is of 400 Years standing Gundemarus Sisebutus chosen King though married to Hilduara leaving no Heirs Sisebutus was chosen his Successor by the Prelates and Nobility 616. He immediately upon his Accession to the Crown commanded all the Jews to embrace the Christian Religion Almost 100000 were baptized and as many chose rather to be banished Spain Sisebutus though absent from Portugal adorned it with many Structures Two Towers with his Name on them remain still at Evora of the Walls then by him built Some of his Coin is also extant on the Reverse whereof is a Cross and about it CIVITAS EBORA DEUS ADJUTOR MEUS He ordered Ships to be built upon the Coast of Lusitania and having obtained some Victories which appertain not to our History 621. died when he had reigned 8 Years and an half much lamented as extraordinarily beloved of his Subjects 8. Sisebutus left a young Son called Recaredus who dying soon after his Accession to the Crown 622. left it to Flavius Suintila Flavius Suintila 's Reign Son to the Holy King Recaredus so worthy a Man that Silebutus always committed to him the Command of his Armies No sooner had he grasped the Sceptre He utterly expels the Romans but he changed it for the Sword and soon drove out of Portugal the small Remains of the Roman Empire which still in much Variety of Fortune had retained some small Hold there During the first five Years of his Reign he behaved himself with that Justice and Piety that among other honourable Titles he obtained that of Father of the Poor Some of his Coin in Gold I have seen whereof one Piece had this Inscription SUINTILA REX EBORA VICTOR Another SUINTILA REX EMERITA PIUS This King stained the Honour of the first five Years of his Reign by the Lewdness of the ensuing five which so incensed his Subjects that he was forced to fly and end his Days in Misery in Lusitania as some will have it or in Toledo according to others Yet other Authors say he and his Son Richimirus were killed by Sisenandus their Successor Some Writers affirm that Sisenandus was Brother to Suintila Certain it is 631. he obtained the Crown by Election with the Assistance of Dagobert King of France Sisenandus succeeds in the Throne whose Favour he had purchased with a great Summ of Money At the Beginning of his Reign he made himself loved and feared He assembled a National Synod at Toledo at which 72 Prelates met Here in regard of what Sisebutus had done with the Jews it was ordained That none should be forcibly constrained to embrace the Catholick Faith 635. Sisenandus died at Toledo having reigned four Years 9. It is doubtful whether Sisenandus was Father or Brother to Chintila King Chintila holds two Synods his Heir Two Synods were held in his Days He reigned three Years and an half and died at Toledo much lamented of all Men. His Son Tulga succeeded him 638. who holding the Crown but two Years His Son Tulga succeeds could not do so much as was expected from his Justice Prudence and Valour He departed this Life at Toledo leaving no Issue Chindasuindus by Force of Arms 640. possessed himself of the Kingdom At Toledo he gathered a Synod of 40 Prelates Chindasuindus possesses himself of the Kingdom by Force Rensiberga Daughter to Evancius the Brother of St. Eugenius Archbishop of Toledo was Wife to this King By her he had three Sons viz. Recesuindus 650. Theodofredus and Favila Having reigned 10 Years he died at Toledo and was buried in the Monastery of St. Romanus founded by himself between Toro and Tordesilas 655. Two Synods were assembled at Toledo during the Reign of Recesuindus Two Synods held by Recesuindus the eldest Son of the late King In the First were 52 Bishops from all Parts of Spain In the Second Council were first heard Debates and Disputes concerning the Primacy of all Spain Braga pretended a Right to that Honour It was decreed that the Archbishop of Braga should be Metropolitan of all Galicia only Another Council was assembled at Merida to the same effect but the Church of Braga still went down About this same time the Gascoigns invaded Spain but were overthrown and expelled though no Particulars of the Action are to be found in History nor of any thing that happen'd in the Space of almost 20 Years which end with the Life of Recesuindus 672. He was buried in the Church of St. Leocadia at Toledo Some of his Coin is still to be seen His only Son Theodofredus was left so young that he was thought incapable of inheriting so great a Monarchy as will appear in the Sequel It is here very remarkable that Pontamius Archbishop of
Hermiron Alboazar accompanied him in these Conquests of whom are descended some Honourable Families in Spain 5. The tranquility the King's Tutors endeavoured to preserve in the Kingdom Count Froila a Portugues Rebels during his Minority was disturbed by the Portuguese Count Froila Vermuiz who took up Arms against the King They came to a Battle in the Territory of Mafra betwixt Villanueva and Betancos where Froila got the Victory The King now grown bigger was much incensed against Count Froila and his anger was increased by the insinuations of Q. Elvira his Wife and Daughter to Count Mendo Gonzalez Froila being in disgrace had again recourse to Arms which not a little troubled the King and the more for that at the same time he received the News that another had rebelled in the City Oviedo Thither the King hasted leaving Froila till he was more at leasure But he marched directly after the King and overtook him at such time as he was ready to Assault the City The King was advised to forbear the Assault least in the heat of it Froila should fall upon him behind His Submission but he Answered Let the Assault be carried on for the Count is so much a Gentleman that he will not fall upon the backs of his Enemies As he said it fell out for Froila overcome by that Generosity joyned his Forces to the King 's and so forwarded the attack that the City was immediately carried In this Action the Count behaved himself so bravely that he lost both his Eyes at which the King was exceedingly grieved and bestowed large possessions on him in some measure to recompense his loss About this time Count Garcia Fernandez of Castile was killed in a Battle betwixt Alcozar and Langra having behaved himself with great Bravery he being one of the most notable Commanders of that Age. His Son Sancho succeeded him as well in his Courage as Dominions and often revenged his Death upon the Moores There being several pretenders to the Kingdom of Cordova he seemingly sided with each of them to have the better opportunity to ruin them all The fugitive Count Vela who used to stir up the Moores against the Christians was now dead and his Sons Roderick James and Innigo were restored to their Estates and served the Count as their natural Lord. He the more to Honour them made the Eldest God-father to his own Eldest Son D. Garcia and yet he afterwards behaved himself like a Traitor as his Father had done before 6. The Divisions among the Moores at Cordova were very advantagious to the Christians of Leon Castile and Portugal Those that had escaped the desolation made by Almanzor about Coimbra dealt with the Infidels and bought Lands of them at a very low rate it appears by the original Deeds still extant that Oborez a Moore sold the Town of Botam to Arias Prior of the Convent of Botam for a Mare and her Fole 1012. either the Mare was worth much or the Town very little Till the Year 1020 1020. we have no account of any thing remarkable in Portugal Out of it the King repaired the City Leon and gave it a Charter and great Priviledges to all that would come and inhabit there 1026. Six years after was Born the renowned Captain Roderick de Bivar Roderick de Bivar commonly called Cid his Birth commonly called Cid which in Arabick signifies Lord of whom mention will be made hereafter The Christian affairs throughout Spain were in a flourishing condition the King entred Portugal recovering many Towns in the Province of Beira till he came and incamped before Viseo 1027. The City was obstinately defended and the King going out in the Evening unarmed to view the Enemies Works was shot through the Body with an Arrow from the Walls King Alonso slain Some write that he died there presently others that he was carried to Porto His death we shall hereafter see revenged as far as it could be His body was laid in a stately Tomb at Leon he lived Thirty Two Years and Reigned Twenty Eight being bred in Galicia by Count Mendo Gonzalez Lord of Vierzo he married his Daughter By her he had Bermudo his Successor and Sancha who afterwards came to be Queen he had also a Bastard Son called Nunno Alvarez de Amaya or Roderick Anzures Lieutenant of Asturias and Lord of Gijon 7. Bermudo III. Bermudo III. Succeeds of the Name succeeded his Father Alonso V. but so young it was much feared his tender Years might produce some notable Disorders in the Government His extraordinary Abilities far above his Years soon dried up the Tears his subjects shed for his Father and made them rejoice in so unexpected a Blessing He was extreamly Religious and Devout and therefore applied himself to the re-establishing of many ruined Churches Being of Age to Marry he took to Wife the Lady Ximena or Teresa younger Daughter to Count Sancho Lord of Castile by whom he had D. Alonso who lived but a few days He concluded a match between his Sister the Lady Sancha and D. Garcia An inhuman Murther the Son of Count Sancho of Castile King Sancho of Navarre who was Brother-in-law to D. Garcia bore him Company to Leon to honour his Marriage The next day after their Arrival the Bridegroom went out with the Bishop to hear Mass in the way he was assaulted by the Sons of the traitor D. Vela before spoke of and by them stabbed in several places his own God-father being the first that wounded him This News being carried to Court the Bride forgetting her Grandeur ran out to the place and pittifully lamenting her loss it was thought she would have given up the Ghost upon the dead Body She railed at the Murderers which Count Fernan Flavino hearing had the impudence to strike her on the Face The Murderers for the present escaped but Sancho King of Navarre afterwards getting them into his power burnt them alive declaring all their progeny for ever infamous 8. D. Garcia thus murder'd and no Heir Male remaining to the Earldom of Castile Sancho King of Navarre possessed himself thereof in the Right of his Wife the Lady Elvira Wars betwixt the Christian Kings of Spain Sister to the late Count. Grown Great with this Accession of Power he made War upon King Bermudo about the Limits of Castile and Leon and conquered much of the Country betwixt the Rivers Pisuerga and Cea More had been won by him but that Sancha 1034. only Sister to King Bermudo was given in Marriage to Ferdinand Second Son to King Sancho This Lady swore she would never consent to the Match unless Count Fernan Flaminio who struck her on the Face as she lay upon the Body of the dead Count Garcia was delivered up to her This was accordingly done and she with her own Hands put him to a cruel Death 1035. but well deserved by him The King of Navarre dying Ferdinand of
before being only Governor at certain Times he used to follow and serve King Alonso in his Wars This King Alonso was born in Galicia in the Year 1035 was married the first time in 1076 died at Toledo in 1108 having reigned 35 Years and lived 73. His Body lies in the Monastery of Sahagun with that of his Son Prince Sancho There also lie four of his Wives Agnes Constance Beatrix and Zayda the other two Elizabeth and Berta in the Church of St. Isidorus at Leon. Now we shall be almost 500 Years without returning to Castile for now begins to bud the Tree of the most August Kings of Portugal a Tree which has shaded much of the World The End of the Second BOOK THE HISTORY OF PORTUGAL The Third BOOK CHAP. I. The Country Extraction Life and Death of Henry first Earl of Portugal and progenitor of all the Kings thereof Opinions concerning Henry the Progenitor of the Portuguese Kings from the Year 1067 till 1112. 1. HEnry the first Founder of the Portuguese Monarchy is by all Men allowed to have been of noble Extraction but others very much differ both as to his Country and Family As to his Family the Bishops D. Roderick Sanchez and D. Alonso de Cartagena say he was of the House of Lorrain but do not name his Parents Duarte Galvan our Antient Chronologer affirms He was second Son to a King of Hungary which Opinion the famous Poet Camoens in his Lusiads follows Damianus de Goes in the life of King Emanuel says he was Son to William Baron of Joinville and Duke of Lorrain and Abida of Champagne James de Valera and Antony Beuter bring him from Constantinople grounding their Opinion upon the History of Spain writ by King Alonso mistaking a Quotation of the Archbishop D. Roderick who Writes that he was of the Bisontine Province meaning Besancon the Capital of the Dukedom of Burgundy which they take for Bisantium or Constantinople Wolfangus Lazius writes he was of Limburg Duarte Nunnez de Leon endeavours to prove he was Grandson to Reginald Earl of Burgundy by his Son Guido Earl of Verneuille in Normandy Lewis Gollut in his History of that Earldom says he was Brother to Raimund both Sons to Earl William All these doubts are cleared by the Antient Manuscript of Fleury which being a fragment of French History was writ in the time of our Count Henry for the Author of it brings himself as an Eye Witness of the three Suns that were seen at the Town of Scyrs on the Banks of the River Garonne in the Year 1108. It was writ by a famous Benedictin Monk of that Convent and reaches from the Year 897 till the Year 1110. Petrus Piteus a learned Man published it with other like Manuscripts and it was Printed at Francfort in the Year 1596. By this Antient Manuscript it appears that Robert the first Duke of Burgundy younger Brother to King Henry I. of France had by his Wife Hermengarda one onely Son called Henry who died before his Father leaving five Sons by his Wife Sibila Daughter to Reginald Earl of Burgundy These were Hugo who was heir to his Grandfather but being left a Widdower without Children became a Monk of Cluni and so died in the Year 1092. Eudo or Odoa who succeeded his Elder Brother Robert Bishop of Langres Henry our Earl and Reginald an Abbot many other Authors too long to insert have hinted that he was of the House of Burgungy tho' perhaps none specified it so particularly His Family once allowed to be that of Burgundy it will need no further proofs to shew his Country besides that it is more likely he should come out of France which joyns with Spain than from Hungary or Constantinople so remote It is also a sufficient proof of his Country that all his followers were French which could not have been were he a stranger to them 2. The Portuguese strive to clear two points for their Honour A remark upon some Conceits of the Portuguese Authors in which there is great difficulty or rather an imposibility for that all arguments are against them the one is to make out that the Sovereignty of Portugal was granted to Count Henry without any acknowledgment to Castile the other that Teresa was lawful Daughter to King Alonso The Arguments for the first are That no Records are to be found in Castile or Leon to prove the Title to such acknowledgment and that their King Alonso the first was anointed King by Christ himself and therefore owed his Crown to him These proofs are meerly Suppositious for as to the first whether such Record remains or not it is not credible that a King would alienate a Kingdom to a Bastard Daughter so as to reserve no Sovereignty to himself nor if he had is it in the power of a Prince to give away the right of a Legitimate Successor to one Illegitimate The second instance about Christ giving a right to the Crown seems so extravagant a Notion that as it carries no proof it needs no Confutation The other point insisted upon is the Legitimacy of Teresa the Counts Wife but that has been spoke of already no Author of Note has named her otherwise than an unlawfully begotten and the computation of the time her Father was married to and lived with his six Wives makes it impossible to allow of a Seventh There is another doubt about Earl Henry's going to the Holy Land which some Pertuguese Authors insist upon without any sufficient Grounds or rather without any probability but whether he did or not is not easy to decide nor worth the discussing let us go on to his Life or rather to the small fragments that remain of it as of all other things before his time but we begin now by degrees to come into days of more light 3. By what has been said Count Henry of Burgundy it appears that Earl Henry was a Burgundian the Son of Henry Son to Robert the first Duke of that Country and Hermengarda Daughter to Count Reinald of Burgundy There he was Born in the Year 1035. being descended by the Fathers side of the Royal Family of Hugh Capet and by his Mother from the Earls of Burgundy The cause that moved Henry to pass over into Spain was the desire of Glory to be purchased in the continual Wars betwixt the Christians and the Moors Authors do not agree about the time of his coming but it appears by Ancient Records that he Governed Portugal in the Year 1073 His coming into Portugal so that he must have been in Castile when King Ferdinand died and when the fame of Roderick de Bivar's exploits 1067. incited strangers to come from Foreign Parts to imitate his Actions Roderick was then near Fifty Years of Age and Henry about Forty The Author of the Manuscript above mentioned says That succours were sent out of France to King Alonso at his request to King Philip I. being then pressed with the War
Alonso was glad to abandon that City upon promise to relieve it in four Months He overthrew King Alonso of Navarre in defence of Queen Vrraca and about the Government of Prince Alonso soon after Henry being dissatisfied with the said Queen took part with the King against her and defeated Count Gomes who espoused her Quarrel 7. Whilst he was absent from Astorga those People of the Kingdom of Leon that he had subdued revolted 1112. and he returning His Death and Character laid Siege to Astorga In the heat of the Siege he died and his Son Alonso rising with his Army went away to Bury him at Braga Thus Astorga with all its Territory was lost The death of Earl Henry was much lamented of his Subjects for that he was a Prince of extraordinary Piety Valour and Generosity He overthrew the Moors in Seventeen several Battles and took from them many Cities and places of Strength He lived Seventy Seven Years Governed Portugal with the Title of Earl above Twenty and was Governour of part thereof almost as many more He was of a middle Stature a beautiful and awful Presence his Complection fair his Eyes blew and his Hair yellow inclining to red In his antient Pictures he is represented with his Sword in his hand his Body lies in the Cathedral of Braga with a modern Inscription on his Tomb which mistakes his Country and Parentage The Countess Dowager governed this Dominion for some years as being her Dower and her Son being under Age. She might have ruled longer had she not Married or proposed to Marry the Earl of Trastamara D. Ferdinand de Trava this or some other cause produced Civils Wars betwixt the Mother and Son which ended in her overthrow her Son without regard to the duty he owed to a Mother when she was made Prisoner keeping her in the Castle of Lannoso with Fetters on her Feet till she died in the Year 1130. and was Buried by her Husband 8. The Issue of Earl Henry was His Issue First Alonso Enriquez taking his Name and Sir-Name from his Father and Grand-Father This being his Heir is named before the Sisters though they preceded him as to Birth Secondly the Lady Vrraca Wife to D Bermudo Pâ—â—z Earl of Trastamara Thirdly the Lady Sancha Wife to D. Ferdinand Nunnez a great Man in the Kingdom of Galicia they left no Children Fourthly the Lady Teresa Married to D. Sancho Nunnez Son to Count Nunno de Celanova Fifthly he had a Bastard Son by a Woman of Quality his Name was Peter Alonso of whose brave Actions we shall hear in the life of his Brother Earl Henry for some Years wore a plain white Shield till after he had obtained renown by his Sword he added to it a plain blew Cross CHAP. II. The Birth of Alonso first King of Portugal he takes upon him the Government is proclaimed King by the Army his wonderful Victory over the Moors at Ourique he takes Lisbon Santarem and many other places all from the Year 1094. till the Year 1148. 1. IN July 1094. or according to others on the 15th of August 1094. was Born D. Alonso Enriquez only Son to Earl Henry The Birth of Alonso Enriquez Son to Count Henry and his Lady Teresa at the Town of Guimaraens He is said to have been Born with both his Legs cleaving together from the Knees down and that his Governour Egas Muniz having devoutly begged of Heaven to loosen his Feet the Blessed Virgin appeared to him bidding him carry the Child to an old ruined Church at Carquere near Lamego and that restoring the place and setting the Infant upon the Altar he should recover his Limbs Egas for the space of five Years did as he had been ordered and the Child recovered 1105. This Prince was but Fourteen Years of Age when he began to follow the Wars under his Father and was with him when he died at the Siege of Astâ—rga as has been said before 1112. Having paid the last Honours to his Father to express his great respect towards his Mother he committed the Government to her though then of Age to undertake it himself St. Bernard haâ—â—ng at his Convent of Claraval in France had a vision of St. John Bapist Mâ—nks of Claraval came into Portugal directing him to send some of his Monks to found a Monastery in Portugal in the place that should be shown to them by one John Cerita whom they should find there he accordingly sent seven of his Monks They found Cerita who lived an Austere Eremitical life and conducted them to Prince Alonso by whom they were honourably received and encouraged in their Foundation 1120. Being dismissed they settled in a deep Valley encompassed with high Mountains near the River Barosa almost two Leagues from Lamego where they built a Chappel Dedicated to our Saviour which is still in being in the Village called Pinegro 1121. The following Year they built in a place where they had seen certâ—â—â— Lights during Nine Nights as had been foretold by St. John Baptist to St. Bernard Here Prince Alonso visiting them enlarged the Structure at his own cost John Cerita took the order here and reduced several who lived an Eremitical Life in the Mountains to follow his Example The number of Monks thus increasing he founded another Monastery called St. Christopher de Lafoens Both these Churches were afterwards Consecrated and great Gifts offered in them at the Solemnity 2. Prince Alonso having now weilded a Sword long enough to gain Renown 1125. thought it requisite to be Knighted according to the Custom of those days Alonso Knights himself and thinking there was none about him great enough to Confer that Honour on him by putting on his Armour and girding on his Sword as was then the Custom he laid the Arms upon an Altar and taking them thence put them on himself so taking the Honour at his own hands Prince Alonso's Mother being about to marry the second time it bred such Animosities betwixt them that they finally came to Battle near the Town of Guimaraens 1128. the Mother overthrown fled to the Castle of Lannoso He besieges his Mother takes and puts her into Irons which is hard by and was there Besieged by her Son Alonso VII King of Castile and Leon came to her relief with a powerful Army The Portuguese Alonso was not unprovided but meeting him in the plains of Valdevez put to the Sword the greatest part of his Forces took seven Earls Prisoners and the King himself hardly escaped having received two Wounds This done the young Prince returns to the Siege of the Castle which being yielded to him he put his Mother into Irons She provoked at this dis-respect as her Bolts were put on prayed to God that his Legs might be broke and her Prayers were heard as will appear hereafter 3. Alonso now grown absolute Being himself besieged by King Alonso of Castile he Articles for his
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
all these Calamities had not been sufficient to humble so small a number of People and so narrow a Country the Miramamolin Abenjoseph Brother to him that besieged Santarem assisted by the Kings of Cordova and Sevil entred Portugal with 400000 Men. The Moors ravage the Country All the open Country was by him miserably wasted and the Towns of Alcazar Almada and Palmela taken with all that the Christians had before gained in Algarve Our King not able oppose so puissant an Enemy concluded a Truce with him for five Years which ended in a wonderful Eclipse of the Sun This was followed by Earthquakes Earthquakes inundations and Storms for 8 Years Floods Storms at Sea and many other Calamities for the space of 8 Years Men laboured under a horrid Distemper for their Entrails consuming they died raving A considerable body of Portuguese was at the famous Battle of Alarcos in Castile against the Moors 1195. commanded by D. Ganzalo Viegas Master of Avis who died honourably in that glorious Action A multitude of Arabs after the Expiration of the Truce overran a great part of Portugal 1196. consuming all that was not before spoiled and putting to the Sword all the Monks of the Monastery of Alcobaza 1197. King Sancho at last provoked by these losses marched out with his Forces took Roca de Palmela and recovered Elvas not long before taken from him Next he made War on the King of Leon his Son-in-law having obtained of Pope Celestin III. 1200. the Croisade for all that fought against him as a favourer of Infidels against Christians He took from him the City Tuy and Towns of Pontevedrâ— and St. Payo de Lombeo and recovered Contrasta now called Valencia before taken by the King of Leon. At length these two Kings were reconciled through the mediation of the King of Aragon who to that effect came to Coimbra 1208. then the Court of Portugal Some time after there ensued Civil Wars in Portugal betwixt certain great Men the most considerable betwixt Peter Rodriguez de Pereyre and his Cousin Peter Mendez de Poyares who coming to a Battle near Valongo two Leagues from Porto the latter was there slain with many other Men of Note 7. The Holy City of Hierusalem being taken by Saladin the Christian Princes made preparations for recovery of it and our King Sancho designed to have gone thither himself but being disswaded sent supplies and encouraged the knights Templers and Hospitallers to proceed vigorously in that religious Enterprize In this King's time was used in Portugal the weight called a Talent A Talent used in Portugal but less than the Roman Greek or Hebrew being worth but four Ducats I have seen silver Coin of this King 's with his Image a Horseback on the one side his Sword held up a cross on his Reines and about it these Words In nomine Patris filij spiritus Sancti On the reverse the Arms of the Kingdom and this Inscription Sanctius Dei Gratia Rex Portugaliae King Sancho fixed not his abode in any one place but often removed that so all might equally enjoy his presence He was a great Patron to the religious and Military Orders careful of rewarding Merit a Friend to the Poor an Enemy to Idleness and true Father of his Country The misfortunes during his Reign and his own bounty might well have exhausted the Treasure yet so well did he manage it that at his death he distributed 7â—8000 Crowns and 1400 Marks of Plate and 100 of Gold His Legacies extended to Rome and Hierusalem The death of King Sancho he was of a middle Stature and strongly set he Reigned 26 Years and lived 57 died in March and lies Buried in the Church of the Holy Cross at Coimbra opposite to his Father whose Tomb is on the right side of the Altar His Tomb being opened by King Emanuel to put him into a new one 400 Years after his Decease the body was found uncorrupted 8. Some Years before the death of his Father His Issue he married Dulcis or Aldonza Daughter to Raymund Berengarius Earl of Barcelona by whom he had issue Alonso his Successor Ferdinand married to Joanna Countess of Flanders Daughter and Heiress to Baldwin Emperor of Constantinople Peter who married the Daughter and Heiress of Earl Armengaud in whose right he had the Earldoms of Vrgel and Segorbe and Island of Majorca Henry that died young and Raymund that lived a short time His Daughters were Teresa married to the King of Leon and parted from him on account of Consanguinity when she had three Children by him she is esteemed a Saint Mafalda married to Henry I. King of Castile and divorced as well as her Sister on the same account of Consanguinity she lies buried in the Monastery of Arouca and is Worshiped as a Saint Sancha who converted her own Pallace at Alenquer into a Franciscan Monastery which was the first in Portugal that holy Man being then alive She also built the Monastery of Celas near Coimbra and lies Buried at Lorvan with the same esteem as her Sisters Blanch Lady of Gaudalajara in Castile where she died but was translated to the Church of the Holy Cross at Coimbra among her Parents Berengaria died young at Lorâ—an and lies there His illegitimate Children were Martin Sanchez Earl of Trastamara Vrraca Sanchez Wife to Laurence Suarez Teresa Sanchez second Wife to Alonso Tello the Elder Giles Sanchez who became a Priest Constance Sanchez finished the Monastery of St. Francis at Coimbra Ruy Sanchez killed in Battle as will appear in the year 1245. Nunno Sanchez and Mayor Sanchez All these the King had before he was Married by a Lady of Quality called Mary Paez 9. King Sancho left out all the small Scutcheons used by his Father in his Arms His Armes only retaining the five principal in form of a Cross with the strings that bind them together In his time the Orders of St. Dominick and St. Francis first founded in Portugal and those of the Holy Trinity and Carmelites were then also admitted CHAP. V. The Life and Reign of King Alonso II. of the Name and third King of Portugal his actions and death from the Year 1183. till 1223. 1. ALonso Eldest Son to King Sancho 1185. and his Wife Queen Dulcis The Birth of King Alonso II. who was the third King of Portugal and second of the Name was Born the 25th of April in the famous City Coimbra He falling desperately sick and being given over by the Physitians his Father had recourse to Heaven for his Health which was obtained through the Prayers of the Holy Nun Sennorina then living in the Mountains of Basto of the Province betwixt Duero and Minho as an acknowledgment for which benefit received the King bestowed Lands and Possessions on that Church as did some of his Successors Soon after his miraculous recovery his Father sent him General against Torres Novas whence the Infidels
enacted by him He was the first that instituted general Laws in the first Year of his Reign holding a Parliament for that purpose at Coimbra In these Laws great regard was had to the Church-Men the prices of all things necessary for the support of life were settled so that the meanest might buy as cheap as the greatest the Extortions of publick Ministers were retrenched Plaintiffs if cast were ordered to pay a Fine Sentence of Death passed by him was appointed not to be Executed till 20 days after to prevent the Effects of Passion This King used extraordinary severity towards the Church-men 1221. for which being reproved by Stephen Suarez de Silva Archbishop of Braga instead of amending he set Officers to destroy all the Possessions of that See He persisted so obstinately in this fury that Honorius the third wrote a Letter to him full of most severe Expressions calling him Tyrant In fine the King died before he was reconciled to the Clergy His Death or his own Sisters the Kingdom at that time lying under an interdict He lived 48 Years and Reigned 21 His Body lies Buried with the Queen his Wife in the Royal Monastery of Alcobaca in a plain Tomb without any Epitaph or Inscription as were all the first Kings of this Nation Of Body he was extraordinary gross and therefore called the Fat yet his Gigantick Stature carried it off his Countenance was Comly his Forehead High 1223. his Eyes Chearful and his Hair Yellow which he always wore long 5. King Alonso Married Vrraca His Wife and Issue the Daughter of Alonso VIII of Castile called the Noble and Good a most vertuous and beautiful Princess His Issue by her was Sancho who succeeded in the Throne Alonso Earl of Bolen in right of his Wife Maud whence he was called to Govern the Kingdom by reason of the insufficiency of his Brother whom he succeeded Ferdinand called de Serpa married to Sancha Fernandez Daughter to Ferdinand Earl of Lara Lastly Elenor who was Queen of Dacia The King had one Bastard Son called John Alonso of whom there is no other memory but that he lies Buried in the Church of Alcobaca Tho' it be said before at the end of the last King's Reign that then the orders of St. Dominick St. Francis the Blessed Trinity and the Carmelites came into Portugal our Author repeats it again in the Reign of this King which is the most likely CHAP. VI. The Life and Reign of King Sancho II. he is deposed by his Brother flies to Toledo and there ends his days all betwixt the Years 1207 and 1246. 1. SAncho II. of the Name 1203. and Fourth King of Portugal Sancho II. ascends the Throne Eldest Son to King Alonso was Born on the Eighth of September at Coimbra He was called Capelo because being sickly in his Child-hood his Mother confiding to obtain his Health through the intercession of the Holy Father St. Augustin caused him to wear that Habit. His Weakness rather than want of Years must be the cause that he appeared not in any Military Action with his Father for we have no account of him till he ascended the Throne which was about the 20th 1223. or 21st Year of his Age. His first Action was a Reconciliation with the Clergy who had suffered much under his Father but he soon followed his Example After this agreement with the Church the Ecclesiastical Censures were taken off and those who died during the interdict were now Buried in hallowed Ground The controversies also between the late King and his Sisters ceased they now swearing fealty to the King for the places they possessed His next care was to visit his Kingdom which he did taking a Progress through it leasurely doing justice to all Men and giving prudent Orders in all places Then laying aside for a while the Civil Affairs he applied him to the Military making several incursions upon the Moors whence he returned with Honour Our King and Ferdinand of Castile met at Sabugal to adjust certain Differences which they amicably put an end to King Ferdinand delivering up the Town of Chaves which had been engaged to him 2. Still the Arabs ranged about the territory of Elvas He entirely defeats the Moors at Elvas wasting the Country and destroying the Villages King Sancho assembling his Forces soon drove them thence but no sooner was his back turned then they came again laid Siege to Elvas and carried it by Assault Our King returning with speed utterly discomfitted those Barbarians so that they never again attempted any thing there Nor did he desist till he had Juremenha 1226. Serpa and other Castles which had often been gained and again fallen into the Enemies hands For four Years there was nothing of Action but in the Year 1230 1230. he made War on the Moors in the Province of Alentejo The following year he advanced into Algarve to recover what his Grand-father had conquered there and was now again fallen into the hands of the Infidels 1232. Some places he re-took consecrated the Churches and placed therein Evangelical Pastors 1235. After this by his Commanders the chief whereof was Payo Perez Correa he took Aljustrel which he gave to the Military Order of Santiago 1239. then the Towns of Mergola and Alfajar de Penna which also he bestowed on the same Order Of late Years the insolencies of Favourites were grown insupportable they abusing the King and their Kindred and friends them Common complaints when subjects will rebell The Subjects were treated worse than conquered Moors their Persons Imprisoned their Estates Wasted their Children Murdered unless redeemed for Money and their Wives and Daughters openly Ravished Nor was the Sanctuary of the Church any refuge for even in those Holy Places all Villanies were committed The King knew nothing but what his Favourites told him and it was their study to keep him in ignorance and hence proceeded the ruin of this unhappy Prince 3. In the Year 1240. Cacela and Ayamonte were taken by Assault 1240. in which Actions D. Payo Perez Correa particularly signalized himself Complaints made to the Pope and all things adjusted wherefore the King gave those places to the Military Order of Santiago whereof he was Commendary During this current of Affairs the King was highly commended and received Spiritual Favours from Pope Gregory IX The Spiritual Graces were for such as died in the War and for the King himself who lay under Ecclesiastical Censures for having proceeded unjustly against Peter Bishop of Porto who carried his complaints to Rome Besides he seized the Ecclesiastical revenues on pretence of urgent necessities and of punishing Clergy Men who kept Women in their Houses Silvester Archbishop of Braga had hereupon made application to the Pope who therefore wrote to the King and recommended the charge of reducing him to certain Bishops But he prevented them by submitting himself and so all differences were adjusted The King
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
Coimbra His Liberality was such that it became a Proverb As liberal as Denis The Presents he made to Kings Queens and Nobility when he went to compose Affairs betwixt the King of Castile and Duke Alonso de la Cerda were inestimable and cannot be reckoned After that a Gentleman of Castile telling him that none but himself had fallen short of his Bounty he gave him the Silver Table whereon he dined To reckon up the particular acts of his Generosity were too tedious it may suffice to say this above the rest was his peculiar Vertue in which he exceeded most Princes He knew all the Product of his Kingdom and valued it so much that he never desired to be supplied from abroad with any thing that he could have at home Of the Gold gathered in Tagus he made a rich Crown and Scepter But notwithstanding his prodigious Liberality he never oppressed his Subjects with heavy Taxes He was of a middle Stature his Hair black full Faced not so Beautiful as Majestick He died at Santarem the 7th of January 1325. at the Age of 64 Years 1325. having Reigned 46. It became a Proverb That Denis could do all he would His stately Tomb built by himself is in the Monastery of Odivelas of Benedictine Nuns near Lisbon of the Invocation of St. Denis 12. Elizabeth His Wife and Issue Daughter to King Peter III. of Aragon and his Queen Constance the Daughter of Manfredus King of Naples and Sicily was the only Wife of King Denis He being extreamly addicted to Women she bred up all the Children he had by them as if they had been her own by which her patience she made him afterwards forbear that Vice and punish it severely in others To be short she was a most holy Woman and an excellent Queen and was Canonized in the Reign of Phillip IV. of Spain By her the King had Alonso his Successor and Constance Wife to King Ferdinand IV. of Castile His illegitimate Issue were by Aldonza Rodriguez Alonso Sanchez created Earl of Albuquerque By the Lady Grace Peter Earl of Barcelos the first Title of that kind given by the Kings of Portugal another Peter called also Earl By other Women John Alonso Ferdinand Sanchez the Lady Mary Married to Duke John de la Cerda another Mary a Nun at Odivelas CHAP. IX Yhe Life and Reign of Alonso the Fourth of the Name and the Seventh King of Portugal his Actions and Death from the Year 1290. till 1357. 1. THE Favour that King Denis shewed to Learning made him reside where he had caused it to flourish King Alonso the 4th wholly addicted to his Pleasure Having therefore resettled the Court at Coimbra on the Eighth of February 1290. was Born to him in that City of his Wife the holy Queen Elizabeth his Son Alonso 4th of the Name and the Seventh King of Portugal 1290. who for his forward and fiery spirit was called the Fierce He who as we have seen was so eager to Rule whilst his Father lived after his Death cast off all the care of Government giving himself wholly up to his Pleasure and particularly to Hunting Upon his Accession to the Crown instead of settling the Affairs of the Kingdom he went away to the Forrest of Sintra 1325. where he spent a whole Month among the wild Beasts Returning to Court and appearing at the Council-Board instead of the Business of that Place he gave them an Account of his Sport Hereupon one of the Counsellors took the Boldness to reprove him with threatning Expressions which the King being offended at all the Council stood up and said they would choose another King if he did not alter his Course of Life The King tho he then went out in a Passion being grown cool thought good to curb his Inclination Our Author here extols the Bravery of those Counsellors I find nothing to admire in the matter but the Insolency of wicked and haughty Subjects and the want of Resolution in him he stiles a Magnanimous Prince The King not satisfied with having during his Father's Life unjustly Persecuted his Bastard-Brother and Expelled him the Kingdom At Variance with his Bastard-Brother still persisting in his ill grounded Malice towards him laid many things to his Charge and by formal tho' unjust Process Condemned him to forfeit all his Possessions in Portugal at once endeavouring to deprive him of his Fortune and Honour D. Alonso Sanchez modestly sued for Redress but none was to be had from a byassed Judge He was now powerful and beloved in Castile and Leon and therefore raising a good Force entred the Territory of Bragança with Fire and Sword whilst others of his Troops did the like from Medellin and Albuquerque in the Country about Guadiana 1326. This done he returned to his Town of Albuquerque where he Fortified himself and made preparations for open War D. Gonzalo Vaz Master of the Knights of Avis being sent against him by the King was put to the rout and Duke Alonso falling Sick returned to Medellin In the mean time the King Besieged the Castle of Codesseyra near Albuquerque which being basely delivered to him by the Governour was rased to the Ground 2. The King proposed a Match betwixt his Son Prince Peter 1327. and Constance the Daughter of D. John Emanuel who was of the Blood Royal of Castile and his Wife of that of Aragon King Alonso IX of Castile broke off this Match contracting himself to her for she was under age and yet afterwards he contemned her and was Married to Mary Marries his Daughter to the King of Castile Daughter to King Alonso of Portugal To that effect he came into Portugal and received the Princess at the Town of Alfayates whither her Father had Conducted her At this Place a Match was concluded betwixt Henry 1328. Prince of Portugal and the Princess Blanch Henry Prince of Portugal marries Blanch Aunt to the King of Castile Aunt to the King of Castile The following Year the Portuguese received her at Fuentegrinaldo where he again met with her Father Prince Peter about some alterations to be made in the Hostages given for exchange of the Ratifications Two Years after the King of Castile was Married to our Princess he became so intangled in the Love of the Lady Ellenor Nunnez de Guzman 1330. that he treated her as Queen and the Queen as if she had been but a Concubine Our holy Queen Elizabeth met him at Xerez de Badajoz to endeavour to reclaim him but could obtain nothing but promises for he continued obstinate in his Amours 1332. D. John Emanuel desiring to be revenged of the King of Portugal for that giving his Daughter to the King of Castile in Marriage he had caused his Daughter Constance to be put by made his interest with the Lady Ellenor the King of Castile's Mistress perswading her to prevail with the King to marry her for his Marriage with the
Herse the Corps was conducted to Alcobaça to be placed in that rich Urn with the noblest Attendance and greatest Grandeur that has been seen vast numbers of Noblemen and Gentlemen in long Mourning Cloaks and Ladies in White Mourning Vailes attended the Funeral From Coimbra to Alcobaça it is 17 Leagues and yet all that Distance was filled with many Thousands of Men in two Rows making a continued Lane with lighted Flambeaus in their Hands 4. The Unfortunate King Peter of Castile being drove out of his Kingdom by his Bastard-Brother Henry assisted by the French King Peter of Castile flying from his Rebellious Subjects is refused Protection in Portugal and flying from Sevil after loosing all the Treasure he had amassed arrived at the Town of Coruche in Portugal with his two Daughters Constance and Elizabeth and thence sent to Advertise our King then at Coimbra of his Arrival That King's Daughter Beatrix was Travelling another way to be Married to the Portuguese Prince her Father not having any fore-thought of what hapned to him This Accident much surprized the Portuguese some were for protecting a rightful King their Neighbour and Confederate others were for more safe than honourable Courses not to embroil themselves in the Quarrels of others This Advice was followed and our King made the best Excuse he could for not entertaining that Unhappy Prince He failing of this Refuge withdrew to Albuquerque but neither was he to be admitted there He sent to ask a Pass of our King to Travel through his Dominions into Galicia and the Earl of Barcelos and Alvaro Perez de Castro were sent to Conduct him But they not only forsook him by the way but stole from him Elenor the Daughter of his Bastard-Brother Henry whom he carried with him From Galicia he passed over into England where he so grievously Complained to the Prince of Wales against the King of Portugal that he was forced to send Embassadors to Vindicate himself In the mean while the New King or rather Usurper Henry Solicited the Friendship of Portugal and Embassadors meetting to that Effect betwixt Badajoz and Elvas a Treaty was Concluded And it was Stipulated That the Castilian should solicite an Accommodation betwixt Aragon and Portugal and also That the Aragonian should suffer the Portuguese Princess Mary Widow of Prince Ferdinand to return to her Country if she thought good 5. About the end of October Prodigiâ—â—â— seen in the Sky almost Three Months before the Death of our King was seen a prodigious Alteration or rather Confusion in the heavenly Luminaries On the 27th Day at Midnight all the Stars in a Body began to run from East to West then suddenly dispersing they wandred through several parts of the Sphere next falling nearer to the Region of the Air the nearness made them appear like vast Globes of Fire so that the whole Heaven seemed to be in a Flame and the Earth threatned to be reduced to Ashes The Sky in many places seemed to gape the Stars being removed This Spectacle lasting a considerable time Men stood amazed expecting the Dissolution of the Universe Three Months after this Prodigy King Peter's Death our King died It will not be amiss to give some Instances of his Justice and Magnificence His Justice and Magnificence He was not as some have called him Cruel but a zealous lover of Justice punishing Crimes with the utmost Severity and rewarding Vertue with Liberality The Punishments he inflicted tho' in appearance terrible were necessary and well applyed A Young Man having struck his supposed Father and the King hearing thereof called the Mother and pressed her to tell him who was the Youth's Father for it was impossible it should be her Husband She confessed in some time a Fryar had got him Thereupon the King went in Person to the Monastery and putting the Fryar into a Case of Cork sawed him in two One of his Favourites lived in Adultery with a Judge's Wife for which the King caused his Privities to be cut off A Priest being suspended for killing a Man he caused him to be put to Death by a Mason saying That the Ecclesiastical Judges condemned a Priest for killing a Man to be suspended from his Office but he in his Tribunal would suspend the Mason from Working for killing the Priest The Bishop of Porto he scourged for having to do with a Citizen's Wife He caused a Gentleman to be beheaded for staving a Country-man's Cask that was full A Clerk of the Treasury was hanged for receiving a small Bribe Hearing a Woman upbraid another with being forced he asked the cause and being told her Husband ravished her before they were marryed he caused him to be hanged Knowing that a Merchant's Wife cuckolded him one day when the Merchant was at some Publick Feast he surprized his Wife with her Gallant and burnt them and then congratulated the Merchant that he was revenged A Bawd having procured a Young Woman for the Admiral Lancelote Pessana the Bawd was burnt and the Admiral hardly obtained Pardon after several Years absence A Country-man complaining that a Gentleman to whom he had lent certain Silver Cups would not restore them the King kept him in hand a Year and then caused the Gentleman to pay him Nine times the value which was then the Penalty of Thieves and farther told him he should be always answerable for the Country-man's Life A Pursivant complaining that in the Execution of his Office a Gentleman had struck him and torn his Beard the Gentleman was immediately beheaded 6. The Laws he instituted Laws established by him were religiously observed One of them condemned Judges who received Bribes to Death To avoid delays in Suits he established there should be no Counsellors Sollicitors nor Attorneys He went about the Kingdom in Person to administer Justice impartially to all Men. Tho' so much subdued himself by the Love of the Lady Agnes de Castro he suffered no Crime of Incontinency to pass unpunished Several new Pieces were coined by him on the one side whereof was his Effigies sitting in a Chair holding a naked Sword on the reverse the Royal Arms with these Inscriptions Peter King of Portugal and Algarve God assist me and make me Victorious over my Enemies He was so Bountiful that like the Emperor Titus he thought himself not a King the day he gave nothing To this purpose he kept always much Plate He was much addicted to Musick and used to go abroad at Nights and dance to the sound of Trumpets Notwithstanding his great Liberality he left a considerable Treasure to his Successor which he gathered without the least dissatisfaction to his Subjects In fine such was his Life that his Death was generally lamented and it was in all mens Mouths That such Ten Years Government never were nor would again be seen in this Kingdom Others said That either he should never have been born or never have died 7. This King was of great Stature His Person and
Interment a Majestick Presence his Forehead large his Eyes black and beautiful his Hair reddish which he wore long his Mouth small his Visage long He somewhat stammered in his Speech was addicted to Poetry and some Verses of his are still extant He Reigned Ten Years wanting Two Months and died in January 1367. 1367. He is buryed by the Lady Agnes de Castro and his Picture to the Life on the Tomb. The Lady Constance his first Wife lies in the Church of S. Francis at Santarem By her he had Issue 1. Lewis who died an Infant 2. Ferdinand who succeeded in the Throne 3. Mary marryed to Ferdinand Prince of Aragon Son to King Alonso the Fourth His Children by the Lady Agnes de Castro were 1. Alonso His Issue who died a Child 2. Denis who refusing to kiss the Hand of Queen Ellenor Wife to King Ferdinand went away to Castile where he marryed Joanna Bastard-Daughter to King Henry 3. John who by the Advice of Queen Ellenor killed the Lady Mary Tellez de Meneses his own Wife and the Queen's Sister He should have succeeded King Ferdinand but that King John of Castile kept him Prisoner and in the mean while his Bastard Brother called also John usurped the Crown In Castile he marryed Constance Bastard Daughter to King Henry 4. Beatrix Wife to D. Sancho Earl of Albuquerque Bastard Son to King Alonso XI of Castile King Peter had one Bastard Son called John Master of the Military Order of Avis who after the Death of King Ferdinand usurped the Crown CHAP. XI The First Part of the Life and Reign of Ferdinand the first of the Name and ninth King of Portugal from the Year 1340. till 1373. 1. FErdinand was the Second Son of King Peter King Ferdinand his Birth and his Wife Constance He was Born in the City Coimbra and succeeded his Father at 27 Years of Age. The Peace and Treasures King Ferdinand inherited 1340. were not at all lasting 1367. for he engaged himself in a War against Castile He engages in a War against Castile pretending a Right to that Crown after the Death of King Peter as Great Grandson to King Sancho Henry the present Possessor being a Bastard and Regicide Many Persons of Note who fled out of Castile encouraged him in this Enterprize and many Towns not admitting Henry offered themselves to Ferdinand He bestowed vast Possessions on several of the Castilians that came over to him as particularly to Ferdinand Earl of Castro Xeres and Brother-in-law to King Henry he gave Fifteen Towns to D. Alvaro Perez de Castro his Brother Eight Towns the Earldom of Arroyolos and the Office of Constable to Ferdinand Alonso de Zamora Nineteen Towns and so to many others too long to recount besides Gifts in Money and Jewels which exhausted the Treasures left by his three Predecessors Many Cities and Towns also of Castile declared for our King where he immediately coined Money bearing the Arms and Titles of both Kingdoms Our King in outward appearance pretended more Zeal to Revenge the Murder of King Peter than Ambition to joyn that Kingdom to his own To inculcate this Opinion he sent Embassadors to the Pope the King of England and other Princes laying before them the heinousness of the Crime as committed by a Brother against his Brother and by a Subject against his Soveraign 2. Whilst the Embassadors were on their way Enters into League with the Moorish King of Granada the King concluded a League with the Moorish King of Granada for Fifty Years during which time they were to assist one another and neither was to pretend any Right to whatsoever Places of Castile were taken by the other nor was either of them if assisted with any Troops by his Confederate to allow them any Pay For farther Security King Ferdinand asked of King Peter the Aragonian his Daughter Ellenor in Marriage and Embassadors were sent on both sides to agree the Articles tho' that Lady was before betrothed to John the Eldest Son of King Henry The Princess was marryed by Proxy to our King at Lisbon the Aragonian Embassador representing her Person The Articles of Marriage were That she should bring 100000 Florins Portion That her Father should make War on Castile two Years That the Husband should give three Months Pay to 3000 Horse in his Father-in-law's Service Some Places in Castile were also allotted to the Aragonian for every Man gives freely of what he has not Soon after the Bridegroom that was to have been but never was sent a Rich Present to Barcelona for the Bride without expecting the Payment of the 100000 Florins He also sent Eighteen hundred weight of Gold to be coined to defray Charges there To Convoy the Bride seven beautiful Galleys were fitted out whereof that which was to carry her had her Sails of Silk wrought with Gold and all that was above Water was gilt The Rowers were cloathed in the King's Livery and many gallant Gentlemen went as Volunteers Among other things of value there was carried a Crown of inestimable price for the Bride D. John Alonso Tello Earl of Barcelos attended by the Bishops of Evora and Silves and the Abbot of Alcobaça went Embassadors and performed the Ceremony of marrying the Princess in his Masters Name But her Father put off the delivering of her till the Pope's Dispensation was obtained and times altering all came to nothing 3. King Ferdinand began the Wars in Galicia with a small Power Coruna and other Places voluntarily submitted to him Monterrey was taken by Force after it had made a vigorous Defence But understanding that King Henry drew near with numerous Forces Ferdinand went away by Sea to Porto leaving D. Nunno Freyre Master of the Military Order of Christ with 400 Horse in Coruna Alonso Gomez de Lira at Tuy and others in other Places 1369. Henry to bring our King to Peace Henry of Castile invades Portugal left them and entered Portugal burning all the Country as far as Braga where Lope Gomez de Lira made a vigorous Defence but was forced to abandon the Place after loosing 48 Men because he was not releived and the Town was not Walled nor Garisoned having Articled to Surrender if not releived by a certain time Henry finding the Place was not Tenable Burnt it and removed to Guemaraens which being better Fortified held out against him Seing he prevailed little by Force he thought to take it by Stratagem and to that purpose James Gonzalez de Castro got into the Place disguished like a Country-Man but being discovered was put to Death and his Body exposed to the Dogs Now it was that Count Ferdinand de Castro Brother-in-Law to King Henry carried about by him as a Prisoner made his Escape into the Town with his Keeper Ramiro Nunez and both went into the Portuguese's Service King Ferdinand who was then at Coimbra with a numerous Army with all speed made towards the Castilian sending before a
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
Constance Daughter to King Peter from whom Henry the Bastard had usurped that Kingdom The Duke having this Right to the Crown of Castile set Sail from Plymouth with a numerous Fleet and arrived at Coruna in Galicia on the 25th of July where he landed 2000 Horse and 3000 Archers besides some other Forces and several Persons of Note The Duke was Sixty Years of Age without any grey hairs was tall and well shaped affable modest in Discourse of an excellent Deportment and in all respects answerable to his Royal Extraction With him came his Wife Constance and his two Daughters Philippa by his first Wife and Katherine by the second Scarce was he landed at Coruna when that Place owned him for its Lawful Sovereign as did the City Santiago and the greatest part of this Kingdom of Galicia Our King was at Lamego when the Duke landed in Spain The New King John and Duke of Lancaster meet Thence he removed to Porto and having agreed to meet the Duke at Ponte-Mauro set forward with a numerous Retinue They met upon the First of November in a Plain near Melgazo There it was agreed That if the Duke succeeded he should give the Towns of Ledesma Montilla Melgazo Plazenzia Grimal Canaveral Caceres Mendao Fuente del Maestre Zafra Torres de-Medina Fegenal and other Places with their Territories to the King of Portugal as Dower with his Daughter Philippa The Pope's Dispensation being come whereby the King was loosed from his Vow of Chastity made as Master of the Military Order of Avis and the Princess Philippa being conducted to him they were solemnly married upon Candlemas-Day Immediately the Queen's Household was settled and a plentiful Revenue assigned her 1387. which afterwards some other Queens of Portugal enjoyed 8. The King having spent Two Months with his Queen at Porto went with her to see her Father at Bragança and thence sent her back to Coimbra Many of the English were dead of Diseases With the King were 3000 Lances 2000 Cross-Bow Men and 5000 Foot They entred the Dominions of Castile and took Castro Calvo Mâ—â—tila Râ—sales Valderas and Villalobos Tho' Galicia had received the Duke as lawful King yet no Place in Castile admitted him but by Constraint Hereupon the King told him That to make an absolute Conquest it was requisite he should return to England for greater Forces The Duke approved of his Advice and they returned to Cuidad Rodrigo By the way they defeated a Party of the Enemies consisting of 500 Horse and some Foot Another Skirmish happened near the City upon the Passage of a Brook with the same Success The Duke being now in Portugal Embassadors came to him from the King of Castile Prince Henry of Castile marries the Daughter of the Duke of Lancaster Peace is concluded offering that Prince Henry Heir to the Crown should marry Katherine the Duke's Daughter that so all Pretensions to the Kingdom might cease The Duke assented and Articles being agreed upon and performed the War betwixt him and Castile ended He being with the King at Coimbra a Castilian was there burnt for contriving to Poyson him Soon after he returned to England 9. The King having held the Cortes or Parliament at Braga 1388. set out to recover some Places which still held for Castile Melgazo having held out to the last was then delivered up the Defendants having only leave to depart without Arms. It was remarkable at this Siege that Two Women A combat betwixt two Women one of the Town and the other of the Camp challenged each other and fought the latter was Victorious Hence the King marched to Lisbon and in September to the Province of Alentejo where about the middle of October after a stout Defence the Town and Castle of Campo-Major were taken by force At the beginning of the following Year 1389. the King being at Lisbon one of the Queens Ladies called Beatrix was found to have admitted Ferdinand Alonso one of the King's Bed-Chamber and his Favourite to her Bed Hereupon he was apprehended and having made his Escape from the Officer took Sanctuary in the Church Thence the King himself went to drag him and tho' he urged he was married caused him to be burnt The Lady went away to Castile to her Mother Embassadors came to the King being then in the Province between the Rivers Duero and Minho proposing a Truce for some Months and so Commissioners were appointed to treat with him and in the mean while the King to lose no time Besieged and took the City Tuy in Galicia 139â— At length a Cessation was concluded for Three Years A Cessation of Arms betwixt Spain and Portugal for three Years and some Places restored on both sides but more to the Portuguese Nevertheless the King of Castile ceased not to make mighty preparations for War but his Designs were prevented by Death which happened to him by a fall from his Horse After the expiration of the Three Years the Nobles of Castile 1393. and the Governours to King Henry Son to the late King John by his First Wife the Lady Ellenor advised him to desist from his Pretensions to Portugal since he was not Born of Queen Beatrix on whom that Title was grounded Embassadors were sent to this Effect to Portugal where a Peace was concluded for Fifteen Years all Prisoners on both sides to be released and all Dammages done during the late Cessation to be made good and then Hostages for performance were given on both sides 10. But these Articles were not faithfully performed on the Part of Castile The Truce not duly observed neither as to restitution of Dammages nor releasement of Prisoners wherefore the Portuguese resolved to do himself Justice by taking some Towns and accordingly surprized Badajoz and Albuquerque Embassadors sent from Castile promised performance of Articles upon Restitution of those Places and it was only done to amuse the King for at the same time Vessels were fitting out in Biscay against Portugal and two Portuguese Ships laden with Warlike Stores were taken off of Cape S. Vincent At the same time the Castilians made Incursions wasting all the open Country But the Constable defeated a Party of 400 of them that was returning home with a rich Booty Campo-Mayor was soon after taken by the King Having thus secured themselves against their Enemy the King and Constable gave themselves some Repose The latter distributed most of what the King had bestowed on him for his Services on such Gentlemen as had always adhered to him On the contrary the King now established on the Throne took back to himself much of what he had bestowed on many great Men for their good Service in the War As the Constable had received most this fell heaviest upon him and therefore he resolved to depart the Kingdom but the King returning part of what he had taken from him with difficulty perswaded him to stay The taking of Badajoz and Albuquerque before mentioned
had renewed the War and the Country was now again in Hostile manner wasted on both sides wherein many notable Skirmishes happened CHAP. III. The remaining Part of the Life and Reign of King John the First of the Name and Tenth King of Portugal from the Year 1393. till 1433. 1. MAny great Men disgusted for that the King as was before said Had since his establishment recalled part of the Grants made to them during his Necessity went over to Castile where settling themselves they became the Heads of Noble Families The King having taken Salvatierra layed Siege to Tuy which after a vigorous Defence was surrendred to him In the mean while Denis Son to King Peter enters Portugal with an Army Prince Denis Son to King Peter by Lady Agnes de Castro was by the King of Castile sent into Portugal with an Army and the Title of King At the same time the Castilian Admiral James Hurtado de Mendoza entred the River Tagus with a Fleet of Forty Ships and Fifteen Galleys Nunho Alvarez Pereyra with all the Forces he could make marched to oppose Prince Denis who upon the News of his approach returned to Castile The King had given to the Constable the sole Government of the Province of Alentejo and Algarve which he for some time held but soon after resigned and went away to the King to assist him at the Siege of Tuy but it was taken before he arrived there 1398. Misser Ambrosio Marines a Genoese was sent Embassador from Castile to settle a Peace in order to which a Cessation was agreed upon for Nine Months 1401. This Term expired and nothing was concluded Hereupon the King about the middle of May layed Siege to Alcantara but was forced after some Days to desist from that Enterprize 2. A Treaty of Peace was again set on Foot at Segovia Peace concluded betwixt the Two Crowns where after long Debates it was concluded upon the following Conditions That no Money should be demanded of Castile on account of former Breach of Articles That Towns and Prisoners should be exchanged on both sides That the Castilian Hostages should be restored That the Portugueses who fled to Castile should return to their Estates On these Terms a Truce was concluded for Ten Years Nâ—t observed and Hostages were given on both sides for Performance But this Cessation produced no more quiet than the former continual Hostilities were exercised tho' the Actions seem not very considerable for there is no particular Account of them but the 4th Year after the conclusion of the last Truce a perpetual Peace began to be discoursed of King Henry of Castile was then dead and Queen Katherine Sister to the Queen of Portugal had the tuition of King John the Second not yet a Year Old In her Husband's Life time she had always advised Peace and she now moved That Embassadors from both sides might meet on the Frontiers of the Two Kingdoms who did so accordingly but came to no conclusion because the Castilians Demands ran high After many Messages had passed on both sides and much time spent the Treaty was again set a Foot and now Embassadors employed to manage it who at length agreed upon Articles whereof the chiefest was 1411. That the Subjects of both Crowns who had served against their Princes should be restored to their Countries and Estates Peace now established and the Crown secured Peace at length established application was made to the Pope for Absolution of the Censures laid on the Kingdom upon Account of promoting King John to the Throne he being a Bastard and having professed in the Order of Avis Pope Boniface the 9th granted his Request and Absolved the Kingdom The King had a Bastard-Son called Alonso whom he loved no less than his lawful Issue and therefore gave him to Wife Beatrix the only Daughter of the Constable Nunho Alvarez Pereyra They had a Daughter called Elizabeth who was Wife to Prince John Son to King John the First and two Sons which were Alonso afterwards Earl of Ourem and Ferdinand Earl of Arroyolos and First Duke of the House of Bragança 3. The King now fixed in his Throne The King bent upon publick rejoycings for the Peace had bent his thoughts upon solemn entertainments and publick rejoycings designing to Knight his Five Sons with all imaginable Solemnity But they advised him to expend that Money on some Forreign enterprize since all was quiet at home and it would be more honourable for them to be Knighted in the Field 1412. than in the Court The Design they fixed upon was the taking of Ceuta on the Coast of Africk which they acquainted the King withal and he approving thereof enjoyned them to keep it secret To this end Two Gallyes were sent to view the Place and sound the Port and to conceal what they went about they continued their Voyage to Sicily as had been at First given out Great industry was used in fitting out Vessels at Lisbon and many more of Galicia Biscay England and the Low-Countries were hired The Young Princes at the same time raised Forces in all Parts of the Kingdom Various judgments were made of the Intent of these Preparations Castile began to grow jealous the Aragonian was not well satisfyed and the Moorish King of Granada feared all the Storm would fall upon him The Rumour of these preparations drew many Martial Men from Forreign Parts to gain Honour in this Enterprize The Plague in Lisbon the Queen dies of it At this time the Plagâ—e had spread it self throughout Lisbon and having entred the Pallace Queen Philippa died of it Her Body was found Fifteen Months after not only uncorrupted but yielding a most Fragant smell Her Life was a Pattern of Piety and Vertue her happy Death was on the 18th of July 1415 1415. in the 64th Year of her Age. Many looked upon her Death as an ill Omen to the Enterprize in Hand and therefore advised to desist from it but the King and Princes could not be moved 4. On the last Day of July 1415. the Fleet sailed from Lisbon A great Fleet sails from Lisbon for the Conquest of Ceuta the 7th of August it came to Faro and the 14th the City Ceuta was taken to the Wonder of all Europe and Terror of the Enemies of Portugal The particulars of this Action which are not many the Place being taken in Four Hours are to be found in the Portuguese Affrick The King returning home created his Second Son Peter Duke of Coimbra and his Third Henry Duke of Viseo This done he went to Ebora and was there received in Triumph by the Princes John and Ferdinand and the Princess Elizabeth The Ratification of the perpetual Peace with Castile had been delayed till that King came to the Age of Fourteen and took the Government upon himself 1419. He being at that Age this Year 1419 Embassadors passed to and fro and after much Debate
English Order of the Garter which is of S. George he used for his Crest the Head of a winged Dragon and from that time forward the Portuguese use to call upon S. George in the time of Battle 10. Discoveries in this King's time were made by John Gonzalez Zarco Discoveries made in his time Tristan Vaz Teixeira and Bartholomew Perestrello who being drove they knew not whither by a storm found the Island they called Puerto Santo in the Year 1418 and two Years after that of Madera where they found a little Oratory and Inscription declaring that one Machin an English-Man had been there before Giles Yanez attempting what none durst before him passed beyond Cape Bojador and there planted a Cross CHAP. IV. The Life and Reign of Edward the First of the Name and Eleventh King of Portugal his Actions and Death from the Year 1391 till 1438. 1. KIng Edward was Born at Viseo Birth of King Edward in the Year 1391. He was with his Father at the taking of Ceuta and married Ellenor Daughter to King Ferdinaâ—d the first of Aragon 1391. in the Year 1428. The Body of King John being deposited in the Cathedral of Lisbon 1428. on the 14th of August the next Day his Eldest Son Edward was proclaimed King 1433. An Astrologer advised him to pass by that unfortunate Day An Astrological Prediction for that all the Constellations were Conspired against him But he religiously â—lighting these Predictions went on with the Solemnity and was Crowned that very Day Then began the Astrologer publickly as he had before done in private to denounce that his Reign would be short as to time but tedious for the Misfortunes which would happen in it The New King went to divert himself at Sintra where his Son Alonsâ— not full 20 Months Old was Sworn Heir to the Crown by the Nobility This was the only time the like Ceremony was performed without the Concurrence of the Commonalty by their Representatives He was also the first that had the Title of Prince given him in Portugal Alonso Son to King Edward the first that 〈◊〉 the Title of Prince in Portugal his Father following the example of the other Courts of Christendom The first that used it was that of England where the Heir of the Crown was called Prince of Wales From Sintra the King sent his Summons to all the Prelates and Nobles for them to meet in order to attend the Translation of his Father's Body to a noble Sepulchre designed for it in the Church of Batalla belonging to the Dominicans and of the invocation of the Assumption of our Blessed Lady built by that King in Memory of the Victory obtained in that Place 2. It will not here be amiss The Funeral of King John in short to say something of his Funeral which may shew the Custom of those times All the Nobility and Clergy Assembled at Lisbon The Mourning then used was either white Sack-Cloath or raw Canvas Such was the Apparel of all the Nobility and their Families The Pallace was all Hung with Black On the 25th of October all the Company marched in orderly Procession from the Pallace to the Church with great silence the Bells of all the Churches ringing At the Church after a short Sermon the Body was placed on a Mausoleum and then the Divine Office for the dead performed with great Solemnity Prince Peter and many other great men stay'd in the Church all Night with the Body and next Day after Mass and Sermon a costly Offering was made of Gold Silver and rich Brocados This done the Body was placed on a Triumphant Charriot which was drawn through the Streets by the King his Brothers and the Nobility In the New Street and in the great Place called Recio Scaffolds were erected on which Learned Men made Funeral Orations suitable to the Occasion At S. Vincent's Gate Four Horses were put to the Charriot Four times the Funeral halted betwixt Lisbon and the Church of Batalla at Odivellas Villafranca Alcoentre and Alcobaça The Fifth Day it came to the Church of Batalla whither the Cortes or Parliament was summoned and there all that great Assembly assisted at Mass and the other Funeral Rites 3. The King hasted away to Leyria King Edward holds a Parliament flying from the Plague for here began his Misfortunes The Cortes or Parliament was held at Santarem where the King gave general Satisfaction Then he applied himself to the cares of the Government He caused also the Laws to be epitomized and reduced to one Volume taking special care that they should be put in Execution His next care was to moderate excess in Apparel and Diet and then he Ordered That only one of the Princes and such of the Nobility as were named should attend at Court at one time the rest being sent away to their Estates and they to relieve the others in their turns 1434. Thus the ensuing Year was spent A general Council Pope Martin had before this time summoned a general Council to meet at Basle for Uniting the Greek and Latin Churches 1435. To this Council were sent Six Embassadors from Portugal The Union of the Two Churches took Effect but was not lasting for the Greeks not finding those Supplies they expected from the Pope against the Turks soon fell off The Portuguese Embassadors obtained a Grant of the then Pope Eugenius That the Kings of Portugal might be Crowned and Anointed in the same manner as those of England and France This same Year the King designed his Sons should receive the Sacrament of Confirmation with great Pomp and Solemnity but News being then brought that the Kings of Naples and Navarre Prince Henry and above 100 Persons of great Note were taken Prisoners in a Sea Fight by Philip Duke of Milan all publick Joy ceased and the Court was filled with Mourning nevertheless the Young Princes were confirmed 4. This same Year also it was An Expedition against Tangier that the Princes Henry and Ferdinand having first gained the Queen to their Party perswaded the King to take in Hand an Expedition against Tangier in Africk It was long before they could prevail upon him but at last overcome by their importunities he took the Fatal Resoluton A Tax was laid upon the Kingdom for the Expence of this War and all the Preparations for such an Expedition diligently made On the 17th of August the Princes Embarked and the 22th they sailed from Belem 1437. The particulars of this Unhappy Undertaking belong properly to the Portuguese Africk where they are to be seen at large but the even was The Portuguese Army destroyed by the Moors and the King's Brother taken That most of the Portuguese Army perished and Prince Ferdinand remained in Captivity he being left as an Hostage for restoring Ceuta to the Moors upon their suffering the Relicks of the Portuguese to return home Prince Henry the Adviser of this Enterprize sent Notice to
Church of Alverca where it was buried The King was received at Lisbon in Triumphant manner Many Persons were executed on Account of these Troubles and their Heirs to the Fourth Generation declared Infamous The Prince's Enemies fearing the Queen might some time or other Revenge the Death of her Father advised the King to be divorced from her but he received her with all the marks of True Love and Affection They begged of him some Towns that had belonged to the Prince which he freely gave them but the Cities of Porto and Portalegre would not submit to be given away to any Body and were therefore annexed to the Crown 9. The Princess Ellenor during this time was contracted to the Emperor Frederick the Third The Princess Ellenor contracted to the Emperor Frederick the Third and was now delivered in the Month of August to his Embassadors They embarked at Lisbon and landed at Leghorn whence she was conducted to Sienna where the Bridegroom met her attended by Ladislaus King of Hungary his Brother Albertus the Arch-Duke and other Princes Hence they travelled together to Rome where they were crowned with the usual Solemnity 1451. Prince Ferdinand who was marryed to the Lady Beatrix 1452. Daughter to Prince John privately built a Caravel and went away in it to Ceuta to employ himself against the Moors but the King soon sent for him home and to settle his Mind gave him the Towns of Beja 1453. Moura and Serpa The great Monarch of the Turks Mahomet having taken Constantinople Pope Calixtus stirred up the Christian Princes to unite their Forces against the Common Enemy Our King offered to serve in Person one Year with 12000 Men but all these Projects fell to nothing Our Queen had before this time brought forth a Son and a Daughter whereof the former died 1455. and now on the third of May she was delivered at Lisbon of another Son whom she called John as the first had been for the special Devotion she had to that Name He was sworn Prince being but a Month old with great Solemnity The Queen upon this Occasion obtained leave of the King that the Body of her Father Prince Peter might be placed in the Tomb he had built for himself at the Famous Monastery of Batalla At this time also a Match was concluded betwixt the Princess Joanna King Alonso's Daughter and Henry the Fourth King of Castile She was Seventeen Years of Age and very beautiful which was all her Portion and she was conducted to Castile by Count Alvaro Gonzalez de Atayde Elizabeth our Queen died on the Second of December following The Queen's Death not without suspicion of Poison given her by her Father's Enemies fearing she might prevail with the King to Revenge his Death She was carried to the Church of Batalla with the greatest Pomp that had been used at the Funeral of any Queen For Beauty Patience Obedience and Piety she was inferior to none The Monastery of Xabregas of the religious of S. Eloy was founded by her 1456. The King ordered the Body of his Mother Queen Ellenor to be brought from Toledo to be buried at the Church of Batalla As far as Elvas it was conducted by the King and Queen of Castile and there they were met by our King 10. The Bishop of Silves brought the Croisade from Rome 1457. granted to Encourage Christian Princes to joyn their Forces against the Turks The Croisade brought into Portugal Our King made Preparations for that Expedition and recalled Peter the Constable and Master of Avis Son to Prince Peter who was Banished to Castile He also coined a New sort of pieces called Cruzadoes from the Croisade and the Cross on them These were of pure Gold and great Weight that they might pass in Forreign Countries but the other Christian Princes not answering on their Part he bent his Mind upon Prosecuting the Conquest of Africk Tangier was first aimed at 1458. but this Resolution was changed for Alcaçer Alcazer on the Coast of Africk taken by King Alonso Twenty thousand Landmen were appointed for this Service who set sail from Setuval the 12th of October in Two hundred Sail of Ships They no sooner arrived than that they were Victorious and reduced that Place the Particulars of which Action are in the Portuguese Africk A Peace was now established with the Duke of Britany 1459. whose Subjects had taken many Portuguese Ships which was repaid them in the same kind 1460. The following Year died Prince Henry who first gave Encouragement and promoted the Discoveries on the Coast of Africk A Year after he was followed by Alonso Duke of Bragança Bastard-Son to King John the First 1461. The King being advertised That it would be easie to surprize Tangier Tangier taken set sail from Lisbon in November and tho he met with many difficulties he became Master of that Place The Catalonians rebelling against their lawful Sovereign King John of Aragâ—n sent to invite Peter Son to the Unfortunate Prince Peter to that Principality as being descended of the Ancient Earls of Barcelona He hasted thither from Ceuta but lived not long there and lies buried in the Cathedral King Alonso went over from Ceuta to Gibraltar to meet the King of Castile who craved Aid of him against his Nobility that not content with staining his Honour sought to deprive him of the Crown 1464. Here it was agreed King Alonso should marry Elizabeth Sister to the Castilian and his Son Prince John the Princess Joanna but all this took no effect 1466. Queen Joanna of Castile on whom those People cast all their Reproaches accusing her of Adultery only in malice to D. Beltran de la Cueva the King's Favourite whom she treated with Courtesie came to the City Guarda to crave Aid of the King her Brother against the Rebels who called her Daughter a Bastard and had opprobriously used a Statue they had erected to the King her Husband King Alonso intended to have succoured her but was prevented by the Death of Prince Alonso of Castile who had been proclaim'd King in opposition to the King his Brother whereupon ensued some tranquility in the Affairs of Castile King John of Aragon made great Interest that his Son Ferdinand might marry Elizabeth Sister to the King of Castile Our King Alonso also sent Embassadors to demand her according to the Articles concluded at Gibraltar But these Embassadors could not prevail for she was already engaged to Ferdinand and much more to those who advised that Match in opposition to her Brother that she might the better with their assistance deprive him of the Crown That Match was concluded in February 1469. 1469. This is that Elizabeth so much admired by the Spaniards for Sanctity and yet by this it appears she aimed to Usurp the Crown from her Brother and actually did it from his only Daughter CHAP. VI. The remaining Part of the Life and
Reign of King Alonso the Fifth of the Name and Twelfth King of Portugal and his Death from the Year 1470 till 1481. 1. ON the 18th of September 14â—â— died at Setubal Prince Ferdinand Brother to King Alonso and Father to many Children whereof one was Emanuâ—l afterwards King Soon after his Death his Daughter Ellenor was married to Prince John he being Fourteen Years of Age and she Thirteen Twelve Portuguese Ships now coming from Flanders were taken by the English whereupon our King ordered Reprisals to be made and sent Embassadors to complain of it which was followed by a lasting Peace In the mean while Persons were sent to discover the Port of Arzila on the Coast of Africk who brought an Account that 30000 Men were requisite for that Expedition 24000 Landmen besides the Seamen were shipped on Board 308 Sail of all sorts 14â—1 The King sailed to Lagos in Algarve King Aloâ—so 〈…〉 and Tangier before he discovered his Design then passing over to Arzila took that Place as he did Tangier forsaken by the Inhabitants upon the first News of his approach He changeâ— his 〈◊〉 Upon this Conquest the King changed his Titles which before were King of Portugal Algarve and Ceutâ—â— for those of King of Portugal and both Algarves that on this side and that on the other in Africk Prince Ferdinand after he was taken in the former Expedition against Tangier lived Six Years in Slavery and his Body remained Twenty more among the Infidels But the King gave now in exchange for his Bones Two Wives and a Daughter of 〈…〉 Lord of that Place 14â—â— and afterwards King of Fiâ— Thâ— Bones were brought over and buried in the Famous Church of Batalla King Hâ—â—ry of Castâ—â—e and our King Alonso had an interview between Badâ—â—â—z and Elvas about a Match for the Prince of Portugal with 〈◊〉 Princess of Castile but it had no Effect for the rebellious Castilians openly declared her a Bastard and Elizabeth that Kingâ—â— Sister was married to Ferdinand 〈◊〉 Aragon by the Name of Princess of Castile It it horrid to think with what Impudence they durst Declare that Princess a Bastard seeing she was Born in Wedlock and for what they pretended of the King's Impotency it was contrary to Reason since it is notorious the Queen was Jealous of him and she could have no occasion for jealousie had she found the King unfit for the Company of Women But the World is sufficiently convinced there can be no true Reason given to justifie Rebellion yet Rebels never want pretences to Colour their Villany 2. King Henry of Castile met his Sister Elizabeth at Segovia Affairs of Castile and he dying on the 11th of December following it was generally believed he was poisoned In his Will he appointed his Daughter Joanna to succeed him and desired the King of Portugal to take her to Wife At the Hour of his Death his Confessor pressed him to declare who was his lawful Heir and he answered his Daughter Joanna Nothing more could have been done to prove her Legitimate but nothing will suffice against hardned Rebels Scarce was the Princess Elizabeth assured of the King's Death when she caused her self to be proclaimed Queen at Segovia In the mean while the Marquis de Villena the Earl of Benavente and the Bishop of Siguenza appointed by King Henry to see his Will executed sent to the King of Portugal praying him to set forward with all possible speed and that not only they but many more Nobles and the principal Cities of Castile would declare for him The King was then at Estremoz where having consulted his Council he resolved to accept of what was offered and in order thereunto sent his Lord Chamberlain Lope de Albuquerque to Castile who returned to him with fresh Assurances in the Month of January the King being then at Evora Elizabeth the New Queen sent some religious Men to advise our King not to engage in an unjust War as she termed it and to offer him another Joanna Sister to her Husband Ferdinand Alonso 〈◊〉 War with Castile in 〈◊〉 of the 〈…〉 in Marriage He answered he was resolved to stand by his Niece being obliged to it as an Unkle as a King and as a Gentleman 3. Whilst he made Preparations for War he sent an Embassador to Ferdinand and Elizabeth to demand that Crown who returning with such an Answer as he had expected he immediately advances to Castile by the way of Aronches with 5600 Horse and 14000 Foot With this Army he came to Plasencia and was there joyfully received by many of the Nobility There he found the true Queen and was contracted to her those there present and many absent by Proxy swore Allegiance to him The King then stiled himself King of Castile and Portugal and nothing was wanting for Bedding with the Queen but the Dispensation from Rome which Ferdinand and Elizabeth with all their might opposed No sooner was this known to the Castilian King and Queen but they also took the stile of Castile and Portugul and sent Forces to invade that Kingdom which having made some spoil returned without any opposition Queen Joanna sent her Letters to all the Towns of Castile exhorting them to return to her Obedience since they had twice sworn her lawful Heiress to the Crown The King marched to Arevalo and thence to Toro which City held for him and the Castle he took by force Zamora was delivered to him and thither he conducted his Bride Thence they returned to Toro where Queen Joanna Mother to the Bride and Sister to the Bridegroom died on the 13. of June Ferdinand and Elizabeth raised all the Forces they could and had now gathered together 12000 Horse and 30000 Foot With this Force Ferdinand marched and encamped before Toro where feigning Friendship he sent to advise King Alonso to depart or to decide the matter by single Combat neither whereof he well knew could as circumstances stood be accepted However Peter de Avendanho so cut off the Castillian's Provisions that he was forced to draw off his Army to Medina del Campo Thither came Elizabeth to Ferdinand reproaching him that he had not accepted of a single Combat on such terms as the Portuguese allowed of But Money beginning now to fail them and they fearing to tax the People had recourse to the Clergy who gave them half the Plate of the Churches 4. Some Overtures of Peace were now made 〈…〉 but came not to any head Our King marching to relieve Burgâ—s was recalled by the revolt of Zamora which Elizabeth of Castile laying hold of gave out that he fled which drew many to her Party The Portuguese now grew weary of being abroad and the King wanting Money his Subjects refused to furnish him upon that Account so that all his Affairs went backwards King Alonso thus streightned discharged many of his Army and many more went away without expecting a Discharge The Governour of the Castles on
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
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
up the Ghost on the 25th of October 〈…〉 Being sensible he must die he commanded the Plate furnished by the Churches for the late Wars to be restored He ordered Duke Emanuel should Succeed him having first used all possible means to leave the Crown to his Bastard-Son George which was the greatest Act of Injustice he was 〈…〉 indeed that could be Having 〈◊〉 the Queen Princess Beatrix and the Clergy in his Life time he now begged Pardon of them 4. Tho' the King earnestly desired to see Duke Emanuel before his Death he could not compass it some Persons perswading that Prince his Design was to kill him There was a small Box whereof he always kept the Key which was generally supposed to contain nothing but Poison 〈…〉 Saint But this Box being opened after his Death there was found in it a Book of Instructions for to make a good Confession a Hair-cloath and a Discipline stained with Blood Hence the People took occasion 〈◊〉 call him a Saint as many before accounted him a Tyrant In his Will the King ordered 3000 Masses should be said for his Soul that 41 Orphans should be marryed that the like number of Captives should be redeemed that the great â—ospital of Lisbon should be finished that half the Plate taken from Churches by his Father for the War against Castile should be restored that Duke Emanuel should Succeed him in the Throne that his Bastard-Son George should have the City Coimbra with all the Royalties wherewith Prince Peter had it before that in case Duke Emanuel died without Issue the aforesaid George should Inherit the Crown and that none of the Persons banished the Kingdom by him should be restored After his Death he had the Commendations of his very Enemies His Body was conducted with great State from the Cathedral of Silves to the Monastery of Batalla where it is said to have been found long after uncorrupted which increased the Opinion of his Sanctity He marryed his Cousin-German Ellenor Daughter to Prince Ferdinand Duke of Viseo and the Lady Beatrix Daughter to Prince John She was a Princess endued with singular Beauty Wit and Vertue and lies buried in the Monastery of the Mother of God at Lisbon founded by her self in the Cloister among the Nuns is her Grave without any distinction 5. Let us now give some Specimen of the many Vertues that adorned this King 〈◊〉 Vertues First for his great Zeal in Matters of Religion Pope Innocent VII publickly called him The Eldest Son of the Church Daily he performed several Devotions upon his bare Knees and in the Holy Week spent whole Nights in mourning before the Sepulchre He forbid the use of Mules and because the Clergy said they would have recourse to the Pope on that account he made it Death for any Body to 〈◊〉 them and so that Dispute 〈…〉 Justice was such that he rewarded some Judges before whom he was Cast in Law Suits and hearing a Man was condemned to Death who had been Fourteen Years in Prison he pardoned him saying They better deserved to die who had kept him so long to Condemn him at last Few ever exceeded him in Liberality and Gratitude for having borrowed 1500 Ducats of Peter Pantoja and kept them but five days he then sent him his Money and 250 Ducats for the Use of it Pantoja complaining that the Interest was too great he ordered him as much more and said He would do so as often as he complained James Fernandez Correa his Factor in Flanders having lent Maximilian the King of the Romans 30000 Ducats without his Order he sent him Thanks for so doing and gave him 1000 Crowns Edward del Casal a Man of Worth having employed another to beg some Favour for him the King seeing him said Since you have Hands to serve me with why have not you a Tongue to speak to me 6. There was nothing that daunted him More of his good Qualities in so much that others fearing to go aboard the Fleet because of the Plague he went himself and is said to have spoke unconcerned with the Ghost of a Gentleman that was dead and came to warn him of the Conspiracy of the Duke of Viseo Favourites he never had any and was such an Enemy to those sort of Ministers that the Cardinal George da Costa who had entire influence over his Father fled to Rome before his Accession to the Crown None that deserved well passed unrewarded for he carryed about him a Table-Book in which were the Names and Services of all those that merited of him All Men had access to him their Business was heard and answered Truth was so much admired by him that he made D. John de Meneses his Lord Steward only because he said He always spoke the Truth 〈◊〉 it were displeasing to him As for Learning he understood Philosophy was skilled in Mathematicks well versed in History and a great admirer of Poetry Tho' his Countenance represented much of Gravity and his Carriage had much of Majesty yet at times he was pleasant and facetious To conclude his Government was inferiour to none of the best Kings that preceded him and may be a Pattern to all those that come after him Scarce any excelled him in all sorts of Vertues and foâ— his Zeal to Religion he was the first that propagated it in the Torrid Zone In short he was a Father of his People Bountiful Just Merciful Generous Brave a lover of Truth and sure rewarder of Merit 7. King John had only one Lawfully Begotten Son His Issue which was Prince Alonso born at Lisbon in the Year 1475. and who died as has been said unfortunately by a Fall off his Horse in the Year 1491. being newly married to the Princess Elizabeth Daughter to King Ferdinand and Queen Elizabeth of Castile This King had also One Bastard-Son called George created Duke of Coimbra Marquis of Torres Novas Master of the Military Orders of Santiago and Avis and Lord of the Lands that had belonged to Prince Peter He had also the Town of Aveiro and of him are descended the Dukes of that Title who keep the sirname of Lancaster taken by them in Memory of Queen Philippa Daughter to the Duke of Lancaster King John at length fixed the Arms of the Kingdom in the manner they are used at this Day reducing the Castles in the Orle to the certain Number of Seven and setâ—ing the Five middle Escutcheons upright 8. Discoveries in the Reign of King John were as follow 〈…〉 James Cano sailed to the River and Kingdom of Manicongo James Alonso de Aveiro to that of Beni and brought thence the first Pepper that came from those Parts Bartâ—â—â—â—mew Diaz to the Cape of Good Hope and passed beyond it to the River called Del Infante Peter Covillam and Alonso de Paiva Men versed in many Languages went to Grand Cairo in Egypt then embarking on the Red Sea saw the City Adem where parting Paiva went into Ethiopia
Covillan to Cananor Calicut Goa Sofala Mozambique Quiloa Mombara and Melinde then returned to Adem and Grand Caire where his Companion and he had appointed to meet but the other being dead he returned again to Adem thence to Ormus and then traversed Abissinia being the first Man that ever performed those Travels Christopher Columbus offer'd his Service to King John but not being encouraged by him he discovered the West Indies for King Ferdinand and Queen Elizabeth of Castile and Aragon CHAP. IX The first Part of the Life and Reign of Emanuel the First of the Name and Fourteenth King of Portugal from the Year of our Lord 1469 till 1509. 1. THough the late King John laboured all that in him was to have left the Crown to his Bastard-Son George yet neither the Queen nor the Subjects would consent because Duke Emanuel had a most undoubted Title to it King Emanuel his Birth and Descent This Emanuel was Son to Prince Ferdinand Grandson to King Edward and Great Grandson to King Alonso V. and Cousen German to his Predecessor King John whose undoubted Heir he was that King leaving no lawful Issue He was born in the Town of Alconchete 1469. in the Province of Riba Tejo upon Thursday the last Day of May being the Feast of Corpus Christi His Mother being in Labour was delivered of him just at the time that the Blessed Sacrament passed by her Door and therefore she called him Emanuel the proper Name of Christ which signifies God is with us During his Infancy Emanuel was one of the Hostages between the King of Castile and King John the Second The very Day King John killed James Brother to this Emanuel 1â—â—4 he gave him all the other's Estate only changing the Title from Duke of Viseo to that of Beja He also constituted him Master of the Order of Christ Constable of the Kingdom and General of the Frontiers betwixt the Rivers Tagus and Guadiana so that his Revenue amounted to above 70000 Crowns per Annum which was very great in that Age and that Kingdom 〈◊〉 His Family was encreased when he went the second time into Castile to conduct the Princess Elizabeth Wife to Prince Alonso into Portugal King John as is said King Emanuel 〈…〉 dying without any lawful Issue and not able to prevail for his Bastard-Son George Emanuel was proclaimed King with the usual Solemnity upon 〈◊〉 the 27th of October 1495 and in the 26th Year of his Age. 2. The New King went away to 〈…〉 â—uevo where James 〈…〉 Prior of Crato presented to him George King John's Bastard-Son whom he received favourably and treated as if he had been his own Here the Cortes or Parliament met but did little Business as well by reason of the Plague as for that King John had left all Things in good Order After sending Embassadors to Rome and Castile the King gave the Tenth of all his Revenues in Africk to the Churches there and reinforced those Garrisons At Setuval came to him the Sons of the late Duke of Bragança 1496. executed by King John their Unkle D. Alvaro and D. Sancho Son to Alonso another of that Duke's Brothers who were all restored to their Estates He now sent another Embassador to Rome to obtain the Pope's Dispensation for Knights of the Military Orders to marry which was granted At Torres Vedras whither he fled from the Plague he received Embassadors from the State of Venice Jewâ— banished the Kingdom The Jews whom King John had made Slaves in great Numbers had now Liberty to depart the Kingdom and though they offer'd the King a Present of a considerable Summ of Money he would not accept it A time was set for them all to depart and it was order'd that they should leave behind them all their Children that were under Fourteen Years of Age. Many of them rather than deliver their Children to be bred up Christians 14â—7 murdered them and some there were that killed themselves as well as their Children The time of their Departure being put off they offer'd if their Children were restor'd them and Twenty Years allowed them in which they could not be punished for Offences against Religion that they would become Christians This granted the greatest part of them was Baptized the rest were sent over into Africk together with the Moors then also expelled but these were allowed to carry their Children with them Those that remained in Portugal committed many Enormities in contempt of the Christian Religion and becoming Rich had the Opportunity of corrupting all the Nobility of the Kingdom by mixing their Families 3. At 〈◊〉 the King had it debated in Council 〈…〉 whether the Discovery of India ought to be prosecuted or not and after much contesting it was resolv'd in the Affirmative Vasco de Gama was thereupon piâ—ched upon to command Four Ships designed for that Voyage The Particulars of his Success may be seen in the first Vol. of the Portuguese Asia The King by his Embassadors having concluded a Match for himself with Elizabeth Emanuel marries Elizabeth Widow of the late Prince Alonso Princess of Castile Widdow of the Late Prince Alonso of Portugal in the Month of October she was brought to Valencia de Alcantara where King Emanuel waited for her Presently after the King and Queen were married came the News of the Death of John Prince of Castile Brother to the new Queen and Heir of that Kingdom New Charters were now given to all the Cities and Towns of Portugal which were all contained in Five Books One of each Province About the end of the Year the Queen being with Child Embassadors came from Castile to induce the King and her to go into Castile to be sworn Heirs to that Crown The King took the Advice of the Cortes or Parliament therein 1498. and it was resolved he should go On the 29th of March they set forwards with a small Retinue not exceeding 300 Horse All this Company was in Mourning for the Prince of Castile The Duke of Medina Sidonia met them at Badajoz with a Retinue somewhat less Soon after the Duke of Alva and Count de Feria with a like Number King Ferdinand came out of Toledo to receive them and they were entertained with extraordinary Magnificence On the 28th of April King Emanuel and his Queen were sworn Heirs of Castile in the Cathedral Church This Ceremony being over they travelled towards Zaragosa to be there sworn to the Succession of Aragon They entred that City on the first of June where many Disputes arose concerning the Privileges of that Kingdom On the 24th of August the Queen of Portugal was delivered of a Son and died before she could be laid in her Bed She was buried in the Church of St. Hierome without any Pomp because she had so ordered it in her Will 4. King Emanuel returned to Portugal 〈…〉 Aragonâ— and Portugal and was received at Lisbon with great Joy in
against him under the Command of the Renowned Edward Pacheco who after a sharp dispute near Cape Finisterre sunk one of the Pirate's Galleons and took the other three Mondragon was presented to the King who freely forgave him CHAP. X. The remaining Part of the Life and Reign of Emanuel the First of the Name and Fourteenth King of Portugal from the Year of our Lord 1510 till 1521. 1. NOthing remarkable happened the Year 1510 1510. but that many Moors and Hords of Arabs along the Coast of Africk submitted themselves to King Emanuel 1511. and became his Tributaries The following Year threatned a Breach between Castile and Portugal because King Ferdinand fitted out a Fleet at Malaga with Design to invade the Portuguese Conquests The Pope calling upon him for Succour against the French obliged him to desist from that Enterprize Nevertheless that Faithless King as if his Designs had not been known solicited King Emanuel to joyn with him against France and highly resented that he Courteously entertained a French Squadron in his Ports Henry the 8th King of England who had married Katherine Sister to the Queen of Portugal King Emanuel receives the Order of the Garter from King Henry the Eighth of England now sent King Emanuel the Garter having received him into that most Noble Order On the last Day of January was born at Lisbon Prince Henry the King 's Seventh Son a mighty Snow falling just before his Birth which is a thing rarely seen in Lisbon We shall have more occasion to speak of him hereafter when he ascends the Throne Alonso King and Apostle of Congo this Year sent his Son Henry and his Brother Emanuel 1512. with many Young Noblemen into Portugal to be instructed in the Christian Faith Henry Son to the King of Congo comes into Portugal With them came Peter that King's Cousin whom he sent as his Embassador to Rome to submit him and his Kingdom to the Pope King Emanuel sent the Black Prince Henry with the Embassador they arrived at Rome the following Year where they were courteously received and dismissed by Leo the Tenth 1513. then sitting in 8. Peter's Chair 2. D. Alvaro de Castro The King punishes his Lord Steward for his cruelty to a Servant was Lord Steward of the Houshold and in great Favour He finding a Servant of his own whom he had turned away talking with a Slave in his House caused him to be so cruelly lashed that all his Body was but one continued Sore The Servant putting nothing on but his Cloak came into the King's Presence where letting it fall he said Ecce Homo Your Lord Steward has done this to me only for talking to one of his Slaves The King astonished at this Barbarity immediately sent Andrew Perez Landin his Clerk of the Closet to acquaint D. Alvaro that he deprived him of his Charge ordered he should remain a Prisoner in his House till farther order and pay 500 Crowns to that Man D. Alvaro's Kindred came to the King to intercede for him but finding the King implacable they went away Discontented and returned not to Court whereupon the King ordered the Two Sons of D. Alvaro to be struck out of his Books At last upon the humble Application of D. Alvaro's Wife he was sent for to Court severely reprimanded and then pardoned Last Year began the Preparations and now was fitted out a Fleet of above 400 Sail 1514. carrying 18000 Foot and 2600 Horse all under the Command of Jayme or James Duke of Bracança He sailed from Lisbon about the middle of August and landing on the 28th of the same Month in Africk Azamor on the Coast of Africk taken took the City Azamor Those of Tite and Almedina being abandoned by the Inhabitants he also possessed himself of with ease Then having ravaged the Country without any opposition he returned to Lisbon The Particulars of this Expedition properly belong to the Portuguese Africk 3. King Emanuel resolving to Dedicate to God Presents of the First Fruits of India sent to the Pope the First Fruits of India thought the shortest way was to present them to the Pope his Vicegerent With this Present he sent Three Embassadors the chief whereof was Tristan da Cunha with a most magnificent Retinue The Present consisted of an Elephant covered with Cloth of Gold and governed by an Indian a Persian Horse with rich Furniture a Panther that would Hunt and was at Command like a Dog and a whole Suit of Vestments for all occasions all of Cloth of Gold so thick Embroidered with Pearls and precious Stones that the Ground of it could not be discerned The whole was valued at 500000 Crowns Bernardin Freyre and Francis Pereyra Pestana arriving now from India the King caused them to be cast into Prison being informed how unworthily they had treated Mathew Embassador from Ellen Grand-Mother of David Emperor of Ethiopia and Regent of that Empire during her Grand-Son's Minority There they remained till the said Embassador interceded for them He was an Armenian Christian Judicious Learned and Bold The King received him with Respect and by him a Letter from the Empress Five Medals of Gold and a great Cross made of the Wood of that our Saviour suffered upon and kept in a Gold Case In her Letter the Empress offered her assistance towards forwarding the King's undertakings in Asia and desired since they were both Christians that their Families might be allyed by mutual Marriages that so they might be the better enabled to destroy the Turks 1515. and Moors The King 's Eighth Son born in those Parts On the 7th of September 1515 was born at Lisbon Edward the King 's 8th Son of whom more at the end of this Chapter Embassadors were sent to Castile 1516 to condole with Queen Germana upon the Death of her Husband King Ferdinand and to Flanders to Charles afterwards the 5th of that Name Emperor to offer him Elizabeth Daughter to King Emanuel in Marriage and ask his Sister Ellenor for Prince John This Year ended with the Birth and Death of Mary Emanuel's Ninth Child 4. Prince Antony 1517. the King 's Tenth Child was born at Lisbon Birth of the King 's tenth Child on the 9th Day of September He lived but a few Days and left his Mother so Weak that she died the 7th of March following of an Impostume in her Bowels The Queen dies being but 35 Years of Age. She was generally lamented being extreamly beloved for her Fruitfulness her great Love to the King her liberality to the Poor her Devotion Affability Modesty Piety Industriousness in the good spending her Time and special care of Instructing her Children As to Features she was neither beautiful nor deformed She founded the Monastery of S. Hierome in the Berlings and lies buried in the Church of Belem Before the Queen's Death the King put an Elephant and a Rhinoceros together to see the manner of their
Remarkable for the Death 1539. first Death of Prince Philip and of the Empress of Prince Philip who was scarce Six Years of Age who departed this Life at Lisbon and then of the Empress Elizabeth who ended her days at Toledo Nor was the following Year less fatal 1540. since in it were snatch'd away And of others first Antony the King's Son being but Eleven Months old then the Cardinal Alonso and lastly Prince Edward both Brothers to the King D. Michael de Silva 1541. Bishop of Portalegre and Clerk of the Closet at this time fled privately to Rome where he had before negotiated for a Cardinal's Cap which was given him immediately upon his arrival at that Court 1542. The King was so highly offended at this Contempt that he disclaimed him as a Subject and deprived him of all the Benefices and Honours he enjoyed in the Kingdom All Persons that should presume to hold Correspondence with him were subjected to the same Penalties yet the Cardinal's Brother D. George transgressed against this Decree and was therefore committed Prisoner to the Fort of Belem to answer that Misdemeanor The Princess Mary the King's Daughter at the time of her departure to Castile to Marry Prince Philip begged and obtained of her Father that the said D. George might be pardoned only upon the Penalty of going to serve at Arzila 1543. where he behaved himself in such a manner as gained him great Reputation 7. The Match betwixt Prince Philip of Spain and the Princess Mary of Portugal was concluded by the Spanish Embassador Prince Philip of Spain Marries Mary Princess of Portugal Lewis Sarmiento de Mendoza who stood Proxy for the Prince at the Ceremony of Contracting the Princess to him which was performed by Prince Henry About the middle of October the Princess set forward towards Castile with a most Splendid and Honourable Retinue consisting of 5000 Horse and 2700 Sumpture Mules Francis King of France hearing of this Match whereof the King had given him no Account was highly offended and expressed his Resentment to D. Francis de Noronha the Portuguese Embassador at his Court That Gentleman tho' unacquainted with the Affair so mitigated that King and soothed him with such convincing Reasons that he appeared wholly satisfied and by his Prudence a Breach that might have happened between the two Crowns so strictly allied for many Years was prevented In August Edward the King's Bastard-Son came to Lisbon and was received with general Applause by the King Queen and all the Court He was Born in the Year 1525. and brought up in the Royal Monastery of S. Hierome da Costa He was a promising Youth but cut off in his Prime for he lived not much above two Months after his coming to Court and died in the 22d Year of his Age. CHAP. XII The remaining Part of the Life and Reign of John the Third of the Name and Fifteenth King of Portugal from the Year 1544 till 1557. 1. THE Years 1544 and 1545 passed without any thing Remarkable 1546. or at least Historians do not give us Account of any Passages in them King John receives the Golden Fleece Nor is there any thing of more note in the Year 1546 besides that King John received the Order of the Golden Fleece sent him by the Emperor Charles the Fifth In March following the King being at Almeyrin King Henry of France sent Monsieur de Biron to him desiring he would stand Godfather to a Son he had newly born which the King granted and D. Constantine of Bragança Brother to that Duke went to represent his Person It was found necessary for the security of the Conquests in Africk to erect a Fort over the Bay of Alcaçar The King ordered his Embassadors residing at Brussels with the Emperor and with Prince Maximilian then Governing Spain to encline them both to send some Auxiliary Galleys for carrying on that Work the particulars of it may be seen in the Portuguese Africk 1548. Prince John was now Twelve Years of Age and still continued under the Government of Women when the King began to think of settling his Family which was accordingly done in February following 1549. Antony de Pesquera had some Years since set out a Ship at S. Lucar and traded in the Portuguese Conquests of Guinea and Brasil and was now returning to those Parts King John sent out Vasco Lorenço with Orders not to take him unless in the Conquests but he over-hastily seized him in the Canary Islands whereof Prince Maximilian who then governed Spain complaining he was released and Vasco Lorenço for a time confined to the Castle of Ovidos but soon discharged George Bastard-Son to King John the Second who had absented himself from Court all the time of his Youth came now to it at 70 Years of Age and fell in Love with one of the Queen's Ladies not above 16. They were privately contracted yet never married the King obstructing it and so the Young Lady was left under some Scandal 2. The King considering long Peace had disarmed the Kingdom Ordinances 〈◊〉 by the King ordered all People should furnish themselves with Arms. Such as had 2500 Royals per Annum were obliged to keep compleat Armour a Sword and Spear every Man that had double this Yearly Income to keep a Musqueteer and so forward for every time that Revenue was doubled Because Horses were scarce he forbid Mares engendring with Asses for Mules The Wolves being numerous and destroying much Cattle general Huntings were appointed upon certain days and Rewards assigned to such as brought in the Skin of a Wolf The King weary of multiplicity of Business remitted a great part of his Care to the Council and from this time the Kingdom began to decline Pope Paul III. dying about the end of this Year Dr. Baltasar Faria the Portuguese Embassador at Rome used all his Interest for Prince Henry of Portugal but on the 17th of February 1550. Cardinal John Maria was declared Pope by the Name of Julius the Third and King John sent D. Alonso de Lancastre to Complement him upon his Promotion to S. Peter's Chair Most of the Copper Coin of the Kingdom having been carryed out because the Metal was worth more than it was coined for the King new coined other Pieces New Coin which being much under the value the Kingdom was soon filled with it counterfeit from other Parts Tho' Prince John had his Family settled before yet he kept not House apart from his Father till this Year 1551. 1551. Certain French and Turkish Pirates infesting the Coasts of Spain and Portugal the King prevailed with the Emperor to fit out some Ships to scour those Seas 1552. he did the same himself and they were appointed their several Stations with Orders upon occasion to joyn and assist one another 3. A Match being concluded for Prince John with the Princess Joanna 1553. Daughter to Charles the
Adem George de Albuquerque with only 80 Men held out a Siege against the King of Bintam who had 12000. D. Simon de Meneses burnt the City Braçalor Peter de Silva defended Malaca against the Power of Five Confederate Kings Thus many others in Asia and Africk and even the Portuguese Women at Zafin shewed their Valour helping to defend that Place against the Moors The Particulars of these Actions belong to the Books of the Portuguese Asia and Africk to which we refer the Readers our intent here being to Treat only of the Portuguese Affairs in Europe The END of the FOURTH BOOK THE HISTORY OF PROTUGAL The Fifth BOOK CHAP. I. The Life and Reign of Sebastian the First of the Name and Sixteenth King of Portugal with the total Destruction of him and his whole Army in Africk from the Year 1554. till 1578. 1. PPrince John â—he Birth of King Sebastian Son to King John the Third dying left his Wife the Princess Joanna Daughter to the Emperor Charles the Fifth with Child On the 18th Day of her Widowhood she was delivered of Prince Sebastian at Lisbon it being the 20th of January 1554. This Prince's Birth cleared up the Clouds of Sorrow contracted by the Death of his Father and all the Kingdom resounded with Expressions of Joy On Account of his Name Pope Paul the 4th sent him one of the Arrows taken out of the Body of S. Sebastian which this Prince took for his device and instituted the Military Order of the Arrow which lasted not long He was Three Years of Age when by the Death of his Grand-Father he inherited the Crown being left under the Government of his Grand-Mother Queen Katherine 1557. a Princess extraordinarily qualifyed for that Charge His Accession to the Crown Yet the Queen thinking it a dangerous Employ quitted it when she had held it little above Two Years From her the Government was transferred to the Cardinal Henry Cardinal Henry Regent the King's Unkle who was judged to undertake it with a willing Mind He being much affected to the Jesuits sent for F. Lewis Gonzalez de Camara from Rome to be the King's Preceptor and joyned with him F. Amador Rabelo and F. Maurice D. Alexius de Meneses was appointed his Governour 1563. He took upon him the Government on the Day of S. Sebastian which was his Birth Day he being then just Fourteen Years of Age and was warned by Peter Nunez the famous Mathematician that it was an Unhappy Day 2. King Sebastian Odd Actions of King Sebastian tho he shewed great Zeal in matters of Religion yet had some actions so Extravagant as seemed to foreshew his Destruction After going to Bed he would rise at Midnight and go out with D. Alvaro de Meneses his Page whom also he would leave behind and spend an Hour or Two by himself on the Shoar after which he returned home Other times he would cross the River Tagus in a Boat with Sancho de Toar at the same time of Night where landing a Boat was seen to bring another Man from towards Belâ—m they two would walk together two Hours and no Body could tell who the Man was or what they discoursed about Near Sintra there is a thick Wood where he used to spend two Hours at Night alone At Almeirin he lay in wait on a Tree for a wild Boar and hearing the Boughs shake he discovered a Bulk which he ran at and laid hold of it some of his Company coming in found him Wrestling with a wild Black who having fled from his Master had lived long on the Mountain Having ordered that none should be suffered to pass by the Forts of 〈◊〉 and S. Julian without being obliged to come in and give an Account of themselves To see if his orders were observed he went into a Boat passing both these Forts through showers of Bullets sent after him and returned without discovering himself He would put out to Sea in a Galley when the Weather was most Stormy and laughed at the Danger D. Alvaro de Castro his Favourite dying he went some Nights to his Grave where he was heard to talk and returned with Tears in his Eyes Most of his time he spent among the wild Beasts in the Woods seldom applying himself to Business for the dispatch whereof by the Advice of Cardinal Henry he made choice of two Gentlemen which were D. Martin Pereyra and Martin Gonzalez de Camara a Priest These two discharged that Trust with much Honour but Martin Gonzales wholly Monopolized all the King's Favour to himself 3. Tho the Kingdom was miserably exhausted The King prepares for an Expedition into Africk the King who had fixed his Mind upon the Conquest of Africk ceased not to make vast Preparations for that Enterprize All that Flattered him upon this score were advanced to his Favour but such as more prudently represented the mighty difficulties and dangers of that Enterprize were soon removed from his Presence Even his Grand-Mother for giving Advice against this undertaking became so irksome to him that she was upon departing to Castile yet he was again reconciled to her Whilst the Kingdom was thus tossed with various agitations at home Exploits in India several Fleets arrived from India and brought Advice of the Progress the Portuguese made in those Parts D. Constantine Son to James Duke of Bragança had taken the City Damam D. Lewis de Ataide made Braçalor Tributary and with 600 Portuguese defended the City Goa against Hidalcan who Besieged it with 100000 Indians 2000 Elephants and 400 pieces of Cannon D. Francis Mascarenhas held out nine Months in Chaul against Nizamaluco who Besieged it with 150000 Men. George de Moura and Antony Chale raised the Siege of Onor the same was done at the Town of Chale D. Leonis Pereyra defended Malaca against the King of Achem. D. James de Meneses destroyed many Places on the Coast of Malabar and all the Kingdom of Maâ—galor These and many other such notable Victories which may be seen at large in the Portuguese Asia excited the young unadvised but ambitious King to attempt the Conquest of Africk that he might not be outrun in glory by any of his Subjects 4. Inflamed with these aspiring Thoughts he went the first time into Africk at twenty Years of Age. To this purpose he sent D. James de Sousa 1574. Governour into the Kingdom of Algarve Sebastian passes over into Africk with Orders to Ship off the Forces raised for that Expedition Antony Bastard-Son to Prince Lewis was sent before to Tangier many Gentlemen followed him so that he made up a Body of 800 Horse The King was resolved for Africk and yet had no Fleet and all his Friends disswaded that Voyage He feigning he went to divert himself at Sintra ordered D. Alvaro de Noronha with Three Galleys to meet him at Cascais where on a sudden he Embarked ordering Simon de Vega who guarded the Coast with one
At length when least expected he suddenly set out in April 1619. bringing with him Prince Philip Philip the Third comes into Portugal and the Princesses Elizabeth and Mary and as his Father had done he made his Publick Entry into Lisbon on S. Peter's Day His Reception was the greatest that ever till then had been heard of for the Portuguese ravished with Affection and Joy to see their Prince among them erected such Fabricks on the Land and made such mighty Works on the River as seemed to fill up both those Elements of Land and Water and scarce left room for the admiring Multitude to behold him that all those Expences were made for His Reception It is impossible to describe the particulars of this most Glorious Entry The River Tagus was covered with an innumerable multitude of Vessels built in the shape of several Fishes and Sea-Monsters The King was brought in a Galley attended by many others built with such admirable Workmanship that the like was never before seen and it obliterated the Memory of the Famous one made by Ptolomy King of Egypt which at that time was the Wonder of the World Whilst this multitude of Vessels rowed down the River the thundring of the Cannon from the Vessels themselves and from the Castle shook the Earth and rent the Air. Being come on shoar the King proceeded to the Cathedral and thence to the Palace entertaining his Lyes with such prodigious Sights of Gold and Silver that the time falling short to view all he returned the next day to behold the lofty Fabricks which expressed the greatness of their Affection who received him Such was the Magnificence of the Piles erected such the Cost bestowed on them and such the solid Strength of them that they seemed as if designed for many Ages not for the use of one only day which was too short a space even to demolish them 3. The Majesty of these Works was so amazing that the King tho' used to Regal Entertainments said He never till that day thought himself a great King Hereby seeming to call Lisbon Felicitas Philippica as once Julius Caesar gave it the Name of Felicitas Julia. In the Palace he performed the two Solemn Acts of Swearing the Prince and holding the Cortes or Parliament He holds Parliament which met with extraordinary Joy and Satisfaction of all Men but 〈◊〉 the end disappointed them of their hopes First for that the King was scarce seen by his Subjects and next for the unsatisfactory Answer he gave to their Demands The Reason of it was that his coming to the Kingdom and calling the Parliament were Actions proceeding from his own Inclination but the disobliging of them was wholly the product of the ill Advice of his Ministers His Favourites fearing he should take an Affection to the Portuguese and perhaps continue among them were uneasie at the Splendor of his Entertainment and so much Influence had they over him that he gave more Credit to their Words than to those marks of Respect and Loyalty he saw with his Eyes This is the greatest Misfortune can befal a Prince to be so led away and infatuated by the Flatteries of Favourites who only attend their private Interest as to forfeit the Affections of their People This is the height of Tyranny in Ministers to covet all for themselves and allow nothing to others 4. Seven Months the King spent in his Journey to Portugal His stay and return to Madrid staying there and returning home Being come to Madrid he departed this Life the last day of March in the Year of Grace 1621. the 43d 1621. Year of his Age and 23d of his Reign His Death His Body lies buried with his Predecessors in the Royal Monastery of St. Lawrence commonly called the Escurial His Picture drawn as he appeared at the Cortes or Parliament held at Lisbon in his Robes with the Collar of the Golden Fleece and the Steptre in his Hand represents him of a pleasing Aspect yet full of Majesty Of Stature he was rather little but proportionable his Forehead high his Eyes blue his Lips thick his Complexion fair with a fresh Colour his Hair yellow his whole Countenance beautiful and representing much Grandeur He was a most Holy Prince and at his Death seemed to have only one thing to lament which was that he fulfilled what his Father had Prophetically foretold viz. That he suffered his Favourites to have so much the Ascendant over him Had he given less Ear to his Ministers who always mind their own Advantage tho' with the loss of their Master's and been more absolute in taking his own measure he had proved one of the greatest and most successful Princes in the World For he was so Fortunate that notwithstanding all the Miscarriages of those that governed him he still came off with Honour and Reputation adding new Conquests to his Dominions both in India and Africk 5. His only Wife was Margaret of Austria His Wife and Issue Daughter to the Arch-Duke Charles and his Dutchess Mary She was one of the most Renowned Queens this Kingdom ever had and it enjoyed many that deserve Immortal Fame After her Death the King in Continency imitated his Predecessor Alonso the Fifth for he never would Marry again and it is generally believed he never had to do with any Woman but his Queen His Issue was First Ann Mary Mauricia Wife to King Lewis XIII of France her Dowry 500000 Crowns in Gold Secondly Philip who succeeded him Thirdly Mary born at Valladolid the 18th of August 1606. afterwards Queen of Hungary Fourthly Charles born at Madrid the 14th of September 1607. Fifthly Ferdinand born at the Escurial May the 17th 1609. he was a Cardinal Archbishop of Toledo Prior of Crato and Abbot of Alcobaça Sixthly Margaret born at Lerma in May 1610. and died the 11th of March 1617. Seventhly Alonso born at the Escurial September the 22d 1611. and died the following Year His Mother also died in Childbed of him leaving her Subjects in unspeakable sorrow and want of her 6. In this King's Time the Plague raging in the City of Lisbon Prodigies was observed to cease immediately after the Image of the glorious Martyr S. Sebastian had been seen to sweat plentifully A Year before the King's Journey to Lisbon two Comets of a wonderful Magnitude appeared in the Signs of Virgo and Libra one of them so prodigiously great it renewed the Memory of that which appeared at the Birth of Mithridates that extended over one quarter of the Heaven After them ensued the Death of Popes and Kings the overturning of States and the fall of Great Ministers whose Ruin is by nothing more evidently foretold than by the unlawful means they use to rise and yet none takes warning by him that went before to avoid the Precipice At the City Baçaim in India there happened such a violent Storm as carryed away Churches Houses Trees and Mountains Several Apparitions were seen in
Houses killed seven of the Inhabitants he found in Arms and drove away all the Cattle he found Not content with this he returned by the way of Alfayates to brave the Garrison but this boldness cost him dear Ferdinand Tellez de Menezes the General who was within two Leagues of that place gathering 200 Horse and three Companies of Foot sent to the Governour of Alfayates to joyn him with the best men he had which was accordingly performed that Governour bringing with him 200 Men. With this force they pursued the Spaniards and having overtaken fell upon them The Fight was bravely maintained for the Spaniards and Portugueses gave three several Charges in such a manner that it was not discernable who had the better being now fallen in after the Fire with Sword in hand and the Marquess de Elecha the Spanish General and D. Francis de Erasso who was next in Command to him being both Slain Victory began to incline to the Portugueses for the Spaniards dismayed at the loss of their Commanders fled leaving the Field strewed with Dead Bodies Arms and Plunder which they quitted to save their Lives The Portugueses were forward enough to have pursued them but Ferdinand Tellez held them in fearing to fall into some ambush being to pass before the Enemy The Duke of Alva's Enterprize redounded more to the honour of the Spaniards He being desirous of doing something considerable in Portugal drew together 8000 Foot and 900 Horse with which he entred Portugal burnt four open Towns put many of the Inhabitants to the Sword and finding a vigorous resistance at Eschallam which place he had caused to be Attacked at the same time he retired again to avoid meeting all the Troops of the Frontiers drawn together to oppose him 2. It was not only the success on the Frontiers that rendred the King of Portugal fortunate Two Jesuits being procurators for the Provinces of Cochin and Goa in India arriving at this time brought him an Account how well affected the people in those distant Provinces were to his interest This happy News was a great addition to the joy of his success in War for they assured him that most of those Eastern Princes had joyned in League with his Vice-Roy as soon as they understood he was restored to the Crown of his Ancestors The King who omitted nothing that might encourage his faithful Servants and gain him new Friends sent away two Gallions and six other Vessels with all necessaries to the former and with assurances to the latter that they should always find in him a brotherly return of affection as long as they continued their friendship towards him 3. Francis de Lucena The Secretary Francis Lucena put to Death upon account of a supposed Conspiracy Secretary of State ever since the Revolution had upon complaints preferred against him by his Enemies been committed Prisoner to the Castle of St. Julian but nothing being proved against him after a long Imprisonment the King had resolved to restore him to his Honour when an unfortunate accident on a sudden brought him to an untimely end The Count de Obidos General of the Province of Aleitejo hapned to take a fellow coming from Badajoz who proved to be Servant to Peter Bonete Adjutant to the Major-General Upon examination this Man declared that his Master held Correspondence with the Spaniards and he being thereupon Apprehended and put upon the Rack made a Confession which at his Death he declared to be false but wherein he accused D. Joseph de Meneses Governour of Fort St. Julian of a Design of betraying it to the Spaniards Francis de Lucena the Secretary of holding Correspondence with them and several others of joyning with them in these Treasonable practices All the persons accused being put to Torture some of them to the last denied their knowledge of any such Treason but others to be eased of their misery owned all that was laid to their Charge Upon this weak evidence several were put to Death D. Joseph de Meneses endured the Rack constantly denying it and being cured the King offered him again a Command but he refused it saying He was now resolved to serve him who knew how to Reward services and punish Offences The unfortunate Secretary Francis de Lucena being put upon the Rack and being weak with Age fainted away without Confessing Nevertheless though all had recanted that accused him he was Condemned to Death as a Traytor and suffered accordingly positively denying any guilt in the matter he was accused of to the last minute of his Life The Rabble would have torn him in pieces when he was brought Prisoner from the Castle of St. Julian for in all Countries they are ready to devour the innocent buâ— he was then preserved by the Guards to be made a Sacrifice to that many headed Monster in a more solemn manner being publickly beheaded upon a Scaffold 4. Whilst due Examination was making into this piece of Treachery King John rewards those that suffered for the Conspiracy at Carthageâ—â— the King of Portugal made generous acknowledgments to the Count de Castelmelhor on account of his good Endeavours and Sufferings before-mentioned The post of General of the Frontiers betwixt the Rivers Duero and Minho given him as the first Reward of his Fidelity in the West-Indies seeming too small a Recompence for a Service of such Consequence he added to it a present of a considerable Sum of Money a Commendary of the Military Order of Christ worth 2000 Crowns a Year gave the reversion of it to his Children and confirmed that Earldom to his third Generation To Father Ambrose a Benedictin concerned in the Counts Escape he gave a Benefice To Antony de Abien Captain of the Caravel that went for him a considerable Commendary And because Dominick de Sylva Antony Rodiguez the Spanish Corporal two Souldiers that were upon the Guard and the Dutch Captain that lent his Vessel to forward the undertaking had all contributed to the Earl's Deliverance they also were made parâ—â—kers of the King's Bounty The Dutch Captain had 2000 Crowns Dominick de Sylva was Knighted and had a Company in a Marine Regiment with a Pension The Spanish Corporal had also a Company in the Land-Service with a Pension as the other The two Souldiers were likewise made Captains but without any other addition of Honour or Pension These Acts of Generosity in the King redounded much to his Honour as did no less his Prudence in placing good Commanders upon the Frontiers George de Melo General of the Galleys was put into the Fort of St. Julian to secure that Place whilst D. Joseph de Mâ—nezes the former Goververnour was proceeded against D. Francis de Sousa Coutinho returning from his Embassy of Sweden had the Government of the Island Tercera conferred on him D. Alvaro de Abranchez was appointed General of the Frontiers of Beira aâ—d D. John de Sousa of those of the Province Tralos Montes 5. About this time News was
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
the Dutch broke into the City where they found no less opposition than without most of them that entred being either killed or wounded At length they were repulsed in all parts with the loss of near 1000 men This discouraged not the Dutch who still carryed on their works with great diligence raising new batteries and lodging themselves upon the edge of the ditch Then they fell to mining which the besieged understanding they countermined and drove them out of all their subterraneous works These losses made the Enemy alter their resolutions and change the Siege into a blockade whereupon the Governour turned out 300 persons that were not fit for Service whereof about 200 escaped into the Mountains The Dutch having received considerable supplies carry on their works anew and again fall to battering of the place incessantly Embassadors from the King of Candia were conducted through the Enemies Camp into the City where they demanded it should be put into the hands of their Master All the answer they received was by thrusting them out of the gates Though they shewed this resolution the City began to be infected with the stench of the dead who were not well buried and Famine raged so violently that it was proved that Mothers had eaten their own Children Gerard Huld the Dutch Generall being killed by a shot in the Head the Governor of Galé who succeeded him in that Command fearing least another General might come and rob him of the Honour of taking the Place carryed on his Works and plyed his Batteries so briskly that several large Breaches were made On the 7th of May 1656. he assaults St. John's Bulwark and carrying it with the same heat enters a new Fort that was raising thence the Dutch venture to break into the Town whence after a long dispute they were beat out and the Besieged following their Advantage recovered the Fort and Bulwark yet fresh Enemies coming on the Dutch again made themselves masters of the latter and lodged themselves therein That Night the Governor of the Town being informed that two Women had eaten their own Children caused them to be shot to pieces at the mouth of great Guns Next Day seeing it impossible to maintain the Place he call'd a Council where it was resolved to surrender After some Debates the Articles were agreed upon which were honourable to the Besieged and in pursuance to them the Governor marched out with only 94 Officers and Soldiers and 100 Towns-men The Hollanders committed all manner of Sacriledge in the Town and without regard to their Articles plunder'd those few Towns-men and Soldiers that were left alive But from so infamous a Nation nothing but Villany can be expected The Count de Sarzedas Vice-Roy of India dying as was said before upon opening the Patents of Succession it appeared that Emanuel Mascarenhas Homem was to fill his Place Four Ships and one Caravel sailed this Year from Lisbon to India Anno 1656. 1. THE King's Distempers which had long molested him No military Exploits of moment this Year daily increased yet he omitted not to apply himself to the Cares of the Government The War was still carryed on with so little Vigour on both sides that nothing occurs this Year but some few Incursions more like Robberies than military Exploits and the consequence of them inconsiderable Skirmishes whereof so many have been already related in the foregoing Years that to say more of them will only serve to nauseate and tire the Reader This quiet was general throughout all the Provinces of the Kingdom and enabled them the better to bear the Storm that ensued after the King's Death for the Spaniards then altering their measures the following Years were full of Action considerable Armies appeared in the Field Bloody Battles were fought and the Portugueses in the end obtained glorious Victories 2. Francis de Sousa Coutinho Negotiations abroad continued still Ambassador at the French Court and maintained the good Correspondence that has always been betwixt that Crown and Portugal The King being desirous before his Death to have his Ambassador admitted by the Pope ordered Francis de Sousa to go in that quality to Rome He obeyed and though assisted by all the interest of France and appearing with as great a Train as any other Ambassador could never obtain to be admitted as such by his Holiness Antony Raposo who resided with the same Character in Holland having received a Letter from the Arch-Duke Leopold iâ—â—â—ting him to discover the Secrets of his Master upon proâ—â—â—e of great Reward sent the Letter to the King The Dutch with the goods News of their Success in Ceylon began to forget their loss at Pernambuco and consequently appeared more favourable to Antony Raposo Francis Ferreyra Rebello who resided in England after the Ratification of the Peace had no Business of moment The Count de Atouguia governed Brazil much beloved and esteemed by the Inhabitants for his Generosity and good Conduct 3. At the beginning of this Year D. Ferdinand de Menezes The Count de Ericeyra succeeds D. Roderick de Castro in the Government of Tangier Count de Ericeyra was sent Governor of Tangier With him went 11 Caravels with recruits of Men and Horses Cloaths and Provisions for the Garrison D. Roderick de Castro having put him into possession of the Government departed and arrived again at Lisbon with the 11 Caravels that carryed the new Governor As soon as the Count had viewed the Garrison he marched out against the Moors and having drawn them within the reach of his Entrenchments where he had placed his Foot with some pieces of Canon made a considerable slaughter among them In May the English Fleet under the command of Montague and Blake appeared before Tangier and asked leave to water which was granred them but they going ashore disorderly some of them were killed by the Moors The Fleet being gone the Count set out his Horse to burn the Corn the Moors had sowed about Tangier which was effectually performed but the Moors pressing hard upon those who had fired it recovered the Cattle they were driving to Tangier Alexander de Sousa governed Mazagao but that place affords nothing but the usual skirmishes with the Moors What happened in India was related the last Year and this furnishes nothing new only two Ships sailed thither this Year 4. The King growing daily more and more infirm The King 's last Sickness and Death and still continuing his Custom of Hunting once a Week went out accordingly on the 25th of October but feeling a great pain in his Side returned home before Noon Some days were spent by the Physicians in applying all sorts of Medicines they thought proper but his Distemper still increasing he at length made his Will and received the Viaticum with great Resignation Those few days he lived after this Preparation were spent in Devotions for the most part and the rest in giving advice to the Queen the Princes his Counsellors Generals and
others who had any share in the Administration of the Government At length on the 6th of November being Munday having given all imaginable Tokens of true Repentance and Christian Piety he gave up the Ghost into the Hands of his Redeemer The King being dead the Lord Chamberlain dressed him in the Royal Robes and layed him upon a Bed the Bells throughout the City and the Tears of his Subjects equally signifying the loss sustained by the Kingdom After noon the Council met and opening his Will found he appointed the Queen Regent of the Kingdom and Protectress of his Children that the Royal Chappel should be finished according to the Model by him begun that the Monastery of S. Clare at Coimbra should be finished That several Pensions should be given to Persons there named That 2000 Cruzados should be immediately distributed to poor Monasteries and that his Body should be interred in the Church of S. Vincent All the while the Body lay in State in the Guard Chamber of the Pallace the People thronged to see it Thence it was removed attended by all the Officers of the Houshold and Clergy of the whole City to the Church of S. Vincent and there put into the Tomb appointed for it King John was of a middle Stature very handsome before he had the Small Pox his Hair fair his Body gross but strong He hated gayety in Cloaths and therefore was careless in his Dress always an Enemy to new Fashions His Discourse was Witty and Pleasant his Judgment sound but affecting to have all his Orders unblameable he was often too slow in his Resolutions He had but one Wife which was the Lady Luisa de Guzman Daughter to the Duke of Medina Sidonia By her he had Issue Theodosius who dyed at Lisbon His Wife and Issue in the 19th Year of his Age Emanuel and Anne who both dyed in their Infancy at Villa Viciosa before their Father ascended the Throne Alfonso who succeeded his Father and was afterwards deposed Peter now reigning Joanna who dyed at Lisbon in the 16th Year of her Age. And Catherine Queen of England One Bastard Daughter called Mary who lived and dyed in the Monastery of Carnide near Lisbon In this City the King dyed upon Monday the 26th of November in the Year 1656 at the age of 5â— Years and 7 Months whereof he was 26 Duke oâ— Barcelos 10 Duke of Braganza and 16 King of Portugal Anno 1657. AFter the death of the King the Queen Dowager whâ— was also regent during the minority of her Son being a Woman of a haughty and active Spirit presently bent her thoughts upon making some considerable attempt on the Enemies Frontiers least they should imagine that the loss of their King had discouraged the Portugueses or dissipatated their Councils To this effect and to gain her self a greater Reputation among her own People she ordered the Count de San Lorenzo who then Commanded upon the Frontiers with all secrecy and expedition to attempt the surprizing of the Fort of Barcarota in which she was informed there was but a small Garrison At this time Francis Tutta-villa Duke of St. German was Generall of the Spanish Frontiers by birth he was an Italian and as to his person and experience a Soldier of known courage and Conduct He having private intelligence of the design covertly put 500 chosen men into Barcarota with orders to Stand upon their guard that they might surprize those who came to surprize them The Portugueses aâ—temptinâ— Barcarota are repulsed with loss The Portuguese Forces who knew nothing of this reinforcement boldly making up to the Fort before break of day were on a sudden assaulted by the Spaniards sallying furiously upon them and they expecting no such reception were soon put to flight and a great number slain and taken prisoners This rash and fruitless attempt by which the Queen thought to have made herself terrible to her Enemies produced a quite contrary effect for it only provoked his Catholick Majesty to carry on the War against Portugal with greater vigour than had been done of late years In order thereto the Spanish Generall the Duke of St. German having been sent for to Madrid and there fully empowered to act as he should find most expedient returned to the Frontiers well furnished with mony Armes provisions 20 peices of Canon and an Army of 13000 Foot and 4000 Horse He was at first doubtfull whether he should bend his Force against Elvas or Olivenza but considering the dammage received from the frequent excursions of the garrison of the latter of these two places he resolved to attack it Olivenza is seated in a plain almost a League from the River Guadiana and beset on all sides with hills that command it being within Canon shot The Fortifications of the place were after the modern manner consisting of Nine bastions two half Moons and two Forts and was next to Elvas the strongest place in Portugal The Duke being come before the Town and perceiving the Seige would be a work of time The Duke of St. German the Spanish Generall besieges Olivenza enclosed the whole place within his lines possessing himself of the hills and strengthning his lines with 21 redoubts and four large places of Armes Four batteries were presently raised which played with good success upon the Town but whatever they cast down in the day the besieged repaired by Night After which another was planted on the Monastery of St. Francis which overtopping the Walls slew many in the streets till such time as a strong work was cast up by the garrison which covered that part of the Town The trenches were diligently carryed on and many sallies made by the besieged The Duke perceiving the conquest of this place to be a work of great difficulty thought fit to reduce it by Art as well as Main-force Having therefore suffered his men to lye still severall days as if he intended to starve the Town on a sudden in the dead of Night he assaulted the greater of the two Forts with his whole power The besieged being at first surprized and not knowing whither to run gave way 〈◊〉 the Enemy who thought themselves possest of the Fort till Emanuel de Saldanha the Governour of the Town comming with fresh supplies drove them out and the Duke fearful of exposing his men sounded a retreat Twenty days after the Town was invested the Count de St. Lorenzo came to the relief of it with an Army of 12000 Foot and 3500 Horse After being four days on the Banks of the River he moved nearer to the Enemy and planted a battery against their works but the Duke having raised also another did such Execution that he was glad to withdraw and return to his Camp near Jurumenha Three days he lay there and then again drew near to Olivenza to discover how the Town might best be relieved or at least to encourage the besieged by his presence to which purpose he sent severall Messages to
The Infanta only Daughter to the Prince being now almost marriagable and her Father despairing of having any more Issue by his Wife he thought of disposing of her and having cast about to all parts for a fit match at last pitched upon the present Duke of Savoy then a youth under the tuition of his Mother Embassadors were sent on both sides to Treat in the Year 1680 1680. who so managed the affair A match concluded betwixt the Infanta and the Duke of Savoy that all things were concluded and agreed upon And to remove the only obstacle which was the Law of Lamego whereby it is enacted that the heiress of the Crown Marrying a Forreigner she shall forfeit her Title to provide I say against the obstacle of this Law the Cortes were summoned and met at Lisbon the same Year There they passed an Act for dispensing with the said Law for that time provided it should not be a president for any other This impediment being taken away there seemed to remain nothing to obstruct the happy conclusion of the Nuptials but the distance of the Parties the Duke of Savoy who according to contract was to come into Portugal sent before over Land a considerable Number of Coach and saddle Horses On the other side the Prince Regent fitted out a squadron of 12 men of War to Conduct the Duke to Lisbon All the Ships were gilt and painted but above all the Admiral was gilt from stem to stern the poop and prow down to the surface of the Water and the sides down to the gunwale The great Cabin was painted by the best Masters in Lisbon and the floor layed in squares of Ebony and Ivory The Bed was most Rich and the Royal-Standard all of Cloath of tissue with the arms of Portugal in the highest raised Embroidery Portuguese Seamen being at that time scarce especially able ones great encouragement was given to all strangers that would enter into the Service When all things were prepared this sightly Squadron set Sail in the Year 1681 and arrived safe at the Port of Villafranca in Savoy expecting there to take the Duke of Savoy on board The Match broke off In the mean time all things were preparing at Lisbon with the greatest splendor imaginable for his reception Triumphal Arches were built extraordinary bull Feasts contrived and all the Gentry strove to outvie one another even to the ruin of their Estates and empoverishing their Families in Gallantry Yet all these mighty preparations were cast away for when it was thought the Duke would have gone aboard the Fleet he at first began to delay and protract time and after deluding them in this sort as long as he could he at last positively brokeâ— off the Match His subjects had always been averse to it and that with good cause as being unwilling to part with their Soveraign without hope of ever seeing him again as going to leave them for a Crown and then if he should return it must be with dishonour as being disappointed of the End for which he left them These considerations had at last prevailed upon his Mother his Council and himself to alter their resolutions so that tho' the Articles of the marriage had been ratified on both sides and so great an expence made towards the comsummating of it all that had been done was dissolved and came to nothing The Fleet returned to Lisbon with small satisfaction and found as little there either at the Court for the affront put upon it or in the City for the extravagant and useless expence it had been put to This was the End of the designed marriage of the Infanta with the Duke of Savoy The year 1683 put an End to the long sufferings of the most unfortunate Alphonso the 6th King of Portugal Death of King Alphonso He dyed on the 12th of December at the Castle of Cintra in the Fortieth year of his Age and 16th of his imprisonment It is impossible to give a just character of him fear of offending the prevailing party having stopt the mouths of his Loyal Servants and Friends who best knew and would speak honourably of him and there being no credit to be given to the slanders of his adversaries whose chief care it ever was to reproach his person and blacken his Actions And this perhaps is the greatest of calamities Kings are subject to that their misfortunes do not terminate with their Lives for never Prince was yet dethroned tho' never so barbarously but his memory was also rendred odious to prosperity by all the Arts that malice could invent because prevailing wrong could not subsist but under the colour of Right and to defame justice oppressed is to flatter and support iniquity Reigning To say King Alphonso had no vices were to say he was not man yet to make them so enormous as some would have them believed were only to vouch for malice and countenance disloyalty Through the course of his Reign that is whilst he was in power there appears none of his actions that have been urged against him tho' aggravated with the most malicious circumstances which have not been seen in thousands of Subjects and yet passed unpunished either as without the reach of the Law or excused as the effects of extravagant Youth For his judgment as it could not be expected to be so solid at his Years as in a riper Age so neither can it be found by his words or deportment that he was any way defective therein And lastly as to his impotency in regard to procreation that if true could have been no lessening of his personal right to government but it is so far from being certain that I have heard several persons affirm they knew his illegitimate issue whose mothers if they durst would upon Oath confirm the assertion But there is nothing so certain as that Portugal never was more successful both by Sea and Land than under this government for under him were obtained four of the greatest victories against the Spaniards which produced the Peace the glory whereof was ascribed to his brother who had done nothing to purchase it And if any object that those Triumphs were due to the Generals we must deprive all King 's of the glory of warlike Exploits who do not actually Command their Armies in person besides that it is no small honour to him that he chose such Counsellors as could direct and such generals as knew how to act so much for his advantage And as for the maritine affairs greater Fleets came home yearly from India and Brazil and far lesser losses were sustained by Ship-wrack during his Reign than in many years after This may suffice in some measure to do right to the memory of this unhappy Prince Yet it may not be ungrateful to add one word more touching certain words reported to have been spoken of him just before his death The closeness of his confinement and the danger of reporting his words abroad by those who
heard them is the cause that we cannot be so positive in this particular therefore I do not avouch it for a certain known truth but as a rumour whispered about where People durst speake It is said of him that when he was in the last agony and as it were breathing his last he should say I am now going but it will not be long before the Queen shall follow me to give an account before the dreadful tribunal of the wrong she has done me As I do not averr this for a certainty so it is very observable the said Queen outlived him but a very short time The Queens death that is only three months and a few days Her death was on the 27th of December of the same year 1683 and since there is little to be said in her commendation it will be better to be altogether silent than to make reflections upon the dead King Peter II. now seated on the Throne of Portugal King Peter upon the death of his brother succeeds in his Throne by the Death of his Brother received the Compliments of all Forreign Princes upon his accession to the Crown In the Year 1684. and the first of the new King's Reign D. Francis de Tavora being Vice-Roy of India the City Goa the Capital of all the Portuguese Conquests in those parts was besieged with a mighty Army by the Raja Savagi an Indian Prince 1684. who took part with the eldest Son of the Great Mogul Goa besieged by the Indians Aurenge Zeb then in Rebellion against his Father The Inhabitants defended themselves with Resolution and sent to acquaint Aurenge Zeb with the danger they were in upon his Account praying Relief He presently commanded his second Son to march with an Army of 100000 Foot and 80000 Horse and a great Train of Artillery to their Succour Upon the approach of this mighty Army The siege raised the Raja raised his Siege and departed in his way destroying all the Country about Goa The Siege being raised the young Prince sent to assure the Portugueses that his Father would be always ready to assist them against their Enemies They in return sent a solemn Ambassy to the Mogul by whom a setled Friendship was established with that great Monarch The King having long continued a Widdower and having no Issue but only one Daughter was earnestly pressed by his Subjects to Marry to secure the Succession Hereupon by the advice of his Council he resolved to demand in Marriage one of the Daughters of the Elector Palatine and accordingly in the Month of October 1686 he named the Count de Villar Mayor his Ambassador Extraordinary to that Elector upon this occasion who set forward in December following for Heydelberg where he arrived in the beginning of the Year 1687 with a very splendid Retinue In June he made his publick Entry which was extraordinary magnificent and the next day after he had Audience in which he demanded of the Elector his Daughter the Princess Mary Sophia in Marriage for the King his Master At the same time in complyance to the Request of the King of Portugal a Squadron of Men of War was fitted out in England and sailed under the command of the Duke of Grafton to Rotterdam there to take aboard the new Queen and conduct her to Lisbon On the 8th of July the Ceremony of the Marriage was performed at Heydelberg on the 10th the Queen set out on her Journey towards Rotterdam on the 27th she went aboard the English Squadron 1687. at the Briel and on the 11th of August King Peter Marries the Princess of Newburg arrived in the River of Lisbon That same day the King went aboard to receive the Queen and conducted her ashore where the Marriage was consummated the same Night The exact Neutrality which Portugal has observed during the late Wars which have harrassed and exhausted the greatest part of Europe is the cause there is nothing worthy our Observation to add relating to that Kingdom Only this may be observed that as the War has improverished other States so they by continuing in Peace have vastly enriched themselves and so improved their Maritime Strength that they have at this Present near 100 Sea-Men for one they had 20 Years ago for now they Trade in their own Vessels to all parts of Europe whereas at that time all their Commodities were transported upon Forreign Bottoms And moreover their own particular Trade to their Plantations in America and to India is vastly augmented Such are the Fruits of Peace especially when other Nations sink under the Calamities of War To conclude there remains nothing more but to set down the Royal Issue of Portugal The Present King Peter II. on the 11th of August 1687. as was said before marryed Mary Sophia Princess of Newburg He had issue by her first John born in 1689 and dyed the same Year Secondly another John born in 1690. Thirdly Francis born 1691. Fourthly Louisa born in 1694. And lastly Emanuel born in 1697. FINIS An Alphabetical Table containing the Principal Matters in this History A. ABidis exposed brought to Court teaches the People to yoke Oxen Plow and Sow page 13 He Reigns p. 14 Actions of the Lusitanians in Africk p. 31 Actions in the Province of Alentejo p. 426 Actions of John Fernandez Vieyra in Brazil against the Dutch p. 428 Actions in the Province of Beira p. 433 and 468 Actions betwixt the Rivers Duero and Minho p. 439 Actions in Africk p. 305 An account of the Portuguese Conquests in India p. 319 Adrian the Emperour p. 78 Affairs of America p. 425 Of Castile p. 290 Of Africk and India p. 438 Of India p. 472 Africans invading Spain destroyed p. 104 Africk and India p. 452 L. Agnes de Castro cruelly murdered p. 228 Alans and Suevians in Lusitania p. 83 Albertus the Cardinal Governour of Portugal p. 367 Alcazer and Tangier on the Coast of Africk taken p. 287 Alliances in Africk and Asia p. 413 Almanzor again makes great Spoil p. 135 K. Alonso the I. of Leon successful against the Infidels p. 114 K. Alonso the II. of Leon called the Chaste His Conquests p. 117 K. Alonso the III. of Leon called the Great p. 122 King Alonso the IV. of Leon resigns the Government to his Brother Ramiro He repents and raises War p. 127 K. Alonso the V. of Leon under tuition p. 137 Is slain p. 139 K. Alonso the VI. of Leon flies to the protection of the Moors After his Brothers Death returns and is received by the People as their King p. 148 His Wives and Issue p. 149 K. Alonso the I. of Portugal his Birth p. 158 He Knights himself Besieges his Mother takes and puts her into Irons p. 159 Being himself besieged by King Alonso of Castile he articles for his Deliverance and breaks his Faith Wars with the Moors Then with Castile p. 160 Is saluted King p. 162 Defeaâ—s the King of Castile p. 163 Takes Lisbon Particulars