degrees having cut off all their Communication abroad and possessed themselves of all advantagious Posts the place was no longer in a posture to hold out long had it not been speedily relieved In order to it all the Garrisons were drained and the Portuguese Army rendesvouzed at Estremoz under the command of the Count de Castagneda Here the Count received Advice from the Governor of Elvas that his Garrison was extreamly weakened through Want Sickness and continual Labour for which Reason he should be obliged to surrender unless speedily succoured Upon this Advice the Count de Castagneda set forward with 12000 disciplined Foot and 3500 Horse besides a confused multitude of all sorts of Rabble that followed the Army as Voluntiers With this Force he came and drew up before the Hill of Santangracia whither also the Duke of St. German drew up the best part of the Troops to receive him In this posture both parties continued all that Night By break of day the Portugueses began to advance towards the Lines and made their first effort upon the quarter where Nicholas of Cordova commanded the fight was obstinate for a considerable space and the Portugueses were twice forced to give back Mean while the Besieged making a furious Sally The Battle of Elvas endeavoured to ruin their Enemies Works that they might open themselves a passage to their Army Thus the Spaniards who were the lesser Number being charged in Front and Rear made a desperate and bloody Fight till their right Wing of Horse being overpowered was put to flight The Duke of St. German seeing the Foot left naked on that side came himself to their Succour with a party of chosen Horse Hence rushing furiously upon his Enemy he received a shot in the Head which made him fast from his Horse This accident of the Generals who was esteemed dead so discouraged the Spaniards The Spaniards defeated that they presently gave way on all sides yet so that they carryed off their General In the mean while the Portugueses meeting no opposition cleared their passage to the Town Roderick Moxica who was Major General and next in command to the Duke of St. German lying at this time at his post near the River Cailla fortifyed himself and received all that fled from the Battle still skirmishing with the Enemy till Night when he drew off and saved the remainder of the Spanish Army For the Count de Castaneda satisfyed with having relieved the place thought not fit to hazard any more by pursuing the Enemy Of the Spaniards above 2000 were killed as many wounded but very few â—â—ken On the Portuguese side about 1000 fell De Luis de Haro who had been a spectator of the fight at a distance seeing all lost made his way to Badajoz Thus ended this present Year Anno 1659 and 1660. AFter the mighty efforts of the last Year both parties being exhausted and wearied No Warlike exploits for two Years as if it had been by mutual consent kept themselves so quiet that these two Years do not furnish us any Military Action worth the writing The Spaniards had bent all their Thoughts upon concluding a Peace with France that so they might wholly apply themselves to the War with Portugal To this effect a Treaty was set on Foot and the whole affair managed by the two prime Ministers Cardinal Mazarine for France Peace betwixt France and Spain and D. Luis de Haro for Spain After long debates which belong not to this History a Peace was Concluded betwixt the two Crowns the French renouncing their League with Portugal upon Condition that King should quit all claim to the Crown and be restored by the Spaniard to all his ancient Patrimony as Duke of Braganza The Portuguese Ambassador who attended the Cardinal during the whole time of the Treaty had not failed to use his utmost endeavours to obstruct the whole Negotiation taking effect or at least to prevent his Master's interest being abandoned But the particular interest of France outweighed all that could be urged in behalf of an Ally and the Cardinal assured the Ambassador that notwithstanding the Peace his master's Interest should not be forsaken for that the French would be in a better Condition to support him and could not want a pretence for so doing This Promise of the Cardinals proved not Vain as will appear by the Sequel Count Schomberg an experienced French Commander was already in the Portuguese Service and had under him some French Troops which were afterwards increased to a greater Number The Spaniard immediately after the Conclusion of the Peace with France began to apply himself to carry on the War against Portugal with all his Force and to that end several old Regiments were brought over out of Italy and Flanders D. John of Austria the King's Bastard Son who had commanded in the Low-Countries and in Catalonia was appointed General the Duke oâ— St. German his Lieutenant General Alonso Poderico Major General James Cavallero General of the Horse and Gaspar de Cueva General of the Artillery On the Portuguese side whether through want of Intelligence of the Storm that threatned or through want of Means is uncertain but the War-like Preparations were not Proportionable Since these Years afford nothing material let us pass on to the next wherein we shall meet with more Action Anno 1661. D. John of Austria D. John of Austria with the Spanish Army invades Portugal having received the Command of the Army and finding all things provided suitable to his Expectation in the Spring entred the Frontiers of Portugal with 13000 Foot and above 6000 Horse a Force not so considerable for its number as for that they were all old tryed Troops The Count de Castaneda General of the Portuguese Army could scarce gather 10000 Foot and 3000 Horse so that he was in no Condition to make head against the Enemy Hereupon D. John being master of the Field marched his Army in sight of Campomayor as if he intended to have set down before it but having put the place into a Consternation he suddenly wheeled off in his way took and destroyed the small Town and Castle of Origuela and then unexpectedly invested Aronches He takes Aronches This Town is seated upon the River Alegrete contains about 500 Houses its chief Trade is Cloath but at this time the Walls of it were ruinous though it had a Castle which was of no Strength No sooner was the Cannon planted and began to play but the place surrendred upon Articles all the Inhabitants out of hatred to the Spaniards retiring with what they could carry away Here D. John continued till he had strongly repaired the old Works and cast up new ones then having plundered all the Country about without any Opposition he marched back the Army to Badajoz This loss stirred up the Portugueses to a rash Action The Portuguese Horse under Count Schomberg routed near Badajoz for Count Schomberg with 16 Squadrons of
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
the Bridge of Zamora being corrupted by Ferdinand and Elizabeth some advised to build a Wall betwixt them and the Town and they would perish but the Archbishop of Toledo and other great Men perswaded the King to remove to Toro leaving behind in the Castle all his Equipage because he could not then Travel with so much Baggage Ferdinand immediately entred the City and attacked the Castle but without success King Alonso sent him a challenge and he refused any single Combat for which he was again severely reproved by his Wife Elizabeth she being fitter to have been Ferdinand than he was to be Elizabeth 1476. In January the Prince of Portugal came to Toro with some Troops and was there received with great joy except by the Duke of Arevalo and Marquis de Villena who began to incline to King Ferdinand King Alonso however resolved to put all to the issue of a Battle tho the Archbishop of Toledo of all the Castilian Nobility that invited him was the only Person that stood now by him Fifteen Days after the Princes arrival King Alonso marched towards Zamora to meet King Ferdinand leaving his Queen behind at Toro He attacked the Bridge but to no purpose Overtures of Peace were again made without any likelihood of success for it was decreed no Accommodation should be purchased without Blood King Alonso seeing he wasted his Army lying before a Town in the dead of Winter his Enemy lying close returned towards Toro his Forces braving the Castilians by the slowness of their March Ferdinand ashamed to have been so long dared at length sallied out to fall upon the Rear of the Portuguese Army Alonso suspecting no such thing was now marched down a Hill in great disorder as being at the Gates of his own City It was debated among the Castilians whither they ought to pursue their Enemy who they said fled or return to Zamora but the Cardinal Peter Gonzalez de Mendoza having from the top of the Hill taken a view of the Portuguese Army said it would be a shame to return without bidding Battle and thereupon their Army advanced 5. King Alonso perceiving the approach of the Enemy 〈…〉 drew up his Army In the Van he placed the Castilians and his own Houshold He himself â—ed the main Body Prince John the left Wing and the Archbishop of Toledo the Right D. John de Castro Earl of Monsanto brought up the Rear The Sun was now going down and a small Rain began to fall when the tâ—o Armies engaged Prince John gave a vigorous Charge on his side and was received with no less Bravery yet forced the Castilian Wing to retire to the main Body At the same time the King advanced before his Men and the Fight was maintained on both sides for the space of an hour before any gave Ground both Reserves coming up to second their Princes The Portuguese over-powered by the number of their Enemies began to forsake the Royal Standard which was taken after both the bearer's Hands were cut off King Alonso in despair would have cast himself into the midst of his Enemies if not disswaded by some of his Followers The Portuguese Army routeâ— In Conclusion the King and those Gentlemen that could bear him Company fled to Castro Nunho where they were honourably received by Peter de Avendano the Governour Prince John who had defeated the Enemy's Right Wing seeing the rout of the Army with what Forces he could gather stood firm on an Eminence where he continued all the day Most of the other routed Portuguese cast themselves into the River Duero where more perished by Water than had done by the Sword King Ferdinand who never loved Fighting did not lead his Men but stood with a strong Party on a rising Ground to secure his own Escape in case of need and seeing his Right Wing drove by Prince John and the main Body hard put to by King Alonso he with that Body of Guards hasted away towards Zamora without expecting to see the Event of the Battle Thus he came at Night to Zamora in a Consternation not knowing whether he was Victorious or defeated Such was his Cowardize and Precipitation 6. The Prince continued all the Night on that Eminence 〈…〉 we have already mentioned by sound of Trumpets and the light of Fires calling together the Remains of the scattered Army In the Morning when he expected to have been charged by the Castilâ—ans it appeared they were gone after the King to Zâ—mora whereupon he marched away in good Order with Colours flying to Toro Finding no News of his Father there all was in great Confusion â—ill Advice was brought him where 〈◊〉 was They met and together received a courteous Message from King Ferdinand who sent the King all his Equipage which he had taken in the Castle of Zamora The Archbishop of Toledo who only of all the Castilian Nobility adhered to the Portuguese asked leave now to depart to defend his own Lands which were wasted by King Ferdinand's Commanders The Bishop of Evora with his Troops was sent to Conduct him on his way who being come back returned with the Prince to Portugal to defend the Frontiers then much infested by the Enemy King Alonso had sent D. Alvaro de Atayde from Toro into France designing to follow in Person and crave Succour for carrying on the War in case this Embassador found a favourable Reception King Lewis entertained D. Alvaro with such feigned Friendship that he easily perswaded the King his Master to go over into France The King having resolved upon that Journey after settling the Government of those few Places he held in Castile about the beginning of June set forward for Portugal carrying with him his Bride that should have been Queen Joanna now spoiled of her Crown Being come to Miranda 〈◊〉 Alonso Saâ—â—s into â—â—ance she went away to the City Guarda and he to Porto where he intended to Embark for France Thither repaired the Prince Nobility and Clergy disswading him from that Voyage but he was not to be moved from that Resolution He set Sail with 21 Vessels of several sort and in them 500 Gentlemen and 2200 Men at Arms. By the way he touched at Ceuta next at Marseilles and landed at Colivre where he was received with Respect by the Governour At Perpignan in Honour to him the Prison-Gates were set open Thence he sent D. Francisco de Almeyda to King Lewis to appoint the Place where they should meet and great Honour was shewn him all the way he travelled through that Country 7. At Bourges King Lewis met him 〈…〉 and extraordinary Civilities passed between them They agreed that King Alonso should go to the Duke of Burgundy his Cousin to crave Aid of him or in case he could not grant it by reason of the War he was engaged in with â—orrain then to perswade him not to molest King Lewis whilst he assisted King Alonso That to make the King's Title undeniable
hills It was no time now to think of avoiding a battle and therefore D. John drew up his Army and being possessed of a high hill thought good to remove and make himself master of two others that lay in the way to Estremoz At the same time the Portugueses not knowing any thing of the Enemies design had resolved to possess himself of the same place Hereupon the Count de Villaflor advancing with the Horse fell upon the rear of the Spaniards whose Horse were upon the Plain their Foot having already gained the hill D. James Cavallero facing about with his Horse received the charge and made good his ground so that the Portugueses having spent half the day and gained no advantage began now to faint under the toil and heat which D. John perceiving he speedily possessed himself of the two hills he aimed at drew up his Horse in four bodies upon the Plain placed his baggage in their Rear and planted his Canon upon the hills On the other side the Portugueses seizes the hill which D. John had quitted looking upon it as part of Victory The battle of Ebora to possess the ground the Enemy had designedly abandoned About three hours both Armies continued in these Posts refreshing their wearied men when D. John thinking he had given them the slip began to continue his march but the Count de Villaflor perceiving it resolved not to suffer him to go off without hazarding a battle The signal being given he advances and the Portugues Left wing of Horse first charged the Right of the Spanish who recieved them with such Resolution that the Fight continued a long time doubtful till Emanuel Freire one of the Portugues Generals of Horse wheeling about with some Squadrons he had reserved set upon the Enemies flank and broke through them whereupon the whole wing was soon put to flight as was the reserve coming to their relief and the Left wing which was ordered to relieve the Right by reason of the distance and badness of the way could never be brought to ingage Mean while Count Schomberg who commanded the Portugues Foot resolved to attack the Enemy upon the hill This being an Action rather rash than valiant the English auxiliaries undertook climbing the hill upon their hands and feet and tho' many of them fell yet the greater part gained the top which encouraged three Regiments of Portugues Foot to ascend a farther way about which was much easier This extravagant rashness of the English so terrifyed the Spanish Foot that they immediately without sense of shame betook themselves to flight In a moment their whole infantry was put to the rout notwithstanding D. John alighting from his Horse performed all that man could do to make them rally and face the Enemy But now the victorious Portugues Horse comming in to second their Foot there ensued a terrible slaughter for it was no longer a Fight The Duke of St. German who had been sent before to mark out a Camp hearing the noise of the Canon hasted back and finding the whole Army dispersed and routed with much difficulty perswaded D. John to save himself by flight So both the Generals hasted away to Aronches D. James Mazacan whose squadron had not been broke gathering as many of the Horse as he could made the last effort against the victors but being overpowered he was forced to give way to the stronger side D. John of Austria defeated Of the Spaniards were slain in this Fight about 4000 the wounded were more and above 3000 taken and among them the Marquess del Carpio Eldest Son to D. Lewis de Haro Of the Portugueses above 1000 were killed and many wounded All the Enemies Canon and baggage as also D. John's most splendid Equipage was taken 6. The Prisoners taken in Fight were all sent to Lisbon where the joy of the multitude was as extravagant as their rage had been for the loss of Evora The King therefore finding all was secure at home sent those Trooâ—â—he had kept at Lisbon to bridle the Rabble under the Command of the Count de Castanheda to join the Count de Villaflor The Count de Villaflor recovers Ebora with orders to lay Siege to Evora These two Generals put their orders in Execution and fâ—â—mally besieged that City yet knowing no Enemy could come to it's relief forbore any assaults to spare their Men. The Count de Sartirane who as has been said was made Governour of that City by the Spaniards defended it with much bravery the Space of Eleven days being ignorant what was become of the Spanish Army but being then informed of it's defeat by a Letter from D. John in which he ordered him to provide for the safety of his garrison he then Surrendred the place upon honourable conditions 7. D. John having gathered the remains of his broken Army D. John atttempts Elvas but is represed and received some recruits out of Gallicia sent D. James Cavallero with a good body of Horse and Foot to endeavour to Surprize Elvas but the garrison having taken the Alarm he was repulsed and forced to retire without effecting any thing To add to the misfortunes of the Spaniards their great Magazine of powder which they had layed up at Aronches was accidentally blown up which ruined many of the new works they had made about the Town since they took it and killed above 2000 of the garrison and inhabitants 8. Winter put not an end to Action The Duke of Ossuna builds a Fort not far from Almeida for the Duke of Ossuna who Commanded upon the Spanish Frontiers about Cuidad Rodrigo tho' he could gather but a small Force yet being ambitious of Fame he resolved to 〈◊〉 a Royal-Fort not far from Almeida the Portugues Frontier He marched to the place he had pitched upon with what strength he could make and began the work which was extreamly difficult by reason of the unseasonableness of the weather and the danger from the Enemy to oppose whom he incamped before the work with all his Force to cover the Labourers Peter Jaques de Magallaens who commanded upon those Frontiers was then sick and Alfonso Furtado de Mendoza was substituted in his place D John of Austria who was now returned to Bajadoz from Court where he had been to answer to what was objected against him upon account of his late defeat hearing of this undertaking of the Duke de Ossuna sent him large Supplies under the Command of the Count Bouette with which accession the Duke was now increased to about 7000 Foâ—â— and about 2000 Horse Not above a Canon shot from him lay the Portugues Army consisting of a like Force Mendoza perceiving the Duke was not to be drawn to a battle his only design being to cover his work and it being a rashness to attack him in his Camp thought the only way to draw him thence would be to enter the borders of Castile and put all things to Fire and Sword To this intent
received that having lost 300 of their Men and killed but 70 of the Enemy they were glad to suffer the rest to march off with their Plunder Another Body of the Romans having taken a rich Booty led 500 Captives away the one half whereof were Women who observing that no great Regard was had of them only their Hands bound behind in the dead time of the Night they unbound one another and afterwards the Men then seizing the Arms of the Romans buried in Sleep put most of them to the Sword before they waked only a few escaped by the Favour of the Night Next Morning the Victors put the Armour of the Romans upon their Women Ormia a modest Lusitanian Woman being taken by another Party and long courted by her Keeper to consent to his Lust she at length seemingly complied wherewith being delighted he put himself into her Power so that she waiting her Opportunity when he slept with his own Sword cut off his Head and carried away both to her Husband as a Token that she had preserved her Chastity Which done not so content she killed her self before his Face 5. Caius Lelius 145. a Man of great Valour came Praetor into Spain but Authors do not mention any Success he had against Viriatus Perhaps it was thought enough that he lost nothing 143. Two Years after Fabius Emilianus was sent with a Consular Army of 18000 Men to put an End to the War Viriatus hearing of his coming into Andaluzia broke into the Roman Province doing greater Harm than before and took two Cities into which he put Garrisons Fabius that the Gods might be favourable to his Undertakings went to offer Sacrifice in the Temple of Hercules at Cadiz strictly charging his Officers upon no Account to stir out of the Camp before his Return The next Day Viriatus appeared before the Roman Army at such time as certain Foragers were returning with a Guard of whom he cut off the greatest part A good Body of Horse issuing out of the Camp to relieve their Companions drove back the Lusitanians to their Main Body but they were there so fiercely charged that few of them returned back Fabius coming from his Sacrifice stormed that his Orders had been disobeyed Fabius Emilianus obliges Viriatus to retire Some Days after about Midnight he marched in great Silence two Miles forwards and surprizing the Lusitanian Camp obliged Viriatus confusedly to retire to Vecor a strong Place where not thinking it safe to attack him he marched away to recover the two Cities lately garrison'd by the Lusitanians The Inhabitants of the Province between Duero and Minho took up Arms against those of Galicia Hostilius Mancinus overthrows 30000 Spaniards Lucius Hostilius Mancinus the Consul Emilianus's Colleague fearing lest they should invade the Vaccei and Celtiberi came so suddenly upon them that he without any Difficulty overthrew 30000 of them killing many and putting the rest to flight Popilius succeeded Emilianus in the Government of Lusitania when Viriatus finding himself weak made some Overtures of Peace deceitfully for at the same time he stirred up the People about Numantia to make War and he in the Territories of Riba de Coa committed all manner of Cruelties upon the Romans even upon those that submitted themselves to him Popilius routed Popilius hasting to their Relief was in a pitch'd Battel shamefully put to flight with the Loss of the best of his Army 6. Viriatus was far enter'd into Castile but understanding that the new Praetor 141. Quintus Pompeius was marching towards Lusitania he turned back to defend his own Country Viriatus put to 〈◊〉 by Pompey The two Armies met near Evora where a bloody Battel was fought Pompey obtained the Victory and Viriatus fled to the Mountain of Venus Here he gathered new Strength and encouraging the Ticii Vaccei and Beli who followed him he marched again to meet the Romans whom he forced to take Shelter in their Trenches leaving behind them 27 Ensigns and 4000 Men slain whereof 500 were Horse The Praetor thus shut up within his Works Viriatus enter'd Andaluzia and summoned Vtica which was kept by a strong Roman Garrison who answered him with Scorn calling him Robber He the better to compass his Revenge marched away in great haste as if he had fled certain Troops of Horse sent from the City pursuing him in the Rear whom he without halting repulsed and so they returned to their Garrison But in the Dead of the Night he marched back and croâ—â—ing several Valleys distant from the City he left his Foot in an Ambuscade himself with the Horse appearing before the City so that many Morasses lay betwixt him and the Walls which were impassable to any that knew them not as well as he At Break of Day his Party being decried from the Walls they were supposed to be some Straglers of the Lusitanian Army and therefore the Garrison sallied out upon them Viriatus at first withdrawing as if he had fled drew them into the Marshes where when they were fast stuck he faced about and put them all to the Sword Those of Vtica after this Action expelled the Roman Garrison and received one of the Lusitanians Viriatus moving thence towards the Streights of Gibraltar wasted the Territories of the Bastetani Pompey not offering to oppose him 7. The Consul 140. Quintus Fabius Maximus Servilianus was sent from Rome with an Army of 20000 Men to prosecute this War and Micipsa the African King came to his Aid with 10 Elephants and 300 Numidian Horse With this Force he marched to Vtica where Viriatus lay who after some Skirmishes his Provisionâ— failing retired into Lusitania to secure the Harvest In the mean while a good Body of his Men commanded by two noted Captains called Curius and Apuleyus broke into Andaluzia The Consul with his whole Army marched towards them and for the more Expedition left his Baggage behind him with a small Guard Fabius Maximus defeats the Spanish Aâ—mâ— and kills Curius their General The Lusitanians informed thereof took another Way and with a Compass deceiving the Consul plunder'd his Baggage He turning suddenly upon them whilst they were busie in robbing a Convoy of Provisions put them to flight killing Curius their Captain and recovering the Booty Thence the Consul moving he took five Towns Garrison'd by the Lusitanians upon Articles which he performed not turning them over to the Fury of his Soldiers Viriatus hasted to revenge this Breach of Faith and being come in sight of the Consul he drew up his Foot in a Square Battel with his Horse on both Wings but far advanced before the Foot whom he ordered not to stir till they saw how the Horse behaved themselves against the Elephants They charged the Roman Horse forcing them to retire to their Elephants 139. at the sight of which Another Defeat of the Romans the Spanish Horse disorderly fled the Enemy fiercely pursuing The Foot drew back in good Order
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
made by the Almoravides It is likely that Henry came with the Command of these Troops and having gained esteem had the Government of the Province between the Rivers Duero and Minho committed to him other great Men governing the others at the same time After the death of King Ferdinand who divided his Kingdoms among his three Sons Sancho King of Castile having taken Portugal from his Brother Garcia and Leon from Alonso his other Brother obliged him to fly for safety to the Moors 1071. Henry accompanied him in all misfortunes till Sancho being killed Alonso was not only restored to his own but seated in the Thrones of Castile and Portugal 1073. King Alonso considering that he who follows a Prince Gains the Affection of King Alonso deposed in his misfortunes does something more than Man concluded that Henry was a prodigy among mortals and therefore from that time resolved to suit his reward to his Fidelity 4. Beatrix the second Wife of King Alonso dying 1076. a match was agreed for him with the Lady Constance Alonso marries his Aunt Aunt to Earl Henry and he was sent to France to conduct her into Spain With him went Raymund Earl of Toulouse and with them both came Raymund Earl of Burgundy which is the reason some Authors write they came all together whereas the other two had been long before in Spain Thus Henry became great at Court the King being his Friend and the Queen his Aunt which his power he used with such moderation that he was beloved by all Men. 1081. He accompanied King Alonso at the memorable Seige and taking of Toledo as also at the Battle of Sagulias near Badajoz 1087. where the King was overthrown 1090. To reward all these Services the King at last gave him to Wife his Bastard Daughter Teresa He takes to Wife Teresa Bastard Daughter to Alonso and has in Dower the City Porto and its Territory whom he had by the Lady Ximena Nunnez de Gusman Her Dower was the City Porto with its Territory then the best part of what was gained in Portugal giving him leave to retire thither and live with his Wife His Age was the cause that he died leaving Teresa young to marry a second Husband which much disturbed the publick Peace Soon after the Christian Princes joining in League to conquer the Holy Land Earl Henry was chosen General of the Forces sent by King Alonso in which employ he gained great Honour He returned from this Expedition to Toledo where the Court of Castile was then kept in the Year 1099. King Alonso at this time being of a great Age sent his Son Prince Sancho being but Twelve Years of Age under the direction of D. Garcia Count of Cabra with an Army to oppose Almanzor the Moor. With them went many Persons of Quality among which the chief was Earl Henry they came to a Battle in the Plains of Veles where the Prince was unhorsed and killed 1100. though Henry and Garcia exposed themselves to save him Overthrows the Infidels and takes Almanzor prisoner Earl Henry meditating Revenge met Almanzor again in the Field whom he dismounted and took Prisoner delivering him to James Ordonnez for to carry him to the King this done Henry broke through the Infidels putting them to flight with a mighty slaughter 5. As it is doubtful whether Henry went to Hierusalem with the other Christian Princes so is it also whether he was present at the taking of Lisbon Santarem Sintra and other strong places by King Alonso but that he was at these latter Expeditions as most properly appertaining to him is most likely For his good services he receives other Territories of King Alonso But his great Age requiring some rest the King at last gave him leave to retire to Portugal giving to him for himself and his Heirs all that was conquered there which was the Cities Coimbra and Viseo and the three Provinces that betwixt the Rivers Duero and Minho Beira and Tras os Montes with that part of Galicia as far as the Castle Lobeira and leave to conquer as far as Algarve Earl Henry settled his residence at Guimaraens taking the Title of Earl of Portugal The Portuguese encouraged by the presence of a Prince of their own did much upon the borders of the Province betwixt the Rivers Duero and Minho till then not entirely subdued but we have no particular account of their Actions Hecha Martin King of Lamego being a tributary to Henry rebelled and drawing together a powerful Army did much hurt in the Christian Territories The Earl with Egas Moniz a Gentleman then famous and afterward Tutor to King Alonso marched to recover the Booty he had taken and overtook him in a Valley near the Monastery of Arouca The Moor for greater security in case of any misfortune placed his Wife Queen Axa Anzures and all the Prey on the top of a Mountain he thought unaccessible called Sierra Seca The Christian Army encamped along the River Alarda and Egas Moniz seeing the Enemy advantagiously posted undertook with a good party by Night to go about the Mountains and at break of Day to be ready to fall upon them on the top Another overthrow given by him to the to the Moors whilst the Christian Army charged the Enemy below This was accordingly put in Execution and after a bloody Fight the Queen was taken above and the King below they becoming Christians the Earl bestowed the City Lamego upon them they paying tribute for the same 6. The Moores rebelling against their King for changing his Religion 1103. he fled to Guimaraens to crave aid of Earl Henry A Moorish King restored by him who by force took the City Lamego and restored him He fearing in the Earl's absence his Subjects would again revolt desired of him to leave some Portuguese Gentlemen to secure those Lands which was accordingly done and the Country People with Inhabitants brought from the Province betwixt the Rivers Duero and Minho He performs other great Actions This year some Writers will have it that Earl Henry went to the Holy Land with Guy of Lusignan and other Princes all the likelihood there is thereof is That we have no account of him in Portugal from the Year 1103. till the Year 1109. King Ali Haben Joseph with a numerous Army laid Siege to Coimbra which he furiously battered during a Month. Earl Henry marched to their relief and coming to a Battle overthrew the Infidels with a great Slaughter Cintra and other places revolted and were overcome but rising again they could not easily be subdued Whilst our Earl was diverted in the Wars of Galicia and Leon where he took some Towns Cyrus King of the Arabs taking the opportunity laid Siege to Santarem whither our Forces hasting to relieve the place were by him overthrown and so the Town being distressed Surrendred The Earl took several places in Leon so that King
de Sâ—a D. John Mascarenhas and the Secretary Michael de Moura 8. On the 14th of June The King and Nobility Embark King Sebastian attended by all the Nobility and Gentry rode to the Cathedral where his Standard was Blessed on which was the Figure of our Saviour Crucifyed He returned not to Court but to expedite what was yet wanting A Fleet of 1000 Sail. went directly aboard his Galley The River was covered with 1000 Sail all filled with such gaudy but ill disciplined Forces that they seemed rather to carry a rich Prey to the Enemy than Weapons to Fight On the 24th of June the Fleet sailed from Lisbon Landmen The Land Forces made up the number of 18000. 18000 At Cadiz the King staied Seven Days to gather all his Fleet and sailing thence anchored before Tangier on the 6th of July about Midnight The Moor Hamet sent his Son Muley Xeque that Night to visit the King and came himself in the Morning Hence the King removed to Arzila where the Moors that were of his Party joyned him Larache is Five Leagues distant from this Place Thither he was first designed to go by Sea and now the Resolution was taken to March by Land The Army lands at Arzila The Forces landed and numerous Troops of the Enemy approaching to discover the King threw himself into all Dangers envying others every opportunity of gaining Honour Here he staied longer than he ought to have done and Provisions began to grow scarce Having given all necessary Orders and taking five Days Provision the King advanced on the 25th of July towards Larache and continued his marches till the 4th of August when he encamped between the Rivers Haiuad Macharim and Lucus and where he was informed that the King of Morocco was himself at hand which was not then expected The Enemy immediately passed the River Lucus covering the Hills and Plain with 150000 Men most of them Horse 9. The Christians had marched Seven Days with only Five Days Provision The Christian and Moorish Armies engage and therefore it was thought necessary not to delay the Fight till next Day The Enemy perceiving it advanced in the Form of a Half Moon to enclose the Portuguese Army which was drawn up in the best manner time would permit Both Kings having with their Presence in all Parts encouraged their Men the signal of Battle was given on both sides Having well nigh encompassed the Christians the Infidels began to play their Cannon which disordered those that had charge of it in the Portuguese Army After a short pause the King gave the Charge others following his Example great slaughter was in a short time made among the Moors Yet the Multitude began to prevail when the Castilians Italians and Germans falling on routed a multitude of Barbarians so that the Christians in the heat of the Action began to cry Victory On a sudden a Voice was heard to cry Halt Halt which most Men obeyed till seeing the Enemy return upon them they renewed the Fight with almost as great Success as before the King in Person doing Wonders He of Morocco thinking all lost advanced a Horseback to Encourage his Men The King of Morrocco slain but soon fell down dead Hamet Taba a Renegado put him into a Litter and feigned he gave out Orders from him Halican a Renegado Portuguese Encouraged the Infidels and was by some taken for the King himself The Germans did Wonders but the Portuguese Foot being undisciplined was disordered by the Enemies Cannon The Rout of the Christians Now all began to be in Confusion which the King perceiving he performed Actions beyond belief rushing into the midst of his Enemies not as a General but as the bravest of Soldiers George de Albuquerque meeting him gave him his Horse to carry him off but he mounting Charged again into the thick of the Enemy D. Antony Bastard-Son to Prince Lewis was much wounded and the King offered him his Horse as did Christopher de Tavora King Sebastian meeting Lewis de Brito with the Royal Standard stripped and wrapped about him cried out Hold it fast and let us die upon it Christopher de Tavora advised the King to suffer himself to be taken but he being offended at the Advice fell in again among the Moors where being seized Brito rescued him and was himself made Prisoner and with him the Standard was taken which afterwards certain Portuguese bought at Fez for a small matter Brito taken saw the King at distance no Enemy pursuing him and afterwards D. Lewis de Lima met him making towards the River This is the last time he was seen by any of his People tho others say he was found dead after the Battle and others more â—ondly expect his return to this Day but where he died only God knows Hamet the Moor that sided with him was drowned in passing the River 10. To reckon what Men of Note were slain Of 18000 Men only 50 escape were tedious and needless since of 18000 Combatants that composed that Army only 50 escaped being killed or taken The Body of Hamet the Moor being carryed to the new King of Morocco he caused it to be flea'd and hung on the Walls of Fez his Son Muley was brought to Portugal and became a Christian Some will have it that the Body of King Sebastian was also found but others deny it A rumour of this Disaster was spread abroad at Lisbon before any body brought the News till at last D. James de Sousa the Admiral returned home after having waited two days at Larache to take up any that escaped and chiefly in hopes of the King who was not known to be dead Some would have it that he came in the Fleet but Landing had absconded for shame However there being no tidings of him till an Account was brought from Africk that his Body was found it was resolved that the Cardinal Prince Henry should succeed him in the Crown Come Counterfeits Personate King Sebastian Nevertheless upon the vain Rumour of King Sebastian's being still alive four or five base Fellows had afterwards the Impudence to Personate him causing thereby no small Troubles Many other Prodigies are reported to have happened besides what we before related but being very dubious it will be needless to repeat more of them 11. King Sebastian The Character of King Sebastian as to his Inclinations was Religious Merciful a Lover of Justice and no less Bountiful than any of his Predecessors As to Stature he was of the largest size and well proportioned fair of Complexion his Eyes blue his Countenance Majestick his Strength more than ordinary and his Heart undaunted He died in the 25th Year of his Age and 21st of his Reign but the 11th after he took the Government into his own Hands and lies buried in the Monastery of Belem In his Time the value of Copper Money was abated to prevent the Importation of it from Foreign Parts
many Prisoners that the King of Portugal ordered many of the least considerable to be set at Liberty D. John de Garay Governor of Badajoz sent out 800 Horse and 2000 Foot with design to surprize Olivenza but D. Francis de Melo charging them by the way put them to flight with the slaughter of 300 Men. 4. These continual Incursions kept the Spaniards always upon their Guard Other Military Actions and made them think of securing themselves To this purpose they began to fortifie Aldea del Obispo but Ferdinand Tellez de Meneses being unwilling to suffer that Work to go forward marched with 500 Foot and four Squadrons of Horse attacked the Place and carryed it though obstinately defended 140 Spaniards were kill'd in the Assault and 116 taken and all the Works as well Old as New were levelled with the Ground Then passing on he did the same to the Town of Castillejo which was no less offensive to the Portuguese Frontiers then the other would have been The King to shew he was no less formidable by Sea then by Land even in the first rise of his Greatness fitted out 13 great Men of War under the command of Antony Tellez ordering him to seek out the Spanish Fleet or in case he found it not to attempt some Sea-port Town the Spaniards though weak omitted not to make their utmost efforts and infest their Enemies Country as much as in them was Chelas a considerable Town of Estremadura and seated near the Frontiers of Alentejo did often send out Parties which did incredible damage in that part of the plain Country subject to Portugal Francis de Melo who had the charge of those Frontiers incensed hereat marched with all the Force he could gather with a resolution to carry that Place nor did he fail of his Design altogether for meeting a Squadron of Spanish Horse he cut them off and then applying his Scaling Ladders after a Dispute of five Hours entred the Town His Men immediately fell to the Plunder which lost them the opportunity they might have had of entring the Castle with the flying Enemy Francis de Melo seeing nothing more could be done then plundering the Town returned leaving the Streets full of dead Bodies and having lost but 16 of his own Men. 5. Whilst the War continued in this manner betwixt these two Neighbouring Nations Alliances in Africa and Asia those of a greater distance sought the Friâ—ndship of the new King of Portugal That King near Goa whom we mentioned before was the first that moved for this Friendship when he rais'd his Siege from before the City The King of Morocco was not long behind him for he understanding how fast the Crown was settl'd by the unanimous approbation of the whole Kingdom and so many Alliances with most Princes of Europe except those that were devoted to Spain sent now into Portugal to desire leave of the King that an Ambassador might come to put an end to the Animosities which had been produced by the violent procedure of the Spaniards 6. The ill Fortune of the Spaniards raised in them an implacable desire of Revenge Military Action in the Province of Tralos Montes They assembled 1500 Foot and 300 Horse to take a Fort that Ferdinand Tellez de Meneses had built in Val de Mula on the Frontiers of the Province Tralos Montes and marcâ—â—â— till they came in sight of the Fort there discovering 〈◊〉 Portuguese Horse and 400 Foot they halted to consult what was to be done D. Sancho Manuel the Portuguese Camp-Master having obtained Leave of Ferdinand Tellez though so unequal in Number charged the Enemy so vigorously that at the first shock the Foot fled and the Horse seeing the Rout durst not come up to support them Having with such ease overthrown those Troops the Portuguese General resolved to make use of the Advantage being informed they were retired to Fuentes in Castile where some Fortifications were begun to be thrown up Being too weak to attack them there he stayed till 500 Foot more had joyn'd him and then advanced he planted some Canon against the Place and began to batter it but seeing no effect thought of sending for more Troops to carry it by Escalade when he was told the Spaniards assembled in great Numbers from all parts to cut off his Retreat His danger drew D. Alonso Furtado de Mendoza to his Assistance but being still much inferiour to the Enemies they retired with Speed and unmolested by the Spaniards Nor was there any more quiet on the Frontiers of Galicia for D. Martin Daradin the Governour of that Kingdom not being in a condition to oppose two Portuguese Armies that broke in upon him at once they burnt 150 Villages in that Country and returned home with a considerable Booty 7. It was now but reasonable the Forces should have been put into their Winter Quarters nevertheless the Duke d'Alva having gather'd all the Power he could sent them under the Conduct of his Son to wast the Province of Beira In the Province of Beira Ferdinand Tellez de Meneses having Notice hereof formed a Body of 7000 Foot and 2700 Horse resolving to prevent the Spaniards whose Forces were no less Considerable he marched to Val de Mula and encamped before the Town of Guardan which he Summoned and finding no Disposition in the Governor to surrender batter'd it with two pieces of Canon The Battery was of little effect and therefore Ferdinand Tellez commanded Peter Sousa de Castro to attack the Out-works with all the Musqueteers and Gaspar de Seixas with some other Battalions to sustain him The Attack was begun with great Resolution and continued for three Hours at the end whereof the Besieged put 〈◊〉 a white Flag and sent a Drum to offer to Capitulateâ— The Garrison marched out upon sorry Terms the Governor and Officers being only allowed to carry their Swords and all the Souldiers to the number of 340 being sent Prisoners to Lisbon The Booty was great besides much store of Provision and Ammunition found in the Place but the main Consequence of taking this place was that it secured the Portuguese Frontiers and laid those of Castile open to Incursions Whilst this was doing about the Province of Beira without the Spanish General who had taken the Field his attempting to succour the Town D. Antony Mascarenhes commander of Valladores took Quintas and Corgra D. Sancho Manuel plunder'd and burnt the Towns of Sorvo Avilar and Chalenga the Captains Edward Miranda and Emanuel de Andras did the same to those of Basquilha Villar del Puerto and Saranitho and so did others all along the Frontiers D. Francis de Melo General of the Cavalry in Allentejo being abroad with 300 Men the Governour of Badajoz upon Notice of it marched out with 700 and leaving half of them in Ambush with the other half advanced to draw on the Portuguese Melo thinking he had no more Enemies to deal with but what were in sight charged them
support it but the Marquess and others persisting in the Resolution of hazarding a Battle their Authority prevailed The Spanish Army consisted of 7000 Foot and 2600 Horse in 34 Troops under the command of the Baron de Molinguen who was now to command the whole Army because the Marquess was to stay at Badajoz These Forces met the Enemy sooner than they expected 2. On the 26 of May 1644 The Spanish Forces defeated Albuquerque the Portuguese General finding himself reduc'd to that necessity that he must either fight or fly chose rather to hazard a Battle than forfeit his Reputation He performed the Office of a Major General ordering his Battle himself The command of the Right Wing he gave to the Monteiro Mor and the Left to the Commissary General who had under him the Dutch Horse commanded by Captain Piper The two Armies ingaged and the Spaniards gave such a furious Charge on the Portuguese Left Wing where the Commissiary commanded that the Dutch Horse fled and running upon their own Foot so disorder'd that part of the Army that the Spaniards drove them from their Ground their General being in danger to be bruised to Death his Horse falling upon him but a French Captain saved him giving him another Horse that ran lose and sustaining the shot of the Enemy till he mounted Being delivered from that Danger he had recourse to the Body of reserve which advancing to the Place which the Spanish Horse had left to pursue the Dutch and others that fled made such Havock among the Foot before Victorious that they were forced to fly The Horse returning from the pursuit and seeing the Foot broke could never be brought to a Charge but betook themselves to their Heels quitting their Cannon and Baggage Of the Spaniards about 2000 Foot and 700 Horse were killed and taken with about 40 Colours and Standards Of the Portuguese 750 were slain and among them two Collonels The Portugueses continued a Day in the field of Battle least the Spaniards should return and vaunt they had kept it King John rejoycing at this Victory which secured his Crown created the General Earl of Alegrette giving him a Pension of 4000 Crowns and rewarded many other of the Principal Men in the Army The Marquess of Torrecusa laboured to gather all the Forces of Estremadura being grieved he was not present at the Battle as believing it lost for want of Conduct and it troubled him the more because he was the adviser of it 3. Whilst these things hapned in Estremadura several Incursions were made on all the Frontiers of the Kingdom but in them was nothing Memorable for the Portugueses were most upon the Defensive and the Spaniards only kept the War afoot till the affairs of Catalonia might be settled that then they might turn their whole Force to this side A sham Conspiracy About this same time D. George de Mascarenhas Count de Monte Albano who was of the Council of State and had other great Employments was impeached of Conspiring with others against the King for which he was committed to the Castle of Belem and the rest to other Prisons Upon Examination the Accusation was found malicious and groundless whereupon he and all the others on the second of November were honorably discharged and restored to their Estates and Honours At this time also dyed the Arch-bishop of Braga one of the managers of the first Conspiracy against the King Dying he made it his request to the King that he would pardon his Treachery and grant that his Body might be Buryed without some Parish Church without any inscription upon it to the end no Memory might survive of one that hath been Traytor to his King 4. The Portuguese Governors on the Coasts of America at length concluded a Truce with the Count de Nassan The Affairs of America who governed at Pernambuco for the Hollanders Yet so far were they from observing the Articles of it that they rais'd a new Fort at Segeripe took several of our Ships and committed many Barbarities against the Portugueses that according to composition remained under them at Pernambuco These things moved John Fernandez Veigra and Francis Berenguer to lay the design this Year of expelling them that Province the success of their Enterprize belongs to another place In Africk Tangier had till this time held for the Spaniards but now the Garrison secured their Governor sent him Prisoner to Lisbon The Dutch contrary to Faith given take several places in India and declared for King John The Moors thought to have surprized that City and gave a desperate Assault but were repulsed with great Loss The Dutch in India notwithstanding their repeated Orders from the States to cease from all Hostilities still found pretences to carry on the War and landing a great number of Men in Ceylon took the Fort of Negumbo having first overthrown the Portugueses that were to defend it they presuming though much inferiour in Number and contrary to their Orders to meet the Enemy in open Field who pursuing them after the defeat entred the Fort in that Heat putting above 300 of our men to the Sword The City Macao in China was near falling again into the Hands of the Spaniards many of the Inhabitants favouring their interest and raising a dangerous Tumult to promote the same but by the Courage of Sebastian Lobo the Governour who fired from the Castle upon the City together with the Interposition of the Jesuits it was again reduced to Obedience Gonzalo Sequeyra was sent Ambassador by the King to the Emperor of Japan but through the Instigation of the Hollanders was not received Anno 1645. 1. THis Year the King having regard to the good Service done by the Earl of Castello-Melhor Actions in the Province of Alentejo in the Province betwixt Duero and Minho appointed him General of Alentejo In April he took possession of that Command and at the same time received intelligence that the Marquess de Leganez was come to Badajoz to command the Spanish Army Soon after the Counts Arrival at Badajoz 500 Spanish Horse made an Incursion into the Territory of Campo Mayor whence they retired with great Booty In their retreat the two Captains Emanuel de Gama Lobo and D. Charles Jordano charged them with 300 Portuguese Horse recovered the Prey and took from them 80 Horses The Count de Castello Melhor presently after attempted to drive the Country about Badajoz and to that purpose marched with 800 Horse and 1500 Foot but returned without doing any thing more than driving the Enemies advanced Parties to the Walls of Badajoz In return the Spaniards with a Body of 700 Horse fell into the Country of Barbacena and Sancta Olaya which is two Leagues from Elvas and Campo Mayor the Horse of both which Places to the Number of 500 joyning charged them in their Retreat recovered all the Booty and took 60 of their Horses The Count de Castelmelhor having thoroughly examined the strength
him but it took no effect On the 18th of April he took the Field with 7500 Foot 500 Seamen 300 Indians 5 pieces of Cannon and a great quantity of Ammunition and marching to the Fort Barreta the Captain who commanded there unadvisedly went out with 80 Men most of whom were kill'd the Captain taken and his Ensign surrendred the Fort. Francis Barreto who commanded the Portugueses having called a Council of War it was resolved to give the Enemy Battle though at such great odds rather than stay to be beaten out of all their Posts by degrees According to this Resolution they marched and posted themselves in a small Plain at the Foot of the Mountains Gararapes on the 16th of April They sent out Major Antony Diaz Cardoso with 20 Men to observe the Enemy who stirred not that Night but appeared next Morning being Low Sunday upon the Mountains Antony Dias with his 20 Men and 40 Indians that had joyned him skirmishing in their Van. The Enemy drawing near our Men attack'd them with Sword in Hand and at the first Charge disordered their Van which retiring to the other Troops endeavoured to rally Henry Dias with his Regiment pressing hard upon them was overpowred by the fresh Troops and forced to give way so that many of the Portugueses who were disordered in Confidence of the Victory began to fly Francis Barreto in good time rallyed them and charging the Enemy again recovered the Day Yet the Dutch were not soon broke for the Fight continued four Hours very obstinate At last the Dutch gave way and retired to a Hill whether Francis Barreto thought not good to pursue them because his Men were spent with Travel and fasting 24 Hours There were taken 33 Colours many Arms and a great Booty At Night the Enemy returned to the Shoar leaving behind 1000 Dead and carrying 523 wounded of the Portugueses 80 were killed and 400 wounded This done Francis Barreto marched back to possess his former Quarters hoping the Enemy was not in a Condition to destroy them and so it proved for they had only possessed themselves of the Fort Barreta and Town of Olinda which last he resolved to recover At Night he sent Henry Diaz with his Regiment and some other Companies who drove out the Enemy killing 160 of them and recovered 5 pieces of Canon Francis Barreto ordered the Works to be rased and his Men to retire to their Post Sigismund Vanscop sent a Drum demanding exchange of Prisoners which was refused and they all sent away to Bahia Some Ships of the Dutch Fleet that had been separated by Storm arriving now Sigismund several times attacked the Quarters of Henry Dias but was as often valiantly repulsed by the Blacks There was great want of Men and Provisions in our Quarters which was in some measure remedyed by the arrival of Collonel Francis de Figueyroa from Bahia with 300 Men and a quantity of Cattle The joy of this Succour was abated by the Death of D. Antony Philip Camarao Governor of the Indians a good Christian and resolute Soldier Sigismund Vanscop perceiving Fortune favour'd him not at Pernambuco put to Sea with some Ships and landing in several parts of Baâ—ia returned with a great Booty he had gather'd Francis Barreto growing better versed in the Affairs of that Country continued the War with good Conduct as we shall see in the following Years 4. It has been said above that Salvador Correa was sent from Lisbon with the Title of Governour of Rio de Janeyro The Dutch beaten out of Angola in Africk and General of the Kingdom of Angola In January he arrived at Rio de Janeyro and found there Emanuel Pacheco de Mello with the 5 Ships sent by the Count de Villa Pouca in pursuance of the King's Orders Salvador Correa was no sooner landed but he called a Council to deliberate about recovering the Kingdom of Angola It was unanimously resolved to go upon the Enterprize and for the carrying of it on the Inhabitants contributed 55000 Cruzadoes which is 7333l 06 s. 04 d. This encouraged him to hire 6 Ships and buy 4 small Vessels He listed 900 Land Men and 600 Sea-men and having made all necessary Provision for them sailed for Angola on the 12th of May with 15 Sail. The weather proved so bad his small Vessels could not keep up with him However he arrived at Quicombo where he was ordered to raise a Fort and landed to view the place Five days after arrived his Vice-Admiral and two of the small Vessels but the Night following the Vice-Admiral sunk in the Bay without the least Wind no Man knowing what should be the cause of it In her perished 360 Men for only two were saved Salvador Correa called a Council where he proposed that though the King's Orders were not to make War upon the Dutch as supposing they lived peaceably with the Portugueses yet finding on the Contrary that they ceased not to make War upon those who were retired up the Country he thought it was but reasonable to assist their Country Men and expell those Usurpers All that were present answered they would either recover Angola or dye With this unanimous Consent he set sail again and arrived at Loanda Having taken a Black he reported that 300 Dutch with 3000 Blacks so streightned the Portugueses who were fled to the City Masangano that it was impossible to have any Correspondence with them Having received this Confirmation of the unjust proceedings of the Dutch he sent to summon the Governor of Loanda to surrender This Message so surprized him that he sent to desire only 8 days to resolve what was to be done Salvador Correa perceiving this was only to gain Time to call in their Men that were Abroad replyed he would grant two Days after which they must expect to be treated with the utmost Rigour They accepted of the offer and in that time gather'd all the Force they could into the Fort of St. Michael which commands the City and that of our Lady on the Shoar both which can contain 5000 Men. At the expiration of the two days Salvador Correa sent to know whether they were ready to surrender but they answered they were resolved to hold out to the last Hereupon he instantly landed 900 Men and marched to the Town which he entred without Opposition possessing himself of the Fort S. Antony abandoned by the Enemy who had left in it 8 pieces of Canon whereof only two were nailed With the other 6 and 4 Demi-Canon brought from the Ships he formed two Batteries that Night which at break of Day began to play on the Fort of St. Michael but not with any considerable effect Salvador Correa displeased at this disappointment and more at the News that the Dutch had defeated the Portugueses at Masangano resolved to venture upon a desperate Action which was to assault both the Forts joyned by a Line of Communication and defended by 1200 Dutch French and Germans and as many Blacks
Accordingly at break of Day the assault was given and though bravely carryed on he was forc'd to retire leaving 163 Men killed and carrying off 160 wounded However he resolved upon a second attack but the Enemy prevented him by hanging out a white Flag and surrendring the Forts Five days after the Surrender the Dutch that were abroad in the Country being 250 with 2000 Blacks upon Advice that the Forts were besieged came to relieve them but finding them lost agreed to be sent away with the rest notwithstanding the Queen Ginga and the King of Congos Officers encouraged them to continue the War The Fort of Benguela hearing what had happened at Loanda was immediately surrendred by the Dutch that held it Salvador Correa having gathered all the Portugueses that were dispersed about the Mountains repeopl'd the City Loanda and sent some Vessels to recover the Island St. Thomas But those Dutch that he sent away passing by that Island and giving an account of their ill success their Country Men there went away with them leaving behind their Artillery and most of their Ammunition which the Portuguese Inhabitants soon made themselves Masters of Not content with this Salvador Correa sent all along that Coast to all places where the Dutch had factories and in two Months wholly cleared the Country of them Being now rid of the Dutch Salvador Correa resolved to take Revenge of Queen Ginga the King of Congo and their Confederates who had assisted them He gave the Charge of this Expedition to Bartholomew de Vasconcellos with whom joyned the King of Dongo and the Jaga of Ambaca who had always been faithful to the Portugueses Vasconcellos soon reduced the King of Congo and other lesser Princes the Island of Loando being taken from the former and new Tributes imposed on him as a Punishment of his Infidelity Queen Ginga fled 300 Leagues up the Country This Queen was Daughter to a King of Angola who was beheaded by the Portugueses in revenge whereof she gathered all the Youth she could killing the old People and Children wherever she came and continued a savage Life in the Mountains with these Robbers always watching all Opportunities of doing harm to the Portugueses Now at length being driven up the Country she sent an Ambassador and concluded Peace with Salvador Correa who so well settled that Kingdom that it continues ever since under the Dominion of Portugal 5. D. Gaston Coutinho continued in the Government of Tangier Africk and India making many inroads into the Country in which he gained much Honour but the Forces in that City being but small he could not make so great advantages as might otherwise be expected of his Valor and Conduct De Philip Mascarenhas the Vice-Roy of India sent D. Alvaro de Ataide with a Squadron to the Coast of Coromandel to fortifie the Town of Negapatam which the Portugueses had lately built The Nayque of Tanjaor in whose Territory it stood sent an Army to hinder the Work D. Alvaro landed 500 Men and after a sharp Dispute put the Indians to flight with much slaughter This done he saw the Fortifications finished and returned to Goa nothing more of Note happened in India during the Government of D. Philip Mascarenhas which lasted till the Year 1651. The War in Portugal being prosecuted with small Force on both sides and the Campaign being often spent in small Incursions do not afford much matter worthy an History which is the Reason the Relations of Affairs at home are so short and the Actions abroad being very considerable though I endeavour to reduce them to as small Compass as may be yet because I would omit nothing that is remarkable they often swell to a greater Bulk than the Domestick and force me to insist longer upon them then I had designed Anno 1649. 1. WE left the Count de S. Lorenzo Count St. Lorenzo his Actions in Alentejo governing the Province of Alentejo with good success This Year knowing that some Troops of Forreign Horse were come to Badajoz he promised Rewards to all Soldiers or Officers that should come over to him performing his Promise to the full with the first that deserted so that in a short time the greatest part of them quitted the Spanish Service At this time all Prisoners on both sides as well Soldiers as Officers not above the Degree of a Captain were set at liberty on both sides In April 600 Spanish Horse driving the Cattle betwixt Fronteyra and Cabeza de Vide were resolutely Charged by the Commissary Generall Tamericourt with 16 Troops and utterly defeated 120 of them killed and double the Number taken The Baron de Molinguen the Spanish Camp-Master Generall after this defeat quitted his Post and D. Francis de Tutavilla Duke of S. German succeeded him At the Request of the Count de S. Lorenzo the Commissary Generall Tamericourt was made Lieutenant Generall of Horse and a Commendary given to the other Commissary Du Quesne There being also great want of Horse King John sold Crown-Lands to the value of 4000 Cruzodoes per Ann to buy Horses to Mount the Cavalry rather than impose new Taxes upon the People The Horse being recruited their Generall Andrew de Albuquerque Marched with the whole Body and the Foot of Elvas Olivenza and Campo Mayor thinking to reduce Albuquerque He plundered and burnt the suburbs but was repulsed by the Town and Castle and returned with loss Neither had John Homem Cardoso sent out by him with 100 Horse to surprize a Spanish Troop better success for Meeting 15 Spanish Horse he charged them and they kept him in play till 7 Troops came up and took John Homem and 60 of of his party Tamericourt now Lieutenant General Marched with 900 Horse to Revenge this loss and having drawn out the Enemy from Badajoz and Talavera tho' they were more Numerous than he put them to flight killing 250 with the loss of 40 of his own These are the most Remarkable actions of this Year in the Province of Altentejo 2. Count Castello Melhor who till now Governed the Province betwixt Duero and Minho was called away to go Governour of Brasil and the Viscount D. James de Lima succeeded him in his former Post D. James de Lima Governour of the Province betwixt Duero and Minho That Province scarce felt any effects of War except Two or 3 inconsiderable incursions after which both Parties again rested as if it were in Time of Peace D. Hierome de Ataide Count de Atouguâ—a was now sent to Command in the Province Tralos Montes where finding the Standing-Forces very weak he Endeavoured to secure the Country the best he could with the Militia Whilst he went to provide for the Safety of Braganza the Commissary General of Horse La Morle Commanded at Chaves but had positive Orders only to stand upon the Defensive Nevertheless he marched with 220 Foot and 90 Horse to plunder the Town of Vmbra which having performed and returned with the booty he
was set upon by 1500 Foot and 350 Spanish Horse who cut in pieces 140 of his Men and made the rest prisoners except some few Horse with whom he fled to Chaves where he Dyed of the Wounds he had received 3. D. Roderick de Castro D. Roderick de Castro in the Province of Beira who by reason of sickness had been absent Returning to his Government of part of the Province of Beira sent Captain Francis Naper with 100 Horse and Orders to lay himself close in ambush Two Leagues from Cuidad Rodrigo whence he was to detatch a small party to drive the cattle about that City that so 4 Troops which were in Garrison there might be drawn into the Snare He Executed his Orders so successfully that the Spaniards disorderly pursuing the detached Party he fell in and cut off 30 of them putting the rest to flight The Enemy revenged this misfortune upon the poor Country People killing many unarmed in return for which cruelty D. Roderick with 600 Foot and 200 Horse marched to Sabugo a Town Two Leagues from Cuidad Rodrigo of about 300 Houses which he plundered and burnt down to the ground The Spaniards assembling a good Body pursued him retreating but he drawing up at their approach they marched off After this D. Roderick joyning his Forces with D. Sancho Manueâ— who Governed the other part of the Province they both together burnt many open Towns in the Territory of Cuidad Rodrigo and returned with a considerable booty That part of the Province which was subject to D. Sancho Manuel was this Year free from any acts of hostility 4. The affairs of Portugal both at Rome and in France continued in the same posture we left them the last Year Francis de Sousâ— Coutinho still continued in Holland much hated by that People The Dutch prepare to make War upon Portugal who looked upon him as a Faithless man for the many assurances he had given them of the Kings quitting Pernambuco which they saw took no Effect Nor was the King and Councill better satisfied with him because of the great Expence he made and small Success of his Negotiation At length the States Ordered Francis de Sousa to depart being resolved to declare War against Portugal to which purpose they fitted up 25 Sail in Zealand sent supplies to Pernambuco and ordered 12 Ships carrying 2800 Souldiers for that Coast Not long after they directed Francis Coutinho to obtain a new Commission from the King for that they had important matters to Treat with him about He Acquainted the King with it and D. John de Menezes who was appointed to succeed him dying he continued there till the following Year Antony de Sousa de Macedo at this time Embassador in England was Ordered to withdraw from that Court that he might not be a witness to the most infamous act that ever subjects committed against their lawfull Sovereign in the unparalelled Murder of King Charles the I. 5. Whilst these things hapned in Europe Progress of the Portuguese A 〈…〉 s in Brazil the Forces at Pernambuco were not idle Sigismund Vanscop as has been said was Arrived at Arrecife and now the Besieged began to think of some Enterprize On the other side Francis Barreto though weak still lived in hopes for he had promise of succours from Bahia and was informed from Lisbon that the King had settled a West-India Company like that of Holland Francis Barreto omitted nothing on his part that could tend to the compassing of his Design Collonel Brink Commanded the Dutch under Vanscop and some Italians that deserted from the Portugueses informing him how weak they were he obtained leave to march into the Field to undertake some considerable Enterprize and dâ—sposed all things in order to it Barreto having notice thereof gathered all his Men that were dispersed repaired his Works ordered the Bridge of St. Bartholomew to be fortified and all the people that attended their Plantations to be ready upon the first Alarm On the 18th of February Collonel Brink marched out with 5000 Foot 700 Pioniers and six pieces of Cannon guarded by 300 Sea-men and advanced towards the Fort Barreta whence without halting they departed towards the Mountains Gararapes upon advice hereof Barreto called a Council of War in which it was resolved to follow and give them Battle and accordingly he set out with 2600 Portugueses Blacks and Indians About four in the Afternoon they reached the Mountains Gararapes and found the Enemy posted on some of them with Guards in the Valleys Some were for Charging them immediately but because the Men were weary it was put off till the next day That Night many of the Inhabitants that were dispersed about the Countrey reinforced the Camp Morning discovered the Enemy in the same posts as the day before and Francis Barreto was resolved to expect they should Attack him Thus they continued till about One in the Afternoon when the Dutch beginning to move Barreto sent Collonel Andrew Vidal along the side of a Hill to possess himself of the Top. John Fernandez Vieyra with 800 Men advanced along the plain betwixt the Hills Both of them met with vigorous opposition but their example animating the Men they put the Enemy to flight in both places Thence they marched at the same time to beat the Enemy from the Top of a Hill which Collonel Brink himself maintained in which place they advanced not much till Brink being shot dead his Men were dismayed and then all fled outright The Portugueses pursued as far as the Fort Barreta the dispute having lasted from two of Clock till eight at Night Of the victors 47 were killed and above 200 were wounded of the Dutch above 2000 were left dead in the Field and among them Collonel Brink the Prisoners and wounded Men were yet more numerous The Dutch Standard 10 Colours six pieces of Cannon and a great quantity of Arms Ammunition and Provisions were taken Francis Barreto having no more Men than just sufficed to carry on the Siege undertook no other Action this Year On the 4th of November sailed from Lisbon to Bahia the first Fleet set out by the new Company The Count de Castello Melhor appointed Governour of Brazil Commanded it and Peter Jaques de Magallaens was to bring it back 6. D. Gaston Coutinho Tangier and India still continued Governour of Tangier and had some small rencounters with the Moors but no Action hapned of moment He repaired the Walls of the City cleared the ditch and settled there the Redemption of Captives which till then was managed at Ceuta In November he resigned the Government to D. Luis Lâ—bo da Sylveyra Baron of Alvito and returned to Lisbon At Marzagao there was nothing remarkable this Year except the death of the Governour The King appointed Nunho da Cunha da Costa to succeed him Neither doth India afford us any thing because the Truce continued with the Dutch and D. Philip Mascarenhas the Vice-Roy was in
amity with the Indian Kings Anno 1650. 1. THE Province of Alentejo still continued under the Government of the Count de St. Lorenzo Whilst he made the necessary preparations to oppose the Enemy The Princes Rupert and Maurice fly to Lisbon from the English and are protected It hapned that the Princes Rupert and Maurice Sons to the Count Palatin put into Lisbon flying before the Fleet of the English which Anchored before the Bar. King John generously resolving to protect the two Princes ordered the Count de St. Lorenzo to send to Lisbon three Regiments of Foot and 200 Horse The want of these Troops in the Province was supplied by the Militia The Spaniards understanding that the Frontier Garrisons were weakned sent all their Horse to lie in wait for the Garrison of Olivenza who by Night without being discovered posted themselves in the Olive-Gardens about the place John Homem Cardâ—so going out in the Morning with his Troop to discover on a sudden perceived his retreat was cut off However he was no way dismayed but closing his Ranks and joyning Captain William Lanier a French-Man who supported him he resolutely forced his way through the Enemies Squadrons and recovered the Town without any considerable loss The Spaniards returned to Badajoz Some days after the Count de St. Lorenzo sent Tamericourt with 800 Horse to attempt somewhat against the Garrison of that City Giles Vaz Lobo who led the Van with 50 Horse Attacked the discoverers that came from the Town and pursued them to the Gates taking 20 of them which done they drew off and the next day Tamericourt routed two Troops between Badajoz and Albuquerque Winter drawing on the Count de St. Lorenzo procured leave to return to Court and the Camp-Master-General D. John de Costa governed the Province in his absence He received intelligence that the Spaniards assembled their Troops and threatned the Territory of Castello de Vide and Portalegre Andrew de Albuquerque General of Horse was sent to oppose them who laying himself close in ambush at Melrisso sent out 40 Horse to Charge the advanced Parties of the Spaniards which they did and retired to their Body But the Spaniards suspecting the Design would not pursue them and the Portugues Troops rising out of their ambush the Enemy thought not fit to encounter them but retired leaving their prey which was restored to the Countrey people Of the Spaniards in the pursuit 124 were taken and among them a Captain of Horse and some sutlers Not content with this D. John de Costa marched with 2000 Foot and 1800 Horse sending Tamericourt before with 600 Horse to plunder the Towns of Arroyo and Malpartida ordering him to make his Retreat so leasurely that the Enemy might assemble their Forces He executed it according to his Orders and was pursued by a great Body of Horse and Foot and under the Command of D. Alvaro de Viveros General of the Spanish Horse who perceiving Tamericourt was supported by D. John de Costa with so strong a Party retired without doing any thing D. John de Costa pursued him for some space but to no effect and Winter being now advanced he had not the opportunity of undertaking any considerable Enterprize 2. The Province between the Rivers Duero and Minho Small incursions made by the Spaniards afforded not any matter for History That of Tras os Montes governed by the Count de Atouguia had not any considerable Action Only the Count de St. Estevan who Commanded the Spaniards on those Frontiers gathered his Forces as if he designed some considerable Enterprize but understanding the Count de Atouguia was in a good posture to receive him he contented himself with burning two small Towns and dismissed his Troops to their several Garrisons After this a Party of the Enemy consisting of 1000 Men made an incursion from Monterey and ravaged a part of the neighbouring Countrey driving away a considerable booty The Count de Atouguia upon the first notice hereof marched out with a small number and meeting a Party of the Spaniards easily put them to the root the rest retired with precipitation to Monterey D. Roderick de Castro and D. Sancho Manuel betwixt whom the Government of the Province of Beira was divided as we have seen before were both this Year employed in raising Forces the former for Alentejo to make up for those that had been sent thence to Lisbon to oppose the English and the latter to secure the Conquests in India Both of them had some reincounters with the Spaniards who broke into their Territories and they also made some incursions upon the Enemy for the most part with success But all these Actions being performed by small Parties and much alike to what have been already related to particularize them all would swell to a Volume and will only serve to tire the Reader wherefore I have thought fit to pass by most of them The last expedition of D. Sancho this Year was the taking and burning the Town of Huelga abandoned by the Inhabitants who secured themselves in a Tower Hence he returned home with a considerable booty which he had gathered in the neighbouring Countrey without meeting the least opposition 3. This Year proved unfortunate at Sea Antony Tellez de Menezes Count de Villapouca having resigned the Government of Brazil to the Count de Castello Melhor set sail for Lisbon with the Men of War that had carried the latter Peter Jaques de Magalhaens Admiral of the West-India Company Fleet set out at the same time with 18 Men of War and 80 Merchant-men Having made the length of the Tercera Islands such a Storm arose that four of the King's Ships were cast away and in them Antony Tellez de Sylva with most of the Men. The Count de Villapouca and Peter Jaques with the Ships under his Command arrived safe in Lisbon and brought a considerable return for the great expences the Company had been at The Princes Rupert and Maurice as was said at the beginning of this Year having put into the River of Lisbon and Blake Admiral of the English in pursuit of them coming to an Anchor at Cascaes it was debated in Council The Princes Rupert and Maurice with a Portuguese Squadron put to Sea and return without fighting whether the Princes should be protected and after hearing all that could be said on bothsides the King generously resolved on the Affirmative Blake resolving to Attack them in the Port the King fitted out 13 Men of War under the Command of Antony de Siqueira Varajao an old Soldier The two Princes joyning this Squadron they put to Sea to meet the Enemy having Orders to Fight betwixt the two Capes but the Enemy upon their approach standing to Sea they returned into the Port without engaging Antony de Siqueira wanted not Enemies to blame him for not Fighting and the King hearkning to them gave his Command to George de Melo who had the Title of General of the Galleys
maintained upon Grass alone so that it was difficult to make Excursions which added much to the great scarcity of Provisions D. Francis de Noronha Governor of Mazagam sent an Ambassy and Presents to the King of Morocco which was by him honourably received and generously returned D. Francis continued in this Command till the Year 1654 during which time nothing remarkable happened there so that we shall not have occasion to make any mention of him This was the last Year of D. Philip Mascarenhas his Vice-Royship in India and in it there was little remarkable only the Chendarraos a vagabond sort of People in the Country of Hidalcan possessed themselves of the Mount or Promontory of Chaul whence they were drove by the Vice-Roy's Order by D. Alvaro de Atayde This Year two Galeons and a Pink sailed from Portugal to India and the Galeon S. Philip built there arrived at Lisbon Anno 1652. 1. THE Prince who as was said returned to Lisbon the latter end of the last Year The Prince made Captain General of all the Forces in Portugal used all possible means to perswade his Father to send him again to the Frontiers but the King jealous of him could not be worked upon At length to conceal his own Jealousie and disappoint that Design of his Son he appointed him Captain General of all the Forces in the Kingdom thaâ— having the Charge of all he might not apply himself to command in any one Province D. John de Costa neveâ— ceased to harrass the Enemies Frontiers bringing iâ— thence considerable Booty In revenge the Spaniardâ— drove a great Prey from the Territory of Telena and though Lieutenant General Tamericourt marched after them with the Troops of Olivenza they being far beforâ— him got safe into Barcarota Before that place was 〈◊〉 large Field encompassed with a Ditch and lying undeâ— the Cannon and small shot of the Town which the Spaâ—niards believed would secure their Prey However Tamaricourt coming to Barcarota dismounted part of hâ—â— Horse and breaking into the Field before day droâ— away all the Cattel without receiving any considerablâ— Loss The Spaniards sallyed out upon him but suddeâ—â—ly retired and he marching off with the Booty restâ—â—red it to the Country People Neither was he less suâ—â—cessful a few days after when engaging the Troops of Badajoz he took the Spanish Lieutenant General of Horse D. Francis Hibarra with other Officers and 120 Horses The Prince being now Generalissimo sent his Orders to all the Provinces of the Kingdom absolutely forbidding any Incursions to be made for the future into the Spanish Frontiers D. John de Costa upon receipt of this Order replyed to it shewing how disadvantagious it was to the Kingdom by reason of the great Benefit reaped by those inroads for he in the space of two Years had destroyed above 1400 of the Spanish Horse having scarce lost 100 of his own Besides he looked upon this as so great a check to his Authority that he desired leave to lay down his Command The Prince being well satisfyed of D. John's Zeal and Fidelity recalled his Order and the King gave him the Title of Earl of Soure He to appear worthy of this Honour endeavoured to make amends by his Conduct for what he wanted in Strength To this purpose he secretly gathered 1500 Horse from the Neighbouring Garrisons which Lieutenant General Tamericour and Commissary General Duquesne divided betwixt them With these Troops they passed the River Guadiana and lay close in the Wood near Badajoz In the Morning a Squadron of Horse issuing out of the Town according to Custom they were drove back by some of our Troops Fresh Troops seconded the Enemy from the City and they kept in play till D. Alvaro de Viveros took the Field with all the Horse of that place and having drawn them up advanced further then was thought convenient for the safety of the Town Duquesne who was nearest thinking it now time moved towards him with more Courage than Order The Spanish General halted and bravely stood the Charge in which Duquesne received three Wounds and Captain Sancho Dias was kill'd with several Soldiers the rest of the Troops missing their Commander retired with Precipitation Tamericour perceiving this Disorder charged furiously with his formost Troops which being too open in their Ranks made but little Impression but those in the Rear coming up behaved themselves with such Bravery that after a long Dispute they broke the Enemy The Troops of Duquesne and part of those with Tamericour being wholly blinded by the Dust fled to Olivenza believing the rest were cut off Tamericour rallyed the rest marched off with above 200 Horses he had taken from the Prisoners among whom was a Captain of Horse and other Officers The Count de Soure being a strict observer of Discipline commended those that had behaved themselves well and severely checked those that had fled giving the King also a particular Account of the Merits of the former and Demerits of the latter 2. The Viscount de Villa Nova Governor of the Province betwixt Duero and Minho still continued in perfect Tranquility nothing happening in his Command but that Captain Labar a valiant French-Man disorderly with a party of Horse charging another of the Enemy was himself killed and most of his Men wounded The Province Tras os Montes governed by the Count de Antouguia by consent of both Parties was for several Months free from Action Some small Incursions were afterwards made on both sides but none of Note The King having now chose the Count de Penaguiao his Lord Chamberlain to go Ambassador into England appointed the Count de Atouguia to execute his Office and John Mendez de Vasconcellos was sent in his place to govern the Province The most remarkable Action performed this Year by D. Roderick de Castro in his Division of the Province of Beyra was the burning of the Town of Martiago Some Actions in Beira which contained 300 Houses the other Enterprizes were too small to merit any place here D. Sancho Manuel who commanded in the other part of Beyra understanding that a Troop of the Enemies was quartered at Lobeyros and had twice repulsed parties of the Portuguese Militia that ravaged the Country thereabouts ordered the Cornet Dominick Homen with 40 chosen Men to lye in wait for them He sent before some of the Militia to drive the Cattel the Spanish Troop backed by a company of Foot immediately rushed out upon them but the Ensign who was at hand furiously falling in upon the Foot broke them and with the same Success routed the Horse killing many and taking several Prisoners This Success was soon ballanced by a greater disaster for D. Sancho being informed that the Spaniards gathered a great Power in order to break into his Province and not being in a condition to oppose them he thought to divert them by making at the same time an inroad into their Frontiers hoping he might retire to places of safety
before they could intercept him With this Design he gathered 350 Foot and 200 Horse and marching to Segura sent before Captain Gaspar de Tavora with 140 Horse to drive the Cattle about Sacravim which done he had orders ro retire to Collonel John Fialho who should expect him with 60 Horse and the rest of the Foot at a place called Salto near the River Lagao Gaspar de Tavora executed his Orders with such expedition that by Noon he had joyned John Fiallo But the Spaniards having notice of D. Sancho's March no sooner entred Portugal then they turned back and marching towards their Town of Carza by which the Portugueses must of necessity pass appeared before John Fialho when least he expected it with 600 Horse and as many Foot He covering his Horse with the Foot retired in good order for above a League till coming to a Pass the Enemy drew up before him Necessity now obliging him to charge them he fell with such Bravery upon the 600 Foot that he absolutely broke them but in the mean while the 600 Spanish Horse charging his 200 now divided from their Foot after some short dispute overpowered and totally routed them The Enemy pursued their Advantage and John Fialho rallying his Foot recovered an advantagious Post to defend himself The Enemy ceased their pursuit in care for their Foot which had been overthrown and return'd to compleat their Victory by destroying John Fialho and his party He had as was said gained an advantagious post but having spent all his Ammunition was made Prisoner with all the Officers of Horse and Foot 140 Horse escaped the rest with all the Foot were either killed or taken After this Disaster D. Sancho Manuel retired to Idanha Nova and garrisoned the Frontiers with the Militia writing to the Prince for supplies which were soon sent him Being recruited and joyning his Forces with those of D. Roderick de Castro he resolved to revenge the late Affront by surpising the City Coria They marched with 1500 Foot and 700 Horse some Petards and other necessaries for such an Enterprize but the distance being great they could not come before the City till after day However having divided their Foot they attacked the Suburbs in two places which they entered plunder'd and burnt which done seeing no possibility of forcing the City they retired and each returned to his Province 3. The troubles of France increasing rendred all Foreign Negotiations so uncertain at that Court that Francis de Sousa Coutinho having obtained leave of the King came to Portugal leaving D. Felicianus Dourado Secretary of the Embassy to Reside there during his absence At this time there was held at Paris a Synod of Bishops Endeavours used for obtaining Bishops but in vain to whose Consideration King John recommended the finding of some expedient for prevailing with the Pope to precognize the Bishops of Portugal They used their utmost endeavours but the Spanish Interest still prevailing nothing could be done at this time Antony de Sousa de Macedo having obtained leave of the King to quit the Embassy of Holland D. Antony Rapozo Succeeded him in that employ He made it his business to heighten the misunderstanding betwixt the English and Dutch because the latter having sustained great losses by the War they were engaged in with the former were thereby disabled from sending succours to Pernambuco The King at the same time considering how advantageous the Friendship of England might prove to his Affairs resolved to send an Ambassador thither and pitched upon the Count de Penaguiao for that employ as we have said before 4. Francis Barreto Francis Barreto his further Actions in Brazil the General of Pernambuco continued the Siege of Arrecife with considerable resolution hoping at length to reduce the Besieged whose only hope consisted in the succours they expected from Holland The first part of the Year passed without any memorable Action In May Francis Barreto ordered Major Antony Diaz Cardozo with 400 Men to lie close in ambush and send out parties to endeavour to draw the Garrisons of the Forts Barreta and Affogados into the snare The Major posset himself of the post assigned him without being discovered and sending out certain small Parties drew out the Enemy as he had designed but the number of the Hollanders being greater than had been expected the Fight continued doubtful for above an hour at length the Dutch were routed and fled to their Forts leaving the Field covered with dead Bodies After this Barreto being informed that the Enemy had laid up great store of Brazil-Wood and other Commodities at Rio Grande in order to be transported into Holland he sent thither the Collonel Andrew Vidal with 300 Men who burnt their wood wasted all the Countrey and returned with a great booty and many Prisoners The Dutch had in those Seas 50 sail of Ships from 20 to 30 Guns but so ill Manned and Equipped for want of supplies from Holland that tho' they met the Portuguese Brazil-Fleet and fought it yet after a short dispute they were forced to retire without any Prize and the Fleet arrived safe at Lisbon on the 26th of October 5. We left the Baron de Alvito The Spaniards try the Governour of Tangier without success Governour of Tangier labouring under great scarcity of Provisions the last Year He had not as yet received any relief from Lisbon which being known at Ceuta D. John Soares who Commanded there for the Spaniards hoping their wants might reduce that Garrison to revolt from their King sent two Brigantines and a Bark thither ordering the Commander of the Bark to enter the Port and convey the Letters he had writ for that purpose to the Baron and other Men of note This being put in execution the Baron read the Letters which were to perswade him to submit himself to the King of Spain with promise of great Rewards or else to offer him safe passage to Lisbon The Baron whose Loyalty was not shaken having in vain endeavoured to draw those in the Bark a-shoar caused another to be fitted out in which went several resolute Gentlemen with Fire-Arms and Orders to Attack the Enemies Bark when they should approach to receive the Letter they expected The Barks coming together they fired killed three of the Spaniards and carried the rest Prisoners to the City This Action so exasperated the Spaniards that they sent three Ships to interrupt any relief that might be designed for Tangier but the Baron ordering the Vessels that came from Lisbon to be detained in Algarve till further advice from him the Enemy quitted their station and gave way to five Caravels with Provisions to relieve that City The Baron being informed that certain Captive Moors in the Town had by intelligence with those abroad agreed to let themselves down the Wall of the old Town near which the others were to lie hid in order to receive them he ordered three Soldiers habited like Moors to be let down and when
Portuguese General who ought to have immediately past the River and invested the Town then unprovided missed his Opportunity by setting down before the Fort of St. Christopher This Fort is seated on a Hill on the further Bank of the River from the Town and about a Musquet shot from the City being a regular Fortification after the modern manner D. Ventura de Tarragona General of the Artillery commanded in the Fort. The Portugueses immediately possessed themselves of two Hills on each of which there was a small redoubt on which they planted their Cannon and thence battered the Fort. Next day they opened their Trenches and carryed them on with great Application the Besieged on their side doing all that could be expected for their Defence in which they made many vigorous Sallies in one whereof after a hot Dispute they drove the Besiegers before them with much Slaughter and destroyed their Works However the Besieged soon repaired the Works and began to press the place which obliged the Duke of St. German to send in all haste for two Regiments that were in Andaluzia one of Spaniards commanded by the Marquess of Lancarote the other of Irish under the commnnd of Collonel Walter Dungan who was afterwards Earl of Limerick These two Regiments the Spanish General had decreed should relieve the Fort which began to be distressed but the Portuguese had appointed 6000 chosen Men to be always in readiness to oppose such Attempts and had broke the Line of Communication betwixt the Foot of the Bridge and the Fort by which supplies used to come from the Town so that this same was now an Obstacle against those that were to succour the Besieged Thus the Fort was reduced to the last Extremity This moved the Spanish General to order a Spanish Major with two Captains and 160 Men to attempt breaking through the Enemies Line which they most resolutely performed and got into the Fort. No sooner were they entred but D. Ventura the Governor commanded them to attack the Besiegers in the redoubt they had possessed themselves of but this answered not their former Success for being overpowered by the multitude of Enemies the Major was killed one of the Captains shot through the Arm and such of the Men as could escape fled in disorder to the Fort. Hereupon the Governor sent to acquaint the Duke that he could not hold out 24 Hours unless he was considerably reinforced so as to be able to remove the Besiegers from the Posts they had possessed themselves of Immediately the Duke ordered the Marquess of Lanzarote with 800 of the best Men and some Voluntiers to march to the Relief of the Fort and to recover the two redoubts It was a desperate piece of Service for such a handful of Men to attempt against such a multitude yet they charged with such Fury that having brokâ— through the Enemies Line and being supported by 〈◊〉 sally from the Fort they gained the redoubts and drove the Enemy from their Camp This Success cost the Marquess his Life however though the Portugueses twice attempted to recover their loss they were both times repulsed and at last forced to desist John Mendoz de Vasconcellos the Portuguese General The Siege raised from before the Castle and layed to Badajoz having spent a whole Month before this place without any Success but with great loss and despairing of carrying it resolved now at last to removed and lay Siege to the Town He had before sent over some Troops to invest 〈◊〉 place and work upon the Lines but now he marched over and bent his whole Force against it The first considerable Action in this Siege was the taking of two Hills which the Spaniards had fortifyed and strongly garrisoned John Mendez attacked them with all his Forces and after a sharp dispute in which he lost many Men made himself master of them the Defendants being all killed or taken Next â—e assaulted the Fort of St. Gabriel which being but weakly Manned was easily carryed But he found not the reducing of the Fort of St. Michael a work of so much ease for Collonel Dungan who commanded there defended it with extraordinary Bravery till it was no longer tenable and then surrendered it upon Articles when the Besiegers had lost 1800 Men before it and among them many Persons of note Having made himself master of this Fort John Mendez finished his Lines encompassing the whole Town with them which before the reduction of these Forts he could not do Then he began to batter the Place to cast in Bombs and to press the Besieged on all sides Within the Town much harm was done by the Enemies shot but scarcity of Provisions and Diseases proceeding from ill Food were more terrible then all other Dangers and now no hope remained but in the relief they expected from without The News of this Siege being brought to Madrid highly incensed the multitude and perplexed the Council in which at length it was decreed that D. Luis de Haro the King's Favourite and prime Minister of State should march in Person with all the Forces he could gather to the relief of the Town The Spanish Army advances to relieve Badajoz Accordingly he immediately set forward with a gallant train of Voluntiers and came to Merida where the Rendesvouz of the Army was appointed His Army consisted of 12000 Foot and 3500 Horse The Duke of St. German being informed of D. Luis's Arrival at Merida resolved to meet him at that place and having in order to it forced the Lines of the Besiegers he broke through with 1000 Horse and arrived safe 〈◊〉 Merida Thence the Spanish Army marched with aâ— possible Speed to the relief of the Besieged but thâ— Portuguese General not thinking it prudent to exposâ— his Army now much diminished and harrassed to the Enemy who came fresh into the Field drew off in the Night and retired hastily into Portugal D. Luis de Hâ—ro the next day entered the Town in triumphant manner Having given the necessary Orders for repairing the Damage done by the Enemy D. Luis marched with his Army now increased to 13000 Foot and near 6000 Horse into the Frontiers of Portugal burning and destroying all where he came as he did the Town and Castle of Villa Buim Thence though contrary to the advice of the Duke of St. German because Winter drew on he marched to Elvas and laid Siege to that place The Town is seated on a Hill of difficult Ascent and was then under the Government of Sancho Manuel 〈◊〉 resolute and fortunate Commander The first attemâ—â— of the Spaniards was upon the Monastery of St. Francis standing within Musquet shot of the Town which though well defended they made themselves masters of as also of the Church of Santangracia seated on a Hilâ— without the Town This done they fell to work upon their Lines and took their Posts about the Town Nothing was omitted by the Governour that might conduce to a vigorous Defence but the Besiegers by
he sent out a party of Horse to Almeida which the Duke perceiving charged and there 〈…〉 a â—ot dispute the Portugueses giving way and drawing on the Enemy till the rest of their Forces came up with them Thus the Fight was protracted till the gross of both Bodies came to Engage and then the Spanish Horse gave ground and had been utterly routed had not the Count de Bouette stood firm with his Troops and given those that fled time to Rally But the Duke perceiving there was no likelihood of standing the shock of the Portugueses sent a Squadron of Horse to fall into their Camp which they understanding drew back to secure their works and the Spaniards design being no other than to discharge themselves of them both parties as it were by consent returned to their Camps The execution on both sides was equal in all about 800 Horse fell but not so many Foot This drawn battle was the last neither side being desirous too far to provoke the other However the Duke finished the Fort he had begun into which he put a strong garrison under the Command of D. Gregorio Tapia Thus ended the Action of this Year with the Year it self Anno 1664. 1. NO sooner the Spring begun to open then the Portuguese Army to repair to their general Rendesvouze at Estremoz Being assembled to the number of 15000 Foot and 4000 Horse under the Command of the Count de Castanheda they marched into the Frontiers of Castile with a Resolution to besiege Valencia de Alcantara a place strong by Nature but not regularly fortifyed In their way they spent some days upon the Banks of the River Caia about the Bridge of Badajoz shewing themselves there as it were to provoke the Enemy to Battle D. John of Austria who was then in that City had a sufficient Body of Horse but neither Foot enough nor any store of Ammunition to encounter the Portuguese having lost all the foregoing Summer However to do what the time would permit he caused all the Frontier Towns to be strongly Garrisoned and his Horse to attend the motions of the Portuguese Army so as to keep them from straying to waste the Country but not to hazard an Engagement The Count de Castanhedâ— besieges Vaâ—lencia de Acantâ—â—â— The Count after a few days marched and invested Valencia This Town is seated upon a cragged and rocky Ground by it runs a rapid Stream and on its North side is a large plain it had no modern Fortification as was said before however some new Works lately cast up added to the Natural Scituation of the place rendred it of a considerable Strength Fabritius Rossa an Italian of known Valour and Conduct was Governour of the Place and had with him a resolute Garrison of Spaniards and Italians The Count de Castanheda perceiving the strength of the Place and resolution of the Garrison resolved formally to besiege it and to that purpose possessing himself of the Monastery of St. Francis which was within Cannon shot of the Wall planted there his first Battery and then raised several others in convenient Places Mean while D. John of Austria being in care for the Town sent D. James Correa with all the Horse either to attempt putting some Succour into the Town if he found an Opportunity or at least by his Presence to encourage the Defendants Correa having marched up to the Portuguese Lines and finding them in a posture to receive him attempted nothing but wheeled off again and marched back till Night over-took him Then having ordered his Troops to halt he sent out Count Bouette with a Party to bring in some Provisions for his wearyed Men. The Count being departed a sudden cloud of Dust which arose being driven by the strength of the Wind so terrified the Spaniards who imagined the whole Portuguese Army was coming upon them that they dispersed and fled about all the Hills casting away their Arms and leaving their Baggage so that all their Commander James Correa could do was not of any effect to bring them again into a Body Count Bouette returning with the Provisions he had gather'd found only the scatter'd Baggage and marks of their flight whereupon he went after and having overtaken them in the Morning they returned together with dishonour to Badajoz But the Count de Castanheda making use of his time and having now made several Breaches in the Walls fit for an assault sent to summons the Governor to surrender in time since all hope of Relief was vanished and the place was in no condition to hold out The Governour to gain time entred upon a Treaty but proposed such high Terms that they were scornfully rejected by the Portugues and immediately the Batteries were renewed with more fierceness than before Then followed a furious Assault which the besieged stood with such undaunte Resolution that after a great slaughter on both sides the Portugueses were compelled to give it over This repulse moved the Count to carry on his Works more deliberately and endeavour to spare the Blood of his Soldiers But it was not long before Ammunition began to grow scarce in the Town which obliged the Governor to hearken to a Capitulation offered him by the Portuguese for fear least they becoming sensible of his want should afterwards impose harder Conditions upon him However though the Proposal was most grateful yet he carryed himself very high and would not seem to comply but upon powerful Arguments and Perswasions At length after much debate it was concluded Valencia taken by the Portuguese General that besides all other Honourable Conditions the Governour should be allowed to send to D. John of Austria for Relief and that if he were not then relieved he should surrender the Town In the mean while all Hostilities were to cease and a Messenger having brought this account to D. John he sent D. James Correa with 3000 Foot and what Horse he had to attempt to succour the Town but he being much inferiour in all respects to the Besiegers thought not fit to expose his small Forces to certain Destruction After the expiration of the four Days the Governour delivered up the Place marching out with his Garrison upon as honoâ—â—â—le Conditions as he could himself demand 2. Whilst D. John of Austria's Credit daily decreased on account of these many losses The Duke of Ossuna assâ—ults Castel Rodrigo and is repulsed the Duke of Ossuna thought it fit to raise his own Reputation In order hereto he marched to Castel Rodrigo a Portuguese Town encompassed with an old but strong Wall and several Out-works yet better secured by the Courage and Experience of its Governour John Ferreira who had there in Garrison a Regiment of tryed Valour This place the Duke hoped to have carryed by Storm but having been several times beaten off with great loss he sate down quietly before it with 7000 Foot sending about his Horse to gather Provisions After a few days lying still as if he had no
further design against the Place he marched off that he might the better surprize the Garrison for in the dead of a dark Night he returned again attempted to scale the Walls where the Watch was negligently kept yet being discovered and the Town taking the Alarm he was beaten off and no hope left of prevailing either by an Assault or Surprize Both these Designs failing he resolved upon a formal Siege and accordingly raised his Batteries whence he shook and ruined the Walls with his heavy Cannon Peter Jaques de Magallaens who commanded the Portuguese Forces in those Parts and to whom the defence of that Garrison belonged having gathered all the Forces of that Province marched with speed to its relief and posted himself on a Hill opposite to the Town so disposing his Troops that the Enemy could not judge of their number hoping thereby to move them to raise the Siege which fell out as he expected for the Duke not being able to judge of his Strength thought not good to expose himself to uncertainties and therefore drew off from the Place Peter Jaques having gained this Point resolved to pursue the Enemy and force him to a Battle before he received the Reinforcement he expected from D. John It was no hard matter to draw the Duke to a Battle he being a Man that relyed more upon Chance and Fortune then Prudence and Conduct therefore as soon as he perceived the Portugueses were not superiour to him in number he chose his Ground and drew up his Men. Both parties being disposed for the Fight the Spaniards made the first onsâ—â— advancing hastily and Firing but their Precipitation◠〈◊〉 them into Disorder which the Portugueses taking the advantage of they fell in with their Horse and Foot and in a moment put them to the rout The Duke overthrown by Peter Jaques de Magallaens The Duke who had rather play the part of a Soldier then a General having in person several times charged the Enemy seeing himself almost abandoned by his own People and beset by his Adversaries at last saved himself by Flight Of the Spaniards about 2000 were killed and near 500 taken of the Portugueses 800 were lost All the Spaniards Baggage and Cannon with the Duke's Equippage were taken This Action was performed about the beginning of the Summer afterwards the Heats increasing and both Parties being sufficiently worn and tired they retired into quarters of Refreshment and nothing more happened worth the relating let us therefore pass on to the ensuing Year Anno 1665. 1. WE are now drawing to the end of this tedious War and though betwixt the death of King John and the Conclusion of the Peace there happened several things remarkable enough in the Civil Government yet I have thought fit not to interrupt the Series of Marshal Affairs now drawing to a Period but rather to put an end to the course of these extern contentions and when I come to relate the intestine Troubles and Confusions then at once to sum up those Accidents that preceded in order to them that then the Reader may with the more ease to his Memory take first a view of the whole War and next of the strange Catastrophe that ensued with all the previous Accidents tending to it 2. Before the main Armies could take the Field both parties ceased not to infest their Enemies Frontiers with frequent Incursions But for the most part these Actions were inconsiderable A Body of Spanish Horse routed being rather like Robberies then publick Hostilities The first Action of moment we find this Year was an incursion made by 1000 Portuguese Horse towards Badajoz plundering and burning all the Country before them Count Marsini at this time commanded on the Spanish Frontiers who upon the news of the Spoil made by the Portugueses commanded D. James Correa General of the Horse with 500 Men to oppose the Enemy Correa after representing the weakness of that number having received a check for his seasonable Advice marched out The Portugueses were then dispersed but hearing of the Approach of the Enemy assembled their Troops and having lay'd part of them in Ambush with the remainder charged the Spaniards who meeting less opposition then they had expected thought themselves secure of the Victory till being encompassed by those that rose out of the Ambush most of them were either killed or taken D. James Correa with those few that could escape fled to Badajoz not much troubled at his loss because he had been contrary to his Judgment and Advice sent upon the Action with so small a Force 3. Whether it was that the Portugueses were resolved to stand upon the Defensive and therefore spared their Forces The Marquess of Caracena General of the Spaniards or that the Difficulties their new rising Kingdom labour'd under would not permit them to be so forward as the Enemy is hard to determine but certain it is the Spaniards were generally the first that took the Field So this Year the Marquess of Caracena who with a general Applause for his good Service in Italy and the Low-Countries had been appointed General for this War having taken a review of his Army which he found to consist of 12000 Foot and about 6500 Horse marched into Portugal with a full Resolution to besiege Villaviciosa This Town is the antient Seat and Patrimony of the Dukes of Braganza and is properly called Villaviciosa because of the pleasantness of the Air the fruitfulness of the Soil the beauty of its Forrests and other Delights wherewith that Territory abounds The Town it self is seated on a high Hill and is divided into three parts The first which is in the nature of a Suburb contains several Monasteries many Inhabitants and the stately House of the Duke of Braganza To this joyns the Town encompassed with an old Wall but little inhabited Above all stands the Castle well enough fortifyed for that time having a Ditch a covered Way a Half-Moon and other Works Christopher Brito was at this time Governor of the place and had under him several expert Commanders and 1000 Garrison Soldiers besides the Towns-men that were fit to bear Arms. As soon as Brito understood the Enemy advanced towards him he secured and strengthened three strong Posts without the Walls viz. the Duke of Braganza's House which was built like a Castle The Marquess of Caracena besieges Villaviciosa the Fort of St. Benedict and the Gate called No. Eighteen Companies of Spanish Musquetiers immediately assaulted these three Posts at the same time with much Bravery but they were all three with no less Valour made good by the Defendants However Brito considering those places were too far remote from the Town to be kept without great hazard of weakning his main Strength drew off his Men the Night following and abandoned them As soon as Day appeared the Spaniards commanded by Roderick Moxica entred the Houses next to the Town without any Opposition all that were able to bear Arms being
withdrawn into the Town Here the Soldiers committed all the Outrages that could be expected from the cruellest Enemy sparing neither Sex nor Age ravishing Women and prophaning even the Churches till some religious Men who had made their Escape giving an account of these barbarous Proceedings to the Marquess of Carazena he took Order to cure this Licentiousness of the Soldiers Being thus possessed of the Suburb the Marquess planted his Cannon against the Town but being impatient of delay he assaulted the Wall with Scaling Ladders and at the same time applyed a Petard to one of the Gates yet all in Vain for he met with such vigorous Resistance that he was compelled to draw off his Men. Next he applyed himself to undermining but the Earth being unfit this Work proved more prejudicial to him than to the Besieged At last having made some Breaches in the Walls the Italian Foot were ordered to mount them which they performed with as much Gallantry as could be imagined but those who to divert the Besieged were to Scale the Walls being easily repulsed with great Loss by reason their Ladders were too short and all the Strength of the besieged making good the breaches all that the Italians could do was to lodge themselves under the Walls In the Mean while the Spaniards who besieged the Castle were not Idle but having battered it gave a most furious assault tho' with no better success than the Italians had done yet with greater slaughter on both sides In this Action Brito the Governour received three wounds and lost several Officers and Soldiers of good Note After these repulses the Marquess proceeded cautiously yet never ceasing to batter the works with his Cannon At length receiving intelligence that the Portugues Army was upon it's march from Estremoz to relieve the place least he should find his Forces divided betwixt the Town and the Castle he resolved to bend his whole strength against the Town and to leave the Castle for another time However least the besieged should have the opportunity of relieving the Town from the Castle he commanded the Spanish Foot to attack the palisade of the Castle whilst the Italians gave the General assault to the Town This Action was very hot both parties being obstinately set down not to give way but at last Valour must give place to number and the Italians having gained the tops of the Walls and breaches such of the defendants as escaped were forced to retire into the Castle Nothing being now left the besieged but the Castle the Marquess sent to Summons the Governour to Surrender threatning the danger of delay who nevertheless sent the messenger back with a very slight answer The Marquess being now wholly intent upon taking the Castle raifed a battery against it upon the top of the Church dedicated to the Conception of our Blessed-Lady 4. Whilst the Castle was thus prest by the Spaniards the Count Castanheda General of the Portugues Army The Count de Castanheda the Portugueses General advances to relieve Villaviciosa advancing to its relief sent Francis Carneiro a Captain of Foot with only two Soldiers who with an unparallelled boldness rode through the besiegers to give the governour an account of the approaching relief and the two Souldiers with the same bravery and success returned to their General with the News of what they had done In the next place the Count called a Council of War to consult whether it were fit to hazard a battle where it was unanimously decreed to Fight the Enemy The Count being joyful at this universal agreement sent presently a Trâ—mpeter to advertise the Marquess of Carazena of his approach and to let him know now pleasing it was to him to give battle to so great a General The Marquess looked upon this message only as a bravado and sent back an answer accordingly then calling a Councel of War after sundry opinions had been heard the Marquess his opinion prevailed which was to give the Enemy battle This done he made choice of a Plain below the Castle whether he marched with his Army leaving 1500 Foot which he judged a sufficient strength to keep in the besieged 5. Near to Villaviciosa is a Plain commonly called the Plain of Montesclaros The Battle of Montesclaros encompassed about with Hills and Rocky cliffs but pleasant and diversifyed with Trees and Vineyards and full of ditches and other impediments to Armies Into this Plain the Portugueses came first leading 16000 Foot and 6000 Horse The Spaniard was much weaker having lost many men in the siege besides those he had left at the Castle The Marquess of Carazena knowing the nearer the Enemy drew to him the more advantagious the ground was for him because there was not Room to spread abroad he caused his men to possess themselves of that ground his Foot stretched out keeping the side of the Mountain and his Horse marching in the Plain on the Left This his celerity did not a little startle the Count of Castanhena for that his Foot and Artillery were not as yet come up and he feared to be Forced to engage before they could reach him but Count Schomberg upon advice from him hastning their march delivered him from this perplexity The Marquess drew up his Foot in two Lines the Horse because the ground would allow no more Front were drawn up in five the Spanish Horse had the Right wing the Forreigners the Left In the Portugues Army almost all the Horse were on the Right and the Foot on the Left the nature of the place not allowing the Horse to be imbattled on both wings yet among the Horse were disposed some Companies of chosen Foot That wing which consisted only of Foot was in two Lines yet all was so contrived that the Horse could speedily relieve the Foot or the Foot the Horse as occasion required Things being in this posture after the Canon had played The Marquess Commands Alexander Prince of Parma General of the Forreign Horse to charge the Portugues Right wing which he performed with such Valour and fury that he drove the first Line of the Portugueses in great disorder upon their Rear The Spaniards having in the pursuit broke their Ranks fell in upon the pikes of the Foot that had been mixed with the Horse which sorely galling them quite changed the Face of Affairs for whilst they Laboured to extricate themselves from that peril the Horse who before had fled rallying charged them afresh They that before thought themselves victorious being thus pressed on all sides began to give way and fall into disorder Then Count Rabata who Commanded the German Horse seeing them just ready to fly rode up a in Rage and upbraiding the cowardize of his men brought them on to the Charge afresh The Prince of Parma also rallying those that were dispersed the battle was again renewed and the Portugueses charged more fiercely than at the first onset insomuch that the Spaniards prevailed driving their Enemies and the