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
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
Viriatus his several Victories over the Romans with his last Actions Death and place of Burial 1. THE Renowned Viriatus who as has been said escap'd from the Massacre committed by Galba in the three Vallies was a Lusitanian without the mixture of any other Nation Some Authors say he was a common Robber Viriatus his Original others will have him a Carrier others a Sheperd and lastly others say he went through all these mean Employments Whatsoever he was before at the time that Galba offered Peace to the Lusitanians and Murdered so many in Cold Blood he was one of them that were willing to hearken to his Proposals and made his escape from the Slaughter His mind burning with desire of Revenge as soon as he heard that Galba was departed he returned to the place of the Massacre where causing his Companions to thrust their Hands into the yet fresh wounds of some Maidens they swore by their Souls not to desist from seeking Revenge as long as they were able to bear Arms. This done Viriatus ranging throughout Lusitania stirred up the People raised a good Body of Men and breaking into Carpertania destroy'd all as he went and returned home with a rich Booty Then he caused his followers to reiterate the Oath they had taken Sacrificing one of their Prisoners and a Horse and so every Man passing by thrust his Hand into the Belly of each Sacrifice vowing to do the like to the Roman Army 2. It was now the beginning of the Year 148 before the coming of Christ 3114 from the Creation and 2281 from the Deluge when the Pretor Marcus Vetilius a Man of known Valour came to suppress the Tumults in Lusitania Viriatus with 10000 Fighting Men was entring Andaluzia rather as every Mans Companion than Commander as not daring to chastise them with his Example and good Words endeavoured to draw back those that scattered to Plunder but his Men not subject to Command could not be contained within Bounds which the Pretor perceiving he he fell upon them He is worsted by M. Vetilius and having killed a great number easily put the rest to flight Viriatus gathering the remains of his scattered Forces fled to a City near and there provided to oppose the Enemy It was not long before the Romans came and assaulted the City but finding they had sustained great loss the Pretor resolved to carry it by a long Siege So far had he prevailed that some principal Men among the Besieged began to treat of a Surrender without consulting Viriatus for as yet they owned him not for their Superiour Viriatus understanding there was such a design but not who were the Managers of it having in a raging Posture ran about and in that manner gathered the Multitude to him so efficaciously perswaded them to stand upon their Defence and to have no Faith in the Romans that they lifted him upon their Shoulders and carrying him about the Walls with loud crys Proclaimed him their General 3. The next day after he was proclaimed General Viriatus drew out 1000 Horse which was all he had and facing the Romans made show as if he designed to break through them which Vetilius the Pretor perceiving he kept his Men in a readiness to receive him But Viriatus's design being only to amuze the Enemy whilst his Foot escaped out of the City he continued in the same Posture the greatest part of the day At length understanding there was no Man left in the City all his Foot being got into the Mountains he stood the Enemies Charge and kept them in play till Night when through by-ways he hasted to the City Tribola whether he had sent his Foot This City stood upon the Coast between the Mouth of Guadiana and Gibraltar whence may be inferred that the other whence he came was not far off Vetilius in the Morning followed Viriatus who having by the way increased his Forces lay in wait on the Mountains that hung over a Valley into which there were two narrow Passes capable of only three Horsemen going in abreast Into this place the Romans entred without fear and turning their Horses to grass took themselves to their rest Viriatus giving the Sign to his Men to fall on the Romans on a sudden found themselves beset on all sides and being unarmed armed Vetilius Routed and Slain were put to the Sword without Mercy Among them dyed the Pretor his Questor with such as escaped the Slaughter and some Andaluzians thinking to Revenge this Disgrace engaging with Viriatus lost 10000 Men. The next Year Viriatus with Fire and Sword ranged all Carpentania as far as Toledo 147. without meeting any Opposition Thus was he employed when Caius Plaucius the Roman General who came to Command in Lusitania with 10000 Foot and 1300 Horse thought to have surprized him and his Men being now mostly dispersed about in burning the Country Viriatus tho weak kept the Romans in play still retiring till getting into the Mountains on a sudden they had lost him Plaucius sent 4000 Men to pursue and impede his March till he could come up with the rest of the Army but he turning upon them cut them all off before the Pretor could Relieve them and having gained the Ford of Tagus speedily passed over it and returned into Lusitania Viriatus having gathered Strength encamped in a strong place now called Pomares near Evora whither Plaucius followed him and was so received that his whole Army turned their Backs Viriatus defeats Plaucius The Pretor fought with much Bravery and with his Example brought back his Men but all in vain for they were again put to flight and Plaucius himself with difficulty escaped 4. Now was Viriatus master of the Field ranging about Spain 146. and the Romans shut up in their Garisons when Claudius Vnimanus a most expert Captain was sent by the Senate to command in Lusitania He Overthrows Cl. Unimanus Viriatus Marching with a strong Body of Lusitanians the Pretor with a mighty Army met him but soon found how little confidence was to be placed in a Heartless Multitude for in the Field of Ourique he was overthrown scarce any of his Army escaping Death or Bondage This done Viriatus returned Victorious into Lusitania In the mean while Vnimanus sent to Cajus Nigidius the Pretor of the other Province to give the Enemy a diversion He entred the Territory of Riba de Coa and marched along the River destroying all before him Viriatus with all speed made towards him and overtook him near to the City Viseo where Nigidius in a plain strongly intrenched himself There Viriatus kept him besieged till Hunger forcing him to break out Nigidius escapes from him with Loss he with Difficulty escaped having lost the best part of his Army and all his Ensigns About 1000 of those that fled gathering together began to plunder the Villages as they passed and meeting 300 Lusitanians laden with Booty fell upon them But they were so hotly
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
40000 Horse of them incamped on the Spanish Coast 200000 Foot and 40000 Horse of the Moors land in Spain The King's Army consisted of 120000 Foot and 10000 Horse a sufficient number had they been well Armed and Disciplined Men he Encamped betwixt Xeres and Medina Sidonia leaving the Sea open at the Enemies backs whereby they received Succours Upon Saturday the 1st of September in the fatal Year 714. the two Armies came in sight of one another The King's Army consisted of 120000 Foot and 10000 Horse That day was spent in taking up their Lodgments along the River Guadalete on Sunday with the day began the Battle which continued very Bloody till Night parted them all the Week the fight continued still renewed with the Day as it was broke off by the Night 714. King Roderick appeared in all parts in his Royal Robes A great and bloody Battle over his Armour he wore a rich Garment a Crown on his Head a Scepter in his Hand on his Feet Golden Buskins set with Pearl and precious Stones he was carried in a high Ivory Chariot as was the manner of the Gothish Kings in Battle and thence encouraged his Men who the 2d Sunday began to faint The King perceiving them give way left his Chariot and mounting upon a Horse he called Orelia rushed couragiously into the thickest of his Enemies making them give way to his Valour The Spaniards overthrown The Spaniards encouraged at this sight came on so vigorously that the Battle for some time continued doubtful but at Sun-setting the Vigour of our Men quite failing Victory appeared on the Enemies side and the Darkness gave the Christians an opportunity to fly 5. I cannot forbear remarking how fatal the number Eight has appeared upon this occasion A remark upon the number Eight Eight days the fight lasted Eight months the Barbarians spent in subduing all Spain and 800 Years it cost the Spaniards to recover it The King seeing he laboured in vain fled to a Mountain where he changed his Apparel with a Shepherd In this condition he came to the Monastery of Cauliniana two Leagues from Merida on the Banks of the River Guadiana Here overcome with Trouble and Sorrow for his Sins he fell into a Swoun and was brought to himself by one Romanus a Holy Monk With him he fled into Portugal where they took up their Habitation on a Rock upon the Sea Coast near the Town of Pederneira They took two different Cells about a Mile from one another where both of them ended their Days Here as is said was found an Image of our Blessed Lady in the Time of Alonso our first King and a Tomb with this Inscription HIC REQUIESCIT RUDERICUS ULTIMUS REX GOTHORUM that is Here reposes Roderick the last King of the Goths Thus far our Author Emanuel de Faria setting down this as an approved and undoubted Opinion But many others and those of good Note reject this as fabulous most Men agreeing that King Roderick was drowned in the River Gundalete where most of his Royal Apparel was found he being never after heard of Many more strange Stories have been spread abroad as it commonly happens in such Cases where the Bodies of Princes in such Universal Calamities are not found but they are rather Romantick than Historical and therefore not fit for any but least of all for the Brevity of this History After the Victory The Moors over-run all Spain the Moores spread themselves over all the Province committing inhumane Barbarities not without losing in several Rencounters during the eight Months of their Conquest 80000 Men besides 20000 before slain in the great Battel The chief Resistance was made at Merida The Defendants whereof many were Portugueses that being then the supream Tribunal of Lusitania were commanded by Sacaru a Noble Goth. Many brave Actions passed at the Siege but at length there being no Hopes of Relief and Provisions failing the Town was surrender'd upon Articles The Commander of the Lusitanians with such as would follow him traversing Portugal came to a Sea-port Town where gathering a good Number of Ships he put to Sea but to what part of the World they were carried does not appear There is an antient Fable of an Island called Antilia in the Western Ocean inhabited by Portugueses which could never yet be found and therefore we will leave it till such time as it is discovered but to this Place our Author supposes these Portugueses to have been driven Fortune having now wholly forsaken Spain the Moores easily over-ran all that remained as far as the River Minho under the Command of Abdalaziz Son to Muza Yet the Andaluzians and Lusitanians Muza being absent rose up in Arms and put to the Sword the Moorish Garrisons of Sevil Beja and Ilipula which done being assembled to a great Number they took Merida by Force killing all they found therein Muza who was then at Zaragosa hasted to quell this Commotion which was easily done Merida he spared Sevil suffered much at Ilipula there was not one Stone left upon another but what he did at Beja is not known though it may be supposed not to have escaped having been the Place of Rendesvouz for the People of Sevil. 7. The famous Actions of D. Pelayo Pelagius the first that opposed the Moors or Pelagius and the miserable Ends of Count Julian his Wife and Daughter the principal Actors in this Tragedy are treated of in the Chronicles of those Kingdoms to which they appertain Pelagius during the 19 Years he reigned had no Command in Portugal where the Moors were so predominant that there were as many Kings as Cities But because the Actions of Pelagius were so great in themselves and in the Consequence of them we will give some Hints of what others write at large Pelagius was in the great Battel with his Cousin-German King Roderick After which he fled with 1000 Christians to Asturias de Oviedo where he took Shelter in a vast Cave now called Covadonga among the Mountains of Auseva and was in that miserable Condition by his Men proclaimed King of Spain a mighty Title for so poor a Beginning and yet here began those Victories which in the Space of 800 Years recovered all Spain Pelagius had a Sister whose Name is not known but Muza Governor of Gijon in Asturias being taken with her Beauty enjoy'd her upon Promise of Marriage The Desire of Revenging this Wrong first moved Pelagius to appear in Arms Thus it fell out that as one Lady was the Cause of the Destruction of Spain so another was the Motive of its Restauration Pelagius was the Son of Favila Duke of Cantabria Third Son of King Chindasuindus and of his Wife D. Luz the Daughter of Theodofredus Duke of Cordova and Brother to Favila He was born at Toledo and bred at Alcantara by Grafes Brother to the Lady Luz his Mother This was the first King that we find had the Title of Don annexed
this exploit among them was one Henry of Bonneville near 〈◊〉 at whose Tomb in the Church of St. Vincent many Miracles are reported to have been wrought many others were buried where now is the Church called that of the Martyrs from those that were buried there The King according 〈◊〉 what had been before agreed offered to the Strangers half the City but they satisfied with the Booty and some other rewards departed to prosecute their holy designs â—or to their own Countries Such as would stay had Lands assigned them many other strong places were taken soon after in this current of the King 's good Fortune 1148. the chief of them were Mafra Almada Palmela Cintra Obidos Trancoso Alenquer Serpa Beja Elvas Coruche and Cezimbra Thus the Pride of the Mahometans began to be humbled and this Christian Kingdom to lift up its head CHAP. III. Continues the mighty Actions of the victorious King Alfonso the Kingdom confirmed to him by the Pope his Death issue and description all from the Year 1148. till 1185. 1. SInce we cannot give the particulars of all the Heroical Actions of this King Alonso overthrows the Moors with a handfull of Men. let us at least in two of them represent somewhat of the grandeur of the rest He sat down before Aleazar do Sal with a small handful of Men 500 Moorish Horse and 10000 Foot came to raise the Siege whom he went out to meet with only 60 Horse and a proportionable number of Foot With this small Body he put his Enemies to flight but was himself wounded in the Leg most misfortunes always lighting upon his Legs ever since his Mother laid that Curse on him as was said before After this Victory returning to the Siege he took it at the end of two Monâ—hs this done he went with 60 Lances and a few Cross-bow-men to take a view of the Fortress on the Rock of Palmela Being before the place he discovered the King of Badajoz coming down a Hill with 400 Horse and 60000 Foot Another like exploit but without any order Our King lay a while betwixt certain Rocks out of sight considering their disorderly march whilst his Company meditated on their Numbers At length breaking out suddenly with that handful he soon covered the Hill with dead Bodies and the Infidels believing a greater Army had followed fled in confusion leaving all their Baggage to a few above 60 Conquerors Palmela upon the News of this defeat immediatly surrendred upon only promise of Life 1160. The City Tuy left him by his Father and now revolted he reduced to his Obedience and at the same time concluded a match for his Daughter Mafalda then 12 Years of Age with Raymund Prince of Catalonia 2. Some time before he had subdued the City Beja after a tedious Siege but the Moors who are faithful no longer than compelled by necessity finding now a fit opportunity 1162. rebelled Certain valiant Commanders imitating the example of their King assaulted this place by Night with such resolution and so unexpectedly that they carried it making great slaughter among the Inhabitants A Gentleman of Quality called Giraldus living like an outlaw on account of certain crimes he had committed A number of Christian Out-laws 〈◊〉 Evora entred into hopes of regaining the King's Favour by some extraordinary action Considering therefore that the City Evora was not guarded by the Infidels with that circumspection that was requisite at such a time he resolved to surprize it There was a Watch-tower where the Centinel was kept by a Moor and his Daughter by turns Giraldus knowing this Scales the Tower alone and killing both Father and Daughter who were asleep returns with their heads to his Men being 500 Horse and a good number of Foot They encouraged by this success scaled the Walls then unguarded and breaking open one of the Gates let in their Companions Thus with a mighty slaughter made of the Inhabitants the City was gained The King not only Pardoned but Rewarded all those Out-laws and made their Captain Governour of the City 3 King Alonso thus become terrible to the Moors fell at variance with his Son-in-law Ferdinand the Second King of Leon 1168. and thereupon entred Galiciâ— in the 75th year of his Age. War with Leon. Here he took the Towns of Lima and Turon and putting Portuguese Garrisons into them turned his Forces against Badajoz then a tributary City to the King of Leon. This City he assaulted and entred but not the Castle Mean while King Ferdinand came to defend that place which fell within the limits of his Conquest The Portuguese Army encountring him in the Field King Alonso put to flight breaks his Leg fulfilling his Mothers curse when he put Fetters upon her was overthrown and King Alonso forced to fly into the City whence thinking to make his escape he struck his Leg against a bolt of the Gate so violently that he broke it and here his Mothers Curse reached him fully Nor was that all for in that condition he was taken by the King of Leon who treated him with extraordinary courtesy and was content that he should restore to him only such places as he had wrongfully taken in Galicia and Leon tho' he offered others in Portugal Our Author will not allow that King Alonso promised any acknowledgment to the Crown of Leon for his Dominions but all Spanish Authors are positive he did Certain it is that from henceforward he remained lame so that he never after could ride a Horseback but was carried in a Chariot 4. The King had some time since taken the City Beja but it was soon after lost Gonzalo Mendez de Maya called the Combatant 1170. about this time made a Road into the territory of Beja where was a great body of Moors under the Command of Almoâ—â—â—mar a Soldier of Reputation These two Bodies encountred and Maya remained Master of the Field scarce had he vanquished this Enemy when he was met by Alboazem King of Tangier who was coming to the assistance of the vanquished The fight was renewed on the same spot of Ground and a second Victory added to the former Maya was 95 Years of Age when he obtained these two Victories but died immediately of the Wounds he had received which made his Army return home in mornful manner Albaraque King of Sevil made bold by the King's lameness 〈…〉 Santarem by the Moors 〈…〉 drawing a vast multitude out of Andaluzia presumed not only to wast the Country beyond Tagus but to set down before Santarem where the King then in the 88th Year of his Age reposed himself he caused himself to be carried out in his Chariot to give the Besiegers Battle The fight was so obstinate he was forced to quit his Chariot and appear at the head of his Men with his Sword in Hand Hereat his Soldiers took so much Courage that they soon put their Enemies to the rout with a great slaughter
used to make Excursions and Ravage all the Neighbouring Country The young Prince gave good proof of his Valour at this Siege and became Master of the place by plain force King Sancho perceiving his Son to be worthy to continue the race of Portuguese Kings gave him to Wife Vrraca Daughter to Alonso VIII of Castile The Bride and Bridegroom could not lawfully be Married without a Dispensation being Cousins in the fourth degree of Consanguinity yet without any they had a Son the following Year 1208. 1208. King Sancho lived but four Years after and our Prince succeeded him being then Twenty Six Years of Age. The first thing he did was to give the Town of Avis to the Military Order of that Name Ferdinand Yâ—nez being the Master of it who removed thence from Evora where he had resided till then 2. King Sancho perceiving that his Son Alonso did not well agree with his Brothers and Sisters as he left him the Crown so he provided for them giving the Brothers Money and Jewels and to their Sisters the Towns of Alenquer and Aveiras King Alonso attacks the Towns given by his Father to his Sisters King Alonso not satisfyed with the Crown pretended his Father could not alienate any Towns from it to give to his Sisters The Brothers fearing his Power fled Ferdinand to Castile and Peter to Leon and then to Morocco The Sisters Fortifying the Towns left them by their Father provoked their Brother who by force of Armes took the Town of Aveiras This done he sent Forces to Besiege Alenquer and sat down himself before Montemayor These Sieges lasted four Months the King of Leon who had Married Teresa Sister to our King forced him to quit that Enterprize He marched with Prince Peter through the Province between Duero and Minho wasting all that Country and besieged King Alonso as he lay before Montemayor He is routted by the King of Leon. Much Blood was shed and all the Country ruined but at last coming to a Battle our King was Worsted and the victorious Army in their return took the Towns of Valencia Melgazo Fulgoso and Freixa with other places of less Note which they Plundered and Burnt what they could not carry away The Portuguese in the absence of the King of Leon again provoked him to send his Forces Martin Sanchez Brother to our King but offended at him commanded the Army of Leon being that King's Lieutenant All things being in readiness to give Battle he refused to Fight against his natural Prince in Person who being informed thereof with-drew himself to the City Porto The Army left to Engage Martin Sanchez was commanded by Mendo Gonzalez de Soufa John Perez de Maya and Giles Vasquez de Soverosa The King being gone the Fight began in which singular acts of valour were performed D. John Perez de Maya with his Lance overthrew seven Horsemen Recovering defeats the Army of Leon. in short the Portuguese obtained the Victory in the Plain called Vareza betwixt Duero and Minho The second day they Engaged near Braga and the third hard by Guimaraens with the like success so that the Enemy retired into Galicia These and the like misfortunes moved the Sisters to sollicite Pope Innocent III. to interpose his Apostolical Authority to oblige the King to do them Justice Nevertheless the Power of the Sword prevailed beyond Equity or Spiritual Weapons 3. Ten Years were spent in these Domestick Broiles He is reconciled to his Brethren at the end of which the King was in some measure reconciled to his Brethren and had leasure to attend other Enterprizes from which Civil Discord had diverted him Though he could not go in Person to the famous Battle of Navas in Castile against the Infidels he sent some Forces under the Command of Gemez Ramires Our King being now disposed to advance his Conquests on the Infidels Heaven ordered it so that a Fleet of 100 Sail from the North under the Command of Walter de Avesnes was drove by stress of Weather into the River Tagus The King ordered the Bishop to relieve and cherish them and then both perswaded them to give their helping hand towards the gaining of Alcazar do Sal. The King being hindred by Sickness sent the Bishop General of 20000 Portuguese who marched by Land whilst the Strangers steered the same course at Sea At the first attacks many fell on both sides but the Besieged fearing so great Power sent advice of their distress to the Kings of Badajoz Jaen Sevil and Cordova who came to their relief with 15000 Horse and 40000 Foot besides 10 Gallies well provided Providence ordered it so that at the same time Thirty Sail of French and Flemings arrived at Setuval these immediately moved to aid the Christians who gave the Enemy Battle whilst another part attacked the Town All the first day the Christians had the worst but the next renewing their strength and courage they obtained an absolute Victory with the slaughter of 30000 Infidels and two of the Kings supposed to be those of Badajoz and Cordova because the other two soon after appeared before Elvas A bright Cross carried like the Standard of a Troop of Angels with White Garments crossed with Red is said to have been seen this day in the Air not only by the Christians but by the Infidels themselves several of them confessing it after the Battle The Victors prosecuted the Siege and carried on a Mine which being discovered by the Defendants much Blood was shed under Ground at length the Town was taken on St. Luke's Day and the Governour having seen the strange signs mentioned in the Sky became a Christian 4. The Kings of Sevil and Jaen The Moors vanquished at Elvas with a numerous Army Encamped before the City Elvas confiding they should carry it by their Multitude Our King disappointed their expectation giving them Battle and overthrowing them in open Field after which he entred Andaluzia victorious overruning that Province with Fire and Sword This done he returned home in Triumph and his Army laden with Plunder this Action so daunted the Infidels that they never after invaded that part of the Country Nevertheless Moura and Serpa were soon after Besieged by the Moors but they were forced from both places with great loss by the King in Person Out of the last Engagement he was drawn almost stifled being very corpulent and oppressed with the heat of the Weather and weight of his Armour Afterwards he overthrew the King of Badajoz near Alcozer killing 30000 of his Men. He â—et 〈◊〉 a Fleet to Sea for the War in the Holy Land To be short in all his undertakings he came off with Honour as became the Son and Grandson of such a Father and Grand-father Many other his Warlike Exploits are Buried in Oblivion 5. Of the excellency of his politick Government there are sufficient Testimonies Till his time this Kingdom was Governed according to the private Laws of every Town Laws are
of the Nobles contrived that D. John might escape yet the King was so watchful they were disappointed 6. The King of Portugal War betwixt Castile and Portugal impatient of longer Disappointments sent a Challenge to him of Castile grounded upon these Reasons That he treated ill the Queen his Wife that he gave out he would be divorced from her and Marry the Lady Ellenor de Guzman that he designed to declare Peter her Son his Heir and that he hindred the Princess Constance from going into Portugal While his Embassador executed his Commission he made all manner of Warlike Preparations both by Sea and Land He laid Siege to Badajoz and at the same time his Parties ravaged all the Country about Arauna Aroncha and Cortegana The Siege being tedious the King left sufficient Forces to continue it and he with the rest of the Army over-ran a great part of Andaluzia as far as Sevil which done he returned to the Siege His Brother Count Peter did the like in Galicia the Archbishop and other Commanders in vain endeavouring to oppose him Numerous Forces were raising in Castile to relieve Badajoz when the King considering the difficulty of the Enterprize and that Peter Alonso one of his Officers had been defeated raised the Siege and returned dissatisfied to Portugal But whilst he prepared to return thither stronger than before the Queen without his knowledge went away to Badajoz where the King of Castile her Son-in-law then was thinking her Prayers might prevail with him to desist from War and comply with her Husband The King received her with Respect but demanded such Conditions as he knew could not be granted Scarce was she gone from Badajoz when the Castilian followed as far as Elvas ravaging all the Country Two days he spent Plundering that Territory and then laid Siege to Aronchez but understanding that the Portuguese Parties infested the Neighbourhood of Xerez Badajoz Burguillos and Alconchel he removed to meet them Not meeting with them he besieged Olivenca and being taken with an Ague was forced to depart and return to Sevil leaving his Forces to do all the harm they could Some Troops under the Command of the Brothers Ferdinand and John Roiz de Castro pillaged all the Country betwixt the Rivers Duero and Minho till being met by the Archbishop of Braga with 1400 Portugueses D. John de Castro was killed with 300 of his Men and a great Booty recovered At Sea 20 Galleys carrying 2000 Men put into Lepte in Andaluzia where they landed Plundering the Country and being met by D. Nunno Portocarrero there ensued a hot Fight between them in which 26 Portugueses and 80 Castilians were killed Camello the Portuguese General was taken and by the Portugueses two Castilian Commanders for whom he was exchanged The Castilians set out 40 Sail to Revenge this Affront but a Storm dispersed and wrecked both Fleets Another Portuguese Squadron commanded by Misser Emanuel Pissano a Genoese had spoiled the Coast of Galicia and was now again sent against the Spanish Fleet that did no less harm in the Kingdom of Algarve They met about Cape S. Vincent and fought with extraordinary Resolution till the Portuguese Admiral and many more were taken and the Castilian returned Victorious to Sevil. At the same time Ferdinand Arraez lying in Ambush took 70 Portugueses and killed 180. 7. Our King King Alonso enters Castile with an Army leaving an Army to Besiege Salvaterra pierced as far as Orense destroying all before him whilst Peter Fernandez de Castro who commanded on those Frontiers for the King of Castile refused to oppose him on pretence of the Favours he had received from him and his Father The Castilian always ready to take Revenge with 10000 Horse and a number of Foot broke into Algarve and having in vain besieged Castro Marin laid waste without Mercy all the Country along that Coast 1337. Pope Benedict XII sent Bernard Bishop of Rhodes his Nuncio to endeavour to bring these two Kings to some Accommodation Philip the Fourth King of France sent the Archbishop of Rheims upon the same Errand The Castilian turned them over to Portugal and the Portuguese to Castile Both were desirous of Peace but neither would ask it The Portuguese carried himself highest with the Nuncio At length a Truce was concluded for a Year A Truce for a Year After much Debate the Pope was chosen Arbitrator betwixt them but the Castilian fearing the Revolt of his Nobles and an Invasion from Africk required of the Portuguese to send his Embassadors to him and they would agree without going so far as Rome 1340. or Avignon Hereupon three Embassadors were sent from Portugal who meeting with the Commissioners of Castile concluded a Peace upon these Conditions That all Places taken since the War and Prisoners on both sides should be restored That neither without consent of the other should make Peace with the Moorish King Banarin That the Princess Constance should be permitted to go into Portugal That the Princess Blanch being unfit for Wedlock should return into Castile That all former Articles should continue in force That the King of Castile should restore all due State to his Queen and put away the Lady Ellenor Nunnez The Castilian performed all Points except putting away the Lady Ellenor yet he behaved himself better towards the Queen 8. Aliboacem Alonso in Person aids the Castilian against the Moors King of Morocco being about to pass into Spain as being sent for by the Moorish King of Granada the Castilian sent his Queen to ask Succours of her Father the King of Portugal who immediately marched thither in Person with a better disciplined than numerous Army The King of Castile having notice hereof visited him at Jurumenna in Portugal Our King was received at Sevil by the Clergy singing Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini Here a Council of War was held to consult whether it were fit to fight the Moors who besieged Tarifa and were an innumerable Multitude or no. While some were of Opinion to yield Tarifa to them our King's Opinion prevailed that the Place should be relieved All the Mountains and Plains about Tarifa were covered with multitudes of Infidels yet the King of Castile was overjoyed to understand they had resolved to give the Mahometan Battle Both the Christian Kings advanced and passed the River Guadalete Being there joyned by some Troops that were not before come up on Sunday the 27th of October they marched to Penna de Cuervo where they first discovered the Barbarians covering all the Land as far as they could see It was agreed the Castilian should attack the King of Morocco who lay along the Shoar and the Portuguese him of Granada that was at the Foot of the Mountain On Monday the 28th at break of Day the Army heard Mass many received the Sacrament and the Archbishop of Toledo exhorted them to expose their Lives in Defence of the Faith Being come before their Enemies
both Kings made short Speeches to their Men. This done the Armies engaged with such terrible shouts that the Mountains seemed to shake Nor was the noise of clattering of Arms less hideous Vast numbers of Dead were soon trod under foot and the wounded in that Confusion were scarce sensible of their hurts The two Christian Kings overthrow the Infidels Our King rushing into the midst of the Enemies made such havock that the Moors soon turned their backs and fled to Algezira the Portugueses making a greater slaughter in the Pursuit than they had done in the Fight The King of Castile with no less Bravery thrust himself into the midst of his Enemies till stopp'd in his rash Carreer by the Archbishop of Toledo Yet so did he press Aliboacem that despairing of Success he fled to Algezira and not thinking himself safe there passed the Streights over into Africk Both the Christian Princes followed the Chace as far as the Rivers Britabotellas and Guadamicil which they dyed with the Blood of Infidels 9. Queen Fatima with many other Moorish Ladies were killed by the Soldiers in their Tents Some Princes also died and two were taken The quantity and value of the Booty is not to be expressed The number of the Infidels and greatness of the Booty for they came to divide Spain among them and brought over above 100000 Families besides their innumerable Army all which was so great that they spent five Months in passing the Streights sixty Galleys being continually employ'd in Transporting them and twelve Galleys were fifteen days in carrying back the Remnants of this Overthrow 450000 Infidels are said to have died in this Battle Of the Christians so few were missing that it will be scarce credited if the Number were reported The Victorious Kings entred Sevil in Triumph the chiefest of the Captives dragging the Colours that were taken Many Carts followed laden with Spoil and then a multitude of Moorish Horses with all their Accoutrements Several Colours and Horses were sent for a Present to Pope Benedict The seventh day after the Victory the Portuguese being obliged to return home the Castilian laid all the Booty before him to take what he liked best whereof he only took some Arms one of the Captive Princes 1347. and five Colours The Prince he released without Ransom Eâ—lenor second Daughter to K. Alonso marry'd to Peter King of Aragon and hung up the Colours in the Cathedral of Lisbon 10. King Peter the Fourth of Aragon by his Embassadors demanded of our King his Second Daughter Ellenor in Marriage His Request was granted and her Portion settled at 50000 Doubloons The King of Castile endeavoured to hinder this Marriage but failing of his Design the Princess was carryed to Valencia and there marryed with great Solemnity 1348. The three following Years Portugal was infested with that Universal Pestilence A great Plague which began by the opening of the Earth after a terrible Earthquake in the Eastern Countries whence issued such a destructive stench as infected those Parts and thence diffused it self into these The Princess Constance dying after she had brought forth three Children our King found that Discord at home which had before drawn him thence He thought to Marry the Prince to strengthen the Succession to the Crown but found he was in Love with the Lady Agnes de Castro a Kinswoman and one of the Ladies to the late Princess and that enjoying her Person he refused a second Wife and enquiring farther into it K. Alonso his Eldest Son privately Marries the Lady Agnes de Castro he was informed they were privately marryed by Giles Bishop of Guarda and yet the Prince fearing his Father's Displeasure denyed it tho' he promised if it were really so to treat her as Princess The Nobility envying the Lady Agnes her Happiness perswaded the King to oblige his Son to Marry another Wife or else to kill her alledging that if she came to be Queen her Brothers Ferdinand and Alvaro would destroy the Princeâ—s Son Ferdinand that one of their Nephews might Inherit the Crown They also said the Lady Agnes was not of sufficient Quality to be a Queen but in this they wronged her for she was of Royal Blood and her Sister came to be Queen of Castile Upon these Pretences her Death was contrived and tho' the Prince had notice given him hereof by the Queen his Mother and the Archbishop of Braga yet he thought none durst attempt such an Action whilst he was in the way The King overcome by Perswasions set out from Monte-Mayor and went to Coimbra with a great number of armed Men at such time as the Prince was gone out a Hunting The Lady Agnes was in the Palace called S. Clare The Lady Agnes cruelly murdered and understanding the King came to kill her went out to receive him and falling at his Feet with the three Children she had bathed them with her Tears This sad Spectacle moved the King and he turned back to depart But those who had perswaded him to this Action the chief whereof were Alvaro Gonçalez James Lopez Pacheco and Peter Coello blamed the King's Remissness and so earnestly pressed him to give them leave to execute what they came about that he condescended and they immediately with more than barbarous Inhumanity struck off her Head 11. The Prince returning from Hunting The Prince begins his Revenge for some time was almost distracted with Rage Being come to himself he began to execute his Revenge destroying all the Country betwixt Duero and Minho where those Cruel Executioners had their Estates with Fire and Sword The City Porto he spared for the sake of the Archbishop who had given him notice of the Design Thus King Alonso's Disobedience towards his Father was now with more Reason punished by his own Son The Prince marched to the Town of Canaveses where the Queen his Mother and the Archbishop met and reduced him to submit to his Father and disband his Followers conditioning that both Parties should Pardon all Offences and that in all Places where the Prince was all Acts of Justice should be performed in his Name It was visible enough that the Prince would some time or other be revenged on the Murderers of the Lady The Murderers fly into Castile therefore the King being near his End advised them before his Death to shift for themselves They thereupon fled to Castile and we shall hereafter see what became of them This was the end of King Alonso an Unnatural Son towards his Father The Death of King Alonso and a Barbarous Father towards his Son Yet he was an excellent King either for Peace or War He coined a new sort of Money called Alfonsines worth in English Money about Three Shillings Many wholesom Laws were instituted by him and his Government was equitable and just He had a large Forehead but with wrinkles in it his Visage long a proportionable Nose a large Mouth his
more Mules than Horses for there were scarce any in the Kingdom and he gave such as could be had The Duke of York advised our King to adhere to Pope Vrban and disown the Anti-Pope Glement which the King willingly complyed with A Schism in the Church The Duke of York's Son contracted to the Princess Beatrix for there being then a Schism in the Church the English would not hear the Masses said by Portuguese Priests because they acknowledged the Anti-Pope Edward the Duke's Son was solemnly contracted to the Princess Beatrix they being both about six Years of Age. Elvas was at that time besieged by the Castilians who hearing of the Arrival of the English raised the Siege and departed The English committed many Outrages in Lisbon and being ordered to March against Castile did no less harm in the Country as they went which was the cause that many of them were cut off by the Pertugueses D. John Alonso Earl of Ourem and the Queen's Brother dying the Queen gave his Title and Honours to her Gallant John Fernandez Andeyro He was a marryed Man and his Wife in Galicia The King to take him from the Queen caused his Wife to come to Court and the Queen endeavoured to gain her with Gifts which she received yet at the same time openly spoke of the Queen whatsoever her Jealousie dictated 5. This Year another Powerful Fleet of Castile from Biscay entred the River Tagus 1382. and meeting no Opposition destroyed some Vessels The Fleet of Castile again ravages the Coast then Landing they burnt three Royal Palaces and ravaged all that Coast At lengh Peter Alvarez Pereyra Prior of Crato with 200 Horse cut off almost all the Party of the Enemy and recovered the Booty they carryed away which was some check to them for the future Nunno Alvarez Pereyra lay in Ambush with 24 Horse and 30 Foot near the Bridge of Alcantara there he put to flight 20 of the Enemy who fled to the Shoar The Enemy increasing to about 250 his Men refused to Engage at such odds and he to draw them on run upon them alone where his Horse fell upon him but his Men coming to his Rescue brought him off the Castilians at the same time retiring to their Vessels The Queen having in Publick rent a Veil in two and given one half to her Gallant John Fernandez Andeyro and the other to Count Gonçalo for that they were sweaty and had no Handkerchiefs to wipe their Faces for it seems they were not then used in Portugal Gonzalo Vasquez de Azevedo her Cousin reproached her with it and she in Revenge accused him and John Bastard Son to the late King of holding Intelligence with the Spaniards Hereupon they were both committed to Prison She contrived to put them to Death but failing in her Projects set them at Liberty and shewed extraordinary Kindness to them both the better to disguise her Practices against them as also since she had failed to destroy them to bind them to her Interest 6. The Master of the Knights of Avis being now at Liberty The English and Portuguese take Towns in Castile joyned with some English and making together 200 Horse and 4000 Foot they marched to Castile and laid Siege to Loboâ— which they took the English being the first that entred Cortijo fell into their hands and was more hardly used for tho the Priests appeared on the Walls with the Blessed Sacrament the English put all to the Sword in Revenge of one of theirs that was killed The Kings of Castile and Portugal were now at the Head of their Armies the former at Badajoz the latter at Elvas ready to decide their Quarrel by Battle King Ferdinand Knighted 24 of his own People and the English but being told he could not tho' a King confer that Honour because he had not received it himself he caused the Duke of York to Knight him and then repeated the Ceremony to those 24 Knights The whole Day was spent by both Armies looking upon each other and at last the one drew back to Badajoz and the other to Elvas What the cause of parting so should be cannot certainly be assigned but some said The Castilian feared the English who had been before victorious in Castile to which the Duke of Lancaster had a good Title and had been once proclaimed by part of the Army Whatever it was a Treaty of Peace was immediately set a foot none knowing who had first moved for it Embassadors being sent on both Sides the Articles were at length agreed upon without the Knowledge of the English Peace concluded without the Knowledge of the English and were first That the Princess Beatrix lately contracted to Edward Son to the Duke of York should marry Prince Ferdinand King John's second Son having before been promised to the eldest But this Match was better liked to prevent the Union of the Two Crowns Secondly That the Twenty two Galleys taken by the Castilians should be restored Thirdly That a general Pardon should be granted on both sides Fourthly That the King of Castile should furnish Ships to carry the English Home as if he had sent for them When these Articles were to have been ratified the Castilian demurred as to restoring the Gallies and sending Home the English The Embassadors hereupon challenged him in their Master's Name and he scornfully answered I did not think he had so much Courage Nevertheless through the Perswasion of the Master of the Knights of Santiago he ratify'd the Peace 7. The Peace was proclaimed at Elvas which made the English rail After the Peace King Ferdinand again submits to the Antipope for that it was concluded without their Knowledge and the King put them off the best he could At this time came to the Court Cardinal Peter de Luna an Aragonian sent by the Anti-Pope Clement requiring King Ferdinand to acknowledge him again for he had cast him off at the Request of the English The King assembled some learned Men and the worst Advice was followed for he again submitted himself to the Schismatical Pope 1383. In the mean while died Ellenor Queen of Castile The King of Castile marries the Daughter of King Ferdinand and King Ferdinand forgetting he refus'd his Daughter to the eldest Son of Castile to prevent Disputes about the Succession now offered her to the Father His Offer was accepted and this Princess at last found a Husband the fifth time she had been contracted For she was first promised to Dâ—ke Frederick secondly to Henry Prince of Castile thirdly to Ferdinand his Brother fourthly to the Duke of York and now lastly to King John She proved a Pattern of Chastity for her Husband dying whilst she was yet very young and being courted by several Princes she answered That Women of Honour did not marry twice The Archbishop of Santiago came to Portugal to receive the Bride the King being then at Salvatierra upon the River Tagus It was agreed
for the Expence of the War with which and some good Troops they returned The Earl of Gijon Bastard-Brother to the King of Castile and Elizabeth his Wife Bastard-Daughter to the late King of Portugal were both secured in Castile on Account of holding Correspondence in Portugal The King and Queen of Castile removed from Puebla de Montalvan to Toledo where against their being proclaimed Standards were made with the Arms of both Kingdoms And now it was debated in Council whether Portugal ought presently to be invaded The wiser sort were for trying all obliging Methods First but the hotter Youths allowed of nothing but force of Arms and this Advice as followed 6. The King marched to the City Guarda which was delivered to him by the Bishop but Alvaro Gil Governour of the Castle would not Surrender The Towns of Cerolico The King of Castile invades Portugal Bedado and Linhares were also put into his Hands Some other Places submitted conditionally that the King should fulfil the Articles of Marriage Queen Ellenor sent to perswade the King to proceed and meet her at Santarem Several Places submitted themselves to him in his way and being come to Santarem the First Resolution of Queen Ellenor was to request he would revenge the 〈◊〉 done to her The K. answered he could not 〈…〉 quarrel unless she would resign up the 〈…〉 which she accordingly did and then they 〈…〉 Town Here the King took 〈…〉 On the right side of the Royal 〈◊〉 were the Arms of Castile and Leon and on the left those of Portugal The Royal Seal ran thus John King of Castile and Leon of Portugal of Toledo c. Money was also coyned after that manner Many of the Nobility adheared to the King of Castile and he was possest of the best Part of the Kingdom but the Multitude generally was inclined to the Bastard D. John Master of the Order of Avis The King of Castile sent D. Peter Fernandez Cabeça de Vaca with 1000 chosen Horse and a proportionable number of Foot to invest Lisbon These Troops being advanced as far as Lumiar John Fernandez Moreyra engaged them with a small Party but was himself Killed with some others many Prisoners were taken and the rest fled And now D. John the Protector marched out to meet the Enemy but they not expecting his coming fled in great disorder to Alenquer and Tâ—rres Vedras leaving all behind them 7. At First the Castilians behaved themselves modestly at Santarem but after a few Days they turned the Inhabitants out of their Houses pillaged them and abused their Wives and Daughters and there being no redress the Town began to be abandoned The Office or chief Rabbi among the Jews being vacant Queen Ellenor begged it of the King for one Man and he gave it to another recommended by his Wife Queen Beatrix This repulse and their different Humours set Queen Ellenor at Variance with the King The King of Castile and Queen Ellenor at Variaâ—â—â— and she now repented her calling him in and resigning the Government into his Hands in so much that she advised many of her Followers to go over to the Master of Avis telling them he was their Natural Lord. The King and Queen went away to Coimbra which City had promised to receive them yet when the King was Quartered in a Monastery without the City A Conspiracy against the King of Castile discovered they refused to admit him Here a Conspiracy was laid to Convey Queen Ellenor into the City and Murder the King This Design was betrayed by a Jew some of the Conspirators fled and Queen Ellenor was sent Prisoner to the Monastery of Tordesillas near Valladolid As soon as the News of Queen Ellenor's imprisonment was brought the Town of Alenquer revolted to the Protector but the King being Re-inforced marched to Besiege Lisbon At Aruda 40 Portuguese hid themselves in a great Cave and Fire being applied to it most of them died Two hid themselves in the House where the King Quartered designing to Murder him but being discovered were Hanged Many Places in the Province of Alentejo held for the Protector and sent to him for one to Command over them he sent Nâ—nho Alvarez Pereyra with an absolute Power who having visited some Places of his Charge and hearing that a great Body of Castilians was upon their March to Besiege the Town of Frontera he hasted with a much smaller number to releive that Place His Men knowing how much more numerous the Enemy was at First refused to follow him but being encouraged by his Resolution they gave the Charge and put the Castilians to the Rout killing many and among them several Persons of Note This done he took Aronches by Force and Alegrete was surrendred to him 8. The Protector understanding that a mighty Fleet was coming from Castile ordered the Archbishop of Braga to over-see the Equipping of his Vessels Lisbon Besieged by Sea and Land which performed with great industry so that Twelve Galleys some Galliots and Seven Ships were fitted out The King of Castile spread his Army about Lisbon where one of his Parties approaching to S. Augustin's Gate was defeated by 200 Horse that Sallied out of the City About the end of May 13 Galleys and 40 Ships of Castile appeared in the River of Lisbon The King drew nearer to the City and encamping at the Foot of Mount Olivet wasted the Country then encompassing it on all sides resolved to Starve it In the mean while a considerable Fleet was setting out at Porto for the relief of Lisbon and the King having notice thereof with the Advice of his Commanders resolved to give the Enemy Battle in the River The Portuguese Fleet consisted of 17 Galleys and as many Ships which entred the River in this order First 5 Ships then the 17 Galleys and after them the other 12 Ships The Portuguese Fleet stops up the River to Lisbon The Castilians furiously assailed the 5 Ships where they met with a most vigorous Opposition yet they took 3 of them but whilst they were intent upon them the rest of the Portuguese slipped by and got safe up the Harbour Soon after the King's Fleet was re-inforced by several Vessels so that now it consisted of 60 Ships and 17 Galleys besides Carracks which made the Protector lay aside all thoughts of engaging 9. The Fort of Almada opposite to Lisbon after enduring great extremities for want of Water was at length Surrendred to the King who entred into that Place on the 1st of August 1384. At this time Ruy Freyre and others discovered to the Protector a Design of betraying the City to the Castilians carried on by D. Peter de Castro Son to Count Alvaro Perez and his Accomplices who were all apprehended Many also deserted to the King and among them D. Alonso Enriquez who at Coimbra had plotted to convey away Queen Ellenor Hunger now began to pinch in Lisbon and was hard to be remedied but that at the
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
the Marquess on the Scaffold had spoke to the people they cried out furiously let him die let him die To which the Marquess answered So the Jews cried out against Christ 4. These Executions having secured the Prince Several Military expeditions he bent all his Thoughts upon War and having to that purpose obtained of the King of France five Colonels of Horse three of Foot and two of Dragoons he ordered them to be ready to march to the Frontiers and raised new Troops to reinforce his Army that lay then before Badajoz However they were otherwise employed for the Council not thinking it expâ—â—â—ent to wast an Army before a Town that did them no 〈◊〉 those Troops that besieged it were recalled to serve elsewhere The first Act of Hostility I meet with betwixt the Spaniards and Portuguese was in the Province of Alentejo near Elvas A Party of Spaniards having broke into that Province exercised all manner of Cruelties to terrifie the People sparing neither Age nor Sex nor even the Churches D. John de Acosta who Commanded at Elvas having notice hereof sent out five Companies of Foot under the Command of Gaspar de Sequeira Manuel These were followed by 400 Men under the Conduct of Luis Mendez de Vasconcellos These being joyned by certain Troops three Leagues from Campo Major marched towards the Spaniards who still continued their Ravages and Charging them killed 200 upon the spot pursuing the rest to the Gates of Badajoz where they took shelter This fortunate beginning was followed by like consequences 600 Spaniards advancing into the Province of Alentejo to surprize the Town of Montalvao Mascarenhas Collonel of a Portuguese Regiment with only four Companies Attacked them before they came to the Town and with such good success that having killed 18 or 20 the rest retired to the Pass on a small River and he fearing some ambush because Night drew on pursued no further In the morning perceiving they were quite gone he followed them as far as the Town of Ferreira in Castile which he Plundered and Burnt without any opposition though it might easily have been defended against a greater power Beyond the Mountains the Spaniards had sacked and Burnt four open Towns to revenge which Lewis Gomez de Figueiredo passed over into Galicia took the Town of Monterey and having pillaged reduced it to Ashes To requite this another party of Spaniards fell into the Countrey about Braganza but the Inhabitants and Soldiers who Quartered thereabouts assembling cut most of them in pieces and then piercing into Castile burnt seven Villages and the Town of Geronda of which they left nothing standing but the Walls At the same time Luis Gomez de Figueiredo with 1500 Foot and 300 Horse fell upon the Marquess of Tarrasona who marched towards Valverde with 2000 of the former and 200 of the latter and after a Fight which lasted about four hours obtained the Victory which had been greater but that Night coming on hindred the pursuit 5. Daily Action more and more incensed the two Nations Other War like exploits and an implacable hatred had taken possession of their hearts so that the Frontiers were never free from slaughter and Rapine D. Gaston Coutinho the Portuguese General being informed that 6000 Spanish Foot and 800 Horse had fortified themselves in two Villages one whereof was in Galicia the other in Portugal he marched with 30 Horse to view them and finding their Works weak enough to be overthrown if Attacked with vigour ordered his Foot to advance A Party of the Enemies Horse that advanced was easily Repulsed which causing some Consternation in the main Body gave time to plant two pieces of Canon against them These two pieces having played some time D. Gaston who had made four Batallions of his Foot courageously assaulted the Works in as many places The Soldiers being as forward in the pursuit of Honour as their Officers nothing could withstand them They forced the Entrenchments took four redoubts entred the place and took all the Baggage but not contenting themselves with this Victory and the gaining of 11 Colours they burnt all the Villages for two Leagues about Above 400 Spaniards were killed upon the place 14 Officers and 70 Soldiers were taken Nor was this all the Portuguese General making his advantage of the Enemies Consternation the next day marched into Galicia and pursuing those that having escaped had fortified themselves in another Village forced them again to retire burnt nine Houses and then returned home with Honour and his Soldiers enriched with Plunder In the mean while Vasco de Azevedo Coutinho and Emanuel de Sousa de Abreu being continually infested by the Excursions of the Spaniards gathered all the Forces they could and marched to Lobos in the Castle of which place the Spaniards always had a safe retreat after committing their ordinary Ravages This Castle they assaulted and carried with the loss only of 22 Men which done they burnt 700 Houses as well in the Town of Lobos as in the neighbouring Villages This was not yet the last stroak of ill fortune the Spaniards felt Martin Alfonso de Mello understanding a great body of them was marched from Badajoz to Attack Olivenza a Town seated on the River Guadiana which parts Spain and Portugal assembled all the Forces he could to relieve that place Being on his March an Express came to him from the Governour giving an account that they had assaulted the Town in two places but met with such a vigorous opposition that they were forced to retire with the loss of 200 Men nevertheless he desired some succour least they should return They accordingly returned hoping to surprize the place feigning themselves a Portuguese Convoy with Provisions yet met they with no better success being again repulsed with the loss of 140 Men. Martin Alphonso still hoped to be able to overtake them in their return but they taking another way than was given out he missed of them and therefore dismissed his Troops to their several Garrisons It was a generally received Opinion throughout all Spain though the Author of it was not known that the Duke of Medina Sidonia The Duke of Medina Sidonia being suspected in Spain Challenges King John held secret Correspondence with the King of Portugal and favoured his Cause The ground of this Suspicion was that King John had to his Queen the Sister of that Duke and upon this Jealousie it is thought the King of Spain talking one Day with the Count Duke de Olivarez complained to him That he had three or four times observed the Family of Guzman was fatal to his Grandeur The Count Duke who was himself of that Family immediately dispatched an Express to the Duke of Medina Sidonia summoning him to appear at Court with all possible Speed He obeyed and being come to Madrid he was perswaded that to clear himself of the imputation of Disloyalty cast upon him he should publish a Manifesto containing a Challenge to the new King of
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
Lamorle with some Troops to draw out the Spaniards of Albuquerque which he managed so dexterously that bringing them into an ambush they were totally routed and 120 Horses taken The Enemy made another Incursion towards Olivenza but as they retired 200 Portuguese Horse Charging them in the Rear recovered all the Booty At this time came to Elvas Martin Alfonso de Melo the new Governour The Baron de Molinguen General of Horse Commanded the Spanish Forces He gathered 1200 Horse and advanced towards Elvas 800 Horse and three Regiments of Foot marched out upon the alarm Martin Alfonso sent the Horse before ordering Andrew de Albuquerque to Attack the Enemy if he found them on this side the Rivers Guadiana or Caya Albuquerque Detached the Commissary-General D. John de Ataide with four Troops and the same Orders D. John finding only a part of the Enemy on this side would not Charge them which Antony Jaques de Payva perceiving he fell on with his Troop but being overpowered his Men fled those with D. John instead of seconding followed their example as did also those that were with Albuquerque The Spaniards pursued till they discovered our Foot and Andrew de Albuquerque rallying his Horse under their shelter when having no Foot they drew off carrying away 40 Prisoners John Paschasius Cosmander our principal Ingenier passing betwixt Estremoz and Elvas was unhappily taken by a Spanish Party The King offered the Count de Singuen in exchange for him but the Spaniards left no methods untried to bring him to their Service till at last they prevailed 2. The Count de Castello Melâ—or Actions betwixt the Rivers Duero and Minho who Governed the Province betwixt the Rivers Duero and Minho Understanding that the Count de S. Estevan General of Galicia was to March with 1500 Foot and 400 Horse to visit the Frontiers sent out of Salvaterra Collonel Francis de Franca Barboza with 450 Foot to possess himself of an Advantageous Post called Maleytas near the River Minho and a Musquet Shot from Salvaterra The Adjutant Labarta was Ordered with 20 Horse to attack the Enemies Scouts and as if he were Overpowered to retire and draw the Enemy within the reach of the Foot Labarta Executed his Orders and was pursued by 5 Battalions of the Enemy With Francis de Franca were 100 Dutch who fled at the sight of the Enemy and many Potugueses followed their example however Francis de Franca with such as stood by him made good his ground till the Spaniards retired The Province Tralos Montes still pteserved its quiet both Parties being inclinable to admit of it Count Seren who Governed Beyra having Obtained Leave to quit that Post the King divided it into two Parts Appointing two Generals because the Province was Large D. Roderick de Castro had the Territory about Guarda Pinhel and Lamego D. Sancho Manuel that about Castelbranco Viseu and Coimbra D. Roderick being come into his Province immediately disposed all things for the Defence of it and repulsed a Party of the Enemy that broke in by the way of Alfayates His next design was to take the Fort of Galegos 4 Leagues from Almeyda and 2 from Cuidad Rodrigo To this purpose he gathered 60 Foot of the Standing-Forces and 2500 of the Militia with 160 Horse and 3 pieces of heavy Canon On the 23d of August he marched from Almeyda and the next day came before Gallegos Planted a battery and began to play upon the Place but perceiving it required more time to make a breach than he could well spare and Understanding the Garrisons of all the Neighbouring places were marched to Cuidad Rodrigo to Relieve Gallegos he thought a Fair Opportunity was offered him of taking St. Felices a Place of more consequence Wherefore they Instantly broke up and marched towards it with 120 Foot and 120 Horse and by the way Understood that all the Garrison of the place was marched except 300 Foot and 800 of the Country People Upon this advice he hasted forwards and giving the Assault at several places together Entred the Town Plundered and Burnt it D. Antony de Isasse the Governour having Lost 150 of his Men retired with the rest into the Castle and D. Roderick Returned with great Honour to Almeida Severall other small Skirmishes hapned in which the Portugueses still had the better which so Encouraged D. Roderick that gathering 800 Foot and 150 Horse he made an inroad into the Territory of Cuidad Rodrigo Burning all the Open Towns and utterly destroying the Country without meeting the least opposition D. Sancho Manuel Governour of the other part of the Province was not idle but cut off 100 Spaniards that had taken a prey in his district and Fortifyed Salvaterra upon advice that the Enemy were assembling a considerable body which he was not able to Oppose in the Feild 3. This Year the King created his Eldest Son Theodosius A Design to Murder King John Prince of Brasil and began to Assign the Revenues of the House of Braganza for the maintaining of his House As the King studied all means to secure his Crown so the Ministers of Spain omitted not by all ways tho' never so unjust to contrive his destruction and had now infallibly compassed it had not a special Providence preserved him One Dominick Leyte a Native of Lisbon who had been Clark in one of the Courts and was well descended fled to Madrid where having offered his Service to that King's Ministers he undertook upon several great promises and some rewards in possession to Assassinate King John In order to it he returned to Lisbon in May with one Emanuel Roque where by degrees he hired several Houses in the Turners-Street next the Church of St. Nicholas He opened Doors all along from one House to another made loop-holes through the walls to the Street and provided several Fire-locks loaded with Poisoned Bullets to Shoot the King as he passed that way in procession upon Corpus-Christi-day that if one piece should happen to fail another might certainly hit The day being come and he lying in wait tho' he twice attempted to fire his Heart failed him and the King being passed he shut the Doors and went away to the Monastery of Our Lady of Grace where Emanuel Roque expected him with two Horses and they both returned to Madrid There he framed excuses for missing of his Design and receiving fresh encouragement returned again to Lisbon By the way he discovered his Design to Emanuel Roque who getting to Town before him on pretence of taking a Lodging discovered the Treason Dominick Leyte being Apprehended Confessed the Crime had both his Hands cut off and was afterwards Hanged and Quartered 4. The Marquess de Niza Negotiations at several Courts who had been before Ambassador in France was sent back this Year to sollicite the Concluding a League betwixt the two Crowns He proposed to Cardinal Mazarine a Match betwixt Prince Theodosius and the Eldest Daughter of the Duke of
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
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
A few days after he sailed out and the Enemy again standing to Sea they were surprized by so terrible a Storm that all the Fleet was dispersed some Ships drove to Algarve and one falling into the English Fleet was taken The Tempest ceasing the English discovered the Brazil Fleet of which they took 15 sail and Winter coming on returned home This gave the two Princes an opportunity of putting to Sea again after acknowledging the many favours they had received of the King and particularly that of protecting them though contrary to his own interest and the Maxims of State Policy 4. Since the departure of the Marquess de Niza Christipher Soares de Abreu continued at the Court of France Proceedings of several Ambassadors where by reason of the troubles of that Kingdom no further progress was made as to the Affairs of Portugal but the Friendship before Established continued firm All his sollicitations at Rome having proved ineffectual the King now resolved not to trouble the Pope further so that nothing new hapned at that Court Francis de Sousa Coutinho was still Embassador in Holland and dexterously diverted those People from sending supplies to Brasil The States having Endeavoured to corrupt his Secretary that they might see the Kings Letters he improved their artifice to his own Advantage For his Secretary having acquainted him with the overtures made to him he ordered him to consent to them and having filled up several blanks he had under the Kings hand as he thought convenient delivered them to the Secretary who conveyed them to the States and they supposing them to have been the Kings Letters were thereby induced to deferr sending a Fleet they had designed for Brazil It was not long after this when a Servant of his having accidentally Shot a Coachman the Rabble rose and made 3 Assaults upon his House and had certainly Murdered him and his whole Family had he not been relieved by the Prince of Orange his Guards In September Antony de Sousa de Macedo who had been Embassador in England came to the Hague and Francis de Sousa went away to Resâ—â—e as Embassador at the French Court. Since the departure of Antony de Sousa from London there was no Portugues Minister there that whole Kingdom being then in confusion 5. We left Francis Barreto the Portugues General in Brazil Twice Victorious over the Dutch The War in Brazil prosecuted in the Mountains Gararapes Sigismund Vanscop the Dutch Commander thinking this success had rendred the Portugueses less vigilant made a sally at break of Day upon the quarter of Captain Antony Borges Vchoa who having Notice of his approach received him so warmly without his works that he was soon Forced to retire leaving many of his Men dead behind him The Dutch General made many other Sallies both before and after this but none considerable till the 7th of October when he attempted the quarter of Captain Emanuel de Aguiar with all the Foot in the Garrison but neither here was his Success any better than in the former Attempt On the 15th of December they again Marched out and lay close in ambush near the Salt-pits but the Portugueses having intimation of the Place they lay in attacked them there and after a Vigorous resistance put them to flight with considerable Slaughter In these and the like attempts the Year was Spent the Enemy still decreasing in power as receiving no supplies from Holland our Embassador Francis de Sousa artificially diverting all that were designed for them 6. The Baron de Alvito who governed Tangier knowing the chief support of that place consisted in the booties brought in from the Countrey Tangier and India ceased not to surprize the Moors in several parts and brought home considerable preys which was a great relief to the Garrison Nunho da Cunha did the same at Marzagao and in one incursion killed 300 Infidels and brought away 47 Captives D. Francis de Noronha succeeded him in that post and entred upon his Command with no less success than his Predecessor went off In India D. Philip Mascarenhas was still Vice-Roy and this being the last Year of the Truce with the Hollanders they seemed inclined to attempt the Kingdom of Jafanapatan before it was expired This obliged the Vice-Roy to send a Fleet under the Command of D. Roderick de Monsanto to the relief of that place but the Dutch attempting nothing the Fleet returned to Goa The Count de Aveyras sailed from Lisbon this Year to be the second time Vice-Roy of India but he died by the way Four Ships and two Caravels were sent this Year for India Anno 1651. 1. D. John da Costa governed the Province of Alentejo Enterprizes on the Frontiers of Alentejo as was said the last Year during the absence of the Count de St. Lorenzo which continued till the Year 1657. Through the negligence of the Commissaries of the stores Forrage grew so scarce on the Frontiers that several Troops of Horse were forced to retire from Elvas and Campo Mayor farther into the Countrey The Spaniards made their advantage of this opportunity for a Party of 1200 Horse and 600 Foot from Badajoz carried away a great booty from the Territory of Villaboim there being no Troops in readiness to oppose them To revenge this loss D. John da Costa ordered Andrew de Albuquerque General of the Horse with 1000 of them and 800 Foot to make himself Master of Salvatierra which is six Leagues from Olivenza and where the Spanish Commissary-General John de Rozales then was with some Troops Andrew de Albuquerque assembled his Troops at Olivenza and marched with such secrecy to Salvatiera that he had secured all the avenues before the Enemy heard of his approach The Foot broke into the Town with little opposition and with as little took the Castle where they made 100 Horse Prisoners The booty was very considerable the Town consisting of 400 Houses Andrew de Albuquerque returned to Olivenza having lost but three Men in this Action for certain Troops of the Enemy that appeared served only to be Witnesses of the burning of the Town Some few days after D. John da Costa lay in ambush to cut off the Troops of Badajoz that used to come out to Forrage between the Rivers Guadiana and Caya but they not going out that day his Design was disappointed His Horse being now much out of Case for want of Forrage the scarcity till continuing he studied all means how to disable the Enemies Troops Being informed that they had turned 400 Horses to grass near Medellen which is 16 Leagues from Campo Mayor he gave charge to Captain Emanuel de Saldanha to endeavour to destroy them Saldanha committed this Enterprize to his Lieutenant Francis Lobo who set forward twice with only 10 Men to put this in Execution but discovering parties of the Enemy both times he was forced to return The third time he went through and having defeated 15 Men that guarded the
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
the Infidels came on to succour them they were received with such a volley of great and small shot as laid many dead before the Town the rest flying with more speed than they came on 6. D. Philip Mascarenhas having ended his Vice-Roy-ship in India and obtained leave of the King to return home The Affairs of India imbarked for Lisbon and died by the way The Count de Aveyras sent by the King to succeed him dying also in the Voyage as was said before the Sealed Patents which are always laid up to provide for such exigencies being opened it was found that the care of the Government was committed to D. F. Francis dos Reys Primate of India Francis de Melo de Castro and Antony de Sousa Coutinho Having entred upon the Government they fitted out a Fleet of 22 Sail Commanded by Antony de Sousa Coutinho one of the Governours This Fleet set sail in order to recover Mascate some of them entred that Bay but receiving much harm from the Cannon of the Town they stood out again and came to Anchor in the River Lafette 100 Leagues from Mascate They had lain there but a few days before they discovered a mighty Fleet of Arabs Commanded by one Hali a Moor. Antony de Sousa received them with such gallantry that after the Battle had lasted many Hours he obtained a Compleat Victory killing above 5000 of the Infidels Captain Antony Lobo in this Action being boarded by two of the Enemies Vessels set fire to his own Powder and blew himself up and both them Antony de Sousa returned to Goa where he found D. Vasco Mascarenhas Count de Obidos whom the King had appointed Vice-Roy upon the News of the Death of the Count de Aveyras Within a very few days the whole City running into Mutiny offered the Government to Antony de Sousa who rejected their offer then they pitched upon D. Bras de Castro a Turbulent Man who presently accepted of it which done they seized upon the person of the Count and kept him Prisoner But God shewed how displeasing to him this Rebellious Government was by the Judgments that immediately attended the beginning of it for the Dutch before the expiration of the Truce began a War which proved the most fatal to the Portugueses of any they ever had since the Conquest of that Countrey The Hollandrs resolving to break the Truce fitted out 10 Ships under the Command of John Mansucar who coming to Tutocorim seized all the Money laid up there to buy Pearl and at the same time took a Ship bound from Cochim to China D. Bras de Castro immediately prepared to oppose them Ceylon was the place next to danger as being that they had always aimed at Emanuel Mascarenhas Homem was Governour there who hearing of the preparations of the Dutch sent four Companies to secure Calaturé the safety of Columbo depending on that Port. This reinforcement not coming in time the place fell into the hands of the Enemy and for Columbo all the people of the Countrey flocking thither could not hold out long for want of Provisions The News of this loss being carried to Manicravare where Lope Barriga Commanded the whole Garrison mutinied because according to the Orders received from Mascarenhas he designed to march them to Columbo and killing some that opposed them sent him away and took the Field The King of Candia thinking to make his advantage of this disorder marched a good body of Forces towards them and offered them large terms if they would come over to his Service They answered him with their Weapons and after a fight which lasted many hours retitired to Columbo Emanuel Mascarenhas the Governour having gathered what Forces he could into the City designed to oppose the mutiniers and fired three pieces of Cannon They resolved to be revenged being reinforced by two Companies of Foot which deserted to them from the City but the Religious and Inhabitants to prevent the mischief they saw impending opened one of the Gates and let them in Emanuel Mascarenhas took Sanctuary in a Monastery and the City chose for their Governours Gaspar de Araujo Pereyra D. Francis Rolim and Francis de Barros da Silva and to Command in the Field Gaspar Figueyra da Serpa an experienced Soldier He hearing the Dutch with some Natives were abroad gathering Cinnamon marched to cut them off but they having intelligence of his march were gone before so having reduced some Towns that had revolted he returned to Columbo The Governours receiving advice that the Dutch were raising a Fort at Angratota which would Command all the Countrey about Columbo sent Gaspar Figueyra with 500 Foot to drive them thence Gaspar Figueyra marched with expedition and having secured all the Avenues by which the Enemies might receive any relief carried on a Trench so close to their work that having raised a Platform and planted thereon one piece of Cannon he so incommoded them that after 10 days the Dutch surrendred upon discretion 110 of them were taken 40 Jaos and 300 Chingalas who were severely punished as being for the most part Subjects to the King of Portugal At the same time John Botado who was in the Inland with a Company of Portugueses and some Blacks was set upon by an Officer of the King of Candia with 3000 Men and though the Blacks forsook him the Portugueses fought so desperately that they put the Indians to flight leaving so many dead that those who saw them could not be perswaded they had been killed by so few John Botado with his Men retired to Columbo Four Ships and one Caravel sailed this Year from Lisbon for India and two Ships from thence arrived in Portugal Anno 1653. 1. KIng John had resolved not to make any great Efforts to carry the War far into the Spanish Territories The War proceeds coldly on both sides concluding it his securest course to fill his exchequer fortify his Towns and build Ships whilst the Spaniards wasted themselves with their Wars in Italy and Flanders were diverted from putting Portugal into any danger This was the reason that he kept no more Forces afoot in Alentejo then served to secure the Frontiers and consequently the actions there were of small moment and few of them worth relating The most considerable was a party of 950 Horse and 100 Musketiers Commanded by Andrew de Albuquerque Generall of the Horse which defeated 1300 Spaniards killing 200 of them among whom was their Lieutenant Generall of Horse the Count de Amarante and taking above 400 Prisoners Neither did this Year produce any Exploits of note in the other Provinces which continued in full Peace bating some small Alarms given on bothsides which only served to keep the Garrisons upon their Guard without any damage done on either side 2. In the midst of all his fortunate Successes the King received one Fatal blow which outbalanced many of his former prosperities This was the death of his Eldest Son Prince Theodosius Prince Theodosi-the
others who had any share in the Administration of the Government At length on the 6th of November being Munday having given all imaginable Tokens of true Repentance and Christian Piety he gave up the Ghost into the Hands of his Redeemer The King being dead the Lord Chamberlain dressed him in the Royal Robes and layed him upon a Bed the Bells throughout the City and the Tears of his Subjects equally signifying the loss sustained by the Kingdom After noon the Council met and opening his Will found he appointed the Queen Regent of the Kingdom and Protectress of his Children that the Royal Chappel should be finished according to the Model by him begun that the Monastery of S. Clare at Coimbra should be finished That several Pensions should be given to Persons there named That 2000 Cruzados should be immediately distributed to poor Monasteries and that his Body should be interred in the Church of S. Vincent All the while the Body lay in State in the Guard Chamber of the Pallace the People thronged to see it Thence it was removed attended by all the Officers of the Houshold and Clergy of the whole City to the Church of S. Vincent and there put into the Tomb appointed for it King John was of a middle Stature very handsome before he had the Small Pox his Hair fair his Body gross but strong He hated gayety in Cloaths and therefore was careless in his Dress always an Enemy to new Fashions His Discourse was Witty and Pleasant his Judgment sound but affecting to have all his Orders unblameable he was often too slow in his Resolutions He had but one Wife which was the Lady Luisa de Guzman Daughter to the Duke of Medina Sidonia By her he had Issue Theodosius who dyed at Lisbon His Wife and Issue in the 19th Year of his Age Emanuel and Anne who both dyed in their Infancy at Villa Viciosa before their Father ascended the Throne Alfonso who succeeded his Father and was afterwards deposed Peter now reigning Joanna who dyed at Lisbon in the 16th Year of her Age. And Catherine Queen of England One Bastard Daughter called Mary who lived and dyed in the Monastery of Carnide near Lisbon In this City the King dyed upon Monday the 26th of November in the Year 1656 at the age of 5â— Years and 7 Months whereof he was 26 Duke oâ— Barcelos 10 Duke of Braganza and 16 King of Portugal Anno 1657. AFter the death of the King the Queen Dowager whâ— was also regent during the minority of her Son being a Woman of a haughty and active Spirit presently bent her thoughts upon making some considerable attempt on the Enemies Frontiers least they should imagine that the loss of their King had discouraged the Portugueses or dissipatated their Councils To this effect and to gain her self a greater Reputation among her own People she ordered the Count de San Lorenzo who then Commanded upon the Frontiers with all secrecy and expedition to attempt the surprizing of the Fort of Barcarota in which she was informed there was but a small Garrison At this time Francis Tutta-villa Duke of St. German was Generall of the Spanish Frontiers by birth he was an Italian and as to his person and experience a Soldier of known courage and Conduct He having private intelligence of the design covertly put 500 chosen men into Barcarota with orders to Stand upon their guard that they might surprize those who came to surprize them The Portugueses aâ—temptinâ— Barcarota are repulsed with loss The Portuguese Forces who knew nothing of this reinforcement boldly making up to the Fort before break of day were on a sudden assaulted by the Spaniards sallying furiously upon them and they expecting no such reception were soon put to flight and a great number slain and taken prisoners This rash and fruitless attempt by which the Queen thought to have made herself terrible to her Enemies produced a quite contrary effect for it only provoked his Catholick Majesty to carry on the War against Portugal with greater vigour than had been done of late years In order thereto the Spanish Generall the Duke of St. German having been sent for to Madrid and there fully empowered to act as he should find most expedient returned to the Frontiers well furnished with mony Armes provisions 20 peices of Canon and an Army of 13000 Foot and 4000 Horse He was at first doubtfull whether he should bend his Force against Elvas or Olivenza but considering the dammage received from the frequent excursions of the garrison of the latter of these two places he resolved to attack it Olivenza is seated in a plain almost a League from the River Guadiana and beset on all sides with hills that command it being within Canon shot The Fortifications of the place were after the modern manner consisting of Nine bastions two half Moons and two Forts and was next to Elvas the strongest place in Portugal The Duke being come before the Town and perceiving the Seige would be a work of time The Duke of St. German the Spanish Generall besieges Olivenza enclosed the whole place within his lines possessing himself of the hills and strengthning his lines with 21 redoubts and four large places of Armes Four batteries were presently raised which played with good success upon the Town but whatever they cast down in the day the besieged repaired by Night After which another was planted on the Monastery of St. Francis which overtopping the Walls slew many in the streets till such time as a strong work was cast up by the garrison which covered that part of the Town The trenches were diligently carryed on and many sallies made by the besieged The Duke perceiving the conquest of this place to be a work of great difficulty thought fit to reduce it by Art as well as Main-force Having therefore suffered his men to lye still severall days as if he intended to starve the Town on a sudden in the dead of Night he assaulted the greater of the two Forts with his whole power The besieged being at first surprized and not knowing whither to run gave way 〈◊〉 the Enemy who thought themselves possest of the Fort till Emanuel de Saldanha the Governour of the Town comming with fresh supplies drove them out and the Duke fearful of exposing his men sounded a retreat Twenty days after the Town was invested the Count de St. Lorenzo came to the relief of it with an Army of 12000 Foot and 3500 Horse After being four days on the Banks of the River he moved nearer to the Enemy and planted a battery against their works but the Duke having raised also another did such Execution that he was glad to withdraw and return to his Camp near Jurumenha Three days he lay there and then again drew near to Olivenza to discover how the Town might best be relieved or at least to encourage the besieged by his presence to which purpose he sent severall Messages to
Horse had the boldness to appear about the Bridge of Badajoz as it were provoking the whole Force of the Spanish Army which then lay in and about that place to revenge this excess D. John immediately sent out D. John Pacheco Lieutenant General of the Horse who attacked the Portugueses with a small handfull of men at first yet with such resolution that they gained no advantage till he was shot dead upon the place but then fresh Supplies still comming from the Town at last the Portugueses were overpowered many of them slain many taken and the rest Forced to save themselves by Flight This success was the less pleasing to the Spaniards because of the Loss of D. John Pacheco who was a person of tryed Valour and Conduct D. John being informed that much dammage was done on the Frontiers of Castile D. John of Austria takes Alconchel by the excursions of the garrison of Alconchel sent D. James Cavallero with the best part of the Army to invest it and himself followed soon after him Alconchel is near the River Guadiana has a Castle and had been lately fortifyed by the Portugueses The Seige was carryed on but coldly either to draw the Portugues Army to attempt the relief of the place or else because the inhabitants being divided in factions it was not doubted but they must speedily surrender Nor was D. John deceived in his expectation for the Governour perceiving the heats within to increase and the Enemy without to threaten the utmost extremity if he proved obstinate was forced to submit and accept of honourable conditions The Fortifications were speedily repaired and a Spanish Garrison put into the place This done D. John returned to Badajoz and put his Army into Winter-Quarters Anno 1662. 1. THe Last years losses and the present preparations of the Spaniards had sufficiently alarmed Portugal to oblige the Queen to use her utmost industry to be in a condition to oppose her Enemy In order to it the Treasury being exhausted heavy Taxes were imposed upon the People which they did not pay without much murmuring Catherine Infanta of Portugal married to King Ch. the II of England and reluctancy To strengthen her self by foreign allyances she had concluded a match for her daughter the Princess Catherine with his Majesty Charles the Second King of Great Britain The Queen had Entertained hopes of Marrying this Princess to the King of France but he having chosen the Infanta of Spain her next recourse was by that affinity to secure the Friendship of the King of England The new Queens portion was a considerable Sum of Money the City of Tangier upon the mouth of the Streights in Barbary and the Island of Bombain in the East-Indies On the other side the King of England was to assist the Portugueses with a body of Foot to serve as auxiliaries under the Command of Count Schomberg The Earl of Sandwich with the Royal-Navy conveyed the Queen into England Upon the News of this match and that Tangier was to be delivered up to the English the King of Spain once more attempted the fidelity of the governour of that City D. Lewis de Almeida endeavouring to perswade him rather to betray the place to him upon hopes of a considerable Reward than to put it into the hands of the English but the governour was not to be moved who rather fearing that the inhabitants and Garrison would never be brought to consent to their Kings orders of delivering up the place as soon as the English Fleet appeared in sight to take possession of it he sent out the greatest part of the garrison and many of the inhabitants upon pretence to repell the Moors who appeared then in bodies about the Town and whilst they were abroad ingaging and pursuing the Infidels gave possession of the City to the English 2. Notwithstanding all the Queens care and diligence the Spaniards were first in the field and much superiour the Portugueses in Strength D. John of Austria burns and plunders the Country D. John of Austria took the field at the beginning of May with 13000 Foot and 5000 Horse all old Troops His first design was to lay Siege to Estremoz but the Count de Castaneda the Portugues General prevented him by planting himself before the place with his whole Army which then consisted of 8000 Foot and 3000 Horse Hereupon D. John turned away as if he intended to march directly to Lisbon which put that City into a consternation and no less surprized the Count de Castaneda fearing least the Capitall of the kingdom should fall into the hands of the Enemy and had the Spanish Army held on their march as they began in all likelihood they must have made themselves masters of it without any opposition But D. John spent his time in plundering and burning the Country and having made a halt near a brook called Zapateros he sent then D. James Cavallero with Two Regiments of Foot and most of the Horse to attack the Town of Villabuim a place considerable both for it's Riches and Strength nevertheless the Governour who was a French man upon the first approach of the Spaniards resolved to Surrender having privately Articled with the Spanish General that for the saving of his Reputation he might be permitted to fire his Cannon for an hour without ball that so he might be thought to have made some defence Yet the Surrender was not without blood for some of the inhabitants encouraged by a Parish-Priest He takes and raises Villabuim endeavoured to make some opposition but were soon quelled by the Spaniards The Town and Castle were raised down to the Ground for a Terror to other places Hence the Army moved towards Villaviciosa and having taken an express that was going to Elvas and Jurumenha to encourage those governours to defend themselves couragiously upon promise of speedy relief D. John sent him back to the Count de Castaneda to let him know he would be with him the next day He performed his word but the Count who was much inferiour to him in numbers kept himself close in his Camp under the Walls of Estremoz D. John intending to attack him in his Camp was diswaded by the Duke of St. German and marched away to Borba a place of small Strength but that had a Castle and the governour Roderick da Cunha being a desperate man had perswaded the Townsmen to joyn with the Garrison to defend it Such was his Folly or rashness that he reproached and fired upon the Trumpet that came to bring him the Summons to Surrender whereupon the Town was assaulted on all sides and taken The governour with a few men retired into the Castle which having for a while stood the shock of the Canon and beginning now to give way to it's fury Acunha's heat being somewhat allayed he sent out to beg he might be admitted to conditions No intreating could prevail with D. John who being incensed would admit of nothing but that they
be master of so weak a place before the Portuguese General could gather a sufficient Force to attempt the relief of it However the Trenches were opened against the Town and Batteries raised but the first that gained a post were the Italians who with much bravery stormed and took the Monastery of the Carmelites whence planting their Cannon they made a great havock in the Town The Spaniards ashamed to be outdone by the Italians carryed on their Works with great diligence and having with much slaughter repulsed the Besieged who sallyed upon them made themselves master of the Church of St. Dominick which overlooking the Town they planted their Cannon upon it to the great Damage of the Besieged D. John seeing the miserable condition of the Place sent another Summons offering honourable Conditions if they surrendred in time which all the Officers of the Garrisons seeing no possibility of holding the Place or likelyhood of Relief thought it time to accept of but Lewis de Sousa Elect Bishop of Porto and Administrator of the Church of Ebora a Man fitter for the Army than the Church crossed their design raising Factions among the People and Garrison and by this means obstructed the surrender that and the following day The Clergy and Laiety Women and Children flocked to the Works and endeavoured to make up the Breaches but all in Vain for more was already ruined than could be retrieved and the continual Fire of the Enemies Cannon rendred all their efforts unsuccessful This Fury being spent and the People coming to themselves at length they capitulated and delivered up the City upon such Conditions as could be obtained which were not very Honourable On the 9th day after it waâ— invested Ebora delivered to D. John the City was surrendred There marched out 2000 Foot and 300 Horse of the Garrison who according to Articles were to be conducted into Castile and there to remain Prisoners of War during the Summer 4. The News of the Siege of Ebora being brought to Lisbon The Portuguese General Count de Villaflor ordered to relieve Ebora caused mighty commotions and tumults in that City whereupon the Young King by the advice of his Counsel sent orders to the Count de Villaflor to releive Evora at any rate and at the same time commanded the Count de Castaneda with what Troops he had and could raise to suppress all Seditions in Lisbon The Count de Villaflor received his orders the very day that Evora was Surrendred of which as yet he had no notice and therefore having called a Council of War the advice of the Count Sabugal was followed which was not to hazard a battle at any disadvantage but to cut off the Enemies Provisions In order hereto the Army being now 12000 Foot and 4000 Horse and having received intelligence of the Surrender of Evora marched and incamped at Laondil where they had plenty of Provisions and streightned the Enemy In the mean while the News of the Surrender of Evora being brought to bon A mutiny at Lisbon for the loss of Ebora the multitude ran headlong into all Sorts of Licentiousness and not only the vulgar rabble appeared in the sedition but great Numbers of the more substantial sort joyned with them The First effort of their fury fell upon the Arch-Bishops Pallace which they plundered burning and carrying away all that was in it the Arch-Bishop himself having before made his escape to Court Thence they turned their rage against the Count of Castaneda whose house they ransacked as they had done the Arch-Bishops he himself being also fled and after him they exercised the same barbarity towards the principal Magistrates and other great Men of the City Whilst this passed in the City the King consulted with the Arch-Bishop the Count de Castaneda and other great Men about the means of quelling this Sedition The Count advised to fall upon the raging Multitude with such Forces as were in the Town whereof the greatest part were Forreigners and therefore would be faithful in the performance of their duty But the Arch-Bishop's opinion prevailed which was to let the fury of the multitude pass over and then of themselves they would Return to their Duty The Rabble having raged all about the Towâ— came at last to the Kings Pallace where many being weary and coming to themselves began to slink away and at last the King Looking out of the Window and telling them that his Army now besieged those who had before layed Siege to Evora they all retired with confusion to their houses blaming one another for what they had all done No Notice was for the present taken of what had hapned but some time after several of the Ring-leaders were punished under other pretences 5. During these Transactions D. John marches out of Ebora to give the Portugueses battle D. John of Austria repaired the Fortifications of Evora and finding Provisions began to grow short having left a small garrison in the City marched out to give the Portugueses battle tho' contrary to the advise of the Duke of St. German who was utterly against hazarding a battle till the Forces they dayly expected from Castile were arrived and for the subsistance of the Army advised the turning out of the inhabitants upon whose stores the Souldiers might live many days The Portugues Army lay within half a League of Evora having a small River before it Thither D. John marched thinking either the Portugueseâ— would give him battle upon equal Terms or else that he should remove them from their advantagious Posts by 17 pieces of Canon which he planted upon an Eminence But the Count de Villaflor resolving not to quit his Advantage and the Canon which was ill planted doing as much Execution among his own as among the Enemies men D. John drew back and encamped without Canon Shot of the River Thus both Armies continued all Night ready for Action At break of Day D. John moved in order of battle to force the passage of the River where a bloudy dispute ensued till after a considerable Loss on both sides the Portugueses standing their ground the Spaniards who fought at great disadvantage were forced to give way and retire into the plain of Ebora D. John discouraged at this repulse put 3000 Foot and 600 Horse under the Command of Francis Gattinara Count of Sartirane into Ebora resolving to march back into Castile without coming to a battle if possible to avoid it by marching over the Mountains His first days march met with no obstruction because the Count de Villaflor was marched before in order to choose an advantageous Post to give battle in where the Horse might be of small use in which the Spaniards were much Superior to him Some there were who advised to march on all Night but D. John thinking that would look too like flying refused that wholesom advice In the Morning he was informed that the Portugues Army was at hand being covered from him by the tops of the
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
and Viriatus perceiving the Enemy's Battel broke in the Pursuit rallying his Cavalry he gave such a Charge that Servilianus with his Elephants fled leaving 6000 Men dead Soon after this Servilianus pursuing a Lusitanian Robber called Corroba besieged him in a strong Place where Hunger forced him to surrender upon Promise not only of Life but that his Men should march off with their Arms yet so as to swear never more to employ them against the Romans But the Consul unmindful of his Promise when he had all the Troop of Robbers consisting of 500 Men in his Power cut off all their Right Hands except the Captain 's 8. Spring coming on all Lusitania was full of Warlike Preparations Viriatus marched against the Consul who had besieged the City of Erissana and with wonderful Cunning made his Way into it where having well encouraged the Defendants he sallied out so furiously that Servilianus was glad to retire to a Place of Advantage Viriatus makes Peace with the Romans Here he was so straiten'd that he made Proposals of Peace which were agreed upon and Viriatus allowed a Friend of the People of Rome This done the Armies parted one into Andaluzia the other into Lusitania One of those who approved of the Peace concluded was Quintus Servilius Cepio the Consul's Brother yet afterwards considering how dishonourable it was to Rome he openly blamed his Brother and by that Means obtained the Consulship and a numerous Army to better the Affairs of the Romans in Lusitania The Peace broken Cepio kept his Designs so private that the Lusitanians thought of nothing but their Country-Affairs They were awaken'd by the News brought that the Consul had by Storm taken the City of Arsa not far from Sevil. Viriatus was then at Valencia who immediately marched with some Troops towards Lusitania By the Way he reduced Segorbe which had revolted when Cepio appeared with a mighty Army He finding himself too weak for so powerful an Army with his Horse amused them till his Foot were got into the Mountains Cepio pursued him to cut off his Retreat into Portugal He as he fled into the Heart of Spain used excessive Cruelty to all that bore the Roman Name But finding this turned not to Account he sent an Ambassador to Cepio to put him in mind of the Peace so solemnly and so lately concluded The Consul having heard the Ambassadors and sounded their Dispositions with mighty Promises prevailed upon them to murder Viriatus Their Names were Dictalcon Minurus and Aulaus all three Captains of Note among the Lusitanians Viriatus killed by Treachery These three having undertaken this base Action returned and for some time kept Viriatus in hand with the Hopes of Peace till waiting their Opportunity in the Dead of the Night they enter'd his Tent and slew him as he lay asleep Thence they fled to give the Consul an Account of what they had done whose Countenance they found altered as it generally happens to Traytors after they have committed the Treason 9. In the Morning the Lusitanians missing their General they went into his Tent where finding him dead the whole Camp was filled with Lamentation and in Revenge of his Death they put all the Roman Prisoners to the Sword His Funeral-Pomp To perform his Funeral-Rites with all imaginable Pomp in the midst of the Field they raised a vast Pile of Timber leaving a Place for the Body The Top of the Pile was adorned with Ensigns and other Trophies of Arms. Then their Idolatrous Priest going up to the Top called upon the Ghost of Viriatus and killing some Captives with their Blood sprinkled the Arms which done he came down and set fire to the Pile which in a Moment consumed the Body The Funeral-Rites thus performed the Army chose one Tantalus for their General but he wanting the Fortune and Conduct of Viriatus could not so much as lead back his People into their own Country Servilius to gain the Reputation of a merciful Conqueror was content that the Lusitanians delivering up their Arms should be dispersed into several Parts Viriatus as to his Person was of a large Stature strong Limbs curled Hair large Eyes broad Eye-brows a stern Countenance and a large hooked Nose As to his Qualities he was modest liberal prudent of a ready Wit and quick of Invention Some of Viriatus's Soldiers gathering up his Ashes brought them back into his own Country and buried them together with his Sword In the time of King John the III. who reigned from the Year 1521 till 1557. in the Territory of Belas two Leagues from Lisbon and in the Lands of Peter Machado Carregueyro in turning up certain old Ruins was found a Stone Chest with this Inscription Hic Jacet Viriatus Lusitanus Dux In it was found a Sword on which certain Characters were Engraven The Prince and many other persons of Note saw it and Machado offering to sell the Sword they would give nothing for it so he gave it to a Friend of his of the Island Madera and by that means it was lost The Chest was broke in pieces and no part of it remains CHAP. VI. The Actions of the Lusitanians after the Death of Viriatus from the Year 133. before Christ till the Year 80. when Sertorius takes upon him the Command with his Exploits till the Year 70. 1. THE Lusitanians not loosing their Courage 130. though they had lost their General Tantalus Commands the Lusitanians broke out again under their new Commander Tantalus but not with the same Fortune as before being easily suppressed by the Consul Decius Junius Brutus who reduced then to sue for Peace It was granted upon tolerable Conditions one whereof was that he should assign them Lands to live upon These Lands were along the delightful Southern Coast upon the River Turia now Guadalaviar where they built the most famous City Valencia the foundation whereof is therefore assigned to Brutus the Consul This Army thus Disbanded Brutus entred Lusitania without meeting any opposition till he came to Eburobricium a City seated on the Sea-coast near to which now stands the Town of Alfazeyran the Inhabitants of this place adventured to come out a League from their Walls and give the Consul Battle He in the heat of the Fight vowed he would there build a Temple to Neptune if he obtained the Victory and having without much difficulty overthrown his Enemy performed his Vow He laid Siege to the City and soon was Master of it 2. The next Year Brutus with his victorious Army passed over the rapid River Duero and coming unexpectedly upon the People that inhabited between that River and Minho made a great slaughter of them which obliged such as could escape to fly to the Mountains Thence in Parties they came down and cut off many of his Men nay the very Women showed such Valour that the Consul was obliged to kill a great number of them but perceiving the harm was done him from the Mountains he