concluded a Truce for Eleven Years conditionally That both Kings should be obliged if they designed to make War at the expiration thereof to notify the same to the other Party Eighteen Months before Several discoveries had been of late Years attempted through the industry of Prince Henry 1420. and now this Year 1420 the Islands of Puerto Santo and Madera were First found such were the beginnings that gave Encouragment to the Discovery of India and America But of these Discoveries we have writ particular Books 1422. In the Year 1422 the King changed the computation of time till then used in Portugal which was from the Reign of Augustus to that of the Year of our Lord in imitation of King John the First of Castile who had made the like Reformation there before 5. This same Year the Constable Nunho Alvarez Pereyra being 62 Years of Age took upon him the religious Order of the Carmelites 1423. in the Monastery of Lisbon built by himself Peace ratified betwixt Castile and Portugal There he lived a very exemplary Life the space of 9 Years and died aged 71 Years To secure the Peace with Castile the King sent his Embassadors thither but one of them being overthrown and almost killed at the exercise of Tilting the Castilian sent an Embassador to Portugal who exchanged the Ratifications War now ceasing 1424. Prince Peter the Kings Second Son resolved to Travel and setting out with a Train sutable to his Quality he ran through a great Part of Europe Asia and Africk Four Years he spent in this imployment having been nobly entertained in the Courts of all Princes These Travels being then rare especially in such Persons gave occasion to many fabulous Relations thereof afterwards spread abroad which rendred the Truth it self suspected The King in the mean while applying himself to the Civil Government Enacted many good Laws 1428. Prince Edward was now 26 Years of Age and yet unmarried Prince Edward contracted to Ellenor Sister to Alonso King of Aragon therefore a Match was at this time concluded for him with the Princess Ellenor Sister to Alonso King of Aragon and Naples Her Dower was 200000 Florins At the same time also the Lady Elizabeth Daughter to the Earl of Vrgel and Grand-Child to Peter the Fourth King of Aragon was contracted to Prince Peter coming home after his Travels and the following Year she was Conducted to Portugal This same Year Philip of Burgundy 1429. Earl of Flanders being the second time a Widower sent to ask the Princess Elizabeth in Marriage which was granted and she sent into Flanders with a Portion of 150000 Crowns 6. The King sent two Embassadors to mediate a Peace betwixt the Crowns of Castile 1430. Arragon and Navarre the two latter whereof were hard pressed by the other The Castilian also that he might not seem to proceed upon unjust Grounds dispatched an Embassador to the Portuguese to acquaint him with the righteousness of his Proceedings 1431. Now at last came the final Conclusion of the long-desired perpetual Peace with Castile for the ratifying whereof Peter Gonzalez Malafaya being sent thither he accompanied that King in his Expedition against the Moors of Granada At their return from that War the Peace was proclaimed in Castile and an Embassador came thence into Portugal to see the same performed there This was the end of those Pretensions which had alarmed these two Kingdoms for the space of almost Fifty Years The victorious King John at length overcome with Age King John falls sick fell sick of his last Malady He was removed to Alcouchete to try whether the Air would do him good but perceiving his Death draw on he caused himself to be carried back to Lisbon There on the Fourteenth of August 1433. 1433. having performed all the Parts of a good Christian His Death he gave up his Ghost Yet with the Authors leave I cannot conceive with what Piety an Usurper can die not having made Restitution The News of his Death being spread through the City it is impossible to express the Sorrow the City was filled with His Body was carried to the Cathedral on the Shoulders of his Sons the Nobility the whole Multitude of both Sexes and all Ages following 7. He had a pleasing Aspect His Character his Stature large and his Strength proportionable for his Helmet kept to this Day is too large for any Head and his Battle-Ax too weighty for any Arm. Prosperity and Adversity he bore equally was Constant Magnanimous Merciful Bountiful and Religious His Buildings were fair and sumptuous as appears by the Monasteries of Peâ—â—longa and Carnota and the Palaces of Lisbon and Santarem and above all the prodigious Structure of the Church of our Blessed Lady of Batalla or of the Battle erected in Memory of the famous Victory obtained at Aljubarrota To describe this wonderful Pile would take up too much room in the small compass of this short History therefore we shall pasâ— it by To this Place was the deceased King with mighty Pomp translated by his Son King Edward just the Day 12 Months after his Death that is on the 14th of August 1434. 8. King John had Eight Children by his Wife Philippa His Wife and Issueâ— Daughter to John Duke of Lancaster 1st Blanch who died in her Infancy 2dly Alonso Born at Santarem and lived but 10 Years 3dly Edward who succeeded him in the Throne 4thly Peter Duke of Coimbra a Man so learned that he wrote several Books he also travelled a great Part of the then known World as was said before and married Elizabeth the Daughter of the Earl of Vrgel which also has been above intimated Being Governour of the Kingdom during the Minority of his Nephew King Alonso he gained many Enemies and was at their instigation put to Death by that King 5thly Henry Duke of Viseo and Master of the Order of Christ who being studious in the Mathematicks fitted out Ships at his own cost to discover the Coasts of Africk wherein he made a great Progress and occasioned the Discovery of India To the end he might wholly addict himself to these Affairs he settled his abode at Sagres near Câ—pe S. Vincent in the Kingdom of Algarve where he died 6thly John Master of the Order of Santiago in Portugal and Constable 7thly Ferdinand Master of the Order of Avis accounted a Martyr for his great Sufferings and Death in slavery among the Moors of Africk 8thly Elizabeth married to Philip the third Earl of Flanders and Duke of Burgundy This King's Bastard-Children were Alonso Earl of Barcelos and first Duke of Bragança and Beatrix married to Thomas Earl of Arundel in England 9. This King reduced the ten Bezants His Arms. before used in each of the five Scutcheons of the Arms of Portugal to five the Cross of Avis appearing underneath in Memory that he had been Master of that Order and because he received the
promised the next Day to hear them when they were Calmer at the Church of S. Dominick By Day the Multitude was in the broad Place before that Church but the King fearing the popular Fury was already gone away to Santarem When the People understood it they vented their Malice in Reproaches and this made the Queen stir up the King to Revenge The Taylor was apprehended and many of his Followers some whereof had their Hands others their Feet cut off many more fled now too late understanding that Subjects ought to have no other Redress against the Miscarrages of their Sovereigns than by their Prayers to God In the mean while the King traversed the Kingdom with his beloved Consort till being come to the pleasant Monastery of Leça Two Leagues from Porto he then declared what he denied at Lisbon to wit That he was Married to the Lady Ellenor and assigned her a greater Joynture than any Queen before her ever had 8. All the Nobility kissing the Queen's Hand only Prince Denis Son to the late King by the Lady Agnes de Castro refused it for which the King offered to Stab him but was prevented and the Prince fled to Coimbra Tho many of the Multitude were punished the clamours of the People against the King's Marriage ceased not nor were they continued without reason for that Marriage was in reality unlawful she being the true Wife of John Lorenço Ferdinand at last remembring he was contracted to the Princess of Castile sent to inform her Father That tho he could not perform that Article he would fulfil all the rest That Prince did not seem at all to be concerned but Embassadors were sent on both sides to Ratifie the Peace The New Queen gains Friends by her Generosity The New Queen having gained a Crown by her Beauty sought now to gain the Affections of the Nobility by her Bounty and she attained her end in a great Measure for many who before railed having tasted of her Favours began to extol her Generosity Besides the more to bend them to her she married all her Relations among the Nobility 9. King Ferdinand still pursuing his inconstant Humour King Ferdinand joyns in League with John of Ghent against Castile began again to break with Castile taking some Ships of that Crown in the River of Lisbon and entering into a Confederacy with John Duke of Lancaster Third Son to Edward the Third King of England and married to Constance the Eldest Daughter of King Peter of Castile in whose right he stiled himself King It was agreed they should joyntly make War upon the Kings of Castile and Aragon That they should bear an equal part in the expence of the War and that King Ferdinand should have all he could take in Castile excepting Towns and Castles That each should have what he could gain in Aragon King Henry sent an Embassador to Protugal to protest against these proceedings but to no effect Hereupon Henry marched with his Army towards Lisbon his Admiral Misser Ambrosio Bocanegra at the same time entring the River Tagus with 12 Galleys About the middle of September he set forward from Zamora Henry of Castile invades Portugal and by the way took Almeyda Pinnel Linnares Cerolico and Viseo where Prince Denis offended at King Ferdinand offered his Service to him They marched to Coimbra from whence Ferdinand was newly gone to Santarem and here Henry quartered in the Suburbs Our King being less forward to Fight than he had been to give the Occasion 1373. Henry marched without observing much order He Quarters in the Suburbs of Lisbon towards Lisbon about the end of February The King and those that were with him could from the Walls of Santarem discover the Enemy marching towards Lisbon yet had not the Courage to attack them Lisbon being surprized Henry entred at S. Antony's Gate and took up his Quarters in the Monastery of S. Francis the People retired to the stronger parts of the Town Our Fleet had been sent to hinder the Castilian Squadron from entring the Port but our Ships were taken by them and only 4 of our Galleys escaped saving themselves in the Creeks The People of Lisbon understanding there was a design to betray the City dragged one of the Conspirators about the Streets and then cut him in pieces another was exposed to the sails of a Mill which cast him into the River The Franciscan Friars where the King quartered thought to have expelled him thence but their design being discovered he put them into Boats without Sails or Oars and exposed them to the mercy of the Sea yet they got a Shoar The Castilians possessed the Skirts of the Town and many Skirmished dayly hapned In the mean while the Earl of Gijon King Henry's Son took Cascaes at the Mouth of Tagus whilst several Parties wasted the Country Most of the City Burnt The Lisbonians not able to expel the Enemy out of the Suburbs fired the Houses and they in requital set Fire to the Rua-nova or New Street and so the greatest part of the City was Burnt The Country betwixt the Rivers Duero and Minho was no less infested by the Forces of Galicia which routed a Portuguese Body that came to oppose them 10. Such was the posture of Affairs Peace concluded when in the Month of March Guido of Bononia a Cardinal was sent by the Pope to compose these Differences and towards the latter end of that Month the Peace was concluded upon these Conditions That both the Kings should joyn with him of France against the King of England and Duke of Lancaster That the Portuguese should furnish a Fleet for Three Years to be maintained by the Castilians That the English should not be supplied with Ammunition from Portugal That the Portuguese should expel the Castilians that followed him That a general Pardon should be granted on both sides That the Princess Beatrix Sister to King Ferdinand should be married to Sancho Lord of Albuquerque Brother to King Henry The Two Kings meet in friendly manner The two Kings met upon the Banks of the River Tagus and parted in Friendly manner In pursuance of the Treaty of Peace Count Sancho married the Lady Beatrix and the Wedding was kept with great Solemnity A Match was also agreed betwixt Elizabeth Bastard-Daughter to our King and Alonso Earl of Gijon Bastard-Son to King Henry Thus ended the War to the Satisfaction of both Kings but with the Desolation of their Kingdoms CHAP. XII The remaining Part of the Life and Reign of Ferdinand the First of the Name and Ninth King of Portugal from the Year 1373. till 1383. 1. KIng Ferdinand had not yet forgot the Treasure detained from him by the King of Aragon 1374. in return of his Mutability Ferdinand enters into a League with the King of Castile against the King of Aragon He thereupon meditated Revenge but it was hard to compass It happened the King of Castile fell at Variance
with the Aragonian and our King joyned in League with the former against the other But the Castilian knowing the inconstancy of Ferdinand soon came to agreement with the Aragonian The more to bind the Portuguese to him he proposed a Match betwixt our Princess Beatrix and his own Bastard-Son Frederick 1375. This Match being approved of by the Cortes at Leyria they were married by Proxy and the King of Castile Swore to perform the Articles of the Treaty 1376. on the 19th of January 1377. Our King being forsaken by the Castilian Prince John privately marries Mary Sister to Queen Ellenor concluded a League against Aragon with Lewis Duke of Anjou Son to the King of France Prince John of Portugal falling in Love with the Lady Mary Sister to the then Queen Ellenor raised also by her Beauty to the Throne he was privately married to her But Queen Ellenor instead of rejoycing at the Advancement of her Sister fearing that the King dying without Issue she might come to be Queen contrived her Death and to compass her ends she perswaded the Prince she would Marry him to the Princess Beatrix the King 's only Daughter and by that means secure him the Succession of the Crown At the same time she accused her Sister of defiling his Bed He Murders her The Prince moved with Hope and Revenge hasted to Coimbra and breaking in upon the Innocent Lady murdered her as she leaped naked out of Bed and taking Horse fled to secure himself and his followers As soon as the News of this Action came to Court 1378. the Queen went into deep Mourning The Prince easily obtained his Pardon and coming to Court began to sollicit the Conclusion of the Match before proposed to him by the Queen with the Lady Beatrix but finding nothing in her but Deceit he retired to the Province that lies betwixt Duero and Minho and thence fled to Castile where he was kept from the Crown of Portugal which would have fallen to him as we shall see in the next Reign had he not fled for killing his Wife 2. A mighty Solar Eclipse preceded the Death of Henry A great Eclipsâ— of the Sun King of Castile which happened on the 30th of May. Embassadors went immediately from Portugal to propose to John the new King a Match betwixt his Eldest Son Ferdinand then a Year old and Beatrix Princess of Portugal tho' she was before contracted to Frederick 1380. King Henry's Bastard Son The Castilian approving of this Proposal sent his Embassadors to Portugal who concluded upon the Articles of Marriage But notwithstanding this so late Capitulation King Ferdinand underhand treats with the Dukes of Lancaster and York about subduâ—ng of Castile King Ferdinand hoping to gain some Advantage over the Young King resolved upon War John Fernandez Andeyro one of them expelled Portugal upon the Pacification with King Henry was at this time in England to whom private Instructions were sent to treat with the Duke of Lancaster and Edmund Duke of York for Succours They espoused the Cause and Andeyro came away with the News to Portugal where the King being at Estremoz kept him up in a Tower that the Design might not take Air nor he seem to Entertain any of the Fugitives It fell out the Queen spoke sometimes with Andeyro in this Retirement and as Queens are but Women their Familiarity became scandalous for she who had forsaken her Lawful Husband for a King now abandoned that King for a Private Man whom she raised to the honour of an Earl After some time the King ordered him to appear publickly at Leyria as if newly come from England and there as had been agreed he was apprehended for coming into Portugal without leave Within a few days he was again set at Liberty and it was given out he should lose his Head if he stay'd in the Kingdom Under this Pretence he returned to England to sollicite the execution of the Treaty concluded 3. King John understanding that Edmund Duke of York raised Forces in England to Conquer Castile for his Brother the Duke of Lancaster who had a Right to it by his Wife the Daughter of King Peter and that he intended to assist the King of Portugal marched now as far as Zamora fitted out his Fleet at Sevil and sent Ferdinand Osores Master of the Knights of Santiago to secure Badajoz The King of Portugal had already fitted out 22 Galleys at Lisbon and sent Commanders to all the Frontiers The first Action of King Ferdinand was the demolishing the Walls of his own City of Evora which were so strong that three Years were spent in that Work The Portuguese Fleet commanded by the Earl John Alonso Tello the Queen's Brother set out from Lisbon and in the Sea of Algarve met with the Fleet of Castile consisting of 17 Galleys under the Command of Ferdinand Sanchez de Toar He being inferiour in number endeavoured to shun coming to an Engagement But our Admiral pursues and comes up with him off of Saltes All the Portuguese Fleet except one Galley taken by the Castilians having left behind 8 Galleys that went to take in some Fisher-Boats Toar seeing our Galleys dispersed bravely boards and takes 12 of the first that came up and afterwards Seven of the Eight that were behind Only one of our Galleys escaped to bring the News to Lisbon the rest were carryed in Triumph to Sevil. Few were killed in this Engagement but the Prisoners amounted to 6000. In the mean time the Master Ferdinand Osores infested the Frontiers with frequent Excursions from Badajoz Peter Alvarez Pereyra Prior of Crato marched with 1000 Lances and 4000 Cross-bow-Men in quest of him but came too late for he was retired to Badajoz King John streightly besieged the Town of Almeyda thither came to him Prince John who was fled from Portugal on account of killing his Wife and offered with the assistance of some banished Portugueses to cause Lisbon to be delivered up to the King Upon this he appeared before Lisbon with six Galleys but being disappointed of his Design returned back to Sevil. 4. King Ferdinand sent his Chancellor Laurence Yannez Fogaça into England to hasten the promised Succours The Duke of York set Sail from Plymouth with 3000 Men 1381. and entred the River of Lisbon on the 19th of July The Duke of York arrives at Lisbon with 3000 Men With him came the Princess his Wife and many Ladies as also his Son Edward and some of the banished Portugueses among whom was Andeyro who came not so much to serve the King in his Wars as the Queen in her Amours the King's Sickness administring a favourable Opportunity The King went aboard to receive the new Guests who were lodged in the Monastery of S. Dominick where Rich Presents were bestowed upon them and they were sumptuously entertained The King was by the Treaty obliged to furnish the English with Horses and he gave them
Constance Daughter to King Peter from whom Henry the Bastard had usurped that Kingdom The Duke having this Right to the Crown of Castile set Sail from Plymouth with a numerous Fleet and arrived at Coruna in Galicia on the 25th of July where he landed 2000 Horse and 3000 Archers besides some other Forces and several Persons of Note The Duke was Sixty Years of Age without any grey hairs was tall and well shaped affable modest in Discourse of an excellent Deportment and in all respects answerable to his Royal Extraction With him came his Wife Constance and his two Daughters Philippa by his first Wife and Katherine by the second Scarce was he landed at Coruna when that Place owned him for its Lawful Sovereign as did the City Santiago and the greatest part of this Kingdom of Galicia Our King was at Lamego when the Duke landed in Spain The New King John and Duke of Lancaster meet Thence he removed to Porto and having agreed to meet the Duke at Ponte-Mauro set forward with a numerous Retinue They met upon the First of November in a Plain near Melgazo There it was agreed That if the Duke succeeded he should give the Towns of Ledesma Montilla Melgazo Plazenzia Grimal Canaveral Caceres Mendao Fuente del Maestre Zafra Torres de-Medina Fegenal and other Places with their Territories to the King of Portugal as Dower with his Daughter Philippa The Pope's Dispensation being come whereby the King was loosed from his Vow of Chastity made as Master of the Military Order of Avis and the Princess Philippa being conducted to him they were solemnly married upon Candlemas-Day Immediately the Queen's Household was settled and a plentiful Revenue assigned her 1387. which afterwards some other Queens of Portugal enjoyed 8. The King having spent Two Months with his Queen at Porto went with her to see her Father at Bragança and thence sent her back to Coimbra Many of the English were dead of Diseases With the King were 3000 Lances 2000 Cross-Bow Men and 5000 Foot They entred the Dominions of Castile and took Castro Calvo Mâ—â—tila Râ—sales Valderas and Villalobos Tho' Galicia had received the Duke as lawful King yet no Place in Castile admitted him but by Constraint Hereupon the King told him That to make an absolute Conquest it was requisite he should return to England for greater Forces The Duke approved of his Advice and they returned to Cuidad Rodrigo By the way they defeated a Party of the Enemies consisting of 500 Horse and some Foot Another Skirmish happened near the City upon the Passage of a Brook with the same Success The Duke being now in Portugal Embassadors came to him from the King of Castile Prince Henry of Castile marries the Daughter of the Duke of Lancaster Peace is concluded offering that Prince Henry Heir to the Crown should marry Katherine the Duke's Daughter that so all Pretensions to the Kingdom might cease The Duke assented and Articles being agreed upon and performed the War betwixt him and Castile ended He being with the King at Coimbra a Castilian was there burnt for contriving to Poyson him Soon after he returned to England 9. The King having held the Cortes or Parliament at Braga 1388. set out to recover some Places which still held for Castile Melgazo having held out to the last was then delivered up the Defendants having only leave to depart without Arms. It was remarkable at this Siege that Two Women A combat betwixt two Women one of the Town and the other of the Camp challenged each other and fought the latter was Victorious Hence the King marched to Lisbon and in September to the Province of Alentejo where about the middle of October after a stout Defence the Town and Castle of Campo-Major were taken by force At the beginning of the following Year 1389. the King being at Lisbon one of the Queens Ladies called Beatrix was found to have admitted Ferdinand Alonso one of the King's Bed-Chamber and his Favourite to her Bed Hereupon he was apprehended and having made his Escape from the Officer took Sanctuary in the Church Thence the King himself went to drag him and tho' he urged he was married caused him to be burnt The Lady went away to Castile to her Mother Embassadors came to the King being then in the Province between the Rivers Duero and Minho proposing a Truce for some Months and so Commissioners were appointed to treat with him and in the mean while the King to lose no time Besieged and took the City Tuy in Galicia 139â— At length a Cessation was concluded for Three Years A Cessation of Arms betwixt Spain and Portugal for three Years and some Places restored on both sides but more to the Portuguese Nevertheless the King of Castile ceased not to make mighty preparations for War but his Designs were prevented by Death which happened to him by a fall from his Horse After the expiration of the Three Years the Nobles of Castile 1393. and the Governours to King Henry Son to the late King John by his First Wife the Lady Ellenor advised him to desist from his Pretensions to Portugal since he was not Born of Queen Beatrix on whom that Title was grounded Embassadors were sent to this Effect to Portugal where a Peace was concluded for Fifteen Years all Prisoners on both sides to be released and all Dammages done during the late Cessation to be made good and then Hostages for performance were given on both sides 10. But these Articles were not faithfully performed on the Part of Castile The Truce not duly observed neither as to restitution of Dammages nor releasement of Prisoners wherefore the Portuguese resolved to do himself Justice by taking some Towns and accordingly surprized Badajoz and Albuquerque Embassadors sent from Castile promised performance of Articles upon Restitution of those Places and it was only done to amuse the King for at the same time Vessels were fitting out in Biscay against Portugal and two Portuguese Ships laden with Warlike Stores were taken off of Cape S. Vincent At the same time the Castilians made Incursions wasting all the open Country But the Constable defeated a Party of 400 of them that was returning home with a rich Booty Campo-Mayor was soon after taken by the King Having thus secured themselves against their Enemy the King and Constable gave themselves some Repose The latter distributed most of what the King had bestowed on him for his Services on such Gentlemen as had always adhered to him On the contrary the King now established on the Throne took back to himself much of what he had bestowed on many great Men for their good Service in the War As the Constable had received most this fell heaviest upon him and therefore he resolved to depart the Kingdom but the King returning part of what he had taken from him with difficulty perswaded him to stay The taking of Badajoz and Albuquerque before mentioned
Power in Cases Criminal This pleased the People but made him odious to the Nobility Soon after he made a Law That his Judges and other Officers of Justice should execute their employments throughout all the Territories of great Men that pretended exemption from them All the Grandees opposed these New Ordinances but the King was not so jealous of any as of Ferdinand Duke of Bragança a Servant of whom presented to the King certain Letters from the King of Castile to the said Duke which much increased the King's suspition 1482. and caused him to decree his Death In the mean while The Plague at Lisbon the Plague beginning to diffuse it self at Lisbon King John removed his Court to Monte-Mayor a more healthy Place An Embassador was sent into England to confirm the established Friendship with that King Another was also dispatch'd to Castile about concluding the Match designed betwixt Prince Alonso of Portugal and the Princess Elizabeth of Castile which was not effected till afterwards Embassadors came thence to Portugal on that Account By his Embassadors that had been in Castile the King had farther information concerning the Duke of Bragança his holding Correspondence with that King The Duke was warned by the King to forbear any farther proceeding in that Correspondence yet he desisted not but on the contrary proposed to unnaturalize himself in order to be at liberty to withstand his Sovereign The King understanding that the Duke accompanied his Son Prince Alonso in his Journey from Moura to Evora he resolved to apprehend him After the Solemnity of the Princes Reception was over the Duke coming to take his leave of the King was by his order secured 4. The Duke being now in Custody the King called his Council and laid before them the Copies of his Letters of Correspondence with Castile Judges were appointed for his Trial before whom he appeared twice but refused to come the third time The Duke of Braganca beheaded for High-Treason They thereupon past Sentence of Death upon him which was publickly executed upon a Scaffold by severing his Head from his Body D. Alvaro de Portugal one of the Duke's Brothers was banished and found such Favour in Castile that he was made President of the Council The Marquis of Monte-Mayor his other Brother having made his escape was executed in Effigy This done the King and Queen took a Progress through the Provinces betwixt Duero and Minho and behind the Mountains In February they returned to Santarem 1484. where they found the Death of the Duke of Bragança instead of security to them The Duke of Viseo Conspires against the King's Life was like to produce greater danger The Duke of Viseo Brother to the Queen had conspired to Murder the King in hopes to Succeed him as he would have done had he not endeavoured to anticipate the time His Associates were the Bishop of Evora and several other Persons of Note This Treason was discovered to the King by Antony de Faria who had it from James Tinoco Brother to a Servant-Maid of the Bishop that gave him the first information James Tinoco gave the King a particular Account of the Design but found not entire Credit till D. Vasco Coutino confirmed all he had said Three times the King escaped the Danger being provided against it since the information given him and yet none of the Conspirators perceived he knew any thing of it On the 22d of August being at Setuval he sent for the Duke and having taken him aside asked of him what he would do to the Man that designed to kill him The Duke answered The Duke stabbed by the King I would kill him first if I could Then replied the King You have given judgment against your self At the same Instant he stabbed him so that he fell down dead at his Feet 5. Late at Night Proclamation was made for apprehending the rest of the Conspirators The other Conspirators punished and the next Morning the Duke's Carcass was exposed to publick view upon the Scaffold Most of the Traitors were apprehended The Bishop of Evora being put into a Cestern was there eaten alive by Worms His Brother Ferdinand was beheaded the same end had Peter de Albuquerque D. Gutiere Coutino died in Prison and D. Alvaro de Atayde fled to Castile and was afterwards pardoned by King Emanuel The Count de Pena-Macor died at Sevil and Ferdinand de Sylveyra was killed in France D. Vasco Coutinho one of the discoverers for his loyalty was created an Earl and Tinoco the other being of less Quality had 5000 Crowns down given him and a Church Revenue worth 1500 a Year This done the King bestowed all that had belonged to the Duke of Viseo upon his Brother Emanuel and with it the hopes of Succeeding to the Crown as also of the Empire of Asia for at this time Burtholomew Diaz by the King's order discovered the Cape of Good Hope which he then called Tormentoso or Stormy because of the ill Weather he met with there 6. Whilst these things passed in Portugal the City S. George in Guinea increased and the Christian Religion diffused it self whereupon the King this Year first stiled himself Lord of Guinea 1485. Several sorts of new Coin King John stiles himself Lord of Guinea as well of Gold and Silver as of Copper were now also spread abroad in Portugal The King had sent D. Peter de Noronha his Embassador to Rome to pay his Obedience to the Pope and obtain of him the Croisade in order to prosecute his Conquests in Africk for which he made Preparations throughout the Kingdom 1486. Four Venetian Galleys being taken by the French and the Men put ashoar almost naked at Cascaes the King not only relieved them with Cloaths and other Necessaries but gave them such a Sum of Money as redeemed their Galleys wherewith they returned home Whereupon that Republick sent a Solemn Embassy with Presents to return him Thanks for that extraordinary Act of Hospitality Azamor in Africk submits to the King The Town of Azamor in Africk sent this Year to submit it self to our King and was taken into Protection The way to India by Sea beginning to be laid open after the Discovery of the Cape of Good Hope the King sent Alonso de Payva and John de Cubillan to take a Journey into India by Land Others followed them but the particulars of those Actions belong to the Portuguese Asia where they may be found The Catholick King and Queen falling short of Ammunition at the Siege of Granada sent to desire a Supply of King John which was speedily and plentifully conveyed to them John Alonso de Aveyro discovered the Coast of Beni and brought thence the first Pepper that was ever brought from those Parts as also an Embassador from that King who was honourably entertained and sent back loaded with Presents James de Almeyda a Knight of Malta Sailing for Africk with 30 Sail in which
Assemblâ—◠〈…〉 and appeared inflexible Martin 〈…〉 Camara was sent to appease them and promise they should have all the Records relating to the Succession It was proposed the Governours should remove to Santarem and disband the Forces they entertained The Prior of Crato drew near to Lisbon thinking the City would receive him they ordered him to remove farther yet he approached nearer and at last was admitted The Governours and Commons were at variance and could agree upon no one Point King Philip wrote to the Governours Parliament and chief Cities admonishing them to Proclaim him King Philip of Spain Arms to secure the Crown 〈◊〉 Portugal and at the same time suspecting them gathered his Forces He chose Ferdinand Alvarez de Toledo Duke of Alva then a Prisoner at Vzeda for Miscarriages in Flanders to be General of this Expedition Philip removed to Guadalupe on Pretence of Devotion thither came to him the Portuguese Embassadors desiring him to forbear Force and stand to the Determination of the Judges But he told them he could not lay down Arms till he was proclaimed King The Governours weary of the Commons sent them word they were dissolved and might depart They doubted at first but soon after obeyed This done the Governours to rid themselves of such as opposed King Philip sent them away to the Frontiers and other Parts on pretence of securing the Kingdom 2. King Philip now at Merida spread his Forces along the Borders of the Kingdom ordering the Commanders to treat such Portuguese as resorted to them courteously Preparations in Portugal to oppose Philip The Portuguese tho' they knew of these Preparations yet because the King courted them they thought he was weak Such of the Governours as favoured him were afraid to discover it and therefore Francis Barreto was sent into France to obtain 6000 Foot of that King which done he was to go to Rome to move the Pope to Mediate that King Philip might stand to Judgment D. Elisio de Portugal was sent to the Emperor The Fleet was also ordered to be fitted out D. Emanuel de Portugal erected a Wooden Fort on a Bank of Sand at the Mouth of the River to secure the Harbour There being great want of Men the Fryars from the Pulpits encouraged them to take up Arms and became more insolent when they incensed the Rabble to Rescue Antony Suarez who was hanged for murdering Ferdinand de Pâ—ca an Ancient Grave Man and Alderman of the City for that he opposed Antony the Grand Prior by whose order he was assassinated and he now pressed the Governours to declare him Legitimate D. John Tello one of the Governours was sent to Belem with absolute Power and there joyned with D. Emanuel de Portugal both of them being Mortal Enemies to Castile These Two wanting Money designed to sell the Crown Jewels but Christopher de Moura deterred any from buying affirming They would lose their Money for that the King would take them from them and their Persons would be in Danger 3. The Portuguese Embassadors followed the King to Badajoz where he dismissed them with the same Answer as before The Governours still remained irresolute but resolved to secure themselves and therefore removed to Setuval that being a stronger Place The Duke of Bragança and Spanish Embassador followed them and they began to talk of summoning the Cortes or Parliament as if the Duke of Alva were not now upon his March Elvas and other places delivered to King Philip. In the mean while the City Elvas was delivered up to King Philip there being Two Parties in the Place and Sixty Horse appearing before it and cutting off its Water The same happened at Olivenza Serpa Mâ—ura Campo-Mayor Aronches and Portalegre did the same Antony the Grand Prior at Santarem was by the Rabble proclaimed Protector of the Kingdom Antony the Bastard declared Protector by the Rabble and he going to lay the Foundation of a Fort a Base Fellow called Antony Baracho flourishing a Clout on the point of his Sword cried out Antony Antony King of Portugal All the Multitude took the word and pursued it so that none durst contradict them Only he made some seeming Opposition which was but to heighten their Desires Mounting on Horseback he was conducted to the Church and thence to the Town-Hall where all present swore Allegiance to him This done he resolved to set forward for Lisbon believing himself secure if received there This News was soon carried to the Governours at Setuval But before we proceed let us give some further Account of this Mob King 4. Antony Prior of Crato that is of the Order of Malta was born at Lisbon in the Year 1531 being Bastard-Son to Prince Lewis the Son of King Emanuel by Vâ—â—lante Gomez yet he made efforts to prove himself Legitimate but all unsuccessfully He was bred to Learning but made but little progress 1531. only understood Latin and had some rudiments of other Sciences The Birth and Education of Antony Prior of Crato His Particular Talent was a smooth Tongue which was very Attractive Incontinency was so predominant in him that in the depth of his Misfortunes he could not refrain from it Upon some Distast given him at Court he went into Castile and was kindly Entertained by King Philip. 1560. At Tangieâ— he served against the Moors and gained Reputation 1568. and Accompanied King Sebastian in both his Voyages to Africk where as we have seen he remained in Captivity Being ransomed he returned to Portugal and soon began to aspire to the Throne Finding King Philip so powerful an Enemy he offered to Compound but his Proposals were rejected What followed till his being proclaimed King at Santarem we have seen above The Governours hearing thereof and fearing he would soon be upon them Fortifyed themselves At Lisbon all things were in the greatest Confusion imaginable King Philip was at Badajâ—z and the power of his Army much extolled which spurred all Antony's Followers to press the Kingdom to Declare for him that so united they might the better oppose the Spaniards The Council of Lisbon refused to admit Antony as King but would receive him as Protector which he refusing they prepared to oppose him 5. Antony advanced to Lisbon Antony enters Lisbon 〈…〉 and tho but slenderly attended entered the City all that saw him saluting him as King He went to the Town-House and being there proclaimed all that were present swore Allegiance to him which done he immediately sent to acquaint the Duke of Bragança the Governours and other Noblemen of his Exaltation His next care was to raise Men and dispatch Expresses to England and France to crave Succours Having gathered 1500 Men he set forward for Setuval where the Governours were sending before the young Count de 〈◊〉 his great Favourite with a Letter admonishing them to submit They thought to have defended themselves but the Gount being possessed of the Gates they fled away privately and met again at 〈◊〉
Crowns in Gold to any that could discover him and the many poor People were concerned in his Escape none ever offered to betray him Antony came in disguise to Lisbon and thence to Setuval where a Woman assisted to hire a small Vessel for him which carried him into England whence he passed into France and was there favourably entertained by the Queen Mother Katherine of Medicis and her Son the Duke of Alenson who aspired to a Crown and hoped if he could get Forces into Portugal to secure that to himself 9. The Tercera Islands still held for Antony 〈◊〉 and at the same time expected King Sebastian who was killed in Africk The Tercera Islands for Antony and many pretended to prophecy the Day he would come to them King Philip being about to make his Entry into Lisbon received this News from the Islands and therefore sent thither Peter Valdez with 600 Men and some Cannon to reduce them He found a very ill Reception and therefore kept at Sea not knowing what to do Advice was brought him That D. Lope de Figueroa was preparing at Lisbon to follow him with a greater Force and he that the other might not have any share in the Honour of subduing those Islands rashly adventured to land With much difficulty he got ashoar upon S. James his Day and at First took some pieces of Cannon from the Portuguese But Cyprian de Figueyredo the Governour coming out of the City with all the Force he could make drove before a Herd of Oxen which being pricked forwards upon the Spaniards put them into disorder and he then falling on drove them into the Sea where 450 of them perished Many Barbarities were committed towards the Dead some being cut in Pieces and others dragged about the Streets Valdez was in this miserable Condition when D. Lope de Figueroa came to be a Witness of his rashness for he could do nothing after that Loss Upon the News that Levies were making in England France and Flanders to bring Antony into Portugal the King sent the Prior of Malta to secure the Province betwixt Duero and Minho Ambrose de Aguiar and Peter Peixoto were sent to the Terceras The Marquis de Santa Cruz returned from Sevil with Twelve Galleys and Twenty Galleons and found there Thirty Vessels gathered from Portugal Biscay and other Places With this Force he sailed towards the Islands in July Antony arrives at the Terceraâ— with a Fleet from France Antony at the same time sailed from France with Fifty eight Sail in which were above Seven thousand Men commanded by Philip Strozi and Monsieur de Brisâ—â— He arrived at the Island of S. Michael before the Spaniards and plundered the Town of Laguna The Inhabitants of Punta Delgada the chief Town of the Island fled to the Mountains Ambrose de Aguiar who had been Governour was dead and now Peter Peixoto and Laurâ—â—â—e Nogueyra commanded They marched out with about Three thousand Spaniards and Portuguese to meet the French by whom they were defeated and Nogueyra flying to the Fort died there of his Wounds Antony after summoning the Fort in vain prepared to batter it when the Spanish Fleet appearing diverted him from that Design 10. After several Essays made 1582. the Two Fleets joyned Battle on the 26th of July Antony's Fleet destroyed by the Spanish The Engagement lasted Five Hours in which the French Admiral and Vice-Admiral being taken Two great Ships sunk and about Two thousand of their Men slain the rest fled Philip Strozi being taken died of his Wounds as did D. Francis de Portugal Earl of Vimioso John de Jaen Chaplain to the Major General frighted by the Cannon ran down into the Hold where he died with fear Anthony thinking some of his Commanders had not done their Duty as being corrupted by the Spaniards cut off D. Duarte de Castro's Head on suspition that he was one of them He was not himself in the Fight being then received ashoar in the Island Tercera where he was received as King Some of the French Ships returned to France others plundered the Island of Fayal The Marquess after his Victory having Twenty eight Lords Fifty Gentlemen and a great number of Marriners and Soldiers Prisoners beheaded all the former and hanged the latter This done he returned to Lisbon carrying with him Two India Ships he met in the way Antony coined Money much under Weight wracked the People to raise more incited the religious Men to take Arms and forbore not too in the midst of his Misery to endeavour to corrupt Nuns He sailed thence in November with Thirty Sail for France but some of them forsook him by the way 〈◊〉 About the middle of February King Philip returned to Castile As soon as the Season was fit for sailing Monsieur de Chartes a Knight of Malta came from France with 1200 Men to secure the Islands to 〈◊〉 In July arrived there the Spanish Fleet consisting of Sixty Sail and among them Twelve Galleys which caused admiration for that those Vessels had never before been used in the Ocean but for Coasters In this Fleet were One thousand two hundred Men commanded by the Marquess de Santa Cruz. On the 24th of this Month the Admiral would have proclaimed a general Pardon but could not be heard He landed at 〈◊〉 Mole The 〈…〉 and after Three Days resistance became absolute Master of the 〈◊〉 the Defendants flying to the Mountains Monsieur de Chartes articled to depart with the French leaving their Colours D. Emanuel de Silva the Governour after absconding some time was betrayed by a Slave taken and beheaded His Head was put up where he had set up that of Belchior Alfonso for finding with King Philip and it is remarkable he had said it should be taken down when his were fixed in the Place Some were beheaded others hanged and all that had any Honours or Employments conferred by Antony were deprived of them All the other Islands were easily reduced 11. Antony having left all he possessed in the Seas Antony flies into England and having no hopes of Succour in France went over into England the differences betwixt King Philip and Queen Elizabeth encouraging him to hope for assistance there The Queen was easily perswaded to embrace this Enterprize and offered her Ships and Two thousand Men that had served in Holland but upon very hard Terms which were granted and are these That the Queen should furnish 120 Sail 15000 Landmen and 5000 Marriners for which Antony within Two Months after he was in possession of Lisbon should pay down Five Millions and 300000 Duccats a Year for ever That the English should Traffick freely in Portugal and India That the Queen might bring her Fleet into Lisbon River and Antony should be obliged to assist her against King Philip. That the Garrisons in Portugal should alwalys be in the hands of English maintained by the Kingdom That Bishopricks should be conferred on English Catholicks and
Reigns which were that of Sebastian of Henry of the Five Governours of Antony and now of Philip. For the easier dispatch of Business the King ordered there should be but Two prime Minister viz. Antony Pineyro Bishop of Leyria and D. Christopher de Moura the former because he had no Kindred and the latter because he made no Account of them for Moura was never known to prefer any of his tho' he had many Nunho Alvarez Pereyra was made Secretary and was equal in Power to them tho' not in Title The King had appointed to return to Castile in November but Prince James dying 〈◊〉 he was forced to call a Parliament to cause his Second So◠〈…〉 sworn Heir to the Crown 1583. The Parliament met the beginning of the New Year Another Parliament held and swore the Prince and among other things the King granted leave for wearing of Silks Mary the Empress Sister to King Philip and her Daughter Margaret came to meet the King at Lisbon The Portuguese expected the former would have been left to govern them Philip returns to Castile but the King made choise of her Son the Cardinal Albertus Archduke of Austria On the 11th of February the King set forward for Castile carrying with him the Lady Juliana de Lancastro Heiress of the Noble House of Aveiro 4. All Men began to observe how the Cardinal Albertus was qualified Cardinal Albertus Governour of Portugal and they found his Inclinations were good Only two things remarkable happened during the time of his Government One was the English Invasion under Antony the Grand Prior before spoken of The other the counterfeit Sanctity of a Nun. The Hipocrisie of a Nun. She pretended to live without eating and indeed had no other Sustenance but what she got out of artificial Candles she pretended to burn in her Oratory She also imprinted on her Body the Five Wounds of our Saviour so artificially that the cheat was scarce to be discerned even after she was discovered During the short time this Hypocritical Scene was acted she wrought some Miracles Being at last examined she was punished and from thenceforth led so Godly a Life as almost purchased her the Opinion of Sanctity she before endeavoured to gain by Hypocrisie The King tho' he left the Cardinal in Portugal governed the Kingdom himself with the assistance of his Portuguese Council composed of very worthy Persons in the choice of which he never erred The conceit some People entertained that King Sebastian was yet living 15â—â— gave Occasion to some Persons to take upon them his Name and Character 〈◊〉 Sebastian The Son of a Tiler born at Alcobaza who had been Apprentice to a small Turner of Heads in Lisbon and expelled the Order of Carmelites in his Noviceship went away and lived like a Hermit on the Borders of the Kingdom near Aâ—â—â—querque After some time the People censuring his course of Life he left it and putting on good Apparel he travelled about that Country well mounted Some presently gave out he was King Sebastian which he at first denied but finding them positive at last complied with their Humour and suffered two of his Followers to call themselves the one Christopher 〈…〉 and the other the Bishop of Guarda both which had been slain with the King in Africk Some few days they lived well among their Adherents and gathered Money but being apprehended by Order of the Arch-Duke Albertus the Counterfeit Sebastian after having been shewed at Lisbon was sent to the Galleys and his Companion the pretended Bishop hanged 5. Scarce was the last Impostor punished when another started up in his place This was one Gonzalo Alvarez the Son of a Mason who like the other became an Eremite and did much seeming Penance lashing himself and then crying out where he might be heard O unhappy Sebastian all thy Penance is but little in respect of thy Crimes A Rich Farmer called Peter Alfonso joyned with him and concealed him giving out Orders in his Name At length he gathered 800 Men calling himself Earl of Torresnovas Lord of Cascais and Governour of Lisbon None saw the pretended King but the Daughter of the false Earl she being designed Queen and also the Wife of Antony Simoens a Rich Man Whensoever this Pageant King was forced to appear abroad he wore a great pair of Spectacles which covered most part of his Face He sent a Son of Simoens to the Governour Albertus to Order him to quit the Palace for that he was coming to undeceive the People This Messenger being taken and then let go increased the Opinion of the People that it was King Sebastian because Antony Simoens having known him would not otherwise have suffered his Son to go on that Message The Judge of Torresvedras was ordered to Apprehend them but he attempting it was together with his Clerk cast headlong from a High Place and killed Gasper Pereira for reproving them was also murdered with his Son and Nephew and his House plundered Antony Fonseca an Alcalde de Corte went next with 400 Spaniards The false Sebastian executed commanded by Captain Calderon who after killing a few of the Mutiniers took the Upstart King At Lisbon he was hanged and quartered as was the false Earl Peter Alfonso with others Some were sent to the Galleys and the Towns of Ericeyra Carbonero and Mafra were left almost desolate the Inhabitants flying for fear of Punishment Yet after all this many thought King Sebastian must come out from the Desart and there was scarce any that lived an Eremitical Life in Portugal who was not imagined to be that King 6. Elizabeth Queen Elizabeth's Provocations and King Philip's Design against her Queen of England not regarding that she owed her Life to King Philip joyned with the Rebels of Holland against him She sent over to then Assistance Robert Earl of Leicester with 3000 Men. Sir Francis Drake also sailed from Plymouth in August and Landing at Bayona was beaten off thence Next he fell upon the Islands of Caboverde where he took a considerable Booty and all the Cannon of the Fortifications along the Sea-coast Thence he sailed to Sancto Domingo in the West-Indies 1586. which City he â—â—ok and plundered The same he did at Cartagena and then passed over to Florida About the beginning of this Year King Philip set out the Proclamation for regulating the Stile to be used in Letters which till then caused much Confusion every one aspiring to greater Titles than belonged to them King Philip provoked by the many Wrongs done him by Queen Elizabeth resolved upon the Conquest of England and to that purpose gathered a Mighty Fleet in the vast Port of Lisbon It contained 130 Sail most of them very large under the Command of D. Alonso Perez de Guzman Duke of Medina Sidonia and Generalissimo The Land Forces amounted to 20000 1588. the Mariners above 11000. They sailed from Lisbon the 27th of May and
after being dispersed by a Terrible Storm met again at Corâ—na Sailing thence the greatest part of this Mighty Fleet was destroyed either by the English or by violent Storms which drove it round Scotland and Ireland so that the Duke of Medina Sidonia with a very few returned to Santander In Revenge of this Attempt Queen Elizabeth sent the Fleet we before spoke of in the Life of Antony the Grand Prior to Invade Portugal The Disappointment she met there made her think of Intercepting our India Fleet. To this purpose she fitted out 50 Sail 1591. commanded by the Earl of Essex who sailed directly to the Islands Azores King Philâ—â— sent out his Fleet under the Command of D. Alonso Bazan against him Near the Island Flores the two Fleets engaged with so much Advantage on the part of the Spaniards that they took the English Vice-Admiral yet presently after some of the Spanish Fleet perished in a Storm However the English took the Flag-Ship of three that came from India in the Year 1593. 1593. tho D. Alonso Bazan sailed from Lisbon to prevent them He found seven English Ships in the Island Flores waiting for the other two that came from India and he took them 7. The Arch-Duke 1594. Cardinal Albertus being called away to Madrid Portugal governed by Commissioners to receive the Archbishoprick of Toledo the Government of Portugal was committed to D. Michael de Castro Archbishop of Lisbon the Counts D. John de Sylva of Portalegre D. Francis Mascarenhas of Sancta Cruz D. Duarte de Castelobranco of Sabugal and Michael de Moura Secretary The English Fleet again appeared before the Tercera Islands hoping to meet with the Ships from India The Earl of Essex was Admiral he destroyed Fayal and Pico then Landing upon S. Michael plundered Villafranca Lastly one of the India Ships falling into his Fleet he thought to have carryed it off but was disappointed by her being fired This done he sailed from the Islands Prince Charles Son to King Philip was naturally of a turbulent Spirit and is said to have held Correspondence with his Father's Enemies and to have practised against him Hereupon he was cast into Prison and Judges appointed to inspect into the Cause who passed Sentence of Death against him His Father allowed him no other Favour than to choose what Death he would die and he said they might kill him as they pleased Being prepared for it four Slaves strangled him with a Silken Rope D. John of Austria tho' a Bastard was no less haughty and aspired first to the Kingdom of Tunis then to that of England but the King lowered all his haughty thoughts and he is believed to have died a violent Death King Philip having been some time sick at last was confined to his Bed as well by reason of Weakness as that the Gout was broke out in Sores upon his Hand Foot and Knee Fifty three days he lay in such condition that his Bed could not be made and on the last of them he died His Patience in his Sufferings was wonderful for he pityed those that attended him more than he did himself Having performed all Offices of a good Christian he gave up the Ghost the 13th day of September being Sunday 1599. at Five in the Morning in the Year 1599 in the Famous Monastery of the Escurial King Philip dies the 71st Year of his Age the 18th of his Reign over Portugal and 41st over the rest of Spain He was the first King since the Goths that possessed all this Monarchy entire 8. King Philip was of a middle Stature His Description an awful Presence had a high Forehead blue and beautiful Eyes a handsom Nose thick Lips the lower somewhat fallen as is usual to the House of Austria fair Hair and taken altogether his Person was Majestick He wanted the Sense of Smelling or at least had very little of it He had four Wives First Mary Daughter to King John the Third of Portugal His Wives and Issue Secondly Mary Queen of England Daughter to Henry the Eighth by whom he had no Issue Thirdly Elizabeth Daughter to Henry the Second King of France Fourthly Ann Daughter to the Emperor Maximilian By the first he had Charles whom he put to Death as has been said By the third Elizabeth Clare Eugenia Countess of Flanders Wife to the Arch-Duke Albertus Also Katherine Wife to Charles Emanuel Duke of Savoy By the fourth first Ferdinand secondly Charles Lawrence thirdly James all three died young fourthly Philip who succeeded his Father fifthly Mary who died an Infant CHAP. V. The Reign of Philip the Third of Spain and Second of Portugal and Nineteenth King from the Year 1578. till 1621. 1. SIngular was the Wisdom of the late King and consequently the loss of him was extraordinarily lamented by all his People Their Sorrow was much mitigated by the great hopes conceived that his Successor Philip would prove no less capable to wield the Sceptre than his Father had been Birth of Philip the Third This Prince being the Seventh Child of his Father and Fourth of his Mother Queen Ann was Born in the renowned Town of Madrid 1578. on the 14th of April 1578. and was the Second of the Name in Portugal and Third in Spain He was sworn Heir of Portugal on the first of February 1583. 158â— and afterwards of his other Kingdoms 1598. this being the first of them that took an Oath to him The many Embassages he received with singular Grandeur the Fleets he set out the great Supplies he sent to Pope Paul the Fifth and the Emperor Ferdinand and many other particulars of his Reign as appertaining more properly to the History of Spain where he resided are purposely omitted here because we design only to adhere to what particularly belongs to Portugal His Resolution was wonderful in banishing the Moriscoes The Moriscoes banished Spain or those that were descended of the Race of the Moors who pretending to become Christians committed many Villanies and Sacriledges at the same time underhand holding Correspondence in Africk and Turky in order to bring over the Moors into Spain again Charles the Fifth Ferdinand and Philip the Second had all of them entertained thoughts of putting this same Design in execution but the many Inconveniences that attended it still deterred them 400000 of these base People were dispersed throughout the Kingdom who all upon the King's Edict departed the Kingdom having liberty to carry away with them all they were worth Upon the Birth-day of this King a Preacher Prophetically foretold the Banishment of the Moriscoes threatning them with the New-born Prince 2. Often did this King promise to Visit his Realm of Portugal in Person but still failed being put by his Resolution by his Favourites who for their private Ends disswaded this Journey not regarding how much a King loss the Affections of his People who never suffers himself to be seen by them 1619.