Italy the Alans and Lusitanians before dispersed began to take heart and recover what they had lost founding also many new Towns Among these were Albuquerque and Terabrica which last was rather repaired being called Alankerken which signifies The Church of the Alans and now corruptly Alanquer Whilst the Alans thus without any King only following their Generals paid Tribute to the Emperor The Suevians incorporate with the antient Lusitanians Hermenericus the Suevian King at Lisbon applied himself to the repairing of the Towns that had been destroyed treating the Native Lusitanians no otherwise than his own Country-men The Lusitanians having the free Liberty of their Religion and being equally admitted to all Honours with the Suevians the two Nations joined Marriage and by that Means became so entirely one that there was no knowing the Suevian from the Lusitanian or the contrary Being thus joined into one Body they could afterwards never be parted but notwithstanding the Invasion of the Goths the Inhabitants of Portugal were afterwards called Suevians Thus the Portugueses are descended from the Suevians no less Noble than the Goths if either of those Barbarous Nations deserve to be esteemed Honourable And thus the Province of Lusitania lost that Name and was long after called Suevia 8. The Alans enjoyed Tranquility 419. without any King as did the Suevians or Portugueses under their Sovereign Hermenericus till Gundericus King of the Vandals thinking it easie to subdue the Alans in Lusitania and the Silingi in Andaluzia if Hermenericus were once oppressed he broke the Peace with the Suevians and rushing suddenly with Fire and Sword into their Territories Hermenericus though surprized at this unexpected Invasion gathering his Forces together received the Enemy so successfully that he sent him to seek new Seats in the Islands of Majorca and Minorca where we will leave him to be spoken of by those Historians to whom it belongs 420. Gensericus the Brother of Gundericus The Suevians Alans and Silingi join in League against the Romans succeeded him Who understanding that Etius Honorius's General was coming into Spain to revenge the Wrongs done by his Brother he joined in League with Hermenericus King of the Suevians and with the Alans and Silingi believing none would dare to oppose their United Power At Merida they Mustered their Forces Etius dreading their Multitude but much more surprized at the death of the Emperor 423. attempted nothing upon them Thus Gensericus was left at leasure to pass over into Africk where he utterly abolished the Name of the Roman Empire and Hermenericus 427. whilst the Vandals were employed in Africk enlarged the Borders of his Kingdom to almost the same extent it now bears 9. Valentinian the Emperor Wars betwixt the Romans and Suevians who succeeded Honorius understanding the Vandals were gone over into Africk Commanded his General Sebastian to invade the Alans left in Lusitania Merida and all that Territory was easily taken from them as was Lisbon and Estremadura from the Suevians Sebastian now Victorious forgetting his Duty caused himself to be Proclaimed King of what part he had recovered of Lusitania yet his Friends failing him he was soon killed and by his Death the Alans and Suevians had an opportunity of recovering Merida and Lisbon Hermenericus grown Old and Infirm caused his Son Richila to be Proclaimed King who proved one of the most fortunate Princes of the Suevians whilst Hermenericus rejoyced in the hopes of surviving in the Person of his Son Andebalus the Imperial General was on his march to recover what Sebastian had lost Richila to begin his Reign honourably gathered a mighty Power and meeting Andebalus on the Banks of the River Xenil then called Silingus slew him and the greatest part of his Army 10. All Andaluzia easily submitted to the Victorious King Richila makes himself Master of Lusitania and Andaluzia as did also Merida where there had been an Imperial Garrison ever since Sebastian took it All Lusitania in like manner was brought under and Richila became absolute in Andaluzia and Lusitania Old Hermenericus died contentedly leaving such an Heir in the Town of Britonium near Viana de Caminha on the mouth of the River Minho 440. Another Author who calls him Monarch of Spain says he was drowned in the River Guadiana near unto Merida Richila being sensible how much more easie it is to gain than to preserve too large a Dominion voluntarily resigned up Cartagena and Carpentania to the Romans and entring into League with them by that means established a large and peaceable Kingdom 448. He died Eight Years after his Father and left his Son Ricciarius to succeed him being equal to him in valour but more fortunate in the true knowledge of the Evangelical Law which he professed living and adhered to at his death CHAP. III. The Kingdom of the Suevians subdued by the Goths two Kings set up by their consent all again reduced under one with the other remarkable occurrences between the Years of Grace 448 and 560. 1. RIcciarius succeeded his Father Richila 448. not only in the Kingdom of Portugal Ricciarius his Reign but the greatest part of Spain The beginning of his Reign was disturbed with some Conspiracies of the Great Men but he privately took off many of them and by that means secured his Life and Kingdom He Married a Daughter of Theodoredus King of the Goths her Name is not known Ricciarius after his Marriage raising a great Army made War upon those parts of Navarre which were yet subject to the Roman Jurisdiction and through them he forced his way into France to see his Father-in-law Theodoredus The old Man perceiving his aspiring Spirit gave him considerable supplies for the carrying on of his Designs In his return he conquered the Province of Tarragona and Carpentania which his Father had abandoned to the Romans In Aragon he took Zaragoza and Lerida in Catalonia after plundering the Province of Cartagena he returned loaded with Booty and Honour into Lusitania Ricciarius being now at rest 451. his Father-in-law Theodoredus died and Theodoricus his Son succeeded him Him Ricciarius thought to have been no less forward toward his Assistance than the Father had been and upon this conceit he resolved to conquer the other Lands of the Empire The Goth who was in League with the Romans and feared the Ambition of his Brother-in-law might involve him in his own Ruin advised him to moderate his extravagant desires Ricciarius offended at this wholesome advice marched against his Brother-in-law with a powerful Army Theodoricus was not backward to meet him being strengthned with Succours from the Kings of France and Burgundy He is overthrown by Theodoricus King of the Goths The two Armies furiously ingaged in the Plains about Astorga both Kings were present in all places where the greatest Danger was Encouraging their Soldiers and the Men fought as those who had their Kings to be Spectators of their
had ordered He was not admitted to speak with the King but only with Count Julian then the great Favourite of whom he obtained what he went about This lascivious King killed Favila the Father of Pelayus and Duke of Cantabria thinking by that means the better to enjoy his Wife D. Luz His Cruelties he put out the Eyes of Theodofredus Father to King Roderick and D. Luz thereby to make him incapable of inheriting the Crown but Roderick did the same by him 711. so that he died Blind having Reigned Ten Years There is no Account who was his Wife but it appears he had two Sons which were Evan and Sisebutus who being Banished by King Roderick into Africk fled to the Protection of Requila Commander of Tangier their Father's Friend and thence came over a Commander among the Moores that destroyed Spain and so died Those Calamities require another Chapter CHAP. VI. The Reign of King Roderick from the Year 711 till the coming of the Moores in 714 all Spain subdued by them in Eight Months the Restauration began by Pelagius and his Successors till the Year 783. 1. SOme Writers who have obtained no small Credit 711. name Acosta or Aconsta as Successor to Witisa yet others there are who absolutely exclude him as fabulous If any such was he was Eldest Son to Theodofredus and Brother to King Roderick however it is we have no account of his Actions and if any were being so dubious Roderick last King of the Goths they are scarce worth relating Roderick then may be allowed immediate Successor to Witisa he was Granson to King Chindasuindus and Son to Theodofredus Duke of Cordova by his Wife Recilona Favila Duke of Cantabria was Brother to Theodofredus and had Pelagus or Pelagius by his Wife and Niece to the Lady Luz Thus the Subversion and Restauration of Spain had their Authors proceeding from the same stock for as Roderick was cause of the Destruction so Pelagus was the first that laid his Hand to the Reparation of it Roderick ascended the Throne with no small hopes conceived by his Subjects of a better Government than had been before Count Julian Favorite to Roderick but the event made him more odious than his Predecessor had been Count Julian the great Favorite and prime Master to Witisa continued in the same Post under King Roderick Julian was Father to her whom the vulgar calls Cava and our Historians Florinda of her Roderick became enamoured that so the greatest Desolution might not happen without the help of a Woman Having chosen her for his Wife it fortuned that Egilona or Eilata an African Princess or according to others a Goth was droven by Tempest into a Port of Spain she being brought to the King her Beauty so captivated him that forgetting Florinda he took her to Wife Thus she who thought to have been Queen continued at Court as one of the Queen's Ladies Julian her Father enraged beyond measure immediately contrived how to be Revenged and in order to it perswaded the King to Dismantle all the strong places left standing by Witisa and disarm his Subjects which was accordingly done 2. Soon after the King sent Julian Ambassador to Muza in Africk Julian sent Ambassador into Africk to request of him not to protect Evan and Sisebutus the Sons of Witisa The more to move Muza he thought it proper to send him some considerable Present and being informed that in a Tower near Toledo great Treasures were of Antient time reported to be hid the Doors having many locks upon them because it was a received Opinion that when they were opened great Calamities would ensue the King resolved to enter this place In it was found nothing but a Chest containing only a Picture representing Men a Horse-back in Moorish Apparel with several sorts of Weapons and an Inscription denoting that when those Gates were opened Spain would be Invaded and Conquered by that sort of Men. The King thought the Prediction would be Averted by locking up the place again with what it contained but it proved otherwise Julian being gone upon his Embassage King Roderick relapsed into the love of Florinda and courted her but without receiving any Favour Frandina her Mother perceiving it and desiring to be her self the Mistress of a King caused one Bigamota an attendant of hers to deliver some Messages to the King as from Florinda Roderick ravishes Florinda Daughter to Julian tending to meet him in some convenient place where shrowded with Darkness she might supply the place of her Daughter the King encouraged by those false invitations watched his opportunity and finding Florinda alone ravished her 3. Florinda now doubly wronged first of the Throne and then of her Honour was touched with the highest Resentment her Mother soon discovered the effect being sensible of the cause and changing her love to the King into hatred perswades Florinda to acquaint her Father by Writing with the loss of her Honour 712. Julian hereupon hasts back into Spain Julian meditates Revenge dissembling his Rage and appearing joyful before the King having succeeded in his Embassy obtained fresh Favours He begged the Government of the Towns held in Africk and thither he went with his Wife leaving his Daughter at Court to prevent all suspicion Julian treated with Muza about betraying the Kingdom of the Goths unto the Caliphs and he having received instructions from his Prince agreed upon the Conditions without much difficulty the Traitor not only encouraging the Barbarian to pass over into Spain but drawing over many great Men in his Government to take part with them Having settled these Affairs at Malaga he came to Court and obtained leave to carry away his Daughter with him He brings the Moors into Spain the King nothing mistrusting any Treason Muza in pursuance of what was agreed upon sent over 6000 Arabs under the Command of Tarif Abenzarca to make the first incursion into Spain 713. these being joyned by the like number of the Rebels broke through Andaluzia into Lusitania where nothing being less thought of than War Men Women and Children were seen in droves flying to the Mountains King Roderick alarmed with this invasion sent his Nephew D. Inhigo Sanchez with some number of Men armed only with Staves and Stones yet such as they were they had several rencounters with the Enemy but at last their Commander being slain and they overpowered were put to flight The Victorious Arabs returned into Africk with Booty and many Captives this was the first Scene of the wicked Count's Revenge and of the overthrow of the Spanish Monarchy 4. Whilst Count Julian and the Caliph prepared for a more powerful Expedition King Roderick now awake raised the greatest number of Men he could and with all possible speed provided Arms and Fortified his Towns He thought the Barbarians would have given him more time but they immediately passed over the streights of Gibraltar with a wonderful Fleet 200000 Foot and
to his Name His Wife was Gaudiosa of Cantabria Fourth Grandchild to Ofilon Brother to Stephen the happy Father of the Archbishop St. Ildefonsus By her he had Favila and Ermesenda who succeeded him in the Regal Dignity 722. He took Leon in the Year 722 And hence came the Title of Kings of Leon and the Bearing of a Lion for their Arms. 737. He died at Cangas at the Foot of the Mountain Auseva in September 737 and lies buried in the Church of Covadonga built by himself and his Wife and dedicated to the Virgin Mary 8. Favila Favila succeeds Pelagius who succeeded his Father Pelagius had not Time to perform any great Actions being killed in the Second Year of his Reign by a Bear as he was hunting He lies buried in the Church of the Holy Cross founded by himself at Cangas He married Froilivua and either had no Sons or at least they came not to the Crown for his Sister Ermesenda succeeded him and took to Husband and King D. Alonso Son to D. Peter Duke of Cantabria descended from Recaredus J. During the foregoing Years the Christians in Portugal enjoyed full Liberty of Conscience Several Moorish Great Men ruled over them Aliboacen Grandson to the General Tarif was Lord of the City Coimbra and all the Territories betwixt the Rivers Alva-Mondego and Agueda governing with Tyrannical Power Thus the Portuguese lived in Subjection when Heaven gave them Hopes of recovering their Liberty Happy was the Kingdom in falling to Ermesenda for that she was the Mother of the Victorious and Religious King Alonso who conquer'd a great part of Castile King Alonso successful against the Infidels Galicia and Portugal He enter'd Galicia with a powerful Army and took the Cities of Lugâ— and Tuy Then passing over the River Minho he over-ran all the Country as far as Duero entring the Cities and Towns of Braga Porto Agueda Viseo and Chaves besides other Places of Importance No Quarter was given to the Moors and the Christians were carried away to Asturias he not designing to keep all he gained This was the first King after the Destruction of Spain that had any Jurisdiction in Portugal Thus he reigned 757. with great Honour 17 Years and died at the Age of 64. His and his Wife's Bodies were buried in the Church of Covadonga He had Issue Fruela who succeeded him Wimaranus Aurelius and Adosinda By a Slave he had Mauregatus who proved more like the Mother than the Father as will appear in the Sequel 9. Fruela K. Fruela kills 60000 Moors who inherited his Father's Valour as well as his Kingdom marched to meet a mighty Army sent against him by Abderramen King of Cordova the first that in Spain durst cast off the Authority of the African Calyph under the Command of Omar to revenge the Harm done by the late King Alonso in Portugal and Galicia He met with no Opposition in Portugal But in Galicia King Fruela discomfitted his mighty Army killing him and 60000 of his Men. This done crossing Portugal to besiege Setuval he overthrew Aliaben Talib who came to put a Stop to his Proceedings with 1500 Horse and 14000 Foot Of the Moors 8000 were slain in the Fight and of the Christians 2300. This Victory laid that Country open and the King after an hard Siege had Setuval surrender'd to him This is his last Action we know of in Portugal In other Places he performed many great Exploits He forbid Priests to marry which had been allowed since the Time of King Witiza and was the Founder of the City Oviedo All his Vertues and Trophies were obscured by his putting his Brother Wimaranus to death upon bare Suspition that he intended to rebel because he was exceedingly beloved by the People for his extraordinary Endowments Most Authors agree that this Wimaranus was Father to Bermudo the Monk afterwards King Fruela was married to Monina the Daughter of Eudo Duke of Guienne in France Their Children were D. Alonso and the Lady Ximena This King had also a Bastard-Son called Raimund He prospered no more after the Death of his Brother Wimaranus for Abderramen King of Cordova recovered all that Part of Portugal which lies betwixt Cape St. Vincent and the River Tagus 768. After this Loss he was murder'd at Cangas by his Brother Aurelius His Body and that of his Wife were buried in the great Church of Oviedo founded by himself He reigned 11 Years in great Esteem with his People and two more after the Death of his Brother no less hated than he had been beloved 10. We have no Account of any thing remarkable Particular Affairs of Portugal done by Aurelius the Successor of Fruela in Portugal But about this time Marvan Ibenzorat reigned in Coimbra And Theodus a Noble-man descended of the Gothish Kings was Governor of the Christians in these Parts with the Title of Count. Aurelius reigned six Years died at Cangas and was buried in the Church of St. Michael 774. He leaving no Children Adosinda the Daughter of King Alonso and Queen Ermesenda and his Sister succeeded him She married Silo whose Parents are not known but so he came to be King He enter'd Portugal to make War upon the Moors and took from them the City Merida in Estremadura Thence he marched against the People of Galicia who were in Rebellion and finding great Opposition after the Victory he treated them with much Severity Having obtained these Victories the King gave himself up so entirely to his Ease that the Queen managed all the Government They had one Son called Aldegastus who with his Wife Brunilda built the Monastery of St. Mary d' Ovanna in the Territory of Tineo for their Burying-place 783. The King died when he had reigned Nine Years and was buried in the Church of St. John de Pravia founded by himself His Epitaph is thus H. S. E. S. S. S. T. L. Each Letter stands for a Word and are HIC SITUS EST SILO SIT SIBI TERRA LEVIS. CHAP. VII The succeeding Kings from the Year 783 till 924. The Battels they fought and their Conquests upon the Moors but more particularly in Portugal 1. QUeen Adosinda considering the good Qualities of her Nephew D. Alonso the Son of Alonso the Catholick King 783. she appointed him her Successor Mauregatus the Bastard Son of the same Alonso begotten on a Slave Mauregatus the Bastard usurps the Crown soon deprived him of the Crown To compass his Design he enter'd into a League with the Moors and became Tributary to them the Tribute consisting of 100 Noble Maids to be deliver'd to them yearly In case he gave not the Maids in lieu of every one he was to pay 500 Pieces of Money supposed to answer to as many Crowns in our Days This Tribute was conveyed to Cordova and gathered and secured in several Parts of Asturias Galicia and Portugal Now some Authors affirm this Tribute was paid in the Year 770 and if so
made by the Almoravides It is likely that Henry came with the Command of these Troops and having gained esteem had the Government of the Province between the Rivers Duero and Minho committed to him other great Men governing the others at the same time After the death of King Ferdinand who divided his Kingdoms among his three Sons Sancho King of Castile having taken Portugal from his Brother Garcia and Leon from Alonso his other Brother obliged him to fly for safety to the Moors 1071. Henry accompanied him in all misfortunes till Sancho being killed Alonso was not only restored to his own but seated in the Thrones of Castile and Portugal 1073. King Alonso considering that he who follows a Prince Gains the Affection of King Alonso deposed in his misfortunes does something more than Man concluded that Henry was a prodigy among mortals and therefore from that time resolved to suit his reward to his Fidelity 4. Beatrix the second Wife of King Alonso dying 1076. a match was agreed for him with the Lady Constance Alonso marries his Aunt Aunt to Earl Henry and he was sent to France to conduct her into Spain With him went Raymund Earl of Toulouse and with them both came Raymund Earl of Burgundy which is the reason some Authors write they came all together whereas the other two had been long before in Spain Thus Henry became great at Court the King being his Friend and the Queen his Aunt which his power he used with such moderation that he was beloved by all Men. 1081. He accompanied King Alonso at the memorable Seige and taking of Toledo as also at the Battle of Sagulias near Badajoz 1087. where the King was overthrown 1090. To reward all these Services the King at last gave him to Wife his Bastard Daughter Teresa He takes to Wife Teresa Bastard Daughter to Alonso and has in Dower the City Porto and its Territory whom he had by the Lady Ximena Nunnez de Gusman Her Dower was the City Porto with its Territory then the best part of what was gained in Portugal giving him leave to retire thither and live with his Wife His Age was the cause that he died leaving Teresa young to marry a second Husband which much disturbed the publick Peace Soon after the Christian Princes joining in League to conquer the Holy Land Earl Henry was chosen General of the Forces sent by King Alonso in which employ he gained great Honour He returned from this Expedition to Toledo where the Court of Castile was then kept in the Year 1099. King Alonso at this time being of a great Age sent his Son Prince Sancho being but Twelve Years of Age under the direction of D. Garcia Count of Cabra with an Army to oppose Almanzor the Moor. With them went many Persons of Quality among which the chief was Earl Henry they came to a Battle in the Plains of Veles where the Prince was unhorsed and killed 1100. though Henry and Garcia exposed themselves to save him Overthrows the Infidels and takes Almanzor prisoner Earl Henry meditating Revenge met Almanzor again in the Field whom he dismounted and took Prisoner delivering him to James Ordonnez for to carry him to the King this done Henry broke through the Infidels putting them to flight with a mighty slaughter 5. As it is doubtful whether Henry went to Hierusalem with the other Christian Princes so is it also whether he was present at the taking of Lisbon Santarem Sintra and other strong places by King Alonso but that he was at these latter Expeditions as most properly appertaining to him is most likely For his good services he receives other Territories of King Alonso But his great Age requiring some rest the King at last gave him leave to retire to Portugal giving to him for himself and his Heirs all that was conquered there which was the Cities Coimbra and Viseo and the three Provinces that betwixt the Rivers Duero and Minho Beira and Tras os Montes with that part of Galicia as far as the Castle Lobeira and leave to conquer as far as Algarve Earl Henry settled his residence at Guimaraens taking the Title of Earl of Portugal The Portuguese encouraged by the presence of a Prince of their own did much upon the borders of the Province betwixt the Rivers Duero and Minho till then not entirely subdued but we have no particular account of their Actions Hecha Martin King of Lamego being a tributary to Henry rebelled and drawing together a powerful Army did much hurt in the Christian Territories The Earl with Egas Moniz a Gentleman then famous and afterward Tutor to King Alonso marched to recover the Booty he had taken and overtook him in a Valley near the Monastery of Arouca The Moor for greater security in case of any misfortune placed his Wife Queen Axa Anzures and all the Prey on the top of a Mountain he thought unaccessible called Sierra Seca The Christian Army encamped along the River Alarda and Egas Moniz seeing the Enemy advantagiously posted undertook with a good party by Night to go about the Mountains and at break of Day to be ready to fall upon them on the top Another overthrow given by him to the to the Moors whilst the Christian Army charged the Enemy below This was accordingly put in Execution and after a bloody Fight the Queen was taken above and the King below they becoming Christians the Earl bestowed the City Lamego upon them they paying tribute for the same 6. The Moores rebelling against their King for changing his Religion 1103. he fled to Guimaraens to crave aid of Earl Henry A Moorish King restored by him who by force took the City Lamego and restored him He fearing in the Earl's absence his Subjects would again revolt desired of him to leave some Portuguese Gentlemen to secure those Lands which was accordingly done and the Country People with Inhabitants brought from the Province betwixt the Rivers Duero and Minho He performs other great Actions This year some Writers will have it that Earl Henry went to the Holy Land with Guy of Lusignan and other Princes all the likelihood there is thereof is That we have no account of him in Portugal from the Year 1103. till the Year 1109. King Ali Haben Joseph with a numerous Army laid Siege to Coimbra which he furiously battered during a Month. Earl Henry marched to their relief and coming to a Battle overthrew the Infidels with a great Slaughter Cintra and other places revolted and were overcome but rising again they could not easily be subdued Whilst our Earl was diverted in the Wars of Galicia and Leon where he took some Towns Cyrus King of the Arabs taking the opportunity laid Siege to Santarem whither our Forces hasting to relieve the place were by him overthrown and so the Town being distressed Surrendred The Earl took several places in Leon so that King
Alonso was glad to abandon that City upon promise to relieve it in four Months He overthrew King Alonso of Navarre in defence of Queen Vrraca and about the Government of Prince Alonso soon after Henry being dissatisfied with the said Queen took part with the King against her and defeated Count Gomes who espoused her Quarrel 7. Whilst he was absent from Astorga those People of the Kingdom of Leon that he had subdued revolted 1112. and he returning His Death and Character laid Siege to Astorga In the heat of the Siege he died and his Son Alonso rising with his Army went away to Bury him at Braga Thus Astorga with all its Territory was lost The death of Earl Henry was much lamented of his Subjects for that he was a Prince of extraordinary Piety Valour and Generosity He overthrew the Moors in Seventeen several Battles and took from them many Cities and places of Strength He lived Seventy Seven Years Governed Portugal with the Title of Earl above Twenty and was Governour of part thereof almost as many more He was of a middle Stature a beautiful and awful Presence his Complection fair his Eyes blew and his Hair yellow inclining to red In his antient Pictures he is represented with his Sword in his hand his Body lies in the Cathedral of Braga with a modern Inscription on his Tomb which mistakes his Country and Parentage The Countess Dowager governed this Dominion for some years as being her Dower and her Son being under Age. She might have ruled longer had she not Married or proposed to Marry the Earl of Trastamara D. Ferdinand de Trava this or some other cause produced Civils Wars betwixt the Mother and Son which ended in her overthrow her Son without regard to the duty he owed to a Mother when she was made Prisoner keeping her in the Castle of Lannoso with Fetters on her Feet till she died in the Year 1130. and was Buried by her Husband 8. The Issue of Earl Henry was His Issue First Alonso Enriquez taking his Name and Sir-Name from his Father and Grand-Father This being his Heir is named before the Sisters though they preceded him as to Birth Secondly the Lady Vrraca Wife to D Bermudo Pâ—â—z Earl of Trastamara Thirdly the Lady Sancha Wife to D. Ferdinand Nunnez a great Man in the Kingdom of Galicia they left no Children Fourthly the Lady Teresa Married to D. Sancho Nunnez Son to Count Nunno de Celanova Fifthly he had a Bastard Son by a Woman of Quality his Name was Peter Alonso of whose brave Actions we shall hear in the life of his Brother Earl Henry for some Years wore a plain white Shield till after he had obtained renown by his Sword he added to it a plain blew Cross CHAP. II. The Birth of Alonso first King of Portugal he takes upon him the Government is proclaimed King by the Army his wonderful Victory over the Moors at Ourique he takes Lisbon Santarem and many other places all from the Year 1094. till the Year 1148. 1. IN July 1094. or according to others on the 15th of August 1094. was Born D. Alonso Enriquez only Son to Earl Henry The Birth of Alonso Enriquez Son to Count Henry and his Lady Teresa at the Town of Guimaraens He is said to have been Born with both his Legs cleaving together from the Knees down and that his Governour Egas Muniz having devoutly begged of Heaven to loosen his Feet the Blessed Virgin appeared to him bidding him carry the Child to an old ruined Church at Carquere near Lamego and that restoring the place and setting the Infant upon the Altar he should recover his Limbs Egas for the space of five Years did as he had been ordered and the Child recovered 1105. This Prince was but Fourteen Years of Age when he began to follow the Wars under his Father and was with him when he died at the Siege of Astâ—rga as has been said before 1112. Having paid the last Honours to his Father to express his great respect towards his Mother he committed the Government to her though then of Age to undertake it himself St. Bernard haâ—â—ng at his Convent of Claraval in France had a vision of St. John Bapist Mâ—nks of Claraval came into Portugal directing him to send some of his Monks to found a Monastery in Portugal in the place that should be shown to them by one John Cerita whom they should find there he accordingly sent seven of his Monks They found Cerita who lived an Austere Eremitical life and conducted them to Prince Alonso by whom they were honourably received and encouraged in their Foundation 1120. Being dismissed they settled in a deep Valley encompassed with high Mountains near the River Barosa almost two Leagues from Lamego where they built a Chappel Dedicated to our Saviour which is still in being in the Village called Pinegro 1121. The following Year they built in a place where they had seen certâ—â—â— Lights during Nine Nights as had been foretold by St. John Baptist to St. Bernard Here Prince Alonso visiting them enlarged the Structure at his own cost John Cerita took the order here and reduced several who lived an Eremitical Life in the Mountains to follow his Example The number of Monks thus increasing he founded another Monastery called St. Christopher de Lafoens Both these Churches were afterwards Consecrated and great Gifts offered in them at the Solemnity 2. Prince Alonso having now weilded a Sword long enough to gain Renown 1125. thought it requisite to be Knighted according to the Custom of those days Alonso Knights himself and thinking there was none about him great enough to Confer that Honour on him by putting on his Armour and girding on his Sword as was then the Custom he laid the Arms upon an Altar and taking them thence put them on himself so taking the Honour at his own hands Prince Alonso's Mother being about to marry the second time it bred such Animosities betwixt them that they finally came to Battle near the Town of Guimaraens 1128. the Mother overthrown fled to the Castle of Lannoso He besieges his Mother takes and puts her into Irons which is hard by and was there Besieged by her Son Alonso VII King of Castile and Leon came to her relief with a powerful Army The Portuguese Alonso was not unprovided but meeting him in the plains of Valdevez put to the Sword the greatest part of his Forces took seven Earls Prisoners and the King himself hardly escaped having received two Wounds This done the young Prince returns to the Siege of the Castle which being yielded to him he put his Mother into Irons She provoked at this dis-respect as her Bolts were put on prayed to God that his Legs might be broke and her Prayers were heard as will appear hereafter 3. Alonso now grown absolute Being himself besieged by King Alonso of Castile he Articles for his
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