race of the Portugals who have made us Kings by their own valour without forreign assistance by their own valour and with the effusion of their own blood This law was put in execution after the death of D. Fernando the 9 King of that race whose daughter Donna Beatrice being married out of Portugal to the King of Castile D. John the first was excluded from succession and a new election made from which new election that we may hasten to our purpose lineally descended D. Emanuel the fourteenth King of Portugal who had six sonns and two daughters in this following order 1 The Prince D. John 2 The Infanta Dona Beatrice married to the Emperour Charles the fift by whom she had Philip the second 3 The Infanta Dona Beatrice married to Emanuel Duke of Savoy by whom she had Philip Duke of Savoy 4 The Infanta D. Lewis who left only Don Antonio illegitimate 5 The Infante Don fernando died without issue 6 The Infante D. Alfonso Cardinal Archbishop of Lisbon and Abbot of Alcobaza never married 7 The Infante D. Henry Cardinal and Arch bishop of Braga 8 The Infante D. Edward who left two daughters the eldest was Mary married out of the Kingdom to Alexander Farnese Duke of Parma the yonger was Catherine married in the Kingdome to John Duke of Braganza After the death of King Emanuel succeeded his eldest sonne Don John called King John the third whose only sonne that had issue called Prince John dieing before his father left D. Sebastian who succeeding his Grandfather was slain before he was married in that Signal battell in Africa famous for the deaths of three Kings anno 1578. where were unfortunatly lost with their King most of the Nobility and Flower of Portugal Upon the death of King Sebastian the crown returned to the eldest survivour of his Granfathers brothers which was D. Henry the Cardinal whose function for he was a priest rendred him as uncapable of marrying as his age for he was 67. years old rendred him unable for generation so that during his raigne which lasted not two years the chief discourses and debates not only of Portugal but of all Christendome was who rightfully and who probably should succeed King Henry There were some pretended right but wanted power others had power but wanted right and there were some pretenders that had neither right nor power First The People claymed jure Regni to have the right to elect their own King Secondly the Pope challenged jure Divino to be the arbitratour if not donour in all controversies for Crownes and that Alfonso the first King to obtain the title of King became Tributary to the sea of Rome Thirdly Don Antonio illegitimate sonn to the Infant D. Lewis pretended that his mother was lawfully wedded as well as bedded with his father Fourthly Catherine de Medicis widow of Henry the 2. King of France as descended from the King of Portugal D. Alfonso the 3. and for that all since that King have raigned unjustly Fiftly Philbert Duke of Savoy sonne to Beatrice younger daughter to Emanuel would not lose a Crown for want of laying claym thereto knowing that of all the pretenders that were not natives he was looked on as the fittest to resist King Philip not only for his personal valour but also for his dominions bordering on the Dutchy of Milan which in case of need he might invade by the assistance of the French his neighbours upon the other side 7 Reinuce the yong Prince of Parma laid claim to this Crown in right of his Mother Mary lately deceased alleadging that jure primogeniturae the male line was to be served before the female so that untill the line of his Grandfather the Infante D. Edward were wholy extinct neither Philip the 2. nor the Duke of Savoy could have any right Seventhly Catherine Dutches of Braganza pleaded that in all successions there are to be considered these four qualityes in the persons pretending viz thâ— line the degree the sexe and the Age that the better line is first to take place although others should have advantage in the other three qualities That in succession of Crowâ—es the last possessour is to be succeeded jure hered latis which allowâ—s the benefit of representation that she representing the Infante D. Edward the better line did by her representation precede Rainuce for the law allows not a Grandchild that benefit and by her better line exclude King Philip who descended from a daughter lastly by the fundamental Lawes of the Kingdom she was to be preferred before all other the pretenders for that she was both born and married within the Kingdome Eighthly Philip the 2. after all resolved that so faire a Crown lyeing so conveniently for him should not escape him yet because force is of harder digestion first to make triall of the most gentle meanes to effect his proposed ends to this purpose he employes the best wits of all the Vniversityes in Christendom to prove his and disprove all other claymes After much bickering it was alledged in favour of King Philip first against the Prince of Parma and the Dutchess of Braganza that successions of Crowns were to be decided by the Law of Nations not of the Empire upon which onely her jus representandi patrem was grounded that the neerest male in degree to the last possessour ought to succeed that the Infante D. Édw. being deceased before his brother Henry was King could have no right in himself therefore could derive none to his posterity for nemo dat quod in se non habet That it was very unreasonable that Catherine should be lesse prejudiced in her self for her sex then King Philip should be in his Mother Next it was alledged against the Queen of France that prescription of above 300 years whereas Lawyers allow 100 years a sufficient Title for any Kingdome lay most evidently against her Against the people it was answered That untill the Royall Line of a Kingdome be quite extinct there can be no right of election in them But the main Argument whereby King Philip confuted these and all other pretenders was his sword wherewith like another Alexander he cut that Gordian knot wherefore not to lose time nor opportunity whilst the University invented the most powerful Arguments he made all preparations possible for a powerful Army to be ready in the mean time wrought so effectually with Father Leon Henriques a Jesuit and Confessor to King Henry and Frier Ferdinando Castillo a Dominican that all intentions prejudicial to King Philips designes were craftily diverted as from declaring the Dutchess of Braganza next heir whereunto King Henry was most inclinable also from marrying in hopes of issue whereto he was once so farre perswaded as to endeavour a dispensation from Rome but his hopes and intentions were soon after cut off by death the newes whereof arriving to King Philip he marched away immediatly with an Army of above twenty thousand old Souldiers towards Lisbon where he found no
in the kingdom of Congo and Angola the great Island of St. Laurence of Soffala and Mozambique on the Continent thence passing the mouth of the red Sea they have setled a Trade with Socatra and Calaiate thence passing the Bay of Persia and the mouth of the great river Indus which gave occasion of the name to those countries they subdued Calecut Cochim c. the Island of Goa Cial Daman c. thence towards the river Ganges they conquered Ceilam Malacca Sumatra Solor Larantuca c. thence farther forward they entred into the kingdome of Pegu into Juva major and minor into the kingdome of China where they held a strong place called Macao In summe the Kingdoms Provinces Islands Cities that the Nation of Portugal hath conquered abroad may be compared to the ancient Roman Empire nor hath their valour been much inferior to that of the Romans if we consider the warre they have made with the King of Cambaia who for puissance riches and military courage surpaspassed Xerxes Darius or Pyrrhus the warre they have made with Isamalucco Idalcam in the kingdom of Decam both equall to mighty Kings whose Armies consisted of Persians Turkes Janizaries Arabs Moors and the best warriers of all the East the warre they have waged with the Moores of Malacca Sumatra and Molucco who were as well provided of Artilry as any of the Princes of Europe also with the Kings of Bengala Peug Siam many other formidable powers It is true that during the time that Portugal was under the Catholick Kings many places were lost yet there remains to this day under the command of K. John the fourth above fifty Towns and Forts accounted impregnable as Mozambique Cuama Monomotapa Mombaza Mascale Diu Damam Bazain Chiaul Onor Barcelor Mangalor Cananor Cranganor Cochim Coulam Negapatan Meliapor the Isle of Ceilam the kingdome of Jafanapatan the Cities of Manac and Nombre de Jesu then more Northward Azarim Danu Agazim Maim Trapor and many other places in all which are maintained Governors and Souldiers besides in the head Citie Goa there is a Viceroy with all Courts of Justice whither many Kings of the East send Tribute and Ambassadors to maintain amity with the King of Portugall insomuch that the Portugall Trade extends itselfe into the East neer four thousand leagues by which are maintained all the Garrisons all the ships whereof there are oftimes two or three Fleets and much wealth sent home every yeare Upon the coast of Africa the Crown of Portugall yet possesseth divers places so well fortified that the neighbouring Moores could never yet recover them In America the famous country of Brasile belongs to the King of Portugall one thousand foure hundred leagues on the coast thereof containing 14. governements whereof the head City is Saint Salvadar But to return to the Frontiers of Portugal where we left the Portugals and Castillians making inrodes wasting the Country surprising the Towns ofts kirmishing but never yet in any set Battel untill the year 1644. where both Armies met upon the borders of Portugall in a plain called Campo-Mayor The Spanish Army consisting for the most part of strangers was under the conduct of the Marquess de Torrecusa and the Portugal Army consisting of Natives with some few Hollanders were under the command of Matthias de' Albuquerque The batail was fought with as much order as courage on both sides but the Spaniard being more numerous especially in Horse after severall furious charges put the whole Army of Portugal into disorder seised upon all their Artillery and Baggage killed Albuquerques horse under him and took many prisoners yet after all the Generall being mounted upon another horse rallied some of his best Souldiers and charging afresh recovered all put to flight the whole Army of their Enemies and chased them above 3 miles Of the Spanish Army there were slain 1600 men upon the place amongst whom was the Lieutenant General the General of the horse and the General of the Artillery 5 Campmasters 2 Adjutants of horse 3 Sergeant-Majors 23 Cornets the Count de Montixo together with very many Cavaliers of the Orders of Saint James Calatrava and Alcantara there were taken 4000 Armes and above 1000 Horse Of the Portugal Army were slain not above 300. amongst whom 2 Campmasters and one Sergeant Major one Captain of horse and eight of Foot but there were taken prisoners divers Noblemen Commanders and Officers which were hurryed away by the Castillians in their flight Not long after was imprisoned in Lisbon the Marquess de Montalban D. George Mascarenas Lord Treasurer President of the Councell of the Indies and a Councellor of State together with some others upon suspition of a conspiracy against his Majesty but upon Examination it being discovered that the suspicion was cunningly raised by the Castillians with intent to deprive his Majesty of the service of his most able Ministers and to make the World believe that the Portugall Nobility were discontented with their King they were set at liberty and their honors repaired by his Majesties Proclamation In this condition stood the King and Kingdom of Portugall in the year 1644. and in this condition it may probably continue for many years First because the Catholick King will not probably quit his pretences here sooner then he hath done in the Netherlands Secondly because the Nation of Portugall beareth such extraordinary affection to the whole Family of their present King and such exceeding hatred to the Castillians that they will choose rather to be extirpated and destroyed then bee brought again under the yoke of the Catholick King Thirdly because the Catholick King is not able during the warr with France to gain any thing upon that Kingdom either at home or abroad as hath bin evident ever since King John the Fourth came to that Crown Fourthly because it is so much the interest of France to keep the Crown of Portugall apart that the peace with Spain will never bee concluded without including Portugall Lastly supposing that by all the States of Christendom contrary to their owne interest the Kingdom of Portugal should be abandoned to the fury of the Spaniard and granting that Philip the second made himself master thereof by force yet if their then impuissance and distractions be remembred and their present power and unanimity be consider'd it must necessarily be concluded That the Re-union of Portugal with Castile is morally impossible FINIS * A Grandee of Spain is any Nobleman that hath the priviledg to be alwayes covered in the Kings presence as all Noblemen had before the time of Charls the fifth
Michael Molina to be hanged on a gallowes and his goods to be confiscated to the Kings use the execution whereof they leave to the Lord Judge D. John de Quinnoues and this is their will and pleasure This sentence was made known to the prisoner upon the first of August and execution done accordingly in the Plaça Major of Madrid the third day following at which time and place the Proclamation usually made at the execution was thus THis is the Justice which the King our Soveraigne Lord commandeth to be done upon this man for having committed high treason and published falsities forgeries and horrible cheats on the affaires and grave ministers of state for which he commands that he be hanged by the neck till he die to the end that it may be to him for a punishment and to others an example then concludes Quien tal haze tal pague He that thus doeth let him thus pay for the same As he stood upon the ladder ready to be turned off he delivered in writing to father Andrew Emanuel of the Society of Jesus a declaration the contents whereof ensueth word for word LOyall subjects of our soveraigne Lord the King I am Michael de Molina born at Cuenca the grievousnes of my crimes is so great that a punishment can hardly be invented to equalize mine offences against God against our soveraigne Lord the King whom God preserve against the Emperour against my native country against the Lord Duke de Olivarez and Sant Lucar against the most grave faithfull and loyall Ministers of state whom I have discredited with my forgeries and lies The clemency of the King our soveraigne whom God preserve hath been very eminent in sentencing me so mercifully God grant to whom I now goe to render a strict account that there be found mercy for me in the life to come and that I then pay not for the clemency shewed me here I do here declare and confesse upon mine own free will that not having the feare of God nor man before mine eyes I have been the cause of the gretest part of the mischiefes that this Monarchy suffereth and of those calamities and miseryes which you faithfull people yet suffer for which I humbly beg pardon of all those that are absent as well as of you here present For I am the man that feigned that the King our soveraigne Lord whom God preserve and the Emperour instigated thereunto by the Lord Duke of Saint Lucar and fomented by him did plot the death of our most holy father Urban the 8 th Pope head of the Church and vicar of Christ for which purpose I invented and contrived orders of the King our soveraign and of the Emperour letters from the Duke Orders instructions and judgments of the Counsellours of State with letters from Vice Royes and Embassadours with purpose to abuse and deceive the Nuntio and the Embassadours of severall Princes and thereby to get money from them not caring for the dammage might arise and accrue from thence to the world and to this Monarchy and not contented here with I invented that in case the said death could not be effected that then endeavour should be to call a Councell and to depose the Pope or make a schisme in the Church I invented and forged that the Lord Duke did by order from the King the Emperour and the Counsell of state endevour to kill the Cardinal Richelieu Favorit to the most Christian King of France for which purpose and for the death of the Pope I feigned persons that were to have been instruments of the same I gave notice to the Ambassadours hereof shewing them letters and Orders which I feigned as I judged meet I made them believe that I was an Officer of the Counsell of state and that by that means I came to the knowledg of these plots and conspiracies whereby I have disturbed the world caused jealousyes and suspitions amongst all the Princes of Europe and the mischiefs that this Monarchy now suffereth I also advertised the Embassadours and the enemies of this state of letters consults orders and decrees made by the King and Counsell for driving the French out of Piemont the Correspondencies of the Cardinal of Savoy with the subjects of that state for effectuating the same the coming of Prince Thomas from Flanders to Savoy for the same purpose and to lay siege to Casal of an Army to be raysed and maintayned in Alsatia of an intention to kill Duke Bernard de Weimar General of the Swedes the intentions of the King our Soveraign with the states of Venice and Genoa concerning Piemont and Casal the purpose of supplies which both states of Venice and Genoa would send to France and Holland and the intentions of the Pope to assist France against Spain the intent of England to â—â—gue with Spain the purpose that the French and Hollanders had to joyn their fleets to hinder all succours of Flanders and to surprise the plate fleet and infect the coasts of Spain the design that the Hollander had upon Antwerp in the year 1638. the successe of Fontarabie whereupon I feigned letters from the Prince of Conde and from the Duchesse de Cheverâ—use also concerning the imprisonment of Don Gualterio Peni Secretary and Resident for France in this Court with whom I had intimate friendship which was the ground of all these disasters of the secret compliance between the Cardinall Infante and the Prince of Orenge of the conspirarcy by the Prince of Orenge to kill the Cardinal Richelieu the design of Holland that the States of Flanders should be independent of Spain and our King should renounce his right to the Cardinall Infanta to the end the Hollanders should receive him and subject themselves to him of the capitulations and agreement twixt the King our Sov and the Duke of Modena whereby I feigned that the said Duke was to assist with six thousand men at his own charge against France and that the King was to give him the charge of Viceroy of Catalonia and twenty thousand souldiers to enter into France by Catalonia which was the first ground of the warr at Salsas and Perpignian the key of Catalonia of the general resolutions of the year 1639. in order to the affayres of Germany Flanders and Italy of the purpose to take away the Nuntio's Court in these kingdomes for the disorders and excesses of the same of the great resentments of the King our soveraign against the King of France for his leagueing with the Swedes his confederation with the Turks and Protestant Princes of Germany for his protection and league with Holland for his commerce with Venice and Genoa to the great discommodity of Spain for the disunion which he endeavoured to make between Spain and England of the resentment that the King our Soverain had against the Pope for his amity and assisting of France and not his endeavouring rather as a father of the whole Church to pacify the warres by all meanes possible of the
other resistance but Don Antonio one of the forementioned pretenders in the head of a popular tumult rather then a regular Army which being soon discomfited and the suburbs of Lisbon sacked to gratifie the Souldiers he easily made himself Master of the whole kingdome But before this could be brought about Pope Gregory the 13 had sent Cardinal Riario Legat into Spain with order to disswade the Catholique King from raising Arms and so to passe into Portugall there to arbitrate the right between all pretenders Philip to avoid this and yet to approve himselfe as he always profest a most obedient son of the Church he gave secret order in all places where the Legat was to passe that he should be entertained with all respect and magnificence possible and thereby be so dexterously detained that the kingdom might be possessed by him before the Legat could arrive at Gourt which was acted accordingly and the Legat wel satisfied in his entertainment though not in his negotiation When the Nobility and people of Portugall saw themselves thus unawares yoked by the Castilians against whom above all other there was ever a certain antipathy of nature they were exceedingly discontented but seeing there was no hope to withstand so great a Potentate as Philip the second reputed at that time not onely the most prudent or rather crafty subtile man but the most puissant Monarch that later ages have produced they all submitted to the King who the better to win them condescended to meet that submission and be sworn in an Assembly of Estates to these capitulations following 1. That his Majesty should observe all Lawes Liberties Priviledges and Customes granted to the people by former Kings of Portugall 2. That the Vice King or Governor shall always be the Son Brother Uncle or Nephew of the King or else a Native of Portugall 3. That all chiefe Offices of the Church or State shall be bestowed upon the Natives of Portugal and not upon strangers Like wise the Governments of all Townes and Places That all Countries now belonging to Portugall shall so continue to the commodity and benefit of that Nation 5. That the Portugall Nation shall be admitted to all Offices in the Kings House as well as the Castilians 6. That because the King cannot conveniently be always in Portugal he shall send the Prince to be bred up amongst them At the end of these Articles was adjoyned a blessing to those Kings that should observe them and a curse to those that should violate them adding moreover That in case which God forbid that his Majesty which now is or his Successors should not observe this agreement or should procure a dispensation for this Oath the three States of the Kingdom might freely deny subjection and obedience to the King without being guilty either of perjury or treason This clause although it was not printed with the Capitulation made in the first Assembly of Estates yet is rehearsed by divers Authors amongst others by the Author della Legge Regia di Portogallo stampata in Madrid After this accord the Cardinal Albert Archduke of Austria son to the Empeour and nephâ—◠〈◊〉 King Philip was placed as Vice 〈◊〉 of Portugal yet durst not his Majesty leave the Kingdome so soon for he perceived a general discontent to continue amongst them insomuch that the Preachers would ordinarily in their Sermons vent speeches clearly tending to sedition which made the King oft complain that the Portugal Preachers had waged the hardest warre with him but yet that he looked upon them as crack't brain'd adding sometmes with much mildness and patience Pues dexaldos por que usan a los privilegios que han los locos Once Father Lewis Alvarez a Jesuit preaching before the King on St. Philips day about the time that it was argued by some Lawyers that the Dutchess of Braganza in the succession of this Crown did fully represent her Father turned towards his Majesty saying as it runs in the Gospel for that day Philippe qui videt me videt patrem meum making a discourse thereon in favour of the Dutchesse Title whereat the King not seeming to be moved at all keeping his wonted gravity said If the Pope who had Christned this Father another Saint Paul for so he was esteemed had known him better he would have stiled him rather a Spirituall mad man Another time the same Father preaching before the Arch. duke took his Text Surge tolle grabatum tuum ambula turning to the Duke said Sir the meaning hereof is Arise up take up your pack and be gone home Moreover in the Chappel of the Duke of Braganza they were wont to sing the Lamentations of Jeremy wherein the Prophet represents the oppression and scorn which the Israelites suffered while they were without a King of their own applying all to themselves and the Castilians as Aquam nostram pecunia bibimus because of the Excise upon their Drink and most other necessaries imposed by King Philip and Servi dominati sunt in nos And again Cecidit Corona capitis nostri alwayes ending with Recordare Domine quid acciderit nobis Intuere respice opprobrium nostrum Haereditas nostra versa est ad alienos In the mean time some comforted themselves with expectations of a change by the return of D. Sebastian whom they would not yet believe to be dead others believing that he was indeed killed in the battell of Africa yet that he should be restored miraculously Some gave great credit to old Prophesies especially to that of an Hermit to King Alfonso the first that he should overcome the Moors with their five Kings and that in the sixteenth Generation his line should fail for a time but that then God should have compassion on them And to a letter of St. Bernard wrot to the same King Alfonso the originall whereof was by the last King of France given to the Ambassadour of Portugall 1641. the tenor of it was that he rendred thanks for the lands bestowed upon him to build a Monastery that in recompence thereof God bad him declare unto him that there should not fail a native of Portugal to sit upon that Throne unlesse for the greatness of their sins God would chastise them for a time but that this time of chastisement should not last 60 years Other Prophesies there were of one St Gil a Dominican and Simon Gomez both living and reputed for Saints But whilst the people busied their heads with these expectations King Philip proceeded sensim sine sensu to establish and confirm his right and power over the kingdome and to break those shackles of Soveraignty wherewith he was fettered whose footsteps his son King Philip the third followed exactly though not with that craft and dissimulation as his Father had done yet during their reigns it must be acknowledged that of many Articles some were observed but as soon as Philip the fourth at present King of Spain was warm in his Throne it was resolved by the Count
de Olivarez Duke of Saint Lucar that the best way to continue that Nation in subjection and peace was to abolish all their priviledges which were but so many encouragements to oppose the Kings designes in pursuance whereof the Dutchess of Mantua was made Governor of Portugal although she was neither Daughter Sister Aunt or Neece to the King the great Offices were bestowed upon Castilians Italians and other Forreigners pensions out of the Bishopricks and other Ecclesiastical promotions were also given to strangers the governments of Castles and Towns were put into the hands of Castilians new Impositions were laid upon the people the Revenues of the kingdome were imployed for the use of the Court at Madrid c. And that this design of Olivarez might be no way hindred the Nobility and ablest men of the Kingdome were drawn forth some to Court some to employments in Warre and some to prisons where they were destined to slaughter as appeared by a Letter written from Madrid to Vasconzellos his Agent at Lisbon where he saith por los cuernos de los Fidalgos que ya stan aqui bien puede V. M. rezar un pater noster por sus almas mus por aquellos que no han querido venir me recomendo As for those rascally Gentlemen of Portugal which are here already you may bid God have mercy on their souls but commend me to those that would not come But this hard dealing with the Nobility already called forth of forth of the kingdome and the calling for more gave the first occasion to some of the Noblemen to assemble together where they resolve Not only to stay at home but to have a King at home whereupon the Duke of Braganza Grandchild of the fore-mentioned Katherine by the name of Don John the Fourth now raigning was advanced to the Crown as is at large related in the life of Olivarez and therefore needs not here to be repeated Only hereunto shall be annexed the most memorable passages that have happened since hee came to the Crown The Kingdome of Portugall having been possessed by three Kings of Spaine successively from the yeare 1580. untill the year 1640. not full sixty years according to the prophecy of St Bernard for before Philip the second was received and sworn their King it was April 1581. whereas the present king of Portugall Don John the fourth was proclaimed on the first of December 1640. being then at Villaviciosa his Country-house upon the fifth of the same Month without any pomp or guard he entred into Lisbon yet with so great security as if he had been guarded with a most invincible Army whereupon he said That to be King and Soveraign of the Portugall Nation there was no neeed off any other Guard or Armes then the hearts of the people So soon as it was known in Lisbon that the King was arrived the concourse of People was so great before the Palace and the joy so extreme that for a time they seemed to be transported out of themselves some leaping others dancing some kissing the Kings hand others throwing themselves down at his Foot all shouting and crying Viva viva el Rey Dom Joam el quarto nosso Senhor God save the king D. John the fourth our Soveraigne Lord. That Evening all the Cannons were discharged and so many Fireworks and Lights that the Night was turned into Day whereat a Spanish Gentleman said Es possible que se quita un Reyno a el Rey D Felipe con solas Luminarias y vivas sin mas exercito in poder Gran senal y efeto sin duda del brazo de Dios todo poderoso Is it possible that king Philip should be deprived of a whole kingdome with only Lights and Fire-works without a powerfull Army Certainly this is an evident token of the Almighties power Upon the fifteenth following was the King solemnly crowned in the great place before his Palace upon a Theater wheron was raised a great Scaffold and upon that a lesser whereon was placed three steps higher a Chaire of State under a Canopy all covered over with cloth of Gold about Midday came forth his Majesty in a Suit of Chesnut-coloured Velvet embroidered with Gold and Buttons of Diamonds about his Neck a Collar of great value whereunto hung the habit of the chief order of Knighthood called El Orden de Christo He was girded with a gilt Sword his Robe was cloth of Gold lined with White wrought with Gold flowers his Train was born up by the Lord Chamberlain D. John Roderiguez before his Majesty was the Sword borne by D. Francis de Mello Marquis of Ferreira high Constable of the kingdome and before him the kings Banner displayed by Fernando Telles de Meneses as knight Marshall and before him the Marquis of Govea D. Manrique de Sylva Steward of the kings House with all the Grandees Nobility and Gentry before all went Portugall king at Arms with the Heralds Pursevants c. His Majesty being sate in his Chaire with a Crystall Scepter in his right Hand whereon stood the high Constable and behind the Chair the Lord Chamberlain There was placed before him a Table covered with cloth of Gold with a Cushion thereon and upon the cushion a Cross of Gold with a Missall then the Archbishops of Lisbon and Braga with the Inquisitor-Generall kneeling down upon a Cushion made his Oath to the kingdome as followeth WE swear and promise by the grace of God to Rule and Govern you well and justly and to administer unto you Justice as far as Humane frailty will permit to maintain unto you your Customes Priviledges and Liberties granted unto you by the Kings our Predecessors So God help Us and this his holy Gospel After this taken by the King the three Estates Clergy Nobility and Commons swore Allegiance to his Majesty in these words One for every Estate said I Swear by this holy Gospell of God toucht corporally with my Hand that I receive for our King and lawfull Soveraign the High and Mighty King Don John the Fourth our Soveraigne and doe Homage unto him according to the use and custome of his Kingdome This Ceremony being past Francis de Lucena Secretary of State standing in the middle of the Scaffold with a lowd voyce declared That his Majesty accepted the Oath and Homage which they had made Then the King at Arms having cried O yez thrice Ferdinando Telles de Meneses knight Marshal with a lowd voyce said Royal Royal Royal for the high and mighty Lord King John the fourth our Soveraigne and the Heralds with all the people ecchoed Royal Royal Royal Then all the Drummes Trumpets and Fifes sounding his Majesty came off the Theater and mounting on Horseback rode under a most rich Cloth of State towards the great Church with all his Grandees and Nobles before him bare headed on foot By the way in a great open place were presented unto the King together with an eloquent Harangue the keyes of the Citie which being
were covered Amongst other discourse D. Francisco de Mello told her Majesty that he feared his Embassy would not be acceptable for that his Master had deprived her brother of one of his Kingdoms whereto her Majesty replyd that although she was sister to the King of Spain yet she was wife to the King of France and thereupon began to speak Spanish which the Ambassador observing demanded wherefore her Majesty had not vouchsafed them that favour sooner it being a language better understood by them the Queen answered for fear they should be daunted to hear her speak Spanish the Ambassador to improve the jest replyd Como a tam grande Senora si pero como a Castillana no. It was true considering her greatness but not her Countrey whereat her Majesty smiling went on promising them all favour and wishing many happy dayes to King John and the Prince his son thus having delivered to her Majesty a Letter from the Queen of Portugal they took leave to go visit the most Eminent Cardinal Richelieu who being advertised of their coming came forward to the third chamber to meet them and there received them with expressions of great affection after which he conducted them into his own Chamber where all three being sate his Eminence a personage for his most admirable abilities worthy to live many ages discovered divers affairs of importance to the Ambassadors and they oâ— the other side made his Eminence understand how highly it imported that the two Crowns of France and Portugal should be united by an indissoluble league and amity considering that the primary and principal aim of the house of Austria whose branches were spread over Europe was not only to be the greatest but the only Monarch of Christendom for which end it never made scruple to usurp Kingdoms and States upon the weakest pretences imaginable as have appeared in the Kingdoms of Naples Sicily and Navarre the Dutchy of Milan and several other States more lately in Germany the seizing upon the Valtelline that so being Master of that passage he may upon any opportunity lead an Army of high Germans into Italy Moreover considering the vast power and interest this Family hath not only in all the other States of Italy and Germany and in the Low Countries but also in almost all America it must be confessed that they have a large foundation of their imaginary universal Monarchy yet no one thing gave them so great hopes as the possession of Portugal First because by the addition of that Kingdom they became absolute Masters not only of all Spain but of all the East Indies of all the Eastern Trade of Ethiopia Persia Arabia China Iapan and all that incredible wealth that was raised out of the Portugal Traffique whereby the Austrian greatness if not their Monarchy was principally sustained therefore that it much concerned all States to endeavour not only to put a stop to the growth of that monstrous tree but to cut off some arms thereof that it may the less damnify and annoy the lesser trees that grow by it that to do this none was more concerned or more able then the Kingdom of France united with the Kingdom of Portugal which having bin reputed the right arm as Catalonia was the left of that huge Austrian Colossus and now separated from it and joyned with France will be able to do as great service against it as ever it hath been forced to do for it not only by assaulting the Spaniard at home in his own house but by intercepting the Plate-Fleet which coming from the West Indies must necessarily pass by the gates of their Enemies the Tereera Islands and so run a hazard to be lost or else be at the charges of an extraordinary Convoy Having thus discoursed with his Eminence of those and other weighty affairs he was pleased to offer not only all the assistance of the most Christian King but that he would disburse of his own for the Service of Portugal that he would presently send thither a Fleet of twenty Sail with his Nephews Admiral and Ambassador extraordinary whereupon the Ambassadors taking leave they were accompanied by his Eminence as far as the stairs which the Ambassadors endeavouring to hinder the Cardinal told them that the Ambassadors of Portugal were to be treated with no less respect then those of the Emperor or Pope Some few days after in the house of the Grand Chancellour there was appointed a Junta of the Ambassadors with his Majesties Commissioners together with the Secretary Chavigny where was soon concluded a peace and league between the Crown of France and Portugal and the Ambassadors with much courtesie and satisfaction dismissed It very much concerned the kingdome of Portugall to maintain amity and peace with the Crown of England not only for the Navigation and Commerce of both States but also for other particular ends in the present conjuncture of affairs principally to break the good correspondency that was at present maintained between the Crowns of Spain and England For this purpose in March 1641. were dispatcht for England Don Antonio de Almada and D r Francisco de Andrada Leiton personages of great abilities who arriving safe in spite of the Dunkerkers that chased them in England were received with demonstrations of great courtesie notwithstanding the earnest labouring of the Spanish Resident to the contrary It is true that his Majesty of England was so tender of his honour and conscience that he answered D r Antonio de Sosa Secretary to the Ambassadors sent before to make way that he would be first satisfied by what right and title his Master was made King of Portugal before he would accept of the Ambassage Whereupon the Secretary being one of the most exquisite wits of this age in the space of twenty four hours drew up and presented to his Majesty a writing which declared at large what here in substance ensueth Upon the death of King Henry the Cardinall without issue many pretended together with the Infanta Donna Catherine Dutchess of Braganza and Grandmother to this present King to the Crown of Portugal but all their pretences wanting foundation soon fell except that of Philip the second King of Spain who propt up his with force King Henry was Uncle equally neer to both but with this difference Catherine was the daughter of a son named Edward and Philip was sonne of a daughter named Isabella brother and sister to King Henry King Philip pleaded that he being in equall degree with Catherine was to be preferred for his sex Catherine replyed That the constitution of that kingdom allowing females to succeed and withall the benefit of representation in all Inheritances she representing Edward must exclude Philip by the very same right that her Father if he were living would exclude Philips mother This conclusion is infallible in jure whereto Philip answered That succession of kingdoms descending jure sanguinis there was allowed no representation Catherine destroyed that foundation alledging That the succession
by the death of the last King was derived jure haereditario non sanguinis because the succession of Kingdomes was to be regulated by that ancient way whereby all things descended by inheritance The other way of succession being not known until later Ages nor ever practised either in Spain or Portugal in such cases Briefly in behalf of Catherine it was urged which by the Castilians can never be denied or answered that she was no stranger but a Native of the kingdom to whom alone according to the Laws of Lamego the Crown of Portugal can appertain This is the simple Title of the House of Braganza against which the Castilians have forged a thousand Titles for the House of Austria as being the tenth or twentieth Grandchild of such a King or such a Prince c. which if sufficient Title against the next allies certainly the King of Castile is not onely King of Portugal but all Europe for there is scarce a Prince from whom he is not descended and happily this is the ground whereon he builds his hopes to be universal Monarch unless perchance he may esteem himselfe so by Will from Adam as some have imagined When the King had received and deliberated upon the writing he gave order that they should be conducted to London with all solemnity convenient disposed of in a Palace ready prepared for them after which with great ceremony they received audience of his Majesty in a most stately fair Hall where his Majesty was placed on a Throne raised two steps on each side Latices within which stood his Nobles at the Ambassadors entrance as they made their reverence the King uncovered himself and would not be covered untill the Ambassadors were so too To the Proposals made by Don Antonio de Almlda the King answered he should be very glad to find out a way to be friend to the King of Portugal and to renew the anâ—ient amity of the two Crowns without 〈◊〉 with Spain Some days following the Ambassadors went to visit the Queen who being placed under a cloath of State upon the entrance of the Ambassadors rose up and came forward down as farr as the Carpet extended making a low reverence at all three times that the Ambassadors bowed and being come neerer her Majesty made them be covered then uncovering themselves again they spake with their hats in their hands which ended the Queen told them that she much desired to keep strait amity with her Majesty the Queen of Portugall c. Don Alon so de Cardenas Ambassador Ordinary in the Court of England for the King of Spain laboured still by friends by moneys by promises even to to the restitution of the Palatinate so that the peace might not be made with Portugal but in vain for upon the 13 of June 1641 the peace was concluded The Commerce and correspondence that have always been between the kingdom of Portugal and Denmark induced King John to send Ambassadors thither but the greater correspondence with the House of Austria and some dependence upon the Emperour hindred the reception of that Ambassage yet the King and all the principal of the kingdom desiring not to break with Portugal gave all other satisfaction possible by extraordinary courtesies and respect to the Ambassadors who from thence went into Swethland where they were received with much solemnity and rejoycing by the whole kingdome Their reception at the young Queens Court at Stockholm was very magnificent where a league was soon concluded and the Ambassadors dismissed as the manner is there with chains of Gold and her Majesties portrait in a Medall of Gold With the like readiness did the States of the Low-Countries receive the Ambassage brought thither by that worthy personage Tristano de Mendoza Hurtada and a Truce of ten years made with Portugal not a peace because the Hollander having conquered many places in Brasil Angola c. whilst those countries were under the King of Spain that neither side might be prejudiced the King of Portugal would not approve of the conquests because they were places depending on the Crown of Portugal nor could the States promise restitution because they now belonged to their West Indy Company who since have often violated the Articles of this Truce to the great dishonor of the States to whom so long as they neglect to punish the transgressors of their own Capitulations no State will treat or trust for the future seeing them so shamefully break their word without the least occasion given It was long debated in the Court of Portugal whether an Ambassage should be sent to his Holiness at Rome or else a more opportune conjuncture of time expected Some were of opinion that an Ambassage was to be sent thither without further delay because thereby they clearly testifying their duty and respect to his Holiness as he was Head of the Catholick Church Portugal should gain his good favour and an acknowledgement that his Majesty Don John was rightfull King of Portugall which would be of very much importance to the affairs of the Kingdom But these considerations seemed to others rather things desirable then feasable First because the King of Spain was at present powerful at Rome to oppose the reception of their Ambassador Secondly because the Pope although he was never in heart a Spaniard yet he would never yeeld to shew himselfe an enemy to the Catholick King Moreover the Spaniard cunningly fomenting the opinion which all the world had entertained That his Holiness did in all things incline to the French interest would from such a reception draw as much as they could ever ask or desire for this cause the Pope that he might not seem their enemy alwayes granted them what ever they demanded Therefore it was alledged That it would be better first to sound the mind and inclinations of his Holiness then to run the hazard of some disgrace and afront to his Majesty and the whole Nation And in case the Pope should resolve not to receive the Ambassage to whom could they appeal for the injury done to the Crown We see many Popes so bewitched with the interest of their own families as to give occasion to the world to believe that their aim is not what is absolutly the best but what is best for themselves An example hereof we have in Pope Gregory the thirteenth so affectionate to the kingdom of Portugal at first that he imployed the utmost of his power to hinder King Philip the second from usurping it yet shortly after for the interest of his own family approved all that was done by the same King Who hath more to give or at least to promise then the Catholick King Therefore in any business of competition he must necessarily have the advantage against all others Nevertheless the French promising their assistance at Rome and their intercession with his holiness it was at length resolved by the major part that an Ambassage should be speedily sent to Rome His Majesty hereupon made
their Clergy impoverished their Nobility destined for the slaughter their Countrey ruinated and all their Privileges engraven upon a Marble pillar exposed to the publick view violated and infringed c. It was proposed at the same privat meeting to change it into a Common-wealth But the Archbishop of Lisbon with powerful reasons made abortive that designe and set their thoughts upon endevouring to win the Duke of Braganza to accept of the Crown the Dukes name was John son to Theodosius son to Katherine who was daughter to Edward son to Emanuel King of Portugall so it was agreed that one Don Gaston Cotigno should make this Overture to the Duke who went immediatly to his Highness at His Country house and there told him of the generall discontent of the people of the generall consent of the Nobility and Clergy to receive Him as their King and that the present conjuncture of affairs seemed to invite Him to embrace without delay so profitable and necessary a design for that now the House of Austria was at a low ebb distracted with Wars on every side all the Forces of Spain employed against Catalonia that they could not want assistance from France and others that were jealous of the greatness of that House that now was the time for him to recover that Right which hath been so long detained from his Ancestors that Fortune seldome offers a man a Kingdom that this opportunity being let slip in vain might He hereafter hope for the like or for succor from the Portugals when Hee shall be clapt in prison at Madrid that if He would not take it upon Him the whole Kingdome was resolved to change it into a Republick and then He should not only be equalized with the rest of low Condition but hated by all and looked upon as one who refused to bee an instrument of His Countries Liberty and so should bee the most unappy man amongst them After a long silence the Duke told him He thanked him and the whole Nobility for their affections toward Him but that this was a business of such weight that it required a more mature deliberation That he knew well that this was an Affair of that kinde that knew no medium betwixt the Crown and the Halter The next night communicating the whole business to his Wife who is sister to the Duke of Medina Sidonia a Woman of a Manly courage fit for such a bold Enterprise and wavering with Himself whether Hee had better consent to the Nobility or fly to Madrid his Wife thus briefly spake to him My Friend if thou goest to Madrid thou runnest the hazard of losing thy Head if thou acceptest the Crown thou runnest the same hazard If then thou must perish better dye nobly at home then basely abroad At which words the Duke was so animated that he came forth of his Closet and bad one of his Confidents goe and acquaint the Nobility that he was resolved to undertake the same Enterprise and run the same hazard with them all whereupon immediatly for this business could not suffer delay the Nobility about Midday dispersed themselves into severall places of the City as they had agreed some amongst the guard of Swisses some towards the lodging of the Infanta some to the Castle others to the Spanish Fleet in the Haven others to the Spanish Corps de Gard before the Kings Palace and others to the Lodgings of Vazconzellos And at the hour appointed a Pistoll being shot off near the Palace the next fell upon the Swisse guard and others hearing the noise of them fell on in their appointed stations made themselves Masters of all in a moment without killing but one Swisse who made resistance besides Vasconzellos who was killed in his chamber and thrown down out of his window to be a publick spectacle to the people Others presenting themselves before the Vice-Queen she told them That if this insurrection had no other aim but to revenge themselves upon Vasconzellos she assured them upon returning to their obedience to gain a generall pardon from the King But she was answered That as for their most unjust grievances they had now received satisfaction upon Vansconzellos and had no other King but Don John the fourth Hereupon the cry went all over Lisbon God save King John and from one of the clock till three all shops were shut but then all were again set open with so great joy and content of the Citizens that all rancor and malice set a-part the most inveterate enemies embraced one another with tears of joy The Infanta for more security they removed away from the Palace to the House where anciently the Infanta's of Portugal were wont to dwell leaving her some Souldiers to guard her The Archbishop of Lisbon went in solemne procession through the Citie and to encourage the people and fix them the better in their resolutions in chusing a new King made use of one of the nails wherewith Christ was nail'd to the Crosse which he carried in his hand thereby authorizing this insurrection with an act of Religion to intimate to the people that all was ordained by the speciall providence of heaven and that in defending the cause of Braganza they should defend the cause of God To corroborate which conceit they made use of certain old Prophesies and new Prodigies that in the person of this Duke was verified a certain apparition of Christ to King Alfonso just as he was ready to give battell to the five Kings of the Moores by which he was promised not onely victory but that he and his generations should reign to the sixteenth Generation at which his Race should be thought extinct but should flourish again when it should be least of all thought upon They made their observations also upon the day being the first of December on which day the Citie was recovered out of the hands of the Moors and seized upon by Philip the second so that it was a day fatall to Lisbon Amongst other prodigies that were given out to keep the common people the better in their loyalty to their new King one was that the next day in the chamber where Vasconzollos was killed there were found so great a number of Bats that none could enter into the room Also that the plot should be kept secret so long time for it was plotted some weeks before it was executed was reckond as a great wonder that among so many persons of different degrees kindred age rich and poor the design should be kept undiscovered Another as great a wonder was that Lisbon a Citie so wonderfully populous and the whole Kingdome should with one universall acclamation accept of the Duke not one person gain-saying That all the Forts and Castles garrison'd by Spaniards should be delivered up without resistance and that all the Spaniards also should be sent away and the quiet of the Kingdome setled without the effusion of more bloud then of two or three persons The Marquess de la Puebla kinsman to
if heretofore they had not waited upon him according to their obligations his Majesty knew well â—he reason of the same The King being arrived at the Palace in Madrid asked whether the Duke was â—etired it was answered No. The King 〈◊〉 a chafe turning to Don Lewes de Haro â—ying Que aguarda el hombre la fuerca What doth the man stay for to be thrust out Hereupon the Duke seeing no more hopes left prepared himself to be gone spending the whole night in viewing his papers and burning a great part of them In the mean time the people longed to see the day of his departure and one more impatient then the rest set abroad this Distick Phosphore redde diem quid gaudia nostra moraris Ecce Comes Cecidit Phosphore redde diem Friday about one of the clock afternoon he departed not without much artifice For fearing to be torn in pieces by the people having caused Coaches and Mules to stand ready for three dayes together before he intended to depart But as the Coaches with six Horses waited at the great gate of the Palace he went forth by the back gate behind the kitchin and put himself into an ill-favoured Coach drawn with four Mules where having drawn the Curtains and placed himselfe between two Iesuits as if he had been going to execution he took his way by the street of Atocha at the same time that his Family in his velvet Coaches passed the ordinary way where they were met with a company of Boyes that thinking the Duke was there discharged a showre of stones at the Coaches but being shewn that the Duke was not there they ceased so that the Duke by this subtilty arrived safe at Loeches a place whereof he had the Royalty In the mean time the Dutchess continued at Court governing the Prince and little Infanta but without once entring into the Queens chamber Now the consequences of this disgrace of Olivarez are many and those very remarkable In the first place the King hath thereby recovered the credit and reputation which he had utterly lost in the opinions of all men as well forraigners as sublects who saw him so wholly led away by the will of the Conde Duke that he seemed rather a Subject then a Soveraign But on the Saturday after the departure of Olivarez the King called a Councell of State in his Lodgings where he spake so judiciously that all admired his ability and testified by their tears their great affections and respects towards him The subject of the Kings discourse was to advertise the Councell how he had deprived the Conde Duke of his dignities not for any crime that he had committed but to satisfie himself in giving satisfaction and content to his subjects That his desire was That the memory of the Conde Duke might be kept in esteem among all men for the good services which he had so faithfully rendred to the Crown so many years protesting for the future not to give the Title of Favourite to any of his subjects but to assist himself in all Councels and that all weighty affairs should pass through his own hands commanding to every one of those there to speak their opinions freely without partiality at all times and not to conceale the truth from him Whereto the Cardinall Borgia as head of that Councell answered That they would give obedience to these his Majesties commands as to Laws Divine Next day his Majesty having called together all his Gentlemen of his Bed-chamber whereof most are Grandees of Spain he demanded the assistance of their Tenants Friends and Kindred for the speedy settlement of the kingdom Which together with other testimonies of prudence and care that his Majesty manifested made all men say It was now the time that Philip the fourth deserved the surname of Grand which had been given him by the flattery of Olivarez at that time when he caused his Majesty to lose his Dominions and Reputation Next day the King caused all his plate to be coined into money by whose example also the Nobility and Commons sent theirs to the Mint and all contented themselves to be served in earthen ware The next consequence of Olivarez disgrace was the advancements of divers Noblemen to their dignities and the pulling down of the Favorites of the Conde Duke The third effect and perhaps that which Olivarez resented most of all is the miserable condition of his Bastard son a business of that strange and extraordinary carriage that it is worthy a large Treatise but was briefly thus The Conde Duke being at Madrid twelve years before he was in favour at Court fell in love with Donna Marguerita Spinola whose Father was a Genoway and mother a Spaniard This Lady though noble and rich yet was not free from temptations amongst which riches and honour are the most efficacious Don Francisco de Valeasar Alcalde of the Court and Palace one of the highest places of Judicature in Spain although he had a wife one Donna Marguerita to his lust maintained her and her family at his charges and with profuse presents and Iewels kept her wholly to himself At length Olivarez with much difficulty got a share in her also and she soon after had a son named Julian which none then made doubt to be the son of the Alcalde who neverthelesse understanding that others had had a finger in the pye as well as himself took no affection to nor care of the child so he was brought up idly by the mother untill the age of 18 years at which time his mother dying and he finding himself without father or mother went boldly to the Alcalde and besought him to declare him his son that so he might not be exposed to the world without Father and without Name protesting that he would never lay claim to any thing but onely under the name of Valeasar he would get his living with his Sword The Alcalde wholly uncertain that he was his child would not be induced to declare thus till upon his death-bed and then rather out of charity then belief that he was his son So then by the name of Julian Valeasar he went first into the Indies where for some Roguery he was condemned to be hanged but because the Vice-king there was a great friend to the Alcalde he gave him his pardon Thence he went into Flanders and Italy where he served as a common Souldier but was very debosht and of rude behaviour In the mean time Olivarez having no further hope of children sent to search out this vagabond Valeasar who he remembred was born at the time that he had to do with his mother but before Valeasar could be found he had married D. Isabella de Azueta a common Strumpet nevertheless November 1641. to the astonishment of all men Olivarez owned him for his son and declared him so by a publick act by the good will and pleasure of his Majesty wherein he names him Don Henry Philipe de Guzman heir apparent