thought good to doe the like office to this citie hauing regard vnto the fidelitie whereof it hath alwaies made profession being the chiefe of these Realmes assuring you therwithall that he that shall inherite is no forreine king but a naturall borne as I haue saide before seeing that I am nephew and sonne to your naturall Princes issued of the same bloude and will be alwaies a father to euerie one of you as you shall finde when it shall please God But at this time I will entreate you that with your wisedome and great experience you woulde consider and note wherein I may honour and fauour you not onely to conserue your liberties and priuiledges both ingenerall and particular desiring that all other cities of the Realme shoulde vnderstande the same whereof I praie you to giue them notice being requisite that euerie one shoulde know the loue and affection which I beare to all and it shall be iust that in knowing it you conforme your selfe to that which is the will of God whose iudgements and determinations no man may resist but we ought to beleeue that what he determines is for the best So as trusting that both this citie and the rest when time shall require will doe that whereunto they are bound I haue nothing to say but that besides the feeling which I haue had of miseries past I haue beene in particular grieued for the losse of so great numbers of the Nobilitie and Commons of this Realme whereof that battaile was the cause And therefore I require you to aduise what I may do for those that remaine yet slaues and write vnto me for although I both haue and daily had that care I haue thought fit and couenient yet shall I be glad to vnderstande your aduise that all thinges conuenient might bee performed for their deliuerie and rest assured that whatsoeuer shall concerne you I will deale in it with the loue of a father as you shall know more particularlie by the effects when as occasion shall serue to make triall thereof the which you shall vnderstande by Christopher de Mora to whom I referre you The Catholique king sent this Letter by the saide Mora to be deliuered to the Magistrate of the Chamber who going for that intent presented it vnto them But being troubled they doubted that in receiuing thereof they shoulde offende against the Crowne so as refusing it they willed him to take it with him and deliuer it to the King the which Mora denying it remained still with them vnopened And least they shoulde be ignorant of the contents he drewe a copie out of his bosome and read it vnto them publikely dispersing sundrie copies throughout the citie The orignall was by the Vereadures carried to the king This did smally further Philips affaires but rather hinder him and was by the wisest both of Spaine and Portugall and also by some of the Kings Counsell helde as a remedie not fitting the Portugals humour who generally hating the Castillians being newe and rude in this matter it was not probable they shoulde yeelde vpon a simple Letter At this time there came intelligence that he who had the charge of Embassadour of Portugall was not onely liuing in Alcazerquiuir although sore hurt but that the Cheriffe had released him was comming with the bodie of King Sebastian to Ceuta and from thence within fewe daies being at Christmas in the yeere 1578 they vnderstoode he was arriued at Ciuill his comming was by the best acquainted with the affaires of Portugall held verie profitable for returning to his charge he seemed more sufficient then anie other to treate of so weightie a cause being indued besides his good iudgement with many other good parts necessarie for the mannaging of such a busines For besides that he had good experience of King Henrie his disposition and the humour of the Portugals he was verie pleasing vnto them it may be for that he was of the house of Sylua who being verie noble in Portugall passed into Castill during the controuersies betwixt king Iohn the first and the master of the Auis and being borne of a Portugall mother they helde him for their countreyman Besides that with the fauour of King Sebastian he was married in Portugall with Phillippa de Silua heire to Aluaro de Silua Earle of Portalegra Lord Steward of the Kings house and one of the principall Noblemen of the Realme But whilest that euerie man expected his present departure from Ciuill to Portugall the King called him to Court saying that he woulde first instruct him by mouth of his intentions and of the present occurrents In the meane time the Duke of Ossuna arriued within the Realme who seeming to be sent onely to performe complements with the king he was lodged and roially entertained at the charge of the Court where hauing deliuered his simple legation he went to Settuuall to visite Magdalen Girone his sister widow to George d' Alencastro Duke of Auero but hee returned sodainly making shewe he had newe commission to treate of the succession wherewith king Henrie was greatly discontented being vnwilling to haue the presence of a personage so qualified on the behalfe of Philip as it were a witnes of his actions the which did likewise displease all the Portugals the rather for that with Mora he began to solicite the King to declare Philip successour of the Realme shewing vnto him formerly by many reasons that his title was iust Nowe did King Henrie at the great intreatie of his subiects resolue to set the best order he could touching the question of succession and to content them For this cause remaining greatly in suspence hauing consulted the matter with fewe but of his greatest fauorites they concluded after much counsell infinite opinions and many disputations that it was not conuenient at that time to declare any one Prince The reason was that the neerest heire vnto the Realme they supposed to be the Catholique King whom they hated most and therefore sought by all meanes possible to flie his commād thinking nothing more fit to effect it then to protract the nomination of the Prince not meaning to specifie any For naming any other they shoulde procure his indignation against them and giue him occasion or his heires that should succeed him to attempt an action better grounded whereas by delaying it there should remaine vnto them at the least this weake hope that the Catholique king although yoonger yet mortall might die before olde King Henry which hapning they shoulde be freed from the Castillians and then shoulde succeed as it is said the Duke of Sauoy of whom they had no such feare but woulde more willingly yeeld to his subiection The King supposed that Katherine Dutches of Bragance preceaded all other pretendents except the Catholique King aided as it may be by his owne naturall inclination he conuerted all his thoughts in her fauour and if it were possible to giue her the crowne writing to the vniuersitie
he may forbeare to specifie much more then I haue done of the humours of the head and principall members of that prouince whereof he writes But if all this sufficeth not to iustimine me I make God iudge of the sinceritie of mine hart and the indifferencie I haue strictly obserued THE GENEALOGIE OF THE Kings of Portugall from the beginning of that Kingdome vnto the ende of the house of Portugall with the pretendants to that Crowne HENRIE issued from Besançon first Earle of Portugall married with Therasie daughter to Alphonse the sixt King of Castile about the yeere of our Lord 1090. by whom he had Alphonse Henrie which was the first king Therasie Henrie and one other daughter married to Ferdinand Mendes 1. Alphonse Henrie first Duke and King of Portugall sonne to the saide Henrie he succeeded his father about the yeere 1112. he tooke vpon him the title of King about the yeere 1139. he raigned in all about 72. yeeres he married with Malfade Manrique de Lara by whom he had issue Sanches who was after King Vrraca Queene of Leon. Therasie Countesse of Flanders Malfade 2. Sanches the first sonne to the said Alphonse about the yeere 1184. he raigned 28. yeeres he married Aldoncia daughter to Count Raimond Berenger of Barcelone by whom he had Alphonse King Ferdinand Earle of Flaunders Peter Earle of Vrgel in Arragon Henrie Therasie wife to Alphonse of Leon. Malfade Queene of Castile Sanches a Nunne Blanche and Berenguela 3. Alphonse the second sonne to Sanches the yeere 1212. he raigned 11. yeeres and married Vrraca of Castile daughter to Alphonse the noble by whom he had Sanche King Alphonse King Ferdinand Leonor Queene of Denmarke 4. Sanche the second called Capello sonne to Alphonse the second the yeere 1223. he raigned in troubles vnto the yeere 1257. he married Mencia Lopez by whom he had no children he died in Castile incapable to rule 5. Alphonse the third called the Braue brother to Sanche the second of a regent he made himselfe King about the yeere 1257. raigned 22. yeeres he married with Matilde Countesse of Boloigne in Picardie by whom he had Ferdinand or Peter Robert in her life time he married with Beatrice bastard daughter to Alphonse the 10. called the wise King of Castile by whom he had Denis King Alphonse Blanche a Nunne Constance 6. Denis sonne to Alphonse the third the yeere 1279. he raigned 48. yeeres and was married to Isabella daughter to Peter King of Arragon by whom he had Constance Queene of Castile Alphonse who was after King Peter Earle of Portalegre 7. Alphonse the fourth sonne to Denis in the yeere 1325. he raigned 32. yeeres and married Beatrice of Castile by whom he had Peter that was King Marie Alphonse Denis Iean Eluira Queene of Aarragon 8. Peter called the cruell sonne to Alphonse the fourth the yeere 1357. hee raigned 10. yeeres and married Blanche daughter to Peter King of Castile whom he put away and after married with Constance daughter to Iean Emanuell by whom he had Lewis who died yoong Ferdinand King Marie wife to Ferdinand of Arragon Beatrice died yoong And of Agnes de Castro a supposed wife he had Alphonse Iean Denis Beatrice Countesse of Albuquerque And by Therasie Gallega his concubine he had Iean who was King 9. Ferdinand sonne to Peter the yeere 1367. he raigned about 17. yeeres and married Leonor Telles de Meneses by whom he had Beatrice Queene of Castile 10. Iean called of good memorie sonne to the said Peter the yeere 1383. he raigned about 49. yeeres and married with Philip daughter to Iean of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster by whom he had Blanche Alphonse Edward King Peter Duke of Coimbra who had by Isabell of Arragon his wife Peter that was Constable Iean King of Cypres Isabell Queene of Portugall Philip a Nunne Ieams a Cardinall Beatrice wife to the Lord of Rauestein Henrie Duke of Viseo Isabell Dutchesse of Burgundie Iean master of Saint Iaques Ferdinand master of the order called d' Auis or Saint Benet 11. Edouard sonne to Iean the yeere 1433. he raigned 5. yeeres he married Leonor of Arragon daughter to Ferdinand the 1. by whom he had Alphonse King Ferdinand Duke of Viseo who had by his wife Philip. Leonor wife to Frederike the 3. Emperour Catherine Iean Queene of Castile Beatrice wife to Iean Master of Saint Iaques Leonor Queene Dominique Emanuell King Isabell Dutchesse of Bragance 12. Alphonse the fift called the Affrican soone to Edward the yeere 1438. he raigned 43. yeeres hee married Isabell daughter to Peter Duke of Coimbra his vncle by whom he had Iean who liued but a while Ieanne Iean King 13. Iean the 2. son to Alphonse the 5. the yeere 1481. he raigned 14. yeeres and married Leonor daughter to Ferdinand Duke of Viseo by whom he had Alphonse who died before his father 14. Emanuell soone to Ferdinand Duke of Viseo borne in the yeere 1468. began to raigne in the yeere 1495. and raigned fiue yeeres he died at Lisbone the third of September 1521. he married Isabell the eldest daughter of Ferdinand and Isabell King and Queene of Castile by whom he had Michaell who died yoong and to his second wife he tooke Marie sister of the said Isabell by whom he had Iean who was after King Isabell wife to Charles the 5. Emperor of whom is issued Philip King of Spaine Beatrice wife to Charles the third Duke of Sauoy from whom issued Emanuell Phillibert father to Charles Emanuell now Duke of Sauoy Lewis father to Anthonie the Bastard Henrie Cardinall King Alphonse Cardinall Katherine Ferdinand Edward husband to Isabell daughter to Iean Duke of Bragance by whom he had Marie wife to Alexander Farnese Prince of Parma father to Rainuce now Duke of Parma and Katherine wife to Iean the second Duke of Bragance sonne to Theodose Anthonie who died soone after his birth And of Elenor daughter to Philip Archduke of Austria sister to Charles the fift he had Charles who died yoong Marie who died a maide of the age of 56. yeeres 15. Iean the third sonne to Emanuell and of Marie his wife borne the 7. of Iune 1502. he began to raigne the 15. of December 1521. and raigned 36. yeeres he died the 27. of Iune 1557. and married with Katherine sister to Charles the 5. Emperour the 5. of September 1525. by whom he had Alphonse Marie the first wife to Philip the second King of Spaine of whom issued Charles that is dead Katherine Beatrice Emanuell Philip. Iean Prince of Portugall who had by Ieanne daughter to Charles the fift Emperour Sebastien who was King Anthonie 16. Sebastien sonne to Prince Iean borne the 20. of Ianuarie 1554. he began to raigne the yeere 1557. and raigned 21. yeeres he died in the battell against the Moores the 7. of August 1578. being vnmarried 17. Henrie Cardinall and Primat of Portugall sonne to King Emanuell by Marie his wife borne the 16. of Ianuarie 1512. in the yeere 1578. he raigned
with much people on foote The Cardinall inuironed with a great multitude ascends the staires of the hospitall being entered the Church hauing heard Seruice and ended his praiers he seates himselfe in the chaire prepared on the scaffolde where presently Frauncis de Sada one of those that had bin gouernours put the Scepter in his hand and Michell de Mora Secretarie standing a little off said reading it with a loude voice that King Henrie by the death of King Sebastian did succeede in the Realme and therefore they had deliuered him the Scepter and that he was come to take the accustomed oath to maintaine and obserue vnto his people and to any other all liberties priuiledges and conuentions graunted by his predecessours which done the Secretarie kneeling before him with an open booke the King laide his hande thereon swearing so to do then did the Attabales sounde euery man crying Reale Reale for Henry King of Portugall this done he riseth with the same companie holding alwaies the Scepter in hande he returned to the pallace the Attabales sounding and the Herolds crying from time to time as before THE THIRDE BOOKE The Contents of the third Booke The descent of the Kings of Portugall The pretendants to the succession The resolutions of King Henrie And the peoples demaunds The voyage of the Duke of Ossuna into Portugall and other Embassadors from the Catholique King The imprisonment of the Duke of Alua The Catholique Kings letters to them of Lisbone The States of Portugall The grounds of the pretendants to the succession The sentence of Henry against Anthony Prior of Crato vpon his legitimation by vertue of the Popes Briefe The reasons of the Catholique King to the Realme against euerie one of the pretendants The preparatiues to warre of the Catholique King against the Realme of Portugall The suspension of the briefe The second sentence of Henry against Anthonie The alteration of King Henry his will concerning the succession And the Popes offers to the Catholique king MOst men from all the noted parts of the worlde had their mindes and iudgements turned vpon Portugall both for that hitherto the affaires of Sebastian were worthie attention as to see nowe Henry come to the Crowne who was olde and without successour which made all Princes doubte that the succession of this Realme might trouble the publike quiet for the Pretendants were diuers their actions differing all allied and all with groundes And although their forces were vnequall yet were they made equal by certaine respects But to the ende we may the better vnderstand the groundes of euery one of the pretendants I will make a little digression to report briefly the descent of these Kings And although from the first vnto Henry there raigned seauenteene yet doe I not thinke it necessarie to take their beginning but frō Emanuel forward who was the fourteenth who began his raigne in the yeere of our Lord 1495. for that of his onely progenie is issued the number of Princes that pretended to the Crowne This man had three wiues of the first which was Isabell daughter to Ferdinand King of Castill widow to Alphonse sonne to Iohn the second of Portugall he had no other children for she died in childbed but Michael who died in the cradle who had beene as they say the pillar and corner stone to vnite it and Spaine togither But by his death the Portugals lost the kingdomes of Castill and Arragon whereof Emanuel and Isabell his wife were sworne Princes the issue male of the bloud roiall being extinct in Castill His second wife which was Marie sister to Isabell third daughter of the saide Ferdinand brought him many children vz. sixe sonnes and two daughters Isabel was married to Charles the fifth Emperour Beatrice to Charles the thirde Duke of Sauoy Iohn did inherite the kingdome Lewes died without marrying leauing behinde him Anthony his bastard sonne he who as you shall heare anon was the cause of great miserie to his countrey by reason of his pretention to the Crowne Ferdinand deceased without heires so did Alphons who was Cardinall called by the title of Saint Blaise and Henry of the title of Saint Quatre Coronez this outliued all the rest and it is hee of whom we speake Edward tooke to wife Isabell daughter to Iaime Duke of Bragance by whome he had Marie which afterwardes was married to Alexander Farnese Prince of Parma and Katherine at this present wife to Iohn of Bragance he had likewise a sonne the which being borne after the death of his father who liued but fower yeeres in matrimonie was likewise called Edward This is he who disfauoured by Sebastian died at Euora in the yeere 1576. of his thirde wife which was Leonora daughter to king Philip the first of Castill archduke of Austria who was after married to Frauncis the first king of Fraunce he had none but Charles who died yoong and Marie who being about sixe and fiftie yeeres olde died a maide at Lisbone in the yeere 1578. But returning to Iohn the thirde sonne of the second wife who succeeded Emanuel in the kingdome he contracted marriage with Katherine sister to the Emperour Charles the fifth and had issue Marie who after was the first wife of Philip the second king of Castill now raigning from whom issued Charles who died yoong the which if he had liued without doubt had preceaded the Cardinall Henry in the succession of the crowne The saide Iohn and Katherine had many male children which died yoong one onely outliued the rest named Iohn who as some say died yoong with excessiue loue of his wife sister to the saide Philip leauing her great with childe and after deliuered of Sebastian during his grandfathers life who soone after passed to an other worlde and this is that Sebastian which died in Affrick Let vs now come to the pretentions The Catholique King as it is saide put himselfe foremost being borne of Isabell the eldest daughter of Emanuel And although as a Castillian he was naturally hated of that nation yet he supposed that being mightie compassing in the Realme with his dominions and the Portugals vnexpert he shoulde soone either by loue or force become master thereof Iohn Duke of Bragance challenged the Realme as the right of Katherine his wife alleaging he was neerer to the succession then the Catholique King being although a woman daughter to the said Edward brother to the saide Isabell And forasmuch as the Duke is the greatest personage of the Realme and his subiects most warlike trusting on the fauour of Henry who did then grace him and hauing small experience in the affaires of the worlde he held himselfe halfe in possession Alexander Prince of Parma sonne to Octauius Farnesse did pretend it for his eldest son Rhainucius as male issued from Marie the eldest daughter of the saide Edward sister to the saide Katherine And although his territories were farre off yet besides that some supposed the Church shoulde
same reuenewes which they call the Knights of Christ bearing a red crosse and in the midst a white the which are bound to goe to the warre against infidels to whome Pope Alexander the sixth did since graunt libertie to marrie And their Kings hauing encreased their reuenewes a great part of their Nobilitie affected this order although they haue many times receiued men base and vnworthie A great part of this Realme was sometimes vnited to the crowne of Castill but in the yeere of our Lord one thousand one hundreth and tenne Alphons the sixth being King that part towards the north was separated giuing it in marriage for a certaine tribute to Henrie nephew to the Earle of Burgundie borne at Besanson marrying Therasie his bastard daughter for that comming out of Fraunce with Count Raimond of Tholouse his vncle who was after Earle of Gallicia he went to the warres which the Castillians had against the Moores that possessed Spaine And although some deriue the originall of this Count Henrie from Hungarie others from Aragon and from other places yet this is the most approoued opinion But it hapneth in the originall of Kings as of great riuers whose mouthes are knowne but not their springs Portugall was then obscure vntilled poore and reduced into streight limits yet Alphons Henry sonne vnto this first Earle did greatly augment it by his valiant exploits taking many places from the Moores by force against whom hauing woone a great victorie in a pitched battaile he was proclaimed King by his soldiors in a place called Campo d'Ourique and following his victorie woone Saint Arem and Lisbone remaining peaceable Lord of the Realme he had the title of King confirmed by Pope Alexander the fourth for a certaine small tribute Their first king which succeeded him named Alphonso the thirde did no lesse augment it by another meanes For hauing before his comming to the Crowne married with Matilda Countesse of Boloigne in Picardie being now in possession of the Realme he put her away of his owne proper motion and without cause taking to wife Beatrice bastard daughter to Alphonso the tenth King of Castill surnamed the wise to haue in dowrie with her as indeed he had the kingdome of Algarues So as their lymits being extended as they be at this present and the Moores subdued who kept them in martiall exercise they began since to make war with the Kings of Castill although their Dominions were alwaies greater then the Portugals the which they did so often and with such obstinacie that these nations all of one continent issued from one stocke of one language were enflamed one against the other with so mortall a hatred that it remaineth euen vntill this daie but more with the Portugals then the Spaniards And although these late warres did breede them more honor then profit yet were they not without some vtilitie for that this continuall exercise did maintaine them in discipline and keepe them from delights and idlenes capitall enimies to any State Since which time they haue not remained idle but inured vnto war wonne vnto themselues some honour vnder Iohn the first at the perswasion of Henry his sonne they laboured to take from the Moores certaine places in Affricke the which succeeded happily For in time they became Maisters in Mauritania Tingitana of the townes of Ceute Tanger and Arzilla and this is that auncient Zillia and other places which since they haue either lost or abandoned to the Moores as they did Arzilla being of great charge and small profit They onely maintained and defended the two first and built towards the West Mazagon being seated at the mouth of Hercules straites for holding those places the Moores should not harbor so neere vnto Spaine but they serue as a buckler vnto that Prouince By reason of these euents they extended their hopes yet further so as the Ilands of Madera not farre distant and the Terceres lying from Lishbone 850. miles in the fortie degree of latitude then vntilled and vninhabited were by them discouered and peopled And not yet content especially the said Henry who aspiring to higher matters though with lesse hope then the effect which followed they began sailing through the Ocean to coast Affricke searching new countries and nations So as running along that coast by the space of many yeeres they went on so far that comming to the other Hemisphere they discouered all Ethiopia And although Alphonso the fifth of that name and the twelfth King renewed the war against the Spaniard yet did they not discontinue their nauigation to their great good but in the end hauing made peace with the catholique King Ferdinand in the yeere of our Lord 1479. they had more leisure to think of their new conquest It is worth the obseruing that in capitulations then made it was particularly specified that the peace was concluded for a hundreth yeeres and one naming alwaies a certaine for an vncertaine But this prooued a prophesie for it continued iust a hundreth yeeres one for so much time passed from those wars vnto this which I vndertake to write if the words of the Treatie agree with the qualitie of the euent The Realme was greatly strengthened both with people and wealth and since encreased more when as Ferdinand and Isabell King and Queene of Castill in the yeere 1482. expelled the lewes out of their Dominions being then in great numbers they agreed with Iohn the second successor to Alphonso the fifth and obtained libertie paying eight duckats for euerie person to enter into his countrey vpon condition to depart at a certaine time prefixed and that the King should appoint them shipping to transport them So as vpon those conditions which were not fully obserued there entred about 20000. families and in euery one ten persons at the least the time of their departure expired and not performed many remained slaues others either vnwilling to depart or to loose their goods were baptized as the rest had done that remayned in Castill So as vnder the name of new Christians the greatest part remayned in Portugall vnknowen being vndistinguished and allyed for money with some Noblemen of the countrey they laboured to be admitted for citizens And although according vnto reason of State this manner of peopling were not good being of a nation different in blood and law the which in multiplying might cause an important diuision being many in number yet brought it great profit to the Crowne Since in the time of Emanuell the fourteenth King who began to raigne in the yeere 1495. they continued their new nauigation with greater feruencie and more quiet For the Castillians being growen mightier by meanes of the forces annexed to their Crowne and hauing by new alliances drawen vnto them the loue of the Portugales the one durst no more contend the other suffered them to liue in peace His predecessors hauing many yeeres coasted along Affricke they built a fort at Argin tooke the Islands of Hesperides which now are called
crowned King not knowing in the morning what the euening brings But it seemed to him that fortune began now to smile for that Albacarin the Moore who commanded for Mulei Moluc in Arzilla a towne vpon the borders of the sea sometimes belonging to the Portugals voluntarily abandoned to the Moores by the intercession of the Cheriffe Mahamet had deliuered it to the gouernour of Tanger whereof the King receiued great contentment and beleeued now the Moore had such as he saide affectionate to his partie At this time the Irishmen rebelled in diuers parts of that kingdome pretending the libertie of Religion and complained to Pope Gregory the 13. taking for their leader the Earle of Desmond and others as Oneale and some other of the sauage Irish affirming that if they were aided they could easily drawe the whole Island from the Queenes obedience The Pope did communicate this with the Catholique King exhorting him to vndertake this action as most godly to succour this people the which they resolued to do But forasmuch as the Queene of England did seeme in words friend vnto the king did as the Spaniards supposed couertly vnderhand assist the Prince of Orange in Flaunders against him the King woulde likewise march in the same path and make a couert warre against her they concluded to assist this people in the Popes name but secretly at the kings charge To this effect they leuied certaine footemen in the territories of the Church whereof sixe hundreth vnder the conduct of Thomas Stukeley an Englishman fled out of England for treason who a little before had obtained the title of a Marques from the Pope were embarked at Ciuitauechia in a ship of Genua to be transported into Ireland the which arriued at Lisbone in the time they made preparation in Portugall for the warre of Affrick the king hearing of their arriuall and that for want of money he could haue no Italians out of Tuscane desired to see them with an intent to retaine them vse them in the war of Affricke hauing caused them to disimbarke and to lodge at Oeiras neere to the mouth of Tagus he went one day to view them and although they were no chiefe men yet did he admire their order their speedie discharging of their Harquebuzes their disposition to handle the pike and their strict obedience and hauing had some conference with the saide Stukeley they perswaded him to promise to goe with him into Affrick The Catholique King for that he woulde not shew himselfe a partie woulde not contradict it The Pope was so farre off that before the newes coulde come vnto him he gaue them impresse and they remained for his seruice In this time the foote which were leuied by three Coronels approched to Lisbone the fourth which was Frauncis de Tauora shoulde imbarke in Algarues The three thousand Germaines which the Prince of Orange had granted were vnder the conduct of Martin of Burgundie Lord of Tamberg arriued within the mouth of Tagus in Flemmish ships and were lodged at Cascaies and thereabouts to the great amasement of the peasants not accustomed to the charges of warre King Sebastian before his departure desired to see the Duke of Alua whom he sent vnto but he excused himselfe vpon the King and the King at the entreatie of the Duke vpon the infirmitie of the old man so as his desire tooke no effect The Dukes friends tolde him he should haue accepted this fauour whereunto he answered that hauing knowne by the practises and discourses of Guadaluppa and by the Kings letters his resolution to passe into Affrick he thought it impossible to diuert him from that opinion that hauing beene discreet in his youth he woulde not in his declining age make himselfe author of the ruine which he did foresee of a King and kingdome Sebastian without any graue Counsellors hastened his departure impatient of the least delaies his forces being all assembled with the ships at Lisbone the souldiors which were scarce nine thousand were imbarked against their will The Noblemen and Gentlemen likewise had euery one a shippe armed wherein he should imbarque with those vnder his commaund but hardly were they drawne from their deere houses And although there were a certaine day for their departure appointed yet was it not obserued So as the King going one morning in great troupe to the cathedrall church with the Standard he ment to carrie into Affrick he caused it to be hallowed with great pompe and deliuered it to the master of his horse and so returning many beleeuing he would haue returned to the pallace he went directly to the galley wherein he woulde passe to hasten the rest saying that he woulde presently depart And although this were the xvij day of Iune in the yeere 1578. yet did he stay eight daies in the Port and neuer disimbarked preparing the rest of the soldiours who were no sooner readie then the day after Midsommer at what time hauing a prosperous winde the whole armie set saile to the great pleasure and contentment of the King who yoong and vnskilfull guided by some sinister starre or by that diuine permission which woulde punish this people went into Affrick to a dangerous although a glorious enterprise leauing the Realme emptied of money naked of Nobilitie without heires and in the hands of ill affected gouernours THE SECOND BOOKE The Contents of the second Booke The King of Portugals passage into Affricke his counsell and resolution to enter into the maine land the way his armie tooke the preparatiues for the warre of Mulei Moluc the qualitie and disposition of his campe the battaile of Alcazar the ouerthrowe of the Portugals the death of King Sebastian and of Moluc and the creation of King Henry THe King of Portugals departure from Lisbone was so mournefull that it gaue apparant signes of euill successe for in so great a number of men and of so diuers qualities there was not any one with a cheerefull countenance or that did willingly imbarke against the common custome in the beginnings of warre but all as it were presaging of ill euents complained they were forceablie drawne vnto it There was such a deadlie silence in the porte that during all the time of their abode in so great a number of shippes there was neither flute nor trumpet heard The Kings galley issuing foorth was carried downe with the currant and brake her rudder against a Flemmish ship a cannon shot from the towne slew one of his marriners in the boate so as if we shall giue credite to signes as the auncients did these seemed very ominous The first towne they touched vpon the maine lande was Lagos in Algarues where did imbarke the regiment which Frauncis de Tauora had leuied in those parts and certaine other vessels ioined to the armie so as in all one and other they made neere one thousand saile but except fiue galleis and fiftie other ships all the rest were vnarmed and the most of them were barkes
aide enter one foot into Affrick that they had disimbarked rashly had retired like cowards Lewis de Silua one of the Kings chiefe fauorites spake his mind freely vpon this point saying there was no reason for an Armie to march by land that went to a towne adioyning vpon the sea hauing so goodly a Fleete which might easily be furnished with fresh water for so small a voyage which was their onely want He alleaged that it was most easie to goe by sea standing in no feare of any enimie most profitable for that the way short and the descent easie vnderstanding that there was no resistance contrariwise it was most dangerous to march by land being ignorant where the enimie did lie what forces he had So as supposing him to be far off he might be at their backs and hauing any wants which happen often in an Armie being far from the sea they should hardly be supplied that betwixt Alarache and them did run the riuer of Lixe called by Ptolome Lixos vpon the left bank whereof standeth the towne that hauing neither bridge nor barkes to passe they must leauing the sea side by a long course seeke a foorde or the Moores bridge whither being come it were doubtfull to know with what facilitie they should passe it being likely the enemies would fortifie the passage Betwixt these two contrarie opinions the one by sea the other by lande the thirde was spoken of the which was to march along the sea side in view of the Fleete with their Chariots vpon the left hand in steed of Rampiers and being come to the mouth of the riuer to passe them with their barkes but this opinion which seemed to be lesse hurtfull was not liked of by the King although the rest that would haue gone by sea gaue eare to it most willingly yet those that did contradict it although they were more in number yet being of lesse authoritie the King being of the other partie the worst of all three which was to goe by lande preuayled Mulei Mahamet seeing the King so hot in this action grew daily into new feares hoping of no good successe he doubted before that if the King should haue the victorie he would charge him with too heauie a yoke but hauing viewed the Armie he lost all hope of victorie if they should fight and therefore thought it most conuenient to aduise the King to goe by sea to Alarache hoping he should easily win that place and returne into Portugall with that victorie leauing his Armie in Affricke by meanes where of he hoped to win such credit that they should abandon Moluc and flye vnto him yet if he would fight to do it with more facilitie and greater iudgement then it seemed to him Sebastian would But his counsell preuailed no more with the King then the rest so as commaunding Diego de Sosa to attend him with the Fleete at Alarache he marched with his whole Armie to Alcasarquiuir being the direct way vnto the bridge hauing but 13000. foote and 1500. horse that is 8000 Portugals 3000. Germaines 1000. Spaniards and 600. Italians with twelue peeces of Artillerie but the more they aduanced into the firme lande the more their feare increased and chiefely of them that perswaded to goe by sea And although some did againe shew vnto the King that Errors in war cannot be repaired that it would be too late after to change his resolution and that he ought to haue great care in the execution of those things that cannot be redressed beseeching him not to cast himselfe into so dangerous an enterprise and aboue all not to leaue the sea laying before him the perill the small gaine the want of victuals and the little or no experience of the souldiers yet nothing preuailed but as it often happeneth that we reape a bad recompence for good counsel being discōtented with those he should haue fauoured he would scarse heare thē The rest knowing by this proofe he would accept of no counsell durst not aduise him for feare of his disgrace The Armie had no chiefe leaders able to commaund and therefōre could neither march lodge nor fight in order For although the King serued as Generall Edward de Meneses Marshall of the Campe with some others of lesse qualitie yet they wanted experience for although the strangers had their commanders of more experience in actions of war then the Portugals as the Marques generall of the Italians the Lord of Tamberg of the Germaines and Alphonso d' Aguilar of the Spaniards yet for that none of them was Generall and being strangers they might not dispose of the Armie so as none of the Portugals knew his charge The King the 29. of Iuly made his first lodging at the Milles three miles from Arzilla the second at Menera where he had aduertisement that Moluc approched From thence he wrote his letters to Lisbone to Peter d Alcasoua briefly but ful of ouerweening in the which he said he vnderstood that Moluc drew neere him and if he escaped not he woulde ioyne battell with him At that time arriued Captaine Frauncis d'Aldana who had promised to serue the King and for that effect had obtayned leaue of the Catholike King which no man else could do as a man expert in war hauing viewed the ill disposition of the Campe began to execute all the greatest charges disposing the souldiers in the best order that he could although being a stranger and of no credit with the Portugals he could not effect all he vnderstood In this sort they marched slowly lodging alwaies in places of aduantage by the industrie of the saide Aldana and of Philip Terzy who serued as Ingener although they discouered some horse yet knew they not for certaine what Moluc pretended Aldana brought vnto the King letters from the Duke of Alua with present of a headpiece which was the Emperours Charles the fifth and a cassocke of white taffetie with the which the said Charles entered conquerour into Tunis He said vnto some that he had beene sorrie the King should attempt any thing in the firme lande of Affricke But hearing by his owne letters that he would onely goe to Alarache he did receiue great contentment and did commend his resolution being in the meane time come into certaine small hils which they call Cabeza d' Ardana they tooke their third lodging from thence they went to Bercain but to come to the fifth they must passe the small riuer of Mucazen at a foord the which fals somewhat lower into Lixe Moluc aduertised of the Portugals course hauing made longer staie at his lodging beyond Alcazar then he ment to giue the enimie better meanes to approch his troupes being ioined he dislodged the second of August marching towards Alcazar The day following he went directly towards the bridge which the Portugals sought for and being passed did strongly encampe themselues towards the sea not meaning to passe any farther the waies being full of hils
matters but it was necessarie they shoulde esteeme him affable and curteous to discouer easilie vnto him their minds of which humour the rest were not And although on the one side the Cardinals did seeme fittest to treate with a king who was also a Cardinall they did think on the other side that Henry might take it ill to sende one vnto him who was equall with him in dignitie There hapned at the same time a matter which bred no small woonder in this court and in others likewise the which for that it chaunced to a person of whom we are often to make mention although it be somewhat from our purpose we will not leaue to report The Duke of Alua was banished by the kings commandement to Vzeda fiue and twentie miles from the court for that Fredericke his eldest sonne being taken at Tordefillas a village of that Realme for that he refused to marrie with one of Queene Isabella of Valoys her maides to whom as she said he had promised whilest the king was entreated by her friends to force him to marrie her he by the aduise of his father brake prison and was gone to Alua to marrie with Marie de Toleda his cosen daughter vnto Garcie he which was Generall at sea the which hee effected returning presently vnto the same prison The Duke bare this affliction with great humilitie and constancie so as all hatred ceasing his verie enimies did pittie his miserie This banishment was remarkeable both for his estate age and the notable seruices he had done vnto this crowne as also to see the integritie of the king who notwithstanding the necessitie he seemed to haue of his person in matters of importance that drewe neere could not cause him any thing to dissemble the execution of that which he thought fit for iustice or his reputation It was also remarkeable for the great offices which some Princes did in his fauour but most of all his holines who did instantly sollicite his deliuerie by the meanes of his Nuncio saying that although he coulde not presume of the kings iust intention but that the Dukes imprisonment proceeded from some great cause yet he coulde not in duty but performe this office It was saide this good will of the Pope towards the Duke proceeded from the seruice hee had done vnto the Apostolique seate hauing made long warre against the Infidels and heretikes and also for that which he had done against the Church it selfe effecting that which was conuenient to his king whilest as enimie hee was contrarie vnto it as he did defende it being a friend binding vnto him not onely Paule the fourth who was then Pope but also his successors And it seemes strange that the greatest loue they say the Church had vnto him sproong from the warre which he made against it The Deputies of Castill which were then in court laboured for him and although the king sent them worde they shoulde be contented and not sue vnto him for that he woulde not refuse anie thing they shoulde demaund yet this manner of demaunding and denying serued for a great office The King from the beginning was in hope to make himselfe peaceable Lord of the Realme of Portugall although he were not ignorant of the small inclination the Portugals had vnto him but hee let passe nothing which he thought fit to gaine their loues and to this effect he did write to all the chiefe cities of the Realme his pretention offering and threatning but in the greatest part his letters were not receiued in publike To the citie of Lisbone he did write in this manner Most noble and our welbeloued although I haue appointed Christopher de Mora to saie vnto you some things which you shall vnderstande from him yet woulde I giue you to knowe by my letters that there is no man in this world more then my selfe that hath felt the losse of noble king Sebastian my nephew and of his men The reasons for which I ought to haue this iust feeling are easie to be considered hauing lost a sonne and a friend whom I loued tenderly and in the same degree I held and hold all those that are lost with him for I doe cherish and loue all them of this Realme as my owne subiects And I thinke it is not vnknowne the great diligence I vsed to diuert his iourney as well personally my selfe at Guadalupa as also before and since by my ministers whereof many of the principall of this Realme are good witnesses But not to reuiue so great a griefe let vs lay apart the things which cannot be remedied fixing our eies on the true consolation which is that those afflictions were giuen by the hande of God and suffered by the greatnes of his prouidence we ought likewise particularly to comfort our selues that in this wretched and miserable age this Realme hath gotten for their Gouernour so Christian and wise a Prince as is the king mine vncle whose rare vertues and exemplarie life giueth vs cause with reason to expect that he will settle the present affaires in so peaceable an estate that we shall proceede in all things with the mildenes and gentlenes I wish for the loue I beare to all and singularly for the degree of amitie and affinitie which hath alwaies beene betwixt these two crownes and betwixt my selfe and the Lords of the same Realme being all of one bloud and my selfe and my children nephewes of noble king Emanuel being nourished and brought vp by the Empresse and Ladie my Mother For these causes and considerations I haue as great respect to the king mine vncle and as great cause to wish him a long and happie life as your selues But the affaires of the succession of this Realme being in the estate you know I haue with great consideration and due aduise examined the right which it hath pleased God by his secret iudgments to giue me And causing this action to be viewed by men of great learning and conscience both within mine owne Realme and without all doe finde that without doubt the succession thereof doth rightlie appertaine vnto me and that there liues not any at this day that can with reason contradict me by manie and cleere grounds being a male the eldest as it is apparently knowne And hauing resolued to make this point knowne to the noble King mine vncle with loue and due respect I haue earnestly entreated him that it would please him presently to declare it as he is bounde for the discharge of his conscience and for the bond he hath to doe right and iustice but most of al for that it concernes the preseruation peace rest augmentation and prosperitie of these Realmes and of all the subiects thereof the which hee ought both chiefly to care for and to procure seeing that besides the saide effects it shall cause an other of greater importance which is that which concerneth the seruice of God our Lord the assurance encrease of our holy Catholike faith I
credible that Philip according to his custome woulde with lawes and his power keepe them vnder and contrariwise that the people shoulde embrace him whom he doth equally fauour yeelding them equall iustice And yet notwithstanding the greater part followed the contrarie for the Nobilitie did embrace Philip and the people fled him For satisfaction whereof and to reclaime them from the opinion they held the Agents of the Catholique King were desirous besides the diligence they had vsed to publish throughout the Realme the Kings title and the mildenes of his yoke seeming not sufficient for the content of the common people to haue priuately imparted it to many Their aduersaries amongst the which was the magistrate of the Chamber of Lisbone woulde willingly haue taken occasion to publish vnto the worlde their contrarie reasons whereon they grounded but it was not tolerated neither for the one nor the other to speake publikely in the assemblies of the people for besides that it was prohibited euery one durst not freely discouer his intention For this occasion diuers fell to write the grounds of their partie by discourse and letters And although writings breede not so firme an impression in the minde as the voice yet their discourse published did perswade with greater efficacie then they had done by speaking for that writings came to the hands of more men then wordes could haue done where reading and examining them they wrought great effects There were many of these letters seene without authors and although some were friuolous and without sense yet the better sorte which followed the Catholique kings partie tended to satisfie the people and to terrifie the motiues thereof by the greatnes of the action and the perill of warre They did particularly touch one after another the reasons of the pretendents and refuting them all shewed that the Catholique King did precead They made no small adoo about the processe of Anthony saying that he was a bastard although he had beene declared legitimate and to precead Philip yet shoulde they neuer satisfie the worlde but they woulde surmise some cosinage deuised to take the Crowne from him who ought to enioy it They disprooued the reasons of such as maintained the election of the King to be in the people hauing a lawfull successor bringing in examples of the Popes authoritie in the nomination of Kings as well of Alphonso the first as of the Earle of Bulloigne And if Iohn the first were chosen king it was after a battaile woone the Portugals affirming there were no lawfull successors but bastards illegitimate but by their owne reason they said it was apparant there was now no question of the election seeing there remained a lawful kinseman They laboured to make knowne that God hauing called vnto him two and twentie successors which did all precead the Catholique king that his pleasure was by vniting of Portugall to the Realmes of Castill to fortifie an arme of the Church to resist all the outragious attempts of infidels and heretikes But leauing the iustice and will of God aside they discoursed examining the honors and blames the losses and profits which by the one or other meanes might happen as for honor they shoulde not take for any disgrace and obedience which fell by lawfull succession alleaging that the States of Castill when as king Emanuell did inherite being strong enough to defende themselues if they woulde receiued him curteously And when as the Archduke of Austria although a Germaine did succeed him they did the like They mocked at such as said that Castill should be vnited to Portugall but not Portugal to Castill proouing that no Portugall euer came neere this Court but he was embraced greatlie honoured many of the principall houses of Castill being issued from Portugall They did contradict with liuely reasons such as feared to be oppressed like to the estates of Flaunders Naples and Millaine saying that in Flaunders they had alwaies vsed the people with great kindnes that they had beene gouerned by their owne nation that the Spaniards had no charge there That many of the principall had rebelled against the church of Rome against their king the which he woulde not suffer that in this enterprise more for that which concerned the good of the Church then for any other respect the King had spent 50. millions of gold and that hauing for enimies both Germany Flaunders England they could not take these countries from the Kings possession but hauing meanes graunting free libertie of Religion to be absolute Lord and to reape thereby great profit he would not accept thereof onely for the remorse of his conscience preferring the seruice of God before all other respects They saide that the Neapolitanes and Millanoyes had beene conquered by force weake of themselues and enuironed with enimies that they were not burdened neither coulde he do lesse then maintaine garrisons inferring thereby that if they were peaceably inherited they shoulde haue libertie like good and faithfull subiects and maintaine with more force that which their fathers had gotten without feare of any thing whatsoeuer but if they suffered themselues to be conquered by armes they should be Neapolitanes Millanoyes and possiblie woorse They commended the Portugals as faithfull obedient and indued with commendable parts blaming the basenes of such as were not ashamed to thinke they coulde be ill intreated of any prince whatsoeuer They said that since Philip was resolute and that hee had written to the cities of the Realme the assurance of his action seeing that in fourteene yeeres hee had neuer abandoned the enterprise in Flaunders being farre off hauing so many kings opposite and the Flemmings suing to be subiect vnder iust conditions that it is not credible he woulde desist from Portugall being so neare so weake without succours and hauing so great an interest they reported with ioy the deeds of the Spaniards saying that when as Spaine takes armes he doth imprison the king of Fraunce and the greatest of Germanie makes the Turke to turne his backe takes from him Malta dissolues his armies maintaines continually in Flaunders an armie sounde and lustie breaking and dispersing his enimies and yet the Noblemen of Spaine remaine quietly in their houses From their valour they came to the consideration how Portugall woulde resist so great a Monarch entreating them with affectionate words to haue regard thereunto They saide that the comfort of men of iudgement was to see the small force of the Portugals for if it were greater they might for a time make some resistance considering their obstinacie iudging that in the beginning of this warre the kings of the Indies woulde presently become Lords of the sea coast the Moores woulde assaile the places of Affricke the French and English woulde attempt the Islands some woulde vsurpe on one side some of another not onely to the losse of the Realme but of all Christendome They brought in the example of King Sebastian shewing that he was lost for not measuring
his forces And although the consideration had beene easie many protesting against it and many foretelling the future euent yet God tooke from them their vnderstanding as he doth from those whom he meaneth to punish and in this manner he hath depriued them of iudgement who aduise to take from the Catholique King the succession of the Realme They compared the amitie of Castill with that of Fraunce reporting the wrongs and pyracies which the French being at sea had daily done to Portugall and the small reckoning was helde of them that had complained and contrariwise the concord and rest which since the last peace made with the Castillians vntill that day they had enioyed without the breach of any one article blaming the manner of the French saying that they sought nothing else but to be admitted and after to become masters the which not succeeding they striued to be admitted to plead the equitie of their Kings cause seeking alwaies occasion to complaine They added that if the election were in the people and that the Catholique king had no enterest onely to be free from the French they shoulde vnite themselues with Castill that they might liue in peace and bridle this French furie which hath often throwne the Portugals aliue into the sea and slaine their gouernors and the Kings captaines by their Kings commission for by this vnion besides the seruice of God the French would feare and not spoile so boldly at sea They commended king Henry as iust and holie saying that the best resolution they coulde take was to fall at his feete beseeching him that seeing the Catholique king was the most honorable the most neerest and the eldest kinsman that he had that in the name of God he shoulde sweare him Prince according with him of the most necessarie points for the libertie of the Realme and shewing themselues conformeable to the bequest sometimes made by king Emanuell That they should not loose this occasion during his life but laying aside their obstinate intercessions labour iointly to flie the warre and not be forced to yeelde to Castill at such time when as it shoulde not be acceptable perfourming the which they shoulde not onely preserue their owne goods but inherite others seeing the greatnes of Castill doth indifferently admit all subiects Spaniards to the greatest dignities bringing for examples that the Archbishop of Toledo and the office of the President of the Councell roiall which be the highest dignities spirituall and temporall were not then enioied by Castillians They protested that if they stopped their eares to the truth and did open them to apparant lies they shoulde feele within their owne home warre with the murthers spoiles theftes and burnings it bringes with it On the other side the Portugals made answere to their letters saying they desired no warre but woulde defende themselues against any that shoulde attempt it They alleaged many reasons of their iustice and force with auncient examples of the holie Scriptures whereas small numbers in a iust cause haue vanquished a great armie They refuted that opinion that God by the vnion of these Realmes would fortifie in Castill an arme of the church shewing many grounds wherby they should iudge the contrarie blaming the sacke of Rome and some other vnwoorthy actions of the Castillians They laboured much to prooue that the Prior of Crato was legitimate that King Henrie had bin a most passionate iudge in that cause They spared not to touch the reasons of the Dutchesse of Bragance shewing that she ought to precead the Catholique King in the succession They condemned the said King saying that distrusting his Title he had prepared to armes They shewed by a long discourse that the vnion of Portugall would neither breed them profit nor honour but losse and dishonour were the conditions neuer so ample and good drawing examples from Flaunders and Aragon shewing that the behauiour of the Spaniardes in the Low-countries had beene the cause that those people had rebelled against God and against their temporall Lord They did obiect that all nations subiect to the Catholique King were reputed his subiects in matters of charge and burthens of the warre but in honours recompences and exemptions they were vnknowen They valued not the Kings forces saying that if it were fearfull to other Prouinces yet was it not so in Spaine beeing apparent that by reason of the barrennes of that countrey he could entertaine no great Armies neither durst he for the weaknes of the places draw in mercenarie souldiers bringing for example the war of Granado where incountring but with fower disarmed Moores there was so great daunger with the losse of so many men They added moreouer that the King had not at this day one Captaine of account naming a number which were of the Seminarie of Charles the fifth who were all dead and not any other which had succeeded them imitating the Kings humour who loues rest more then armes by meanes whereof he had not augmented his Realme but lost Goletta with the States of Flaunders and had yet made greater losses had there beene other Kings liuing in this age but that in Fraunce England and Portugall the Scepters were in the hands of women and children They concluded that it was not credible that the Catholique King notwithstanding his threatnings and his prepared forces woulde take armes in Spaine for that his forces being vnited he was in daunger vpon the least contrarie euent that some of his Prouinces would rebell against him and that the French being a stirring nation would imbrace this occasion besides that being now old and the howres of his death vncertaine hee should consider that not inioying the Realme of Portugall in peace and dying with an Armie in Spaine hauing no heires but pupilles hee should leaue them in danger not onely to be depriued of the possession of Portugall but also to be much troubled in Castill and his other Kingdomes of Spaine labouring to prooue that the Kings were not there beloued as in Portugall Then began the yeere 1580. a yeere full of miseries and afflictions for the Portugals not onely by reason of the warre which followed but also for the dearth and plague for that the season hauing beene verie drie the fruit of the earth was in a manner all lost neither had the husbandmen in many places reaped what was sowne besides there came not from Fraunce and Germanie such quantitie of corne as was vsuall But this miserie was supportable in regard of the rest for neuer was the scarsitie so great but things necessarie would be found for money That of the contagion was most cruell for hauing runne through Italy Germanie England and a part of Fraunce it came finally into this Realme from whence it spread throughout all Spaine but most of all in the citie of Lisbone hauing begonne lightly the yeere before it increased at the entring of this spring and so augmented all sommer but declined in the fall This contagious mortalitie
with money although Balthasar de Faria Deputie of Barcellos the Pryor of Saint Steuens and the Bishop of Parma euerie one apart did offer money to such as wanted that the assembly might not be dissolued yet the Deputies vnfurnished would not accept thereof not willing to be bound in their owne proper names for that their cities were bound to furnish them Besides in this assembly the opinions were diuers few inclined to fauour the pretention of the Catholike king many knew not what to resolue a great part were affected to the Prior but all in generall feared the Gouernors mistrusted their proceedings so as besides the aduertisements they sent daily vnto them they did solicite the execution making new demaunds pressing them aboue al to discharge the soldiers They demanded a copie of the authority to gouerne left them by King Henrie the words of his will which concernes the point of succession the which were wholy deliuered vnto them his wil was made 8. moneths before cōtained these words Seeing at the time of my will making I haue no descendents directly to succeed to the Crowne of these realmes and haue called my nephewes which may pretend and haue put the matter of succession in Iustice I do not at this time declare who shall be my successor but leaue it vnto him to whom by right it shall appertaine him I doe declare my heire successor except that before my decease I shall name him that hath this interest And therefore I command all men within these my realmes of what quality soeuer that presētly after I or the iudges appointed shal haue named him to acknowledge him for heir lawful successor so to obey him There followed many other words in recōmendation of iustice religiō but they serued not to this purpose And although his wil contained these words yet they say the King at his death would haue resourmed it declared the Catholike king successour of the realme But the Gouernors desirous to hold the gouernment for a time in their own hands did diuert him saying That whether he made any declaration or not no other then the Catholike king could succeed both by law force that it was not expediēt to nominate him to the end that the realme might with greater aduantage capitulate agree with him Many supposed that they did not disswade the king from this declaration so much for these reasons as fearing it would breed som popular sedition to their hurt being held as autors of the said declaration The limitation which he had left to the Gouernors contained that they could not create Dukes Marquesses Earles Barons Bishops nor Archbishops nor giue any commandery nor reuenue which passed 125. duckats But in matters of war reuolutions they might doe giue any thing with the aduise of the councel not otherwise The deputies being satisfied with these writings whilest they debated the reasons of their pretended election Stephen Lopez Doctor deputy of Portalegré spake publikely amongst them who hauing shewed how fit it were to giue God thanks for the quiet they now enioyed said it was not necessary to continue so many deputies stil together with so much trouble so great charge that they should be reduced vnto few the rest returne to their houses And for as much as they were aduertised that the Catholique King began to arme they should surcease from the cause of succession vntill the said King had dismissed his forces and the preparatiues for war he had made for by that meanes the free libertie to treat of the cause and for the pretendents to alleage their interest was taken away That by the suspension of the cause they shall discouer the Catholique Kings disposition in laying aside armes If he doe it it shall breed these good effects That in the meane time they shall haue leisure to prouide for things necessarie to gather in the fruits of the earth and the pretendents shall liue in peace and quiet if he refuse it which we ought not to beleeue of so Christian a Prince then shall they be satisfied and both the States and the pretendents vnited in one bodie may the better defend themselues and when as all things were quietly setled then to determine the cause disabling notwithstanding before all things the saide Catholique King who vsing force when as iustice is offered him for being King of these Realmes And this he said was the disposition of the lawe that in the meane time they should commaund the Pretendents to the Crowne to make their residence in diuers places the one at Elues and the other at Begia as fronter townes swearing not to attempt any thing one against the other The reasons of this Doctor as a man of small account were not followed but the councell being resolued with two others of the States to send six Deputies to Almerin to treat of matters of importance with the Gouernours Thither they sent them with instructions different from this fourme of speech videlicet that the Gouernours should passe to Saint Arem and there make their residence to take a view what armes men and munition the citie of Lisbone had for their defence to supply what wanted to take notice what Captaines be appointed in the fortresses vpon the riuer of Lisbone and being suspected or not valiant to place others with men and other necessaries That they should send armes to all cities of the Realme and traine vp their men with exercise thereof that they should beseech the Pope by his Ambassadours to perswade all the pretendents to take the course of iustice and lay aside armes vpon paine to loose the interest they pretend requiring that Emanuell de Portugal purueyor of the fortresses of the Realme might be restored to the same office whereof the King had suspended him and that they should do the like to Diego Salema and to Aluaro de Morais in their offices in the Chamber of Lisbone And for that they found themselues tobee vnfurnished they would haue all the ships vessels staied throughout all the ports of the realme for the conducting of things necessarie for the war The Gouernors made but a cold answere to these demands as they had done before to all others saying that being matters of so great importāce they would consider of them first then aduertise them what should be done The Cheriffe had as it is said before in the life of King Henrie and at the instance of the Catholique King deliuered the Duke of Barcellos who hauing passed the streight to returne into Portugall being arriued at Gibralter where as afterwardes at Saint Lucar the Duke of Medina Sidonia Lord of those places did him great honour by meanes whereof he spent sometime in sports At this time the newes comming of King Henries death the Duke of Medina thought it a matter importing the Catholique King to deteine the saide Duke of Barcellos
he should preuaile in recompence of the discontentment he had to be drawen from Italy Many beleeued the King would goe to this war in person both for the inclination they see in him as for some other signes which were apparant for he not only caused his armes and pauillions to be readie but also commaunded Ferrant de Silua Conte de Cifuentes Guidon Maior of Castill with the Standard Royall to furnish himself the which in that Realme is not accustomed to be carried but in the Squadron where the King is in person but in this case it behooued him to remaine irresolute and to gouerne himselfe according to the necessitie and occasions which time should discouer In this hope of things the King commaunded a Secretarie of the councell of warre to write to the Duke of Alua demaunding of him if he were able to serue in this enterprise whereunto making answere that in that which concerned his Maiestie he neuer made reckoning of his health hee was commaunded to prepare himselfe within three daies and to goe to the campe the which he putting in execution he went to Barrazas a village ten miles from the court which was at Madrill hauing no leaue to come thither but that which caused admiration the king hauing at the same time caused the Prince Diego his sonne to be sworne by all the estates in a Chappell although with ordinarie ceremonies yet with lesse pompe then of custome did not admit the saide Duke to the oath being so neere and so great a personage He did neither write vnto him nor treated with him concerning these warres but long after So as the Duke marching with the armie finding himselfe not fully released from the prison wherein he had beene saide that the King had sent him to conquer Realmes drawing after him chaines and fetters such was the seueritie of Philip and the obedience of so great a minister All Spaine was pleased with this election for besides the deliuery of the Duke which followed they esteemed not the valour of their soldiers without a Commaunder to their mindes and in the Dukes person they helde any armie good The Generall being dispatched the King prouided all things for his iourney into Portugall he caused a daughter borne at that time to be secretly baptized and hauing made the saide prince of Castill to be sworne without calling or the presence of Ferrant de Sylua to his great discontentment the King went to Guadalupa being now the time of Lent vnder colour to performe the obsequies of King Henry there and so to draw neere vnto Portugall to giue encouragement to his affaires and thus did he write to all the principall cities in Spaine He departed from Madrill in coach almost all alone without giuing order for the Queenes departure or for the officers of his Courte notwithstanding cherishing her dearely After he had passed two daies seeming conuenient and a great signe of amitie that being now to enter into Portugall he shoulde be accompanied with his Queene he called her vnto him The Duke was now gone to Glierena where a part of his armie lay being in farre lesser numbers then had beene leuied for that discommodities and sicknesse had consumed many and many places were voide by the Captaines pollicie being in all but fower thousand fiue hundreth Italians three thousand fiue hundreth Germaines and three thousand Spaniards come out of Italy and other seauen thousand newly raised with fifteene hundreth horse which being a body long before prepared for a matter so well foreseene seemed to him but small But the Duke trusting more to the qualitie then the quantitie of his soldiers desired to haue them fewer and of more experience and these seemed in a manner all without knowledge and therefore the King at his entreatie commanded that all the soldiers which were come out of Flaunders into Italy should passe into Spaine being such whom he knew and had tried in the warres yet they arriued not in time but returned backe The Duke saide that surmounting the enimie in horse he would vndertake this warre with twelue thousand foote well experienced neither did he value the great number of the Portugals which assembled as it was giuen out making reckoning to waste them by policie to conquer them without battaile The King being come to Guadalupa there arriued the Bishop of Coimbra and Emanuel de Melo Embassadors from the Gouernours of Portugall The King with his Councell were doubtfull in what sort to honor them some would haue them treated like subiects without respecting them as Embassadors Others would not haue any thing altered of the ordinarie course obserued in those causes yet not to discourage them it was resolued they should be heard as Embassadors with their heads couered and that the King should put off his hat yet the King had written before to the Gouernors that he would treat with their Commissaries as with subiects These laboured by a long speech to perswade the King to lay aside armes they saide that King Henry had greatly desired to end the question of succession by the ordinarie course of iustice but that death had preuented him he had in the States held at Lisbone in the yeere 1579. not onely chosen Gouernors and defenders of the Realme but the States had also named fower twentie Iudges whereof the King had chosen eleuen to iudge definitiuely the cause of succession if he died before the effecting it the which after hapned and that the matter being brought to that passe the realme remained quiet and peaceable resolute to obey and acknowledge for their Lord and King him in whose fauour sentence should be giuen conformable to the oath which the whole Realme had taken in the said estates the which was after ministred to the same Gouernors in the great church at Lisbone when as the coffer which contained the nomination was opened and therefore they were readie to administer iustice and to acknowledge for King him vnto whom the realme shoulde be iudged by right to appertaine and being thus affected they beseeched his maiesty to command his embassadors to assist iudicially to the cause in the conclusion thereof But the King being assured of his right prouided of forces and seeming no blot to his conscience made answere that he was well pleased with the shew of zeale to the publike good of these realmes and that he was perswaded that what they had propounded proceeded from a good inclination that he would haue bin glad their demand had bin such as he might haue satisfied them the which he wil do alwaies in matter that shall be iust tending to the generall or particular good of these realmes But the equitie of his cause being so apparant to the world remaining no lawfull or competent iudge they neither ought nor could performe the oath which they saide they had taken seeing it were an apparant preiudice to his title and a domage to his owne realmes and therefore he
entreated them presently to resolue to receiue and sweare him for their king and lord as God would haue it they themselues knowing chiefly touching this matter what king Henry thought determined and had resolued and the bond where by they were tied to obey his will in dooing whereof he woulde grant vnto the realme not onely the priuileges which he had set downe the which the Duke of Ossuna should offer in his name but any other they should require being iust and reasonable hoping they woulde take that course which was to be expected from wise men and Christians he would continue his determination The Embassadors seemed not satisfied with this answere but demanding leaue to impart it to the Gouernors they accompanied the king vntill he came to Merryda Now were the Gouernors in Portugall wearied with the Councell of the States desirous to dissolue them and hauing first required a prolonging of the gouernment the King had left vnto them and not obtaining it they did signifie vnto them that the States were ended that the Deputies might returne to their houses leauing only ten of them to treat of matters which should fal out for so small a number might lodge any where being now forced to leaue Almeryn and to take some small place neere the citie of Lisbone being greatly entreated thereunto but the Deputies who had sent Iohn de Noghera to the Vniuersitie of Coimbra to studie the point of their pretēded election hauing receiued answer that the election belonged to the States of the realme they woulde by no meanes be dissolued perswaded thereunto by the bishop of Parma the Prior the chamber of Saint Arem and many particulars offring money to supply their wants but they opposed in vaine For although they had sent to the Gouernors to alleage their reasons in law labouring to prooue that the States were not to be dissolued that their procurations were offorce yet the Gouernors did againe disable them saying their authorities were of no force so as many began to separate themselues and returne to their houses The Gouernors prepared to defend themselues for although the greatest part of them were not of that opinion yet to content the people and to please the other Gouernors and gentlemen of the popular faction it behooued them so to do For this cause they armed their gallions they brought armes from other countries they mustred men for the warre they sent gentlemen throughout all the prouinces of the realme and laboured to imploy such as contrarie to the Catholique Kings faction being present hindered their resolutions who willingly accepted of these charges seeming to haue greater confidence in them then in any other Diego de Meneses was sent into the prouince beyond Tagus Iohn de Vasconcello into Beira Emanuel of Portugall into the mouth of Tagus and many other to diuers parts of the Realme George de Meneses had charge of the armie at sea so as they were all dispersed and the Gouernors had good meanes to effect their desires yet Martyn Gonzalues de la Camera no lesse popular then the rest remained in court of whom the Gouernors grew iealous that hauing imploied him as a mediator betweene them and the States of the realme he was become a superior But the prouision and preparatiues that were made although some vsed all care and diligence seemed rather done for shew and fashion sake then to any effect In Castill they discoursed vpon the manner of this enterprise seeming impossible vnto the Duke to gather togither so many carriages as was necessarie for the conduct of victuals and munition and therefore deuised to transport his forces by sea He determined with few men to keepe them busied in Extremadure to diuert them and vnder colour to hasten the armie to march towards Andelouzia and speedily to imbarke his soldiers at Saint Marie Port to assaile the entrie of the mouth of Lisbone in despite of all the fortresses that were there making account to loose some ships which should by chaunce touch But receiuing certaine aduertisement by men expresly sent into Portugall that there was aboue six thousand chariots to be founde he left this dangerous resolution more for the regard of the sea then the enimies He determined to march to Settuual thinking it necessary to win a port of the sea of so great importāce for the harboring of the nauie for cōming thither laden with victuals he not able to carrie with him by land aboue a moneths prouision it seemed necessarie to ioine the forces prouisions of the sea to them of the land and that therein consisted the victorie with this resolution he went to Merrida where the King remained of whom being receiued with a cheerefull countenance they treated what course the armie should take There grew some diuersitie of opinion betwixt the Duke and some others who perswaded by some confident Portugals would haue the armie march to Almeryn and there passe Tagus at a foord or at Saint Arem vpon bridges that they should force that place being but weake and so they might passe safely to the wals of Lisbone the which without attending any batterie would yeeld presently or it may be before their arriuall for taking from them the victuals from the plaines of Saint Arem they should not onely besiege them by famine but they shoulde so furnish their armie with corne that they shoulde haue no neede of prouision from the fleete the which they should better receiue at Lisbone then at Settuual without hazarding the enteprise and the armie by the dangers of disimbarking which going to Settuual they must be forced to do against the forts vpō the mouth of the riuer and with losse of time in winning of them This opinion seemed so grounded that it required no lesse authoritie or arte to disprooue then the Dukes who being chiefe of this enterprise and to hazard his reputation drew the King to his opinion Philip had likewise enuironed as a man may say all the realme of Portugall with armes though not with mercenarie soldiers yet with such as they coulde assemble togither he commanded all Noblemen whose liuings ioined to the confines of this realme that hauing enrolled the greatest number of their subiects able to beare armes they shoulde be readie at his commandement yet in the meane time they shoulde receiue gently in his name the cities and subiects of Portugall that woulde obey him In Gallicia Peter de Castro Earle of Lemos and Gaspard de Fonsequa Earle of Monteré had the charge against the prouince behinde the mountaines Iohn Pimentel Earle of Benneuent and Diego de Tolledo Earle of Alua In Estremadura Beltramo dela Cueua Duke of Albequerque and Ferrant Anriques Marquesse of Villa Noua against Vera Iohn Pacheco Marquesse of Seraluo and in Algarues Frauncis de Suniga Duke of Besar and Alonso de Gusman of Medina Cidonia In the armie where the Duke of Alua was commander of all both at sea and at
moreouer that he was much amazed to heare him confesse with his owne mouth that they had daily practised with Anthony that they treated with a rebell who had committed so horrible a crime aduising him in signe of loue heereafter to abstaine from all such treaties so contrarie to that fidelitie whereunto they were bounde and so vnwoorthie of their authoritie and reputation shewing likewise that he marueiled they woulde suffer themselues to be informed from the Deputies who promised to cause Anthony to forsake the title of a king which he hath vsurped as if it were an offence capable of repentaunce whereas they shoulde well vnderstand that they be ordinary practises and discourses of rebels to deceiue them as they had formerly done And whereas the Deputies call it an accord or vnion for the defence let them take heede that it prooue not a league and a conspiracie framed to make him partaker with Anthony his offence from the which God had yet preserued him He concluded that he would alwaies giue a gentle audience to that which shoulde be propounded on his behalfe with intention to doe him all the grace and fauor possible in his demaunds This answere being receiued the Duke sent certaine gentlemen to treat an agreement with the king the which continued long making vnseasonable demaundes on the Dukes behalfe Notwithstanding the King desiring that before they proceeded further he shoulde acknowledge and sweare him for his Lorde The matter remained in suspence with small content to the Duke who found not onely the hope of his Iustice to fall out vaine but likewise not to be fully reconciled to the king who tooke possession of his countries hauing alreadie lost Villauizosa one of his chiefe places and of great importance where hee made his aboad although he had well fortified it The which hapned presently after the reduction of Eluas by the meanes of a Castillian whom he had left within the castell either trusting in him or neglecting of it This man hauing intelligence with captaine Cisneros who was in the Dukes campe treated to deliuer vnto him in the night one of the gates of the castell the which descends into the ditch thereby secretly to bring in the kings forces the which he did effect The night appointed for this enterprise being come the Duke commanded Sanches d'Auila to go with the soldiers he had about Eluas and take possession of the fortresse who hauing taken their Harquebusiers behinde them marched so that night that in the morning they came to Villauizosa and approching the gate that was promised them they founde that although it were open yet coulde they not enter for that being farre from the ground the ladder which they had brought was too shorte and coulde not reach vnto it so as in dispaire to put it in execution the day growing neere they were readie to returne fearing to be discouered But as many times thinges are fitted to the violent course of fortune the Castillians founde within the castell ditch an other ladder which the soldiers within the forte had by chance left there the which bounde to that they brought reached vnto the gate so as all the soldiers entred the castell without being discouered hauing neither guard nor centinell but were all laide to sleepe hauing a mightie armie of enimies within tenne miles of them so as in this manner the Duke of Bragance lost the best and strongest furnished place he had Many were then of opinion the King shoulde not go in person with the armie for although some helde it was necessarie he should goe alleaging the former reasons yet such as helde the contrarie opinion added vnto their reasons that throughout all the way vnto Lisbone and in the citie it selfe they died most violently of the plague although the aire did not seeme corrupted that it was not conuenient to hazard the life of a Prince who was a pillar of the Church and Lord of so many Realmes That they might answere vnto the reasons of conueniencie which was spoken against this opinion that it was like vnto all other humane things which haue two reasons for waighing the one it importes much and regarding the other they seeme light The importance of the enterprise is verie great considering the valour of the realme and his interest but if you consider that they oppose against the person of so mightie a king that of Anthony a rebell who doth scarse deserue the name of a tirant and that with the Duke of Alua and so many Noblemen Italians and Spaniards you compare the Count of Vimioso yoong without experience and all the rest of their traine and that against so valiant soldiers of all nations there come peasants gathered togither from the villages about Lisbone and the slaues of Ethiopia you may easily iudge the great indignitie the king shoulde suffer being present in this expedition They alleaged the like reason against the hope of good successe for although it seemed a matter easilie to be effected considering the qualitie of the enimies yet regarding the difficulties alleaged the matter was in suspence remembring the examples of King Iohn the first of Castill Alphonse the fifth of Portugall either of them entring at diuers times with an armie into other countries and both returned flying and broken As for the sweete content it seemed the Kings entrie should bring and contrariwise the sharpenes of the Duke of Alua they saide it was well considered yet the King remaining at Eluas or in any other place vpon the frontiers hee shoulde giue a generall content This opinion seeming the better and with most grounde not onely pleased the King but bred such an impression in the mindes of many that it passed the limits for that the cōsiderations of safety are limited with feare so as they began to apprehend too much saying the king was not sure at Badagios and that he shoulde retire himselfe to Ciuill vnder colour to dispatch away the armie seeing it had already entred the realme for the Duke marching from the frontier the King shoulde lie open to all attempts of the Portugals who might make their courses euen vnto the walles of the citie That Anthony seeking to make this diuersion he might easilie effect it with so great force as the king shoulde be constrained to retire himselfe with small authoritie and recall his armie although it were about the wals of Lisbone yet woulde not the king by any meanes heare speake thereof but perswaded such as were of that opinion that for a worlde no for his owne life he woulde not retire a foote backe but was resolued to staie in Portugall in some place of the frontiers which shoulde be thought most conuenient and for that effect reteined certaine troupes for his guard The Duke of Alua who had assembled his armie at Cantigliana passed the 27. day of Iune by the kings commandement the small of Caya which diuides the two realmes entring into Portugall with great quantitie of munition
the Doctors which had read and writ against him with great mildenes but also with a noble resolution confirmed them in their lectures and preferred others to them that were voide In the meane time the Pope discouering the Priors weakenesse to maintaine Portugall and that there was no meanes of agreement hauing called home his Legate he seemed well content with Philips successe saying that his onely intention was to auoid wars so as hauing obtained great rewardes for his sonne or at the least assured hopes he graunted vnto the king that George de Taida bishop of Viseu who was his first chaplaine shoulde be iugde without appeale of all causes concerning the Ecclesiasticall rebels and of the proces of their confiscations so as the Prior in a manner doomed to sentence of death with the Bishop of Guarda and others were againe cited by edicts to be depriued by iustice of all spirituall liuings they held within the realme There was yet no newes of him notwithstanding the reward promised and the great care the Castilians vsed through the realme to finde him yet were they daily lesse certaine for that disguised in a base habite hee went vnknowne oftentimes amongst those that sought for him He had intelligence that the Counte of Vimioso was come by land into Fraunce labouring to mooue the French to warre against the Catholique King promising great succours by the people in the matters of Portugal By reason whereof and for the Priors concealement the King kept in a manner his whole armie dispersed in the fortresses and cities of the realme and although hee had dismissed the Italians and sent the greatest part of his galleies into Italy yet they gaue out that he after repented the realme seeming daily lesse peaceable and that the French in those parts might arme a good number of ships of warre and more conueniently in that sea then the galleies whereof fowre being in Algarues had taken a French pirate with great slaughter who being a knight of Malta had fought valiantly By reason of these garrisons of the rigor of officers of the smal recompence that was giuen them and of the conceite that the Prior was yet within the realme the Portugals harts beganne to turne some of them assembled at times lamented the miserie wherein they seemed to be by their not agreeing to defend themselues or not yeelding in time yet the greatest part held opinion that vnited togither they might haue made resistance They could not endure that the Castillian officers shoulde intermeddle in matters of iustice as they pretēded to do neither was the Portugals disdaine appeased in saying that the King hauing commaunded Iohn Andrew Doria Prince of Melfy to conduct the Empresse his sister into Spaine whom he had caused to come out of Germany was for no other cause but to leaue her Gouernesse in Portugall and so returne into Castill and that as a woman she shoulde raigne with greater mildenes then the kings of Portugall had done for although this was the common discourse yet many helde opinion that the king should not depart being constrained to keepe garrisons the which he would not dismisse vntill he were better assured of the Prior of whom they spake diuersly for some helde that he was dead and spoiled by the Castilians who for that they woulde yeelde no account of the iewels he had about him kept it secret Others saide that he had sent into Fraunce and England from whence hee expected great armies at whose arriuall he would discouer himselfe Many supposed that he shoulde keepe himselfe secret within the realme vntill the death of Philip who according to their discourse coulde not liue long and yet was there small difference betwixt their ages at what time shewing himselfe as hee did vpon the death of king Henry hee shoulde againe take possession of the realme the kingdomes of Castill remaining in the handes of pupilles And although some beleeued that he was departed the realme yet the greatest part helde that he was there yet labouring to escape as couertly as he coulde fearing to be taken prisoner the which was true indeede as it appeared by some of his friends that were taken in the porte of Lisbone who sought to imbarke with some prouision of victuals they had made who confessed vpon the racke that he was in the realme amongst which was Peter d'Alpoe Doctor of the lawes who since for that cause and others of high treason lost his head at Lisbone The Estates were now ended and the king desirous to goe to Lisbone but for that the preparations and triumphs which the citie pretended were not yet ready he went to Almada which is directly against the citie vpon the other banke of Tagus to giue them time to finish their preparations At what time the King hauing intelligence that those of the Ilands of Terceraes notwithstanding the letters which Ambrose d'Aguiar had carried stoode firme in their first resolution of defence hee sent Peter Baldes with fower ships sixe hundreth Spanish foote and some cannon with commandement to assure himselfe fully of the Iland of Saint Michaell which was obediēt to spoile the ships which should come from the Indies not to attēpt any thing by land vntill he had sent a greater supply of men The Court was ill appointed at Almada and the needfull ministers for dispatches could not all bee lodged there The King desirous to enter the citie would not attende after Saint Peters day when passing the water with his galleies he lāded in the city vpon a bridge of wood framed for that purpose without giuing them time to finish their arches statues prepared for his entry But the sloth and ignorance of the workemen was in parte cause yet did they make a sumptuous preparation Vpon the bridge he was met by the Magistrate of the chamber where Doctor Hector de Pyna one of them spake thus in the behalfe of the citie shewing the ioy they had conceiued of his entrie That as this citie was the greatest in the worlde so God had deseruedly giuen them conformeable to their owne desires a great monarch to bee their Lorde Hee excused the people saying That if they had no sooner obeied it was done rather by errour then their owne free will and that remaining in their owne power to choose a king they woulde haue made election of no other then himselfe And touching the death of Ferrant de Pyna hee saide that this citie had first of all shedde bloude for his seruice seeing that the saide Ferrant when as Anthony caused him to bee wounded was a member of this Magistrate He excused likewise the sleightnes of their ioyes by the afflictions of the warre the spoile of the citie and the plague remembring their losses of Affricke concluding that they hoped by his Maiesties fauours this realme shoulde not bee saide vnited vnto Castill but that all the other realmes were ioyned vnto Portugall Hee then went on horsebacke vnder a canopie of
followers he expected to mooue the people against Ciprian de Fegueredo and make himselfe Lorde of the Iland in the Kings name But hauing not duely examined the iudgement valour and constancie of such as he had chosen for his companions things necessarily required in them that are to execute matters of such importance being deceiued he did not effect this enterprise for although he had many friends and copartners with him being at the howre appointed come vnto the place calling the rest and proclaiming the kings name he was not followed of any man but was inuironed by the people and beaten outraged in danger to be hanged and therefore no man durst stirre In this space the number of Portugals which the Gouernour had assembled to goe against the enimie was little lesse then two thousand who treating in what manner they shoulde issue foorth they left not to consider that although the Castillians were fewer in number yet were they more experienced and better armed A religious man of the order of Saint Augustine for here as well as in other parts of the realme religious men deale in matters of warre aduised that before their men they shoulde driue a number of oxen and chase them with all force against the Castillians the which being put in practise was the safetie of the Portugals and the defeating of their enimies for that raising a great dust they were not discouered by the Castillians they defended them from their shotte and disordred the enimie for the Castillians hauing by their long skirmish with some of the citie spent their shotte and powder being now charged by so many they thought to retire themselues to their boates and so to imbark which they resolued too late For that the Portugals approching neere couered in safetie hauing the oxen as a rampire they draue them against the enimie with such violence that they were forced to disbande and to quite them the place at what time being charged by the Portugals with fewe shot and many launces they fought a while with disaduantage For the Portugals being many in number the Castillians coulde make no great resistance besides that being minded to saue themselues by their boates they retired towards the sea the which being then rougher then when they landed their boates coulde not come neere the shoare and the marriners which were in them were likewise fearefull to approch for that the Portugals shotte at them from lande so as the soldiers to saue themselues waded vp to the necke in water and yet hardly could get to their boates suffring the punishment of their rashnes for the enimy seeing them now flie without resistance fell to killing without pardoning of any and not onely followed them vnto the water but made an ende of such as being already entred the sea had cast vp againe to shoare halfe dead not hearing any that cried for mercy But the Portugals being nowe growen inexorable not onely slew the soldiers but pages and vallets so as there died aboue fower hundreth and not thirtie Portugals whereof some of them were but hurt in this action hatred preuailed more then any other respect for hauing reserued onely two aliue which termed themselues Portugals the extraordinarie rage of these men shewed it selfe who grieued with those few that were saued turned with crueltie to mangle the dead bodies for cutting them in peeces one caried a head in triumph one one member an other an other dragging whole bodies through the streetes with a thousand indignities The day following there remained not within the citie childe man nor religious person except the Iesuits that went not to the campe to see the slaughter of the enimies with instruments and dauncing taking pleasure to cut and mangle these insensible bodies and some affirme that there were of them who tearing out the harts of the dead woulde feede vpon them The Gouernour hauing put the armes of the dead men into wagons and drawing their colours after him entred the citie with great ioy of the people Baldes hauing hitherto beene a better marriner then he seemed now a soldier founde by this vnhappie euent with how much more iudgement he shoulde haue vndertaken this action but as one mischiefe is followed by many griefe did so blinde his vnderstanding as hee coulde not succour his soldiers as easilie he might and giue them meanes to retire to their ships if drawing neerer to lande hee had discharged his artillerie against the Portugals who were the first that gaue the name of bloudie vnto this warre This important effect did greatly preiudice the Catholique kings affaires for this nation being growen more cruell and more rebellious founde there was no hope of agreement nor remission whereby the King who liued in some hope they woulde be reclaimed grewe no we wholie desperate by this vnhappie successe and the rather for that searching the Prior throughout the realme they had intelligence by letters from Flaunders that hee was arriued in England from whence hee shoulde go into Fraunce to demaund succours vnderstanding also that there was hope hee shoulde obtaine them By reason whereof they did fortifie the seacoast of Portugall and especially the rocke of Saint Iulian And although this storme seemed yet farre off yet they regarded it the more for that the king was vnfurnished of men and the people generally of the realme little inclined to his deuotion so as it seemed if the Prior woulde againe hazard his fortune that at the onely sight of his colours the people woulde take armes There was no restraint could hold them seeing the Italians had beene discharged the Germaines and Spaniards whereof many being dead and many growing rich fledde away there remained in all not aboue fower or fiue thousand whereof one thousand was alreadie imploied with Lopo de Figueroa who was sent vnto the Ilands for although there were fifteene hundreth appointed yet the Germaines went vnwillinglie and for as much as the ships after their departure which was in Iuly returned more then once backe by reason of the contrarie windes many of them stole away not returning to the armie the which greatly diminished their number the rest were deuided into garrisons in the Prouince of Doro and Mynio and other places so as there remained scant a thousand men within Lisbone which seemed a small guard for so great a citie This departure of Anthony was in truth strange and it seemed both in this other like things that hee was either happie or had an extraordinarie gift of nature For remaining captiue in Affricke after that vnfortunate battaile of Sebastian he was the first of so many prisoners that was freed being likely for the qualitie of his person to haue beene the last but he coulde so well hide himselfe and conceale what he was that he was deliuered without discouerie And euen when as he departed from Viana in October 1580. vntill Iune 1581. he remained still within the realme so secretly as he was neuer discouered
against her hauing seene the proofe thereof in the affaires of Ireland sought to secure hirselfe that they might not wrong her and to that end she entred into an agreement as it was said with the Queene and her yoongest sonne to the preiudice of Philip whereof the effect was soone seen The saide Alançon being returned againe into England being alreadie agreed with the Prince of Orenge who was the instrument of all these practizes he passed from thence to Antwerpe where the peoples humours being before disposed by the saide Prince he was receiued in all these places with great ioy and the xix day of Februarie in the yeere of our Lord 1582. they did sweare him Duke of Brabant the which caused a generall admiration for many reasons It seemed strange that the Prince of Orenge in a manner absolute Lord in those countries the which he had so long defended woulde vpon the end of the worke spoile himself of the state giue it vnto a stranger without constraint without profit to the preiudice of his honor And although it seemed he had done the like to Mathias Arch Duke of Austria afterwards sent him back into Germany it was not credible that he hoped euer to do so vnto the Duke for besides that he was entred in a manner by maine force his power the neernes of Fraunce the fauor of England might wel induce men to beleeue that he woulde so establish himselfe as he need not feare to be expelled There wanted not such as woulde excuse the Prince saying that the people were nowe wearie and vnfurnished of money by reason of so great warres that they coulde not relieue him as hee had neede and thefore it behooued him to seeke some one that should aide him against the Catholique king who hauing now recouered the realme of Portugall shoulde bee able with greater ease to molest those countries seeing that he was forced to seeke for succours there was no greater person then this making in a manner an muincible vnion of these estates with Fraunce and England besides the Prince shoulde attaine to the wished ende which was to depriue the Catholique king of the whole possession and many did so much relie vpon the Princes foresight and iudgement that they supposed hee woulde like wise expell Alançon when hee pleased Many blamed the manner of the Dukes proceeding who sought to vsurpe an others patrimonie without any title others excused him forging lawes of state after their owne humours saying that the priuileges of the countrey did allow that if the Catholique King did not obserue them they might choose a Prince of themselues the which the King hauing broken they had sought out an other Lorde The effect of the league was not yet ended in those parts but to diuert the Catholique King from making warre in those countries at the mediation of Anthony to trouble the state of Portugal they prepared a great armie in Fraunce Some said it was to be imploied against the same realme hoping the people woulde rise against the Castillians some supposed it shoulde be sent to succour the Terceraes the winning whereof Philip threatned to attempt and some beleeued that they went for no other intent but to surprise certaine ships that came from the newe nauigations charged with golde and spice There hapned at that time in Flaunders a matter of admiration and seldome seene For the Prince of Orenge being in Antwerpe quiet and in the greatest fortune that he was euer was shot in his house rising from his table in the midst of all his seruants with a pistoll by Iohn Scaurigni a yoong man a Biscaine mooued thereunto by zeale of religion as he pretended the bullet hitting him vnder his right iawe passed forth through the window and although he was supposed to be dead yet was he cured and liued and the offender was presently slaine by his guard and all such as were founde accessarie were executed Whilest these things were determined in Fraunce and the low Countries the king who remained still in Portugall sought to giue contentment to the Portugals who hauing long and with importunitie sought for recompence were in the ende all in a manner dispatched giuing vnto many of them orders of knighthoode much of the reuenewes and all the offices that might bee giuen to the great griefe of the Castillians who saide that this realme with more right appertained vnto Philip seeing he had inherited it bought it and conquered it This distribution was made by the two Deputies with great bountie yet wrought it no good effect in the Kings fauour neither was it acceptable for finding two kinde of Portugals which sought for reward that is those to whom Philip in the time of Henry and the Gouernours had promised money and honors to follow his partie and such as faithfully without promises yea refusing them had loially serued him It was in a manner impossible to equall their recompences so as one of the parties should not be discontented but they proceeded so as some were grieued and others proude For besides the errors that were committed by reason of the ignorance of the officers being more easie to promise then to performe the kings Agents had made large offers not onelie to such as coulde helpe but also to many of small meanes and lesse countenance The King desired in any case to satisfie these bonds and although he woulde haue rewarded the most faithfull aboue all others yet could he not performe it for that by reason of their excessiue promises all the reuenewes of the crowne had not beene sufficient so as it often hapneth in Courts they gaue not vnto them that deserued with the like proportion as to such as were vnworthie So as the loue of the subiects was nothing encreased by this meanes for the most trusty were discontented seeming against reason to bee woorse entreated then those which had beene lesse faithfull but with rewarde in hande alleaging also that many of them had not performed that for which they were paide seeming sufficient vnto many to remaine newters and to some that had serued Anthony to say that they were forced and such as were least faithfull for that their harts were not so firmely setled to the Kings seruice they supposed to haue carried themselues wisely They esteemed euery small matter to be of great importance and supposing the king to vnderstand wel what neede he had of them in contempt of the rest they grew insolent These were the generall causes for the which the greatest distribution that euer was within the realme was not pleasing but the nature of the Portugals is vneasie to content in this respect for being enuious they doe feele with greater griefe an other mans profite then their owne losse Those of the baser sort although they expected no answere hauing enriched themselues in their trades by the great multitude of Courtiers yet coulde they not suffer the Castillians to be superiors and as
the yeere of our Lord 1466. Alphonse the fifth King of Portugal going into Fraunce to demaund succours of Lewis the eleuenth for the warres which he had against the Catholique King Ferdinand he obtained nothing at all but hauing spent some time in vaine returned home in dispaire But laying aside all olde examples it seemes that if the French should haue risen in fauour of Anthonie either to aide him sincerely or to vse him as an instrument to set footing in Portugall they might haue done it with better meanes in the yeere 1580. when possibly they might haue disquieted Philip in taking of possession or at the least kept him that yeere from passing the riuer of Tagus so as it seemed strange to see Fraunce send foorth so great an Army out of season in fauour of Anthonie a fugitiue But the estate of worldly affaires considered it seemes there are new reasons wherby the French should be more easily induced then they had beene then for to haue a brother to the King of Frannce in a manner to possesse the states of Flaunders and the Queene mother to pretend to the inheritance of the Realme of Portugall and to be mooued against Philip were all subiects to draw the French readie against this Realme and diuert the Spanish forces In this while the French army arriued at the Iland of Saint Michaell the fifteene of Iuly before the Spanish and drawing neere the village of Laguna there they cast anchor and landed aboute two thousand foote This Iland hath not aboue an hundred miles in circuit it is in forme so long and narrow that extending it selfe from East to West aboue fortie miles it hath not aboue twelue in breadth that part which looketh to the South is most fertill and best inhabited for towardes the North except one village which they call Riuiera the great there are fewe dwellings Vpon that part which is towardes the South beginning from the East and at the Cape which they call Morro running towards the West there are diuers habitations The first which is fiue and twentie miles from Morro they call Villa Franca wherein there are fiue hundred houses The second Acqua de Palo the third Laguna all smally peopled The fourth is the towne which they call Punta Delgada greater then the rest the which hath vpon the West a small Castle Betwixt these dwellings there runne into the sea some promontories the first before you come to Villa Franca is called Punta de Garza the second La Gallea betwixt the saide place and Acqua de Palo betwixt Laguna and the citie there are two others but lesse that is Pugnette and Teste de Chien At the point of Pugnette towardes Laguna as I haue saide the French landed and hauing spoiled the village they marched on to seeke for greater Pray A little before Ambrose D' Aguiar who had the place of Gouernour was deceased in the towne and although his wiues sonne would haue succeeded in the Gouernment yet it seemed that Peter Peixotto Captaine of the fiue ships was amongst the Portugals of greatest authoritie but Laurence Noghera a man of courage and valour was Captaine ouer the Spanish souldiers in that which concerned matters of warre All the inhabitants being fearefull had alreadie transported their wiues and goods vnto the mountaines and hauing discouered the Armie this feare increasing the towne remained emptie of all things The chiefe beeing assembled in counsell they resolued to run their ships on ground that the enimy might haue no vse of them and goe to field with their Spanish souldiers with the Biscayne marrines and such Portugals as would goe the which was not fully executed for the Biscaines would not suffer their ships to be broken and Peter Peixotto was vnwilling to haue his men defeated yet the souldiers put themselues in order to march against the French led by Noghera and Peixotto They had gathered togither aboue two thousand Portugals who with the Castillian souldiers and Biscaine mariners made neere three thousand but Laurence Noghera being doubtfull of the Portugals before their departure exhorted them with milde wordes to fight making shew of feare that they would abandon him but they made answere offering themselues with such willingnes and courage as he hoped to preuaile and therefore issuing foorth against the enemie he hoped to force them to retire The French drew neere vnto him but hauing intelligence by their auant courrers they resolued before they approched neerer to leaue the right way and goe to the citie and castle without fighting hoping to finde all vnfurnished for this cause hauing left the sea shoare they went more to land which being knowne to Noghera altering his course he went to encounter them The skirmish being begun when as the captaine hoped to vse his men hee saw his Portugals flie so as being vnable with his Castillians and Biscaines to withstande so great a force of the enimie he retired himselfe to the castell being wounded with the losse of some of his men where soone after hee died the remainder being in hope amongst the which the Bishop Peter de Castiglia behaued himselfe wisely to be able to defende themselues although they had more hope in the comming of the Catholique armie then in their forces Peter Peixotto although he were in credite amongst them yet fearing that all was lost stealing foorth by night with a carauell hee went to Lisbone to aduertise the Marquesse but it was not his happe to meete him yet was he for all this being a Portugall fauoured of the king There appeered at this time amongst the Ilands one of the Indian ships very rich yet the French were not so happie as to meete with it although it sailed almost in viewe of the Terceres for hauing intelligence by a French shippe of the occurrents of those parts hee left his right course and went to Cape Saint Vincent from thence to Lisbone in safetie The newes of these things which Peixotto brought to Lisbone did more confirme the hopes of the Anthonians then trouble the Castillians or their followers for those varied in their thoughts vpon euery small euent and to those who were more setled it seemed that hitherto the French had not onely done any thing of importance but contrarie to that which good soldiers ought to doe they had assailed this Iland For that it seemed their principal intention being to seaze vpon the Indian fleete or to cause a tumult within the realme they shoulde not busie themselues and spende time in any other action with small hope of gaine for that the Iland being weake and the towne without wals it was apparant that to be masters thereof with trouble were to labour in vaine for although they did subdue it yet the weakenesse and facilitie of landing will alwaies force them to obey whom soeuer shoulde bee master at sea besides they were in danger the Spanish fleete arriuing whilest they were troubled on lande their armie founde at
retayned nothing of a priest but the habit and the name as for sermons confessions and such like things they came from them as from men which had not God before their eies And Anthonie himselfe during these afflictions had not his minde free from lasciuiousnes for the women of honour could hardly be free from his lustes hauing too familiar accesse into the monasterie of religious women amongst whom as well as amongst the men raigned the passions of the affaires of the Realme with no small scandall and great disorder and many of his as also of the French followed this his example Anthonie liued this kinde of life vntill the moneth of October irresolute what to doe To goe into Fraunce after the losse of so great a number of the nobilitie he helde it not safe neither knew he how he should be looked on for he feared as much the disdaine of particulars as he hoped in the protection of the Queene mother To remaine there he saw it a thing not able long to subsist with so great garrisons not hauing wherewithall to pay the souldiers nor in a manner how to furnish his expences He resolued therefore with such shippes as he had to depart for Fraunce but first would goe towardes the Madera and the Iland of Canarie that by spoyling of some weake places hee should content the souldiers with some weake pray For this cause hauing prepared about thirtie saile he not onely shipped his souldiers but with a new deuise he commaunded all the citizens which he suspected and all religious persons affected to the contrarie partie as the Iesuits and others to imbarke making this commaundement most rigorous to those that could least obserue it to the ende they should redeeme this voyage with money But all as vnprofitable in sea causes excused themselues with liuely reasons and entreaties but it preuailed nothing making answere to the yoonger that he had neede of them for his guarde and to the olde for counsell so as many sought to content him with money as hee desired euerie one according to his abilitie by meanes whereof they were freede from his commaundement But this inuention was soone counter-checkt by another for many desired to leaue the Iland to imbarke not with intention to follow the armie but to saile into Spaine Some of the Captaines of the shippes vnderstanding their mindes agreede with the Portugals not to deliuer any money to Anthonie for their stay in the Iland but paying them the like summe and much lesse they would land them in Portugall so as many trusting to the French and English not paying any thing to Anthonie imbarked with them agreeing for a certaine summe to be set on land Anthonie departed with this armie from the Terceres leauing Emanuel de Silua in his place with fiue hundred Frenchmen vnder the charge of Baptiste Florentin and Charles a French man their Captaines He arriued at the Iland of Saint Michael where hauing staied long thereabouts fearing the Spanish garrison there he durst not land being forced to leaue it by a storme that rose Then some of his English and French ships left him keeping promise with the Portugals that were imbarked with them In the meane time they had newes in Fraunce of the defeat of the armie and the death of so many prisoners which caused both in court and throughout the Realme a great griefe and disdaine and enflamed the French to reuenge and as they had Flaunders neere and matters in that estate as hath beene said there they discharged their choler neither did they forbeare after the returne of Anthonie to treat of a new preparation of an armie at sea for the sommer following It was giuen out in Spaine that the faction of Anthony and the French against Portugall was dashed and that they had weakned their forces yet did they not dismisse their hired ships At that time two galliasses being arriued from Naples it seemed the king would assemble a great armie for the next yeere and make himselfe absolute Lorde of the Ocean both in respect of the affaires of Anthony as to assure his ships from the Indies and newe founde landes from the French and English and to force the Iland The Catholique King desired to returne into Castill both for that he was called by the states of Arragon and to finish the marriage of his daughter with the Emperour as also for other business of the realme and was vpon the point to effect it in Nouember 1582. but he woulde first extend his pardon graunted at Tomar to such as had followed Anthony For this cause hauing excepted the religious persons and tenne others hee pardoned freely all the rest that shoulde present themselues within a certaine time but this wrought no effect for there came fewe and many said that the King being yet displeased could not make a free pardon This departure was after staied by the newes of the death of Diego his eldest sonne who as hee had beene sworne Prince of Portugall at the estates of Tomar hee woulde likewise that the same oath shoulde bee made in the person of Philip his second sonne being then sicke And for that he had no other issue male the succession masculine of these Realmes remaining in the breath of one only togither with the kings age and the disposition of the affaires of the world both the quiet seditious were in care But for the swearing of him he assembled the estates at Lisbone in the moneth of Februarie resolute to accomplish this ceremonie before his departure At that time the Duke of Alua consumed with a continuall feauer died in the pallace of Lisbone in the Kings owne quarter being of the age of threescore fourteene yeeres During his sicknes he was greatly fauoured of the King who did visite him a little before his death There is no doubt but the King apprehended the losse of such a seruant which bred no lesse discontentment in him then pleasing to his enimies But the Portugals obserued that the day following he went publikely to masse without any shew of discontent contrary to the custome of their kings who vpon the death of men of lesse qualitie hauing done any notable seruices to the crowne retired themselues for a time the which seemed the more strange for that King Emanuel vpon the death of a notable Pilote withdrew himselfe three daies But the actions of great Princes are so subiect to the censure of the vulgar as the wisest minister matter of discourse to the curious and malicious to slaunder them With him died as a man may say all the warlike discipline of Spaine for there remained not any one captaine equall vnto him He was of a goodly stature of visage leane and graue hee had rare gifts of nature and fortune the which he augmented much by arte he was of a noble minde of a readie and subtill spirite assured in iudgement and peaceable He was not greedy of worldly wealth sparing