THE EXPLANATION OF THE TRVE AND LAVVFVLL RIGHT AND TYTLE OF THE MOSTE EXCELLENT PRINCE ANTHONIE the first of that name King of Portugall concerning his warres againste Phillip King of Castile and against his Subiectes and adherentes for the recouerie of his kingdome TOGETHER VVITH A BRIEFE HIstorye of all that hath passed aboute that matter vntill the yeare of our LORD 1583. Translated into English and conferred with the French and Latine Copies By the commaundement and order of the Superiors At Leyden In the Printing house of Christopher Plantyn 1585. The order of the Priuiledge MAurice Erle of Nassawe Catzenellebogen Vianden Dietz c. and the counselors of estate appointed in the prouinces vnited of the low countreis To all to whom these presents shall come greeting Th'ambassador of the moste noble prince Anthony King of Portugall Algarbes c. hath declared vnto vs that he hath caused a little treatise to bee made in the Latine Frenche and Flemmish tongues conteyning the iustification of the said king Anthony with a briefe historye of all that hath passed betweene his maiesty and the King of Castile vntill the taking of thislands of Assores together with an exhortatioÌ„ to all princes potentates of Christiandome how muche it standeth them vpon to aid and succour the said king Anthony to recouer his kingdom The which discourse the said Ambassador is desirous to cause to be imprinted with asmuch expedition as possibâ—y he may to wit in the Latine French tongs by Christopher Plantin in the FleÌ„mish tong by Peter Verhaghen printer of Dordright Wherefore for other causes vs hereunto mouing we haue giuen granted by these presents do giue graunt vnto the said declarer licence authority permission to cause the said treatise boke to be printed by the said Christopher Plantin Peter Verhaghen to put the same to sale in the tongues aforesaid Wherefore we commaunde all men generallie and particularlie that they suffer the said declarer fullie and peacablie to enioy and vse this our present licence authoritie and permission causing all troubles and empechemeÌ„ts contrary to the same clearelie to surcease and be remoued Forbidding as hereby we doe straightly prohibite forbid all other printers of the said prouinces vnited to imprinte or imitate the said booke in anie of the saide three tongues or in anye other language without the knowledge and consent of the saide ambassadour or his successor in office to sell or distribute the same either within the said Prouinces vnited or elsewhere without the same vpon pain of arbitrary correction and to forfait L. l. for a fine For so haue we found it conuenient Giuen at Delft the 15. of Ianuarie 1585 Ad Meetkerke In the absence of my Lord the Earle by thorder of the counsellers of estate abouesaide I. VAN LANGEN â—…resent woorke 〈…〉 the second his Cosen germaine 〈…〉 e vviues 3 â—…ONOR the sister of themperour Charles the fift by whome â—…he had one sonne named Charles that died in his infancie and Marie that died vnmaried 6 â—…LPHONSVS â—â—o was made â—â—rdinall 7 HENRIE who was also made Cardinal and after king by the death of Kinge Sebastìan 8 EDVVARDE who married Theodosia Duches of Bergantia of whome issued â—…ARIE who married 〈…〉 nder Prince of Par 〈…〉 whome are issued 〈…〉 children KATHERINE who married the Duke of Bergantia Edwarde who died and was neuer married 9 ANTHONIE who died in his infancie The explanation of the true and lawfull Right and Tytle of the most excellent Prince Anthonie the firste of that name King of Portugall as touching his warres against Phillip king of Castile and his Subiectes and adherents for the Recouerie of his kingdome Together with a briefe history of all matters passed vpon that occasion vntill the yeare of our Lord. 1583. WHen Iohn the second of that name King of Portugall was departed out of this mortall life without any issue of his bodie lawfully begotten then liuing For his onely legittimate sonne Alfonsus while his Father was liuing dyed at Santaren by the fall of a horse The kingdome of Portugall descended or rather was giuen by election of the people vnto Emanuell the first of that name sonne of Ferdinando who was vncle to the same king John This was that king Emanuell whiche in the time of his Reigne conquered and annexed to his crowne a good part aswell of the East as of the West Indies together with diuers Cities and Townes of Affrica which at this day remaine subiect to the kinges of Portugall The whiche king Emanuell had three wiues the first whereof was Isabell the eldest daughter of Ferdinando and Jsabell king and queene of Castile which queene Isabell wife of the said king Emanuell dyed in child-bed after she had brought forth her first and onely son Michaell who when he was declared and sworne Prince of Castile and Portugall dyed in his yong yeares whereupon the said king Emanuell tooke to his second wife Marie the second daughter of the said king Ferdinando and queene Jsabell his wife By whiche Marie he had nine children The first whereof was John the third who succeeded his father in the kingdome and tooke to his wife Catherine the daughter of Phillip the first of that name king of Castile and Archeduke of Austriche c. The seconde childe was Jsabell who married the Empeorour Charles the fifte of whome isissued three children to wit Phillip the second of that name nowe King of Castile Marie who married the Emperour Maximilian the seconde of that name and Iane who was married to John prince of Portugall the sonne of King Iohn the thirde of that name The thirde childe of the sayde King Emanuell was Beatrice who marryed Charles Duke of Sauoy The fourth was Lodowike who as it hath beene since founde was secretlye married to one Jolenta of honest parentage of a singular beawtye adorned with vertue and good quallities by whome hee had one onely sonne named Anthonie who is the same partye of whome and concerning whose righte and tytle this treatise principallye maketh mention The fift childe of the sayde King Emanuell was Ferdinando who married a daughter of the Earle of Marialua in Portugall by whome hee had two sonnes who dyed while their father and mother were lyuing The sixte was Alfonsus who was made Cardinall and so dyed without issue The seuenth was Henrye who lykewise was made Cardinall and prymate of Portugall and after that King by the death of King Sebastian as heereafter in this treatise more at large shall bee declared The eyght childe was Edwarde who married Theodosia Duchesse of Bergantia by whome hee had three children that is to say Mary who marryed Alexander Prince of Parma of whome are issued three children also Katherine who marryed Iohn Duke of Bergantia And Edwarde who dyed vnmarryed The ninthe chylde and laste sonne of the sayde King Emanuell of his sayde seconde marryage was Anthonie who also dyed in his infancye The
thirde wyfe of the same Emanuell was Eleonour sister to the Emperor Charles the fifte by whome he had two children to wit Charles who dyed in his infancie and Marye who also deceased and was neuer marryed When the sayde Emanuell was deceased Iohn the thyrde of that name his eldest sonne succeeded him in the kingdome as is aforesayde who by Katherine his wife had manye children the whiche dyed all in their infancyes except Prince John and Marye The whiche Marye marryed Phillip nowe King and then prince of Castile and dyed before her sayde husbande came to his Crowne leauing one onelye sonne whose name was Charles Whome as the fame thereof is constante his father King Phillip commaunded to bee put to death in pryson When Prynce Iohn came to the age of sixteene yeere hee married Jane the daughter of the sayde Emperour Charles and dyed aboute one yeare after leaving his wife greate with childe who in the sixte monethe after the death of her husbande brought foorth a sonne whose name was Sebastian whiche yong Prince when hee came to aboute the age of foure yeares succeeded in the kingdome by and after the death of the sayde Iohn the thirde his Graundfather by the fathers side Now when King Sebastian was come to the age of foure and twentye yeares vppon the intreatye and solicitation of Mulei Mahumet Kinge as hee pretended of Fez and Marrocos who by Mulei Maluco his brother was expelled and driuen out of his kingdome the sayde King Sebastian at the last determined to passe into Affryca with a greate and puissant Armye to restore this Mulei Mahumet to his kingdome And for the better accomplishmente thereof hee prayed his vncle King Phillip of Castile to voutchsafe some ayde vnto him in that beehalfe The King of Castile graunting this petition promised to ayde him with fiftye Gallyes well appointed and furnished and foure thousand armed souldyours King Sebastian trusting thereunto with all care and dilligence prepared his armye wherewith in the monthe of Iune 1578. hee departed from Lisbone and came to a porte of Castile neere the streighte of Gibraltare called el puerto de Sancta Maria where hee stayed certayne dayes for the Gallyes and menne whiche the Kinge of Castile had promised to sende vnto him But the Kinge of Castile vnder pretence that the greate Turke prepared an Armye for that yeare not onelye denyed to performe his promise but also that is farre woorse caused a proclamation to bee made and published thorowoute all Spayne subiecte to his Iurisdiction whereby all his subiectes were commaunded vppon greate pennalties that none of them shoulde accompanye Kinge Sebastian in that Voyage whereof certaynelye there can no other coniecture bee gathered sauing onely that the king of Castile by his vnmesurable ambition insatiable desire to haue dominion neither coueted nor hoped for any other thing then onely that the yong prince king Sebastian his nephew for want of sufficient force should be ouerthrown and come to destruction in the same Iourney so as thereupon the said king of Castile might by that meane haue oportunity to ioyne the kingdome of Portugall to his kingdome of Castile as it came to passe Neuerthelesse the saide king Sebastian being a prince of greate magnanimitie when hee had all thinges in a readinesse and employed infinite expences vpon the furnishing of this armie whiche was aboue a thousand Saile determined to pursue his voyage and ariued in Affrica and there landed all his armie amounting to about fifteene thousand fighting men Thereupon in the end hee came into a plaine fielde whiche beareth the name of Alcazar where the fift day of August in the same yeare was fought a great and terrible battaile betweene him and the enemie wherein the said yong king Sebastian was not onelye ouercome but also slaine in the field together with Mulei Mahumet whose parte he tooke at what time neyther did Mulei Maluco the king that fought against them escape For he in the time of the battaile being sicke and wearye of sitting his horse was remoued into his horselitter and there dyed during the battaile A battaile certainlye worthie to be had in remembraunce for in the same dyed three kinges together in one daye as in lyke manner there were slaine in the same aboue sixe hundred of the cheefest of the Lordes and gentlemen of the kingdome of Portugall besides the common souldiers the most wherof were slaine in the battaile and the rest taken prisoners amongst whiche number Don Anthonio of whome this booke specially treateth was one of the Captiues Further there be certaine persons who affirme that after the death of the sayde king Maluco there was found in his pocket a letter written vnto him from king Phillip wherein he assured king Maluco that king Sebastian nephew of the saide king Phillip shounde haue no ayde at his handes whereby may be perceaued agreat vnfaithfullnes of king Phillip against his owne blood Now when as by the death of king Sebastian the linage of king Iohn the third his grandfather by the fathers side was vtterly extinct it must follow of necessity if collateral succession take place in this behalfe that recourse must be had to the linage of the said Lodowike as seconde sonne of the aforenamed king Emanuell Whiche Lodowike as is afore aleaged had one onelye sonne called Don Anthonio who therefore his lawfull byrthe presupsupposed was the onelye lawfull and rightfull successor of the kingdome But it fell so out that while he in the said discomfiture of Affrica was taken prisoner and there remained captiue howbeit vnknowne of the enemie as it was alwaies before that tyme vnknowne yea and that also to Don Anthonio himselfe that hee was the legittimate sonne of the said Lodowike Henry the Cardinall his vncle the fift issue male of King Emanuell was preferred to the kingdom being then a very old man within a little while after by a wonderfull meane or rather by the prouidence of God the sayd Don Anthonio about forty daies after the losse of the battaile was deliuered out of captiuitie and returned into Portugall where he was with great ioy receaued not onely by King Henry but also by all the nobilitie and principall gentlemen of the countrey and most chiefly and principally by the common people For hee was beloued of all men as well in respect of his noble and excellent disposition of mynde as for the singular and rare vertues of his sayde Father Lodowike which most cleerely shined in him Within a fewe dayes after Don Anthonio was arriued at Lysbone the metropolitan Citie of the kingdome he was aduertised by one of his father Lodwikes ancient seruantes who was a man of good callinge and approued integritie that his father Lodowicke as is afore mencioned in this treatise was secretlye married to the said Iolenta And howe there were diuerse credible witnesses yet liuinge that could testifie the trouthe therof And besides that dyuerse men of good credit calling had expressed and declared
therewith commanded the kings last will and testament to be opened in the presence of thambassadors of the king of Castile the dukes of Sauoy and Bargantia and of the Prince of Parma whereby it was found how King Henry had ordeined that the Iudges appointed to determine the matter touching the succession of the kingdom should proceede no further nor decree any thing therein vntil the cause concerning Don Anthonyes legittimation were decided by the Iudges therfore authorised by the Bishop of Rome which sufficiently proueth all the rigorous dealing of king Henry against Don Anthonie to haue proceeded rather through diffidence or for feare of the king of Castile then otherwise of any reason grounded vpon right and iustice Vpon the sight of this testament the gouernours declared to thambassadours of thother pretenders howe they could not nowe determine any thing touching the succession of the kingdome except the cause of Don Anthonies legittimation were first decided Wherefore they sent worde to Don Anthonio to prosecute the cause touching his legitimation before the Iudges thereunto authorised namely the Popes nuncye then being in Portugall and tharchbishop of Lisbone In the meane space the king of Castile hauing since the death of king Sebastian by little and litle gathered a mightie armie together vnder pretence of attempting some enterprise against Aphrica not minding to stay for iudgement in the matter of Don Anthonies legitimatiō nor in the cause of the successiō of the crowne commaunded all his men to ioyne together vnder the Duke of Alua captaine generall ouer the same armie about the towne of Badaioz in the kingdome of Castile bordering vpon the limittes of Portugall Vpon notice whereof the gouernours and Iudges authorised to decyde the cause of the succession of the kingdome sent certaine deputyes to the Kinge of Castile praying him to voutchsafe to leaue the waye of armes and take the course of iustice sith there were Iudges ordeyned to heare and examine the cause and to Iudge determine the same according to right and equity To whose Iudgement thother pretenders were readye to stande Informinge hym withall that by proceedinge to obtayne the kingdome by force of Armes hee stoode in daunger to loose all his righte and tytle thereto by meanes of a decree made for that cause by Kinge Henry whereby it was ordeyned and prouided that euerye of the pretenders goeing aboute by force of Armes to gette the kingdome and refusinge to stande to the iudgement of the Iudges aucthorised to decide the cause should thereby lose and forfaite all his righte and tytle which hee had or might pretend to the kingdome Howbeit the King of Castile who as is afore mencioned had long before hand declared how hee woulde not submitte his right to anye mannes iudgement trusting vppon his owne power and thendeuour of the sayde gouernours and other noble men whom hee had wonne to his side by giftes and fayre promises without anye regarde of that information commaunded the Duke of Alua with his army which hee had in a readinesse to proceede and inuade the kingdome of Portugall by force Vppon notice whereof the gouernors foorthwith departed from Almerin to Setuball fifteene myles from Santaren fearinge leaste the people of Portugall vppon knowledge of the Duke of Aluaes comming to inuade the realme woulde first fall vppon them and then proclaime Don Anthonio King Within a short space after the departure of the gouernors from Almerin newes came to Santaren howe the Duke of Alua had taken two townes in Portugall bordering vppon Castile to wit Eluas and campo maior Whereat the Citizens of Santaren being greatly mooued first toke counsell together for the fortifying of their towne against the violence of thennimy and therefore went in all solemnity with the clergy and nobillity to suruey and vewe the walles giue order for the beginning of the worke After that they resorted all together in great multitude to Don Anthonyo then remayning in a monastery not far from thence where ill with one voice salute call him king leading him from thence to the principall church and then to the townhowse instantly rerequiring him to accept the royall name and dignitie and to bind them to him by oath Howbeit Don Anthonio contrariwise aleged vnto them how the cause touching the succession of the Crowne was in controuersie betweene him and other Princes pretending tytle thereto wherefore he would not accept the royall name but rather expect the determination of the Iudges therfore authorised But if they would vse him as their defender he was ready to spend his life and goodes for them and the common liberty of the countrey Whereunto the Citizens of Santaren aunswered againe howe their resolution was to make him King sith the people of Portugall as is before expressed might lawfully doe it for defaulte of heyres masles in the right line Which they were the more desirous to accomplish for that the king of Castile in contempt of all other Iudgmēt would be his own iudge went about to possesse the kingdō by violence force of armes Therupon whē Don Anthonio could no longer resist he was sworne King by the three members of the same place namely the Clergie the nobillitie and the common people with erection of the Kinges standarde and all other solemnities according to the auncient custome of the countrey beinge conducted from thence with the saide standarde to a Chappell of great deuotion called Sancto Milagre and other accustomed places and last of al to the royal Pallace Of all which things publique acts were made subscribed by the said three members and therupon registred in the townhowse of the same city Vpon thaccomplishment wherof Don Anthonio protested openly in the presence of the same three members and many others that he accepted the royal name more by force then of his owne accorde and that therfore he determined to lay downe the same and expect the Iudgement of the Iudges in case the King of Castile would call backe his army which he had alredy sent into Portugal submit his cause to the iudgment of the iudges authorised as aforesaide of which protestation hee caused a publique act to bee made and enrolled the same amongest the recordes of Santaren Within three daies after Don Anthonio went to Lisbone where within a mile from the city he was mette by the ordinary garisons of the realme with their Captaines and many of the cheefe of the nobilitie amongst whom were Peter Dor a French gentleman agent for the most excellent Princesse the french queenemother M. Edward Perin eche of them with a goodly cōpany of strangers When he came to the gate of the citie there stayed for him the religious men of the three orders of the Fryers minors who receiued his maiestie with great deuotion and reuerence and in forme of procession marched before him singing Te Deum laudamus c. In this sort the king was first brought to the Cathedrall Church and in all
nothing by al these more then tyrannicall deuises and meanes For King Anthonie beeing more by Gods prouidence and sufferance then by mans industry preserued about the ende of seuen monethes wherein he had wandred about by rockes desartes and other solitarye places at laste founde meanes to embarque him selfe for Fraunce the tenth of May 1581 neare the afore sayde town of Setubal in a ship of Holland of the towne of Anckbuysen wherof wasmaister Cornelius de Egmont and arryuod at the Port of Callais in Fraunce the ninthe of Iune following hauing in the preparation of his embarquemente verye greate helpe and furtheraunce at thandes of a diligent and faithfull wydowe whose name was Beatrice Gonsalues dwelling neere vnto Setuball whose picture after the matter was discouered and shee fledde awaye was hanged by the kinge of Castiles appointment There accompanyed Kinge Anthonie in his passage to Fraunce Emanuell de Silua whome his maiesties afterwardes made Erle of Torres Vedras and gouernour of Thâ—sles of Assories the Kinges Agent whose name is purposelye concealed in his booke for a certayne consideration Thomas Cachero Diego Roys Constantine de Britto and Diego de Quaresma the kings ministers Dominicke Gonsalues brother to the sayde Beatrice and Ferdinand Martines a man of the countrey whose helpe and seruice the King had vsed to prouide his victualles and other necessaries during the tyme that he secretly remained amongest the Rockes and desartes But if all perils and discommodities whiche King Anthony suffered while hee thus wandered in desartes and solitarye places to escape thandes of his enimie should here bee expressed and sette downe scarse woulde a large volume suffice thereunto Yet this is to be noted how all this happened to his maiestie when he was aboue thage of fortye yeres and not in perfite health in the middest of winter and coldest countrey of all Portugall where hee was constrayned to spende many nightes in the playne fieldes and that very often in snowe and rayne all the night long without eyther fire or other remedy against the colde being for the most part all the whole daye without meate or drinke for his foode such as it was for the most part was brought vnto him in the nighte by the sayde countriman Ferdinando Martines Yea his maiestye thoughte himselfe happye when hee coulde put his heade vnder some roofe and reste hymselfe vppon a padde of strawe whiche kinde of lodging the countreymen vse in those partes of Portugall without eyther beddes or sheetes specially where there bee no throughe faires so that his maiestye was driuen commonly to lye in his apparell wrapped onelye in a couerlet whiche the sayd Thomas Cachero alwaies carried with him for that purpose Manye tymes also his maiestie was almoste apprehended by his enimies who lefte no place vnsifted for him insomuche that the spaniardes often came to the verye same place where the King had beene within an howre or thereabouts after his maiesties departure from the same where they miserably afflicted the poore husbandmen that had harbored his highnes executing some by the corde and burning their houses But yet for all that other husbandemen refused not to harbour his maiestie in their houses when occasion required notwithstanding they knew his person very well for they were so well affectioned toward him that none of them euer bewrayed him to the Castilians and yet were they not ignoraunt of the great quantitie of money which the king of Castile by open proclamations had promised to whosoeuer coulde deliuer him dead or aliue In all these so great and incomparable daungers the sayde king Don Anthonio hath alwayes shewed so cherefull and constante a mynde as though no misfortune at all had chaunced vnto him alwaies encouraging and comforting those that were in his company setting alwaies before his owne eyes a stedfast hope not onely to passe and ouercome all these dangers toyles but also in thend t'attaine to the recouery of his kingdome Heere also is to bee noted that whilest Kinge Anthonie was tossed in all these daungers and misfortunes he omitted not anye thing that might further his escaping from the tyrants handes For foure tymes he attempted to take shipping for Fraunce before he coulde bring it to passe hauing euery tyme made conuenient preparation defrayed the charges of his shipping and made all other necessarye prouision for his voyage first at the towne and porte of Auero the seconde tyme at Lisbon the thirde tyme at Villa Noua of Milfontes the fourth tyme at the Hauen of Sizimbre nere Setuball but the number of spyes and traytors aswell Portugalles as spanyardes was so great and their awayting and vigilancie so extreme that these the Kinges attemptes were frustrated although moste secretlye handled yea his maiestie was not farre from his apprehension at what tyme he first prepared for his embarquing at Lisbon for hee was there almost entrapped as more particularly hereafter shall be declared Besides his maiesty in the moneth of December sent secretlye into Fraunce Jerom de Silua a gentleman of a noble and auncient house to signifie vnto the most Christian french King and the moste excellent princesse the Queene-mother that he was yet liuing and in good healthe for that he vnderstoode the King of Castile had written to many Princes of christiandome howe he was dead Nowe when the king of Castile had established his affaires in Portugall according to his pleasure he sent incontinentlye lettres to all the townes of Aphrica of the East Indyes the country of Brasile and other countreyes and Islandes depending of the Crowne of Portugall requiring them from thencefoorth to acknowledge him for their soueraigne Lorde and Prince whiche hee easily obteyned at their handes by reason there ranne a rumour that Kinge Anthonie was deade and for that they sawe no lykelyhoode how he could euer recouer his kingdom and besides these countreis and townes cannot want the traffique of Portugall from whence they haue their prouision of victualls munitions of warre and other necessaries wherefore in thend they submitted themselues into the king of Castiles handes more by necessitie then for any good will The King of Castile also wrote to the lyke effect to thisles of Assores where at that tyme remayned gouernour Cipryan Figueredo de Vascogoncelos established there by king Sebastian before his going into Aphrica in respect of his great wisedom and experience linked with a singular and commendable constancie and fortitude of mynde and courage After good and mature deliberation had thereupon the same gouernour togeather with thinhabitants of the Islandes answered howe they were bounde by oath to kinge Anthony and in regarde thereof could not acknowledge the king of Castile for their soueraigne lord nor do homage vnto him before they were certainly aduertised and sure that king Anthonie was dead and therefore resolued to defende themselues againste all force wherewith the king of Castile threatned them vntill they should receaue certen newes of king Anthonyes death or expresse commaundement from him
declared how for his deliuery out of prison he had promised the King of Castile to assay by all manner of meanes to kill the said King Don Anthonie Or if he could not bring that to passe how at least he would finde the meane to procure certaine french companies or other strange souldiers ouer whome he hoped to be appointed captaine to rise against his maiesty at such time as hee should be readie to ioine battail or in hand to execute any like enterprise or else would do some such thing as should cast the person and campe of the said King Anthony into some notable danger wherein the very trueth is his meaning was to haue kept promise with the said King of Castile For it came to passe within a litle after when King Anthony was ouercome in a sea-battail at the Isle of S. Michael while the Marquisse of S. Crosse remained in the same Isle that the said Edward de Castro being with King Anthony in thislle of Tercera earnestlie perswaded the french companies which were there in garrison whome he had won to him by gifts and otherwise that the Portugalls went aboute to murther them all suddenlie shewing to them for proofe thereof a letter written by King Anthonies agente which though falselie he vouched to containe such matter and likewise made the portugalles on the contrariside beleeue howe they were in the like daunger at the Frenche mens handes When he had laid this foundation he went aboute to put the matter in execution and so handled the same that one day the Frenchmen first made them readie to set vpon the portugalles and slewe Anthony Baracho a gentleman of portugal But as eche party began to put themselues in armes it came to passe by the great dexteritie and wisedome of a portugall Captaine who in time smelled this treason that the matter proceeded no further but all was well pacified the Traitour apprehended Who vppon the falling out of the matter otherwise then he expected woulde presentlie haue retired into the saide Isle of S. Michaell to the Marquis of Sayncte Crosse in an Englishe ship which he had hired for that purpose for a great some of monie Thus the traitor being taken conuict of his treason aswel by his owne confession in the prison as openlie vpon the scaffold was at last beheaded Yet the saide king Don Antonie in remēbraunce and consideration of his former seruices would haue pardoned him had not the common people souldiers made great instance for the open punishment of so great dangerous a treason About the same time Sebastian Caruaillo another Portugal was executed in the said Isle of Tercera for enterprising to kil the said king Don Anthonio Also for the like cause a Castilian gentleman of thorder of the knightes of Malta was afterwardes executed in Fraunce Further for the like offence Iohn Francisco and John Rodrigues desosa were prisoners in France and vpon their conuiction were sent in captiuitie to the said Islande of Tercera a little before the taking thereof by means whereof they recouered their liberty contrary to their desarts But the saide Iohn Rodrigues had neuer escaped from execution in France had not the most excellēt princesse the Queene of England with whom he had beene king Anthonies Ambassadour made intercession for him Whosoeuer therefore shall rightlye consider all these daungers and greate inconueniencies whiche the saide King Don Anthonio hath endured and escaped may easilye iudge that all this came not to passe without gods peculier prouidence and diuine sufferance that some great matter of importance is hid thereunder namely a great hope is to be conceaued therof that almightie God will vse the sayd king Don Anthonio as a fit instrument to breake the great powre force of the King of Castile wherby through his excessiue and vnmeasurable ambition he would else in tract of tyme inuade not onely all christiandom but also al the rest of the worlde that vnder the faire colour of maintaining the Catholike Romish religion vnder pretence whereof he hath thus manye yeeres afflicted thinhabitantes of the lowe countreys otherwise a good and curteous people that in former tyme had alwayes bene good faithfull subiects to him his auncestors to thintent that vpon the subduing of thē according to his fātasie he might easily freely spred his armies ouer England Germany France other nations either for that they receiue or at least permit in their countries any other religiō thē only the catholike Romish religiō or els vnder some other kinde of pretence whatsoeuer This is the marke he shooteth at wil easily hitte except thother christian Princes before theuill creepe any further haue speciall regard to oppose thēselues to his power force by ayding the prouinces vnited of the lowe countreys nowe greately afflicted and also and that most specially the sayde Kinge Don Anthonio who with thayde of some reasonable nauie of ten or twelue thousande men furnished with victualles munition and other necessaries may in shorte tyme without anye greate difficultie recouer his kingdome Whereunto thincredible affection which the Portugalls beare alwayes to their King naturall prince together with thauncient hatred they haue alwaies borne to the Castilians their auncient ennemyes woulde serue for a greate furtherance As the lyke meane serued the prince of Oranges for a greate effect in the sayde lowe countreyes to mainetayne warres there so longe against the forces of the sayd Kinge of Castile Further if King Don Anthonio had recouered Portugall driuen away the castilians he might also easily in short time aswel reduce into his power and dominion the townes of Aphrica with the townes and countreys of the Easte Indies and Brasile where the garrisons consist all of naturall Portugalles as also take from the king of Castile his power by sea consisting chiefely of Portugal shippes Marriners Who without doubte for the naturall affection they beare towarde their Kinge and Countrey and the rather bicause their wiues children landes and goodes remaine in Portugall and for the naturall hatred they beare to the Castilians vnder whome they serue against their willes will easilye come and yeilde themselues to the sayde King Don Anthonie as wee haue seene the lyke example in the sayde lowe countreys when the wars began for the driuing away of the spanyardes Also it is to be noted how the people of Portugall beare a generall hatred against the king of Castile his Castilians not onely in respect of their auncient enmitye against the sayde Castilians but also and most principally for the greate iniuries and indignities which they haue suffered at their handes since the sayde King of Castile by force violence possessed their countrey Whereby all mens mindes are so bent and inflamed against him and his Castilians that their chiefe wishe and expectation is for the sayde kinge Don Anthonie by the ayde of some Princes to enter into Portugall with an armie not onely for their deliuery
from the yoke bondage of the Castilians whose garrisons there exceede not the number of three thousand men but also to inuade Castile in reuenge of the said iniuries whereinto there is long wide accesse and entry out of Portugall without any strong place to hinder free passage into the said kingdom of Castile Moreouer the hatred of the Portugalles against the Castilians is growne so far that they which before were addicted to the said King of Castile and corrupted with money promises to deliuer their natiue country into his handes do nowe secretly fauour King Don Anthonio auouching how they will rather yeilde their liues goodes to his maiesties mercye then liue any longer vnder the tyranny of the King of Castile Who hath them in no estimation neither will perform what he promised when he solicited them to be authors to procure him the kingdome Although all men know how smalle accompte the king of Castile maketh to fulfill his promises to suche men as he hath vsed in like kind of affaires most specially when he hath no more neede of them yet it shalbe worth the noting in this place how hee hath dealt with them that were the principall authors to bring his matters so easilye to passe in Portugall These men when King Don Anthonio was ouercom discomfited the King of Castile in peace able possession of the Kingdome of Portugall of the realmes lands countreis depending therof sauing onely the said Islands of Assores which held a good while as is afore recited for king Anthony exhibited a supplication to the saide King of Castile declaring at large their seruices done in his behalfe for thobteining of the said Kingdome of Portugall beseeching his maiestie to voutchsafe the performance of those promises which his ambassadors the Duke of Ossuna and Christofer de Mora had made vnto them on his behalfe exhibiting writings withall to prooue the saide ambassadors promises Wherunto the King commaunded answere to be giuen that this supplycation with thambassadors writing should be sent to his counsell called in the Portugall language Mesa da conscientia Wherupon followed a decree touching that matter of the tenor or effect ensuing Forasmuch as the king of Castile is true inheritor of the kingdom of Portugal it was not lawfull for the suppliants to sel the same for gifts nor promises but rather they had incurred the penalty of death for thâ—s of their own accord without these promises they deliuered not the kingdom to the said king of Castile But if the kingdom perteyned to Don Anthonio then they could not sell it to king Phillip wherfore the king was no way bound to performe the promises which thambassadors made to the suppliants but of his benignity and clemencye hee absolueth the supplyants from the capitall punishment whereunto for this cause they had endaungered them selues A notable reward surely yea that such a one as commonlye all traytors receaue as the King of Castile accustometh to bestow vpon all them that doe him seruice in like affaires Which may serue for an example to all men that for giftes or promises they attempt nothing against their dutie nor consciences For God is a iust iudge that neuer leaueth wickednes vnpunished nor well doeing vnrecompenced Syth therefore it manifestly appeareth by the premisses that the fayd King Don Anthonio hath a rightfull most iust cause it is to be wished that al christian princes or the more part of them would of their owne accordes offer them selues to aide succour him to recouer his Kingdom whereof he is so vniustlye and tyrannouslye spoyled by the king of Castile as it also appertayneth to all princes to helpe them that be afflicted and oppressed by tyranny Whereunto truly they ought to be the more forwarde and mooued for that it seemeth the onely waye and meane to deliuer themselues and their posteritye from the tyrannye of the Spanyardes whiche otherwise in the ende they shall hardelye auoyde as more particulerlye hath beene declared in this treatise FINIS
the same by their last willes and testamentes for the discharge of their consciences notwithstanding that it was alwaies kept verye secret through the endeuour of the said Lodowike aswel in respect of thine quallitye of the persons as also for that the publishinge thereof was not materiall at that time for that Don Anthonio was brought vp to be a Priest and Churchman and for that also there were then many other heyres of the kingdom that were nearer to the Crowne then he When Don Anthonio had receaued the same aduertisement he opened the matter to King Henry his vncle and besought him to voutchsafe the examitation thereof and to graunte that hee might produce certaine witnesses and poofes whereby the truth of the matter myght bee founde oute and manifestlye knowne for the auoydinge of all controuersies and warres which otherwise were lyke to arise betweene them who after the death of the sayde Kinge Henry myghte pretende Tytle to the kingdome For sithe hee was the onelye sonne of the sayde Lodowike seconde sonne of the sayde Kinge Emanuell if his byrth bee prooued to bee legittimate hee necessarilye excluded and barred all others that by tytle of consanguinitye myghte aspyre or pretende tytle to the succession of the kingdome notwithstanding there were anye of the children liuing who were beegotten of the daughter of the sayde Kynge Emanuell which was elder then the sayde Lodowike her brother forasmuche as the kingdome of Portugall falleth not by succession to the woman nor anye other descending of her When Kynge Henrye had vnderstandinge thereof beeing a verye olde manne as afore is aleaged and fearing least himselfe shoulde in case Don Anthonio were proued to bee borne in lawfull marriage bee depriued of his kingdome he conceaued so greate indignation thereat that immediatlye hee bannished Don Anthonio Thirtye myles from his courte with expresse commaundemente that hee shoulde not presume to retourne thither vntill his Maiestye shoulde take further order in that behalfe Thereuppon Don Anthonio yeilding his obedience to the same commaundemente made his repayre to the Cytie of Columbria being foure and thyrtie myles from Lysbone where at that tyme Kinge Henry kepte his Courte But yet neuerthelesse the sayd Don Anthonio lefte at Lisbone the sayde auntient seruaunte of his fathers from whome hee had receaued the sayde aduertisemente who at the same tyme was in the seruice of the sayde Kinge Henry and verye farre in his fauoure To this man the sayd Don Anthonio at his departing from Lisbone gaue a speciall charge to sollycite his cause to the Kinge in his absence with all endeuoure and diligence The which the same Minister promised with all fidelitye to accomplishe and made humble petition to Kinge Henry that with his good fauour and lycence hee might prosecute the affayres of the sayde Don Anthonio Whiche the Kinge not onelye graunted but also expressely commaunded him so to doe When the said Agent had receaued this aunswere of the King he required Emanuell Bishop of Almada then conseruator of the priuileges of the order of the Knights of saint Iohn at Thisle of Malta competent Iudge of the sayde Don Anthonio as prior of Crato of the same order To receaue and heare the depositions of witnesses and certain documents and instruments wherby the said Don Anthonio intended to verifie and proue himself to be issued of a lawfull marriage praying the sayd Bishop neuerthelesse to keepe the matter very secrete least the King by vnderstanding the same shoulde conceaue some newe displeasure Whereuppon the sayde Byshoppe proceeded in the examination of the cause Before whome were produced three witnesses who perfectlye with lawfull circumstaunces deposed that they were present at the celebration of Marriage betweene the sayde Lodowike and Iolenta parentes of the sayd Don Anthonio Also there was broughte and produced beefore the sayde conseruatour the Testament of one Rui Celema who while hee liued was knowne to bee a verye honest credible man of approued integritie and was seruaunte to Don Anthonios Father and in good estimation not only with him but also with King Henry This Rui Celema by his testament had declared that he alwaies vnderstood certaynelye knewe that the sayde Lodowike Father of Don Anthonio was secretlye marryed to Jolenta setting downe therewithall diuerse reasons whiche sufficyentlye prooue the same and bycause hee was at poynte of death and for that in tyme to comeit myghte bee expediente and beehouefull to the common wealth of the kingdome of Portugall to knowe that Don Anthonio was issued of a lawfull marryage therefore and for the discharge of his conscience hee had made true declaration thereof in his sayde Testamente There was also exhibited before the sayde Byshop the Testament of the sayd Lodowike wherby he ordeined and appointed the said Don Anthonio his son his only heire not only in al his goods Patrimoniall but also in certaine patronall rightes of greate im-Portance which were lefte vnto the saide Lodowike by the testament of his brother Ferdinando and his wife who as is aforesaide dyed without children Further there were produced before the sayde Bishop other witnesses of good calling and credite who deposed that King John the third of that name immediatlye after the death of the sayd Lodowike his brother gaue vnto Don Anthonio the signet and Armes of his father commaunding him to vse the same frankly and freely without barre or breach in as ample manner as his sayd father had the vse thereof as the sayd Don Anthonio hath alwayes since accordingly done Vppon the proofe of all these thinges the sayd Bishop taking vnto himselfe certaine other Iudges of the same order gaue sentence touching the same matter whereby it was pronounced and declared that the sayde Don Anthonio was the lawfull sonne of the said Lodowike and Iolenta the which sentence was also pronounced and confirmed in the Chauncerie of the saide order howbeit secretly for the cause afore aleaged In the meane tyme King Henry assembleth the estates of his kingdome to treate of diuers matters concerning the common-wealth and tranquillitie of the same and speciallye to deliberate who should be the next and meetest Heire to the crowne after his decease and yet neuerthelesse gaue expresse commaundement to Don Anthonio not to come to the said assembly but to send some deputie or agent that might represent his person there Also the same king Henry being very fearefull least Don Anthonio should proue himselfe to be legittimate required the Pope of Roome to voutchsafe to commit vnto him the hearing and examination of the cause touching the legittimation of the said Don Anthonio In the meane time the same king Henry proceedeth with the conuocation of the saide estates and commaundethe that these personages should be cited thither to wit Philip King of Castile as sonne of Isabell eldest daughter of the said King Emanuell which Isabell as is afore alleaged was married to the Emperor Charles the fift Also the Duke of Sauoy as nephew of Beatrice daughter of
the same King Emanuell Also Katherine Duches of Bergantia daughter to the saide Edward sixt sonne of the saide King Emanuell and lastlye the prince of Parma as father and tutor to his eldest sonne which he had by Mary daughter also to the sayde Edward All the which princes and potentates were cyted by the sayde King Henry to appeare at a certain day to thintent euery of them by his Ambassador or Agent might propound and set downe in the sayd assembly of thestates all such right and tytle as euery of them after his death could pretend to the sayd kingdome Saying hee was minded to determine the same cause in his lyfe time if possibly he could bring it to passe But if death shoulde preuent his purpose therein his meaning was to commit and appoint not onelye certaine persons to gouerne the kingdome but also certaine Iudges to determine who had best right and title to succeede enioy the crowne alleaging he tooke that course to auoide all controuersies inconueniencies warres which otherwise were like to happen Whereuppon all the sayde princes and potentates thus lawfully cyted sent their Ambassadors or deputies with sufficient instructions on their behalfe to propoūd in the said assembly of thestates their seuerall rightes and tytles which they pretended to the said kingdome Except onely Phillip King of Castile who answered he neyther had nor acknoledged and Iudge in earth but onelye in heauen And therfore woulde not commit his righte and tytle to the determination of any Iudges that shoulde bee appointed concerning that matter adding withall howe hee was sufficiently informed by his best learned lawyers in his owne kingdome that there was no other personage in the world sauing onely himselfe that had lawfull right to succeede in the sayde kingdome of Portugall after the death of the sayde King Henry which right in case it shoulde be denyed vnto him that then hee woulde obtaine the kingdome by force of armes When the most excellent pryncesse Katherine de Medicis the french Kings Mother was aduertised of these matters namely that King Henry had commaunded all them to be cyted whiche pretended auy tytle to the kingdome she sent into Portugall for her Ambassador the Byshop of Comminges to propound in lyke manner on her behalfe in the sayde assemblye of thestates the righte which she pretended to the sayde kingdome grounding her tytle vpon her descent from King Alfonsus brother to King Sancho the seconde of that name who before he was King had marryed in Fraunce Mawde Countesse of Bulloyne by whome he had two sonnes one of the whiche was marryed in Fraunce of whome the sayde Katheren de Madicis descended the other of the same sonnes deceasing in Portugall without issue and the plea exhibited on the behalfe of the sayde Kathereine de Medicis was receaued by the saide Kinge Henry in the saide assembly of the-states Also when the people of Portugal vnderstoode the right of succession of the kingdom was committed to examination and considering themselues had lawfull power right to elect choose a Kynge for and in default of a lawfull heire Masle descending directly of the Masculine line therefore they exhibited a supplycation to king Henry that his maiesty would voutchsafe to graunt them lycence to propounde and alleage thier right in that behalfe and to exhibite a plea whiche they had made thereof conteyning in substaunce and effecte as followeth To wit That the people of Portugall had made and chosen for their Kinge Alfonsus the first Kinge of Portugall sonne of Earle Henry Also that the same people had deposed from the administration and gouernement of the kingdome Kinge Sancho the seconde of that name after hee had Reigned by the space of fiue and twentye yeares and that thereupon the same people committed the administration and gouernement of the kingdome to his brother Alfonsus Earle of Bulloyne who had marryed Mawde the Countesse and after the death of Sancho they elected the same Alfonsus to be their King Further that the same people had elected made their king Iohn the first of that name the base son of King Alfonsus the fourth notwithstanding there remayned liuing two legittimate daughters of the same king Alfonsus Which King John the same people of Portugall did confirme in the royall seate mainteyned and defended him againste John Kinge of Castile also the first of that name who pretended title to the succession of the said kingdome of Portugall for and in the name of his wife eldest and legittimate daughter of the saide King Alfonsus Whereuppon there grew sharpe warre betweene the same two Kinges concerning that matter wherein the Kinge of Castile in thende was ouerthrowne in battayle aboute a certaine towne of Portugall called Algibarotta Moreouer that the same people had created their King Emanuell the first for that King Iohn the second had lefte no issue male descending of the righte Masculyne lyne Lastlye that they had made the sayde Cardinall Henry their King after the decease of Kinge Sebastian who was slayne in the battayle of Affrica leauing no lawfull issue of his body to enioy the Crowne By all these reasons the sayde people concluded that their power and righte to make the sayde election was offarre greater force and effecte then the righte and tytle of succession whereuppon the other pretenders grounded them selues and the same people added withall that by the Lawe called the mentall Lawe made by the sayde Kinge Iohn the firste of that name no woman can nor oughte to inherite anye goodes or possessions depending of the Crowne and therefore neyther myghte they who descended of the issues female as all the sayde pretenders did sauing onely the sayd Don Anthonio Vpon thunderstanding of all these matters so propounded and set down on the beehalfe of the people Kinge Henrye lykewise admitted their plea. Hereuppon whyle the states of the Kingdome of Portugall were assembled treating vppon the nomination and election aswell of those persons whiche after the death of the sayde Kinge Henrye should haue the administration and gouernement of the kingdome as also of suche as shoulde decyde and iudge the question and controuersie touchyng the succession of the crowne Thagent of Don Anthonio was informed that one Alphonsus of Alburquerque an aduocate of the Cytye of Lysbone was subcrned and wonne by some of the King of Castiles fautors and that hee had manifestlye declared his aduise and opinion to certayne greate menne of the kingdome whereby it euidentlye appeared that hee was altogether bent and enclyned to the King of Castiles parte Wherefore the same Agent propounded and put in againste the same Alfonsus a plea or byll of recusation to thintent hee shoulde haue no voyce in thelection neyther of the sayde administrators or gouernours of the kingdom nor of the Iudges that should haue the hearing and determination of the cause touching the succession of the crowne also the same Agente auoutched how hee woulde declare sufficiente causes that mooued him to
as Don Anthonio was come hee caused a certificat or testimoniall to bee made wherein was conteined that he was then come to the sayd monastery causing the same testimoniall for the better credite of the matter to be subscribed by the chiefest religious persons of the sayde monasterye This instrument thagent sent forthwith to tharchbishop of Lisbon to be shewed to the King and wrote withall to the said Archbishop how Don Anthonio was alreadye departed from thence for thaccomplishmente of a pilgrimage which he had vowed to make when hee was captiue in Aphrica But contrariwise Don Anthonio dismissing a greate parte of his traine which hee had brought thyther wente the same daye accompanyed with his Agente and onelye two seruauntes to the secret place prepared for him where hee contynued the space of about twentye dayes but his Agente in the meane while returned presentlye to the sayde Monasterye Within fewe dayes after letters were brought to the saide Agent wherein certaine of Don Anthonios friendes wrote that it was not conuenient for Don Anthonio to absent himselfe far from the Court least after King Henryes death who was verye sickelye and full of infirmities the people shoulde bee mooued to choose the Duke of Bergantia for Kinge For as touching the Kinge of Castile hee was to bee feared in no respecte sauing onelye thinuasion of the Realme by force and violence further for asmuch as King Henry had in all places appointed spyes and likewise the Duke of Bergantia and the Kinge of Castiles Ambassadours who made dilligent searche whether Don Anthonio stayed secretlye within the limites of the Kingdome of Portugall to thintent in case hee did hee mighte then bee apprehended and put to death by vertue of that latter and most rigorous sentence giuen against him by Kinge Henrye Don Anthonios Agente vppon thunderstanding thereof appointed one of his sayde maysters seruauntes called Sebastian Figueira then remayning in the sayde Monastery a verye trustye and faithfull man to hyer a Barke in a towne neere thereunto called Brantos scituate vppon the Ryuer of Tagus and to furnishe the same with victualles and all other necessaries that Don Anthonio by the space of certayne dayes mighte bee kepte secrete in the same vppon the sayde Ryuer and so escape thandes of the spyes so when the saide Barque and all thinges seruing thereto were in a readinesse Don Anthonyo not withoute greate daunger to bee knowne and intrapped in the waye at last came to the sayde Barque and goeth aboarde the same wherein he was carryed vppe and downe and Riuer about the space of eyghte or tenne dayes without arriuing in anye Hauen but in thende beeing wearie and sickelye hee came priuilye to Lisbon and secretlye conueyed himselfe into a Priestes howse where his Agent had informed him hee mighte continue in safetie Aboute the same time or shortlye after the Kinge of Castile sent a gentleman of good calling to the sayde Agent to the monasterye where hee remayned requiring him to exhorte Don Anthonio to compounde with him touchinge the controuersie that was lyke to aryse beetweene them aboute the succession of the kingdome and for the better bringing to passe thereof the same gentleman required the sayde Agent to goe with him to Madril to the Kinge of Castile But thagente suspecting all that was propounded on the Kinge of Castiles behalfe aunswered howe the same course was not in any respecte conueniente for the King of Castile himselfe aswell for that the people of Portugall vppon thunderstanding of Don Anthonios treatye aboute agreement with his maiestye woulde bee quickelye mooued to electe the Duke of Bargantia for their Kinge as also for that the sayde Agente coulde doe nothing therein without expresse commission from Don Anthonio whome the matter concerned saying hee woulde with speede repayre vnto him aboute the same cause and in the meane tyme the sayde gentleman might make his retourne to the King of Castile Heereuppon this Gentlemanne retourned to the Kinge of Castile and the Agente in greate daunger came secretlye to Lisbone where hee founde Don Anthonio in the Priestes howse And hauing signified vnto him what hadde passed beetweene him and the Gentlemanne aforesayde Don Anthonio aunswered hee was verye glad his Agent had thus escaped the kinge of Castiles handes And as touching the making of anye accorde with the same Kinge it was farre from his meaning but his determination was rather to expecte what shoulde bee resolued and determined by the Iudges therefore ordeyned Within a little while after Don Anthonio was aduertised howe Kinge Henry was informed of his secrete beeing in Lisbone and had already serched many howses for him Vppon thunderstanding whereof hee repayred secretlie with his Agent Didaco de Carcamo Anthony de Sosa and Anthony Sâ—â—…res into a Barque whiche his sayde Agent kepte alwaies readye for a neede in the hauen of Lisbone Wherein after hee had beene by the space of a fewe dayes conueyed agayne vp and downe the riuer he receaued newes that Kinge Henry was dead Whiche happened about the beginning of Februarie 1580. When Don Anthonio was more certainelye aduertised of these newes he came forthwith to Lisbone giuing notyce of his comming to the gouernours and Captayne generall of the same Cytie who resorted presently to him to congratulate his comming offering to make him king Whereunto he answered very discreetely that king Henry was but newly deceased and howe thestates and gouernours of the kingdome were assembled to dispose of the succession of the same and that there were also other princes and potentates pretending to haue right and action thereto and therfore hee determined to expecte what shoulde bee Iudged therein by waye of Iustice The next day Don Anthonio withdrew himselfe into a monastery neere the Citie of Lisbone called Belen of thorder of S. Ierome halfe a mile from the same cytie where his grandfather king Emanuell and thother two kinges descending of him were buried And hauing there accomplished his deuotions he repaired to Santaren a myle from Almerine where the sayde Gouernoures of the kingdome were then assembled who being suborned by the King of Castiles ambassadors and very desirous to deliuer the kingdom into his hands tooke it in very euill part that Don Anthonyo came thither sith by king Henries commandement he was vpon pain of death bannished the realme Wherfore they commanded him to departe ten miles from thence vntill Kinge Henries testamente were opened thopening whereof they intended to deâ—â—â—â—◠〈◊〉 the Ambassadors or deputies of thother Princes â—â—â—…ending â—…ytâ—e to the kingdome were come Hereunto Don Anthonie answered he supposed the rancour and hatred of King Henry against him had not taken so deepe roote as that he did perseuere therein to the ende but rather before his death had shewed some tokeÌ„ of repentance thereof And therefore very instantly prayed them to open the sayd testament without further delay that it might be manifest what king Henry had ordeined touching the succession of the kingdom insomuch that the gouernours moued