was overthrown at the River Saledo by the Kings of Castile and Portugal where they obtained a great Victory with much Treasure and many Ensigns of Glory He had by his Queen Beatrice six Children Three Sons dyed in their Infancy the Fourth Don Pedro succeeded his Father in the Throne the other two were Daughters Mary who was Married to Alphonso King of Castile and Elenora espoused to Piedro the fourth King of Arragon King Alphonso being overloaded with the Burthen of 77 Years departed this Life Anno 1356 and was buried at Lisbon Eighthly Pedro the First of that Name the Eighth King of Portugal succeeded his Father Alphonso He was born at Lisbon Anno 1325 and was a-about 33 Years of Age when he came to the Government He was married to Constance Daughter to D. Juan Emanuel Son to Prince Emanuel Nephew to Ferdinand surnamed the Holy by whom he had one onely Son named Ferdinand who succeeded him in his Kingdom After the death of his Wife he fell in Love with Agnesa de Castro a most beautiful Woman descended of the Blood Royal by whom he had many Children among whom â—â— is John who was afterwards King of Portugal This Lady was put to death by his Father very unjustly but he brought those to condigne Punishment who had wrongfully accused her assoon as he came to the Crown It having caused long Wars between him and his Father But in the tenth Year of his Reign and about the 43d of his Age Anno 1367 he paid his Debt to Nature and was buried between the Bodies of his Wife and his Beloved Agnesia Ninthly Ferdinand the First of that Name and the ninth King of Portugal succeeded his Father in the Kingdom of Portugal and Algarve He was born at Lisbon Anno 1347 the onely Son of Constance the Daughter of D. Emanuel he came to the Crown at the Age of 22 Years in the Year 1369. He wholly drove the Moors from the Confines of Algarve and addicted himself much to the planting the Wast Lands he erected a Monastery for Franciscan Friars in Sylva the chief City of that Territory About his time it was that Pedro King of Castile being thrust out of his Kingdom by his Bastard Brother Henry for his many tyrannical Outrages done upon his Subjects sued in vain to Ferdinand not being willing to assist him but was re-established in his Throne by the Valiant Prince Edward commonly called the Black Prince Ferdinand had but one Daughter onely that survived him who was married to Henry King of Castile and thereby excluded from the Right of Succession according to that Law made at Samego by the General Assembly of the Estates so that in this King ended the Legitimate Line of Henry Duke of Lorrain This King having now reigned 18 Years and lived 40 being seised by a violent Sickness gave up the Ghost Anno 1387 and was buried in the Cathedral Church of Lisbon Tenthly John the First Bastard Son to Pedro the First after the death of Ferdinand his Brother and Neece Beatrice uncapable of Succession by reason of her Marriage with a forreign Prince claimed the Crown as next of Blood but was for a while debarred by reason of his Illegitimation when afterwards considering that they might choose one less deserving they conferred the Crown upon him yet so as he should receive it not as his indubitable Right by Birth but as given him by Election Thus he obtained the Crown by the Name of John the First and was the Tenth King of Portugal He was born in Lisbon in the Year 1356 and entered into the Government in the 32 Year of his Age in the Year 1388 with very great Applause of the whole Kingdom Soon after his Coronation he married Philippa Daughter to John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster which he did to oppose Henry of Castile who claimed Portugal in Right of his Wife Beatrice by matching into that Family which had an equal if not greater Right to the Kingdom of Castile for that John Duke of Lancaster married the Eldest Daughter of Peter the murthered King of Castile and Leon. By Philippa he had a numerous Issue First Edward so named of his God-father Edward th Third of England who succeeded his Father in the Kingdom Ferdinand a Man of great Abstinency and Devotion John Pedro and the most Renowned Henry who was the First of the Portugal Nation that made any forreign Voyages he discovered the Azores Anno 1425 also the Islands of the Madera and sailing along the Coasts of Africa found the Way to Guiana King John reigned 47 Years being made Knight of the Garter as also his Sons the Infants Edward and Henry and dyed in the Year 1436 leaving the World full of his Glory Eleventhly Edward the First of that Name the Eleventh King of Portugal succeeded his Father he was Born at Braga Anno 1392 and came to the Crown about the Age of 44 Years or thereabouts He was married long before he came to the Crown and had four Children Ferdinand who dyed young Alphonso who succeeded him in the Kingdom Joane married to the King of Castile and Leon and Leonora married to the Emperor Ferdinand and was the Mother of the Emperor Maximilian He had but a short Reign of 5 Years and those with bad Success Twelfthly Alphonso the Fifth and the Twelfth King of Portugal succeeded his Father He was born at Lisbon about the Year 1420 and came to the Crown at the One and Twentieth Year of his Age in the Year 1441. He made Wars against the Moors in Barbary and took from them Tangier Alcazar and Arzilla which he fortified and kept He made Traffick famous encouraging Navigation which began to flourish with them exceedingly He left behind him several Children two of which succeeded him in the Kingdom John his eldest Son and Emanuel who reigned after his Brother He was a very affable and courteous Prince of a mild and gentle Disposition He dyed at Lisbon in the 43 Year of his Reign and 64 of his Life in the Year 1484. Thirteenthly John tho Second and Thirteenth King of Portugal succeeded his Father He was born about the Year 1456 and entred into the Government of the Kingdom at the Age of about 28 Years He made an Expedition into Barbary against the Moors with Success He sent out two Fleets for Discoveries one of which steered its Course along the Coast of Africa as far as Guinny where they made a Conquest of the Kingdom of Congo After he had reigned 14 Years with happy Success in all his Enterprises he dyed by a Fall from his Horse in Hunting leaving no Legitimate Issue Fourteenthly Emanuel the First and Fourteenth King of Portugal Brother to King John and Son to Alphonso succeeded He was born about the Year 1462 and took possession of the Crown about the Age of 32 Years He was bred up in all Sorts â—f Learning and was very Pious and Religious He was also a Lover of Navigation and set
out three great Fleets for Discoveries in the year 1500 one steered its Course to the East and was the first Christian Fleet that ever passed the Cape of Good Hope he found out the Passage by Sea to the East-Indies After which he sent another and possessed himself of the Island Ormus in the Persian Gulph The second Fleet went Southwards adding to their former Conquests of Congo and Angelo The third Fleet steered Westward and made Discovery and took possession of Brazile in America which they yet possess He was a brave Prince endued with many Virtues and Excellencys as well of body as of mind ruling in great Prosperity and Peace He dyed at Lisbon in the 73 year of his Life and 41 of his Reign in the year 1535 and left behind him a numerous Issue six Sons and two Daughters The Sons were John who succeeded him D. Lewis D. Alphonso who was Cardinal and Arch-Bishop of Lisbon D. Henry Cardinal and Arch-Bishop of Braga who came afterwards to be King Don Ferdinand Don Edward whose Daughter Katherine marrying into the House of Braganza brought the Right of the Crown to that House The Daughters were Isabella married to the Emperor Charles the Fifth and King of Spain and Beatrice married to Emanuel Duke of Savoy Fifteenthly John the Third the Fifteenth King of Portugal succeeded his father in the Kingdom He was born in the year 1504 and arrived at the Crown at the age of one and thirty years He prosecuted those Discoveries made by the Fleets of his Father in the East and West Indies where he took many Islands and Towns he overthrew the Potent Kingdom of Bengala Pegu and Siam and also obtained many signal Victories over the Moors of Malacca Sumatra and Molucco He married Catherine Sister to the Emperor Charles the fifth and King of Spain by whom he had Issue Prince John who dyed during the Reign of his Father but left behind him a Son named Sebastian who succeeded his Grand-father in the Throne King John having reigned with great Glory the space of 38. years and having made many excellent Laws for the Increasing and Incouragement of Traffick and Navigation he dyed in the 69th year of his Age Anno Dom. 1573 and was buried in the Cathedral Church at Lisbon Sixteenthly Sebastian the first and the sixteenth King of Portugal succeeded his Grand-father King John the Third in the Throne which he entered upon about the 23 year of his Age. Upon the Entreaty of Muly Mahomet and great Promises of setling on him the Kingdom of Morocco he went over in Person with an Army against Abdemelech to restore Muly Mahomet to the Throne where with the Assistance of one â—tewkly an English Man whom he had perswaded to help him in this Voyage with some Souldiers he was going with into Ireland from the Pope to assist the Rebels there against Queen Elizabeth he arrived at Tangier with their forces and joyning with Muly Mahomet in the Plains of Alcazar they fought with Abdemelech in August 1578 where they were discomfited and utterly overthrown both Sebastian Muly Mahomet and Stewkly were all slain and also Abdemelech So that he thus ended his Life and Reign after he had sat in the Thrâ—â— scarce a year and a half he left behind his no Issue There went a Report that he escâ—ped from the Batâ—el and was found aâ— known in Venice â—nd thence was carried 〈◊〉 Naples and so into Spain where he misrably dyed in Prison but it is an uncertainty though believed among the Portugals Seventeenthly Henry the Cardinal Third Son of Emanuel the first succeeded Sebastian in the Kingdom but being ageâ— 67 years and a Church-man they had nâ— hopes of Issue and his Reign not likely to be long there were many Pretenders to thâ— Crown and it was all the Discourse whâ— ought of Right to succeed It will not therefore be amiss that I give you here a Soheme which will shew clearly the several Titles to your View Emanuel the First had 8 Children 1. John King of Portugal who had Issue John Prince of Portugal who had Issue Sebastian King of Portugal 2. Lewes Infant who had Issue Don Alphonso Bastard who had Issue Christopher and others 3. D. Alphonso who died without Issue 4. Henry Cardinal King of Portugal died without Issue 5. Ferdinand who died without Issue 6. The Infant Edward who had Issue 1. Mary wedded to Alexan. Farnest Prince of Parma a forreigner had Issue Reinuce Prince of Parma 2. Katherine married to John Duke of Bragance 7. Mary married to Charles the 5 King of Castile and Emperor had Issue Philip the 2d King of Spain 8. Beatrix married to Charles Duke of Savoy who had Issue Philibert Duke of Savoy There were 8 several Pretenders to the Crown The first were the people who jure Regni pretended a Priviledge to elect their own Kings but that was soon answered for that they could claim no Right of Election till the Royal Line were wholly extinct The next was the Pope who challenged jure divino to be Arbitrator if not Donor in all Controversies of Crowns but that was slighted The Third was of Antonio Bastard Son to Don Lewis the Infant but he could not clear his Illegitimation though he made some strugling for the Crown he would not be admitted The fourth Pretender was Katherine de Medices Widow of Henry the second King of France as being descended legitimately from Alphonso the third King of Portugal but that would not be admitted about 300 years prescription being against her The fifth that pretended was Philibert Duke of Savoy as Son to Beatrice the younger Daughter of Emanuel but he had little hopes though he laid claim with the rest The sixth was Reinuce the young Prince of Parma who demanded it in right of his Mother the eldest Daughter to the Infant Don Edward alledging jure primo-geniturae the Male Line is to be served before the Female but forreign marriage lay against him as also against the seventh Pretender and the most potent Philip the second King of Spain who employed the best wits in Christendom to make his pretences good saying That the Infant Don Edward being deceased before his Brother Henry was King he could have no Right in himself and therefore could derive none to his posterity for Nemo dat quod in se non habet With these and many other niceties the Lawyers troubled themselves to give a colour able Right to Philip who was resolv'd to carry it against them all and against the last and indubitable pretender Katherine Dutchess of Braganza the youngest Daughter to the Infant Don Edward who besides jure haereditatis being of the better Line had the fundamental Law on her side which excluded the other Daughters and was formerly put in execution against Beatrice Daughter of Ferdinand the ninth and indeed no Arguments could confute or annull her indubitable Right which was clear to the whole world both by her descent and the fundamental Laws of
should have the power to break it off Since there was not any Realm in the World but could shew Examples of the same thing That in Portugal the King Emanuel had Espoused Madam Leonora whom his Son John had thought to have Married that the Infanta Donna Beatrice Daughter to the King Don Fernand after she had agreed with Frederick Duke de Benevent as also with Duarte son of D' Aimond Count de Cambridg and promised to the Infanta John her Unkle after that to Ferdinand Son of John the First King of Castile was notwithstanding all this Espoused to the last That all the World knew that Mary Dutchess of Bourgoyn who had been promised to John and to Nicholas Father and Son Dukes of Anjou to Charles Duke of Guinne to the Duke of Savoy to Frederick Prince of Tarente Espoused Maximilian Arch-Duke of Austria and Emperor That they could not after all maintain with any Reason that to Consummate the Marriage of the King he must necessarily be Espoused to Madomoiselle de Bouillen But the Favourites seeing they were not able to change the mind of the Prince they made him be spoken to about it by the King determining with him the time and place for him to do it They two being together in their Seat on Good Friday though it was no place convenient nor which they had pitched on the King after he had entertained the Infante of many Indifferent things spake to him of this Marriage and reproached him that he had been willing the King should make the Match and that the Queen also had used her endeavours for it but the Infante lookt upon this Accusation but as a Calumny and justified both himself and the Queen As to that of his Marriage since it was not pleasing to God he should Marry contrary to his Affection his Majesty could not constrain him to it without offending him but the King not being able to suffer this resistance of the Prince told him that he would put him in the Tower To which he told him As he was King he might do it but yet although he had an absolute power over him ought not to make use of it to force his will or to do him out-rage On the next morning the Infante being returned to the Seat the King made new Efforts to perswade him But seeing he endeavoured it in vain he made the Secretary of State to tell Rodrigue de Meneses Simon de Vasconsellos and Rodrigue de Acunha that their Services should be no longer acceptable to him if they did not make his Brother change his Mind Rodrigue de Meneses would have made a Tryal on the Infante and rendred him an Accompt of what had passed but instead of hearing him he told him That the King might cut off his Head as well as of the meanest of his Subjects but he had not power enough to change his Heart That they should never make him to resolve upon that Marriage that not being the way to do it for in matters of Love the whole Soul becomes firm against Violence and the most sweet Spirits are provoked when they go about to force their Inclinations The Marquess de Sande before he went back into France to conclude the Marriage of the King spake to the Count de Castlemelhor about the report of his Inability but the Count told him it was an Imposture whether he was so perswaded indeed or whether he spake for his Interest against his Conscience is uncertain Whilst every one expected the good success of this Marriage that was negotiated and began before hand to tast the Joy of it there chanced a Subject of Affliction which troubled that Joy by the death of the Queen Every one was preparing their Habits to celebrate the Reception of the new Queen but were forced to turn them into mourning to honour the Funerals of the old She fell sick the 25th of February 1666 of a Disease that at first put her into extream Danger taking from her the liberty of Breathing She no sooner knew the estate she was in but she disposed like a most Christian and most Pious Princess of all things that concerned her after which she wrote to her two Children who were at Salvater in these Terms For the King My Son I am in such a Condition the Physicians doubt of my Life and I my self am very sensible that I have not long to live I have therefore resolved to give advice to your Majesty not knowing that time will permit me to do any thing else in a moment in which I ought to think on nothing but the health of my Soul and because I find it almost impossible to discharge it of that which presses it it is from you alone I expect this Comfort I believe I shall say all in saying I am your Mother and I hope all things of you if you would but remember your self of the duties of your Birth I attend Death amidst the Tears of those who have always followed me and as the loss which they will have by it is one of my greatest Greifs I demand of you that after you have acquitted your self of that which you owe to my Soul you will for my sake recompence the good Services which they rendred me and that you finish those Foundations which I have begun for God would have it so If I dy without seeing you I leave you my Blessing which is the only thing I have left me to give you assuring you that God will not require an Accompt of me for not at all times treating your Majesty as my Son From Xabregas the 26 of Feb. 1666 For the Infante My Son the Time I have to live is so short that every moment I am ready to expire I am your Mother and seeing I am upon the point of appearing before God I would not leave you without my Blessing I recommend to you always the Fear of God and the Obedience which you owe to your Brother in whom are all your hopes and in the end after my death be mindful of my Soul since you ow all things to my Love From Xabregas c. When the Infante heard these sad tidings he could not but by tears express his Greif but the King was very far from being touched with it and rallied his Brother for his tenderness and opposed his design of going away post Both of them answered the Letters of the Queen and sent her Word that they would come speedily to kiss her hand The Grand Master of the Kings House and the Super-Intendant of the Infante's carried their Answers The King made this Voyage with a great deal of delay going in his Brigantine he made many turns and returns upon the Water to speak words of Railery to the Boats and Barques he met with so that he arrived at the Quinte not till Saturday the 28th of February 1666 about eight a clock and it was not to be doubted but that this delay was a thing designed The King and
Affair with all the Favour the Sacred Canons would permit we have received from you a Letter wherein you very much acknowledg this Pontifical Grace This Testimony which we receive from you gives us a very great Satisfaction nevertheless this Favour for which you thank us with as much piety as affection according as the importance of the thing deserves we do demand of you with Justice that as you do chiefly owe it to the Goodness of the Holy See you would acknowledg that it is from her that you have received it which if you testifie as in truth you ought to do it is by having always more and more care and affection for those things which respect the Holy See and the Catholick Religion imitating in that the ancient Devotion of the Princes of Portugal who made it their Glory to obey the same See For if heretofore it hath been necessary in your State to endeavour the re-establishment of the things which concern the Church and Divine Worship and to reduce them to their Primitive Splendor at this present there is more reason through the want of the Pastors and the length of the War to do the same thing But we hope all these Mischiefs will be soon repaired by your Zeal and by your Prudence in joyning your Cares to ours as well in the choice of the Bishops as for all other things As to that of your Embassador of Obedience which you propose to us when he shall arrive we shall willingly receive him and yield him all the Honours that are justly due to him In the mean time our most beloved Son we do give you with the most sincere Affection that we are capable of our Apostolick Benediction From Rome near Saint Peters under the Seal of the Fisher 2 April 1669. the Second Year of our Popedom R. Florentin As they had search'd for a Retreat for the King Alphonso where he might live in some sort at liberty without troubling the Repose of the Realm they made him many Propositions but it was a long time before he would resolve not knowing what place to choose till at last he pitch'd upon the Isle of Tercera which was very easily granted him for that he might there find all Conveniencies and all sort of Divertisements according to his humour He departed then being accompanied with all the Magnificence that was requisite on such an occasion and of which the present Condition of the Realm was capable The Count de Prado with the Royal Navy carried him into that Island where he remains to this day The Dispensation granted by the Cardinal de Vendosm Legat à Latere for Clement the 9th in France For the Marriage of the Prince Don Pedro of Portugal with the Princess Maria Frances Isabella of Savoy LEwis Cardinal-Deacon of St. Mary in Porticu named of Vendosme Legat à Latere of his Holiness Clement by the Providence of God Pope the Ninth of that Name and of the Holy Sea Apostolique with Lewis the most Serene and most Christian King of France and Navar in all his Realms Provinces Seignories Cities and Lands and in all places dependant on him or that are adjacent thereunto and in all other places whither we shall go To our Well-beloved in Jesus Christ the Official or the Vicars Generals of the Church of Lisbon Deputies of its Chapter during the vacancy of the Archiepiscopal Sea and to every one of you in particular Eternal Health in our Lord. Having received a Request which hath been presented to us on the part of the most Serene Prince Don Pedro Infante of Portugal Regent of the Realm and of the most Serene Princess Mary Frances Isabella of Savoy by which they have shewn us that it being necessary for the Publique Good of the Realm of Portugal and the satisfaction of all the People who passionately desire it also that the said most Serene Prince and Princess should marry together and that doubting they may not be able to do it without an Apostolique Dispensation because the said Princess hath been before Contracted in Marriage with the most Serene and Puissant Prince Alphonso King of Portugal Brother to the said most Serene Prince Don Pedro and that it was Solemnized in the Face of the Church but that it never had at any time been consummated because of the Inability of the said King for which cause it had been declared Nul by course of Law from which Marriage lest there might arise some Impediment to this because of the publick Honesty they have humbly supplicated us to provide for it according to our Benignity And as we are furnish'd sufficiently with Power to do what is desired by the Letters of the Holy See which we are not obliged to insert here and that we are able by vertue of the Apostolick Legation committed to us to provide for the Necessities of all those who shall address themselves to us from what part soever they shall come or where soever they shall dwell or from what place soever they shall send being willing to give them all the Marks of our Favour and Benignity and particularly to those who are of Royal Blood we do absolve them and hold them both and each of them apart absolved from all Excommunications Suspensions Interdicts and other Sentences Ecclesiastick Censures pains of Law either Divine or Humane which they may have incurred for any Occasion or Cause whatsoever if so be they may have incurr'd them and not having a certain knowledge of that which is above-said being willing nevertheless to satisfie their Supplications by vertue of the Apostolique Authority which we have here we commit to your discretion of which we have in our Lord a particular confidence in this Point And we ordain you by these Presents That without hope of any Present or Salary though it should be given you freely from which we do enjoyn you wholly to abstain you do inform your selves exactly of all that is above affirmed and if by that Information you find that these Requests are founded upon the Truth with which we charge your Consciences provided that they be not forced thereto that you dispence with them by the same Authority for the Impediment of Publique Honesty in such sort that they may be publickly married according to the Form of the Council of Trent Solemnly make it in the Face of the Church and that it may stay be and continue thenceforth Free and Legitimate notwithstanding the said Impediment and all Apostolique Constitutions of Councils General Provincial or Synodical or any other thing whatsoever Declaring and pronouncing those Legitimate Children that shall therein be born And we will and intend if that despising this Admonition you shall have the boldness to take any Salary Present or Recompence for or concernining this matter although the same should be offer'd you that you incur the pains of Excommunication from which you shall not be absolved but by the Pope or by us or by some other who have a
he was Incapable of holding the Reins being Married to so fair and virtuous a Princess he was not Capable of giving them Successors to the Crown as he had evidently himself acknowledged by his own Declaration and by that of the Queens And seeing him fit neither for the one or the other and by Consequence it was necessary very suddenly to give a Remedy to these Evils They had permitted it giving way by the means of this Detention to make the Proofs as to the preparation of the Process upon the Nullity of his Marriage which else could not have been done 5. If the Queen at that time and in that condition had been able to have had Recourse to the holy See to have judged of the Nullity of her Marriage she had undoubtedly done it she having at divers times declared the same thing And doth yet declare it that it was her Intention as much for the grand Importance of the Business as for the great Respect and infinite Reverence which she always hath had for the holy See And also because she is fully perswaded of the Equity and Justice of one of the best and most worthy Popes who hath ever sat in the Chair of St. Peter but not then being able to do it to her great Regret not having so easily Recourse thither for those Causes which all the World knows of and which have made all the Realm of Portugal to Groan for the space of Thirty Years continually without having the power to be able to cast themselves at the Feet of the Popes nor to be heard in their greatest Spiritual Necessities the Peace with Spain not being as yet finished from whence all these Obstacles came Her Majesty was obliged to have Recourse to the Ordinary and to the nearest Judge which was the Chapter of Lisbon when the Episcopal See was vacant 6. That in the choice of the Judges which were Eleven in Number the Chapter had had all the Liberty and all the Regard possible to name for that Business the most considerable of that Illustrious Body as well for their Quality and their Learning as their Virtue and their Honesty 7. That in the Judgment which lasted more than Four Months there was observed all the necessary Forms even as if it had been done for Persons of ordinary or the meanest Condition 8. That as to the Proofs in Law upon which they had declared the King Incapable and his Marriage Nul they were so strong and evidently manifest and so very certain that the Judges after they had a long time and most maturely Examined all declared in their Sentence that they were not only sufficient but more than enough and there was no need either of Inspection nor of the Experience of Three Years 9. Then when it was made known to the King the Sentence that the Eleven Judges had pronounced as abovesaid before all the Chapter of Lisbon upon the Nullity of the Marriage and one of the Judges to wit the Grand Vicar signified it to him by the Secretary of the Relation being Interrogaeed whether he would Acquiess therein or whether he would Appeal He Answered of his own good will that he was willing to Acquiess and that he would not Appeal and his Majesty signed the same Declaration This is in truth and in few words what hath passed about the Nullity of the first Marriage of the Queen so that there only remains the Third Consideration to be Examined which is concerning the manner in which she hath made the Second with the most Serene Prince Don Pedro which we shall clearly shew in few words in these following Articles 1. The Queen having received the Sentence of the nullity of her Marriage and seeing her self free she thought of nothing but of returning into France and for that end she would take the Opportunity of the Fleet which the most Christian King had sent into Portugal to carry back his Troops Therefore she quickly let the Three States know her Resolution praying them very earnestly to Approve of it and to Order it so that she might carry back with her the Portion she brought that she returning for France might have wherewithal to maintain her according to her Quality But the States who had so highly Approved of her Retreat and witnessed infinite Joy for the Sentence of the Nullity of the Marriage did strongly oppose themselves to the Resolution which she had taken of going away and came all of them in a Body to the Covent to Supplicate her with Tears in their Eyes not to abandon the Realm And having already found some ease by her Declaration that she would once more yield to their Wishes in consenting to the Marriage which they would propose to her with their Prince and the rather because they were neither able nor willing to return her Portion To which the Queen having Answered what her Modesty and the Quality of her Birth would permit her on that Occasion without engaging her self or denying it They went at the same instant in a Body to the Prince to entreat him to save the Realm by Espousing the Queen protesting to him that they would never suffer him as they said to think on any other Marriage The Prince who ever had a particular Esteem for the Queen because of her rare qualities and ever since they had designed to have espoused her to him formerly when they designed to have married the King Alphonso to Mademoiselle de Nemours at this time the Dutchess Royal of Savoy did receive this Petition of the States with very great satisfaction saying That he most willingly consented to to it provided they could bring it about that the Queen would consent to it likewise Being returned for this end to her Majesty they supplicated her divers times that she would give her consent thereto so that in the end being vanquished by the powerful Reasons which they alledged concerning the necessity of the State and by those Motives which they urged to make this Marriage speedily she gave them the Liberty to do that which they should think most convenient for the Publick Good So that this Marriage was solemnly concluded and all things disposed to consummate it very soon to prevent and dissipate the practices which some of the Enemies of the publick Repose were making with the Ministers of Spain to hinder it and to conclude another with the Princess of Austria and the same Prince by which they would make him hope for great advantages to make him consent 2. The principal Divines and Doctors of the University of Portugal as well Regulars as Seculars having consulted upon the necessity of a Dispensation for the first degree of publick Honesty to effect this Marriage they were all of the same Opinion and of the same Sentiment saying unanimously that there was no need of having it in the Case in Question and they made divers Writings thereupon There was also more than thirty who signed a Treatise which was expresly made by one
Roman Church or also Legats à Laterè Nuncio's of the Apostolick See or others who have or may have any preheminence or power from all and every one of whom we take away all power and Authority to Judge and Interpret after any other sort And wee declare Nul and Voyd all that shall be enterprised against what hath been here above reported The Rule of our Chancery Apostolick de jure quaesito non tollendo and that of Boniface the Eighth of Happy Memory our Predecessor de una dicta and that of the General Councel de duabus dictis and all other Constitutions and Ordinances Apostolick Special or General made in general Councels Provincials or Synods or any other thing whatsoever to the contrary notwithstanding Given at Rome from St. Mary Major under the Seal of the Fisher the 10th of Decemb. 1668. in the 2d year of our Papacy Signed J. G. Slusius The Judges to whom this Brief was directed having approv'd the Deeds contain'd in the Request gave Sentence which follows Christi Nomine Invocato Having seen the Brief of his Holiness which hath committed to us the Judgment of the Impediment publicae honestatis upon the Dispensation which it makes mention of and the Articles of Justification and the proofs which hath been given thereto as well as all the Instructions Certificates which have been joyntly made thereupon it appears That the most Serene Lord Don Alphonso the Sixth King of Portugal and Algarves being married to Maria Frances Isabella de Savoy the said Princess press'd in Conscience to pursue in Justice the Nullity of the said Marriage which she had contracted in Fact with the said most Serene King because of the perpetual Inabibility which was in his Person to consummate the said Marriage and that indeed he had not consummated it during the Sixteen Months that they had lived together as Man and Wife Which Cause was pleaded before the Vicar-General of the Archbishoprick of Lisbon and other Judges nominated by the Chapter of the said Archbishoprick before whom it in right lay in the vacancy of the said Sea It appears that the Cause was prosecuted even to a definitive Sentence by which the said Marriage contracted between the said King and the said Princess was declared Null because of the aforesaid perpetual Inability of the said Lord and King Don Alphonso to consummate the said Marriage with the said most Serene Princess Maria Frances Isabella de Savoy It appears that this Sentence was publish'd and judiciously signified to the said Lord the King Don Alphonso who declared in Terms reported by the Register of those Acts That he was willing it should be executed and that he did not at all desire to appeal which Declaration hath been signed by the King himself It appears that the three Estates of the Realms of Portugal and the Algarves who were at that time assembled at Lisbon did propose to the most Serene Prince Don Pedro Regent of the Realm and did supplicate him to Espouse the most Serene Princess Maria Frances Isabella de Savoy to give repose to the State and to secure the Royal Succession and that also they did make the same Proposition and the same Prayer to the said most Serene Princess It appears that for the Impediment publicae Honestatis the most Serene Prince Don Pedro not be-being able to Contract this Marriage with the said Princess they had recourse to the most eminent Cardinal de Vendosme Legat à Latere to his Holiness and of the Holy Apostolique Sea with the most Christian King of France to the end that he might dispense with that Impediment publicae Honestatis It appears that this Brief of Dispence was directed to the Vicar-General or to the Official of the Archbishoprick of Lisbon and that it was presented to the Bishop of Targa who at that time officiated the Functions of the said Archbishoprick who conformable to the Power therein given him and with all the accustomed Formalities did dispense with the said Impediment publicae Honestatis of the said Prince of the said Princess It appears that by vertue of this Dispensation and with the Trust and Confidence thereof the Lord Prince Don Pedro was married according to the Rule of the Holy Council of Trent to the said most Serene Princess Mary Frances Isabel of Savoy and that they did Consummate the Marriage of which there already is born one Daughter It appears that the said Prince and the said Princess being married in good earnest and in the face of the Church and living together in a Conjugal Life for the greater security of their Conscience to the end to deliver it from scruple and the State from trouble they had recourse to his Holiness that he might approve confirm and ratifie the said Marriage and take from them all Scruples that might arise which Grace his Holiness afforded them by the Brief above reported recommending this Affair to Judges who are therein named to the end that they finding just the Request of the said Prince and Princess they might after they had made full inquest and all necessary Informations to discover the Truth of the Facts upon which it was founded dispence with the said Impediment publicae Honestatis of the said Prince and Princess and of all other Impediments that might happen cancelling abrogating and declaring null the Tye and Bond of the former Marriage Contracted between the most Serene Lord the King Don Alphonso and the said most Serene Princess Dona Maria Frances Isabella de Savoy The whole being seen and considered and chiefly in consideration of the Brief hereunto annexed by the Apostolick Authority to us committed we do hold our selves bound faithfully at the Request of the said Prince and Princess to justifie them So that conformable to the said Brief we do dispence with the said Prince and most Serene Princess to the end that they may continue and abide in the said Marriage which they have well and lawfully Contracted without having regard to the said Impediment publicae Honestatis which resulted from the first annulled Marriage And we Declare for Legitimate and born in lawful Marriage the Infanta which through the Will of our Lord God has been born of this second Marriage and for Legitimate and born in lawful Marriage all other Children which shall hereafter be born without any lett or trouble from any Ordinances and Apostolick Constitutions to the contrary From Lisbon 18 Feb. 1669. Diego de Sousa Antonie de Mendosa Martin Alphonso de Mello Lewis de Sousa Emanuel de Magalhans de Meneses The Prince having rendred Thanks to his Holiness for his Benignity and Paternal Love which he had witness'd both to him and the Kingdom some time after he received this Brief To our dearly beloved Son in Jesus Christ the Prince Don Pedro Brother to the King of Portugal and Algarves Clement the IX OUR dearly beloved Son in Jesus Christ Health and Apostolick Benediction c. We having diligently travell'd in your
of them to take away from her Majesty and the Prince all those scruples of Conscience that they might have in marrying without demanding it Besides they had considered the time and the difficulty which would be in obtaining it from the Court of Rome although contrary to the Will of his Holiness which might endanger the Repose and Health of the State which could not be able to get out of its forepast miseries but in putting it self in a Condition to give Successors to the Crown which was the only way to do it 3. Notwithstanding all these Resolutions of these Doctors and the politick Instances given them by the most considerable Persons of the Realm to oblige the Queen and the Prince to consent to their will yet they had nevertheless so much Respect so much Reverence and so much Submission to the Authority of the Holy See that they believed their Marriage would neither be fully blest nor approved of by God if first it were not so by him who was in his stead and place upon Earth and in this Consideration they employed all their Care and all their Diligence possible to get with speed a Dispensation 4. It is most certain that as the Queen had not recourse to the Holy See the first time that it might judge of the Nullity of the Marriage for no other reason but that aforesaid doubting the way would not be found so easily open as the Case required So the second time also the way seemed open since the peace made between Portugal and Spain the Prince and she had a passionate Desire and full of sincerity and they would not have failed to have had recourse then for right if it might have been so easily had as the urgent necessity required and the length of the Voyage and the unavoidable Factions of those Persons who would not have failed to have opposed it at Rome as they had tried to do at Lisbon had not made them fear that it would be too great a Delay and that the least ill that attended it would be the putting into danger the Quiet and Safety of the State which depended upon the sudden and speedy Consummation of this Marriage 5. This is the Reason wherefore they had Recourse to Mounsieur the Cardinal de Vendosm Legat a Latere in France believing also besides the nearness of Places and the facility of Access that in addressing themselves to his Eminency they had Recourse to the Pope himself and not being able to go to Drink at the Fountain Head it would suffice that they Drank at a Stream which they saw to proceed immediately from its Source 6. And seeing that the Legat gave them the Dispensation which they required believing he had Power so to do The Queen and the Prince received it as not being able to imagine as they ought not to do that a Cardinal so Illustrious and so Wise in whom the Pope had so much Confidence and whom he Esteemed so much and who was his Legat a Latere did not know how far his Power extended or what he did in granting their Request 7. It followed then that from this Dispensation sought for Received Examined Approved and Registred by the Official of Lisbon to whom it was Directed that the Marriage was Made and was Celebrated in the face of the holy Church with all the Formalities requisite by the Bishop of Targa in presence of the Curate of the Palace where it was done and of Four Gentlemen of the Chamber of the Prince commonly called Chamberlains the Duke de Cadaval's Proctor Espousing for the Queen and the Marquess de Marialva for the Prince 8. All the People also Approved of it by the most extraordinary marks of Contentment that ever were seen and the King Alphonso would shew that which he had in particular by the Complements which he sent to the Prince his Brother And Heaven was not backward to let us plainly see that God did give his Blessing to this Royal Marriage by the happy Pregnancy of the Queen which was perceived within a Month after and is now at this time gone half her Time So that all the People hope his Holiness will not refuse them his and that he will have the goodness to have regard First To the most humble Petitions of these two Great and Religious Princes which they make with other Crowned Heads Secondly To the particular Respect and to the sincerity of the Reverence which they have had and which they still have to the holy See in having Recourse to it Thirdly To the great Submission which the Realm of Portugal hath Witnessed at all times to the Will of the Popes and particularly within this Thirty Years whilst it hath Laboured under very great Calamities and which hath Laboured so much as all the World knows for the Propagation of the Faith without so much as Estranging it self so much as in one Point notwithstanding all the Disgraces it had suffered under the Papacy of his Predecessors with so much Patience Fourthly To the perfect and respectful Confidence which it still at present hath for him who hath so worthily Succeeded and who doth surpass them all in Bounty Justice and Wisdom that he will repair all its past Losses and will to render them intirely happy do them the favour to Establish the Repose and the Spiritual and Temporal Peace of these poor People who have Groaned so many Years which depends absolutely on the Approbation and Benediction which he shall have the goodness to give to this Marriage Fifthly And lastly To the Immortal glory that his Holiness and the holy See shall receive after they have by their Applications and their Paternal Cares so happily extinguished the Fire of a War that Consumed all Europe by the means of the Peace made between the two Crowns who are as it were the two Poles of it It shall yet please them to take away the Subject and the Occasion which may be soon able to Rekindle it and to render it more Hot than ever FINIS Books lately Published The Courtiers Calling shewing the Art of Living at Court according to the Maxims of Policy and Morality By a Person of Honour in 12s price bound 1 s. 6 d. The Art of Making Love or Rules for the Conduct of Ladies and Gallants in their Amours in 12s price bound 1 s. Don Carlos Prince of Spain a Tragedy as it is Acted at the Dukes Theatre Written by Thomas Otway in 4. price 1 s. Newly Publisht this Term Titus and Berenice with a Farce called the Cheats of Scapin As it was Acted at the Dukes Theatre Written by Thomas Otway in 4. price 1 s. All Sold by Richard Tonson under Grays-Inn Gate next Grays-Inn Lane 1640. Aug. 28. 1643. April 26. 1648. 1650. May 15. 1653. Nov. 6. 1656. Nov. 15. 1656. * That is in the time of repose after dinner which they all use in those Countrys 1657. A Palace Royal a League from Lisbon A House of the Duke d' Aâ—eiâ—o's 4 Leagues from Lisbon on this side of the Tagus Stout nâ—erâ—y Companions 1661. This Dona Maria is a natural Daughter of the late King Don John This Discourse was addrest to the Assembly This to the King This to the Assembly To the King These were the Lords of the Realm Houses of Pleasure are called Quintes in Portugal That is one of the Extreamest Quarters of Lisbon Because of the Palsie that had enfeebled one side This Charge answers to that of Master of the Ordnance This Charge answers to that of Superintendant of the Sea Affairs The Queen loved these two Persons This is the manner of writing such Billets These Imploys are Triennial in Portugal A Town on the other side the Tagus over against Lisbon This is one kind of the Carouses Which were Monte Claros Evota A little Village at the mouth of the Guadi and in the uttermost parts of Algarves The younger Sons of the Kings of Portugal are not Princes but by Declaration The true cause which they dared not yet to speak of was the Impuissance of the King That is the publick Prison Lewisa Marie de Gonzague