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
in 〈…〉 that which they feigned to discover 〈…〉 They named 〈…〉 it and for Judges John 〈…〉 Grand Chancellor of the 〈…〉 George de Silva 〈…〉 Montiero Rodrigâ—◠〈…〉 Councellors of Parliament 〈…〉 de Basto Judg of the Crown and 〈…〉 to the Count that they were Hatching something against him and as it is the custome of Favourites to interest their Masters in their Conservation he made the King believe they went about to take from him his Crown And at the same time there went a Report that he had discovered this Conspiracy by a Divine Revelation He accused the Queen who was in her Retirement the Duke de Cadaval who was at Tentugal the Count de Atouguia who was disgraced Sebastine Cesar de Meneses who was absent and Antony de Conti who was Banished It was then resolved that they should take the Informations of this pretended Conspiracy and a Commission was given to John Gabriel de Barros and to the Register Francisco de Fonseca Sinel Councellor of the Chamber Criminal it was Lewis Correa de Torres who gave in the first Deposition being Interrogated by the King who had his naked Sword in his Hand After this they extended it to very many other Persons of great Quality The Register was charged with a private Consultation to give to the Secretary Belchior de Andrade with a Superscription to the Queen with an Order from the King to carry it to her and to let him know her Answer the Secretary obeyed but the Queen would not see the Consultation and she bid them who brought it to carry it back to those who sent him without taking any other notice of it They then ordered Don Theodosius Mello Brother to the Duke of Cadaval that he should retire fifty Leagues from the Court and that Sebastian Cesar de Meneses should go into the Covent of Battaile until he should be ready to go to the Algarves and an Order sent to Antony de Conti to go to Porto After this they went to kiss the Kings Hand for his happy Deliverance and Success This Inquest lasted a long time either because they would be thought to do nothing in Passion or else to augment the Terror of the Accused in Exaggerating that which they feigned to discover every day They named Gabriel de Barros to Report it and for Judges John Velho Barreto Grand Chancellor of the Realm George de Silva Mascarenhas Pedro Fernandes Montiero Rodrigue Rodriguez de Lemos Councellors of Parliament Lewis Gomes de Basto Judg of the Crown and Finances Duarte Vas d'Ossorio one of the Four grand Provests of the Court Domingo Autunes John Lamprea de Vargus Councellors of Parliament George Privado de Faria Procurator of the Crown was also with them All these Judges met divers times in the Criminal Chamber Although the Informations did not Charge the Accused some would nevertheless perswade that they were not Innocent but the Integrity of the Judges was not to be shaken and almost all of them concluded in the favour of the Innocent The Accused often demanded to see what they were accused of but they would never deliver them any Copy of their Charges And that Information which ought to have been Cancell'd because it contained nothing of Proof against the Accused was Conserved by the credit of the Favourites as an armed Hand ready to discharge its Blow on some other Occasion on the Heads of the Accused After this success which let all the World see that the Credit of the Court was not to be Limited he was not afraid to leave the Apartment he had in the Palace and to take one more Splendid and answerable to the glory of his Fortune his Anti-chamber being thronged with Courtiers whilst the King 's was naked and empty By these ways and by others yet less Legitimate the Count de Castlemelhor had acquired so much power in the Realm that he lived no longer as a Subject so that the King who had formerly complained during the Regency of the Queen He was but a Statue of which she was the Organ might with much more Reason say the same thing of the Count. About this time Simon de Vasconcellos and Sousa the Favourites Brother carried himself so well about the Infante that when the Prince fell Sick in the Autumn following he performed about his Person the Functions of all the Gentlemen of his Chamber which made them seeing him respected before them to Retire under divers pretexts but the Count de Castlemelhor made the King recal them all except the Count de Ericeira although he was the most worthy to have been recalled because of his high Virtues and the greatness of his Wit After this Re-establishment Simon de Vasconcellos was also made Gentleman of the Chamber to the Infante and had also besides that a Brief for Superintendant of the House of the same Infante Sometime after Pedro Cesar de Meneses George de Mello Ruy de Figueredo de Alarcon and Antony de Miranda Anriquez retired themselves As for Don Diego de Meneses he took leave publickly which was thought so strange of by the Favourite that he menaced him with a Chastisement although he had for his excuse the Count de Ericeira who a little before had taken leave after the same manner And the Chastisement had soon followed the Menace had not an Affair happened which suspended the Resolution he had taken thereupon Ruy Fernandes de Almada was retired to execute his Charge of President of the Court in the City leaving in his place his Son Christopher de Almada Antony Cavide Secretary having also left the Service of the Infante John de Roxas de Azevedo who was at that time Councellor of the Inquests exercised his Charge Things being at this pass the Marquess de Sande arrived from France the 17th of March 1665. where he had been having passed out of England thither with the Articles of the Marriage of the King with the most Serene Princess de Nemours and an Order to Treat of a Marriage between the Infante and Mademoisselle de Bouillen Daughter to the Duke of Bouillen As this last was but as it were in Agitation upon a Letter which that Prince had wrote to the Marquess of Sande by the Importunity of the Favourites he declared he did not desire that Negotiation should be continued which did extremely surprise them To make him consent to the Marriage they told him that this Rupture would trouble the Repose of the Publick and that the Treaty which had been begun by virtue of his procuration could not be left off without breaking off the Kings also which would be a great prejudice to the State But the Prince in his own behalf told them That the Essence of Marriage consisted in the Consent of the Parties and that he had never given his to that And moreover he had not given his positive Word as they had made People believe but if it had been so before the Treaty should be concluded he
permit him to go into the Province of Alentejo to exercise there the Functions of his Charge which obliged him to defend the State that his Mother the Queen had given him where he was under Age the Charge of Captain General and made the Marquess of Marialva his Lieutenant that he did not desire that employment but to shun the Reproaches of Forreign Princes who might accuse him of being unprofitable to the State in a time when he might render it good services and to draw him out of that languishing idleness in which he liv'd This Proposition made those who Govern'd the King to tremble and oblig'd them more than ever to look after their security They perswaded the King that the Charge of Constable was the step whereby the Infante would mount the Throne that to put Arms into his Hand was to put all things under his Discretion and under the pretence of using them to defend the State against the Spaniards he would serve himself with them to conquer Portugal for himself For this cause they resolved the King should not yeild the Infante this request yet however not declaring it so soon that they might weary his patience It was also resolved the King should consult upon that subject with every one of his Councellors in particular which was done with so much leisure that the Infante taking this retardment for a denial was sensibly touch'd for they had promised him at another time what they refused him now so that he could not resolve to stand with his Arms a-cross whilst he heard every-where the rumour of War In this time two of the Infante's Gentlemen were gone from him the Count de la Torre and the Count de St. John under pretence of exercising their Charges they had in the Army but indeed it was because they were fear'd by the Favourite Order was given to the first to go levy Soldiers in the Province of Estremadura and the other to command the Army in Tras os Montes As this Order was given in the heart of Winter the Infante knew it was done to cross him however he sent the King word that he was very joyful these two Officers were employ'd in his service These two Counts parting the Infante stay'd with the King continuing to render him an extraordinary submission The time came in which the King was accustomed to go every year to Salvaterre and the Infante demanded of him permission to take with him thither some Gentlemen besides his own but the King would not grant it As in the time of the late King the Prince Theodosius had the same liberty this refusal was very plain and had almost made him to shew his resentment The Count de la Torre who was executing his Orders at Santarem seeing himself so near to Salvaterre believ'd it was his duty to go thither as well to render an account of his Commission as to kiss the hand of the King and the Infante Those who had removed him from the Court under the pretence aforesaid were surpris'd to see him there and quickly sent him an Order to return to his Employment c. to say better to his Exile although that day by reason of ill weather the River was difficult and dangerous to be pass'd The Levies being made at Santarem he did not receive any Orders to return to Court but on the contrary was stayed there that he might be sent to the Algarves to govern that Realm and if he would not accept that Employ they had ordered him to be sent into Exile to Castromarins The King would they should have given him this Employ as a Punishment but the Favourites remonstrated to him that it were better to give it him under the colour of a Recompence but the Count d' Aveiras did avert this project at the entreaty of the Infante So that the Count de la Torre was permitted to return to Lisbon So soon as he came thither he went to kiss the Kings Hand and in their Discourse it chanc'd that in speaking of the Infante he nam'd him Prince the King told him that his Brother was not Prince only Infante the Count having alleadged some reason to excuse himself could not however satisfie him As it was put into his Head that his Brother aspir'd to the Crown he imagined that this quality was too near approaching his own and that it was in some sort to proclaim him King to name him Prince This apprehension although it were ill grounded was the reason the Infante was not so soon declared as he ought For with less reason they had done it to the Infante Ferdinand in the time of King Alphonso the Fifth and they had done the like to Don Jamie Duke of Braganza in the time of the King Don Emanuel and the Queen Isabella when they went for Spain to be declared Princes and Heirs of that Crown The Queen going some days after the King to Salvaterre found his humour more fierce than formerly as if the rudeness and savageness of that Country had conttibuted to it He treated her with so much inhumanity that he made not only her burst forth into tears but also all those that were present All the time the King was at Salvaterre he went but one time to the Chase which was the more taken notice of because of the great preparation that was made for that design His ordinary occupation or to say better continual was to go to the Quarters of his Patrovilles where he pass'd the most part of the days and nights in Musick Collations and other divertisements according to his humour These Excesses which he committed in this place and the evil treatments the Queen there received from him caused such a general dislike with all the people that there was no body that would take the pains to justifie him But that which most of all alarm'd the Favourites at this time was that very many people began to render their services to the Queen and to the Infante and to take their parts To prevent beforehand the mischiefs they saw to menace them according to the Maxim they had so well practis'd they order'd Lewis de Souza to go into the Bishoprick of Porto of which he was Governour and Don Lewis de Meneses to go raise Troops in the Country of Feira He having demanded what had been appointed for him for his Charge of General of the Artillery which he had exercised they refus'd it him and he could not touch five and twenty hundred Livres which they had consign'd him for that end The evil intelligence which they saw between the King and the Queen made them lose all hope of seeing Successors and made them very pressingly demand that without any delay they should endeavour to marry the Infante which could not but be most profitable for the State The Marquesses de Nizu and Sande represented so well the importance of this marriage that the Favourites pressed with the force of their Reasons perswaded the
and that of the Ecclesiasticks of the Bishops and Prelates of the Realm And in default of those who fail at such a time of the Procurators or Deputies of their Chapters The Decree of the Prince was read in all the Chambers of the States In that of the People almost all the Deputies declar'd him King in that of the Nobility and that of the Ecclesiasticks there was nothing Concluded But when these two last were assembled a second time after they had examined the Conclusion of the People which had been carried to them by the Marquess of Marialva and Pedro Monteiro Fernandes Proctors for the City of Lisbon they approved of the Regency in the Chamber Ecclesiastick conformable to the Decree and they demurred upon it in that of the Nobility for that they would consider it and it being not only an Affair of State but also a Matter of Right they would first of all hear the Opinion of those that were better vers'd in the Law before they should be capable to resolve That which was carried to the other two Chambers by the Duke of Cadaval and the Count de Prado were both cast out but it being done at first tumultuarily by that of the People they presently proclaimed Don Pedro King The Prince having understood the Conclusion of the Assembly of the Nobles and that the Learned Persons who were to be Consulted with about it were Father Nuno de Acunha the Jesuit Father Valerius de St. Raymond of the Order of the Preaching Friars Father Francis Ferdinand Sueiro of the same Order Friar John de Mello of the Order of the Hermites of St. Augustin Provincial of that Order John Vello Baretto Grand Chancellor of the Realm Emanuel Delgado de Matos Doctor in Law Lewis Gomes de Basto and Duarte vas a'orta Osorio Councellors of the Finances and Christopher Pinto de Paira He sent to tell them by Francisco Correa de la Cerda his Tutor That it was not his Intention to be King but only that he might give some Comfort to the Realm which he did believe he might do with the Title only of Regent that they should give their Opinions upon that Question with all the Liberty that an Affair of that Consequence demanded All but Emanuel de Matos and Duarte d'Osorio who could not be there to give their Opinions because they were sick and the Great Chancellor whose Opinion was that Don Pedro should be declared King gave their Opinions that he should let alone the Title of King to Don Alphonso so long as he should Live After that these Learned Persons had declared their Opinions the three Estates deliberated apart and it was Concluded in the Assembly of the Ecclesiasticks in that of the Nobility that the Prince should not take the Quality of King But that of the People Concluded that he should take it not only for the Honour of it but also for the Security of the State The Prince was equally satisfied with them Both and witnessed to them his Acknowledgments But the Answer of the Prince was not enough to make them silent who adjudg'd to him the Crown and they maintained their Sentiments so much and opposed that of the others with so strong Reasons that the Question became very difficult to be decided by those who should Judg of it without passion The Contestation pass'd so far that the Prince fearing lest they should Declare him King by a publick Proclamation was forced to hinder the acclamations of the People when he went abroad to imploy all the Persons of Authority who accompanied him Most Princes use to solicit the People to be Kings but this Prince on the contrary solicits them that he may not be one which is a moderation which made him be yet more worthy of that Title In the beginning of the Summer 1667. there was made a League offensive and defensive between France and Portugal against Spain The French by their means assuring them of a diversion in their Favour enterprising a War against Spain in Flanders whose progress was very surprising and it had been very advantagious if the Prince's Allies to either Crown had not put a stop to the swiftness of their Arms. Monsieur de St. Romain Abbot of Corbigny who had been Envoy in Portugal for the negotiating that League having had Order to let the Prince Regent know of the Accommodation that was proposed and that he should send some one to assist therein he consulted his Ministers of State what was best to be done in this Business They were ready to name for that purpose a Plenipotentiary when the Count d'Olivares who had been Prisoner ever since the Battle of Canal in the Castle of St. George gave notice That he had power from the Queen of Spain to accommodate the differences between Spain and Portugal This was a great Obstacle to that Negotiation of the League which was concluded betwixt Portugal and France If Monsieur de St. Romain turn'd all his thoughts to endeavour to perswade the Portugals to entertain a new Alliance against Spain the Ministers of Spain on the other side forgot nothing that might hinder it to the end not to lose so fair an occasion of making one Peace that might produce another and render the Conditions more advantagious So that having obtained by their Importunities and the new Advantages which they offer'd the Portugals so much that they brought it about that the King of England offer'd his Mediation and Edward Montague Earl of Sandwich his Embassadour Extraordinary in the Court of Spain passed thence into Portugal But as in this Incounter there was a necessity of one of these two things either to content France at the Charge of Portugal or to manage the Interests of Portugal to the prejudice of France the Portugals chose the last The consideration of their repose was more strongly pressing on their minds than any other thing and the more for that the Realm had need of rest after a disturbance of five and twenty years The Three States the Common Council of the City of Lisbon and that of the Four and Twenty made their Remonstrances to the Prince so pressing that he could not resist them He named then for to act in this Negotiation the Duke of Cadaval Vasco Lewis de Gama Marquis de Nisa the Marquesses of Gonrea and Marialva Henry de Sousa de Tavares de Sylva Count de Miranda all of them Councellours of State and Pedro Vieira de Sylva Secretary of State All these Plenipotentiaries being assembled with the Marquess d'Eliche and the Earl of Sandwich who had power one of them to make the Treaty and the other to be the Mediator after many Conferences it was at last concluded the 13 Febr. 1668 and published the 10th of March following Although this Peace so glorious for the Prince had encreased the love that the Portugals had for him yet he was not seen to grow proud with these Advantages nor would use this occasion to get the
the Prince made once more an attempt upon him but he was no more to be shaken now than he was at other times he only let the Three States know that on the 9th of June 1668 He would take his Oath to maintain the Laws of the Realm and he would then receive from them theirs of Fidelity This day being come they all Assembled in the Great Hall of the Guards where that Ceremony was done with all the Pomp requisite thereunto and the Prince took his Oath in these Terms I do swear and promise the Grace of God assisting to rule and govern well and Equitably and to administer to you Justice in all Cases as far as the frailty of Humane Nature will permit and to keep and preserve your good Customes Priviledges Graces Recompenses Liberties and Franchises which hath been given granted and Confirmed by the Kings my Predecessors And the Three States of the Realm took theirs in these Terms We swear upon the holy Evangelists which we touch with our hands that we do acknowledge and receive for our Governour and Regent of these Realms because of the perpetual Impuissance of his Majesty as we have adjudg'd the most High and most Excellent Prince Don Pedro Legitimate Son of the King Don John the Fourth and of the Queen Dona Lewysa his Wife Brother and Curator of the most high and most excellent King Don Alphonso the sixth and his True and Natural Successor to these Realms And as the True and Natural Subjects as we are of the Prince Don Pedro we make to him Faith and Homage in the same manner as we have made to the King Don John the Fourth his Father and to the King Don Alphonso the Sixth his Brother whom we do at this present deprive of his Government because of his Incapacity with the same Jurisdiction Power and Authority that any of the Kings and Lords of this Crown have ever had and wee will obey fully and wholly all his Orders and Judgments be they high or be they low Jurisdictions and we will make War with his Enemies for him and entertain Peace with his Allies as it shall please him without obeying any other King but him All this abovesaid we swear to before God by this Cross and by the Holy Evangelists which we touch with our Hands to observe on our parts fully and wholly And as a Mark of our Submission and Obedience and of our acknowledging his Royal Soveraign Jurisdiction we kiss the Hand of his Highness here present These Oaths being made all the Dispatches began to be expedited in the Name of the Prince as Governour Regent of the Realm in the same form as had been formerly done when the Infante Don Alphonso Count de Bologn was made Governour of this same Realm because of the Incapacity of his Brother having been acknowledg'd for such by the Kings of France Spain and England at whose Courts his Embassadors and Envoys had been received with all the prerogatives which they had given to Kings After this Act the Three States continued to deliberate about the Affairs of the Realm until the First day of August 1668. when they separated This change was approved of by all the People excepting some persons who had no reason to approve of it because of their Interest In truth the deposing the King Don Alphonso was maintained not only by those Reasons which have been rehearsed but for many others which they were willing to have Concealed besides the same thing hath happened heretofore in Portugal in the Person of Don Sanche the Second In France in that of Childerick Philip and Theoderick In England in that of King Edward In Germany in that of Charles le Gross In Denmark in that of Christian In the Realm of Naples in that of Charles and in many other Kingdoms As soon as the Prince and the Princess had Consummated their Marriage in good earnest which they had made by Virtue of the Dispensation which they had obtained of Monsieur the Cardinal of Vendosme Legat a Latere in France to the end that there might remain no scruple they sent Father Francis de Ville Jesuit to Clement the 9th to supplicate on their part that he would Confirm this Dispensation His Holiness having received this Request as a Testimony of respect render'd to the Holy Sea he ordained with his Paternal Love That they should expedite this Brief with this Superscription To Our Well-Beloved Sons Deigo de Sousa Chief Inquisitor in the Inquisition against the Hereticks in the Realms of Portugal and Algarves Antony de Mendosa Commissary-General of the Bull of the Croisaide and Deputy of the Inquisition Martin Alphonso de Mello Dean of the Metropolitan Church of Evora also Deputy of the Inquisition Lewis de Sousa Dean of the Church of Porto and Emanuel de Meneses Arch-deacon of the Metropolitan of Evora Clement the 9th Pope Sends Health and Apostolick Benediction to Our Well-beloved Sons The Charge of Pastor which God hath given to us Commands us that according to the understanding which he hath granted us we should provide according to the Laws of Justice and Prudence repose to all the faithful Servants of Jesus Christ and chiefly to the Great Ones And because we have understood by the tenour of a Request which hath been presented to us a little while since on the part of our Son in Jesus Christ the most Beloved and most Noble Don Pedro Prince of Portugal and of our Daughter in Jesus Christ the most Beloved and most Noble Maria Isabella de Savoy Dutchess of Nemours That the said Princess after she had contracted a Marriage with our most Dear Son in Jesus Christ Alphonso the Illustrious King of Portugal and Algarves and lived with him about the space of six months as his Wife during which time she perceived his perpetual inability to consummâ—â— the said Marriage being pressed in her Conscience she hath been obliged to cause the said Marriage to be adjudged Null beginning her Process the Sea of the Archbishoprick being vacant before our Well beloved Sons the Vicar of the Chapter of the Metropolitan Church of Lisbon lawfully deputed and the Chapter and the Cannons of the same Church who hold by reason of the said vacancy an ordinary Jurisdiction and before several other Judges named by the same Chapter joyntly with the said Grand Vicar of the Chapter to the end that they might be the better instructed in that Affair and that they might deliberate thereon more maturely by whom there was given a Sentence that declared the said Marriage Nul because of the aforesaid Impotence which Sentence having been read and shewed to the King Alphonso was approved by him by word of Mouth and by Writing Moreover the aforesaid Princes Mary Isabel and the aforesaid Don Pedro Brother of the aforesaid King Alphonso being willing to Contract a Marriage together at the Requests of the States of the Realm who were at that time assembled at Lisbon to the end that
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
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
the Nation But however upon the death of Henry which was in the year 1510 and in whom ended the male Line of the House of Lorrain Eighteenthly Philip the 2d K. of Spain obtained the Kingdom of Portugal and was the eighteenth King thereof For he had no sooner heard the news of Henry's death but he sent an Army having one ready for that purpose under Ferdinand de Toledo Duke D' Alva who were at the Walls of Lisbon before they were aware and so surprized them that they were not able to make any great resistance But they were forced to receive him for their King who coming hither himself in person was sworn to several Articles which seemed pleasing and beneficial to the Portugals and which it is thought he never intended to keep neither did he First That he should observe all Laws Liberties Priviledges and Customs granted to the People by the former Kings of Portugal Secondly That the Vice-King should be either a Son Brother Uncle or Nephew of the King or else a Native of Portugal Thirdly That all Offices of the Church and State and the Government of Towns and Places should be conferred on the Natives of Portugal and not upon Strangers Fourthly That all Countries now belonging to Portugal should so continue to the Commodity and Benefit of the Nation Fifthly That the Portugals should be admitted to the Offices of the Kings House as well as the Castilians Sixthly That he should send the Prince always to be bred up amongst them And thus he obtained the Crown of Portugal making the Emperors Son Albertus Arch-Duke of Austria and his Nephew Viceroy keeping it in quiet possession till he dyed Nineteenthly Philip the 3d K. of Spain succeeded his Father to that Crown and also to this of Portugal being the 18th King of Portugal In his Reign Antonio the Bastard being entertained by Q. Elizabeth of England and bountifully releived acknowledging him her Kinsman descended of the Blood Royal of England and House of Lancaster he remained here till the Wars broke out between King Philip and Q. Elizabeth when she sent Antonio with a Fleet under the Command of Sir John Norris and Sir Francis Drake with whom also went the Earl of Essex into Portugal where they landed and came before Lisbon but finding none ready to joyn with them as Antonio had made them believe after some exploits they were forced to return re infecta Thus he kept his Grown making the Portugals for fear and awe of his Power more than out of good will to subject and submit themselves to his yoak which they of tentimes discovered by their murmurings and repinings As soon as he was dead Twentiethly Philip the 4th his Son K. of Spain succeeded and was the 20th King of Portugal he committing all to the Government of his great Favourite Olivares by his way of policy different from his Father by seeking to establish the yoak more firm by tyranny and oppression at last lost the whole for the Portugals were very sensible of their slavery and hated the Spanish yoak to the death they perceived that the Kings of Spain had broke their words with them in all things and had now set over them a Woman to be their Governess Margaret di Mantona who had no relation at all to the Kings of Castile and though she of her self was a prudent woman yet she was swayed too much by the Secretary of State Vasconsellos a Spaniard one of mean extraction a proud fellow and one who sought by all ways the utter ruine of the Portugals and wholly to enslave them that the Portugals conspired together and were resolved to have a King of their own they were also encouraged to this by the revolt of the Catalonians from the Spaniard At last therefore finding the Government insufferable and their Grievances no longer to be born the smother'd fire broke forth into a flame upon the 1 of Feb. An. 1640 and all on a sudden the chief of the Nobility and Gentry and a world of the Commonalty led on by the Marquess of Ferrer and the Count of Vimiosa took Arms and coming to the Castle of Lisbon surprised the Guards being two Companies of Spaniards and two of Germans who affrighted at the suddenness of the Tumult and the Multitude made no resistance They soon entred securing the Governess and killing the Secretary Vasconsellos with some few more that made resistance shewing a great despight to the Secretary whom the common people cut all to pieces using his body in a most vile manner to satisfie their implacable rage This done they proclaim the Duke of Braganza King And thus the Kings of Spain lost the whole Dominion of Portugal all the rest of the Territories both abroad and at home in a few months returned wholly into the King of Portugal's hands and so have continu'd to this day the Spaniards keeping only the Town of Cexta in Affrica of all that justly belonged to the Portugal so great so full and so quick a change was hardly to be paralleld in past Ages and all through the natural hatred the Portuguize bore to the Spaniards Twenty one John the 4th Duke of Braganza thus came to the Crown who was the Grandson of John Duke of Bragance and Katherine the right and indubitable Heir of the House of Lorrain He was married to Lonysa Sister to the Duke of Medina Sidonia a Woman of a noble heroick and masculine Spirit and whose prudence and courage was no small furtherance of the Dukes obtaining his Right saying That 't was better nobly to dy in adventuring for the Crown than to be made a slave by the Spanish Tyranny and to live always in fear of his Enemies They were both Crowned at Lisbon with great pomp and splendor and as they had obtained the Crown with much prudence and magnanimity so they kept it with courage and policy God blessing their Armys with victory and success all their days Thus I have given you a brief Accompt of the History of Portugal from the beginning to make way for the better understanding the following Relation of the Actions of the Son of King John Alphonso the sixth being the 22d King of that Nation and as they were remarkable and notorious I have given you a full and ample Relation thereof which you may find in the following Narrative A RELATION OF THE Troubles that happened in the Court OF PORTUGAL In the Years 1667 and 1668. AFTER the Re-establishment of Don John the Eighth Duke of Bragansa in the Throne of his Ancestors which the Castilians had taken from them the Portugals being glad that they had shaken off the yoak of their Dominion began to find the sweetness which they used to have when they lived under the Power of their own natural Princes This new King had then by his Wife Donna Lonysa Frances de Gusman but three Children the Prince Theodosius and the Infantas Joan and Catherine Three years after he increased his
Kingdom as he might have done But on the contrary it was at this time that his modesty more apparently shew'd it self for seeing that the People redoubled their importunity to make him accept of the Scepter he redoubled his resolution to refuse it And indeed if under the Reign of the King Alphonso the Portugals had gained a Battle at Elvas another at Mount Elaros a third at Canal a fourth at Castle Rodrigo all the part that he had in it was under the Fortune of his Generals for the Marquess of Marialva the Count de Villaflor and Pedro Jaques de Magellanes had all that Glory But the Peace which was better than all these Victories since that it rendred to the Realm that Calm it had so long breath'd after was the work of the Prince Don Pedro more than of any of his Ministers In the mean time they went about to make the Marriage void before Francisco de Soto Major Bishop of Targa Coadjutor of the Arch-bishoprick of Lisbon the Doctors Valentine Fejo de Motta Vicar-General of the same Arch-bishoprick Pantaleon Rodrigue Pacheco nominated to the Bishoprick of Elvas in whose place after his decease they subrogated Antanio de Faria de Sylva Canon of the same Metropolitain Sebastian Denis Velho being Register to this Assembly After that upon the Report of the Coadjutor they had examined this Business according to the Laws they took the Voyces of those we have named publickly with those of Emanuel de Saldunha nominated to the Bishoprick of Visen Francisco Baretto nominated to that of the Algarves Pedro de Alaide de Castro Inquisitor of Conimbra Nuno de Acunha d'Eca Canon of the Metropolitan of Lisbon Gonzalo Peixoto de Sylva Canon of the said Cathedral Gaspar Barata de Mendosa Prior of the Church of St. Gracia John de Pasos Magelhans Prior of that of St. Julian and John Seraon Prior of that of St. Thomas all of them Judges named by the Chapter the Affair having been examined before them in private with much care and mature deliberation they pronounc'd this Sentence the 24th of Morch 1668. Upon the Report which hath been made in the presence of the Chapter in which there assisted besides the ordinary Ministers who compose it the Judges named by them to deliberate of the cause c. Having view'd the Acts and the Request of the Queen our Soveraign Mary Frances of Savoy which hath been here received and the Contestation by the Negotiation of the Promotor in default of the party in Form and stile the proofs having been verified the said Princess hath let us know that she was Contracted in Marriage in the Face of the Church with the most SerenePrince Don Alphonso the Sixth King of Portugal on the 27th of June 1668. in the City of Rochel in the Kingdom of France from whence the said Princess being come into this City she hath here lived in the Palace Royal with the King her Spouse for the space of six Months leading with him a Conjugal life but dureing this time it appear'd they two having tryed to Consummate the Marriage they could not effect it although they had used all their Care and diligence requisite thereto and this because of the Inability of the Prince which proceeded from an Infirmity which he had in his Infancy and which is at present altogether incurable Which doth more than sufficiently justifie them by those means approved of by the Canon Law so that the Impediment is held at least to be morally assured after which there is no need of Inspection nor of greater proofs as that of three years or of any other Arbitrary Term. All this having been examined by all the Acts Conformable to the Laws it is Judged That the Marriage between the said most Serene Prince and Princess was Contracted in Fact and not in Law and that it is declared Nul and that the said Prince and Princess may dispose of their persons as to them shall seem good and make a division of their goods according to the form of their Contracts This Sentence having been pronounced the Saturday before Palm-Sunday the Queen sent to declare to the 3 States the Resolution she had taken to return into France demanding at the same time that they would restore to her the dowry she had brought with her The 3 States having understood this News with much trouble and considered that this Princess for the Rare perfections of Mind and Body which Heaven had bestow'd upon her and for other considerations was most worthy of the Prince Don Pedro each of the States made a Memorial which they sent to him representing the Reasons which made them desire this Marriage The Common Councel of the City of Lisbon having done the same thing the Prince answer'd to them all That he was ready to do what should be Judg'd best for the Interest of the Realm After that the ThreeStates had received this Answer they and the Common Councel of the City went to make the same Petition to the Queen that since the Nullity of her Marriage the Portugals did desire she would espouse the Prince and they hop'd the felicity of this second Marriage would repair the misfortune of the first in giving them Successors to the Crown This Princess being touch'd with the violent passion of the People of the Realm and not being able to resist their pressing desires was willing to Content them by renouncing her own Country After this the Prince gave Notice of this Proposition to the Councel of State who not onely approv'd of the Marriage but they besought him that he would instantly accomplish it For this end the Marquess of Nisa and Don Rodrigo de Meneses were named Proctors for the Prince and the Duke of Cadaval and the Marques of Marialva for the Princess who drew up the Articles of Contract between them But when this Marriage was divulged there began to arise a doubt if with Reputation this Contract might be lawfully and effectually made and consummated without a dispensation But as they had chosen a great many Learned persons to resolve this Question Monsieur Verjus arrived from France with the Brief of Dispense which took away all doubt and scruple that they might have about it So that the Marquess de Marialva as Proctor for the Prince and the Duke de Cadaval as Proctor for the Princess were by vertue of the Brief and their Procurations espoused by the Bishop of Targa in the Oratory of the Palace and on the second of April which was the next day after Easter a little after Noon the Prince accompanied with his Grandees and all the Lords and Noblemen of the Court went to the Queen in the Covent of Esperance from whence they went to the Quinte of Alcantara followed by innumerable multitude of People who witnessed their good Will to this Marriage where they received the Nuptial Benediction by the hand of the same Bishop After this those who had been of the Opinion for the Crowning
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
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