the portugues asia, or, the history of the discovery and conquest of india by the portugues containing all their discoveries from the coast of africk, to the farthest parts of china and japan, all their battels by sea and land, sieges and other memorable actions, a description of those countries, and many particulars of the religion, government and customs of the natives, &c. : in three tomes / written in spanish by manuel de faria y sousa ... ; translated into english by cap. john stevens. asia portuguesa. english faria e sousa, manuel de, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing f estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the portugues asia, or, the history of the discovery and conquest of india by the portugues containing all their discoveries from the coast of africk, to the farthest parts of china and japan, all their battels by sea and land, sieges and other memorable actions, a description of those countries, and many particulars of the religion, government and customs of the natives, &c. : in three tomes / written in spanish by manuel de faria y sousa ... ; translated into english by cap. john stevens. asia portuguesa. english faria e sousa, manuel de, - . stevens, john, d. . v. printed for c. brome ..., london : . translation of: asia portuguesa. reproduction of original in yale university library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to 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(tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng discoveries in geography -- portuguese. portuguese -- india. portugal -- history -- period of discoveries, - . india -- history -- - . east asia -- history. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the portugues asia : or , the history of the discovery and conquest of india by the portugues ; containing all their discoveries from the coast of africk , to the farthest parts of china and iapan ; all their battels by sea and land , sieges and other memorable actions ; a description of those countries , and many particulars of the religion , government and customs of the natives , &c. in three tomes . written in spanish by manuel de faria y sousa , of the order of christ. translated into english by cap. iohn stevens . tome the first . london , printed for c. brome , at the sign of the gun , at the west-end of st. pauls . . to her most sacred majesty catharine , queen dowager of england , &c. madam , it is not the sense of the mighty favours i stand indebted for , that moves me to presume to dedicate this work to your majesty ; for debts to sovereigns are above all acknowledgement . nor is it protection i sue for under so august a patroness ; the subject carries its own security and defence along with it , though perhaps the stile be not proportionable to such glorious matter . it is justice that leads me to lay this most wonderful history at your majesties royal feet . to whom could i tender the unparallel'd undertaking of your kingly progenitors , but to you their inimitable offspring ? to whom could i offer up the most heroick atchievements of your forefathers subjects , but to you the most glorious of their line ? in fine , to whom could i yield up the more than human conquests of your country , but to you the most admired of the portugues race ? these are the motives , these the inducements that prevail with me , not only to hope , but even to assure my self of a gracious acceptance of this , though seemingly presumptuous , yet in reality most submissive tender of my first undertaking in this nature . a subject so glorious does not need the ornament of retorick . the sacred history , than which none can be more surprizing or wonderful , is delivered to us in the plainest of language . great actions are still great , though exprest in the meanest words : but mean undertakings require a florid stile to gain them something of reputation . the subject is worthy your majesties acceptance , though the style may not appear equal ; that will make amends for this , and the lowness of the later will be hid by the grandeur of the former . i would not confess a guilt by begging pardon ; a wilful offence against so much goodness would deserve no mercy . god himself whose great attribute is mercy , does not hear our cries , if we persist to provoke his wrath. why then should i expect forgiveness , if i knowingly transgressed ? yet being sensible of my own demerit , i must cast my self upon your majesties unlimited goodness , thence to expect my doom ; which cannot fail being happy , having its dependence on so horoick and truly royal a spirit . in fine , madam , i will neither be my own accuser , nor pretend to justifie or make good my cause ; the decision of it i can leave to no more tender or favourable judge than your majesty , in whom my failings may be assured to find compassion , from whom my zeal may hope to reap honour , and to whom all increase of glory and happiness is wished by , madam , your majesties most dutiful and most obedient subject and servant , john stevens . the translator to the reader . i will not tire the reader with a long harangue in commendation of this history ; it will , i hope , speak for it self . nor will i go about to vindicate the translation ; let it take its chance and stand or fall by the vote of the ingenious . my design is first , to inform the reader , that i have reduced this work to a much lesser compass than the original spanish ; yet at the same time nothing of the historical part is diminished , perhaps some of the ornament . i have not omitted the most inconsiderable passage , nor lessned any material circumstances ; all that has been cut off is only long speeches , for the most part never thought of by those they are fathered upon , only added by the author to set out his work ; tedious lists of officers and gentlemens names who were present at any considerable actions , which names are of no use to us ; those of the commanders in chief , and such as particularly signalized themselves , being sufficient for history ; and some flights and reflections of the author , which only serve to make up the bulk of a volume . and thus much said may suffice as to the bringing this book into so small a compass . the next thing i have to offer is , that though many of the actions this history contains may at first sight appear incredible , yet we must not therefore immediately conclude it to be fabulous ; for upon second thoughts we shall not only find those very things possible but very practicable . it is hard to persuade such small numbers of portugueses could defeat such vast armies , and take towns fortified and strongly garrisoned ; but all wonder must cease when we consider the portuguses were europeans , always much superior to the asiaticks for valour ; that those were men enured to continual wars with the moors , and consequently well train'd and disciplin'd , these raw and confused multitudes ; that though the indians had fire arms , they were far inferiour to the portugueses in the handling of them ; that the portugueses overcame as much by policyas by strength , sowing divisions among those princes , and dividing their own subjects from them ; that the natives weary of their subjection to the moors , were inclinable to change masters , and try whether the portugues yoke were lighter than that till then they had born . to be short , every judicious person will find reasons enough to convince the possibility of those actions , since it is allowed alexander the the great and many others overcame innumerable multitudes with handfuls of men. besides , though the author sets down the number of portugueses , i believe he does not always mention the natives that assisted them , because the glory of the conquest belonged to the former . yet if there be any so hard of belief as still to doubt , i will not be so positive or zealous in the behalf of my author , as not to grant he may have strained some points , thereby to add to the honour of his nation ; not so but in the main the action is real as is demonstrable by their possessions in asia , but so as the circumstances might be somewhat heightned , the more to raise the admiration of those undertakings . let none upon this score pretend to condemn him as romantick ; for should we examine our own , and all the histories of the world , we should not find one which hatred or affection has not added to or diminished . i will not be tedious , and shall therefore say no more in relation to the author ; and but one word as to the translation , which is , that if the iudicious or learned shall find any fault with it , by any such i shall be glad to be informed of its defects , that they may be amended in the second and third tomes which will soon follow this , that is my first in this nature , after several years spent in far different imployments . the preface . the narrow bounds of the kingdom of portugal could now no longer contain the greatness of its natives hearts . therefore carried on by a glorious boldness , they so far extended those limits , that they infinitely exceeded the measure of the first matter . great undertakings are subject to the dangers of great disappointments . but fortune , whose only care it then seemed to be , not to expose them to the eyes of the world with any disgrace , having measured their strength and capacity , found it necessary to encrease their dominions by adding to them at one time great part of mauritania ; then a greater of ethiopia ; at another time that vast extent of asia , and lastly that not inconsiderable region of america , called brazil or new lusitania . having conquered the west , they passed to the south , and having subdued this they went on to the east . all they attempted with their arms , they perfected with their fortune , who seemed to be listed in their service . such was their conduct in the most difficult enterprizes , whereby they enlarged themselves so as to have room to breath the greatness of their spirits , that what in other nations by reason of its immoderate greatness would have threatned ruin , in this seems a most admirable ornament of most various matter wherewith the temple of the christian fame is illustrated and adorned . at length these great spirits spread themselves over all the land and seas , and to make the whole circumference of them their bounds , overrunning that vast distance that is from the coasts of spain to those of china , and filling both the hemispheres with the glory of their name . they followed the sun from his setting to his rising , and equalled his course . the exploits performed in this wonderful course in the space of years are the subject of this second work , which i now take in hand , pursuant to what i promised in the first of our europe ; the general applause that has met with , calls on me for the performance of this . here will be seen actions , by how much the more admirable , the less credible , and indeed more truly real , than in appearance probable . for though true , it does not seem likely , that sometimes men indifferently armed , should encounter great armies much better provided . these are the actions which may justly entitle the performers to be stiled heroes ; a name since given gratis to whom it was not due . for a great number to overcome a lesser , though equal in arms and courage , is rather the effect of number than valour , and seems to carry more of cowardise than virtue . hence it is that those who are so overcome , though they lose the field do not lose the glory ; but if duly weighed , merit the greater esteem , for that they dared encounter at so great a disadvantage . we may therefore with reason affirm , that the portugueses on these occasions merited admiration , either as conquerors or conquered ; as conquerors , for having overcome ; as conquered , for having dared much . this had been before their fate in europe against the roman and african multitudes that overrun all spain . let us see whether the same fortune attends them in asia . without doubt it does . soon shall we see innumerable multitudes flying from their small numbers , and looking back with amazement to see who pursues and destroys them . we shall see them drove by the terror of the looks , not the number of those who press them . we shall see battels fought with such resolution , that neither the victor shall rejoice , nor the overcome lament . in sieges , such barbarous obstinacy , that despairing of victory , they will burn themselves with all they hold precious , that their enemies may reap no other fruit of their conquest but the dismal spectacles of the flames . we shall see not only valour , but rage and despair overcome . the toil of coming at the enemies will be greater sometimes than that of defeating them . we may be sometimes overpowered by number , not overcome by valour ; for though upon some occasions fortune forsook all , yet few were forsaken of their courage . these generous spirits looked upon the hardships of the campagne , no otherwise than if they had been the conveniences of their houses , and upon doubtful battels , as sure victories . with the first they began to raise , i will not say forts , but draughts of those they afterwards erected . to these , and chiefly to the capitol of goa shall be brought by force , or come through fear , many princes in chains , and many by their embassadors . nothing will appear in that noble city but triumphs . nothing less in the triumphs , than the people and riches of all asia ; these in the hands of the conquerors , and those in the chains of their captivity . but there is nothing in them we look upon with more delight , than the elephants loaded with castles , and the carriages with guns , which not long before were our terror ; these for their greatness and number , those for their number and rarity . religion , which we value above all , and which was the chief ground of all these undertakings , will be more exalted , trampling upon idolatry , for at each stroke of the evangelical sword fell a thousand idols of the pagods ; and a thousand pagods in the theaters of battle . it will appear that many families held themselves in greater account for being overcome by us , and in consequence thereof the conquerors and conquered joined and united in the sacred bonds of frequent marriages ; and many overcoming those by whom they had before been defeated , under our ensigns ; and that the monuments of our victories are not now broken-arms and warlike engines hanging on trees upon mountains , but cities , islands and kingdoms , first groaning under our feet , and then worshipping our government . some warned with the example of others ruins , shall prevent their own , by accepting of our proposals . for in the beginning we invited all to embrace our amity ; esteeming it a greater happiness to gain voluntary friends , than to make forced slaves . by express order from our kings , we endeavoured to heap great riches , extend our dominions , and acquire glory rather with politick reason , than odious violence . we modestly courted those , we could invade forcibly . in fine , we shall see the portugues arms not content with the west , piercing through and spreading over the east ; sailing unknown seas , trampling provinces and incredible difficulties ; discovering sundry nations , planting among them firm fortresses and other buildings : and lastly , giving honour to their country , and light to the world with their discoveries and conquests in so remote regions . thus taming various and obstinate spirits and humours , with persuasions when they prevailed , and with valour when they refused to hearken to us , we shall of sundry elements compose a body worthy those noble spirits that sailed thither , worthy the zeal of those kings who sent , and the magnificence of the captains that commanded them . all the actions shall be such as deserve not only to be equalized with the most heroick of antiquity , but even that these should be forgot to celebrate those , were not mankind subject to give more applause to what he hears , than what he sees . what is past is celebrated with memory and admiration , the present is treated with oblivion and envy . we are persuaded the one lessens , the other instructs us ; and even in the present there are examples as proper for our instructions , as the most famous in decayed antiquity . this book without doubt will prove it . i will answer it . as the power of man is by so much the weaker , by how much god declares himself more offended at them ; so it is the more powerful , by how much he is the more propitious . his omnipotence seemed now to be pleased with these his conquerors , ( for indeed they were his ) so that indeed it will always be doubtful which was most to be admired , whether their conquering so much , being so few , or the daring attempt , it being no greater a number . such was the success wherewith they gained every thing , it looked as if the world had chose them to be the universal lords . nor did they seem to be sent as souldiers , with arms to wage war , but as leg●…rs , with power to give laws . who then will admire that the whole circumference of the earth should submit to so small a number of such heroick spirits , they being rather led by auspicious fates , than valiant generals ? never had they fallen from this height , had not their own oversights and distractions been the cause of their fall , that divine goodness that had so much exalted being no longer able to bear with them . this will oblige me to relate some things , which it were more proper for the honour of my country should be buried in oblivion than published ; but the sincerity of history requires nakedness , and gives as good an example to posterity , condemning vicious and base actions , as commending the just and virtuous . fortune having been lavishly liberal to us , we had no less than reason to suspect she could not be very durable . for human affairs having no fixt point , it is plain that those who arrive at the height , must again fall as low as the various accidents of volubility it self can carry them . as great as the exploits , were the riches obtained by them , and as great as these the vices they ushered in . the cause of these great evils is , that there are men , who not content to possess what they only could have wished , would obtain what even in wishes ought not to be sought after . we shall see some , who coming poor into the wealthy indies , left them poor that they might come out most wealthy . this is grievous , but much more to be lamented it is , that the example of many who came from thence without fortunes when in its splendor , was of no force to curb others from making vast estates when groaning under its calamities . the beginnings will not be very bulky , for the greatest things never had great beginnings . all things in their original are small and almost contemptible . the greatest exploit and most glorious victory had its beginning in the stable of bethlehem . the contents . tom . i. part . i. chap. i. discoveries under prince henry , from the year . till the year . page chap. ii. discoveries under king alfonso the fifth , from the year . to the year . chap. iii. discoveries and conquests under king john the second , from the year . till the year . chap. iv. discoveries under king emanuel , from the year , when he sent out vasco de gama , till the year . chap. v. conquests under king emanuel , from the year till the year . chap. vi. conquests under king emanuel , from the year , to the year . chap. vii . conquests under king emanuel , from the year , till the year . chap. viii . conquests under king emanuel , from the year , and beginning of the government of don francisco de almeyda , first governour and viceroy of india , till the year . chap. ix . conquests under king emanuel in the year , and government of the viceroy don francisco de almeyda . chap. x. a continuation of the conquests the same year . and the government of the same viceroy don francisco de almeyda . tom . i. part ii. chap. i. conquests in india under king emanuel , from the year , till the year , the viceroy don francisco still governing , and entring upon the glorious exploits of the great alfonso de albuquerque , and the famous tristan de cuna . ch●…p . ii. conquests under ●…ng emanuel , the year . during the government of the viceroy don francisco de almeyda , and continuing the exploits of alfonso de albuquerque . chap. iii. conquests under king emanuel the year and . a continuation of the government of the viceroy don francisco de ameyda , and exploits of alfonso de albuquerque . chap. iv. conquests under king emanuel , the year , alfonso de albuquerque now governing india , who held it from the year , till the year . chap. v. a continuation of the conquest of the same year , albuquerque governing , and king emanuel reigning . chap. vi. a continuation of the conquests under king emanuel , the year , and the government of alfonso de albuquerque . chap. vii . conquests in india under king emanuel , from the year , till the year , alfonso de albuquerque still governing . chap. viii . a continuation of the conquests of the year , the reign of king emanuel , and government of alfonso de albuquerque . chap. ix . a continuation of the conquests , the year , till the year , the same king reigning in portugal , and the same governour ruling india . chap. x. from the year , till the year , concluding with the government and life of the great alfonso de albuquerque . tom . i. part . iii. chap. i. conquests under king emanuel , from the year , to the year . lope soarez de albergaria , being governour . chap. ii. a continuation of what was done in india the same year , during the government of the same lope soarez de albergaria . chap. iii. from the year , till the year , ending the government of lope soarez de albergaria , and beginning that of james lopez de sequeira , king emanuel still reigning . chap. iv. a continuation of the government of james lopez de sequeira , from the year , till the year , and reign of king emanuel . chap. v. a continuation of the government of james lopez de sequeira , the year , and reign of king emanuel . chap. vi. continues still the government of james lopez de sequeira , and reign of king emanuel . chap. vii . the government of d. duarte de meneses , in the year , when began the reign of king john iii. chap. viii . continues the government of d. duarte de meneses , from the year , till the year . king john then reigning chap. ix . the government of the viceroy d. vasco de gama , and of the governour d. enrique de meneses , till the year , that of , in the reign of king john the third . chap. x. concludes the government of d. enrique de meneses in the year , king john the third reigning . tom . i. part iv. chap. i. the government of lope vaz de sampayo , from the year , to the year , and reign of king john the third . chap. ii. continues the government of lope vaz de sampayo , from the year , till the year , king john the third reigning . chap. iii. the government of nuno de cuna , from the year , to the year , in the reign of king john the third . chap. iv. continues the government of nuno de cuna , from the year , in the reign of king john the third . chap. v. continues the government of nuno de cuna , and reign of king john the third . chap. vi. continues the government of nuno de cuna , from the year , in the reign of king john the third . chap. vii . continues the government of nuno de cuna , the same year , in the reign of king john the third . chap. viii . still continues the government of nuno de cuna , from the year , till the year , in the reign of king john the third . chap. ix . continues still the government of nuno de cuna , the same year , in the reign of king john the third . chap. x. which ends the government of nuno de cuna , this same year , in the reign of king john the third , and concludes the first tome . the portugues asia . tom . i. part i. chap. i. discoveries under prince henry , from the year . till the year . . like an impetuous torrent did the mahometans spread themselves over the lesser asia , after the catholick arms had expelled them our provinces . the christian princes busied in destroying each other , looked on their progress , without attempting to put any stop to the current ; when the kings of portugal , as the first who had shaken off themselves the burthen of those barbarians , and the first who passed over to crush them in africk ( obeying the decrees of heaven which required it ) undertook to be the first who should stop their proceedings in asia . . prince henry , fifth son of king iohn the first , accompanied his father in the glorious taking of ceuta , which was anno . and had a considerable share in the honour of this victory , as well in regard of his courage as conduct , it being doubtful which was most predominant in him , and therefore the more to be admired , for that at this time he was but in the th year of his age. at his return from thence , he brought so great an inclination ( being already most skilful in the mathematicks ) to discover new lands and seas , that he spent above years in this study , and vast sums of mony in bringing masters from all parts , and discoverers , and sending vessels to his discoveries . being very well read in geography , and having examined many who had travelled much of the world ( chiefly the moors of fez and morocco ) he got some information of the arabs who border on the desarts of africk , and of the azanagi and kingdom of ialof , near the border of guinea . that he might more wholly apply himself to these affairs , he chose for his abode the town of ternacabal in the kingdom of algarve , on cape sagres , whence the prospect of the ocean stirred up his hopes and endeavours . going to bed one night , with his thoughts fixt on these designs ; in the morning ( as if he had received some heavenly assurance of success ) he with all haste gave orders for fitting out two ships , which , and some other , passed not beyond cape bojador , leagues beyond cape nam , then the bounds of the spanish navigation . this cape was so called by gilianes , who first passed it , because it stretches it self out so far , viz. almost leagues to the westward , which in spanish is called bojar , and thence the cape bojador . it s running so far westward was also the cause that none passed it before ; as also that off of it for about leagues , runs a strong current , which breaking upon the sands , rises high and makes a great sea. this terrified all , not considering , that keeping off at sea they might turn the point . the prince encountring the greatest difficulty , sent iohn gonzales zarco and tristan vaz in a small ship , with orders to coast along the barbary shore , till they had passed that formidable cape , discovering all the land , which according to the opinions of learned men and information of arabs , was concluded to run on till under the equinoctial . before they reached the coast of africk , they met with such violent storms , they doubted not being swallowed by the waves . the weather obliged them not to follow their orders , and without knowing where they were , fell in with the island , which they called puerto santo , or holy haven , for such it appeared to them after the storm . this is a little island , not far to the northward of the madera . the inhabitants they found neither well civiliz'd nor quite barbarous , but the soil very fertile . the prince joyful with this news and the hopes the discoverers gave him , sent them again , and with them bartholomew perestrello , with three ships , with seeds to sow , and cattle to stock the place . they put in two rabbets , which increased in such manner in two years space , that the corn and plants being destroyed by them , it was found more convenient to unpeople , than inhabit the island . . perestrello returned home . iohn gonzales and tristan vaz , making another voyage , discovered afar off something like a cloud , and directing their course to it , found an island covered with all manner of trees , whence they gave it the name madera , which in spanish is wood. this island for extent , pleasant air and plenty is the chief in that western ocean . each discoverer entred a different part of the island , and each had a grant of that part from the prince , with the title of captain . tristan gave his name to that point where he landed , and iohn gonzales took to himself the title of camara de lobos , or den of wolves , because of a cave he found at landing , which seemed to be the habitation of those beasts . the prince gave the island of puerto santo to perestrello to people , which proved in vain by reason of the vast multitude of rabbets . the discoverers of madera began to settle their plantation , by firing part of that wood that filled the island ; and the flame took such possession , that it burnt seven years continually , and was seen far off in smoak and sparks like mount aetna ; so that afterwards the island being plentiful of grain , the greatest want the inhabitants suffered was of wood , there having been nothing else in it before . there were churches built , and now there is a cathedral . king duarte , brother to the prince , gave him the island , and afterwards the spiritualities thereof to the military order of christ. . the prince had spent twelve years endeavouring the discovery of guinea , and was now much encouraged by the discovery of these two islands , though many condemned his undertakings , objecting , that the land he looked for , was only deserts , like those of libia ; that if any reached those parts , they would turn black ; that king iohn , his father , had invited strangers to plant in portugal , so far from sending out people , of which the country was in want ; that god had appointed those countries for the habitation of wild beasts , which might appear by that they were expelled that new island by the rabbets . all this time the prince's undertakings were not only censured , but almost fruitless , till he sent galianez in a barque , who passed that , till then , invincible cape boxador , which action was then in the common opinion looked upon not inferior to the labours of hercules . . gilianes returned in his barque with alonso gonzales balday , in a bigger vessel than the former , and passed leagues beyond the cape , where landing , they saw a great track of men and camels . without any further knowledge they returned home , giving the name of angra de ruyvos to that bay , ( in english , bay of gurnets ) because they found there great quantity of that fish. the next year the design was continued and they passed twelve leagues farther . here putting ashore two men on horseback , who going on till the afternoon , saw nineteen men with javelins , who fled and were pursued , and some wounded , and one of the portugueses ; the first blood spilt in those parts . baldaya having notice thereof , went ashore , but in vain , for the moors fled ; in the cave where the moors had been were found some things of inconsiderable value , but esteemed as an omen of greater advantages . they run on twelve leagues farther , where at the mouth of a river they saw so many sea-wolves , they judged them to be ; they killed many , and brought the skins , which being a novelty , were then had in esteem . going farther into the land , they found fishing nets drying , but no people , and their provisions being spent , they were obliged to return to their prince without any further progress . . antony gonzales was sent back to the place of the sea-wolves , with orders to load his vessel with their skins . one night he went up the country eight leagues with ten men , and spying a naked man with two darts in his hand driving a camel , he came up and took him , the man with the fright neither defending himself , nor endeavouring to escape . in his return he met a company of forty moors , and one woman , whom they also took in their sight without resistance ; these were the first taken on that coast. returning aboard they found another ship was arrived there from portugal under command of nunno tristan ; with this addition of strength they went ashore again , and met people at night , and being so close that they lost the use of their weapons , clasped each other in arms , and knew not whom they held , but by being naked and cloathed , and the strangeness of the language ; they killed three and returned to their ships with ten prisoners . this place they called puerto del cavallero , or the knights port , antony gonzales being there knighted by nunno tristan . an arab that was on board understood these moors ; him and the woman they put ashore to perswade the inhabitants to redeem the prisoners . next day appeared about , some on camels , some on horseback , provoking our men to land , but finding they did not , discharged a volley of stones at them and went off . antony gonzales returned to portugal with some slaves . tristan having first careen'd , coasted on as far as cabo blanco , or white cape , where though he saw the track of people , meeting none , he returned home . . antony gonzales returns , carrying with him the chief of the moors he had brought , he promising to give seven guinea slaves for his ransom , but once ashore forgot his promise , yet giving notice in the country , others came to redeem the two young men that were prisoners , giving for them ten blacks of several countries , and a considerable quantity of gold dust , which was the first brought from those parts . therefore a rivulet that runs up about six leagues was called rio del oro , or river of gold. this and a shield of buck-skin and some ostriches eggs they brought home , all men admiring the colour of the slaves . the gold stirred up covetous desires , and encouraged nunno tristan to undertake again the voyage , and passing farther , discovered the island adeget , one of those of arguim , and saw twenty almadies or boats passing over from the continent , four men in each , sitting in such manner that they rowed with their legs . tristan launching his boat with seven men , chased them and brought fourteen aboard , and going back for the rest , they had reached the island . hence they went over to another island , which they called de las garcas , or island of hauks , because of the vast numbers they saw there , and took some . . the profit encreasing , the desire of it also encreased . some came from several parts to portugal to admire those rarities the natives brought . lancelot the prince's servant , galianes who first passed cape bojador , stephen alonso , roderick alvarez and iohn diaz erected a company in the town of lagos , paying an acknowledgment to the prince , they asked leave to pursue these discoveries , and set out with six caravels , whereof the first was commander in chief ; arriving at the island , de las garzas , martin vincent and giles vasquez with each fourteen souldiers in their boats , went over to the island nar , where falling upon a town , they killed many and brought away prisoners , all moors . the captain lancelot desiring to do the like , attacked tider and other islands , where he took above forty prisoners , which he presented to the prince , and was well rewarded . . gonzalo de cintra set out with one ship , and coming to the island arguim , run up a creek at night , intending to go ashore , but the tide ebbing he stuck , and in the morning moors coming upon him , he was killed with seven of his company . these were the first portugueses killed in these attempts , and from the captain that place took name , being called angra de gonçalo de cintra , fourteen leagues beyond rio del oro. antony gonzales , iames alonso and gomez perez set out in three caravels bound for that river , with orders to treat of the conversion of these barbarians , of peace and trade . the proposals were not received , and they returned , bringing back one of the people of the continent who came voluntarily to see our country ; and one of ours , called iohn fernandez remained there with the same design . next nunno tristan made another voyage , and brought twenty slaves from a neighbouring village , dinis fernandez in another vessel passing the mouth of the river sanaga , which divides the azanagi from ialof , took four blacks who were fishing in an almadie or boat. sailing forward , he discovered the famous cabo verde , and returned satisfied with this exploit , and having killed a great many goats in an island . . antony gonzales , garcia mendez and iames alonso , though separated by a storm , met again in the islands of arguim : falling upon a village they took moors , they flying , he that ran best took most , as laurence diaz who took seven , whilst others took but one , and some none . they called this point , cabo del resoate , or cape of ransom , because some blacks were ransomed there . the joy was the more for that they found iohn fernandez , who was left there the last voyage , he was fat and in health , though rough like the inhabitants . he told them , that the country being all plane and open they often lost their way , and therefore were guided , as at sea , by the stars , the winds , and by birds . that the inhabitants lived miserably , feeding on a certain grain which the earth produces without tilling , on some herbs , lizards and locusts , all scorched in the sun , which is predominant , that place lying under the tropick of cancer . that they used much milk , not only as meat , but drink , by reason of the scarcity of water ; and therefore when they eat any meat they never kill the female , because of the milk ; those near the sea eat some fish. when they were acquainted with our people , and they gave them corn , they eat it whole . the land is barren being all sand , bears a few palm and wild fig-trees , they have no houses but tents , their cloaths are skins , and the better and neater sort wear alhaiques , which is not unlike our crape , and the best , some better sort of cloath , but none good ; their employment is the care of cattle , their language and writings the same with those of the coasts of barbary , with only about as much difference as is between the castillians and those of gallicia ; they have no king , and live by hords or companies . returning home with this account of iohn fernandez , at cabo blanco they killed some moors and took . . dinisianez da gram , alvaro gil and mafaldo de setubal , with each a caravel , landed in the island arguim , where they took seven moors , and by the help of them forty seven afterwards . they ran along the coast of the continent eighty leagues , and at several times took fifty slaves , losing seven portugueses , whose boat being left dry by the ebb in the island de las garzas , they were all killed . lancelot , who once before had commanded a small fleet , sailed from lagos again towards arguim as admiral of fourteen vessels . at the same time set out from madera , alvaro and dinis fernandez and iohn de castilla and others , who all together with the former fourteen , made up twenty seven sail : nine of the fourteen of lagos came to arguim , where dinisianez was , who persuaded them to destroy the island in revenge of the seven that had been killed , but the moors understanding the danger , fled ; so that only twelve were found , whereof only four could be taken , the rest killed , as also one of our men . alvaro de freytas returned with his three ships . lancelot with his sailed to the island tider , landed , and finding no people , returned aboard , where seeing some moors from the shoar jearing our men , because they could not find them , two of our men were so provoked that they leaped into the water with their arms , and swam to shoar to the moors , who ran down to receive them . others of our men seeing the danger those two were in , leaped after them , and on the shoar was a sharp skirmish ; many of the moors were killed and sixty taken . this done suero da costa and three more returned home . in a village at cape blanco they took nine moors , among them a woman , who , promising a great ransom , deceived suero , for at the island tider the bold woman who could swim very well , leaped over-board and gained her liberty by swimming ashoar . lancelot and others unwilling to return without some loading , as light as they came out , designed to sail to zahara of the azanagi and guinea , but after some small attempts resolved for the island of palma . they touched at gomera and were received by two commanders piste and brucho in acknowledgment of some kindness they had received from prince henry . they discovered to them the design , and taking them along landed in palma , all they got was seventeen prisoners , but among them was a very large morish woman , who was said to be queen of part of that island . they returned to gomera , and iohn de castilla dissatisfied with the small prize , base and ingratefully carried away captives about twenty islanders who were his friends and had assisted him . which wrong the prince amended by sending them back well cloathed . . gomera and palma are of the number of the canary islands . the canaries were discovered for king henry the third of spain by iohn de betancour a frenchman ; among them he conquered those called lancarote , fuerteventura and ferro . in them he left masiot de betancour his nephew who conquered gomera , and exchanging them with prince henry for some land in madera , he went and lived there . and because the islands being twelve in number , there remained eight not conquered , viz. gran canaria , palma , graciosa infierno , alegranca santa clara , roche and lobos ; the prince sent a fleet in which were foot and lances , commanded by don fernando de castro , who landing there , converted many infidels . but there being complaints made from spain to whom that conquest appertained it was given over . afterwards king henry the fourth of portugal gave them to d. martin de ataide count of atonguia . and lastly , in the treaty between alfonso of portugal , and ferdinand of castile it was agreed they belonged to castile . the inhabitants of these islands were governed by a certain number of persons , they varied in their worship , in fight they used no weapons but sticks and stones , their cloathing upwards was skins , the lower part a covering made of palm-leaves of divers colours ; they took off their beard with sharp stones , their governours had the maidenheads of all women that married , they feasted their guests with them at their visits , the children sucked goats , their common food wheat and barley , milk , herbs , mice , lizards and snakes . . lancelot being homeward bound , discovered the river ovedec , which he called sanaga , because a black of that name was released there . it was then believed to be one of the branches of nile , because they were informed it ran far to the eastward . stephen alonso in a small boat went up the river , and took two blacks with considerable opposition made by their father . roderick anez and dinis diaz were here separated from the rest by a great storm and arrived in portugal . lancelot steering toward cape verde , went ashore upon an island , where he found nothing but goats , and these words cut on the bark of a tree , talent de bien faire . this was prince henric's motto , whereby he expressed his designs , and gave lancelot to understand the portugueses had been there before ; - it was alvaro fernandez of madera that was there . he stood along the shoar , whilst gomez perez going up close in a boat , threw a looking-glass and a sheet of paper with a crucifix on it upon the land to some blacks that were there , who breaking and tearing them to pieces , poured in a volley of arrows , for which our men design'd to be revenged next day ; but a great storm which dispersed all our ships prevented the execution . laurence diaz got home first , gomez perez put in at rio del oro , whence he brought one slave , and many skins of sea-wolves , and found the people there somewhat tractable . alvaro freytas and vincent diaz in the island tider took fifty nine slaves . diniz fernandez and palacano at cape st. ann , took nine more ; twelve of our men swimming ashore for them . with these and such like small successes , they all returned home , having lost one small vessel , but the men saved . . nunno tristan run leagues beyond cape verde , and anchoring at the mouth of rio grande , or the great river , he run up in his boat , and soon discovered eighty blacks in thirteen almadies or boats , who surrounded him , and poured in their poisoned arrows in such manner that they killed most of his men before they could get aboard , where he also died , none escaping without a wound . only four men were left in the ship brought her home , after two months wandring in the sea without knowing which way to steer . alvaro fernandez prosecuted the same voyage , and went leagues beyond tristan , killing with his own hand the lord of a village whereby was put to flight a multitude that oppressed him . at their return to the ship they took two women . he came to the river tabite , where he was wounded , being attacked by the blacks in five almadies . gilianes and others set out with ten caravels , carrying with them the prisoners unjustly seized by iohn de castilla . they put in at cape verde , where they were beaten and lost five men . they throve better among the moors , and therefore returned to arguim where they made forty eight slaves , and at their return in palma , two women which had cost them dear , had not iames gonzales with a cross-bow killed seven of the islanders , and among them their king , who lead them with a palm in his hand in token of his soveraignty , and our victory . . gomez perez deceived by some moors of rio del oro , who had promised a great ransom , was revenged by bringing away eighty slaves the same year . next year set out iames giles homen with orders from the prince to settle a trade with the moors of meca or messa , leagues beyond cape gue , where he got fifty blacks for eighteen he carried with him , and returned being drove away by a storm . here was left behind against his will iohn fernandez , he who voluntarily staid before among the azanagi . they brought a lion , which was then much looked upon in lisbon . the fame of these attempts flew so , that it brought from the king of denmarks court a gentleman called ballarte ; a person capable and desirous of great designs . he was well recommended by his king to the prince , who at his suit sent him with ferdinand alonso who then went embassador to the king of cape verde . they were ready to receive him in hostile manner , but were appealed when two blacks , who were the interpreters , told them our design , the chief points whereof were the shewing them the light of the gospel , and teaching them a more civilized way of living . their farim or governour , being informed hereof came down to the shoar , and sent an account of our arrival to his king. mean while they began peaceably to trade . some elephants teeth stirred up a desire in ballarte to see one alive . a black offered to shew him one , and treacherously slew him and some of our men , which obliged us not to stay the coming of that king. . king duarte reigned but a short time . his son alonso the fifth succeeded him , being but six years of age ; at seventeen he took upon him the government ; prince peter , brother of the discoverer , having ruled for him those eleven years . because from this time the discoveries were managed upon the king's account ; we will conclude with a description of this great undertaker . prince henry , the beginner and author of the south and eastern discoveries , was of a proportionable bigness , his limbs gross and strong , his skin white and fair , his hair strong and rough , his countenance was terrible to such as were not acquainted ; for in the greatest heats he was more governed by meekness than passion ; he had a grave and graceful gate ; he was very circumspect and cautious in his words ; plain in his person , as far as suitable with his quality ; patient in troubles , valiant in danger , skilled in learning , the best mathematician of his age , very liberal , extream zealous for religion ; he was not known to be given to any vice ; he never married , nor was it heard that he sinned against continency ; his memory and prudence were equal to his authority : he died at sagres in the year . and the th of his age ; he lies with his father in the most noble church of batalla . chap. ii. discoveries under king alfonso the fifth , from the year . to the year . . king alfonso the fifth took upon him the government , and prosecuted as his uncle had done , those discoveries . the first step he gave was a grant to the prince , that none without his leave should pass cape bojador ; and also the fifth and tenth of all things brought from thence . the differences between the king and his uncle prince peter , were a great stop to these affairs . leave was granted the prince to plant the islands azores , discovered by gonzalo vello ; they are seven in number , their names st. michael , st. mary , iesus or tercera , graciosa , pico , fayall , flores and cuervo , which lies farthest to the westward , as does the first to the eastward . they differ not much in latitude , being about the same with lisbon . the reason why they were so called , is from a great number of hauks , which they call azores , that were seen there when first discovered . in the last was found the statue of a man on horseback , with a cloak , but no hat , his left hand on the horses main , the right pointing to the west ; there were some letters carved on the lower rock , but not understood . it seemed to point out america . because in the islands of arg●…m there was trading for gold and blacks ; the king ordered a fort to be built in one of the islands , and called by the same name ; it was erected by suero mendez , who was commander of it . at this time also were discovered the islands of cape verde by antony nole a genoese , sent by that republick to portugal . he also discovered the island called mayo , or may , because he arrived there the first day of that month. next day he saw the other two , which he named st. philip and st. iacob . the names of those not yet mentioned , are fuego , brava , boavista sal , st. nicholas , st. lucy , st. vincent , st. antony , in all ten . they are commonly called of cape verde , for that they lie leagues to the westward of it . pedro de cintra , and suero de costa went as far as sierra leona . . so great were the hopes of the guinea trade , and the returns stirred up covetousness , so that the king farmed this trade to fernando gomez for ducats , a small sum in comparison of their present greatness . he was obliged to continue the discoveries leagues farther in five years . he fortunately discovered the trade of oro de la mina , or the gold of the mine by iohn de santaren and peter de escobar . they went as far as cape st. catharine leagues beyond cape lope gonzales in two degrees and half of south latitude . for this discovery was added to him the sirname of mina , and he was made noble . ferdinand po discovered the island which he called hermosa , or beautiful , which name it changed for the discoverers . the last discovery during the reign of king alonso , was that of cape st. catharine , so called because discovered on her day . there were other discoveries before this , as the coast from whence was brought the first cochinilla , which the italians ( knowing the value , but not the name ) call grana del paraiso , or scarlet of paradise , they had it from the moors of this part of guinea , who crossing the country mandinga and deserts of libia , brought it to the port mundibarca in the mediterranean . now were found the islands st. thomas , anno bueno , and principe , all neglected , the king being wholy bent upon africk . how little these places were minded , may appear by this , that a spanish fleet commanded by garcia de loaysa , knight of malta , arriving at the maluco islands the year . he found there were portugueses there before it was known in portugal , and found in two degrees of south latitude , the island of st. mathew not inhabited , but with footsteps of the portugues , several fruit-trees , and tame cattle , carved on the bark of a tree , that our men had been there years before , and the french motto of prince henry , talent de bien faire . it was the custom of those sailers to leave this motto in all places where they landed . chap. iii. discoveries and conquests under king john the second , from the tear . till the tear . . king iohn the second , who succeeded his father alonso , considering the riches of the countries discovered encreased his revenue , and finding the natives inclined to receive the faith , ordered a fort to be raised in that part where was the trade of gold called mina . to this end he fitted out twelve vessels laden with all materials for the work , from the stones of the foundation to the tiles , with provisions for men , of them souldiers , the rest workmen . the commander was iames de azambuja . at his arrival he confirmed the peace some time before concluded with that people . he acquainted the prince of it ( called camaransa ) with his arrival and intention . he landed to take possession , and set up the portugal colours upon a tree ; at the foot of it he made an altar , and caused to be celebrated the first mass that had been in those parts . he prepared himself to receive the black king , who came attended with many of his subjects naked , save that from their waste downward , hung monkies skins or covering made of palm-leaves : all armed , some with shields and javelins , others bows and arrows ; some had skins for helmets , in such manner they appeared more ridiculous than terrible . the prince's legs and arms were covered with plates of gold ; on his neck a chain , with many small bells , and tags to his beard . before him went a great number of instruments , more noisie than harmonious ; all that were known were tabors , horns and bells . he met the captain with a grave and pleasing countenance ; the captain received him with gravity and magnificence . the black took his hand in token of peace , the same the chief men about him : after the ceremonies ( different in the nations , but all vain and impertinent ) azambuja laid open his kings design , which was first to instruct him in the christian faith , and conceal our covetousness , asking leave to build a house for our men to live in , which was to be a fort to offend them upon occasion . i do not pretend to persuade the world , our only design was to preach , on condition it be believed it was not only to trade . . the portuges captain was heard with wonderful attention , and the proposal of religion admitted , but that of the house or fort rejected ; for they are barbarians in our conceit , but not for their own interests . azambuja pressed , and caramansa yielded and retired . the workmen began to break a rock for the work , and the blacks who adored it ( taking that as an affront ) drove them away . azambuja took the wisest course , and running to them , pacified them with many gifts , not of value , but such as pleased . the fort finished was called st. george , for the particular devotion the king had to that saint . as it encreased it gained the name and priviledge of a city . azambuja remained there with men , and sent back the fleet laden with gold. he held that government three years , he gave it up with honour ( a thing rare among the portugueses ) and was honourably rewarded . . the king began to take the title of lord of guinea . the custom till now had been to set up wooden crosses in all the new discoveries ; the king ordered for the future to carry them of stone with the kings and captains names , the time when , by whom , and by whose order erected . the first of these was iames cam , who passing cape catharine ( the last of king alonso's discoveries ) came to the river congo in the kingdom of the same name , by the inhabitants called zagre . he went up the river , and saw on both sides blacks , but were not understood by those he carried with him . by signs he found they had a king , and that he resided far off . he sent him presents ( the most powerful arguments of embassadors ) but finding the men that carried them stay long , he set sail , bringing some blacks home with him . king iohn was well pleased to see them , and dispatched again the same iames cam , sending back with him the blacks joyful , with many presents he gave them , but above all with the recovery of their liberty . the first part of his instructions was the conversion of those infidels . at his arrival he restored those blacks to their prince , and received the men he left behind , with mutual admiration . following on the discovery , he ran leagues farther , setting up the cross he called st. augustin , in degrees of south latitude , and another in . at his return to congo , having seen the king , he found in him such an affection to our people and religion , that he sent with him to portugal some sons of his chief men , desiring they should be baptized , and being made christians returned , and with them ministers to instruct them in the faith. they were baptized at beja , where the king and queen were godfather and godmother to the chief of them , and he called d. iohn , his heathen name being zacuta ; the same was done by the nobility , with the others , whose names and sirnames they took . betwixt the fort of st. george and congo , is the kingdom of benin . the king hereof covetous of the advantages he saw others reap by our trade , feigned he would be converted , and desired priests for his instruction ; but they being sent , the design was discovered , and so the effect ceased , but not the covetousness ; for those heathens bought christned slaves , and we with the same avarice sold them , after being baptized , knowing their new masters would again make them fall into idolatry . this lasted till the religious king , iohn the third , forbid it , though to his great loss ; but god who gives an hundred for one , to requite him ordered that another gold mine should be discovered below that of st. george , whence much more was gathered without a crime , than had been before by that so scandalous a trafick . . king iohn was informed by the benin embassador , who came to desire the priests should be sent them , that leagues beyond them was the most powerful prince of all those countries , called ogane , by whom the kings of benin for their security were confirmed , receiving of him a staff with a head and a cross like that of malta , all of brass curiously wrought . an embassador went with rich presents to solicit these ensigns of royalty , who never saw ogane , because he speaks from behind curtains , but at their departure shews a foot , in token that he grants their request . our king imagined this prince might be he that is vulgarly called prester iohn , by comparing these formalities with what he had heard reported of him . he fitted out three ships , commanded by bartholomew dias ; he set up a cross in degrees of south latitude , leagues beyond the other discoverers in sierra parda . he sailed in sight of the bay they called de los vaqueros , or of herdsmen , because of the many cows they saw there ; beyond this they touched at the small island santa cruz , or holy cross , so called from one he set up : leagues farther they came into the mouth of a river which they called del infante , the sirname of the second captain , who was the first that saw it . being about returning they discovered that so many ages unknown promontory , which they called tormentoso , or stormy , because of a great tempest they met with there ; but our king gave it the name of cabo de buena esperança , or cape of good hope , for the great hopes it gave of discovering the indies . there was set up the cross st. philip. the two first ships coasting along met the third with only three men aboard , having lost it nine months before with nine men in it then . with meer joy of seeing the others ( a strange , but not unheard of death ) one of the three died , the other six had been killed by the blacks . with various fortune observing the discovered country they arrived in their own , the extent of land till then found out , being leagues . . whilst these discoverers conquered the difficulties of the seas ; peter de covillam and alfonso de payva travelled by land , who came first to naples , then to rodes , to alexandria , grand cair , then with a caravan of moors to toro on the coasts of arabia . here they parted , payva towards india and covillam for aethiopia , having appointed a time when to meet again at grand cair . covillam went to cananor , calecut and goa ( famous cities in the east ) passed thence to zofala in aethiopia , then to aden at the mouth of the red sea on the side of arabia , and at last to grand cair , where he found his companion had died . after these had been sent out two jews , rabbi abraham of beja , and ioseph of lamego . covillam sent back the latter to inform the king of his success , with the other he embarqued for ormuz , where having observed what was most remarkable , he left the jew to follow the caravans of aleppo , and returning to the red sea came to discover the court of prester iohn , who detained him there as a spie . but while he was detained , travelled from rome , luke mark , an aethiopian priest , sent by prester iohn to our king. this priest's information revived the kings hopes and desires , and he was sent back with an account of what means had been used to settle a correspondence , and projects for the perfecting of it . . before luke mark parted from portugal , was arrived bemoi prince of ialof . he came with state , and was received accordingly , being conducted to court by don francisco coutinno count of marialva . his strangeness did not cause so much admiration , as he conceived of the majesty and grandeur with which the king received him under his royal canopy . this was the cause of his coming . biran who reigned in ialof , giving himself up to all manner of vice , resigned the kingdom to his brother bemoi , with the reputation of delivering it to a person in all respects worthy of the royal-dignity . but cibitah the elder brother , envious of bemoi's happiness , kills biran , and seizing the government , makes war upon bemoi , who with the assistance of gonzalo coello , sent by king iohn , made some resistance . this relief was sent him by reason of the hopes he gave of receiving the faith. but it being suspected he only designed to make use of the portugues assistance , the captain was ordered to leave him , which was a great grief to bemoi . he gave such excuses for not being presently baptized as seemed sufficient , and losing soon after a battle , he went to portugal to seek a more favourable turn of fortune . . it was no small part of his fortune to be received by so great a prince , but above all to the hopes of eternal happiness , being soon after baptized by the name of iohn , which he took from the king who was godfather . next day he gave him arms , purpure a cross or within an orle of portugal . he in return did homage to the king for all the lands he should be possessed of . twenty four gentlemen of his retinue were baptized with him . there was great rejoycing , our people shewing their grandeur in such divertisements as were most in use then ; and bemoi with his retinue giving a view of their activity in riding , alighting , and mounting upon a speed , standing upright on the saddle galloping , and some in their career took up stones off the ground , and much more , worthy admiration . the king furnished him with twenty caravels well manned and armed , as well to forward his restoration as to build a fort on the river zanaga . . the province of ialof lies between the two famous rivers gambea , or rather rio grande and zanaga , so called by the portugueses from a prince of that name , whom they spoke with when they discovered it ; it has other names in the several countries it runs through , and makes many islands , most as being uncooth , inhabited only by wild beasts . it is navigable leagues up , where a ridge of perpendicular rocks crosses it in such manner , that the water falling down , forms an arch , under which travellers pass dry , and pleasant to behold , but makes a hideous noise with the fall . the gambea , or rio grande , runs leagues , and carries more water ; it is not all navigable , but runs with less noise , though filled with many rivers that water the country mandinga . both these rivers flow out of the famous niger , and may as well be esteemed but so many mouths thereof . there is great variety of fish in these rivers , and several other creatures along them , as horses , crocodiles and serpents with wings ; the other beasts that abound are elephants , ounces , wild boars , and a many more . great are the numbers of them , and wonderful their variety and different forms . the waters of the two rivers mixt cause vomiting , yet each asunder does not . in this part is that great cape called cabo verde , by ptolome c. assinarium , in about degrees of north latitude . the country runs leagues eastward , is most fruitful , and has many populous cities . to tombotu the mart of mandingo gold , resort the merchants of grand cair , tunez , oran , tremisen , fez , morocco , and other places . this trade moved king iohn to build the fort on the river zanaga . the caravels were commanded by peter vaz de cunna , who landing with d. iohn bemoi the king , and beginning to raise the fort in the place assigned , either suspecting that he deceived him , or fearing to die in that country , basely killed the king , endeavouring with that foul crime to hide another not so hainous , which was to return without finishing the work , and in fine he came back without any effect . . the congo embassador being well instructed in the faith , was sent home with three ships . sono was the first land they made , and arrived safe at congo . they were joyfully received by an old lord called manisono , uncle to that king , who desired to be baptized . an altar was erected in the field , and he was admitted to this sacrament by the name of manuel , and his son by that of antony , in the presence of of their people , this being the first time that sacrament was there administred . the king of congo , nephew to this lord , hearing what he had done , added to his estate , and caused all the idols within his dominions to be destroyed . the king made his residence at ambasse congo leagues distant , where he received ruy de sousa the portugal commander , on an ivory chair , placed on a lofty throne . from the waste upwards he was naked , the lower part wrapt in sky-colour damask , on the left arm a bracelet of brass ; from his shoulder hung a curious horse-tail , a royal badge among them ; on his head a thing like a miter , of a delicate webb , made of palm , which resembles wrought velvet . after the ceremonies , he desired to see the holy vestments : he viewed them with deliberation and respect , in presence of his queen , children and the chief of the court. then he gave leave to build a church , which was done in few days , of the invocation of the holy cross , because begun the day of that feast in may. in this church was baptized the king , and some of his people , there being above present , as well for that they flocked to see the novelty , as because they were preparing for a neighbouring war. the king was called iohn , and the queen ellenor , in honour of our sovereigns . afterwards were baptized the greatest part of those had flocked thither . the new christian king went to meet his enemy , relying more on his conversion , and the cross in the colours he had received from ruy de sousa , than in men he had in arms , nor were his hopes vain , he returned with victory , and ruy de sousa to portugal with the honour of having compleated one of the most famous undertakings of this crown , leaving in that kingdom people capable to labour the new vineyard . . afterwards was baptized the prince , who had been absent in the wars , and called alfonso . panso aquitimo , the king 's second son , would not receive the faith , and the father falling off , because as a christian he could be allowed but one wife , resolved to leave the crown to the heathen aquitimo , in wrong of the prince who continued constant in the faith. alfonso was abroad in banishment when his father died , but returning to court was received as king. aquitimo having recourse to the sword , fell upon him when he had but thirty seven christians , as well-portugueses as blacks ; yet under the banner of the cross alfonso overcame a vast multitude of infidels , aquitimo being taken and then slain . a gentleman that accompanied aquitimo desired to be baptized immediately , declaring they had been overcome by a glorious army that was lead by a cross , and not by the thirty seven christians . alfonso established in peace , destroyed all idols , and propagated the faith with great zeal . he sent his sons , grandsons and nephews to portugal to study . two of them were worthily afterwards bishops in those parts . in memory of that victory , and of the first colours sent this king , as also that the faith was first planted on the day of the invention of the cross ; he took for his arms , gules , a cross fleury argent between two crosses pattee , charged with the arms of portugal . . the beginning of the year , came into the river of lisbon , christopher columbus , who brought from an island ( guessed to be that of sipango ) some men , gold , and great tokens of riches . this great man some time before had offered his service to king iohn , who having slighted him then , looked on him now with some regret , and he provoked him with some extravagant words in revenge of the small regard made of him . there were some who offered to kill him , as well to punish his boldness , as to conceal from spain his discoveries . but the king sent him away with honour : columbus was a genoese , and learned navigation in portugal ; he was employed by the king of spain , and he had sent him to the discovery he now came from . king iohn did not envy the fortune of spain , but feared that discovery was part of what the portugueses had been so long in quest of . this caused him to fit out a fleet commanded by d. francisco de almeyda in order to oppose those proceedings , judging he had right on his side , but it proved not so . several embassies passed on both sides to agree the business , and at last came to a conclusion . . though prince bemoi was dead , the hopes of making a farther progress in that country about zanaga died not with him . they who went in that fleet had not performed what they were sent for , but discovered more land , and gained the good will of the natives . the trade was afterwards continued , and a good correspondence between our king and those princes . peter de evora and goncalo anez went to those of turucol and tombotu . roderick rebelo , peter reynel , and iohn colaco and others carried presents to mandimansa and temala of the fouli , the most warlike of all those people . the king had also correspondence with him of the moses , very famous in that age ; and with mahomet ben manzugul , grandson of muza , and king of songo ( a populous city of mandinga ) who receiving a full account of our king said , that none of from whom he was descended , had any knowledge of more powerful kings than four , which were those of alimaen , baldac , grand cayre and tucurol . at this same time the king laboured to settle a factory in the city huadem , leagues to the eastward of arguim , as well for the trade of gold , as to have some intelligence of prester iohn , which he solicited by all means . many were sent to these discoveries by land. but death put a stop to king iohn's farther progress in these affairs ; but cannot obscure the glory due to him for propagating the christian faith in so remote parts , building the forts of arguim and st. george de la mina , which fixed the sovereignty of portugal in guinea that abounds in gold , ivory and all other riches and plenty , and the gate that opened a way to the most heroick actions afterwards performed by the portugues arms. chap. iv. discoveries under king emanuel , from the year , when he sent out vasco de gama , till the year . . king emanuel inherited not only his predecessors kingdom , but his earnest desire of finding a shorter passage by sea to the east indies . this attempt was generally condemned by the greater number , but carried by the more prevalent judgments . the king being in the town of estremoz , when he appointed vasco de gama to command the fleet he designed to send . this was a gentleman of sufficient quality , ability and spirit for such a difficult enterprise . the king honour'd him expressing the great confidence he had in him , and delivered the colours he was to carry , on which was the cross of the military order of christ , and on which this worthy hero took the oath of fidelity . . having received letters for the princes of the east , among others prester iohn , and zamori or the king of calicut ; he sailed from lisbon upon saturday the th of iuly with only three small ships and men . the names of the ships , st. gabriel , st. raphael and berrio ; the captains paul de gama , brother to vasco , and nicolas nunnez ; there went also a barque laden with provisions , commanded by goncalo nunnez . having passed the seas already known to portugues sailers , they discovered others , and after five months sail , landed on the sands of a bay , now called angra de santa elena , because first seen on that saints day . here they took one of two blacks who were busie gathering hony in the mountain , little thinking how far human boldness carries men . this man pleased with some glasses and small bells , brought some others from a village , in hopes of getting some of those things , and these being furnished brought many more . . fernando veloso , a daring young man , asked leave to go see the habitation of the blacks ; but he returned with more speed than he went , being pursued to the shore , and a shower of arrows following as he got into the boat. vasco de gama endeavouring to appease them , was wounded in the leg , and because they would not hearken to him , he revenged himself with cross-bows from aboard . the third day being the twentieth of november , he weighed and passed the great cape of good hope . on st. catharines day they touched at angra de san blas , which is near the island , where are found the birds called soliticairos made like a goose , but with wings like batts ; this is leagues beyond the cape . here they exchanged some merchandise , and observed the people garding their cattle , some women riding on oxen , and some dancing to pipes that made no contemptible musick . but because as they coasted in order to find some port , they found the blacks appeared in greater numbers and warlike manner , he terrified them with firing some guns . he took all the provisions out of the barque and burnt it . on st. lucies day hapned a storm , the more terrible because it was the first . on christmas-day they saw the land , which for that reason they called terra de natal , or christmas-land , as also the river they named de los reyes , or of the kings , for being first seen on the day of epiphany . here gama left two men to inform themselves of the country , and give him an account at his return . to this purpose he carried some malefactors , their punishment being changed for these dangers . after dealing for some ivory and provisions , so much to the satisfaction of the blacks , that their king came aboard , he went on as far as cabo de corrientes , and without seeing the town of zofala , passed leagues farther , and went up a river where were several boats with sails made of palm . it was an encouragement to our men to see these people , for that they understood something of sailing , a thing they had not seen in all those coasts , and because they were not so black as the others , and understood the arabick letter . they concluded them more civilized by their habit of several colours , and divers sorts of stuffs both cotten and silk . they said that to the eastward lived white people , who sailed in vessels like 〈◊〉 . this river gama called de bons sinays , or of good signs , for the information he got of what he looked for ; though he lost some men , and many sickned , their gums swelling out of their mouths , and there was no cure but cutting , which proceeded from the badness of the provisions . sailing hence they again cast anchor among the islands of st. george , opposite to mozambique , whence came several zambucos or boats in jovial manner , the musick of several instruments sounding in them . as they came near were seen some black others almost white , all had persian veils , and were cloathed with cotton of sundry colours . they asked our men boldly who they were , and what they wanted . gama answered to the first part , and said he would answer to the rest when he knew whose that town was . they said the lord of it was zacoeja , to whom all vessels sent notice of their arrival . then gama replied , that his voyage was to india , and wanted a pilot to conduct him to calicut , that this was what he desired of the xeque or lord. he sent him some presents , though not of great value , valuable for their rarity . . a moor who carried the advice , returned with many thanks for the presents with some fresh meats , making excuses that the great distance was what hindred the lord from visiting him . these lucky beginnings moved gama to attempt entring the harbour , but meeting some danger he anchored above the town , which lies in degrees and half of south latitude , and is encompassed by the sea ; the land about it is low and unhealthy , the houses of hurdles , that of the lord and the mosque of mud walls ; the inhabitants were strangers and moors : this being between quiloa , which lies above , and the mine of zofala below it . this place was ever much accounted of by our seamen , being a most secure place to winter in . the natives of the continent are black. here came aboard gama three ethiopians , who as soon as they spied st. gabriel painted on the poop , sell on their knees , as those who had always preserved christianity , which was preached among th●…m in the primitive times , though now with some corruption . vasco de gama sent other presents to the lord , and they concluded a peace , which was confirmed on our part by erecting a cross there by the name of s●… george . but the barbarians having de●…lly concluded this agreement , our men going for wood , fourteen boats fell upon them , pouring in abundance of arrows , but being answered by our cross-bows and guns , they never offered to molest us a second time . they sailed hence the th of march with one morish pilot ; he had hired two , but the other fled . bad weather obliged him to come to an anchor again at st. georges island . he took in water by force of arms , the blacks opposing it . and they encreasing to , he fired some cannon , which killing some , the other with the fright fled to the continent , leaving many in our hands . . the xeque or governour at first refused a pilot , he they had being fled , but fearing it might be revenged , sent another so wicked , that he run the ships among some islands , which were called del acotado , because the pilot was there severely whipped for this fault . this punishment instead of amendment , provoked him to another fraud . he persuaded gama to take the port of quiloa , by telling him there were christians there ; but believing our ships might be destroyed . the currents drove the ships off , and they came to an anchor at the city monbaza , which is an island made by a river that falls into the sea by two mouths : the buildings like those of spain ; the inhabitants all moors , without any mixture of christians , as the pilot affirmed . our commander sent a present to the king , and he deceitfully offered a kind reception . this inclined gama to enter the port , but it being god's will to deliver him , the ships fell off , and our seamen making some extraordinary cry to bring them about , some moors , who were aboard , thought they were discovered , taking this for a signal of battle , they all leaped overboard , which undeceived the commander , who sailing on , and chasing two boats , he took one with moors . by them he was informed that not far off was the city melinde , and there several vessels from india . . melinde is seated on the plainest of a rocky coast , encompassed with orchards , palm-trees , and woods of fruit-trees ; the buildings great and sightly ; the country as well stored with cattle as fruit ; the natives pagans , of colour swarthy , of body strong ; the women are counted beautiful ; from the waste downwards they wear silks and cottons ; on the head , veils with gold-laces . most of the merchants who trade here are of guzarat , who in return of their spice , carry gold , ivory , amber and wax . the king is a mahometan , and is served with state and splendor . gama gave him an account of his voyage by a souldier , and how he stood in need of a pilot. some presents and complements having passed between them , they met on the sea , where the king was pleased above all with th●… gift of the moors not long before taken . the portugues feared the moors kindness was deceitful ; but it proved otherwise , for the effect of this interview was a lasting peace faithfully observed by the portugueses and moors . here gama discoursed with some merchants of cambaya , who aboard his ship were seen to worship an image of our lady ; which shewed there were yet among them some foot-steps of the preaching of st. thomas the apostle . he carried with him melemo cana of guzarat , finding him so expert in navigation , that being shewn an astrolabe , he took little notice of it , as one who was used to more considerable instruments . with this able pilot gama set forwards , having first erected a cross , which he called of the holy ghost ; and crossing that great gulph of leagues , in twenty two days anchored leagues below calecut . . whilst our discoverers rejoice at their arrival in india , let us give a general description of it , referring the particulars to the arrival of our ships in those parts . the region properly called india , is that which lies between the two noble rivers , indus or ▪ the west , and ganges on the east . of the first it takes name , as does the most ancient kingdom of delhi , the best and most powerful of this country . hence the persians call it indostan . on the south it is all girt by the vast ocean . encompassed by those rivers it makes a sort of peninsula , almost in the form of a lozenge , or rhombus of equal sides , but not equal angles . the two most distant opposite angles lie north and south ; the latter is made by cape comori , the other towards the fountains of the rivers , which though distant in the mountains , called by ptolomy imao , yet running down the rivers come almost to meet . the distance between these angles in a streight line is about leagues . the other two opposite angles , which lie east and west , and are distant leagues , are formed by the mouths of the rivers . they encompass as much land on their two sides , as does the ocean on the other two . though all this country be inhabited by heathens and mahometans , yet they differ in their opinions and customs , as they are divided into several kingdoms , as multan , delli , cospetir , bengala , orixa , mando , chitor , and guzarat , commonly called cambaya the kingdom of decan is divided into many sovereignties , with character of kings , with that of pale divided between both . that of bisnagat , to whom are subject many petty princes ; and all the province of malabar divided into small territories , some absolute , some subject to those already named . had not nature set bounds to human ambition , separating these countries with vast rivers , mountains , lakes , woods and deserts , inhabited by sundry and innumerable wild beasts , they had all doubtless been under the command of one lord. the most remarkable bounder of this vast continent , is a long ridge of hills , which the natives call gate , that is , mountains ; they run about leagues from north to south : on both sides between the sea and the hill run two long , but narrow plains for about leagues , that on the west is called malabar , on the shoar whereof is seated the city calicut . it was then inhabited by pagans , and resorted to by mahometan merchants . their kings were always of the family of the bramenes , among them esteemed most religious and learned , and great observers of the doctrine of pythagoras . the people is divided into two degrees , the commons , whom they call poleas ; and the nobles called nayres , who are valiant and skil'd in the arms they use , and always wear sword and buckler ; so proud , that if but touched by a commoner , they hold it as a great misfortune , and cleanse themselves by washing . this king of calicut is the most powerful of all the coast , and therefore for distinction called zamori , as much as emperor . the kingdom took its name from the metropolis , in which are many stately buildings of the natives , for the merchants do not mind it . it has no shelter for ships , which are forced to ride it out at anchor in the road. this is the place where we left the discoverers . . gama arrived here on the th of may ; he gave advice to the king , who was not then in the city , but sent him a pilot to bring the ships to a safer place . during this interval came acquainted with the portugueses a moor called monzayde , who lived there , and told them in spanish he had known them in oran , and would be serviceable to them there . so it proved , for from that time he passed between vasco de gama and zamori , upon all occasions with great fidelity , and at last died a christian in portugal . the third day our commander went ashore with twelve others , a catual , or governour coming from the king to conduct him ; they were carried on mens backs with such ease , that the motion , though swift , is hardly to be perceived . thus they were carried , many flocking about them , to a pagod or temple , equal , including all its offices , to the greatest of our monasteries . on the top of the front were five bells , and opposite to it a high pillar of brass , with a cock on the top . within the gate attended four bramens , covered from the waste to the knees with cotten cloaths ; and for a badge of their profession each had three threads cross his shoulders , hanking like a shoulder belt. they sprinkled them with water , and gave powder of sandal to put on their foreheads , all with great ceremony , and no less reverence than is used among us in taking the holy water in church . about the walls were painted several horrid figures of monsters and wild beasts . in the middle was a round chappel of good structure with brass gates ; within it was the statue of a woman , which by reason of the darkness could not be perfectly discovered . the portugueses looking upon it , and asking what it was , the malabars answered aloud , and with a joyful reverence , mary , mary , mary , and prostrated themselves on the ground . our men did the same , judging that to be the image of our lady , nor were they deceived , for it could be no other , those people many ages before having professed christianity . the throng of the people grew so great , they stopped the way , and with the eager desire of seeing the new guests , almost stifled them . having gone thus leagues , they came to the palace , where they saw the king on a rich bed set out with silk and gold , his looks full of majesty , cloathed with white cotton strewed with branches and roses of beaten gold ; on his head a thing like a mitre set with many pearls , his arms and legs naked , but on them bracelets and rings of gold set with rich jewels . a grave person by his side held a gold plate with some leaves of betele , an herb comfortable to the stomach , which the eastern princes much use , chewing and swallowing the juice of it . the eldest bramen , who was next the bed , and whose age , grey hairs and garb were venerable , arose , and taking vasco de gama by the hand presented him to that great emperor , who looked upon him friendly , but saluted him so scantly , that the motion of his head could scarce be perceived , and made signs to the bramen to make him sit down on the steps of the ascent whereon the bed stood . he heard him , and answered in general terms ; then took the letter sent by king emanuel , which was writ in portugues and arabick , keeping it to consult with his ministers about the answer , promising it should be speedy . the substance was only to settle a friendly correspondence between the two crowns in order to a free trade , which might be to the advantage of both . gama was entertained in the house of a catual , or governour , where the next day he endeavoured to gain him and the other ministers with presents , but they being inferiour to their avarice , he found next time he spoke with them , that he had not won them ; but the king seemed more pleased than the first time , whence may appear the good will of a prince is bought at a cheaper rate , than those who would govern them when raised to their favour . in fine , he was content that a free commerce should be setled between the two kingdoms . . the moors understanding this agreement , envious of our success , and fearing the damage must ensue to their trade , made many objections against our admittance , assuring , that we who came now suing , would settle our selves forcibly in time to come . they bribed the catual or governour , and he perswaded the king , our men were pirats and not embassadors . it was wonderful that the king , not knowing how to proceed , because there was none could satisfie him of the truth of this business , he resolved to rely upon the faith of him whom his ministers accused ; for , as if he had known how odious a lie , though to their advantage , was to the portugueses , he sent for vasco de gama , declaring to him at large how he was informed his embassie was feigned , and that he was some banished or fugitive person , making him great offers of a kind reception in case it were so , and promising to rely upon his information for the credit of the whole matter . gama heard the king with a great deal of firmness in his countenance , and declared himself highly sensible of the great confidence the king reposed in him , in a most learned speech , with powerful arguments answered to all that had been laid to his charge , and concluded with the same gravity and staidness he had kept through his long discourse . the king who had kept his eyes fixed upon him all the time his harangue lasted , hoping by exteriour signs to discover the truth of his assertions , drew a conclusion from the security of his looks , the elegancy of his words and gravity of his person , that there could no deceit be couched under such fair appearances , that the moors proceeded malitiously , and his ministers were imposed upon . then very frankly bid him return to his ships to land what merchandise he brought , if any , and while that was disposed of , he would prepare such an answer for the king , as should be to his satisfaction . . vasco de gama providing to return to his ships , was detained by order of the governour , and finding himself prisoner , left seven of the twelve he had brought as hostages . he complained , but to no effect , the faithful moor moncayde solliciting for him with all possible diligence . gama being abroad and finding no fair means could prevail to have his men restored , having called a council , it was resolved to apply force ; accordingly he sent out after some fishermen and took twenty of them : immediately he let fly his sails , making shew of departing , that they might send to stay him . and accordingly it succeeded , for the king informed of the reason why his subjects were taken , ordered the seven portugueses to be exchanged for them , and sent the answer for our king , and excused the treachery of his people . the fortunate gama steers homeward , the moor moncayde came voluntarily with him , and some of the prisoners by force , who were not restor'd , it being thought convenient to bring some to shew , promising them they should return . . as he was leaving the sea of calicut , sixty vessels , full of armed men , set upon and pressed him , but the cannon being well played , they went off . sailing along in sight of land , he set up the cross of st. mary in an island between baranor and baticale , which thence took name , with admiration of the inhabitants . this was the sixth and last he set up this voyage , they were st. raphael , in the river bons sinays ; st. george , at mozambique ; st. stephen , at melinde ; and st. gabriel , at calicut . whilst he was erecting the last cross , he writ a letter to the zamori or king of calicut , by the hand of moncayde , and sent it by a fisherman of that place : in this letter he excuses himself for carrying away those prisoners , which he did not in satisfaction of the merchandise taken from him , but as an earnest that he would return with them , when he had shewed them to his prince , and they informed him of the state of their country ; and that in recompence he would bring a perfect account of spain . in this voyage he discovered leagues , drawing a strait line from the river del infante , found by bartholomew diaz , to the port of calicut ; for in sailing it is much more . here he found the island , the people of canara call anchediva , near the continent , it is small , well shaded with trees , of a wholsom air , and has good water . anche or ange singnifies five , and diva , islands ; there being so many , but the chief has carried the name . he was here careening his ships , taking water , and some respite , when a pirat attacked him with eight small vessels , so linked and covered with boughs , that they looked like a small floating island . he was somewhat surprized at first sight , but perceiving the danger that approached under those leaves , he attacked it , and having put to flight seven , took one vessel . the name of this pirat was timoja , we shall hear of him hereafter . the prince of goa , by means of a jew , endeavoured to draw gama to his ruin ; the jew from shoar making signs with a cross , who being taken aboard , and put upon the wrack , confessed he was sent with an ill design , and repenting , was baptized , and called gaspar de gama . some of the men died whilst they were sailing acro●…s the great gulph between india and the coast of melinde . he anchored in sight of the town of magadoxa , which stands on an open coast , but is beautiful and strong . not far from thence came out against him eight boats well manned , but were soon repulsed . he came to melinde , and was received by that king as a friend . being again under sail , the ship st. raphael struck and was lost , leaving that name to those sands . the men were saved by the other two ships , and they parted by a storm near cabo verde . nicholas c●…ello arrived at lisbon , believing his commander was there before him , but he was burying his brother , paul de gama , in the island tercera . soon after he came up the tagus , having been out two years , and almost two months . he carried out men , and returned only with . they were all rewarded by the king. vasco de gama had the priviledge of being called don , annexed to his family ; to his arms was added part of the kings ; he had the title of admiral of the eastern seas , ducats yearly , and afterwards the title of count vidigueyra . nicholas coello was made a fidalgo , which is noble , and had a ducats a year . . prince henry , the first author of thefe discoveries , had built a chappel on the banks of the river a league below lisbon , for the conveniency of sailers . in the same place now did king emanuel erect a stately church to the same intent , and with the same name it had before , to wit , our lady of bethlehem , placing the statue of the prince over the great gate , his own and the queens over the lesser . this is a monastery of the order of st. hierom , and for its security was built in the water a strong tower called st. vincent , not great , but sightly . chap. v. conquests under king emanuel , from the year till the year . . there were publick thansgivings through the kingdom for the good success of this voyage ; to these succeeded feasts and joyful entertainments . and all mens expectation being raised with the glory of the action and hope of ensuing profit , it was consulted how to prosecute what was begun , and resolved , that according to the disposition they had found in the people of those countries there was more need of force than intreaty , in order whereunto thirteen vesses of several sizes were fitted , and peter alvarez cabral was named admiral . on the th of march the king delivered with his own hand to the admiral the flag of the cross. the shoar was covered with people , who flocked to see the fleet sail . it contained men , franciscan friers , chaplains , and a chaplain major . the substance of their instructions was , to begin by preaching , and if that failed , to proceed to the decision of the sword. . twelve days the fleet sailed with a fair gale , but at cape verde a storm arose , and one of the vessels returned to lisbon . in degrees of south latitude they saw a tawny people with lank hair and flat faces : they fled from our men , till halting all together upon ●…n eminence , they were spoke to in several languages and by signs , but all in vain . the fleet passed on , and anchored upon easter eve in a port they called seguro , or safe , because it proved so to them . the people being affable , our men landed and set up an altar under a tree , where there was mass said and a sermon preached , to which those heathens were present with wonderful attention . the admiral sent a vessel to advertise the king of this discovery , and erected a cross on a great tree , calling the country santa cruz , or holy cross. he also left there two portugueses to enquire into the customs , language and product of the country . this is that large province of america , called brazill , for the abundance of that wood which it produces , and hither had he been drove by storms . having left this port , on the th of may he saw a comet stretching its tail to the cape of good hope , which vanished in eight days , and was the forerunner of a terrible storm , insomuch that the day growing dark , they could not see each other or hear , with the horrid noise of the winds ; days this tempest lasted , and swallowed four ships . the admiral arrived with only six ships of all his fleet upon the th of iuly on the coast of zofala . he chased two ships , the one was stranded , the other taken , they belonged to moors , and came from the mine of zofala , commanded by xeque foteyma . the admiral treated him courteously , restoring all that was taken , because he was uncle to the king of melinde , who deserved well of the portugueses for the kind offices vasco de gama had received of him in time of need . having quitted the moor , he arrived at mozambique on the th of iuly , where he refitted and held on his voyage . . coasting along , he came to an anchor before the antient and noble city quiloa . abraham , a man renowed among his people , and rich with the trade of zofala , then reigned there . the admiral sent him word , he had important affairs to communicate to him from our king. the answer was , that he should come ashoar and he would hear him . he replied , that according to his instructions it was not permitted him to land , unless to fight such as refused the friendship of portugal ; but that in respect to such a prince , he would meet him in a boat in the middle of that bay. this answer was surprising , and fear wrought more than kindness . several boats were set out on both sides , richly adorned and filled with musick . our commander proposed amity , trade and religion . the moor gave good words , but disguised ill designs . this known , a councel was held , the resolution was to go on , leaving the revenge for a fitter opportunity , and thus they arrived at melinde the second of august , where they were received with all kindness , not only upon account of the friendship established with vasco de gama , but also for the generosity wherewith xeque foteyma had been treated . they visited and presented each other . ours which was considerable , was carried by the factor ayres correa , together with a letter from our king , writ in arabick , which was so highly prised by that king , that to the end he might keep the bearer ashoar that night , he sent the admiral the ring whereon was his seal , the greatest security of those kings . he told how much he was infested by the king of monbaça for having admitted our friendship , renewed and confirmed it with words and actions . soon after our ships sailed , having taken in two guzarat pilots , and set ashoar two men in order to discover prester iohn's country , the antient desire of our princes . . on st. bartholomew eve they reached anchediva . the vessels were wash'd and tallow'd , they watered and dealt with the people by signs , and left them satisfied . then they stood over for calicut , and discovered it the th of september . the natives beheld us with pleasure and admiration ; our cannon was fired for joy , but struck a terror into the people on the shoar , who fled . ayres correa , who had this employment at melinde , went to advertise the king zamori . he setled the manner how the king and admiral should meet , which was done with much circumspection . there were given as hostages for the safety of the admiral , and such as should land with him , six of the kings principal ministers of the family of the bramenes , whose names he brought from portugal by the advice of moncayde . the prisoners that vasco de gama took , were also returned in performance of what he had writ to zamori , and that they might give an account of what they had seen in portugal . . the embassie was delivered with much state , it tending only to the settling peace and commerce . after much delay proceeding from jealousie , peace was concluded and sworn to , and a house in the town , with much difficulty , granted for the conveniency of trade . ayres correa took possion of it with sixty able men. the merchants of meca obstructed our getting lading , complaint was made to the king , but no redress . . the cause of it was the enmity between two moorish governours , one of the sea , the other of the land affairs , the first called coje bequi , the other coje cemireci . this last was offended that our factor had made greater application to the other than to him , and contrived to be revenged , as follows . he was informed there sailed from cochin , a city distant about leagues , a very great ship of ceylon , bound for cambaya with elephants , who must pass before us . he therefore told the factor , that the king having desired one of those beasts , was refused it by the owners ; that if our men would take the ship they would oblige the king , forward their own business , and possess themselves of a great quantity of spice which the merchants of meca had there . his design was , that we should receive damage in the attempt , that ship being of great bulk ; and to this purpose gave notice to the owners , that they might be the better provided ; and in case that did not succeed , at least hereby we should disoblige the merchants of cochin . the admiral sent after the ship , peter de ataide in the st. peter , who gave her chase , she made no account of our vessel till some of our balls reaching her , she bore upon us pouring in her shot , then made away , and was pursued and taken out of the bay of cananor . there were aboard seven elephants , whereof one was killed by a cannon ball , and eaten by our men . this contrivance was of advantage to discover the author , to terrifie the king , seeing such a vessel taken by one that was not above the sixth part of her bulk , and to gain the friendship of the king of cochin ; for the admiral discovering the fraud , restored the ship to the owners , making satisfaction for the damage . here it was that duarte pacheco pereyra gave the first marks of that heroick valour , which after made him renowned in all the world. . this evil design turned to our advantage , but not the next ; for the ships having been there three months , there were but two laden , and at a dear rate ; and the factor suspecting that the ships of meca laded by night , which hindred ours , complained to the king , who ordered him to make prize of such boats. they entred and found nothing , for it was a contrivance of the moors to incense the people against the portugueses , and so it fell out , for the attempt being divulged , the rabble rises in search of the factor and his company , whereof they suddenly slew forty ; the others with five franciscan fryers escaped that storm . the admiral before the blood of those slain was cool , in a rage burnt fifteen great vessels in the port , and battered the town two days from the ships , doing great damage , and killing above men . . then sailed to cochin the metropolis of the kingdom , of the same name , having by the way burnt two ships they met belonging to calicut . the king lived out of town . the admiral sent to advertise him of his coming by a bramen , a religious malabar , one of those who wander naked , girt with chains and daubed with filth , who , if heathens , are called iogues , and if moors , calandars ; this man was afterwards baptized and called michael . the king returned a favourable answer , and permitted us to lade spice . it was done slowly , but without interruption . at cranganor were found some christians of st. thomas , under armenian bishops . two were brought to portugal , one died and the other returned . zamori of calicut had gained the ill will of the neighbouring princes by his ill manner of proceeding with our men . those of cochin and cananor desiring an opportunity of breaking with him , strove to draw the portugues fleet to their ports . the governours of coulan , on the south of cochin , sent to this effect to the admiral , he returned thanks , though the offer was not accepted , having already sufficient lading . he left goncalo gil barbosa as factor at cochin with others , to provide lading for the next ships should come . . he had promised to take in some ginger at cananor , he went thither to perform his word , and shew he was not afraid to appear before calicut ; he found that king well affected towards us , who sent with him an embassador ( he of cochin sent two ) to king emanuel with presents , and offer of a free trade . about the middle of ianuary the admiral set out in order to return home . on the coast of melinde , one of the ships was drove by bad weather upon a bank , the men saved . at mozambique the rest were refitted , and one sent to settle a trade at the mine of zofala . at cabo verde they found peter diaz , and his vessel , which had been parted from them ; he had escaped many dangers by sea and land , chiefly in port magadoxa near cape guardafu . after the admiral arrived also in portugal , peter de ataide , who had been parted , and the other sent to the discovery of zofala , with an account of it . . in march before this fleet returned , sailed out of lisbon four ships with men , commanded by iohn de nova , an able seaman . in eight degrees of south latitude he found the island he called of the conception . beyond the cape of good hope , at the place called agoado de st. bras , they found in a shoe a letter writ by peter de ataide , who anchored there after the storm before spoken of ; it gave an account of the voyage of peter alvarez cabrall . in august they arrived at mozambique , then at quiloa , having found an island , which from the commander was called of iohn de nova . short of melinde they gave chase to two great ships , one was taken , lightned and then burnt . at length they arrived at cananor ; and that king desirous they should stay there , to oblige them discovered that the king of calicut was sending against him forty great ships . this which he thought would detain them , hastned their departure ; for iohn de nova , lest the king should think he staid for fear , sailed on towards cochin , leaving ashoar four factors , to prepare goods against his return . in the road of calicut they found the fleet ready , and falling on it lost never a shot , pouring it in all that day and night , and part of the next ; there were sunk five great vessels and nine paraos , which are small ones , the rest fled to the city with the news . at cochin , nova took in his lading with speed , it being provided by the officers cabrall had left there to that purpose . he returned to cananor and took the rest of his lading ; at his entrance into that port he took a ship of calicut , plundered and burnt it ; the same hapned to another as he came out . in his return having passed the cape of good hope , he found the island of st. helena not inhabited ; it has proved since a most advantagious place to all that use the india trade , being provided with most excellent water . it lies in degrees of south latitude , distant from goa leagues , from mozambique , from the cape of good hope , from angola , from st. george de la mina , from brazil . from lisbon . chap. vi. conquests under king emanuel , from the tear , to the tear . . the account peter alvarez cabral brought , shewed it was requisite either to attempt making a great fortune with a great force , or else to quit the attempt . some were of opinion to desist , but the credit of so great an action prevailed ; and though many were lost , the gain of those who returned was so great , that it outweighed the consideration of the damage . the king was inspired with the hope of carrying on what the apostle st. thomas had begun , and planting the christian religion in those countries , and enlarging his royal titles by adding to them , as he did , those of lord of the navigation conquests and trade of aethiopia , arabia , persia , and india , which were confirmed by the pope . . the king was sensible , that to obtain a great name among so many , so powerful and so distant nations , it was requisite to shew great power ; therefore in march he set out three squadrons ; the first of ten ships , commanded by vasco de gama , now on his second voyage . the second of five ships under vincent sodre , which was to scour the coast of cochin and cananor , and hinder the trade of the ships of meca , watching the mouth of the red sea. the third was under stephen de gama , but all subordinate to vasco de gama . the whole consisted of twenty ships , and were gone before iohn de nova arrived . the king delivered to vasco de gama the flag with great honour in the cathedral church , giving him the title of admiral of the eastern seas . with him returned the embassadors of cochin and cananor , much honoured by our king. they met off cabo verde a caravel bound for lisbon , with much gold from the mine . don vasco shewed some to the embassadors , and they surprized , said it did not agree with the account the venetian embassador in portugal had given them , that the portugueses without the help of venice could scarce put ships to sea. this was envy , because they were like to lose their trade with grand cayre . . the admiral arrived the th of iuly at quiloa , having lost two ships in bad weather . he entred furiously , firing all his canon , and battering the town in revenge of the ill usage others had received from that king. but he to prevent his total ruin , came in a boat to appease the admiral , offering to be subject , and pay tribute to king emanuel . thus the storm was converted into joy. sailing thence he was put by the port of melinde , and forced to anchor leagues below it in a bay , whence spreading ▪ his fleet that no ship might escape him , he took several , but was most severe with those of calicut . a ship of great bulk called meri , belonging to the sultan of cayre , most richly laden , and full of many moors of quality , who went pilgrims to meca , fell so unexpectedly into our hands , that she was taken without the least resistance , and all the goods shifted into our ships . but when moors perceived we were going to force the vessel , in which , besides them , were above women and children , laying hold of what weapons were at hand , they beat the boats from the sides ; a ship coming to her assistance was almost taken , till another relieved it , and the admiral coming up , the enemies vessel was boarded , and after a couragious resistance taken and burnt with all that were in her , except twenty children who were afterwards baptized . . the admiral sailed to cananor , and had a meeting with the king upon the shoar , and persons were appointed to confer about the business of trade . then he sent a letter to the king of calicut , signifying to him , that the moors burnt in the ship , were upon account for the portugueses killed by his people ; and the twenty children made christians , for one portugues turned mahometan . that this was but the earnest of revenge he would soon take upon his city . mean while they differed at cananor about the price of spice , and at last some few men were left there to agree the matter , and many threats sent the king for this usage . then he set forward to perform what he had promised at calicut . . as he coasted along , there met him a boat , and in it four noblemen sent by zamori with offers extorted by fear . don vasco thought they might be advantagious ; but resenting that the proposal was to rest content with the dustruction of almost moors and a rich ship , in satisfaction for the loss of the portugueses , he returned answer , that at his arrival he would burn and destroy the city . the fleet spread , and took one ship at anchor , and some boats. the king prepared himself , but to no purpose ; for the cannon playing , there was great distraction and confusion . he hanged thirty moors at the yard arms ; then cutting off their heads hands and feet , threw them into the sea to be cast upon the shoar by the tide , warning them it was but a merciful death to what he designed for the murderers of the portugueses . next , the ship taken was fired , and then he sailed , leaving that prince and city in a consternation . . the king of cananor , through fear , granted all he had denied to entreaties . and the admiral arriving at cochin , and having seen the king , perceived it was true ( as he had been informed ) that those three kings had combined to make him winter there by fraud , hoping thereby to destroy him , finding a fleet of sail they had fitted out for that purpose was utterly lost by storms . at length peace and amity was concluded with the king of cochin , which proved not only advantagious then , but afterwards durable . don vasco among other presents , gave him a crown of gold ; and he besides many other things of value , sent the king a stone of great worth , as being a sovereign antidote against all poyson . this stone of the bigness of a hazle nut , is found in the head of that creature the indians call bulgodalf . the king of cananor understanding the good correspondence there was between vasco de gama and him of cochin , and fearing our fleet would not return to his port , declared he was as ready to comply with the admiral as the other , and received a satisfactory answer . here don vasco received embassadors , who said they came from some christian inhabitants of that neighbouring country , the metropolis whereof was cranganor , and they to the number of : that st. thomas had preached to their forefathers ; that they were subject to the patriarch of armenia ; that they were infested by the pagans ; that they knew he was an officer of the most catholick king of europe , to whom they submitted themselves , delivering into his hands the rod of justice . this rod was red , about the length of a scepter , the ends tipt with silver , with three bells at the top . they were dispatched with hopes of a powerful assistance . . whilst the ships were lading at cochin , a bramen of note , with his son and nephew , offered himself to don vasco , signifying a desire of coming to portugal to be instructed in the faith , and proposing methods of reconciliation with the king of calicut . he found credit , because his son and nephew were to remain as hostages ; and the admiral sailed for calicut in a great ship , accompanied by only one caravel , hoping to meet vincent sodre , who was gon to set the embassadors ashore . but he being attacked by the moors , though he worsted them , was gone to cananor . the bremen was landed , and carrying several messages back and forward , gave time for fitting paros or great boats , which suddenly one morning hemmed in the admiral so boldly , that many offered to board him with fireworks to burn the ship. it began to take fire , when cutting the cable she put off the fireship , and the boats to avoid it were discovered , but much more by our cannon , which being at good distance took effect . sodre receiving advice by the caravel the admiral had sent , when first he missed him , came in good season , and all together charged the enemy in such manner , they were put to flight with great loss . the hostages were hanged at the yard arms in sight of the city , and then put into a boat with a letter for the king , desiring him to accept of that present in return for his messengers contrivance . the admiral returned to cochin , and being dispatched , left there in a wooden house built for that purpose with the king's leave , a factor and portugueses . then sailed with his ten ships for cananor ; not far from pandarane there met him twenty nine of the king of calicut . he sent out three vessels to engage the two foremost of the enemies , which was performed with such vigour , that when the admiral came up , the two were taken , the rest fled , moors killed . the booty was considerable , the chief thing an idol of gold , weighing pound , of monstrous shape , his eyes were two emrauds , on his breast was a very large ruby , and part of him covered with a cloak of gold set with jewels . sodre was left there to guard the coast and factories ; the admiral continued his voyage . he arrived at lisbon with nine ships richly laden , and with publick pomp carried the tribute he with much honour had received of quiloa , whereof the king ordered to be made a custodium of gold for the church of our lady of bethlehem , and gave all his share of such prizes as should be taken , to the use of that structure . chap. vii . conquests under king emanuel , from the year , till the year . . the king of calicut envying the advantage he of cochin made of our trade , got together men at patane leagues from cochin , with other preparations for war. the people of cochin fearing that power , were for delivering up the portugueses to him of calicut , who demanded nothing more . but triumpara , king of cochin , refused , and went out with three nephews , and small force to meet the enemy . at the first charge he was forsaken by some of his nobles , yet assisted by the portugueses , valiantly maintained a pass , till his nephews being killed , whereof one was general , he was forced to fly and secure himself in the island vaipi , near to and more tenable than cochin , which was burnt ; and he persisted in not delivering up the portugueses ; a notable example of fidelity in a heathen , scarce to be parallel'd among christians . . whilst the people of cochin were beseiged in the island , there sailed from lisbon nine ships under three distinct commanders . the first was alfonso de alburquerque , the second francis de alburquerque , and the third antony de saldanna . the three last were to cruise in the mouth of the red sea against the ships of meca ; the others to return with their lading . francis de alburquerque arrived first with more ships than he brought out , having met with those of vincent sodre , who was cruising upon the indian coast and distressed by storm ; as also a vessel that had been separated from d. vasco de gama . sodre had taken four ships of calicut , which he carried to cananor , and burnt several small vessels ; but this hapned before the invasion of cochin , to whose king he had offered his assistance , but was not admitted ; and sailing thence touched at zocotora and guardafu , and on the coast of arabia took some vessels of cambaya and calicut . winter coming on he took shelter in a bay near the islands curiamuria , and found the moors of that coast called baduiis , who live by their cattle , were tractable ; and after two months they advised sodre to seek a better harbour , because about that time there arose such storms in that place that he would be lost . he would not credit them , believing they said it only to be rid of him , but sound they spoke truth , being lost with his brother , and all the men in a sudden tempest , the other vessels with great danger , and suffering much through hunger and thirst escaped , met francis de alburquerque , and arrived with him at cochin . the commander sent the king a present into the island , part whereof was ducats in mony. then going ashoar the king ran and embraced him , crying , portugal , portugal ; and all the people with great cries repeat portugal , portugal ; and the portugueses to return the civility , cried cochin , cochin . the commander comforted the king , giving him assured hopes in the assistance of his ships and the others he expected . not to lose time , he fell upon those who held the island of cochin for the king of calicut , and killing many expelled the remainder ; then passed to vaipi , restoring that country to its lawful prince . the lord of repelim his lands were wasted with fire and sword , and only four portugueses lost in this action . the joy triumpara conceived in being restored by our assistance , moved him to grant us leave to build a fort in cochin . the work was begun when alfonso de albuquerque arrived , and it was called the fort of st. iames , and a church then built , dedicated to st. bartholomew . men were put aboard some vessels taken from the enemy , who burnt repelim after a stout defence made by nayres . alfonso de albuquerque ambitious of performing some notable exploit by himself , advanced against a town , when a multitude of expert heathens issuing , brought him into great danger , and the more by the assistance of thirty three vessels of calicut ; but francis his brother coming up , they were put to flight , and many killed , as were in the island cabalam , where they thought to secure themselves . duarte pacheco destroyed another town , killing many of the inhabitants . as our men sailed ( though victorious ) spent with fatigue , fifty ships of calicut met them , the number surprized them , but our cannon being well played , the enemy fled . antonio do campo carried the news of this success to portugal . . pepper was bought with some expence of blood . the queen of coulam offered lading for two ships , alburquerque went thither , and setled a trade as in cochin ; and to manage it left there a factor and twenty six men . the king of calicut perceiving our success , desired peace , it was granted upon our conditions , some being put in execution , he put a stop to the rest . he loved the conveniency , but hated the means , and again prosecuted the war. the king of cochin representing how just he had been to us , desired some able commander might be left there with a number of men to his assistance . the demand was reasonable , it was therefore resolved that duarte pacheco with his ship and two caravels , and men should be left there . alfonso and francis de alburquerque returned towards home . the first arrived safe , and among other things brought the king forty pound of pearls , and four hundred of the small ; a diamond of wonderful bigness , and two horses , one a persian the other an arab , which were held in great esteem , being the first that were brought to the kingdom . francis de alburquerque , and the ships under his command were never more heard of peter de ataide , who followed them , having escaped a storm , was found with his men at melinde . . antony de saldanna , the last of the three commanders , and who was sent to cruise in the mouth of the red sea , having lost diego fernandez pete●…a came to an anchor at st. thomas . short of the cape of good hope was made famous a place by the name of aguada del saldanna , or saldannas watering place , not for any water he took , but the blood of his men shed there , endeavouring to land . at this time a storm had parted from him ruy lorenço , driving him up to mozambique , whence he held his course to quiloa , where he took some small prizes . an ambition of doing something more remarkable , carried him to the island zanzibar , leagues short of monbaça , where he took twenty small vessels . then he appeared before the town of that name . the king of it designed to take the ship with a number of paraos , or boats ; but our long boat going out with thirty men , killed several , and took four paraos . the king appeared on the shoar with men commanded by his son , who was killed with some others by the first volley . their loss produced our safety , for one of them running from their croud , with colours bearing the arms of portugal , peace was concluded , that king agreeing to pay meticales of gold yearly , as tributary to portugal . thence he visited melinde , whose king was oppressed by him of monbaça , for his friendship to us . this obliged ruy lorenço to stand in ; by the way he took two ships and three zambucos , small vessels , and in them twelve magistrates of the city brava , who , as such , submitted that city to portugal , with the yearly tribute of meticales . the two kings came to a battle , and parted upon equal terms . now came antony de saldanna , whereupon he of monbaça came to an agreement . beyond cape guardafu , and in the islands canacani they worsted some moors who would hinder their watering : on the upper coast of arabia they burnt a ship laden with frankincense , and forced ashoar another that carried pilgrims to meca . but whilst they sail to india , let us see what is doing at cochin . . zamori of calicut called ●…gether the kings and lords of malabar , and there resorted to him those of tanor , bespur , cotugan and corin , and ten lords of equal power , besides the lesser . they drew together men , as well for land as sea ; for the sea were men in paraos , caturs , and tonees , vessels of several sorts , with cannons to batter the new fort ; all the rest was for the land to attack the ford of a river that passed to the island ; these were commanded by naubea d●…ring , nephew and heir to him of calicut , and by elancol , lord of repelim . the king of cochin was in fear , seeing many of his subjects desert , but duarto pacheco , who commanded the portugueses , encouraged him . pacheco put himself into a posture of defence . into the ship he put men , into the fort , into the caravel , into a boat , he was in another with ; besides these , malabars attended him ; the king with his forces was to guard the city . thus he went to meet zamori , and finding him quartered in a village , attacked it , and did much harm . there hapned three fierce ingagement●… about gaining the pass ; in the first the enemy lost paraos sunk by the cannon , and persons of note , above private men . in the second paraos and men . in the third paraos , and fled , and men by land , and among them zamori ; pacheco pursuing , burnt four towns. . the moors that were with the king of cochin ●…ve intelligence to the enemy . the king gave pacheco leave to punish them . he took five , secured them , and gave out they were hanged , which the king and all his people rese●…ed . zamori returns and attempts another ford. iames perez and peter raphael with two caravels and some boats were posted , where the lord of repelim was to attack with men , sustained by the prince naubeadarim with his men . at this time moors deserted pacheco ; he wanted powder , and the prince of cochin , to whom he sent for it , did not relieve him , for the messenger treacherously forbore delivering the message . but pacheco overcoming all difficulties , killed of zamori's men , who retired to a grove of palm-trees , where nine of his men were killed so near him by a cannon ball , that he was sprinkled with their blood. after this he lost men by the plague . . great were the preparations the king of calicut made , and the mean time fatigued pacheco with several stratagems and treacheries . the bramen conjurers proposed the making a powder , which being thrown in our mens eyes , would blind them , and so they would be easily overcome ; besides they had a new invention of castles that were to destroy them ; and the moors of cochin were underhand bribed to poyson the water of the island . the powder was looked upon as ridiculous , but great care was taken by pacheco to prevent the poyson . the castles began to appear , and were eight in number , fifteen foot high , and placed upon two boats each , and carried many men . pacheco had a men divided into four parts , the foord , the fort , the caravels and the ship , and herein consisted the principal strength of the kingdom of cochin ; for of the men the king had at first , there were now but left , many of the principal men having deserted . zamori had brought men , and lost . whilst the towers were preparing pacheco was attacked by a number of paraos , in one attack he killed some men , and took five boats ; in another eight with thirteen cannons . six bold nayres offered to kill him , and in order thereto came over as deserters , but he having intelligence , apprehended and sent them to the king. zamori gave out that the portugueses at cochin were all killed , to the intent those who resided at cananor and coulam should be destroyed ; they were in great danger , one or two killed , and many wounded . the king of cochin , though he saw the great danger that threatned him , was resolved to endure the utmost miseries , rather than abandon the portugueses , but feared those few must at last be overpowred by the multitude of the enemy , and the danger of those brave men grieved him more than his own ; he therefore most earnestly entreated pacheco to quit that enterprize , and save himself and men for some opportunity wherein he might do his prince greater service . but pacheco bid the king be of good courage , and not dishearten his subjects with any signs of fear , but exhort them to stand firm , and thereby they should overcome all difficulties . and fearing lest some portugueses , by his example , might faulter in his resolution of dying or conquering , he went aboad the ship , and made to them a most learned , copious and resolute speech , which gave new vigour to them all ; but much more his speedy orders , and couragious activity shewn at that very time ; for scarce was the speech ended , when the enemy came to assail him ; the enemies design was to burn our ships , and therefore those castles were drove towards them , all the front flaming . but pacheco who perceived their intent , threw over long beams , one end whereof resting against the ship , the other hindred the approach of those burning castles . . the enemy appeared with small vessels , well stored with men and artillery , and eight castles , one carrying men , two each , and every one of the other five men , before all came the fireworks . the shoar was covered by men , with good artillery ; at the head of them the lord of repelim , with a vast number of pioneers . the fight began , the odds being almost vessels to three . at first the artillery wrought no effect , but being continued tore those towers , and the smoak being somewhat allayed , the sea appeared covered with broken boats , arms , dead bodies , and others strugling with death ; the fight was renewed with great loss to the enemy , and not one portugues killed . next day zamori returned , and was beaten off with greater damage , having lost men in the space of five months that this service lasted . the king by the advice of his bramens , retired to do pennance , and by consent of his councel desired a peace , which the king of cochin granted . at this time pacheco received a message from the factor at coulam , desiring he would come to assist him against five ships of moors who obstructed his market of pepper . pacheco went with all speed , and they submitting , he took the pepper at their own rate , without doing them any harm . he hindred others from coming into that harbour , and returned to cochin with the glory of having struck a general terror through all that coast. . king emanuel being informed by d. vasco de gama , how necessary it was to appear with a greater force in india , fitted out a fleet of ships , the biggest had yet been built in portugal , and gave the command of them to lope soarez , and in them men . the first land of india he touched at was anchediva , where antony de saldanna and ruy lorenco were refitting , in order to cruise on the coast of cambaya upon the moors of meca . but lope soarez took them along with him to cananor , where he staid to give the necessary orders , and then appearing before calicut , had some prisoners , who were taken in the late war , delivered to him ; but because they did not give up all , he battered the city two days , wherein he ruined great part of it , and killed inhabitants , and then sailed to cochin at the time that pacheco was upon his return from coulam . the king informed him of the damage he received from cranganor , a town but leagues distant , and fortified by zamori . . lope soarez with great secrecy provided vessels , and sailed with them up the river , where he found ships and paraos well manned ; which two ships of ours who had the vanguard , burnt after a sharp engagement . then he sailed on , the prince of cochin was to join him , but came late . a multitude of indians and moors covered the shoar , who with showers of arrows endeavoured to hinder our landing , but our musquetiers made way , and having reached the town , it was burnt down to the ground , and the prince of calicut who was to have guarded it , fled . this victory and another obtained by the king of tanor against that prince , wherein lope soarez was to assist him , though the succour came late , produced a friendly peace with that king. . lope soarez left manuel tellez barreto with four sail to secure the fort of cochin , and set sail in order to return home , with design first to fall upon banane , a town subject to calicut . he was met by twenty paraos , who freely bestowed their shot , drawing him into a bay , where were seventeen great ships well-stored with cannon , and with men . the ships were all burnt with their lading , which was very rich , and turks drowned , besides what perished by fire and sword ; this victory cost twenty three men . it was the beginning of ianuary , when lope soarez sailed hence , and he arrived at lisbon on the d of iuly with thirteen victorious ships laden with riches ; three were of the foregoing years fleet ; of his own he lost peter mendoza , who being st●…nded leagues from aguada de s. bras was never more heard of . one of the other three was that of diego fernandez peteyra , who after taking several prizes , on the coast of melinde , discovered the island zocotora . the king placed duarte pacheco ( who had so bravely defended cochin ) by his side under a canopy , and went with him in that manner to church , to honour his great valour . but soon after imprisoned , and suffered him to die miserably : a terrible example of the uncertainty of royal favours , and the little regard that is had to true merit . chap. viii . conquests under king emanuel , from the year , and beginning of the government of don francisco de almeyda , first governour and viceroy of india , till the year . . before these discoveries , the spice was brought to europe with vast trouble and charge . the clove of malucco , the nutmeg and mace of banda , the sandal of timor , the camfir of borneo , the gold and silver of luconia , and all the other riches , spices , gums , perfumes , and curiosities of china , iava , siam , and other kingdoms were carried to the market of the city malaca , seated in the golden chersonesus , whence the inhabitants of all the western countries as far as the red sea , brought them , dealing by way of barter ; for no mony was used , silver and gold being of less value there , than with them that traded thither . this trade it was enriched the cities of calicut , cambaya , ormuz and aden adding to what they brought from malaca , the rubies of pegu , the stuffs of bengala , the pearls of calicare , the diamonds of narsinga , the cinnamon and richer rubies of ceylon , the pepper , ginger and other spice of the coast of malabar , and other places nature had enriched therewith . from ormuz they were brought to europe up the persian gulph to bacora at the mouth of euphrates , and thence distributed in caravans through armenia , trebisond , tartary , aleppo and damascus , and then at the port of barut upon the mediterranean , the venetians , genoese and catalonians laded with them to their respective countries . such as came up the red sea were landed at toro or sues , towns at the bottom of that streight , thence went in caravans to grand cayre , so down the nile to alexandria , and thence shipped off . many princes , and particularly the soldan of cayre , being great losers by this new way found by the portugueses , they endeavoured to drive them out of india . . the soldan endeavoured to work his ends by a wile , and therefore gave out , that he was going to destroy the temple and holy places of ierusalem . father maurus of mount sinai , fearing the execution , offered to go to rome to the pope to procure an accommodation . the soldan , who desired nothing more , gave him a letter to the pope , signifying that his reasons for destroying those places , were in revenge of the damage done to his trade . the pope sent the same father maurus to portugal . but the purport of his message being already known before his arrival , the king made such preparations , that he returned with admiration , carrying more from portugal to relate at cayre , than he brought thence to recount here . however the king gave considerable alms for the convent , and answered the pope , shewing that his intentions in those eastern discoveries tended to the propagation of the faith , and extending the jurisdiction of the see of rome . . on the th of march sailed from lisbon a fleet of twenty two ships , eleven of them were to return with merchandise , and eleven to remain in india ; they carried fighting men , and were commanded by don franciso de almeyda , who went to govern in india with the title of viceroy , and gave great demonstrations of his prudence and courage . the second of iuly hapned a terrible storm , which tearing to pieces the sails of diego correas ship , carried three men overboard ; two were lost , the third cried from the water they should have an eye after him , for he would keep above water till the next morning , and the next morning the storm ceasing , they took him up , his name was fernando lorenço . don francisco de almeyda arrived at quiloa with only eight vessels , the others were separated by stress of weather , and one lost , but the men saved . he entred that port and saluted as usual , but was not answered , whereupon he complained to the king. he at first framed excuses , and avoided coming to a conference , though don francisco attended in the place appointed , which set him upon studying revenge . after a council held , it was resolved to erect a fort in that place , as was desired by king emanuel . having promised some description of all such places as we took possession of , it will be fit to insert here that of the country , city and fort of quiloa . . from cape guardafu , the most western point of africk , to mocambique are leagues , a hollow coast like a bow when bent . from cape mozambique to cape corrientes leagues ; thence to the cape of good hope leagues ; hence the coast runs bowing to the westward as far as the borders of the kingdom of congo ; but by reason of its great length , appears to the eye to run strait to the northward . drawing a line from the southern borders of congo cross the continent eastward , there remains to the southward that great portion of africk , to which the barbarous inhabitants have given no name , but was called by the persians caffaria , and the inhabitants cafres , which signifies a rude people , without law or government ; and our late geographers call it ethiopia inferior . above this on the east , runs for above leagues that coast which we call . zanguebar ; but the arabians and persians give this name to all the coast as far as the cape of good hope . above zanguebar as far as point guardafu , and mouth of the red sea , is that which the arabs call aiam , or aiana , inhabited by the same arabs , and the inland by heathen blacks . most of this coast is very low , and subject to inundations , covered with impenetrable woods , which made it excessive hot and unhealthy . the natives are black , of curled hair , idolaters , so gi-given to superstition , that upon frivolous motives they give over the most important designs , as it hapned to the king of quiloa at this time ; who because a black cat crossed him at his coming out , failed of meeting don francisco de almeyda . the cattle , fruit and grain is answerable to the wildness of the country . the moors who inhabit the coast and adjacent islands , are little given to tilling , and feed upon wild beasts , and some loathsom things ; those who live in the inland , and have commerce with the barbarous cafres , make use of some milk. nature has stored the country with much gold , that those people might inhabit it , and our covetousness , though at such distance , find them out . it was covetousness that first drew thither the arabs , called emozaydii , that is , subjects of zayde , who built two considerable towns , only sufficient to secure them against the cafres . these continued so , till great numbers of other arabs , who were neighbourers of the city laçab , leagues from the island baharem in the persian gulph , came over thither , whose first plantation was magadoxa , and after brava ; the former became the metropolis . the first arabs separated from these , and mixing with the cafres , were called baduiis . the first that had the trade of the mine of zofala , were those of magadoxa , who discovered it accidentally . thence they spread themselves , but never durst pass cape corrientes , a point opposite to the westermost part of the island madagascar or st. laurence , and takes its name from the violent current of water which often endangers ships there . but along these coasts they possessed themselves of quiloa , monbaça , melinde , the isles of pemba , zanzibar , monfia , comoro , and others . quiloa was the chief of all their plantations , and thence many were spread , particularly on the coast of madagascar . the sea by degrees wearing away both sides , made quiloa an island . it bears many palm and thorn-trees , and divers herbs and plants ; cattle , wild beasts , and birds , much after the same manner as spain ; the buildings also after our manner , flat at the top , with gardens and orchards behind . on one side is the royal palace , built in the manner of a fort ; the gate to the sea opposite to the anchoring place , where ours at that time were . . don francisco de almeyda , having resolved to land , was the first that touched the shoar with men . he and his son laurence at the same time attacked the city in two places . our men had enough to do to cover themselves with their shields from the showers of arrows that flew , yet they advanced ; but finding the greatest damage they received was from the tops of the houses , they entred and gained some of them , and thereby so much advantage , that the king fled , and set up in the field portugues colours , which stopt the current of the conquerors , till he had got over to the continent with his wives and riches . the city was plundered , and not one man lost in this action , though a considerable number of the enemies was killed . . mir abraham now overcome , was but an usurper , but the th possessor of that island , of which number many were tyrants like him . a kinsman of this abraham , called mahomet anconii had been very faithful and serviceable to the portugueses ; to requite him don francisco ordered when the city was plundered , that nothing appertaining to him should be touched . and after all was setled , sent for , and declared him king of that place , putting a crown of gold upon his head with much pomp and ceremony . it was a wonderful act of moderation in this barbarian , that as soon as the crown was on his head , he declared , that had the lawful king alfudail , murdered by the late usurper , been living , he would have resigned that crown to him , but since he could not do it , he desired the son of the said alfudail might be sworn hereditary prince , though he himself had children for whom he might covet that inheritance . this example in a heathen might confound the inhuman insolence and barbarity in christians ( at least those who pretend to the name ) who wade through seas of blood , ●…end the most sacred bonds of consanguinity and alliance ; spoil provinces , oppress the good , exalt the wicked , make honesty , treason ; and perjury , duty ; and religion , a property to work their ambitious cursed ends , to wit , to snatch scepters and crowns from the hands and heads where the eternal providence has most worthily placed them . . all things being again setled , don francisco in twenty days raised a fort , the gentlemen , captains and he himself working at it . he put into it men , and left a caravel and a brigantine to cruise there . the th of august he set sail for mombaça , and arrived there with sail. the city mombaça is seated in an island , which is about leagues in circumference ; it is beautiful and strong ; before it is a large bay capable of many ships . before he entred , two vessels were sent to sound the bar , which is commanded by a platform with eight pieces of cannon , which began to play upon them that were fadoming , but they repaid the courtesie so fortunately , that a ball falling among the enemies powder did great harm , and they quitted the work. the like success was against two lesser works , so that our fleet entred without further resistance . don francisco was told the king was prepared , and had hired archers of the cafres besides his own men . he sent a message to him , but was not hearkned to , and only answered , that the moors of mombaça were not to be frighted with the noise of cannon , like those of quiloa . don francisco enraged that some men had been wounded , attempting to burn the ships of cambaya in the port , without succeeding , landed his men and marched to the city . . he entred the town the th of august , and drove the enemy out at the other end , and among them the king , whose pallace he had possessed himself of , and planted thereon a cross , and here received the news of the victory at sea , the ships having been burnt as he ordered . in this action were lost five portugueses ; of the moors killed , and taken , whereof he kept but , discharging the rest , the ships being heavy with plunder ; after which the city was burnt to the ground . some of the ships which had been separated by the storm , joyned the fleet here . don francisco dispatched two before him to carry the news of what he had done , and the necessary orders till he came . he set out for india with ships , and anchored in the bay called angra de santa elena , where he found iohn homem , captain of a caravel , who having been distressed by weather had discovered some islands , and met some of the ships that had lost the fleet. sailing thence , the first port of india where he touched , was anchediva . . anchediva ( as was said before ) is the chiefest of five islands , where the king had ordered a fort to be built , which was now put in execution . hither the king of onor sent embassadors to don francisco with presents . hither came to meet him considerable men , though merchants , assuring him of the good affection of their prince to the portugueses . hither the neighbouring moors of cincatora brought gifts to him . all was the effects of fear , produced by the fame of his actions . he was informed there was not far from him a fort , strong by nature as well as art , built by the prince sabago , and garrisoned with men , being seated on the banks of the river aliga and borders of onor ; he sent his son don lorenço on pretence of a friendly visit to take a view of it , which he effected , remaining there some days . . the fort being finished , he put a captain and men into it , leaving a galeon and two brigantines to cruise there , and then sailed to the port of onor . he was ill received , and resolved to shew himself as terrible there as he had done at mombaça and quiloa . the inhabitants perceiving it , amused him with excuses till they had secured their wives , children and goods in a neighbouring mountain , and then appeared with shouts and motions , endeavouring to terrifie rather than seem fearful . don francisco marched by land , and sent his son with men in boats to burn some ships ; and though innumerable arrows flew , and don francisco was wounded with one , the town and ships were fired at the same time . the wind being in our mens faces , the smoak of the fire did them much harm ; but don lorenço taking a compass avoided it , and fell upon of the enemy . the confusion was great on both sides , but more on ours , our men beginning to give ground , till don francisco coming up , they took heart and drove the enemy to the mountain . timoja governour of the city , and owner of some of the ships that were burnt , and a man of graceful presence , with discreet words appeased don francisco , and stopt the ensuing ruin . he excused his king , and in his name offered vassalage to portugal . this done don francisco sailed to cananor . chap. ix . conquests under king emanuel in the year , and government of the viceroy don francisco de almeyda . . because the government of don francisco de almeyda was the foundation of our security and conquests in india , it will be necessary here to say some things of its ports and chief places along the sea coasts . asia is divided from europe by the river don or tanais , and the euxine or black sea , and streights of the dardanels . from africk by the red sea , and a line drawn from suez , the utmost port thereof , to the mediterranean , cross that narrow neck of land which joyns these two parts of the world , and is leagues in length . the different religions there practised , may be reduced to four principal ones , the christian , the mahometan , the pagan and the jewish . that part of asia which makes most to our purpose , may be divided into nine parts , as it runs along the coast. the first beginning to the westward , commences at the mouth of the red sea in d. m. of north latitude , and reaches to the gulf of persia. from the mouth of the red sea to the city aden is leagues , thence to cape fortaque in d. m. latitude leagues , with these towns abian , ax , canacan , brun , argel , zehel the metropolis , herit , cayem , fartach . hence to curia muria leagues , in which are the city dolfor , famous for frankincense , and leagues beyond it , norbate . from curia muria to cape ra●… alegate in d. latitude leagues , all barren and desert . here begins the kingdom of ormus , and hence to cape mozandan are leagues , with these cities colagate , curiate , mascate , soar , calata , orfacam , doba and lima , leagues from monbazam , which ptolomy calls cape assaborum , in degrees of north latitude . all this tract the arabs call ayaman , and we arabia felix , because the most fruitful and best inhabited of all arabia . the second division contains leagues , from cape iaques to the mouth of indus is called chirman , divided into the two kingdoms , macran and madel , with these towns , guadel , calara , tibique , calamate , goadel and diul , this coast is barren and much of it desert , because of the shoal water . the third contains leagues , from diul to cape iaquete , thence to dio in the kingdom guzarata , with these towns , cotinna , mangalor , chervar , patan and corinar ; from dio to cambaya leagues , and these towns , madrafavat , moha , talica , goda and gundin . between cambaya and iaquete is included a part of the kingdom of guzarata , and the mountain country of the resboutos . the fourth contains leagues , and is the most pretious part of india , and most frequented by the portugueses . this division is subdivided into three parts by two rivers that run from east to west . the first separates the kingdom of decan from that of guzarat , which lies north of it ; the second parts decan from canara on the south . there are other rivers which all have their springs in the mountain gate . the chief of all those rivers is called ganga , or guenga , and falls into the sea near the mouth of ganges , between the cities angali and pisolta , in about degrees of latitude . the river bate has his springs in the mount gate , and falls into the sea by bombaim , parting the kingdoms of guzarata and decan . from the city cambaya to the mouth of this river are leagues . from chaul south of it , to the river aliga , the southern extent of decan leagues , with these towns , bandor , dabul , debetele , cintapori , coropatan , banda , chapora and goa , our metropolis and archiepiscopal see in india . the third district begins where canara parts from decan , and ends in cape comori , and contains above leagues . from this river to mount delli is about leagues , with these towns , onor , baticale , barcalor , baranor , and others of the province canara , subject to the king of bisnaga . below this to cape comori are leagues , and is called malabar , divided into three kingdoms which own no superior . the kingdom of cananor has leagues of the coast , in which are these towns , cota , coulam , nilichilam , marabia , ●…olepatam , cananor , the metropolis , in the latitude of degrees , tremapatan , cheba , maim and purepatan . here begins the kingdom of calicut , and runs leagues , and has these towns , calicut the metropolis in about degrees minutes of latitude , coulete , chale , parangale and tanor , the head of a kingdom , subject to the zamori or emperour of calicut , and chatua the last bound of this empire . next is the little kingdom of cranganor , which borders on that of cochin , then that of coulan , and lastly travancor , subject to narsinga . near travancor is the famous cape comori , the southermost inland of this province of indostan or india , within ganges , and degrees and half of north latitude , where ends the coast of malabar , and the fourth of the nine districts i now divide the coast of asia into . from cape comori in the west , to cape cincapura in the east , which is the southermost land of the aurea chersonesus , or malaca , are leagues ; and within this interval is contained the great bay of bengala , called by some sinus gangeticus , because the river ganges , after watering the country of bengala , falls into this bay about the latitude of degrees . this river is wonderful for the abundance of water it carries , and esteemed holy by the neighbouring people , who imagining it conduces to their salvation when given over , are carried and die with their feet in its water , which brings the king a great revenue , for none must wash there without paying a certain duty . though this river has many mouths , the two most remarkable are called satigan to the west , and chatigan to the east , near leagues distant from each other ; and here will end the fifth of the nine districts . this may be subdivided into three parts , the first the kingdom of bisnaga contains leagues , and these towns , tarancurii , manapar , vaipar , trechendur , caligrande , charcacale , tucucurii , benbar , calicare , beadala , manancort and cannameira , whence takes name that cape that stretches out there in degrees of north latitude ; then negapatan , hahor , triminapatan , tragambar , trimenava , colororam , puducheira , calapate , connumeira , sadrapatan and meliapor , now called st. thomas , because that apostles body was found there . from st. thomas to palicata are leagues , then go on chiricole , aremogan , caleturo , caleciro , pentipolii , where ends the kingdom of bisnagur , and begins that of orixa , the second part of this district , and contains about leagues to cape palmeiras , with these towns , penacote , calingan , vizipatan , bimilepatan , narsingapatan , puacatan , caregare and others . here begins the third part , which is the kingdom of bengala , and extends above leagues . the sixth district of the nine begins at the east mouth of ganges or chatigan , and ends at cape cincapura , in little more than one degree of north latitude . this coast contains about leagues to cape negraes , in the latitude of degrees leagues , and these towns , sore , satatolu , arracam , metropolis of the kingdom so called , and dunadiva upon the point . hence to tavay in the latitude of degrees leagues . this is the bounds of the kingdom of pegu. from tavay to cincapura , the chief towns along this coast are martaban , lugor , tanacerin , lungar , pedam , queda , solongor and malaca , head of the kingdom . at cincapura begins the seventh district , and ends at the great river of siam , which falls into the sea in the latitude of degrees , and has its rise in the lake chiammay , called by the natives menam , that is , source of waters ; upon this coast are the towns pam , ponciam , calantaon , patane , ligor , cuii , perperii , and bamplacot on the mouth of the river . the eighth district contains these kingdoms , that of cambodia , through which runs the river mecon , whose springs are in china ; that of champa or tsiompa , whence comes the true aloes ; on this borders the kingdom of cochinchina ; then that of china , divided into fifteen provinces or governments , each of which is a great kingdom ; those on the sea are quantung , fokien , chekiang , where ends the eighth district . the ninth begins with the province nanking and continues that of xantung and pecheli , running to the farthest discovered land of the coast of tartary . i shall speak of the islands that lie along this tract as they are discovered , but the names of the chief are these , the maldivy islands , ceylon , sumatra , iava , borneo , banda , timori , celebes , the moluccoes , mindanao , luconia and iapan . thus much of the coast of asia ; let us now see by whom inhabited , and what it produces . . though there be many , and very different manners of worship in asia , as well as sundry nations ; the chief religions there may be reduced to these four heads , the christian , jewish , mahometan and gentile . the first two , for the most part , under the slavery of the latter . with the two latter the portugues waged war ; their power is thus divided . all that tract from the river cintacora , opposite to anchediva towards the north and west , is subject to mahometans , thence eastward , to pagans , except the kingdom of malaca , part of sumatra , and some parts of iava and the molucco islands , held by the moors . in that tract which is governed by these , are the following sovereign princes . the kings of aden , xael and fartaque , who have many ports of great trade , and their subjects , the arabs , are couragious and warlike . next the king of ormuz , greater than the other three together ; and then he of cambaya , equal to xerxes , darius , or porus in grandeur and warlike power . from chaul to cin●…atora belonged to nizamaluco and hidalcan , two powerful princes , not inferiour to great kings , who maintained great armies composed of sundry warlike nations well armed . the moors of sumatra , malaca , and the moluccoes were well disciplin'd , and much better stor'd with artillery than we that attacked them . the heathens were the kings of bisnagar , orixa , bengala , pegu , siam and china , all ( but chiefly the last ) so powerful , it is not to be expressed , and if related scarce credible . siam extends above leagues , and has seven kingdoms subject , which are cambodia , como , lanchaam , cheneray , chencran , chiamay , camburii and chaypumo . the king has elephants , whereof he carries out armed to war , and men only of the city udia , metropolis of his empire . the king of china alone in extent exceeds them all , and all the princes of europe put together . china is above leagues in length , it has abundance of all sorts of metals , and exceeds europe in manufactures ; some of their works seem beyond human wit ; the silks , provisions and pleasures wherewith it abounds , are beyond computation . . all the heathens of india , chiefly between indus and ganges , write upon palm leaves ( without ink ) with wooden or steel pens , which easily cut the letters on the leaf , whereof i have seen some in rome curiously folded ; what they design should be lasting , they carve on stone or copper ; they begin on the left hand ; their histories are fabulous . years before the arrival of the portugueses in india , there was a king so powerful in malabar , that the people began their era or computation of time from his reign , as they did afterwards from our arrival . he was persuaded by the moors that traded in his ports , to turn mahometan , and gave them leave to build calicut . being old , he divided his kingdoms among his kindred . to the chief he gave that of coulan , where he placed the head see of the religion of the bramens , and called him cobritim , that is , the same as high priest ; to his nephew he gave calicut , with all the temporal dominion , calling him zamori , that is , the same with emperour . this last dignity continues in the same place , the other was translated to cochin . having disposed of his dominions , he resolved to die at meca , but was drowned by the way . calicut is a plain country , well watered , plentiful of pepper and ginger ; all other spice it has from its neighbours . the people are very superstitious , and do not suffer those of one trade or profession to marry into another , or put their children to learn . the nayres who are their nobles , if they chance to touch any of the commons , cleanse themselves by washing , as the samaritans and jews . the women of the nayres are common to them all , but chiefly the bramens , therefore know no father , nor is any bound to maintain them . they are most expert at their weapons , beginning to exercise them at the age of seven years . they use all the antient manners of augury and divination . . the viceroy , don francisco de almeyda , had an interview ashoar with the king of cananor , who brought with him men well armed . he acquainted him he came to reside some time in india , by reason of some troubles that were so inflamed with the zamori king of calicut . he asked leave to build a fort in the harbour , and it was granted . having begun it , he left there lorenço de brito to command with men , and two vessels to cruise upon the coast. being arrived at cochin , he received the news that the factor of coulan with all his men , were killed by the moors . he sent his son don lorenço with three ships and three caravels , with orders to procure lading , without taking notice of what had past , but in case of denial , to revenge the slaughter . the messenger was answered by a shower of arrows , and twenty four ships of calicut and other places prepared to receive ours . don lorenço after pouring in his shot liberally , burnt them all , only a few of the moors were saved by swimming . don lorenço then went to load in another port. . he returned to cochin , where his father , according to his instructions , was preparing to crown triumpara , that king , in recompence of the gallantry wherewith he had defended the portugueses against their enemies . but he being retired to follow a religious life , and his nephew nambead●…ra left successor , it was thought fit to bestow the same honour upon him . he was crowned with great solemnity with a crown of gold set with jewels , carried from portugal for that purpose . this was a security for that prince , and a terror to others ; six ships were now sent home richly laden . . king emanuel , to secure the trade of the gold of zofala , had caused a fort to be built at quiloa , another at moçambique , and a factory at melinde . after don francisco he sent out pedro de annaya with six ships to build a fort at zofala ; three of the ships were to go on to india , and return with lading , the other three to cruise on the coast of zofala . one of the captains fell overboard , and was lost ; another had men killed in an island where he landed . the others found don pedro de annaya in the port of zofala . he obtained leave of that king , and raised a fort , whereby the trade was secured , which that king never intended , imagining that the country being unhealthful , the portugueses would be obliged to quit it . here annaya found twenty portugueses in a miserable condition , after travelling with great hardships from cape corientes , where they were forced to run their ship ashoar , being no longer able to keep above water . their captain was lope sanchez , whom they would not obey ashoar , but dividing , travelled in several companies through those unknown countries . they were all lost except these twenty , and five found by antony de magallanes in the river quiloame , who brought them to zofala . chap. x. a continuation of the conquests the same year . and the government of the same viceroy don francisco de almeyda . . the kingdom of zofala is a large tract of land , of leagues circumference , subject to the monomotapa , that is emperour of that south part of africk , called by the same name , or ethiopia inferior ; it is watered by these two famous rivers , rio del espiritu santo , and cuama , the latter navigable leagues . these , and many other rivers that fall into them , have golden sands . most part of the land enjoys a temperate air , pleasant , wholsom and fruitful . in part it bears great flocks of sheep , of the skins whereof the natives are cloathed , because of the cold south winds . along the banks of cuama , the country is mountanous , covered with woods , and watered with many rivers , which make it delightful , and therefore the best peopled , and the common residence of the monomopata . it is abundantly stocked with elephants , and consequenty ivory , and mines of gold encompassed leagues about , with mountains , on the tops whereof the air is serene and clear . they are called the mines of manica leagues south-west of zofala , there are others leagues distant , none then much valued by their owners . here are some buildings of wonderful structure , with inscriptions of unknown characters , but the natives know nothing of their foundation . they believe in one god , under the name of mozima , and use no idols . witchcraft , theft and adultery are most severely punished by them . they have as many wives as they can maintain ; the kings are above , but the first commands the others , and her children inherit . in their funerals they are superstitious ; their cloathing cotton , the better sort mixed with some gold threads ; the houses of wood. the kings attendance is more ceremonious than great ; his guard dogs , and is always followed by jesters . he is sovereign over many princes , and because they rebel , always keeps their heirs about him . there are no law suits among them ; they fight a foot ; their arms are arrows , javelins or darts , daggers and small sharp hatchets . the women are so much respected , that if the king's son meets one , he gives her the way , and stops till she pass . . the moors of magadoxa were the first that possessed these mines of zofala ; after them , those of quiloa , whose kings were possessed thereof , till yçuf , one of their governours rebelled , and usurped the sovereignty to himself , with the title of king , and was the same with whom pedro de annaya now treated ; and in this place he built the fort so much desired by king emanuel , strong though of wood. the three trading ships sailed toward india , under the command of peter barreto . francisco de annaya was ordered by his father to secure the coast up to cape guardafu with two ships ; both vessels were lost , and the captains saved in their boats. . whilst the sea swallowed the guard of the coast , the moors studied the destruction of peter de annaya at zofala . the king's son-in-law persuaded him to get rid of them , at such time as they were so weak , through diseases contracted by the strange air , that they joined six of them to bend a cross-bow . the king laying hold of this opportunity , surrounds the place with cafres , and fills the ditch with faggots , then gives the assault , darkning the sun with showers of arrows ; but our cannon being well played made such havock , that they filled with their carcases the part of the ditch they had not levelled with wood. only portugueses , who were able to carry arms , did all this execution . afterwards peter de annaya sallied with or moors and drove the cafres first to a wood of palm-trees , and then to their dwellings , with such consternation , that they cried , out , the king of zofala bad called them to fight against god. peter de annaya with a few men attacks the town by night , and entring the king's house , he stood behind the door with a cimiter , and as annaya entred , wounded him in the neck , but was soon killed with many more . next day his sons with all the moors assaulted the fort , but in vain , for the fright cured many of the sick , who joyning in the common defence , the enemy was repulsed . the two brothers fell out about the succession to the crown , and solyman gaining annaya , was by him crowned ; and for his own security made a strong alliance with , and supported the portugueses . . whilst these things hapned at zofala , in india , the zamori of calicut had stirred up the soldan of cayre , and hoped with his assistance to drive us out of these seas ; this was not so private but the king of cochin had intelligence of it , and advertised the viceroy don francisco , who sent his son laurence with sail to prevent or put a stop to the design . as he visited some ports , news was brought him , that in the road of cananor was a fleet of paraos , whereof exceeded our ships in bulk . he directs his course towards them , and after a very sharp engagement they were put to flight , pursued , and some taken , but many sunk and obliged to run aground , with great loss to the enemy , and of his own only five or six men ; the chiefest part of the booty was four ships laden with spice . don lorenço had scarce time to breath after this victory , when he understood the fort of anchediva was beset by vessels of moors and gentiles well armed and resolute , commanded by a renegado . the besieged behaved themselves gallantly , and no less the besiegers ; but having lost some vessels tore by our cannon , and hearing of the relief don lorenço was about to bring , they went off with all possible speed . . the moors perceiving their trade was cut off by the portugueses , thought to shun them by keeping out at sea in their voyages to sumatra and malaca where they went for spice , striking through the maldivy islands , and bearing away south of ceylon . the viceroy sent his son from cochin with nine ships to infest that course . but the pilots wandring through unknown seas , discovered the island ceylon , formerly called trapobana . they anchored at the port gale , where many moors were lading cinnamon , and taking in elephants for cambaya . they fearful of don lorenço's anger , presented him in the name of the king with bahares of cinnamon . he well understood the contrivance , but thought it at that time better to dissemble and content himself with the present , and discovery of the island , planting there a cross , with an inscription , signifying his arrival there . in his return to cochin he fell upon the town of biramjam , which he burnt down , putting all to the sword , in revenge for the portugueses killed at coulan , because this town belonged to that crown . . cide barbudo and peter quaresma coming with two ships from portugal , after many misfortunes , arrived at zofala , where they found peter de annay , and most of his men w●…re dead , and the rest sick . quarisma remained there to relieve the fort , and barbudo sailing towards india , found quiloa in the same condition whereof he gave the viceroy an account . he sent with all speed nunno vaz pereyra to the relief of the fort , who having repaired it , and given necessary orders , went on to zofala . nevertheless the fort of quiloa was afterwards razed by the same hands that built it , after having cost many lives , all the effect of the ill usage of the portugueses towards the natives , proceeding from their unlimited pride and boundless avarice . end of the first part of the first tome . the portugues asia . tom . i. part ii. chap. i. conquests in india under king emanuel , from the year , till the year , the viceroy don francisco still governing , and entring upon the glorious exploits of the great alfonso de albuquerque , and the famous tristan de cunna . . the king had resolved to send tristan de cunna to command the trading ships , and alfonso de albuquerque to cruize on the coast of arabia , when iames fernandez piteyra discoverer of the island zocotora in the mouth of the red sea arrived . being by him informed there were christians there who were subject to the moors , he ordered the two commanders to direct their course thither , and endeavour to possess themselves of the fort , to the intent our fleets might afterwards winter there , and so the navigation of that gulf might be secured . they carried with them a wooden fort to be set up there , in case that which was there were not found serviceable . on the th of march they sailed from lisbon with vessels , and fighting-men , whereof some ( being infected , the plague at that time raging in the city ) died by the way . when they came under the line the sickness left them . they had a sight of cape st. augustin in brasil , and in crossing the vast ocean between that place and the cape of good hope , tristan de cuma run so far to the southward , that some of his men perished with cold , and discovered the islands still called by his name ; where being assaulted by a storm , all the ships were parted , each running a different course , till they met again at mozambique , except alvaro tellez , who at cape guardufu took ships so laden with all sorts of goods , that from them to his own vessel he made a bridge of bails thrown into the sea , over which the men passed as on dry land . ruy pereyra , who fell into matatanna , a port in the island madagascar ; being informed it abounded in spice , especially ginger , invited thither tristan de cunna . he came and anchored in a bay which nunno de cunna his son called de dona maria de cunna , a lady he courted ; others named it of the conception , so it retained the name of mary , either religious or profanely . some blacks appeared upon the coast ; he sent a moor to speak to them , but they hearing he spoke of christians , had killed him , had not our cannon from the ships forced them to retire . sailing three leagues farther , they fell upon a village on the bank of a river , where , among others , they took the lord of it , whom they call xeque . this man the next night carried our commander to another town in a close bay , which receives the great river lulangan . this was inhabited by moors , somewhat civilized , who fearful of our fleet , fled over to the firm land in boats so overladen , that many perished by the way . but our men encompassing the island , took prisoners , whereof only men , the rest women and children , among them their xeque or lord , a man of age and a respectful aspect . the morning discovered the sea thronged with boats with about armed men , who came to release the women and children . the portugues commander notified his designs to them , and they with very discreet words persuaded him to restore their people . he was satisfied to understand the island madagascar was peopled by cafres , most of them black , and produced little ginger , to the contrary of the account he had received . afterwards he would have entred the town they call zada , but it being an unseasonable hour , the people in a fury set fire to it , which raged so , that from the sea it appeared as if the whole mountain had burnt . . hence he sent alfonso de albuquerque with sail to moçambique , because he designed against some places on the coast of melinde , whilst he with ships went round to matatana , where was clove , ginger and silver . one of tristan's ships was lost , the pilot and only seven men saved , this forced him to steer for moçambique , but the wind carryed him to the island angoxa . at night he discovered the light of the ship st. iames , which he had left at moçambique , whither they both returned , and soon after arrived iohn de nova , who had wintered in angoxa , laden with pepper . hence he sailed after meeting alfonso de albuquerque , and sending him before to melinde . he met two other ships at quiloa , and went on to melinde . the king obliged him to fall upon oja , a city , that with the assistance of the king of monbaça infested him . the arabs inhabited this country , where are seen some antient and wonderful structures . each city , and almost village has a king whom they call ●…eque ; the chief are quiloa , zanzibar and monbaça ; but he of melinde pretends to be the antientest , deducing his pedegree from those of quita●… , a city leagues from him , though ruined , shews the footsteps of its former grandeur , having been superiour to all its neighbours , which are luziva , parimunda , lamon , iaca , oja , and others . the country is watered by the river gulimanja . george alfonso going up this river in the term of five days , saw on the banks impenetrable woods , and in the water an infinite number of sea-horses . tristan de cunna ( with seven ships less than he brought from portugal , whereof one lost , some were separated by storm , and others sent away ) appeared before the city oja , leagues from melinde , on an open shoar , secured with a wall , which hides it from the cafres towards the land. he sent word to the xeque he had important affairs to communicate with him . who answered , that he was a subject of the soldan of cayre , head calif of the house of mahomet , and therefore could not treat with people that were so much his enemies . tristan considering the danger of delays , as soon as day appeared , divided his men into two parts in boats , one part commanded by alfonso de albuquerque , the other by himself : and though the sea seemed to favour the moors , who stood on the shoar to hinder our landing , they were forced to flie to the shelter of the walls , and not trusting to them , entred at one gate and run out at the other . nunno de cunna and alfonso de noronha finding the king fled with many of his men to a wood of palm-trees , pursued and killed him in the midst of them . george silveyra perceiving a grave moor who led a beautiful young woman through a path in the wood , made at him , and the moor making signs to the woman to flie whilst they fought , she followed him , signifying she had rather die or be taken with him , than escape alone ; and sylveyra seeing them strive who should give the greatest demonstrations of love , let them both go away , saying god forbid my sword should part so much love . the town taken , was plundered , and then burnt with such precipitation , that some of our men perished in the flames . the city lamo , leagues distant , knowing what had hapned to its neighbour , submitted to the portugueses ; and to make it the more acceptable , the xeque came to make the submission , and offer a tribute of meticales of gold yearly , and paid the first year in hand ; meticales are a coin of about a ducate value each . the fleet went on to the city brava , a populous place , before conquered , but in rebellion , and vain-glorious now with armed men it exposed on the shoar . but cunna and albuquerque next day landed in two bodies , and in spight of showers of arrows , darts and stones , scaled the walls and routed the moors , after washing the streets with their blood , and killing so many , their number was not known ; of ours were lost , not half by the sword , but through covetousness , for overloading a boat with the spoil , they were drowned with it . these were they , who blind with avarice , barbarously cut off the hands and ears of women to take off their bracelets and earings , to save time in taking them off . . the city burnt and plundered , tristan de cunna set sail , and met off of cape guardafu , alvaro tellez , who had been in a storm with the rich booty before spoken of . having discovered the cape , he stood for zocotora . zocotora is an island leagues in length , and in breadth , it lies almost east and west , in the latitude of degrees minutes . it is the biggest about the mouth of the red sea , but has no ports fit for any great number of ships to winter . athwart the middle of it runs a ridge of hills as high as the clouds , yet not free from the sand of the shoar , which is carried up to the very top by the north winds , and is therefore barren , not only of plants but trees , only some small valleys that are under shelter of those winds . it is distant from the arabian continent leagues , and from cape guardafu . the ports most used by us , are zoco , inhabited by moors ; or calancea to the westward , and beni to the eastward . the natives are unpolished . those valleys that are sheltred from the sand , produce apple and palm-trees , and the best aloes , which for its excellency is called zocotorinos . the common food is maiz or indian wheat , tamarins and milk. they are all jacobite christians , as the ethiopians ; the men use the names of the apostles , the women chiefly that of mary . they worship the cross , which they wear on their cloaths , and set up in their churches , where they pray thrice aday in the caldean language alternatively as in a choir ; they receive but one wife , use circumcision , fasting and tythes . the men comly , the women so manly , that they follow the war , and live like amazons ; some of them for propagation making use of such men as arrive there , and even bringing some by witchcraft . their cloathing , some cloath and skins ; their habitation in caves , their weapons , stones and slings . they were subject to the arabian king of caxem . cunna found here an indifferent sort , not ill manned or unprovided . he sent a message to the xeque , and his answer provoked his anger . he resolved ( though it were dangerous ) to land with albuquerque , but the first who leaped ashoar , was his nephew don alfonso de noronha ; who to prove himself worthy the choice the king had made of him to command that fort , if gained , advanced with a few , but brave men . the xeque received him with no great number , though much gallantry , maintaining his ground , and threatning cunna , who , through a shower of bullets and stones made his approach to the fort , and was briskly repulsed by the xeque , whom then don alfonso struck down with his lance. there was a sharp skirmish , the moors endeavouring to carry him off , and ours to hinder it , till he and eight more were slain . the enemy fled to the castle , which was scaled , and those who entred opening the gate , gave entrance into a very large court , presently possessed by our men . about the inward fort was a bloody fight , the moors fighting to the last man , so that of eighty there was but one left alive , besides a blind man who was found in a well , and being asked how he could get in there ; answered , that blind men saw only one thing , which is the way to liberty , and which even blind men covet . he had his liberty given him . we lost six men . the natives who had kept off , hearing of our success , came with their wives and children to thank our commander for delivering them from the heavy yoke of those infidels ; and he , to their great satisfaction received them under the protection of the king of portugal . the mosque was cleansed and made a church of the invocation of our lady of victory , and many were there baptized ; in which pious work the labours of f. antony of st. francis were very remarkable . cunna gave the command of the fort , now called st. michael , to don alfonso de noronha , who had well deserved it by his valour , though he had not been appointed for it by the king ; he named his other officers , and gave him men . after this he wintered , though with inconveniency , in those ports , and then sailed for india , and albuquerque for the coast of arabia . . whilst these things hapned at zocotora , the king of calicut was arming afresh against the portugueses , relying on the promises of his southsayers and wizards , who finding the arrival of tristan de cunna was delayed , assured him of success in that lucky opportunity , and on account of a great change of affairs , which they said must necessarily follow , as foretold by a great earthquake and eclipse of the sun which hapned , and was so great , that the stars appeared for a considerable time , which were interpreted as omens of our destruction . but the viceroy don francisco shewed him a greater power than he imagined to defend the trade of malabar , composing a squadron of ten ships , whereof he gave the command to his son don lorenço . there remained behind at cananor , gonzalo vaz with his vessel , taking in water , who followed , and meeting a ship of cananor with a portugues pass , he sunk it , and all the moors sewed up in a sail , that they might never be seen . a wicked action , for which he was broke , if that could be reckoned a sufficient puni●…ment for so great a crime , as violating the publick faith ; such enormities producing the calamities that after befel us in india . don lorenço lay before the port of chaul , when seven ships arrived , which taking no notice that he saluted them , stood in without making any return . he followed them in his boa●…s , and the moors leaped overboard to gain the shoar , but he was so ready to receive them , that many perished by the way . the ships were laden with horses , and other goods , in the sale whereof some of the moors dealing deceitfully , don lorenço ordered them all to be burnt , to their great admiration , because covetousness had not moved him to save any part thereof . imagining he should find the fleet of calicut at dabul , he sailed thither , and anchored at the mouth of the river , where discovering the fleet , and the narrowness of the place to engage , it was carried in council to desist , contrary to the opinion of don lorenço , who was inflamed with a desire of fighting . he passed on leagues , and a brigantin and parao that had the van , saw a ship sailing up the river . they pursued till it cast anchor over against a town , where were many other vessels . don lorenço seeing the two vessels follow the ship , sent after them a galley , and they three together began to clear the shoar with their shot , of many moors who flocked thither . the noise of cannon called upon don lorenço . he made haste , but before his coming up , the others had gained the vessels in the harbour , and ashoar burnt a house full of considerable merchandise . all the ships in the harbour were burnt , except two they carried away laden with riches from ormuz . at his return to cochin with victory and spoils , he expected to be received by his father with joy , and applause ; but he on the contrary designed to punish him severely for not fighting the fleet of calicut , and was excused only , because it appeared he was overswayed by the votes of all the captains , contrary to his own opinion . the viceroy immediately broke , and sent them all to portugal . this severity much troubled his son , and obliged him afterwards , endeavouring to restore himself to his fathers esteem , to lose his life with as much rashness as valour . . the king of cananor desiring to break with the portugueses , was encouraged by the zamori , and grounded this rupture upon finding on the shoar the body of a nephew of mamale , a rich merchant of malabar , which was one of those gonçalo vaz had thrown into the sea sowed up in the sail. this action was not known there , and the blame was laid upon laurence de brito , captain of the fort , whose pass that ship carried . brito having discovered the design , and finding himself weak , advertised the viceroy . the message was delivered him at church , whilst he assisted at the service of maundy thursday , and he immediately left the church , and went about taking up from every one what provisions they had , and shipped the men with such haste , that those who had lent their arms to them who watched at the sepulchre ( as the custom is ) went to the church to disarm them . don lorenço was captain , and had o●…ders when he came to cananor to obey laurence de brito . but brito insisted , that the other , as son of the viceroy , and so famous an officer , should command ; don lorenço was positive , he would obey brito , as being commander of the fort , and in pursuance of his fathers orders . but finding brito resolved to persist in that courtesie , and that it might prove dangerous , he left the relief , and returned alone to cochin . the besieged fortified and entrenched themselves , the same was done by the besiegers , who were strong . much blood was spilt about the water of a well , but our men by the help of a mine , made themselves masters of it . the moors after this loss retired to a wood of palm-trees , to prepare engines to batter the fort. our commander had intelligence of it by means of a nephew of the king of cananor , who endeavoured to gain our friendship . he prepared to receive them , and when they gave the assault , succeeded so well , first with his cannon , and then with the sword , that he filled the ditch with their bodies , which they intended to have done with faggots . they retired to the wood , and brito sending out by night men , commanded by one guadalajara a spaniard , who was his lieutenant , the sally was so vigorously executed by the firing of some small pieces first , in a cold rainy night , that the enemy in a consternation knew not where to save themselves , were killed . but this joy was abated by the magazine of provisions taking fire , so that hunger began to rage , and all vermin was eaten . the garrison , part sick and part famished , was reduced to extremity ; but the sea being then rough , left abundance of lobsters when it went off on the point of land where our chappel was , which were the only relief our men had . the zamori sent a powerful supply to the king of cananor , who gave the last assault to the fort by sea and land , with above men , who were vigorously received and repulsed with great loss , not one of our men being killed in this action . but now arrives tristan de cunna●… and the king of cananor terrified with his coming , and the defence made by brito , sues for peace , which was concluded with great honour to the portugues valour . . tristan de cunna was upon his return home with the merchant ships , and the viceroy bore him company in order to fall upon panane , a town subject to calicut , where our enemies laded under the shelter of four ships of the zamori , commanded by cutiale a couragious moor. the viceroy and tristan anchored at the bar , held a councel , and then sent both their sons in two barques with several boats , and they in a gally followed them . they all went up the river through showers of balls sent from the shoar , which is high . the moors run into the water to meet our boats , and killed three men . but the dispute was now come to their trenches , which some of ours mounted , and peter cam set upon them don lorenços colours . the colours were flying , when the viceroy seeing his son don lorenço climing with some difficulty , cried out ah! laurence , laurence , what laziness is that ; and he very readily answered , sir , i give way to him that has gained the honour . a large moor encountred and wounded don lorenço , and he gave him such a stroke , as clove his head to his breast . the town being entred , all were put to the sword. then all the ships in the haven and docks were fired . we lost portugueses , none of note ; of the enemy above perished . though the plunder was of great value , it was all burnt to ashes , and only the artillery saved . after this victory they returned to cananor to take in some lading , and tristan de cunna set sail for portugal . at moçambique he met some ships of that came from lisbon the year before . seven were to return with lading , and five under the command of vasco gomez de abreu , to cruise on the coast of melinde , who was also to command the fort of zofala . there were also two ships to joyn albuquerque on the coast of arabia . iohn chanoca , with his ship , was lost in the river zanaga ; iohn gomez , and his , in another ; vasco gomez de abreu was cast away with four vessels going for moçambique . others , with great danger and storms , were driven to several places . misfortunes , terrible , even in the remembrance , but none sufficient to curb human avarice and boldness . chap. ii. conquests under king emanuel , the year . during the government of the viceroy don francisco de almeyda , and continuing the exploits of alfonso de albuquerque . . after the taking of zocotora , on the th of august , cunna and albuquerque parted , the former for india , the latter for the coast of arabia and persia , in pursuance of the orders they had from the king. albuquerque had with him sail ; and fighting-men . the first place where he touched in the kingdom of ormuz , was calayate , a town once more populous , still beautiful and strong , the buildings after the manner of spain . he sent a message to the governour , who offered him refreshment , and established a peace . he went on to curiate , leagues farther , and was ill received , and storming the town , met with a vigorous opposition , but entred with the death of of the enemy , and loss of three portugueses ; after the plunder , the place was burnt , and with it vessels that were in the harbour . hence he sailed leagues farther to mascate , a place stronger than any of the others , and well manned with people , who resorted to it from all parts , hearing the destruction of curiate . the governour fearing the like disaster , made peace , and sent great store of provisions , and our men went ashoar for water ; but on a sudden the cannon of the town began to do great execution upon our ships , which drew off hastily , not knowing the cause of this turn , till some time after they understood men , sent by the king of ormuz for the defence of the place , were newly arrived , and their officers refused to stand to the peace . albuquerque had received no small damage from the great cannon , which was plaid very smartly , but landing his men at break of day , he assaulted the town so couragiously and fortunately , that as our men entred in at one gate , the moors ran out at another . the place was plundered , all except the governours house , saved because he received our men friendly , and gave them notice to retire when the relief came , though he was killed in the confusion , not being known . this done , he passed to soar , all the inhabitants whereof fled , except the governour , and some of the principal moors , who offered it up to albuquerque , and received it back to hold of king emanuel , paying the same tribute he had given to him of ormuz ▪ leagues farther is orfucam , where he found little to do , the inhabitants having deserted it ; he sent after them his nephew don antonio , with men , who having received almost equal damage to what he did , the moors being numerous , and fighting for their wives and children , returned with prisoners . the town was plundered for the space of three days , during which time he prepared to enter into the harbour of ormuz , which was the principal end of this voyage , and to which these exploits were but a prelude , being small in his esteem , though to others they might appear considerable . . the city ormuz is seated in a little island , called gerum , at the mouth of the persian gulf , about leagues in compass , so barren , that it produces nothing but salt and sulphur . the buildings of the city are sumptuous ; it is the great market of all goods , brought thither from the east , west and north ; which is the reason , that though it have nothing of its own , it abounds in all things , and is plentifully supplied from the province m●…gostam , and the islands quixome , lareque and others . about the year , king malec caez possessed all the land from the island gerum , to that of baharem , and bordered upon the king of gordunxa , of the province of mogastam ; this king subtilly obtaining of malec the island of gerum , as a place of no worth ; after he was fortified therein , drove him out of all his country . and translating the city ormuz , where the king kept his court before , to this island , he grew so formidable , that the king of persia , fearing he would refuse to pay the tribute the other had done , prepared to invade him . but he of gordunxa prevented him , by imposing on himself a yearly tribute , and offering to do him homage by his embassadors every five years . in this tyrant began the city and kingdom of ormuz , afterwards possessed by his heirs and others ▪ for the most part violently . when albuquerque arrived there , ceyfadim , a youth of years of age reigned , and over him his slave coje atar , a man subtil and couragious . who hearing what had been done by albuquerque , made preparations , laying an embargo upon all the ships in the harbour , and hiring troops from the neighbouring provinces , persians , arabians and others , so that when albuquerque came , there were in the town fighting-men , among them persians , most expert archers , and in the harbour vessels , of considerable bulk , with men . . albuquerque was not ignorant of the reception designed him ; but to shew those people the greatness of his resolution , he entred that port about the end of september , and came to an anchor between five of their greatest ships . for the more terror he fired his cannon , and the shoar was soon covered with above men . seeing no message came from the king , he sent aboard the biggest of those ships , which was of cambaya , and seemed to ride admiral , the captain whereof presently cam●… to , and was received by him with civility and state. he told him he had orders from his king to take him of ormuz into his protection , and grant him leave to trade in those seas , provided he paid a reasonable tribute ; but if he refused , his orders were to make war. it was doubtless no small presumption to offer a king the liberty of his own seas ▪ and impose conditions upon him , with that handful of men against , and seven ships to ; but the success justified these proceedings , and verified those actions , which to some have appeared fabulous . the moor delivered this message to the king and his governour coje atar , and presently returned one coje beyrame , excusing their not having sent to know what we demanded in that port , and promising the governour would come next day to treat . he came not , but the messages continued , only in order to gain time to sortifie the city , and receive further supplies . albuquerque saw into the drift , and told beyrame , he need only return with the acceptation of peace as offered , or the declaration of war. he brought answer , that city used not to pay , but receive tribute . night coming on , it appeared they prepared to fight by the noise of warlike instruments , and shouts that was heard from the walls and ships . the morning discovered the walls , shoar and vessels covered with armed men ; the windows and tops of the houses filled with both sexes and all ages , as spectators of what should ensue . albuquerque having held a council , and given necessary orders , began to play his cannon furiously , and was answered by the enemy . they taking the advantage of the smoak , which hindred the sight , attacked our ships with boats well manned , which did some damage with showers of arrows , but received more , many being sunk , and the rest forced to retire by our artillery . yet they made a second onset , but were so received , that the sea was coloured with blood. by this time albuquerque had sunk two of the great ships , and taken a third , though with great opposition , forcing the moors to leap into th●… sea. the mean time the other captains had mastered other ships , and perceiving themselves victorious , ran along the shoar , and set fire to above ships , which cutting their cables , were drove flaming upon the persian coast , where they burnt others that lay aground . this struck so great a terror into all that multitude , that they fled to the shelter of the city , and coje atar sent to offer all that albuquerque had demanded . he stopt further proceedings , but perceiving the deceitfulness of the moor , threatned a greater effect of his anger in case he persisted in his wiles . and comparing the damage , found , that with the loss of men , most of the enemies vessels , with vast riches , were either sunk , burnt or torn to pieces , and of them killed . the dead bodies floating upon the water , many were seen with ornaments of beaten gold , which our men fished for , and observed that many were wounded with their own arrows , there being none used among the portugueses . . coje atar , considering the damage received , and what might ensue , called a council , where it was agreed to submit to what was demanded by albuquerque . the articles were drawn , and sworn to by both parties ; their substance was , that the king of ormuz did submit himself to king emanuel , with the tribute of xeraphines yearly ( a xeraphin is worth about half a crown ) and should assign the portugueses place to build a fort. the fort was imdiately begun , and much advanced in few days , but coje atar could not bear with it . he feigned embassadors were come to receive the tribute they used to pay the king of persia , and therefore desired albuquerque to give them an answer , since his king was now subject to the crown of portugal . he guessed at the design , and bid coje atar send somebody to him who might carry the answer ; the messengers being come , he put into their hands bullets and spears , telling them that was the coin the tribute should be paid in . coje atar finding his plot fail , endeavoured to corrupt our men with mony . he prevailed with five seamen , one of them a founder , who cast some cannon there ; and another who informed him , that our men were not compleat ; whereby animated he studied to break the peace , refusing to deliver up those men , and pretending at the same time , it was albuquerque that broke it . . albuquerque began to revenge this affront , but with little success , because the captains employed , opposed it . coje atar perceiving this , at night fired a boat we were building on the shoar , and one of the portugues deserters cried from the wall , alfonso de albuquerque , defend the boat with your men , and you shall meet archers . nor was it to be admired , those vile wretches should offer these and other reproaches , since some of the captains gave intelligence to the enemy , and persuaded those five to desert . albuquerque burning with rage , attempted to fire some ships in the arsenal , and failed . he resolved to besiege the city , and having taken some that carried in provisions , cut off their hands , ears and noses , and sent them in to the great terror of all . there was a hot dispute about filling up some wells that supplied the besieged , in so much that they were filled with carcasses of men and horses , the captain and guard that maintained them being all slain . the king and coje atar came to second this action , and albuquerque was in great danger , his retreat being cut off , but a fortunate cannon ball opened a way , putting the enemies horse into confusion . albuquerque in these actions found his men ill disposed to obey ; among the rest , three captains resolving to leave him and sail for india , drew up a paper of reasons , why he ought to desist from that enterprize , which he gave to one of the masons to lay under a stone in the work , saying , he had answered , and would be glad to see who durst remove the stone to read his answer . none replied . but offended with this , and each fearing he should not have the command of the fort when built , the three put in execution their design of quitting him . this troubled albuquerque ; yet he resolved not to desist , though two captains that staid with him opposed him , desirous to accompany the others ; but he used them with such severity , that they were forced to obey him . from baharem to queixome sailed a fleet with relief of men and provisions . albuquerque having pursued , and missing of it , fell upon a country house of the kings , guarded by foot and horse , and beat them out , killing with the loss of one man. he returned to queixome , and fell upon archers sent to the king of ormuz by him of lara , under the command of his two nephews , and slew them and most of their men , having but with him , the brothers he sent to coje atar as a present . the town was burnt , and there being taken among the plunder a carpet , so big , the souldiers were about cutting it for conveniency of carriage ; albuquerque bought , and sent it after to santiago in galicia . finding he had but few men left wherewith to continue his enterprize , and those harrased , and winter coming on , he resolved to go to zocotora , and gave leave to iohn de nova to sail for india . . whilst this hapned at ormuz , the soldan of cayre set out a fleet of sail , and men , commanded by mir hozem , to oppose the portugueses in india . by the way he attacked imbo , and killed the xeque : the same he did at ioda , and got great plunder ; then sailed to diu , where melique az commanded for the king of cambaya , whom he was to joyn , and treat with , in order to oppose the portugueses . the timber whereof these ships were built , was cut in the mountains of dalmatia , by procurement of the venetians , ( as was said ) because the soldan and turk were at variance . a nephew of the soldan carried it in ships , with mamalukes besides seamen . andrew de amarall , a portugues , commanded then the galleys of malta ; he knowing that timber was designed against us in india , attacked the ships of the enemy , with men in four galleys and six ships ; and after a sharp engagement that lasted three hours , took seven and sunk five , the rest fled to alexandria , whence the timber was carried up the nile to cayr , and thence on camels to suez . . at this time the viceroy , don francisco de almeyda , was upon the coast of malabar , and had sent his son don lorenço to guard those of cananor and cochin , and ran as far as chaul with ships . on his way he took some ships of the moors . chaul is seated on the bank of a river leagues from the sea ; one of the chief of that coast for greatness and trade , subject to the nizamaluco , by whose order don lorenço was well received . they had some intelligence of this fleet of the soldan , but gave no credit to it , till it appeared in sight as don lorenço was diverting himself ashoar with his officers . they hasted to the ships , giving such orders as the shortness of the time permitted , and were scarce aboard when the enemy entred the harbour , with many demonstrations of joy ; for mir hozem thought himself secure of victory by surprizing our ships . he designed to board the portugues admiral , and t●… rest of his ships to board the others . ours were so placed , that the enemy passed between them , and mir hozem coming up with don lorenço , poured in ball , arrows , granadoes , and other fire-works , but was so well answered , that he gave over the resolution of boarding , though the portugues vessel was much less than his . the others had the like success , and so passed on , and night approaching , they prepared themselves for the next morning . . day appearing , don lorenço gave the signal of battle , and endeavoured to board mir hozem , the like was done by the others , but only two galleys succeeded , which took two of the enemy , having put all their men to the sword. mean while the cannon was furiously plaid on both sides . don lorenzo seemed to have the upper-hand , when melique az , lord of diu , came with a great number of small vessels well manned , to the assistance of mir hozem . don lorenço sent two galleys and three caravels to hinder the approach of that relief . they executed it so effectually , they obliged him to fly to another place for shelter , and the fight continued till night parted them , each striving to conceal his loss from the other . the portugues captains met in council , the result , that it was a rashness to persist in that enterprize , melique az being so near with that powerful assistance , that it was convenient to take the open sea , either in order to escape , or to fight with less disadvantage . don lorenço remembring the anger of his father for not fighting the fleet of calicut in the river dabul , and fearing his retreat might be termed a fearful flight , resolutely expected the morning , only making some motion to save the ships of cochin that were in great danger . melique az imagining this motion was in order fly , lanched out from his retreat , not at all daunted to see many of his vessels torn in pieces by our cannon , and charges briskly ; then don lorenço's ship running foul of some stakes that were drove in the river , made so much water , there was no preventing her sinking , though don lorenço laboured indefatigably till a ball broke his thigh , and ordering himself to be set against the main mast , where he stood encouraging his men , till another ball broke his back . the body was thrown under deck , and followed down by laurence freyre gato his page , who bewailed him with tears of blood as well as water , being shot through the eye with an arrow . after a vigorous resistance the moors entred the ship , and found the page by his masters body , who rising to defend it , killed as many as covered it , and then died upon them . the ship sunk at last . of above men that were with don lorenço , only escaped , in all the ships were lost , of the enemy . . the other captains got to cochin ( where the viceroy was ) with the news of his sons death , which he received with a wonderful resolution . the numbers of men slain and taken being yet doubtful ; he endeavoured by all means to get some intelligence , and at that time received a letter from melique az. this man , born in slavery , and descended of the heretick christians of roxia , rose by degrees to that height wherein he was then placed . the principal action that advanced him was , that a kite flying over the king of cambaya , dunged upon his head , whereat in a passion he said , i would give all i am worth that bird were killed . melique az , who was a most expert archer , no sooner heard this , but he let fly an arrow , which brought down the kite . the king rewarded this action so bountifully , that melique az came to be made lord of diu , a most famous city , which being seated on a triangular peninsula , joyned to the continent by a very smal istmus , is commonly reputed an island . this man endeavoured politickly to secure himself at one time , both with the king of cambaya , and the portugueses , whose power he feared , and hated for the damage they brought to the trade of din. and to this effect he assisted mir hozem , sent the prisoners to the king of cambaya , and writ to the viceroy , condoling the death of his son , extolling his bravery , and offering to ransom the prisoners . thus he endeavoured to appease the wrath he knew he had provoked by assisting mir hozem , which was the cause of all our loss . chap. iii. conquests under king emanuel the year and . a continuation of the government of the viceroy don francisco de ameyda , and exploits of alfonso de albuquerque . . this same year , about the beginning of april , sailed from lisbon ships , which being all separated by bad weather , at length met at mozambique , except one that was cast away on the islands of tristan de cunna ; these ships with those of the foregoing year , came together to india , and added courage to our people to resist their enemies . the king ordered that don francisco de almeyda should resign the government to alfonso de albuquerque , and return home in one of the trading ships . but he suspended the execution of this order , because already engaged in taking revenge of mir hozem . albuquerque pressed him to obey the order , don francisco excused himself , saying the ships were gone , and that he had in hand that enterprize upon the rumes or turks who had killed his son. the other answered , there were more ships ready to sail , and he would undertake to drive the turks out of india ▪ almeyda replied , that he had taken up the sword , and had never resigned it to another to revenge his wrongs . albuquerque offended hereat , went to cochin ; and this was the beginning of some mens protracting the time of their command , and others pressing them to quit , wherein these two illustrious men discovered much of human frailty . . precedent to this were the actions of albuquerque at ormuz and zocotora , where he wintered and relieved the portugues , who were there oppressed by famine . to this effect he went himself with his ship to cape guardafu , and sent francis de tavor●… towards melinde , and two vessels to cape fum , to make prize of some ships for their provisions ; they all found what they sought , and so put a stop to the growing evil. he then resolved for ormuz , though too weak to effect what he intended , yet at least to sound the designs of that king and his friend coje atar . by the way he resolved to be revenged on calayate for injuries done to some portugueses . this town is seated beyond cape siagro , called also cape rosalgate , at the mouth of the persian gulf. on the back of it is a mountain , which has only some passes , that open a communication to the neighbouring country . one of these passes is just opposite to the town , through which is managed most of the trade of that province of the arabs call ayaman , because ( as they say ) first inhabited by name , which signifies plenty or abundance , a son of lot ; and this land is full of populous cities , fruitful , and of great trade . albuquerque no sooner arrived , but he landed and entred the town , some of the inhabitants flying to the mountains , and others being slain in the streets . albuquerque staid there three nights , upon one of which moors entred the town by surprize , and did much hurt ; but our men gathering , killed many , put the rest to flight , and burnt all the place . they got great quantity of provisions , which was most of the booty , and arrived at ormuz the th of september . alfonso de albuquerque presently advertised the king and coje atar of his arrival , and they answered , that as for the tribute of xeraphins they were ready to pay it , but would not consent to build the fort. he therefore resolved again to besiege the island , and ordered martin coello , with his ship , to guard the point turumbaca , where the wells are ; iames de melo he posted opposite to the island queixome , he and francis de tavora lay before the city . thence he viewthe growth of the fort , for coje atar had finished it , making use of what the portugueses had began , the better to oppose them . the success was much the same as the other time , but he was in great danger himself , and diego de melo , with private men , being killed , he returned to india , having taken a ship that carried much pearl from baharem , and francis de tavora took one of meca . . the viceroy having sent albuquerque to cochin , and dispatched the trading ships homeward-bound , under fernando soarez and ruy de cunna , who perished by the way , and ordered other lesser matters , he sailed on the th of december from cananor towards diu in pursuit of mir hozem . he had with him vessels of several sizes , and in them souldiers and seamen , whereof were malabares . all india was alarmed at this motion of the viceroy , but chiefly zamori , and melique az , who had used all necessary precautions to secure himself against this danger . the viceroy being landed with his officers in the delightful island anchediva , made to them a grave and learned speech , touching upon the great actions performed , and reflecting upon the damage received from the turks ; shewed how much they were obliged to god , their king and country , to revenge that defect , and the death of his son , with many more circumstances , and concluded , that the more to terrifie the enemy it were convenient first to fall upon the city dabul their neighbour . all that were present unanimously approved of his resolution . . the city dabul is one of the most noted of that coast , by reason of its situation , greatness and trade ; seated on a navigable river , leagues from the mouth . the buildings were then stately , the inhabitants pagans and moors . it is on the boders of the kingdom of decan , subject to sabayo the king , and was then held by a governour of his , with a good garrison , being in fear of our power . upon notice of our approach men were sent in , new works raised , and much artillery planted . the viceroy appearing before it , the inhabitants , though well provided , began to send away their goods , the governour forbid it upon pain of death ; and the more to encourage the people brought into the town his own wife , who was in a country house ; this example was followed by many of the principal men , whose wives were abroad in the country . on the th of december our fleet entred the port. the viceroy ordered peter barreto to post himself among the ships that were in the harbour , and following close , endeavoured to be the first that landed ; but every one being inflamed with the same desire , it was all confusion , leaping over one another , so that all , or none was first ; of the viceroy's boat , the first were fernando perez de andrade , and iohn gomez . the works being high , the shot flew over our men. our cannon plaid not on the enemy because our men were under it . the portugueses having gained the shoar , divided themselves in order at once to attack three gates , which the moors perceiving , made so brave a resistance at all three , that the dead bodies caused a greater stop than the living defendants , or their works . the place was narrow , and the confusion great ' every one thronging for fear of being last . the viceroy cleared all by sending nunno vaz pereyra to gain entrance another way , who after a hot dispute , though the moors came on in great numbers , put them to flight , some retiring to a mosque , others flying to the mountain . the commander of the enemies did all he could to hinder their flight , seeing only ten portugueses pursue a multitude , who through hast falling over each other , retarded their own escape . the fight lasted about five hours , in which time , with the loss of portugueses , were killed enemies , all hand to hand , for the cannon on neither side was plaid . the viceroy remained that night in the mosque ; he distributed his men about the town with orders to keep guard. george de melo and his company , stood all night at their arms , expecting the enemy that fled to the mountain would return . nor was he deceived , for they by the favour of the night , stole into the town , hoping to recover their wives , children and goods . little was done till morning , when the viceroy gave leave to plunder , which was hindred by the sudden firing of the town , so that in few hours it was only a heap of ashes , and therefore the booty exceeded not ducats . it was afterwards known that the viceroy was the cause of that conflagration , fearing the men , taken up with those riches , might retard his other design . the ships in the harbour had the same end , with no small confusion among ours , scarce able to endure the flames so near them . the viceroy had laid in no great store of provisions , not doubting to get enough along that coast ; but very little was found here where most was expected , the furious flames , perhaps fiercer than expected , having devoured all . he thought to remedy this by sending to the neighbouring villages , but to no effect , because all was destroyed by multitudes of locusts , whereof they found many kept in pots , that were food to the natives , which some portugueses tasting found pleasing to the pallate , not unlike our shrimps , which made them conclude these were shrimps of the land , as the others of the sea. so in some places , particularly the vineyards about rome are found crabs , not unlike those of the sea. so that if those creatures came not so numerous as to destroy the harvest , they might be coveted as food , not dreaded as a plague . such were the locusts the scripture mentions the baptist fed on in the desert . . the viceroy parted from dabul without provisions , hoping to get them along the coast. payo de sousa run up a river in his gally , having seen some cattle upon the shoar , and hoping to take some of it ; the owners opposed , and killed him and george guedez . iames mendez succeeded in the command of the gally , and met another passing from diu to dabul ; this was well manned , and commanded by a couragious and expert turk , who no sooner discovered our gally , but keeping his men close , so that only they that rowed were in sight , he drew on iames mendez to board him without suspecting any danger , when immediately the turks that were hid , rushing out had almost gained our gally ; but our men recovering themselves , gained their gally with the death of all the turks , without losing one of ours . the chief prize was a noble beautiful hungarian young woman , who was brought to the viceroy , and by him given to gaspar de la india , who gave her to iames pereyra of cochin , and he married her for her virtuous qualities , so well suiting with her birth and beauty ; perfections seldom to be found together in the world. farther on they took in the river of bombaim , a barque with moors of guzarette , by whose means the governour sent some sheep and rice , whilst cattle was brought from other places . the same was done at the fort of maim ; for the people terrified with what had hapned at dabul , fled to the mountains . the viceroy arrived the d of february at diu , which appearing high at sea , girt with walls and towers , beautiful and strong , populous and well governed , after the manner of ours in spain , renewed in our men the memory of our country , and that inflamed their courage and vigour . melique az , lord of this city , was absent leagues off , with his army against the resbuti , but had still advice of the motions of our fleet , which scarce anchored before the city , when with wonderful celerity he flew thither . he had already used precuation , that mir hozem might not perceive how little he was inclin'd to assist him ; and that he might not altogether exasperate the viceroy , and both of them equally feared him . the viceroy considered the strong situation of the place , much improved by art , the courage and conduct of melique az , and mir hozem , and the number of above vessels well manned , and furnished with all things necessary . having called a council , it was resolved , that nunno vaz pereira should be the forlorn hope with his ship , in which were fighting-men , most gentlemen , and of known valour . he was to be seconded by george de melo , with the like number , who was to be followed by peter ba●…reto de magallanes , and he by francis de tavora , then garcia de sousa , and so the other vessels , carrying from to men each . the night was spent particularly on our sides , in preparing their consciences and arms , for the danger was to be encountred next morning . . between and in the morning , when there was flood enough for the ships to swim , the admiral gave the signal for entring the port. on a sudden all moved with loud shouts , and sound of warlike instruments on both sides . melique az his vessels ran to hinder the entrance of ours , showring bullets and arrows , which immediately slew men in iames perez his gally , that led the way to nunno vaz . yet nunno pierces forward , and pouring his shot among the great ships , sunk one to rights . he was in great danger between two of them , when george de melo came up with such fury , that running foul of one of the two , he drove it upon that of nunno vaz , and thereby gave way to sebastian de miranda to board it , which he performed . then george de melo went on to another , in like manner the other captains . the viceroy in the midst of the enemies vessels , gave them a sufficient diversion , that they might not hinder what the others were acting ; and tho' they did him some damage with their continual shot , he destroyed them with his , till the paraos of calicut fled , spreading the news along the shoar , that the rumes or turks were victorious . mir hozem being wounded , in despair slipt out of his ship disguised into a brigantine , and thence to shoar , where taking horse , he never stopt till he came before the king of cambaya , no less fearful of our fury , than the falshood of melique az , who had assisted him with his vessels , but not with his person . the absence of mir hozem did not discourage those in his vessel ; for being boarded , they never yielded , but were all slain . a great ship belonging to melique being attempted by some of ours , and not able to carry her , the viceroy discharged all his cannon upon , and sunk her . antony de campo took a galeon . ruy soarez , one of the last in order of battel , but not in courage , running through all , placed himself before the city , and plying most dexterously , took two gallies , having forced the defendants to quit them , in such manner , that the viceroy seeing him at a distance , in a glorious emulation cried out , who is that who so much excels the rest ? o that i were he ! the victory being now no longer doubtful , because some harm was done us by the artillery on the shoar , the viceroy made up to the ships , where our gallies and other lesser vessels killed all that leaped into the sea , so that the water was turned to blood. this victory was not cheap , for we lost near men . of the enemy above were killed . the ships being plundered , there were great riches found in them ; and by the great variety of books in several languages , was judged , the men were of sundry nations ; among the books were some latin , italian and portugues . the soldan and mir hozem's colours were sent to portugal . of all the vessels that were taken , the viceroy ordered four ships and two gallies should be preserved , the rest were burned . the victory had been more glorious , had not the conquered been treated with such barbarous cruelty , that many , not without reason , judged the unhappy end of the viceroy and other gentlemen , to be a just punishment of that crime . we shall soon see it . . next morning melique az pretending to be much pleased with the viceroys victory , sent cide ale , a moor of granada to wish him joy . there was a report that the city was in a great consternation , fearing the conqueror would assault it , and that many were filled with this apprehension . our men finding the viceroy inclined to admit melique az his deceitful congratulation , began to mutter , and complain that he stopped the course of his good fortune , which the enemies began now to fear . he calling together the principal men told them , that he ●…ad no regard to melique az , but the king of cambaya , who was our friend , and whose city that was ; that the town was strong and they tired ; that of men he commanded , only were able to bear arms ; that though the town were taken , it could not be maintained ; and that they might be revenged against melique az on his trading ships . all agreed there should be no more said of the assault , ●…nd should give ear to the moor. the viceroy received him courteously , and told him , that two motives chiefly brought him to that port , the one to be revenged on the rumes , the other to recover the portugeses that were taken , and who were to him instead of a son. the first point he had obtained , and the second he must gain by having them delivered to him ; that he should also deliver to him all the artillery and munitions belonging to the rumes that were in the ships haled in , and they burned , and sell him provisions . all this seemed little to melique az , and was performed with such expedition and exactness , that it setled a profitable peace with the viceroy , who left one of the prisoners there to load two ships with such things as were wanting at cochin and cananor . he dispatched don antonio de noronha with provisions , and some of the booty of the ships , to relieve his brother , don alfonso , at zocotora . then the viceroy sailed , and arriving at chaul ; that king terrified with the late victory , became tributary . passing by cananor , he was there received with honour , and at cochin in triumphant manner ; but before he had laid aside his fest●…al ornaments , he was accosted by alfonso de albuquerque , pressing to deliver up the government according to the king's orders . the answer was , he should give him leasure to put off that heavy robe , and there would be time afterwards . albuquerque pressed and the viceroy delayed . . some gentlemen persuaded the viceroy not to resign the government , whilst albuquerque made instance to have it delivered up , evil spirits fomenting these feuds . the king of cochin , urged by these divisions , delayed the lading with pepper , two ships that were to return home , till albuquerque were possessed of the government . in fine , the viceroy sent albuquerque prisoner to cananor , where he was courteously entertained by that governour , who then was laurence de brito , to whom in few days the viceroy writ , that he should treat his prisoner as one who soon must govern india . . king emanuel being informed of the preparations made by the soldan of cayre at su●…z , resolved to send a powerful relief to india . this consisted of sail , commanded by don fernando coutinno , who had an extraordinary power given him , the king ( as was thought ) having some inkling of the disagreement was like to be between the viceroy and albuquerque . nothing of note hapned him till he arrived at cananor , whence he carried alfonso de albuquerque to co●…bin , treating him as governour of india . though there passed some acts of civility between the viceroy and coutinno , the rest was not suitable ; for a ship he had prepared to pass to portugal was denied him , and he obliged to take another he had no mind to . he sailed with two more on the th of november , and had fair weather till passed the cape of good hope , when he said , now ( god be praised ) the witches of cochin are liars , who said we should not pass this cape . near there he put into the bay of saldanna to take water ; and some men going to exchange goods with the blacks , a servant of the viceroy treated two of them so ill , that they knocked out his teeth , and sent him away bloody . some gentlemen looking upon this as an affront , persuaded the viceroy to go ashoar , when they ought to advise him to punish his servant for abusing people where they sought relief . this had been justice . he yielded , but so much against his will , that as he went into the boat he said , ah! whether , and to what end do they now carry the years ? hereby declaring , that was an action of raw heads . there went with him , the flower of the ships . they went on to a miserable village , and returned with some cattle and children , when blacks coming down from the mountain , whither they had fled , attacked them in defence of their children , casting stakes with sharp points , hardned at the fire , so furiously , that in a little time they killed gentlemen , and among them the viceroy , who died kneeling on the sand , with his eyes lifted up to heaven , struck through the throat with one of these stakes . george de melo returned with the wounded men to the ships , and when he thought the blacks were withdrawn , went ashore and buried the viceroy and the rest . this was a manifest judgment of god , that so few unarmed barbarians should overcome those who had done such noble actions in india . george de melo carried the news to lisbon , where it was received with great grief . the viceroy , don francisco de almeyda , was seventh son of don lope de almeyda , count of abrantes , and of donna beatriz de sylva his wife . he was married to donna ioanna pereyra ; he was knight of the order of st. iames ; he was of a graceful presence , ripe councel , and obliging carryage ; he was very continent , an enemy of avarice , very liberal and grateful . don francisco wore the coat or upper garment ( which then was instead of the cloak used now ) black , the doublet of crimson sattin , the sleeves whereof appeared ; the breeches also black , which were breeches and stockins reaching from the feet to the waste , over them boots , a truncheon in the right hand , the left upon his sword , which hung almost before . he was the first viceroy and governour of india . chap. iv. conquests under king emanuel , the year , alfonso de albuquerque now governing india , who held it from the year , till the year . . alfonso de albuquerque , now possessed of the government , prepared to fall upon calicut , with don fernando coutinno . the design was kept private , but zamori provided , as did all the princes of that coast when the portugues were in motion . they set out from cochin with vessels and men , besides some boats of malabares , who followed in hopes of plunder . they arrived at calicut the d of ianuary , and weighing the difficulties of landing , consulted about the manner ; and ordered that part of the fleet which belonged to albuquerque , should be committed to the care of his nephew don antonio de noronha ; and the part of coutinno to rodrigo rabelo . every one strove to be so posted as to land first . our men were at arms all night , and so tired in the morning , they had more mind to sleep than to land , though the desire of landing had kept them from sleep ; but they soon recovered , the signal being given , and the cannon playing . coutinno had men , and some field-pieces : albuquerque had the same number , and besides them malabares . they marched with more confusion than order , each striving to be foremost ; the first that attacked the bulwark of cerame were george de cunna and francis de sousa ; they found there men , who made a vigorous resistance , till albuquerque coming up , they quitted it . albuquerque being fearful of the disorder of his men , gave notice to coutinno , who running with all speed to his relief , and our colours being already set up , judging it had rather been a contrivance of the governour , than disorder of the men , took the liberty to say unto him , what means this sir ? was you ambitious the rabble of lisbon should report you were the first at taking calicut , which you so extol to the king ? but i shall go to lisbon and tell the king i could have entred it with only this cane in my hand . and since i find no body to fight with , i will not be satisfied till i enter the pallace of zamori , and dine in one of his rooms . this said , without expecting the answer albuquerque was about to make , he marched with his men towards that pallace , where zamori then was not . he was tired when he reached it , being above leagues from the shoar , the road encumbred with palm-trees , and having marched hard , and met with opposition by the way , he rested a while in a plain before the pallace . which being then attacked , though well defended , was entred , the moors flying to the mountains . our men now possessed of the pallance , fell to plundering , without shame or sense of honour , and with as much disorder as if they had been on the shoar , and their enemy destroyed . the enemy now reinforced , returned , and falling upon our disordered men , put all into great confusion , killing many under their burdens , and doing great harm , though vasco de sylveyra signalized himself , killing two of thier chiefs , whom they call caymales . in the mean time albuquerque had entred the city , and fired it ; and having nothing to divert him , marched to see what coutinno had done . he found all about the pallace thronged with armed men , and that coutinno was within in eminent danger . finding it best to hinder the enemies from pressing upon him , he sent him word he waited his coming . coutinno answered not till the third message , and then returned , that albuquerque might march , and he would follow , being busie in gathering his men , who were dispersed about the house . albuquerque marched , and the enemy pressed him doing much damage , till news was brought , coutinno's life was in great danger . he endeavoured to return to his relief , but was hindred by the multitude of the enemy , who slew many of his men , and wounded him with a dart in the throat , and a stone in the head , and in such manner that he was carried sensless to the shoar . by this time coutinno and many more were slain in the pallace , and several on the way , being oppressed by the multitude , and spent with the labour and heat , and stifled with the great dust. doubtless they had all perished , if iames mendez vasconcellos , and simon de andrade , whom albuquerque left in the city with men , had not stopt the fury of the enemies , and obliged them to retire . there hapned as great a contest about being the last on shoar , as had been about landing first , not considering all their misfortune had proceeded from that foolish dispute . at last they sailed , having lost men , among them many of note , whereof coutinno was one . albuquerque being come to himself , gave out several orders at sea , and dispatched the trading ships homeward-bound ; and when arrived at cochin , made preparations for a third attempt upon the island ormuz . while he is employed about this business , we will give some account of what was done by two of the captains spoken of in the beginning of the third chapter , which could not conveniently be inserted before . . one of these two captains was duarte de lemos , who , after a storm , arrived at the place called medones de oro , thence he went to madagascar , or the island of st. laurence , and thence to mozambique , where the rest of his squadron joyned him . george de aguiar being lost , he took upon him the command of the coast of ethiopia and arabia , given him by the king , that government being then divided into three parts . from mozambique he sailed to melinde ; then set out to visit some islands of that coast that had neglected to pay the usual tribute to quiloa since it was taken . monfia submitted immediately ; zanzibar made resistance , but they were drove to the mountains , and the town plundered . at pemba hapned the same , the inhabitants flying to monbaza , leaving nothing in their houses ; but some little plunder was taken in a fort whether the xeque had conveyed such things as he had not time to secure otherwise . lemos gave the necessary orders at melinde , particularly in relation to the factory for the trade of zofala . hence he set out with seven sail for the coast of arabia ; one vessel commanded by gregory de quadra , insensibly was separated from the rest in the night on the coast of magadoxa , and carried by the current to the mouth of the red sea , where the city zeila is seated , and was there taken . lemos resolved to take a view of ormuz , and managed the towns of that coast more with cunning than force . the same at ormuz , where he received of the king and coje atar the xeraphens , imposed on them as tribute by albuquerque , and was well treated . hence he sent to india , vasco de sylveyra , who was killed at calicut . then he sailed to zocotora , and gave the command of that fort to peter ferreira , sending to india , don antonio de noronha , who took a rich ship of the moors , which being manned by some portugueses , was cast away in a storm between dabul and goa , and the men made prisoners : his own ship was stranded in the bay of cambaya , where he and some others endeavouring to escape in the boat , were all lost ; about that remained in the ship were taken by the moors and sent to the king of cambaya . lemos , on his return to melinde , took a vessel richly laden . the winter being passed , he returned to zocotora , and found there francis pantoja , who came from india with provisions , and had taken a rich ship of cambaya , the great wealth whereof he shared with lemos his men , saying they had right to it , as being taken in the precincts of his government . a rare example of bounty . lemos finding himself unprovided for other undertakings , sailed to india , and was received by albuquerque with great pomp and civility . . the other of the two captains mentioned was iames lopez de siqueira , who was entrusted with the discovery of the island of madagascar and malaca . in the island st. laurence he arrived in the port of st. sebastian . he run along the coast , making use of a portugues as interpreter , who had been left there , and forced by necessity to learn the language . he spoke with a king called diaman . and was by him civilly treated , but had no intelligence of any spice or silver , the great end of his voyage . having had much trouble and no profit , he sailed to india . don francisco , then viceroy , received him well , and to assist in the discovery of malaca , gave him another ship , commanded by garcia de sousa . he passed by pedir , and that king sent him some presents , and made him great offers . the same the king of paçem ; in both places he erected crosses . at last he anchored in the port of malaca , and terrified the coast with the thundring of his cannon , so that all the people running to the ships and vessels in the harbour , shewed the apprehension they had of their new guest . a boat came to lopez his ship to enquire who they were ; he answered , there was an embassador from the king of portugal , who came to propose such things as might be advantagious to that city . there came back a message from the king in doubtful language , such as is usual when the designs are pernicious ; for some forreign merchants , enemies to the portugueses , had persuaded him and his favourite bandara , with the powerful argument of rich presents , to destroy iames lopez . the third day lopez sent hierom teixeyra with a handsome retinue as embassador , who was well received on the shoar , and placed upon an elephant , so carried to the king , from whom he returned well pleased . . all this was but a bait to ensnare our people , and therefore the king gave out he would do lopez the honour to dine with him in publick . he sent to invite him , and the invitation was accepted , till he was informed by a friend of iao utimutiraja , that the invitation was to murder him . then he gave credit to the advice sent him from a persian hostess by duarte fernandez after she had endeavoured to come aboard at night , and was not admitted by sequeyra , judging it some love intrigue , but it proved one means to save those ships . lopez excused himself by counterfitting an indisposition . another way was contrived to carry on the treachery , which was by offering lading of spice , saying it was requisite to send for it to three several places . this took so well , that men were sent according to agreement , whilst a fleet of several vessels was behind a point of land , ready to assault our ships , at the same time the were killed in the town . mean while a son of utimutiraja came to visit lopez , and found him playing at draughts . he persuaded lopez to continue his game , that he might the less observe him , who offered a thousand times with a dagger to kill him , and only waited the sign from the town , when a seaman , who was centinel upon one of the tops seeing a throng , and hearing noise , cried out , sir , sir , treachery , treachery , they kill our men . lopez threw away the draught-board with such fury , that utimutiraja's son and those with him , in a consternation leaped into their boats : all was done that could be expected upon a sudden , and having sunk many of the enemies boats , and forced the rest to retire , and left of our men in slavery , and killed , they sailed , and soon after took two vessels bound for malaca . lopez arrived at cape comori , sent teixeira and sousa with their ships to cochin ; resolving , though ill provided , to return to portugal alone , being fearful of albuquerque , because he had sided with the viceroy . with great hazard he arrived at the island tercera . . albuquerque had now fixed every thing for his design upon ormuz , dispatched the trading ships , and other affairs with great expedition . about the end of ianuary he sailed from cochin with men in vessels of several sorts and sizes . albuquerque at the river onor , sent for the pirat timoja ( before spoken of ) who desirous of our friendship , and being powerful , came presently with much provision . he being skilful in the affairs of asia , albuquerque communicated his design to him . but he dissuaded , shewing how much better it was to attempt goa , that was unprovided , and would be more advantagious . this pleased albuquerque , and hereupon calling his captains to council , it was proposed to them by the said timoja , and the design approved of and commended by all . timoja furnished ships , giving out he would accompany the portugueses to ormuz , to the end that goa might be less provided . timoja had been dispossessed of his fortune , and ill treated by his kindred and neighbours . the desire of revenge , and recovering what he had lost , caused his love to our people , that it may always appear , that private interests are the ruin of the country . on the th of february they came to an anchor in the port of goa . chap. v. a continuation of the conquest of the same year , albuquerque governing , and king emanuel reigning . . ticuari is an island on the coast of canara , formed by two mouths of the river gacim , its length from east to west leagues , the breadth one . there is in it hill and plain , has good water , very fruitful , pleasant , beautiful and healthy . on the northern part of it is seated the city goa , which formerly was on the south . this now in being was built by melique hozem , a moor , years before the arrival of the portugueses . the old is not known when founded ; but some authentick writings have been found , wherein is mentioned , that mantrasat , king thereof , above years before , confesses one only god , the incarnation of his son , and the trinity and unity ; whence appears they had knowledge of the true faith ; to which may be added , that when the city was taken , there was found in a wall a copper crucifix . these might be the fruits of the apostle st. thomas's preaching . . about the year the moors began to conquer india . the first that attempted it with great power was xa nosaradin , king of delhi ; with a powerful army he came down from the north , conquering all the gentiles as far as the kingdom of canara . thence he returned to delhi , leaving habedxa to prosecute the conquests , who by his valour and conduct became so great , that he coped with his master , which beginning , his nephew madura prosecuting , possessed himself of the kingdom of canara , and casting off his allegiance to the king , he called the kingdom decan , from the sundry nations wherewith he conquered it , this word signifying so much in that language . too great an empire always threatens ruin . mamudxa fearing this , used great industry to secure himself , which was effectual for some time ; but at length several governours intrusted with provinces of this empire , erected them into sovereignties . the greatest of these was he of goa , about the time of our coming into india , called sabayo , deceased about the time of albuquerque's design upon goa ; and cufo , king of hidalcan , had possessed himself of the city , and put it into the hands of his son ismael . the other princes were nizamaluco , mudremaluco melic verido , coje moçadan , abexeiapado and cotamaluco , all great , some very great . sabayo was born at saba , a city of persia , of very mean extraction , but served the king of decan so fortunately , that he gave him the city calberga . thence he extended his conquests of the pagans of bisnagar , and after over the island of goa , lately possessed by the moors come from onor , melique hozem being then lord of it , who defended it with men , and was killed in the defence . goa had several dependencies , and with these and others he gained sabayo , became the most powerful of those princes , and consequently hated of them all . he maintained himself against all whilst he lived , sometimes by policy , sometimes by force ; but his death produced great alteration . . we left the great albuquerque at anchor before the bar of goa , let us see what he acted . it was necessary to sail up the river , on whose bank the city is seated ; therefore he sent his nephew don antonio de noronha and timoja to sound it . a light vessel leading the way , spied a brigantine of the moors , and giving it chase , found they drew under a fort well stored with artillery and men , commanded by yaçu gorgi , a valiant turk , to secure the entrance of the river . don antonio seeing the other in the chase , pressed after him ; and though the attack of the bulwark seemed difficult , they attacked , and after a stout resistance took it , the commander having almost lost a hand , and not able to stop the flight of his men , retired to the city . mean while timoja , not to be out-done , took another bulwark on the continent , defended by some artillery and men . then they sounded the river . next day as albuquerque entred the river , he was met by mirali , and other chief men of the city , who came to surrender it , upon condition their lives , liberties and estates should be secured . the reason of this surrender was , that the turk yaçu had terrified them with the relation of what he had seen a few portugueses do , and that a iogue ( these are religious men among those people , esteemed saints and prophets ) not long before had declared , that place should soon be subject to strangers . albuquerque accepted the offer , and anchoring before the city on the th of february , was received on the shoar as if he had been their natural prince . he mounted on a horse , they brought him , with rich furniture , at the gate received the keys , and went on to the pallace , built by sabayo . he found there much cannon , arms , tackle , and many horses . next he gave such orders as were to the satisfaction of all the city , then dispatched several embassies to divers kings , which produced no effect , only shewed the greatness of his thought . . the neighbouring towns depending on goa , came instantly to make their submission , and were kindly received . the command of the fort was given to don antonio de noronna ; the government of the infidels to timoja , and so the other posts to the general satisfaction . understanding that ships of ormuz , and the ●…oast of arabia were lading at baticala , four vessels were sent thither , which took and carried them to cochin , sending plenty of provision to albuquerque . now our fortune begins to frown . the moors begin to exercise their treachery . those whom albuquerque most relied upon conspire , and after four months revolt , notwithstanding the most faithful timoja blamed his confidence . they had delivered themselves up so easily to shun their own ruin , and gain time till ismael hidalcam prepared to come to their relief . so it fell out , and he came on with great power , sending before his great general camalcam , with horse and foot. albuquerque disposed his men with great diligence and order to receive him . . the first step was to secure the heads of the conspiracy , and the chief being mir cazem , to whom he had given the command of moors , and his nephew , they were hewed to pieces by his guards , others were hanged in publick places , and others kept prisoners , there being convicted . this discovery , with the punishment , terrified the city . camalcam attempted to pass over to the island , having prepared boats to that effect . don antonio opposed him , and took boats. many of the enemies were killed , many devoured by the crocodiles , wherewith that river abounds . nevertheless camalcam landed in the island , which was quitted by our men , and some cannon had been lost , had not two masons maintained it , though our gentry fled , till they were killed , and it brought off . after some resistance , all retired into the city . camalcam encamped about it , playing his cannon effectually ; albuquerque did what the place permitted , and now comes up hidalcam with men , whereof were horse . part of this army passed the river , and the rest was divided into two parts , one commanded by a famous officer , the other by his mother and women , who maintained their souldiers by the gain of common women they had with them ; so that the women lived upon them , and they upon the women . the siege was closed by the coming of the king , and no place left albuquerque to act any thing considerable . it is prudence sometimes to yield to necessity . it was resolved in a council , before day to abandon the city . this was executed with great hazard , for the way to the ships began to be stopped by hidalcam , and albuquerque had his horse killed , yet got off without loss , after a siege of days . . it was resolved to winter in that sea , and to this effect drew into a bay ▪ though not commodious , the best thereabouts ; and because the fort of pangi with much artillery incommoded them , there was no remedy but gaining of it ; portugueses were appointed for the attack . don antonio de noronha , with a party , was appointed as a reserve , to relieve where there was most need , and albuquerque to guard the shoar . at the same time they prepared by night to appear with the day before the fort ; there marched men , sent by hidalcam to reinforce it . they joy of these people was so great , that those without , as well as those within being all drunk , they mistook our men , one side thinking it was the relief sent them , and the other believing it was the garrison came out to receive them . they were undeceived by the execution done upon them , being slain , the rest rouced , with the loss of one man accidentally drowned . the same hapned at the bulwark timoja had before gained at bardes . hidalcam hearing of this , was so terrified , that he went from the city , and his fear was the more , because some conjurer had told him he should be killed by a great shot near some river . he sent some ceremonious messages to albuquerque , to discover what was doing aboard the ships , and he answered , still adding to his fear . by this means he exchanged those moors he had kept prisoners , for the portugueses that were left in the city at their abandoning of it . . albuquerque had intelligence some vessels were preparing to burn his ships , and he resolved to anticipate by firing them , and they being drove up the harbour , don antonio de noronha was killed in this action . this man used to moderate the violent passions of his uncle albuquerque , who immediately after shewed the effect of his rigid severity , by hanging a souldier because he found him with one of the slaves he called daughters , that he used to give in marriage . and when some of the officers asked him what authority he had to put this in execution , putting them under deck , he lifted his sword over them , saying , that was his commission against all that were disobedient , and then broke them all . they all suffered much hardship this winter , especially hunger . sailing hence they discovered four sail , which were judged to be turks ; but coming nearer , appeared to be some of the fleet come from portugal . . this year king emanuel had dispatched two squadrons for india , one of seven the other of four ships ; after them went out two ships more , and a third to settle a trade at madagascar . the four ships under iames mendez were those albuquerque met at his setting out from goa , and gave him the news of the other ships that were on their way , which was a great satisfaction to him , being the better enabled to prosecute his great designs . gonçalo siqueira with the seven ships arrived at cananor , soon after albuquerque , who communicated the enterprize upon goa , but was over-ruled by siqueira and went to cochin . by the way he obtained a victory over the malabares of calicut , who opposed our lading pepper ; then he dispatched siqueira with the trading ships homeward-bound , and soon after duarte de lemos with four more , and then turned his view again to the affair of goa . iames mendez , who commanded the four ships , and was before inclinable to the design , now excused himself . albuqu●… finding this , commanded him and his captains , upon the severest penalties , not to stir without his orders . it troubled them because they feared losing the opportunity of going to malaca , whither the king sent them ; but they obeyed . albuquerque set out from cananor with sail , and therein fighting-men . he passed by onor to joyn timoja , whom he found busied in his wedding , being to marry the daughter of a queen , and he desiring to be honoured with the presence of albuquerque , obliged him to land , which proved very dangerous , for a storm rising kept them ashoar three days , and when he returned to his ships , a boat with men was lost . timoja sent with him three ships , and promised to join him at goa with men . . on the th of november albuquerque anchored the second time before the bar calling to mind the dangers he had there escaped , and the discontent that was among some of his officers , he thought fit to sooth the principals with an obliging harangue , and therewith won all their inclinations . at break of day , on the feast of st. catharine , the city was assaulted with great slaughter of the enemy that maintained the shoar , but ( though it seem strange ) not one portugues killed . the enemy fled to recover one of the gates of the city , and our men to enter with them . here the fight was renewed , till many portugueses forced their way in , doing great execution in the streets . they cleared all to the pallace with great danger , and loss of five men of note ; and there was a most furious contest begun with equal valour on both sides . now albuquerque having done what became him , came up , and fortune appearing wholly on our side , the moors fled , and abandoned the city , endeavouring to get over to the continent , but through hast and confusion perished in the river . after the victory it was found , that of fighting-men who defended the town , had perished , and portugueses . medeorao , who commanded the three ships sent by timoja , behaved himself well . timoja with men came too late , he was only witness to the slaughter . the booty of horses , artillery , arms , provisions and ships was excessive , and such as was necessary for the great designs albuquerque had conceived . . our dead were honourably buried , those of the enemy in the bellies of the crocodiles of that river , into which they were cast . not one moor was left alive in the island . the gentiles , who were country-men , were restored to their farms , and the government of them given to timoja , and after to melrao , a nephew of the king of onor . whilst albuquerque setled these affairs , he received many embassadors with congratulations of his success from several princes of malabar . many of hidalean's officers , then , and afterwards made inroads as far as goa , but always returned with loss . iames mendez and his two other captains , desirous to go to malaca , stole away out of the port by night , contrary to albuquerque's orders . he sent after them , and being brought back prisoners , he ordered they should be sent to answer it in portugal , and two pilots condemned to be hanged at the yard-arms . some were suspicious that albuquerque detained iames mendez , lest he should take malaca , which action he designed for himself ; others said , he kept him from the danger siqueira met with there , that enterprize requiring a greater power . . albuquerque providing for the safety of goa , laid the foundation of a fort , which he called emanuel , being the king's name . he caused the names of the captains who were at the taking of it , to be carved upon a stone ; but because every one would be named before the others , he turned down the stone , hiding the names , and on what was visible put this inscription , lapidem quem reprobraverunt aedificantes ; and thus they were all pleased ; for the portugueses had rather their own praise should be forgot , than that another should partake . he coined mony , that of gold he called emanuels , that of silver , esperas , and half esperas that of copper . he married some portugueses to women of the country , gi●…ing them in portion , lands , houses , or em●…loyments , the better to secure his colony . one night that some of these weddings ●…ere celebrated , the brides were so mixt ●…nd confounded together among the people , ●…at some of the bridegrooms went to bed to those that belonged to others , and next morning finding the mistake , they changed them , each taking his own , and all equal as to the point of honour . this gave the more occasion to some gentlemen to ridicule the care of albuquerque . but he persisted with such constancy , that he brought to pass what he intended , which was , to make goa the portugues bulwark in india . king emanuel was very desirous of , and recommended to albuquerque , with much instance , the taking the city aden , and raising a fort there . he now possessed of goa , thought time lo●… while he attempted not something ; he therefore counterfeits the carrying on this enterprize , and sent some ships towards the red sea , when at the same time his design was upon malaca . he went to cochin , having first secured and ordered all things at goa : where was left for the defence of it rodrigo de castello branco with portugueses and gentiles , under melrao to secure the country and revenue . he set out of cochin for malaca on the d of may with sail and fighting-men , of them portugueses , the rest malabares . chap. vi. a continuation of the conquests under king emanuel , the year , and the government of alfonso de albuquerque . . the city malaca , whither albuquerque now directed his course , is seated on that part of land , being a peninsula , commonly called by the name of aurea chersonesus , and upon that channel which parts the island sumatra from the continent of asia , about the middle of that channel , in something more than two degrees of north latitude , stretched along the shoar about a league , in the same manner as lisbon . it is divided by a river , and the two parts joyned by a bridge . the buildings of wood , except the mosque and pallace , which were of stone . it afforded a pleasant prospect to the sea , and was well secured with fortifications . the port was filled with abundance of ships , as being the great market of all those parts . it was first built by the celates , a people for the most part imployed in fishing , who joyned themselves to the malayes , that before inhabited the mountains . they were assisted by parisamora , submitting to him . this man had been great in the island of iava , and expelled by a tyrant who usurped his lordship , fled to cincapura , where being well entertained by that king , he rebelled against him , and was again cast out by the king of siam , and so forced to wander about malaca ; a just punishment for his ingratitude . he having increased the new colony , gave it the name of his fortune ; for malaca in that language signifies a banished man. the first king of malaca was xaque darxa , or as another author says , raal sabu ) son of paramisora , subject to him of siam , from whom his successors revolted . the country of malaca is subject to inundations , full of thick woods , stored with hurtful and dangerous creatures , chiefly tigers , which obliges many people to pass the nights on the tops of high trees , because they fetch them off the low ones with a leap . the men are couragious , the women wanton . the trade of the east and west make malaca most rich and populous . mahomet reigned at this time , against whom the king of siam had sent an army of men , most whereof perished by sundry accidents , and partly by the treachery of mahomet , which he practised with iames lopez de siqueira ; but now came albuquerque to revenge them all . mohomet feared the reward of his baseness , and therefore brought to his aid the king of pam with a great force , and had now men and pieces of cannon , and yet his fear was greater than his preparations . . albuquerque sailing from cochin , by the way he took five ships of the moors bound for malaca , off of ceylon . the king of pedir , in the island sumatra , sent some moors to visit him , and with iohn de viegas , one of the portugueses left behind by siqueira , who , with others , flying from slavery , arrived at pedir . the same was done by the king of paçem . neboada beeguea , of the principals of the treachery of malaca , was fled from pedir , and being beaten and taken at sea by ayres pereyra , to the general astonishment of all that beheld him , he shed not one drop of blood , though pierced with several mortal wounds ; but scarce had they taken off his arm a bracelet of bone , when the blood gushed out . the indians discovered the secret , saying it was the bone of a beast that breeds in iava , which has that virtue ; it was esteemed a great prize , and brought to albuquerque . next they met a vessel with moors , so resolute , albuquerque was forced to come up himself to take it , not without some danger . in this vessel was geniall , the rightful king of paçem , banished by the tyranny of the present possessor . three other vessels were taken soon after , whereof one gave intelligence of the affairs of malaca , in which port our fleet anchored on the st of iuly with much noise of warlike instruments and cannon , terrifying all the people that covered the shoar ; for the guilt of what they had before acted , made then sensible what this fleet was designed for ; there being no surer foreteller of their punishment to wicked men , than their own conscience . . next day came a gallant moor , with a deceitful message , from the king to albuquerque . he received him with great state , the greatest was that of his person and venerable beard , which had never been cut since he was at ormuz , he saying it should never be cut till he sat to that purpose upon the back of coje atar ; so it grew to such a length , that he knotted it to his girdle . he treated the moor courteously , whose message contained , that if he came for merchandize it was ready . the answer was , that the merchandize he sought for , were some portugueses that were in the city ever since siqueira went away ; that having got them , he would let the king know what more he demanded of the king and city . the moor at his return spread the terror of this answer , and it was generally agreed to buy off that danger by restoring the portugueses , and paying a sum of mony. prince alodim and his brother-in-law the king of pam prevented the executing this , and made ready to defend themselves . albuquerque began some military execution , whereupon the king restored the captives . other messages were sent by the king in order to appease albuquerque , who answered , that he offered him peace upon condition he permitted him instantly to raise a fort there , and repayed the charge of his and siqueira coming to that port , since his falshood had been the cause of all the damage sustained ; and that he must immediately return an answer , whether he chose peace or war. the king desired an accommodation , but his son and the king of pam opposed it . at last they all made the necessary preparations to repel the danger . . on the eve of st. iames the apostle , the signal was given for landing , with great shouts and noise of guns ; immediately the portugueses leap ashoar , and mix with the enemy . the hottest of the dispute was about gaining and maintaing the bridge , which albuquerque had undertaken himself , and was vigorously defended till the enemies pressed , leaped into the river , where many were killed , and many drowned . the prince and king of pam bravely withstood another party of ours that would make their way to the bridge . king mahomet came out on a bulky elephant , with two more carrying castles on their backs , whence flew a great number of darts . our men attacking the beasts , so wounded them , that they fled , trampling their own men , and making way for ours to joyn those at the bridge . albuquerque then fortified himself there , and because much harm was done with poisoned arrows from the tops of neighbouring houses , he caused them to be burnt . albuquerque bestowing great praises on his captains for their valour , and perceiving they were scorched with the heat , and faint for want of meat , retired with them to the ships about night , where ten died of poisoned arrows . the enemies loss was not known . the king of pam went away , on pretence of bringing a recruit , but returned not . . whilst albuquerque rested in his ships refreshing his men , the king harrased his , undermining the streets to blow us up , and covering them with poisoned thorns that might gore us at coming in ; he planted more artillery in many places , and secured the bridge . albuquerque sent antony de abreu in a vessel well manned , to gain it ; from the bridge flew showers of bullets , and deniz fernandez de melo seeing him near killed , endeavoured to carry him off to the ships to be dressed , but he with wonderful constancy said , though i have neither strength to fight , nor voice to command , i have still life to keep my post. floats of wildfire were drove along the river to burn the vessel , and no remedy to prevent it , till albuquerque effected it by gaining the bridge ; then the vessel had liberty to act . our commander enters the city through showers of bullets , arrows and darts . understanding the danger of the mines which were in a broad street , he took another way and gained the mosque ; and at last with vast slaughter of the enemy , took entire possession of the city , having with him in this action only portugueses and malabares . . in nine days time all the moors were killed , or driven out of that great place . it was peopled again by strangers , and some malayes , to whom leave was granted . among them came that powerful native of iava utimutiraja , whose son had like to kill siqueira . the souldiers had three days liberty to plunder . there were found pieces of great cannon ; of that king mahomet relied upon , being with the rest retired to bintam , where with prince alodim he fortified himself . this would be of dangerous consequence , therefore albuquerque sent out of his men , and with them went of utimutiraja , and belonging to the merchants of pegu , these put the prince to flight , took seven elephants with costly trappings , and retired . the king now wandred the woods , blaming the obstinacy of his son and the king of pam ; so the father and son fell out and parted , each shifting for himself . albuquerque instantly built the fort , which he called famosa for its beauty , and church dedicated to the visitation of our lady . he coined mony ( as had been done at goa ) of several names and different value , which was proclaimed about the streets , and some scattered among the people . by these and other honourable actions he gained the hearts of the strangers , and secured this most important place . . albuquerque , though he saw into the soul of utimutiraja , knowing it sometimes convenient to trust an enemy , gave him the command of the moors who remained in the city . but he kept private correspondence with prince alodim , on pretence to restore him , but in reality to the intent to set himself up . this was not so private but it was discovered , and he , his son , and son-in-law were apprehended , and publickly ( after conviction ) executed on the same scaffold they had erected for siqueira . this was the first piece of publick justice executed by the portugueses in india . one fire is followed by another . pate quitir , a native of iava , to whom alfonso gave that government , took a sum of mony of the wife of utimutiraja ( whom he had succeeded ) and a promise to give him her daughter , upon condition he would revenge the death of her husband on the portugueses , to whom she had offered ducats for his life . pate accepted the offer , with the same intention of seizing the city . the king of campar also having this design , sent to congratulate with albuquerque , offering his service , and asking the command of pate quitir . but this had no effect now , in its time it shall be related . albuquerque received here several embassies , particularly from the king of siam , who rejoyced to see his quarrel revenged , though by another hand . he also sent embassadors to siam , to pegu ; and two to discover the islands of maluco and banda . they had all orders to publish every where what had hapned at malaca , and offer the trade of that place on better terms than it was before . all things being ordered , the best the time would permit , he resolved to return to cochin , leaving ruy de brito patalim to command in the fort with above men . the like number to guard the sea , in ten ships , under fernando perez de andrade . albuquerque carried with himself four sail. . whilst this passed at malaca , there broke out a rebellion of many of the natives at goa , and pulate cam , an officer of hidalcam , appeared before it with a good body of men ; he passed over into the island and besieged the city . one of the principal exploits was a sally made by our commander rodrigo rebelo , in which was done much execution . but soon after he was killed , and with him manuel de cunna , so that things were in a bad posture . to remedy this , by publick consent iames mendez de vasconcellos was chose commander . . pulate cam gave some jealousie , that he designed to usurp this territory , to prevent which hidalcam sent his brother-in-law rotzmo cam , who overcame him with the assistance of iames mendez , whom he drew to his aid , and after would drive out of the city , finding himself with a power of men , there being then not above in the town , whereof the third part only were portugueses . he laid siege , and hunger began to press within , and some of our men deserted , whereof part repenting , returned , which gave the first hopes to the besieged . next came emanuel de la cerda , left to cruize upon that sea , and had wintered at cochin ; then iames fernandez de beja , who had been demolishing the fort at zocotora , and receiving the tribute at ormuz . the abundance of provisions and recruits of men they brought , gave new life to the almost dismayed besieged . after these arrived , iohn serram , who came from portugal the year before with payo de sa , in order to settle some trade in the island madagascar , where they made several attempts to no effect . christopher de brito , who was at cananor with one great and four smaller ships , hearing of the condition of goa , went thither , carrying many men and much provision , and secured the town which had suffered much that winter . chap. vii . conquests in india under king emanuel , from the year , till the year , alfonso de albuquerque still governing . . albuquerque sailing from malaca to cochin , off cape timia , of the kingdom aru , in the island sumatra , his ship set upon a rock , which so split it athwart the keel , that those in the poop could not come at them in the forecastle , and the contrary ; neither could the other vessels , by reason of the darkness of the night , come to relieve them . till day appearing albuquerque was seen holding in his arms a girl , chance had conducted to him in the confusion ; peter de alpoem coming up , though with much danger , saved him . the loss he most lamented was that bone which hindred the wounded moor from bleeding , and some iron lions of curious work , which he had designed for supporters to his tomb. some men were lost . albuquerque went into alpoem's ship , and prosecuting his voyage , took two ships of moors , which , though rich , made not amends for his great loss . immediately upon his arrival at cochin , being informed of the distress of goa , he dispatched thither eight vessels with men and provisions , and a promise of his speedy coming in person . there were then in the town men , and the besiegers were strong . . six ships arrived in india from portugal , commanded by don garcia de noronha , who had a tedious voyage , having spent a whole year without touching in any port : and though the men were tired and sick , yet they relieved some places . the mean while sailed from portugal to india a fleet of ships , whereof one perished at the islands of angoxa . . this fleet containing men , anchored at the bar of goa on the th of august . they presently visited the enemy in their fort of benastarim , and then don garcia , and george de melo with their squadrons passed on , carrying with them iohn machado and others newly delivered from the slavery of cambaya . albuquerque rejoyced more than at his victories to see his nephew don garcia with that command , the great succour he and melo brought , the captives released , and all things concurring to further his designs . his satisfaction was increased by the arrival of antony de sadanna with the garrison of quiloa , which place being of small importance , they had quitted . at the same time came an embassador from the king of persia , and one from him of ormuz to go to portugal . albuquerque ordered the affairs of cochin to pass to goa , and by the way left george de melo in the fort of cananor . . he was received at goa as a publick father , and being informed of the past as well as present posture of affairs ; he visited the fortifications , and studied how to drive rotzomo cam from his works . the sixth day from his arrival , being on an eminence with some gentlemen viewing moors and horse , who diverted themselves in the field , it being friday , which is their sabbath , he could not hinder our men from rushing upon them , and driving them up to their fortifications , where was a hot skirmish , and our men victorious with some booty , having killed above , and lost one captain and another man , and some wounded . . albuquerque resolving to take that fortress from the enemy , gave the assault by land and sea , and thinking it was not vigorously carried on by sea , he leaped into a boat , and came so near that a cannon ball killed a canara that steered the vessels , dashing his brains and blood on his beard . this so inflamed him , that he promised a reward to any that should break that cannon , and immediately one of our gunners directed a ball into the mouth of it , wherewith it flew in pieces and killed the canonier . this made way for our men to come up the river and lay the siege closer , when zufolari appearing on the continent with men coming to the relief of it , but finding nothing could be done , he retired with some loss sustained by our cannon . albuquerque set down before the place with men , whereof were portugueses , in two bodies , one commanded by himself , the other by his nephew don garcia de noronha . at first we received some damage , but afterwards did so much , that rotzomo cam surrendred upon condition to leave the fort with all the cannon and ammunition , and deliver all the slaves and renegadoes , which last albuquerque punished by cutting off their noses , ears , right hands , and thumbs of the left , and sending them so maimed to portugal . one of these was ferdinando lopez , who to do pennance for his sins , voluntarily staid with a black in the island st. helena , where he was afterward serviceable to some ships , and began to sow that island . albuquerque endeavoured to bring rotzomo cam over to the portugues service , but succeeded not . but this his fortune terrified many princes . the king of calicut concluded a treaty with don garcia de noronha , whom his uncle had sent to cochin to take charge of affairs there . those of narsinga and bisa , hidalcam and others sent embassadors , to all which he answered , extolling the value of the portugueses amity , and the terror of their arms ; and being dispatched , sent after them messengers of his own to inform those princes , and gain intelligence of them . now arrived at goa , mathew , embassador from prester iohn , in order to go to portugal ; he brought with him a piece of the holy cross , and letters from queen helena , who governed that kingdom during the minority of her son david . the design of this embassie was to settle amity with our king , and ask aid against the moors , who ever infested that empire . the embassador said , that at his masters court there were then three portugueses , one called iohn , who stiled himself embassador of the king of portugal , and two who said they had been lately set ashoar at cape guardafu to discover the country . these were iohn gomez and iohn sanchez , set ashoar there by order of albuquerque himself , with a moor for that discovery . . finding the affairs of goa in so good a posture , he resolved to put in execution an enterprize he had been charged with by king emanuel . this was the conquest of the city aden . he fitted ships , without acquainting any body with the design when ready to sail he acquainted the captains with his intentions . the number of the men was portugueses , and canaras and malabars . they set sail the th of february , and arrived safe at aden . miramirzan , governour of the town , sent to complement albuquerque , and a present of provision . several messages passing , and no hopes of a surrender appearing , it was resolved to give the assault . . the city aden is seated on the coast of arabia felix , near the mouth of the red sea , called by ptolomy , modocan . over it appears the mountain arzira , all a barren rock , in many cliffs . the town from the sea looks beautiful and strong . it is rich and famous for the great resort thither of many nations . the soil so scarce of water , that it has only a few wells and cisterns . even from the clouds it is scarce watered above once in two or three years ; whence it is void of all trees , plants and orchards , the delight and pleasure of other towns. . albuquerque found the enterprize was more difficult than it had been represented . on easter-eve in the morning our men landed with scaling ladders , this being thought the proper method for gaining the place . it was doubtful who first mounted the wall , but several being already upon it , the ladders , overburdened with the multitude that pressed to get up , broke several times , so that there was no hope of relieving those who had gained the top , and stood in great danger , and albuquerque was forced to order them down , making one out of the broken ladders , some fighting while the others came off . after four hours engagement , they retired with great danger and loss , more sustained by the accident than the enemy . george silveyra and five men were killed , some died after of their wounds , and some with the fall from the wall. . albuquerque complying with his ill fortune , and the persuasions of his captains , and to save time , resolved to give over that attempt , and sail towards the mouth of the red sea. but first they took a bulwark that guarded the port , where many moors were killed , and great pieces of cannon found . the ships were all first plundered , and then burnt . the fourth day after their arrival they sailed out of this port , and arrived at the mouth of the red sea , next the coast of arabia , which was much celebrated with great signs of joy by albuquerque , as being the first of our nation that had entred those seas . chap. viii . a continuation of the conquests of the year , the reign of king emanuel , and government of alfonso de albuquerque . . the form of the red sea is not unlike to that of a crocodile , the mouth of it is the place answerable to the narrow neck , and the head is that sea which lies out between cape guardafu and cape fartaque , and the point of the tail reaches to the town of suez ; it lies n. n. w. and s. s. e. the length of it leagues , the breadth where widest . the channel is in the middle , and has water enough to carry the greatest ships ; but the sides ar●… shoal , full of little islands and banks of sand. no river of any note falls into it . by the moors it is called bahar corzu , that is , closed in ; by others the sea of meca ; by us the red sea , from the colour it takes of the bottom , as was experienced by the viceroy don iohn de castro , who caused to be taken up in some places a matter red , like corral ; in others , green ; and in others , white ; and in each the water seemed of that colour , but the most is red , and the water taken up is as clear as any other . there are some fisheries of small pearl in many parts of this sea ; it abounds not in fish. the mouth lies between and degrees of north latitude , and is as it were locked up by seven small islands , the greatest called mehun , and perantonomasiam island . from the mouth of the streight till suez , along the coast of arabia , for the first leagues , are some ports of small note , till we come to the island camaran , subject to king of aden . thence to gezan , a great town leagues , where are seven considerable ports . from gezan to imbo leagues , all the dominion of meca , wherein are good towns and ports ; among which ziden , a famous town , then ioda , much known , and meca leagues up the country ; leagues from imbo , is toro , where it is said the children of israel crossed the red sea , which is here leagues over ; hence to suez leagues , and there ends the coast of arabia . let us now return from suez to the streight , where we began , running along the opposite coast of egypt and ethiopia : leagues from suez is grand cayr , the vast metropolis of egypt , but it lies upon the nile , not the red sea ; leagues from it to alcozer ; thence , in which space are many ports to the city zuanquem ; leagues farther mazua , in a small island , as is the other , and opposite to it arquico ; hence leagues to the mouth of the sea. behind a ridge of mountains that runs along this coast lies the empire of prester iohn , which has always preserved christianity after their manner , and has of late been much supported therein by the portugues arms. . albuquerque sailing along this sea , arrived at the island camaran , abandoned by its inhabitants for fear of his coming . here he took four ships richly laden , one belonging the soldan of cayr , two more he had taken by the way . from this island he visited others , and now appeared in the sky , visibly to all , a red crols very bright , seeming to be about a fadom athwart , and of a proportionable length . they all knelt , and albuquerque made a devout prayer , and the vision was celebrated with joy and sound of musick , and cannon , till by degrees it was covered by a bright cloud . he returned to camaran , designing to winter there , the wind having failed him to sail to ioda , as he had designed . . here they suffered extreamly by famine , and after many died by sickness , caused by the ill food . albuquerque parted hence when the weather would permit , which was in iuly , resolving to appear again before aden , he touched at the island mehun , at the mouth of the streight , and called it vera cruz , because he erected there a very high cross on an eminence . he dispatched two ships to discover the city zeyla , where they burnt two vessels in the harbour and joyned him again at aden . . albuquerque found this city newly fortified . the cannon on both sides was plaid with almost equal damage . nothing considerable was performed , but some ships taken and burnt , and then sailed for india . . about the middle of august he anchored off of diu ; the lord of it melique az , more out of fear than affection , sent him some provisions , and a courteous message . albuquerque knowing him , dealt cautiously , and demanded leave to raise a fort there ; he excused himself with the king of cambaya ; at the same time advising him to deny it if asked . however it was agreed a factor and some others should be left there to settle trade ; and at parting melique treated albuquerque with such civility and cunning , that he after said he had not seen a more perfect courtier , or fitter to deceive , and at the same time please an understanding man. afterwards leave was obtained of the king of cambaya to raise a fort at diu , upon condition he might build another at malaca , and other reasonable proposals which were admitted . . now arrived in india two ships from portugal , a third being cast away , but the men saved , and taken up by the others at melinde ; the captain of her was after lost in a boat. albuquerque went to goa , and sent his nephew noronha to dispatch these two , and three other ships homewards . these ships carried an embassador from zamori to king emanuel , he being now in amity with us , and having permitted a fort to be erected where it was desired . they carried also the offers of several princes , and many captives taken in war , as testimonies of what he had acted . there went also a portugues jew , an inhabitant of ierusalem , sent by the guardian of the franciscans there , to acquaint albuquerque , that the soldan of cayr threatned the destruction of all the holy places . chap. ix . a continuation of the conquests , the year , till the year , the same king reigning in portugal , and the same governour ruling india . . that powerful native of iava , pate quitir , who had been honoured and preferred at malaca by albuquerque , and at the time of his departure was in rebellion , improved his absence to carry on his treason . one night he killed a captain of ours , and took some cannon , and fortified himself therewith and with what he had before , and men and two elephants . ferdinando perez and alfonso pessoa with men attacked him , one by land , the other by water ; after a vigorous defence , many of his men being slain , he fled to the woods . in his fort was found much artillery , ammunition and other riches , and all that part where he lived was burnt to the ground . . pate quitir having received succour from iava , and king mahomet who lost malaca , begins to raise another fort in a convenien●… place , appearing powerful by sea and land , in hopes to usurp the dominion of the city . ferdinando perez went again to oppose him , but though he fought with the same resolution , had not the same success as before , being forced to retire with loss of three captains and four private men . lacsamana , a commander of king mahomet , now enters the river with many men and much cannon in several vessels . ferdinando perez goes to meet him with three ships , the fight lasted very furious the space of three hours , with much advantage on the portugues side . lacsamana with wonderful celerity that night , threw up a notable fortification , whilst perez guarded the river , fearing he should fly from him . it was thought a rashness in their condition to attack him , so they retired to the city to consult their own safety , but before they consulted their relief came unexpected . . just then entred the port three ships from india with ammunition and men. whilst they considered how to put in execution the orders sent by albuquerque , lacsamana took all the vessels that carried provisions to the town . hunger so pressed the town that some fainted about the streets , the same plague attended pate quitir in his quarters . the weather being fit to sail , ferdinando perez set out with ten ships and one gally . as they sailed toward cincapura , the gally going before , discovered a sail and kept it in play till the fleet coming up took and found it stored with provision and ammunition , designed for pate quitir . perez brought the captain and principal men over to his own ship , who resolved to kill our men , and began to execute it , running perez into the back with a poniard ; some of them were taken , others leaped into the sea. being put to the rack , they confessed there was a son of pate quitir among them , and that they were followed by three vessels with the like lading , which were also taken , and all carried to the city . at the same time arrived gomez de cunna with his ship laden with provision ; he came from pegu , where he had been settling peace with that king. the famine being appeased , and men recovered , ferdinando perez with his fleet attacked pate quitir , and fortunately burnt his fort , obliging him to fly to iava . lacsamana seeing this success , drew off . but at iava a great fleet is preparing to fall upon malaca . . iava is an island s. e. of sumatra , they are divided by a streight leagues over , it is long and narrow , the length lying from east to west , is almost leagues . all the length of it runs a mountain ( like the apennine in italy ) which hinders the commerce between those people : it has some ports and good cities . the inhabitants came from china . afterwards moors from malaca possessed themselves of the coast. pate unuz , who was after king of zunda , was now lord of the city iapara . this man now prepared a fleet of sail to fall upon malaca ; among these , some equal in bigness to our galeons , and that which he was to go in , greater than any of them . he had been seven years making this preparation , and kept private intelligence with the natives of iava that were in maiaca . he had men and much cannon . on a sudden they appeared before the town . ferdinando perez with vessels , and in them portugueses and some natives , met them , had a sharp engagement , and did much execution . . the night parted the fleets , and was spent in consulting what should be done next morning . pate unuz endeavoured to gain the river muar . perez pursues and pierces into the middle of the enemy , playing his cannon and fire works with such success , that many ships were sunk and fired . the fight was very furious , till pate unuz fled , and was pursued in ●…in , for he never stopt till in iava , where he preserved that vast vessel as a memorial of his escape , and the grandeur of his fleet , not without reason , for a merchant of malaca offered for it ducats in case it were taken . this victory cost some lives and much blood , few escaping without some wounds . thus were those of iava for ever banished from malaca . ferdinando perez laden with spice and victory sailed to cochin , in company of lope de azevedo and antony de abreu , who came from the discovery of the maluccoes with three ships . after them arrived antony de miranda from siam , to the great joy of albuquerque , seeing the good fruits of his labour and care for malaca , and happy return of those he had sent to other places . . king mahomet who had lost malaca , had not yet lost the hopes of being restord to it . he drew near , and having tried all ways by force , resolved to make use of a stratagem . he ordered that tuam maxeliz , a favourite of his , should imitate the great zopirus of babylon . with his consent he did him some great injuries . he then fled to malaca with some companions , giving out he fled from the tyranny of his prince . ruy de brito who commanded the fort , gave credit to him , and by presents and policy he gained such freedom , that he had admittance at all times , till he came prepared to kill brito , the king at the same time being ready to second and bring him off ; six men were suddenly slain by his followers : brito then opened his eyes ( for he was sleeping ) and gathering his men , drove the traitor out at the very time that a party of mahomets came up to the fort. the commander of the party tuam calascar understanding the miscarriage , with a ready wit counterfeited he came to the assistance of brito , and retired . now arrived peter de faria from the streight of sabam , bringing with him abdela , king of campar , who no longer able to endure his son-in-law mahomet , came to live under the portugueses in malaca . this was in the month of iuly , and george de albuquerque was come from goa to command in this city , with instructions what to do with the king of campar , which in effect were to give him the charge of bendara ( that is , governour of the natives ) till th●… possest by ninachetu , on whom for his go 〈◊〉 services albuquerque had before bestowed it , and now took it from him for some miscarriages . this heathen so much resented it , that he resolved to give a wonderful demonstration of his constancy and concernment . he was very rich , and ordered in a market-place a scaffold to be erected , adorned with rich silks and cloath of gold ; in the middle he placed a great heap of sweet aromatick wood , and strewed the street from his house thither with sweet herbs and flowers , and hung it answerable to the scaffold . he invited his friends , and clad himself and family richly . then mounting upon the scaf fold , whilst by his order that rich pile was fired and kindled , he made a long harangue , protesting his innocence and the zeal wherewith he had served the portugueses , and saying he would fly up to heaven in that flame and smoke , he cast himself into that fire , to the great admiration of all the beholders . . the king of campar was gone home , designing to return and take upon him the charge of bendara , but was hindred by the king of bintam and mahomet . they fitted out a fleet of sail , and men , under the command of the king of linga ; they besieged campar , and portugues vessels set out to shut them up , with some boats equipped by the town . the king of linga observing them somewhat careless , on a sudden fell upon george botello the commander , with his gally , all the fleet fol●…wing him , but he was well received , his ●…ally taken , the fleet put to flight , and the king forced to leap overboard . they took in the king of campar , and brought him to malaca , where he exercised the charge of bendara so excellently , that in four months time the city was visibly improved , many people resorting to it who had fled to mahomet , offended at ninachetu . mahomet perceiving the growth of the city caused by his son-in-law abdela , to put a stop to it made use of a fraud peculiar to a moor. he gave out in private , but so that it might be spread abroad , that his son-inlaw was gone over to malaca by common consent , and the same was done by such as seemed to fly from bintam , with a design to seize upon the fort the first opportunity , and deliver it to him as lawful prince . this secret ( as mahomet had designed it ) was divulged at malaca , and had the effect he pretended ; for george de albuquerque gave more credit to the report , than to the honest proceeding of the bendara , who was tried and condemned as a traytor , and his head cut off upon a publick scaffold . the city escaped not the punishment of this crime , being left almost desolate by the flight of the inhabitants , and then oppressed by famine . chap. x. from the year , till the year , concluding with the government and life of the great alfonso de albuquerque . . whilst what is before related hapned at malaca , albuquerque visited the important places of his province , and gave the necessary orders for their security . he dispatched don garcia de noronha to cochin , thence to encourage the work of the fort that was building at calicut , he appointed four sail to cruize in the mouth of the red sea , under the command of his nephew peter de albuquerque , with orders to touch at ormuz , and receive the tribute when it became due , and then discover the island of baharem . he dispatched embassadors well attended , to several princes . iames fernandez de beja went to the king of cambaya to treat about the fort of diu , which he had consented to before , and now refused , induced thereto by melique az. the embassadour returned with presents to albuquerque , among other things a rhinoceros or abada , which was afterwards lost in the mediterranean , being sent by king emanuel to the pope , with other rarities of india ▪ iohn gonzalez de castellobranco was sent to hidalcan about the pretensions of goa , to less effect than the other in the affairs of diu. . in september arrived at goa five ships from portugal , under the command of christopher de brito , one was after lost , bound for cambaya ; care was taken to dispatch the lading of the others . albuquerque eased of these more profitable than honourable cares , prepared to set forwards , yet unresolved , whether he should steer to ormuz or the red sea , the king having ordered both . in order to fix a resolution , he consulted with his captains . it was agreed the enterprize should be upon ormuz , a suitable determination to albuquerque's desires . on the th of february he directed his course thither . his fleet consisted of sail , portugueses and malabares and canaras . they anchored in the port of ormuz on the th of march. immediately came aboard a visit and presents from the king. but what best pleased albuquerque was , that he found there michael ferreyra whom he had sent to xeque ismael of persia , to procure amity with him , whereof he brought great hopes . . raez hamet was now possessed of the favour of the king of ormuz , as coje atar had been with his predecesso●… , both these being dead . among other things albuquerque sent to demand of him the delivery of the fort he had begun there , and that he should send some principal men with the instrument of the submission of that kingdom made by king ceyfadim . all was consented to , because there was no power to resist . the governour raez nordim came with his nephew to ratifie all , to whom albuquerque gave rich presents , and by them sent the king a rich coller of gold , no less valuable for the workmanship than the mettal , and a standard with the portugues arms , to declare the union between both nations . publick demonstrations of joy were made on both sides for this agreement , with sound of warlike instruments and noise of cannon . on palm sunday albuquerque took possession of the fort before begun , which in few days did rise to a great height , and albuquerque with some of his captains went into the houses neighbouring to it . . albuquerque prepared to receive an embassador that came from the king of persia with michael ferreyra with presents , on a scaffold near those houses ; this audience was so long deferred to shew to those of ormuz , that so powerful a prince sought his friendship . the king of ormuz was at a window to see this reception . the present consisted of ounces , brocards , precious stones , and jewels of gold , and many silks . the embassador was honourably received , and the treaty concluded with mutual satisfaction . . raez hamet was come from persia with a design to secure ormuz , and deliver it up to his king ismael . he so far gained upon the king , that he absolutely governed him , and nothing was done but by his direction . the better to carry on the enterpize , he underhand brought people into ormuz , and was actually in readiness to kill the king , but deferred it till a more favourable opportunity . albuquerque was informed of all these practices , and how much the king desired to be delivered from that oppression ; he studied , and fortune offered him the occasion of executing it . an interview was appointed between the king and albuquerque . his evil conscience warned raez hamet to shun that danger . he proposed albuquerque should come to the king , lest the king going should carry him . the other insisted that the king should come to him , and carried it , upon condition that neither party should be armed . some of raez hamet's men broke the condition , carrying hidden arms. he was armed himself , and entring the first with much rudeness , albuquerque cried to his captains , kill him , which was instantly obeyed . the king came , and the conference began ; but was interrupted by the noise of the people , supposing the king was killed . raez hamet's men knowing it was he who was slain , ran and possessed themselves of , and fortified the king's house . albuquerque would presently have scaled it , but was hindred by the king , who with the assistance of his governours , found other means to expel those enemies the city . they were to the number of , who all went away to persia. this disorder was succeeded by the pomp wherewith albuquerque and all his captains accompanied the king to his pallace , to the great joy of the whole city , seeing their prince delivered from that tyrany , and restored to the majesty of a king. then albuquerque dispatched the king of persia's embassador , sending along with him ferdinando gomez , with a present of double the value of that he had received . he was to give an account of what had been done at ormuz . he was well received , and brought a favourable answer . . it requires a larger history to give an account of the affairs and kings of persia. let it suffice to say , that the valiant prince reigning at this time , was embroiled in war with the turk , which was one cause of sending this embassie , hoping to make an advantage of our arms against his enemy . . whilst the fort was building , or rather finishing , albuquerque persuaded the king it was for the safety of the city to put all their cannon into the fort , pretending thereby to secure them against their enemies , but in reality to disable them from offending him . security is a powerful argument where there is fear . the king and his governours , though with some reluctancy , consented to all was demanded . the command of the fort was given to peter de albuquerque . so was that rich and powerful kingdom brought under the portugues subjection , rather to the advantage than detriment of its natural kings ; more oppressed before by the tyranny of their ministers , than by the tribute they afterwards paid . besides the security it enjoyed , being protected by our arms ; but that liberty is sweeter than all other conveniencies . . these affairs settled , albuquerque applied himself to dispatch the trading ships homeward-bound . he sent to this purpose his nephew don garcia de noronha with most of the fleet to cochin , staying behind himself to conclude such affairs as required his presence . soon after he fell sick , and the disease increasing , was persuaded for the recovery of his health , to go to india , which he consented to , to the great grief of the king , who looked upon him as a father . by the way he met the news , that there were arrived in india ships from portugal , who brought orders for him to return home . lope soarez , who commanded them , being appointed his successor ; hearing this , he cried out , lope soarez governour of india ; this is he , it could be no other . d●… iames mendez and iames pereyra , whom i sent prisoners for hainous crimes , return , the one governour of cochin , the other secretary ? it is time for me to take sanctuary in the church , for i have incurred the kings displeasure for his subjects sakes , and the subjects anger for the king's sake . old man fly to the church , it concerns your honour you should die , and you never omitted any thing that concerned your honour . then lifting his eyes and hands to heaven gave god thanks a governour came so opportunely , not doubting he should die . he was seized with a profound melancholy , and arrived at dabul , almost in the arms of death , and there writ these last lines to the king. this is , sir , the last letter which i write to your highness , now under the pangs of death , of many that i writ full of life , because mine was then free from the confusion of the last hour , and employed in your service . i left in that kingdom a son , called blas de albuquerque , i beg your highness will make him as great as my service deserves . as to the affairs of india , it will answer for it self and me . upon the bar of goa ( which he called his land of promise ) he gave up the ghost on the th of december , in the d year of his age , in his perfect senses , and like a good christian. he was buried in a chappel built by himself at the city gate , and called sennora de la sierra , or our lady of the mountain . he was second son to gonçalo de albuquerque , lord of villaverde , and of donna leonor de meneses , daughter of alvaro gonzales de atayde , first count of atouguia . he had been master of the horse to king iohn the second . of a moderate stature , his countenance pleasing , and venerable by the beard which reached below his girdle , to which he wore it knotted ; that and his complexion very white ; his picture shews his breeches , double●… , cloak , cap and coif all black , with gold trimming ; the wastcoat striped with green velvet , with small spots like studs . it was doubted whether he was a better man or officer . when angry , his looks somewhat terrible ; when merry , pleasant and witty. he was twice before ormuz , twice before goa , and twice before malaca , three famous islands and kingdoms in asia , whereof he gloriously triumphed . . after a long resistance made by the people of goa , his bones were brought to lisbon , and buried in the church of our lady of grace . he was the first had the title of governour of india , as don francisco de almeyda the first of viceroy . end of the second part of the first tome . the portugues asia . tom . ii. part iii. chap. i. the government of the viceroy d. anton. de noronna from the year , till , in the reign of king sebastian . . we concluded the second part with the arrival at goa of the viceroy d'anton . de noronna . his good service in india preferred him to the command of ormur , and his wise conduct there to the government of india . . with him went four ships , and he was received with a general satisfaction . he immediately sent relief to cananor , which was besieged , giving the command of the land to d. antony de noronna , and that of the s●…a to gonçalo pereyra marramaque with a good fleet. d. francis mascarenas , who was there with a squadron before , deliver'd it to him , and went away to his command of moçambique : this was occasion'd by that morish woman spoke of in the end of iohn de mendoça his government . . peter de silva and meneses , had the command of seven ships given him to secure the boats that brought provisions to goa , whereof their was a scarcity . about the river cannaroto he lost sight of three of his ships by stress of weather , and after found them encreased to six , for the three had met and taken as many of the malabars , and were sailing after their admiral . returning to the place where they were dispersed , between the islands and the continent , they met the more murimuja with seventeen paraos well provided to meet all dangers . he instantly made to our ships , and after the discharge of cannon on both sides , they boarded , and having received some damage , the portugueses sunk two and took five , one of them being murimujas who was kill'd ; the others flying , were pursued to the river pudepatan , where three paraos and above fifty almadies or great boats came to their relief . ou●… cannon repulsed them , and they run up the river : of the enemy five hundred were killed , and three portuguses . . the viceroy being in care for cananor , sent thither d. paul de lima pereyra , with four ships . being at anchor in the bay of bate●…ala , the malabar pyrat canatali came upon him with seven paraos loaded with booty taken on the northern coast. paul seeing him come , sets out to meet him . after the usual salutes with their cannon , canatale with three of his ships lays d. paul's galliot on board , the others did the like to the other three , whereof two shamefully fled , the third stood by it till he was sunk . now all the enemies force fell upon d. paul , who , with fifty men he had , did things behond belief , killing above two hundred mores , but with the loss of thirty portugueses . d. paul was so wounded , he was forc'd to sit down and gave order to make to the enemy , who was drawn off . canatale , who was preparing to fall on again , seeing the galliot beyond expectation make at him , stood away ; d. paul return'd to god , being in no condition to reach cananor . . there our men were much streightned by the number of the enemies who were masters of the field . andrew de sousa made a good resistance , till he dying , and d. antony de noronna succeeding him , with the relief he carried , in several re●…counters they kill'd above two thousand mores , and cut down forty thousand palm-trees . this is the greatest harm can be done that people , because those trees are their princi●…l sustenance . the city enrag'd hereat , ●…ll'd together all the neighbourhood to the number of ninety thousand , to take revenge ▪ they had the boldness to assault and scale th●… for●… with such confidence of carrying it , that they had before-hand divided the booty . nic●…aripo a nayre did us great service , advising d. payo de noronna then commanding there , to put the men and riches of the town , as not tenable , into the fort. all was drawn in , except d. antony de noronn●… and his men , who said he would live and die by those walls , and staid accordingly . the men all prepared themselves for death , and stood at their arms all the last night . . by break of day the enemy attack'd the works with great crys , and above two thousand of them entred the city . in one place emanuel trava●…s with thirty men did great execution upon them . d. antony appear'd in all parts , thomas de sousa , gasper de brito , and the two betancores , made great slaughter at their posts . the field was so cover'd , that never a bullet was lost . the enemy began to give back , when two cazices brought them on again . the assault lasted till sun-setting , then the enemy retired to their camp , with a resolution to protract the siege . about five thousand of them were kill'd . . at this time came gon●…la pereyra with his fleet , and was a great encouragement to them all ; and after him alvaro paez de 〈◊〉 to succeed d. payo . they both prosecuted the war , and utterly destroyed the city of aderrajao who commanded at the siege , and cut down a great wood of palm-trees with considerable slaughter to the enemy , and without losing one man. this was the end of that siege . chap. ii. continues the government of d. anton. de noronna . . the tyrant raju disturb'd the peace of ceylen , resolving to make himself master of the whole island : he gather'd a numerous army , and the better to surprize the portugueses in columbo , gave out , his design was upon cota . he encamped between the two forts and alarming cota , imagin'd they were unprovided at columbo , and suddenly attacques it by night , so that above two thousand men mounted the walls , but were as soon thrown down by the commander iames de ataide and his men. the assault was renew'd , but at length the enemy , having lost five hundred men , retired ; raju resolv'd to carry both places by famine , since he could not by force . at cota he attempted to drain the ditch by turning away the river , and had compassed it , had not peter de ataide with some musqueteers oblig'd his workmen to give over , killing three hundred of them . it is said , a cloud miraculously hung between our men and the enemy , which conceal'd the former from the latter , but not them from us , so that they fired at a mark without being seen . . but now provisions began to fail in cota , and they fed on things loathsom . ataide thinking to take some of the enemies elephants that were in a wood hard by , sallied out with eighty men , but being over-power'd with a multitude was forc'd to retire , having lost two . raju knowing how famine raged , had corrupted not only the natives , but some portugueses . luis carvallo , rather through dispair than good will , discover'd the treason ; and ataide , without taking notice he knew it , gain'd the hearts of the conspirators , by favouring and cherishing them . the little silver he had he coin'd and distributed among them . . george de melo commanding in the island man●…r , easily perswaded the king of candea , as being an enemy to raju , to invade his country now he was absent , thinking by that means to draw him from the siege . he sent five thousand men , and with them thirty ●…gueses commanded by belchior de sousa ; they destroyed all as they went , and ●…tterly fa●…ed the great city chilao , yet raju 〈◊〉 stir'd . on the contrary he prepar'd 〈◊〉 assault cota by night . a chingala woman appear'd at the foot of the bastion prea●… desiring to be carried to our captain ▪ 〈◊〉 discover'd to him raju's design , and 〈◊〉 the saving of the city . some believed 〈◊〉 woman was an angel ; the truth is , she was mistress to one of our souldiers , and ●…ing her lover's danger , made this disco●… . there is nothing so ●…d , but at some●… does good . . pe●… de ataide sent antony de silv●… to 〈◊〉 to order iames , as soon as he hear●… c●…on 〈◊〉 at night , to sally with his men , and fall upon the back of raju's army , that would be then busie in the assault . george de melo was already come thither from manar with one hundred men , seeing the project of candea take no effect . in the dead of night the enemy attacks the city on all hands , and finds those of cota ready to receive him : yet killing some of the defendants , they enter the works in one place , thither the king and peter hast , and with incredible bravery drive them out again . stephen gouzales , captain of the innamos , with seven men did the like upon the like occasion . . at this time came from columbo the other ataide and melo , who by reason of the darkness of the night , could do no more but fire the enemy's camp , and return to their fort , lest if he succeeded here , he should immediately attack it . raju in person with the flower of his army attacks the bastion of preacota , where he found fifty soldiers , that seem'd to him to be fifty thousand by the harm they did him . these men afterwards declared , that they saw in the air a beautiful woman , who with her vail cover'd them and received therein the enemies bullets and arrows , whereof many returned upon and kill'd them . by her side was a venerable old man with a general 's staff in his hand . this was supposed to be the blessed virgin and st. ioseph . raju in the morning seeing this great disappointment fled to ceytavaca , leaveing above two thousand men dead . . peter de ataide fearing he might return , and being quite destitute of provisions , caused four hundred of the fattest men that were killed to be salted , and a mulato tasted them eating up a liver . f. simon of nazareth urged the unlawfulness of this food , and ataide pleaded necessity : but no use was made of it ; for it being known that raju was not in a condition to return , provision soon came from columbo . thus ended this siege of four months , the last forty days whereof , there was scarce any thing to eat . the portugueses alone obtained this victory , for all the king's men deserted . those were not above three hundred , some sick and old . . what raju had design'd we now did our selves ; for it being difficult and troublesome to maintain cota , it was judged expedient to demolish it , and remove the king to columbo , where he was no less tormented with the covetousness of the portugues commanders , than he had been before with the tyranny of raju . this was performed by iames de melo , who went to succeed peter de ataide in that command . . three thousand mogol horse appear'd ●…ore the fort of damam , where iohn de sousa commanded , he sent advice to the viceroy and the neighbouring places , and began to fortifie . his greatest confidence was in the palisade made of the plant leobera ( that is , milk ) which is not be assaulted , because when struck it casts out drops like milk , ( from whence it has the name ) which if they touch the eyes infallibly blind . trestan de mendo●…a commander of chaul came with two hundred men. the viceroy sent four ships : they marched out to fight the enemy , who was encamped three leagues off , who fled at the first sight , leaving a rich booty in their camp. . the bassa of ba●…ora , during the government of the count de redondo , desiring the turks might have a free trade at ormuz , had made some overtures of peace , and the count thinking it a matter of too great concern to be transacted without the great turks concurrence , sent antony teyxeyra a gentleman sufficiently qualified embassador to constantinople . he entred the pallace this year , scattering gold coin. the grand signior to receive him was seated on the ground sewing caps , which his grandees bought at excessive rates . the embassador told him , that the bassa had proposed a peace to the viceroy , and a free trade for the subjects of the turkish empire . the great turk , without lifting up his head from stitching , answer'd , i ask peace of no body : if the king of portugal desires it , let him send some great man of his court , and he shall be heard . the embassador brought a letter containing this answer to portugal , and it was thought fit not to reply to it , because they found the turk did not speak like a taylor . . d. ferdinand de monroy , a spanish gentleman , was out with two ships and four galliots , to intercept the fleet bound from achem to meca ; he lay in the chanel of cardu among the maldivy islands . peter lopez rabelo in his ship met one of those they waited for of great force and value , and after a long fight they both took fire , and were entirely consumed . the captain and some mores were saved in a galliot that followed him , and iames ferreyra de padilla who commanded it , was very insolent with d. ferdinand about the distribution of the mores . d. iames pereyra , who set out afterwards upon the same design with five galleons , and six small vessels , had yet worse fortune . being deceived by the mores ▪ at those same islands he went to wait for the fleet at the mouth of the red sea : as he returned without doing any thing , a violent storm that lasted eight days swallowed up two galleons , whereof his was one ; the others were dispersed , and put in where chance guided them , almost four hundred men were lost . . at length the war of cannanor ended , for that king wearied out begged a peace , which was concluded to our advantage . the concluding acts of this war were , the taking several malabar vessels by gouzalo pereyra marramaque ; the slaughter of many mores that opposed emanuel de brito , who conveyed the ships from malaca , china , molucos , pegu , bengala , and coast of coromandel trading to india , when he was taking water at mount delii ; and several other rencounters in which we were successful , except in one , where d. lope de moura was killed . i will conclude with a remarkable accident . calisto de sequeyra a most expert marksman , dug a hole in the field , and lying close did not miss a shot ; the enemy a long time could not perceive whence that harm came , till another well skill'd in the same art among them found it out , and placing himself in the same manner the other had done , they both aimed at one another so exactly , that both fell down dead . . brama king of pegu being told by astrologers he was to marry a daughter of the king of columbo , sent to demand her , and he had never a one ; but his chamberlain had one the king esteem'd as his own : they both agreed to put her upon him , as really the king 's . and the chamberlain the more to oblige the king of pegu , seeking thereby to cast off the portugues yoke , feign'd he had that tooth which was taken at iafanapatan and burnt at goa , and would give it in dowry with the bride . the embassadors easily crediting what they desired , took the bride and the tooth without acquainting the portugueses , and sent advice to brama , who received the wife first , and then the relick , with the greatest pomp that ever has yet been heard of . many gallies were fitted out , but that which was for the queen was covered with plates of gold , and rowed by beautiful young women richly clad and brought up to this exercise , so that they were more expert then men. they were of those women who there live without men in separate quarters by two and two like man and wife a new sort of amazons . . the king of candea understanding the deceit of this marriage , and envying that great fortune , acquainted brama therewith , offering him a true daughter and tooth , and affirming , both that of columbo and the other of d. constantin were counterfeit , and the true one was in his hands . if the daughter was not more real than the tooth , he was even with the king of columbo . brama considering it was as bad for a prince to own himself cheated as to be so , gave ear to the embassadors , but not to their information . the king of candea missed his aim , and discover'd his ill affection . two things are here worthy consideration , the one that the portugues commanders , through their avarice , exposed that important place to evident danger of being lost , had not brama being undeceived , grown cold ; the other , that had d. constantin sold the tooth as he was advised , there had not now been two set up to be adored by so many people . . the trade of india was this year at a very low ebb , by reason of the desolation of the kingdom of bisnagar , whose riches are equal to its great extent , which is from the borders of bengala to those of cinde . the kings of decan , nizamaluco , idalca , and cutubixa , jealous of that grandure , entred into a league to suppress it . they took the field with fifty thousand horse , and three hundred thousand foot : the king of bisnagar met them with double that power , and his age was double , being ninety six years old . he had the better at first , but fortune turning to the other side , he lost his head , and they remained victorious . they spent five months in plundering bisnagar , and yet they were not the ●…rst , for the natives in three days time had carried away one thousand five hundred and fifty elephants loaded with money and jewels worth above one hundred millions of gold , and the royal chair for great days that could not be valued . notwithstanding all this , idalxa found a diamond as big as an ordinary egg , on which the late king's horse's feather used to be fixed ; and another , tho' not so large , yet of an extraordinary size , besides other jewels of incredible value . that crown was divided between the sons and nephews of the deceased . chap. iii. continues the government of d. anton de noronna , in the reign of king sebastian . . the beginning of this year gonzalo pereyra marramaque sailed for amboino with one thousand men in twelve ships , embassadors from that island having represented in how great danger those were who had newly receiv'd the faith. d. emanuel de noronna sailed for banda , and was stabbed by the way by the purser of his gally , whom he had affronted with a cane . great men may command , but not abuse the lesser , for the small have honour as well as the great . no man , though never so little , owes any submission in point of honour to the greatest , and in point of condition he owes no more than he pleases to impose upon himself . alvaro paez de sotomayor ( the war of cananor being ended ) sails for the coast of malaba●… with twenty sail : iames lopez de mesquita with three for the molucos ; d. george de meneses barroche for the red sea with four galleons , one gally , and four small vessels ; lisuarte de aragon for ceylon with one ship ; d. leonis pereyra for malaca with six ; george de moura for the north with the same number ; d. francis mascarennas for olala to suppress that queen , who was about to refuse her tribute ; for this use twenty-seven ships were allotted , and iohn peixot●… went before with eight of them . . the viceroy was fitting a good fleet in order to follow those that were gone before to olala , designing to build a fort at mangalor , to curb bucadevi chantar the queen . the fleet consisted of seven gallies , two galleons , and five small vessels , and carried about fighting men. . the viceroy anchor'd in the bay of that city called mangalor and olala , seated on the banks of a river that washes both sides of it not far distant from the sea , whence was to be seen a wall wherewith the queen had fortified her self , within which and the other works were thirteen thousand men with sufficient cannon . the viceroy divided his men into six battalions , and landed on the th of ianuary . at night the portugueses sitting to supper , and to play with many lights , and the same security as if they had been at goa , the enemy laying hold of the opportunity sallied in a body of five hundred , followed by fifteen hundred , fell upon and put them into such a disorder , they scarce had time to take their arms. d. francis mascarennas who had the advanced post , fared worst ; and though he fought well , lost several men , most perhaps killed by our own fire , for through the darkness and confusion no body knew what they aimed at . d. luia de almeyda relieved him with his men , who all slipped away to nine , that behaved themselves with incredible valour . . on the eve of the epiphany they gave the assault , and being as desirous of revenge as entring the city , soon forc'd their way and fired the town , at the same time cutting down the palm-trees . the queen fled to a mountain . of the enemy five hundred were slain , about forty of the portugueses . the viceroy immediately laid the foundations of the fort , giving it the name of st. sebastian , because the first stone was laid upon his day , and that day chose in honour of our king then reigning . by the middle of march the work was finished with a church and other conveniencies . he gave the command of it to his brother-in-law antony pereyra with men , and ammunition for six months , and returned to goa . afterwards in the time of d. luis de ataides government , the queen sued for a peace , and purchased it by a new imposition of tribute , and a summ of ready money . . the king of achem had now entred into a league with many princes of the east , and the turk , who desired to get footing in india , not doubting with this united power of carrying malaca : he imbarqued with his wife and children as if he had gone to take possession of , rather than to besiege that city . on a sudden he appear'd before it with sail , brass cannons , and men. d. leonis pereyra was at that time on the shore celebrating the birth-day of king sebastian , with a certain exercise used among portugueses on horseback , and perceiving some of the company were surprized at the sight of the fleet , he ordered the sport to continue , drawing down nearer to the shore , that the enemy might not imagin they could disturb his pastime . . afterwards he gave the necessary orders , and making a review , found he had fifteen hundred men , whereof only two hundred were portugueses . the king of achem began with complements , and shews of desiring accommodation , but all tended only to discover what was the condition of the town . d. leonis who understood him was wary , and carried it on with dissimulation . at length the king perceiving no artifice succeeded , and that he advanc'd but slowly , resolved to put the whole event upon on●… furious assault . after the discharge of th●… cannon , above two hundred scaling ladders were laid to the wall with great shouts on both sides . d. leonis had also distributed his men in their several posts . the priests had undertaken to defend one , but no sooner did the enemy attack , than they fled to the church . . in the heat of the action a party of ours sallies out upon the enemies works , making a great slaughter ; among the rest was killed the king of aru. our men retired with one cannon , and loaded with musquets , cimiters , and heads of all sorts of people that compos'd that army , having lost but one portugues and six malayes . the enemy encourag'd by the king who looked on , mounted our works , and were as soon thrown down by the defendants . the king in a rage stamp'd and blasphem'd , and seeing three days furious assault had not gained a foot of ground , he utterly despair'd of success ; therefore with great secrecy shipping off all his army and train , except four thousand men that were killed , he set sail , firing the ships that were to spare by the loss of those men. this great success cost us but three portugueses . . the commander , d. leonis , bestow'd not only praises , but money and jewels on all that had signaliz'd themselves , to the value of crowns . the viceroy receiving advice of the danger the city was in , sent to its relief iohn de silva pereyra with men and ammunition in seven ships , but he came when the siege was raised . so the king of ujantana our neighbour with sixty sail , who visited our captain in the fort , and was received with royal magnificence , rejoycing at our success not without trouble that he had no share in it . . the viceroy offended at the insolence of the natives of the island salsete , who persecuted the new converted christians , fitted out a fleet against them without letting his design be known . when those of sal●…te least thought of it , he fell upon them , and destroyed of their idolatrous temples . because we have sometimes mentioned this island , without speaking of an ancient and wonderful structure that is in it , it will not be amiss to say something of it here . . in this island is a high mountain , winding about which are cells with each of them a cistern all cut out of the solid rock . under the same mountain is a way cut through the same rock , with such cells on the sides , which is said to go as far as cambaya , which , if so , must run under the sea. f. antony de porto , a franciscan , resolving to enquire into this secret , got company , provision , torches , and great quantity of strong packthread , and fastning an end at the mouth of the way , travelled seven days through it . then finding no end , and the provision growing short , he returned by the help of the thread , having as he believed travelled fifty leagues to his great admiration , but not satisfied . the gentils said , this was the work of bimilamansa , who 〈◊〉 years before was king of all that is between bengala and the mogol's country . formerly a learned man of those parts affirm'd , this and some others were the works of the holy prince iosaphat . . the affairs of the molucos were not at all successful . we left gon●…alo pereyra marramaque on his voyage to amboyna , he joined with the kings of bacham and 〈◊〉 , set out for the island cebu , where some spaniards had settled under the command of michael lopez de lagaspa à biscainer , and a man so valiant and subtle , that he amuzed our captain , till he got together his men that were dispersed , and then expelled him the island with shame , for that if attacked at first , the spaniard had been utterly defeated . to add to this misfortune , he lost almost three hundred men by a sickness natural to that country . . hence he passed to amboina or ito , for it is called by both names , a most beautiful and pleasant island , abounding in fish , flesh , and fruit of all sorts and delicious taste . it is inhabited by two sorts of people , the ulimas , who are native mahometans , and have three towns ; the ulensivas are heathens , and have four . our captain found the natives assisted by six hundred of the islanders of iava , and well fortified under the command of gemiro governour of those islands . he attacked them with such peril , and was so vigorously opposed , he seemed rather to fight for life than victory . . at length the portugueses prevailing , were in danger of being overcome by their great disorder in plundering . the captain rectified all by firing the booty , and many of the men were scorched , whose covetousness overcame the fear of the flames . the enemy retired to a mountain , and there compounded only for life , laying down their arms. but the people of amboina having been the first among those islands who admitted the portugueses offering subjection to our crown , lands , and leave to erect a pillar in their metropolis with the royal arms of portugal , and finally embracing our religion , and contracting marriages with us , it will be convenient to look a little back in order to proceed in the relation of these affairs , and particularly of one wonderful passage , that may serve as an example to such as pretend to plant colonies . chap. iv. the end of the government of the viceroy d. anton. de noronna . . they who know with what kindness the people of amboina at first received us , will be earnest to understand the cause why now they are become our mortal enemies . the worst is , they had so just a cause , which was thus . the people of curon ( i suppose this should be ceram ) became implacable enemies to those of amboina , on no other account but that they received the portugueses , admitted their religion , and contracted marriages with them . hereupon they resolved to expel not only the portugueses , but even the natives out of the island , accordingly on a sudden came uponthem with a great power . those of amboina had been ruin'd , but that the portugues stood by them , and to be short , utterly defeated their enemies . . the people of amboina , to shew their gratitude to those who had defended them , invited them to a splendid entertainment . the wives of those who made the feast came abroad to see the portugueses entertain'd . one of these ( doubtless he was drunk ) was so charmed with the beauty of one of those women , or so blinded with lust , that leaping suddenly from his seat he catched her in his arms with such insolence , after being three times admonished without desisting , that if genulius , a man of great authority , had not interposed , the portugueses had there been all cut to pieces . and well they had deserved it ; for it appears they did not hinder or obstruct so insolent and publick a lustful extravagancy , which openly in the sight of the world , durst force a hand to those parts , which even with consent are not touched but in private , and without witnesses . . those people burned with the desire of revenge for the affront they had receiv'd , and look'd upon as most hainous . nor could genulius appease them , but by expelling the impudent guests , which he desir'd as much as any , looking upon himself equally concerned in that injury : and knowing it was a new offence every time the injured saw him that gave the wrong ; he therefore reproaching them with the hainousness of the crime , and shewing how greatly they were favour'd in having their lives spared , ordered them instantly to depart the island , and never more presume to set their feet upon it . . the people overturning the tables with furious countenances , gave them to understand they would by force execute what genulius had directed , if the portugueses doubted doing of it by fair means . there was nothing to do but submit , so they went away to their ships full of shame ; their general confusion paying for the impudence of one in which all had a share , because none reproved it . . scarce had the portugueses left the shore , when those of amboina prescribed the same laws to the people of atire and tavire , that the curons , or cerams , had done to them before . that was , they threatned them with war if they received the portugueses into their ports : but those people answer'd , that they were christians , and as such would admit to their ports and houses the portugueses , though it were with hazard of their lives . . they of amboina were so irritated with this answer , that falling suddenly upon them , they routed and put to the sword most of the inhabitants of those two places , bringing under their subjection those towns that had submitted to the crown of portugal ; such as refused were reduced by fire , and sword , and slavery . they were not content to put to death those who were constant in the faith , unless they did it with barbarous and cruel tortures . one may serve as an example of all their other barbarities . . a little king of elate was taken , who because he would not renounce the christian faith , was tied to a stake , and pans of fire being set before him , they cut off pieces of his flesh , broi●…ed and eat it in his sight : some they made him eat , and asked whether he liked it ? he with much patience answer'd he did , and was pleased to do that for christ , who had suffer'd for him : that if after he was dead , they would put a piece of his flesh into a new pot , within twenty four hours they would find it converted into oil , in testimony of the truth of the christian doctrine , and , in fine , that the portugueses would revenge his death . . they continued the torments till he died , and then to try what he had said , put a piece of his flesh into a new pot covering it , and the twenty four hours being expired found it full of most sweet oil. they were astonished , but did not repent ; and soon after the prophecy was fulfilled by their ruine . . gonçalo pereyra ( as was before said ) coming thither defeated them and their succors they had from iava and other places , and reduced them , notwithstanding they fortified themselves in the mountains . in this action five portugueses were lost , and pereyra left d. duartes de meneses to command there . . at this time iames lopez de m●…squita , a most wicked man , commanded at ternate . aeyro king of that island , who had been so unjustly treated by d. duarte deça , had always carried himself respectfully to the portugueses without any merit of theirs , but was now at variance , because they killed his nephew . he began to revenge it , killing three of them , because they refused to do him justice . this difference was composed by some well meaning persons , and the king and mesquita solemnly swore to the reconciliation . but it being all deceit in the latter , before six days were expired he murder'd the king as he visited him . this was done at parting , he waited on him to the door , and his nephew martin alfonso pimentel stabbed him by the unkle's order . . when this king the last time embraced that false friendship , he took to witness of his sincerity the scutcheon of the portugueses arms , which represent the wounds of our saviour . as he was stabb'd , he laid hold of a cannon about the place where those same arms were , saying , ah gentlemen , why do you thus kill the best subject your king my master has ? neither these words , nor the sacredness of the place , it being hallowed ground , asswaged their fury . there they strip'd and cut him in pieces , which being salted and put into a chest were cast into the sea in sight of his queen and daughters , who begged only for leave to bury him . such was then the portugues government , that these and other the like cruelties and villainies passed unpunished by them . but god did not so , who first with shame deprived them of those dominions , and afterwards of a prince of their own . gui i hil babu , son to the deceased , succeeded him in the crown , and just desire of revenge for such inhuman oppression . he fortified himself , and entred into a league with all the neighbouring princes against us , beginning the war with the slaughter of some portugueses , and persecution of the new converted christians in all those islands . but this happened later , we shall see it in its proper place . . the viceroy order'd d. luis de almeyda in the spring to cruize in the sea of suratte , to examin what ships sailed there without our passes . he had six ships with him , and was joined by fourteen more , they took three great ships richly laden , and brought two of them to damam , one having foundred at sea. this was the last publick action of the viceroy . he embarqued to return home and died in the voyage . it was ordered in his will , that his right arm should be cut off , and preserved , to be buried with his unkle d. nunno alvarez at ceuta , and that the body should be cast into the sea. it was accordingly performed , and some observed that the cutting off this arm was the execution of the sentence he had given against himself , when a relation prevailing upon him to sign an unjust paper , he said , the hand that signs such a thing deserves to be cut off . such is the force of affection , it makes a man do the very thing he abhors . . d. anton. de noronna was a man of a good disposition , judgment and inclination . he was viceroy the term of four years the th of that number , and twenty-third of the governours , the first of that name , and third of the sirname . . during the government of d. anton. the ships that came from lisbon to india were , in the year four , in four more , and four in . . this year our great poet luis de camoens was at zofala . being very poor in india , where he served sixteen years , peter barreto who was going to command at zofala promised him great things , and camoens finding nothing came of them , after waiting long he resolved to come for portugal in a ship that had touched there , in which was hector de silveyra and other gentlemen . being about to depart , peter barreto who had made those promises not to prefer him , but divert himself , demanded two hundred ducats he said he had spent upon him ; and those gentlemen paid the money and brought him away . so it may be said , luis de camoens his person , and barretto his honour , were at once sold for that money . he arrived at lisbon the year , when the plague raged in that city ; so that famous man always flying one plague fell into another . chap. v. the government of the viceroy d. luis de ataide , count de atouguia ; from the year , t●… , in the reign of king sebastian . . to d. anton. de noronna succeeded with the same title of viceroy d. luis de ataide , count de atouguia , a person meritorious of this government , or of a greater , if ever any greater was committed by a prince to one single person . he was the first who carried orders that a gentleman should be bare when they spoke to the governor , and be seated on a chair without a back . he was the first also sent by king sebastian after he was out of his minority . . with him went five ships with a great number of men , and great part of them of note . he arrived at goa in october , and was received in the city with a general satisfaction of all men. though he found the number of shiping but small yet in few days he set out so many sail , as caused admiration ; and good squadrons were sent to several expeditions . . luis de melo de sylva went in february with thirteen sail to relieve d. leonis de pereyra at malaca , the news of his success not being yet come to goa , alfonso pereyra de la cerda sailed towards the north with six in november : and martin alfonso de miranda with thirty six to scour the coast of malabar , infested with pyrats . the natives were o●… with a considerable strength , and lost five great vessels , many men and much ammunition ; but martin being wounded with a cannon ball was carried to cochin , and died there . d. george de meneses set out with two gallies and five small vessels to seek the pyrate canatale , whom he found not ; but discovering many vessels in the river carapatan he made to them , and came up himself with a gally in which mores fought so desperately , that none being left alive but a father and son , the former killed the latter , and stabbing himself leap'd over-board . . ayrez tellez de meneses set out with seven sail , and d. paul de lima pereyra with eight for the north. in the river banda near goa he found four catures , or barges of malabares , who after losing many men escaped . then he held on his voyage , which was to relieve rostumecan , besieged by the mogols in baroche , which place he had usurped , laying hold of the confusions of cambaya , since the death of the king badur in the sea of diu. itimican now held that government in his hands by great subtilty and artifice , having perswaded the guzarates , that a young man his own son was the last king's , and therefore he secured that crown in him for himself . . whilst ayrez tellez sailed , d. peter de almeyda commander of damam went to suratte , to call to an account agaluchem lord of that town , by the same title as rostumecan , for loading two great ships without the viceroy's leave , the ships were taken , and valued above duccats . as almeyda had done , tellez began to play his part , which was to force the mogols from baroche . he performed it effectually : but rostumecan being out of danger , forgot his promise to the viceroy , which was to become tributary to us . so easie it is to make promises in danger , and to break them when delivered . . d. iames de meneses on the coast of malabar did such execution , that zamori was not in a condition to relieve agaluchem , who sent from zuratte to beg his assistance , being distressed by nunno vello pereyra , who was come from damam to clear the bay of cambaya of enemies . he burnt two villages and some vessels , and brought away many prisoners . then with men he pursued a body of mog●…ls who were fled to a mountain ( called parnel ) almost impregnable by art and nature , and three leagues distant from damam . nunno neither knew the strength of the place , nor number of the enemies , who were above , and so began to mount that difficult ascent , whence great stones were rowled down to hi●…der the passage . but the souldiers climing upon hands and feet , reached the first intrenchment , which after a vigorous opposition was entred . then they assaulted the fort , where both parties fought desperately . in some places they came so near as to lay hold of one another's weapons . antony de fo●…seca was lifted up by his lance which some of the mogols held , and he never quitted it but laughed . being afterwards asked what he laughed at , he said , to think the barbarians believed they could get the lance out of my hands . at length they let him fall . nunno vello seeing he strove in vain , retired after losing seven men , having killed above thirty of the enemy , and taken much provision , fifty horses , some camels and oxen , with which he drew off not without danger , being pursued by of the enemy , whereof where horse . . he consulted this affair with alvar●… perez de tavora who had the command of damam ; the result was , that nunno marched with portugues and morish horse , foot , half portugues , half mores . they went up the mountain with great labour , through ways never before trod , carrying three pieces of cannon . they met with considerable opposition , five cannon playing upon them from the fort , and some horse breaking out of the woods ; so they lost eight men , six killed and two taken . three days were spent in climing the mountain , being got to the top nunno planted his cannon , and batter'd the work with such fury , that the enemy the sixth night abandoned it . the fort was razed . . the great importance of the impregnable fort of azarim , moved the kings of coles and sarcetas to attempt the gaining of it . they entred the country of bacaim , in which it is , and after doing great harm , set down before it ; but andrew de villalob●… who commanded there , bravely defended it till the viceroy sent relief . being then eight hundred strong they fell upon the two kings , and not only forced them from the siege , but following into their countries put all to fire and sword , and returned victorious . the viceroy now sent out d. roderick de sousa with six ships from cambaya ; peter lopez rabelo and giles de goes with two ships and three galleons for aden ; d. iames de meneses with twelve gallies and thirty small vessels for malabar ; peter de silva de meneses with thirteen sail for braçalor . braçalor is a new fort between goa and malabar , upon the mouth of a river . the viceroy offended at the king of tolar designed to possess himself of it , and agreed with him that commanded to betray it . peter de silva going to take possession of it , by the way entred the river sanguise , which runs through the lands of hidalen , where he burnt two towns and some vessels . the commander of braçalor according to promise delivered up the fort by night , and our men falling upon the town , killed and took above two hundred of the inhabitants . the kings of tolar and cambolim came up that night with men , and the next with , in a hot engagement they lost many men , and we five . the place not being judged tenable , was quitted with honour , bringing away twenty cannon , and a great quantity of ammunition and arms. . mem lopez carrasco sailing for sunda with only one ship , and only forty fighting men in it , passed in sight of the port of achem at such time as that king in person was setting out against malaca with gallies , as many galleons , and other vessels . carrasco finding it impossible to shun them , resolved to sell his life as dear as he could . the whole fleet attacks them , and tears all their rigging to pieces , night parted , and morning brings them together again , three gallies board them and are beaten off . the fight lasted three days ; the king having lost forty vessels and many men returned into his harbor . as much of our ship got to malaca as was hid by the water , all that was above being shattered to pieces ; and thus for that time was malaca delivered of that trouble . . miran , a king between the mogul and cambaya , design'd to possess himself of the crown of cambaya , to which he thought he had the best title , since it had been usurped from the lawful heirs upon the death of badur . he treated about it with the viceroy , offering him at present a sum of mony , and afterwards some towns , if he would assist him in gaining that kingdom , and expelling the tyrant himican . the viceroy admits the proposals , sends an embassador of his own with the kings , and makes such diligent ▪ preparations , that on a sudden the sea of goa was covered with sail. to amuze the enemy he gave out the design was against malabar . whilst an answer could come from miran , the viceroy , to keep his men out of idleness , sailed towards the rivers of braçalor and onor , whose banks are peopled by canara's , who at the i●…stigation of the malabars , refused to pay the acknowledgments due to the portugueses . chap. vi. continues the government of the viceroy d. luis de ataide . . whilst the viceroy was busie in these preparations , four ships from lisbon arriv'd opportunely at goa . d. paul de lima with one galleon and six ships , and martin alfonso de melo commander of baçaim meditating revenge against the kings of cole and sarcetas , got together one hundred and thirty horse , and eight hundred portugues foot. the enemy had four hundred of the former , and two thousand of the latter , yet were put to flight , and even in the flight cut off emanuel pereyra and all his men. so much is an enemy to be fear'd even when he flies . the cities of darila and varem were destroyed , and all the countries about them . d. paul in his return took two ships of the enemy , though forsaken by some of his own vessels , and those that left him had afterwards the impudence to boast of the victory . the viceroy receiv'd d. paul with much honour ; and one of those that had forsaken him coming to kiss ( as was the custom ) the viceroy's cloak , he said to him , keep off , go kiss your mother's hand . . in november the viceroy set out of goa with above one hundred and thirty sail , some of them were tenders , and some merchants : in the fighting ships were three thousand portugueses besides indians . he entred the river of onor , and landed two thousand three hundred men , not without opposition . the place seem'd impregnable both by art and nature , yet our men with great difficulty beginning to ascend the hill , notwithstanding the bullets that fell from above , soon discovered the people flying out of the city , and the queen of guarcopa retiring to the inland , as despairing the fort could hold out , though garrison'd with five hundred resolute men , and well stored with artillery and ammunition . . the city which was rich and beautiful was first plundered , and then reduced to ashes . our forces sat down before the fort , and batter'd it without intermission four days , without the least molestation from a body of the natives who came to hinder their progress : which the besieged perceiving , surrendred upon condition to march away without arms. the booty was small , the most considerable part of it cannon and ammunition . the next day being st. catharines , a place was cleansed to say mass in . the command of it was given to george de moura with four hundred men , half of them portugueses . . here the ingenier simon de ruan fought alone with thirty of the enemy till he fell as was thought dead , but as they put him into a shroud a small motion was perceived , and soon after , to the admiration of all men , he recovered . in this action we lost twenty men. next the viceroy passed to bracalor , which is much like the other in strength and situation . the landing was somewhat more difficult , being obstructed by men , but at length two hundred of them being killed ( with the loss of nine on our side ) our men possessed themselves of a work which much dismay'd the enemy . . those in the fort , before the viceroy could besiege , abandon'd it . soon after the kings of tolar and cambolim attack the fort on a very dark night , but found peter lopez rabelo who commanded it with two hundred men so ready to receive them , that they lost three hundred , killing only five of his , and despairing of any success , concluded a peace with the imposition of a greater tribute than they paid before . the viceroy had an interview with those two princes and the queen of cambolim , and they parted very good friends . above a month was spent in building a new fort in a convenient place , which was the mid-way between the city and the mouth of the river . the command of it was given to antony botello , who spilt the first blood in this action . . the viceroy was in great care , that he received no answer from miran . but there is no security in humane policies . miran thought to tie the mogol to his interest , by marrying his brother to the mogol's sister . but scarce did the brother , assisted by his father-in-law the mogol , see miran march towards cambaya , when he enters his kingdom with a great power ; and miran having notice hereof , was forced to stay to secure a certainty of his own , rather than to go to a doubtful purchase . the viceroy was much concern'd at this news , and having no present imployment for so great a fleet , divided it into several squadrons , and sent them upon different expeditions . d. peter de casto had one to secure the ships trading to goa ; ferdinand tellez , who not not long before had taken some ships of the enemy , went with another to the north. of his squadron were ruy diaz cabral , and d. henry de meneses , who being separated from him , met fifty sail of malabars , and rashly fell upon them . ruy deaz and seventy men they both commanded were all killed ; d. henry from among the dead was carried into slavery , and after ransom'd . d. emanuel pereyra and iohn de silva barreto came too late to prevent this misfortune , but not to put the enemy to flight after receiving and doing much harm . . the viceroy resented this loss not so much for its greatness , as because it was the first time fortune had frowned on him . he went to mangalor , twelve leagues to the southward , to appease some disturbance that lessened the king's revenue , and was prejudicial to trade . this proceeded from the enmity between the king of bangu●… and queen of o●…la ; the dominion of the latter lies to the south , and that of the other to the north of that place . the viceroy being better received at mangalor than he expected , had a meeting with those two princes , and agreed their differences . in his return to goa , he left with antony botello commander of braçalor for the security of that place , six hundred fresh men ; and antony cabrall at sea with three vessels well provided . at onor he added to george de moura five hundred men , and left on that sea francis and rocque de miranda , brothers , with six ships , who with fire and sword destroyed some towns and ships , because they rebelled as soon as the viceroy had turned his back . . at the end of this year arrived at goa five ships from portugal . the queen of guarcopa who was fled to the mountain , rather for fear than good will , came now to an accommodation . . in those seas were left d. iames de meneses with forty two sail ; luis de melo de silva with fifteen ; vincent de salda●…na with eight ; d. iohn coutinno with four ; and d. francis de almeyda with two galleons : the first of these carried fire and sword all along the coast of malabar , to the terror of all that empire . the strong towns of coulete , ti●…acole , capocate , padrarigale , panane and calicut felt this fury . above heathens were killed or made prisoners , above sixty vessels taken , and many more sunk and burnt . we lost but four men in all those actions . . zamori thought to put a stop to the ruine of his country by offering proposals of peace , but no ear was given to them . the weather effected what that did not , it being no longer practicable to lie upon that coast. luis de melo disappointed the artifices of the queen of guarcopa , who treated of peace , and prepared for war. he burnt many of her towns , ravaged the country and demolished her fort of sanguise . vincent saldanna in the sea of mangalor did his duty , securing our ships that traded that way . d. iohn coutinno did the same about cambaya , cochim and chaul . d. francis de almeyda disabled and put to flight at diu six malabar galliots that attempted the entring that ●…ort to burn the ships that were in it . . in the beginning of winter the viceroy fitted out two squadrons to relieve onor and daman , fearing the mogol design'd against the last , and the queen of guarcopa against the other . his greatest care was for on●…r , hearing the enemy had attempted to des●…roy ou●… men by treachery , bribing some ca●…raes who were in it , to poison our men with the fruit of the herb du●…uro , whose quality is such , it makes men forget all things , and renders them wholly insensible , even of wounds . the treachery was discovered , and the conspirators hanged over the walls in sight of them that employed them , who then betook themselves to open force , having failed in this private practice . at that time entred the port a galley and three other vessels with a body of choice men for the relief of the fort. . the wickedness of the portugueses in killing the king of ternate , began to be punished : that king's son and heir had commenced his revenge , as was said before , and now sent his unkle calacinco with twelve gallies to amboina . he was near taking our fort , whilst the commander of it d. duarte de meneses was consulting far off with gonçalo pereyra about the manner of maintaining it , but baltasar de sousa who supplied his place defended it well . baltasar vieyra saved it , killing with a musquet shot a caciz of note , upon whose death the enemy withdrew to the island varenula , and had they not retired , they had carried the fort before pereyra and meneses could come to relieve it . . they being come , pereyra puts to sea with six sail. one of them commanded by lawrence furtado being hard set by the enemies admiral , furtado leaps into it and kills the old commander , and the galley was taken , two other were also taken , and the enemy fled to other islands , not thinking themselves safe at varenula . above nine thousand men were killed in these expeditions . . whilst this happened at amboina , the fort at tornate was so close besieged , that our men wished for vermin to feed on , having eaten all that could be found . the king perceiving the besieged did not treat of a surrender , joined with the king of 〈◊〉 dore , gave so furious an assault , that he 〈◊〉 twenty portugueses and entred the tre●…es . the next night they had as good success . luis de la mo defended his bastion with great bravery , and belchior vieyra for this time delivered the fort , killing beneuoa general of tidore , at which sight his men fled . pereyra hearing of this posture of affairs , left sancho de vasconcelos to command at amboina , because d. duarte was dead , and hasted to ternate with three vessels that rowed , and one hundred men. at bacham where the king was our friend , he encreased to fourteen sail. . the confederate kings set out to meet pereyra with fifty coracoraes , which are great gallies . pereyra receives them , and they fought with much bravery : the king of tidore attacks our admiral galley , but being almost killed , drew back with his galley quite disabled . the enemy gave way , and pereyra came to the fort , and brought fresh vigor with that success . but those of ternate were so intent upon revenge , that they continued the siege five years , and our men were forced to abandon the fort. the king of tidore received those that would stay with him , the rest dispersed into several countries . we shall see in time how they were expelled tidore : and it is rather a wonder they continued there so long , being guilty of such villainies , than that they were at last drove away . but great storms threaten india now , and our viceroy is preparing to meet them . chap. vii . the dangerous sieges of goa and chaul ; and first of the foremost , continuing the government of d. luis de ataide , and reign of king sebastian . . all humane grandure is subject to envy . the princes of asia seeing the vast increase of the portugues power , resolved to give it one fatal blow ; and to this purpose entred into a league , which was five years in forming and concluding , and carried on with wonderful secrecy . . these princes were hidalcan alecdaxa , nizamaluco xaoxem , and zamori . their design to extirpate the portugueses in india . to this effect they raised powerful armies , and made so sure of the success , that they had before hand divided their imagined conquests . the first was to have goa , onor , and braçalor ; the second , chaul , damam , and baçaim ; and the third , cananor , mangalor , cochim , and chale . hidalcan had assigned his principal men offices at goa , and some portugues women that were cried up for beauties . the king of achem was at the same time to make an attempt upon malaca . in fine , those princes broke out like impetuous torrents , covering the fields with multitudes o●… men. hidalcan marched to besiege goa , nizamaluco to chaul , without any respect to the peace which had been no way infringed . . the viceroy upon this occasion shew'd an undaunted spirit . it was generally agreed chaul should be abandoned , for the greater security of goa , but the viceroy resolved the enemy should have nothing but what was dearly bought . he immediately sent d. francis mascarennas with men in four gallies and five small vessels to the relief of chaul . among these went many gentlemen of note , to serve as private souldiers . they set out about the end of september . . next the viceroy applied himself to provide for the defence of goa . he posted ferdinand de sousa de castellobrance , an old souldier in asia , in the pass of benastarim with men ; d. paul de lima at rachol with , and thus in other places he distributed natives of the island . there were not compleat portugueses in it , these he reserved to relieve where ever the greatest danger threatned . the city he put into the hands of the dominicans , franciscans and clergy , who exceeded not , assisted by slaves . captain iohn de sousa with horse was to be ready to appear where-ever there was occasion . d. george de meneses , ●…rnamed barroche was to keep the river with sail. at the same time the viceroy caused ammunition and provisions to be brought from all parts , the works to be repaired , and about the middle of december he took his post upon the bank of the river . no sooner was he there , than several bodies of men appeared coming down the mountain gate , and encamping at ponda , commanded by norican , hidalcan's general . about the end of december he advanced , and encamped over-against the pass of benastarim , pitching his master's tents , who spent eight days in coming down the mountain by reason of the greatness of his army . at night he lighted so many fires to discover the paths of the mountain , that at a great distance the multitude of his men could be seen . being come to ponda he covered those vast plains with rich and costly tents . . this army consisted of fighting men , besides an infinite number of followers ; horse ; warlike elephants ; pieces of cannon , most of an extraordinary bigness , and some great barques brought upon mules , to be lanched for all occasions upon the river . the chief commanders of this multitude were , norican called hener maluco , of such quality , that he never appeared with his prince but in the field ; rumercan and cogercan , who for their quality had distant quarters on the edge of the water . the army encamped in such manner , it looked rather like a regular city than a camp. their order of battle was thus : hidalcan at ponda with horse , musqueteers , elephants , cannons ; cogercan , rumercan , and mortazacan near the mouth of the channel ganja with horse , elephants ; and nine cannons . norican opposite to the island of iohn lopez with horse , elephants , and eight great cannons . camilcan and delirracan facing the pass of benastarim with horse , elephants , and battering pieces . solyman aga on a height above benastarim with horse , and two field pieces . anjozcan opposite to the island of iohn bang●…l with horse , elephants , and six cannons . xatiarviatan in sight of sapal with horse , elephants , and cannons . danlatecan , xatiatimanaique , chitican , and codemenacan facing the pass of agaçaim with horse , elephants , and cannons . the rest of the army covered the mountains capable to strike a terror into the boldest spirits . . the viceroy viewed all the posts , offering his person to the greatest danger . the ranging of the enemies army caused him to alter his first method , being now reinforced with some men come from several parts , he posted his men thus : the dry pass which he had designed for himself , he committed to d. peter de almeyda , and d. george deça with men , and went himself to that of benastarim , where ferdinand de sousa de castellobranco was with the like number , taking to himself the command of one of the lesser posts there , rather than remove that officer . d. michael de castro not far from madre de dios with ; iames barradas on the point of the dry pass with ; d. peter de castro towards benastarim with maintained at his own charge ; iames de azambuja hard-by with ; francis pereyra a little farther with ; vincent diaz villalobos at sapal with ; next gaspar fernandez with ; then d. luis de almeyda , d. ferdinand monroy , and d. martin de castellobranco with each ; francis marquez botello with ; alvaro mendoça between the viceroy and pass of mercantor with ; a little farther simon de mendoça with ; emanuel rolim at st. iohns pass with ; in the pass of marque the city placed ; iohn de sousa with his horse went from agacaim to the bar , to receive and execute his orders ; baltasar lobo de sousa at pard●… with ; peter alvarez de faria near him with ; vasco perez de faria at necra with a company ; damian de sousa at bachol with the like body ; and francis de silveyra at norva with . . several vessels with small guns were to run along the river to relieve all these posts . thus the number of the viceroy's men was not above , and he had but cannons in all those posts . this was the force we had to oppose that great power , the like was at chaul . . for nizamaluco set down before it at the same time , as hidalcan did before goa . they two being suspitious of each other , kept time in their preparations , setting out and marches . but that we may not confound the actions by mixing them , we will first relate those at goa , and then proceed to chaul . the cannon began to play , the flashes whereof enlightned the night and the smoak darkned the day . the enemy spent their first fury on the fort and works of benastarim , and did great harm , but could not perceive it ; for whatever they ruined by day was repaired by night . they poured in showers of bullets , for only in alvaro de mendoça his post were found , some of them of two spans diameter ; we could not answer with the like number , but could see we did great execution . and our vessels sailing nimbly about , plied their small guns with good effect . ferdinand de sousa de castellobranco one night by the help of a great number of torches that went before spied an officer of the enemies crosing , a height opposite to him with young women a dancing before , sousa desirous to untune their harmony , caused a cannon to be so luckily levelled at them , that the officer , some of those that lighted , and two couple of the young women were seen to fly into the air. . this was the time for the return-ships to sail for portugal , and every body advised the viceroy to stop them , because they would carry men that might be a great help in the present distress . but the viceroy ambitious of making his glory the greater , by conquering the greater difficulties , answer'd , there was want of them in portugal , and he trusted those that remained were sufficient for the work he had in hand . so the ships set sail . . hitherto the portugueses did much more harm than they received , having killed many of the enemy , and among them some of note , and lost no number nor any person considerable , only some were dangerously wounded . d. francis de sylva being wounded with a cannon ball so that his guts hung out , continued encouraging his men holding them up with his hand . peter homem de silva losing much blood at three musket shots he had received , and being perswaded to go off , said , it could be no matter of moment since he felt it not . our vessels did good service ; and the enemies were not idle , carrying their men from one place to another . our men had the boldness often to land and attack the enemy in their posts , and still brought away prisoners , the heads of those they killed , colours and arms. d. george de meneses barroche in his vessels , and d. peter de castro by land with portugueses made such a slaughter , that the viceroy to animate the city , and show them what was done abroad , sent them two carts loaded with heads . gaspar diaz and his brother lancelot running up the country one night a league and half with men , burnt two villages and many farm houses , and brought away many prisoners , heads of the ●…in , and of cattle . another time these two brothers with men , attack the quarters of cogergan and rumergan , and making a great havock , destroyed all they had provided in order to pass over into the island of iohn lopez . in this action francis de cunna coutino , servant to the viceroy , going alone before the rest , came so close up to mores , that he threw two granadoes among them , which did some execution , and retired without hurt . the enemy admired the smallness of our number , and greatness of our actions ; but was more surprized when he heard , that in the heat of all this fury , the viceroy had order'd d. iames de meneses who came from the coast of malabar with his squadron , to return thither ; and d. ferdinand de vasconcelos to go with four gallies and two small vessels to destroy the city dabul , to show hidalcan , whose it was , how little account he made of all his power . d. ferdinand burnt there two great ships of meca , and many small vessels ; then landing fired some villages , and had done the same to the city , had not his own captains opposed it . . he returned to goa , and attacking the quarters of angoscan , a principal man among the enemy , three miles distant from the viceroy , entred them with great slaughter . but his men with the success falling into disorder , the enemy rallied and fell upon them , killing some , the rest fled leaving their captain , who , weakned with loss of blood , and tired with the weight of his arms , could not get into a boat , but fought in the water till he fell down dead . his ensign augustin fernandez died honourably with his colours in the left hand , which he bravely defended with the right . forty were killed , their heads with the colours were carried to hidalcan . the viceroy immediately sent barroche with men more to burn d. ferdinand's vessel taken by the enemy , which he performed , bringing away the cannon that was left in it by the enemy , believing no body durst come where it lay . chap. viii . continues the siege of goa , and government of d. luis de ataide . . at this time zamori made proposals of peace to the viceroy , either to amuse him while he went upon other designs pursuant to the articles of the league , or else hoping to gain some advantage in that pressing conjuncture . the viceroy gave him to understand he would not yield the least point for fear , and continued firm in this resolution , notwithstanding hidalcan had prevailed with the queen of guarcopa to declare war at onor : that prince was astonished to see him send relief thither , when he thought there was not force to supply goa . the viceroy at this time also relieved marramaque at the malucos , and francis barreto at mocambique . . the grand design of hidalcan was to get over into the island , in order to it his general norican began to lay a bridge over the river with a vast number of workmen . the viceroy falling upon them made a great havock . there was a report that hidalcan designed to pass over to the island in person , and carnestly desired a fine horse the viceroy had , for which he had before offered a great sum of mony. the viceroy sent it him for a present , assuring nothing should be more pleasing than to see him come over to goa . hidalcan accepted of the horse , and caused him to lie upon silk quilts under canopies of cloath of gold , to be covered with embroidered dammask , and his trappings to be adorned with massy gold , and his provender was mixed with preserves and other dainties . the horse enjoyed it not long , being killed by a cannon-ball . at this time such a violent storm of rain fell , that most posts were abandoned ; the viceroy desired to take a standard that was left in one ; a french gunner with only one man went over in a boat to fetch it , and were both killed . . it was now the beginning of march , and the siege had lasted two months , without abating any thing of the fury . many of our buildings were ruined by the enemies cannon , many of them killed by ours . antony cabral run up the river chapora with four vessels , and landing fifty men , burnt four villages , and above fifty sail , bringing away some booty . d. paul de lima with forty men did as much at rachol . the viceroy laying hold of a rope at the pass of benastarim to draw a cannon , others refusing for fear of the many bullets that flew , one hit him upon the arm , and only pierced the sleeve without doing him any harm . afterwards being in the church of santiago , the roof of it was beat down and hung over his head , emanuel de sousa coutinno stepped up to save him , by receiving the blow , but he acknowledging the kindness reproved the action . . the viceroy used all possible means to have intelligence from the enemies camp. he bribed some renagado portugueses that served there , but what is more , he corrupted hidalcan's most beloved wife , and by her means knew the king's secret thoughts , which he could not conceal from her . . hidalcan now began to consider the damage done by so few men to so numerous an army , that now the portugueses increased in strength by the arrival of several squadrons that had been abroad , among which iames de meneses returned victorious from achem , and luis de melo de silva from malabar . he desired peace , but was loath to propose it . the viceroy who knew his thoughts ordered it so , that a treaty was in a manner set on foot , so that no body could discern who was the author of it . yet at length hidalcan stooped to make the first proposals . but still the siege was carried on , and april was began . seven hundred mores attack a pass , two hundred portugueses at first opposed them , but seeing they were relieved , fled in such disorder , that neither their officers nor the viceroy could rally them . their two captains were killed . . the action of d. iames de meneses relating to zamori , shall be referred to the chapter of chaul ; that of luis de melo is fit for this place . he set out with fourteen sail in search of the fleet of achem , and met it near that port ; it consisted of sixty sail well manned and provided with cannon , commanded by the king's son and heir . melo and he met first , and our first shot killed him and several of his men. the fleets met and fought resolutely on both sides ; but the enemy was utterly destroyed , three galleys and six small vessels taken , all the rest sunk but one . we lost not one man ; of the enemy twelve hundred were killed , and three hundred made prisoners . melo returned to malaca with the vessels and cannon he had taken , and thence sent some men to the malucos , and came to goa with fifteen hundred , and vasco lorenço de barbuda whom he found at cochim preparing to bring some relief . . these commanders being come to goa , took their posts . meneses executing his office of admiral was carried off wounded , at such time as three thousand of the enemy began to enter the island of iohn lopez . antony fernandez de cale with one hundred and twenty men met and put them to flight , killing a great number . . during this time , before winter came on , several attempts were made upon the enemies quarters and inroads into the country always with success . one night one hundred and fifty men beat the enemy out of a post at benastarim and after another at angoscan , ruining all the works they had raised . they did the same at xatiar●…ao , chatigan and rachol , burning villages demolishing the works , and killing very many . . hidalcan , though almost in despair , began to plant gardens , and other works , as if he designed either to take goa , or live in that field : he resolved to enter the island with nine thousand men at the pass of mercantor , which was not guarded , because the river is wide there . our men hearing a drum , which never beats but when that prince marches in person , run thither , and saw him on the other side encouraging his . advice being brought to the viceroy , he sent several parties and followed himself . in spight of all opposition five thousand men got over under the command of the turk soliman aga , captain of the guard. fresh men still flocked to the viceroy , till he was two thousand strong . all the posts which extended two leagues were in action . . all the thirteenth of april , from morning till night the attack lasted , and from the next morning till the day following . hidalcan all the while looking on , cursing his prophet mahomet , and throwing his turbant on the ground . of the portugueses scarce twenty were killed , of the enemy almost four thousand , and among them soliman aga ; hidalcan's brother-in-law , and other persons of note , some colours , and plunder were taken . . f. george de st. lucia a dominican and bishop of malaca , foretold this success to the viceroy . hidalcan raged , and in publick vowed not to stir thence , but in private wished a conclusion , but used not the means . he proposed a pence , and despaired of concluding it upon the terms he offered ; one of them was the surrender of goa , as if the portugueses had all this while tought for any thing but to keep it . our viceroy treated with norican about killing the king , offering him either the crown of great power in the government . norican admits the proposals , and as the blow was ready to be given , the treachery was discovered , he secured , and so the other conspirators desisted . this was about the end of april . . the treaty of peace failing , the siege went on , but not with the vigour as before . the enemies cannon ruined our buildings , ours their men , and parties of ours burnt all the country . sebastian de resende with only four men attempts a post of the enemies , and killing some , would have brought away one alive , but he making much opposition , resende was forc'd to kill him . lancelot picardo and others with forty men did great execution . antony fernandez with thirty falling upon rumercan's quarters where there was eighty , killed eighteen , and retired without any damage received . the viceroy leaning one day on a page , a ball took away his prop. being at rest one night he heared a great noise , and instantly came abroad , and a bullet hitting him on the breast , fell at his feet without doing the least hurt . . hidalcan to divide and weaken the viceroy , again perswades the queen of guarcopa to attack onor . she consents , and joining three thousand men of her own to two thousand sent by him , besieges the fort. it was the middle of iuly , the dead of winter there , when the viceroy received advice thereof . he sent instantly antony fernandez de chale with two galleys and eight vessels , and what men they could contain : antony in five days enters that port , and joining with george de moura commanding there , falls upon the enemy and puts them to flight , killing many , and bringing all the cannon into the fort. about this time zamori broke out in another place , but that requires a particular chapter . . the viceroy underhand endeavoured to stir up other princes to invade hidalcan's dominions , by that means to draw him from the siege . both endeavoured to hide their desire of peace . hidalcan made appear as if he resolved not to stir , and the viceroy as if he valued not his lying there . in fine , the whole winter was spent , and towards the end of august , when summer begins , and the enemy might better keep the field , the number of tents was seen to decrease , then the men , and lastly the cannon vanished , without coming to any accommodation , after a siege of ten months , wherein the enemy lost twelve thousand men , three hundred elephants , four thousand horses , and six thousand oxen , part by the sword , and part by the weather . thus goa was suddenly delivered . let us now see what was done at chaul by nizamaluco , the second chief of this league . chap. ix . the siege of chaul . . nizamaluco keeping time with hidalcan , set down before chaul at the same time the other did before goa . his general faretecan invested the place with eight thousand horse and twenty thousand foot ; and on the last day of november the enemy broke ground with a horrid noise of warlike instruments . . luis ferreyra de andrade , a man well deserving such a post , commanded at chaul , and laboured long under great wants of all necessaries , supplying those defects with his and his men's valour , till d. francis mascarennas came to his assistance with six hundred men in four gallies and five small vessels , and some barques loaded with ammunition and provision . . the fort of chaul is seated in about deg . of n. lat. on the bank of a river , not twelve miles from the mouth of it . there were in it but fifty horse , and a small number of foot. the first bold action done here was by sebastian gonzales de alvelos , who passing over a small creek alone , challenged any of that number of enemies , and none durst answer him . then alexander de sousa went over with fifteen horse to discover the enemy , and stayed so long till came upon them , among which they killed a considerable officer . at this time faretecan was marching down the mountain gate with horse , a great number of foot , and twenty elephants ; he sat down before chaul , and began to plant cannon . . faretecan desiring to do somewhat before his prince came , set the castles upon the elephants and tied syths to their trunks to give an assault . all turned to his loss , for he was repulsed by sea and land , and forced to retire as far as the church de la madre de dios , or mother of god , where his men rallied . . here it is said some miracles were seen , as that a bullet hitting a souldier on the hand , rebounded from it as a ball struck with a racket . the fight lasted three hours with great slaughter of mores , and loss of three portugueses . . the enemy having lodged themselves about the town , it was thought convenient to demolish all the buildings that were any thing distant . nothing remarkable happened till after december . some mores being then gathering fruit in an orchard , nunno vello went out with five soldiers , and killing one of them , others came on still till they made up six thousand , and ours encreased to two hundred ; who behaved themselves with such bravery , they drove that multitude , killing one hundred and eighty , with the loss of two . . nizamaluco came before chaul in the beginning of ianuary with the rest of his army , which now together consisted of horse , foot , pioniers , smiths , masons and other trades of sundry nations , as turks , coraçons , persians and ethiopians , elephants , an infinite number of bufalos and oxen , and forty pieces of cannon most of a prodigious bigness , some carrying balls of , some , and even weight , and had names answerable , as cruel butcher , devourer , orlando furioso , and the like . thus men so well provided , planted themselves before a town that had only a single wall , a fort like a house , and a handful of men. faretecan lodged himself in the vicar's house near the chapel of the mother of god with horse and twenty elephants . agalascan in the house of iames lopez with horse ; ximirican between that and upper chaul with , so the city was beset from sea to sea. at the same time horse ravaged the lands of baçaim . the king took his quarters at the farther end of the town ; thus the space of two leagues was covered with tents . . the portugues●…s at first being but few , and the works inconsiderable , had no particular posts , but were wherever the danger threatned . soon after the news of the danger of chaul being spread abroad , many gentlemen flocked thither with supplies of men , so that in a little time there were men in the town . it was resolved to maintain the monastery of st. francis , and it was committed to alexander de sousa . some houses were also judged fit to be defended . nuno alvarez pereyra with forty men had those on the shore , those between the misericordia and st. dominick d. gonçalo de meneses , others near nunno vello pereyra , and so in other places . . mean while it was generally voted at goa , that chaul ought to be abandoned , but the viceroy resolutely opposed , and was seconded by ferdinand de sousa de castellobranco . he immediately sent thither d. duarte de lima and ferdinand tellez de meneses with their two gallies , and some men in four other vessels . let us see what was done at chaul whilst they are under sail. . nimirican had promised nizamaluco he would be the first man should enter the town , in order thereto he vigorously attacks the posts of henry de betancor and ferdinand pereyra de miranda . they bravely made good their ground , and being reliev'd repulsed him , killing three hundred of his men , seven of ours were lost . the enemy turn their cannon upon the monastery of st. francis where we had some pieces , and both sides striving to burst or dismount the opposite guns ; the gunners were so dextrous , that bullets were seen to meet by the way . on the eve of st. sebastian a party of ours sallied upon some houses where the mores had fortified themselves , and killed a great number without losing one man. . nizamaluco enraged at the last repulse desired revenge , and that same night attacks the fort of st. francis with five thousand men. the mores thought to surprize ours , but were soon undeceived by the execution done among them . the attack lasted very furious the space of five hours . the portugueses suspected the enemy worked under the wall , and could not see by reason of the darkness , but christopher curvo three several times put half his body out of a window , with a lighted torch in one hand , and a buckler in the other , to discover what was doing . the noise was very great , and those in the city fearing for those that were assaulted , sent them relief though with great hazard . the morning discovered the fort stuck with arrows , and under it above three hundred mores slain , without the loss of one portugues . . next day the enemy repeated the assault , and continued it five days with great resolution , with as great bravery were they received by the portugueses , who often fallying covered the field with dead bodies and took several colours . however it was at last judged expedient to quit that fort , and withdraw the men into the city , lest the losing of it should prove more prejudicial than the defending it could avail . seventeen men were killed in it . one of these being on a high place to give notice when the enemy fired their cannon , said to those that were below : if they should now fire raspadillo ( that was a cannon eighteen foot long so called ) without doubt they would send me all in pieces to sup with iesus christ , to whom l commend my self , for the gun points at me . scarce had he spoke the words when he was torn in pieces by a ball from that cannon . . the mores being possessed of the fort and monastery of st. francis , fired a whole street , but attempting to gain some houses lost four hundred men. three of them challenged a like number of ours , who thinking it a disparagement to answer them upon equal terms , only two went out , which were gomez freyre and luis del valle , who carried a great hanger . the mores refused the odds , and one of them withdrew . valle with the advantage of the hanger overcame his adversary , and then assisted freyre to kill the other . so both sides might be said to be conquer'd , the mores losing their lives , and ours their honour by taking the advantage . . chaul being now streightned , ruy gonçalez de camara was sent to goa for relief ; which he brought in two galleys . at this time appeared here , and before mangalor , the malabar-ships , sent by zamori , pursuant to the articles of the consederacy . but our method being to relate what each of the confederates did separately , this shall be referred to another chapter . let us see one of the bravest actions that has been heard of , performed by stephen perestrelo , commander of the weak fort of caranja . . it was said , above of nizamaluco's horse marched into the lands of baçaim . they resolved to attempt some of our garrisons ; and being beaten off at açarim and damam , went and sate down before caranja , where stephen perestrelo was , with only forty men , caranja is a small , inconsiderable work , between chaul and damam , on the edge of the water , and is , in some measure , an island , being encompassed by small brooks . as the enemy sate down before it , emanuel de melo came with thirty men. being now seventy strong , perestrelo falls upon that great number , with such success , that after covering the little island with dead bodies , the rest fled , leaving their cannon , and a considerable quantity of arms and ammunition . . but to return to chaul : the moors furiously batter'd it with seventy pieces of large cannon , for the space of a month ; the least that was spent every day being balls . they made great havock among the houses , in which many were killed ; one single ball slew six persons that were eating together ; others fell into the ships , and failed not o●… execution there . this battery began against the bastion of the cross , and w●…s carried on to the place where peter ferreyra and mem dornelas were posted , levelling all with the ground . the besieged worked incessantly to cover themselves ; but the enemy's gunners were so expert , they mounted their balls so , that they fell among those that thought they were within shelter . augustine nunez found an expedient to avoid this danger , which , though thought difficult at first , was afterwards their only security . . our commander seeing the battery on the other side of st. dominick never ceased , thought fit to attack the enemy's quarters opposite to it . alexander de sousa and augustine nunez undertook it with one hundred and twenty men , and , though vigorously opposed , drove the enemy thence ; killing many , and firing the works . . iohn alvarez suarez , an officer of the revenue , hearing the danger of chaul , fitted out a vessel at his own charge , and came thither with some soldiers ; where he behaved himself beyond what was expected of one , whose business seemed to be only the pen , though now he converted it to the sword. . coming now at the time of the attack of those works , he was one of the first that mounted . ferdinand casqueiro hearing the moors play at tables in an house , ran in , and killed two of them , driving the rest from the sport. the work was levelled with the ground , without any loss on our side . among the arms taken in this action , was a cymiter with this inscription , iesus save me. chap. x. continues the siege of chaul . . the enemy attacked some considerable houses , and were repulsed , with loss of one man of ours ; but we having undermined that of hector de sampaio , to blow it up , they ran furiously , and set their colours upon the top of it . this incensed our men , and there followed an obstinate dispute in the house , till some fire accidentally falling into the powder , it blew up , killing forty two of our soldiers : some escaped so disfigured , that their own friends mistaking them for moors , ran out to kill them . . the moors escaped here unhurt , and set their colours upon the ruins of the house , and upon that of xira , which they took next . ximirican assaults by night the bastion of the cross , with six hundred men ; but ferdinand pereyra opposed them with thirty ; and henry de betancor seconding him with some others , they beat them off , and took five colours they had planted upon the work. betancor fought with the left hand only , having before lost the right : and dominick del al●…ma being lame , caused himself to be brought out in a chair . . april was now begun , and the enemy seemed resolved to continue there all the winter , and were raising new works . alexander de s●…sa and d. goncalo de meneses were appointed to sally upon them . their soldiers understanding it , ran out without orders , to the number of two hundred , and furiously drove the enemy from their works , which , their captains coming up , they ruined . above fifty moors were killed , and some few portugueses . . nizamaluco perplexed with so many losses , gives a general assault with his whole army , at once attacking all our pos●…s . there was scarce any of our works that the moors did not enter , and plant their colours ; and with the same vigour and fury were repulsed , and drove out of them . in the morning above five hundred moors appeared slain , and four or five portugueses . this was the posture of affairs , when some supplies came from goa , diu and bacaim , being above two hundred men , and a sufficient quantity of ammunition . . two other dangers now terrified the besieged : the on●… a troublesome , though not mortal disea●…e ; being great swellings all over their bodies , which deprived them of the use of their limbs . the other , that nizamaluco sollicited the king of sarçeta , and some rebels of camb●…a , to fall upon the portugueses in other places ; by that means to hinder relief coming to them . but neither of them gave ear to him . this prince seeing he must finish alone what ●…e had undertaken alone , fell to battering 〈◊〉 house of d. nunno alvarez pere●…ra , 〈◊〉 continued it for the time of forty two days . he assaults it wi●…h five thou●… men : the defendants at first were but ●…ty ; soon after , twenty more came to their assistance ; and some others also after that . we lost but one man , and killed above fifty moors . one being taken , and brough●… to the captain , told him , above five thousand had been killed during the siege . . the house of nunno vello was battered and assaulted thirty days , with much the same success ; only this difference , that we lost ten men. only thirty soldiers sustained these furious assaults , till it being judged no longer needful to defend the house , it was agreed to blow it up . the enemy hastily ran to possess themselves of it , setting up their colours at such time as part of the building flew into the air , doing good execution though not so much 〈◊〉 was expected . but what this fell short , was made up by another mine , and by the valour of d. francis mascarennas ; who falling upon those that escaped the mine , put them to the sword , and came off much hurt . in like manner , the house of francis de mel●… was quitted , after they had been defended to admiration . . the summer was now almost spent : there were thrown into the city above six thousand cannon-balls , some of a prodigious bigness ; and nizamal●…co was making preparations to lie there the winter . above two hundred portugueses , fear●…g the ruin of the city , had deserted ; but instead of them , three hundred came from goa , which put chaul into somewhat a better posture . on 〈◊〉 th of april , ruy gonçalez de camara ●…ell upon five hundred moors , in an orchard , with such success , that only fifty of them escaped . he took five colours , and lost only two men , but had many wounded . . fortune could not be always favourable to the besieged , sometimes they must meet disasters . the moors enraged at that loss , played their great cannon incessantly : a chance-●…all from one of them , lighting upon one of the galleys that brought the relief , sunk her downright , with all that was in her , being ●…rty men , and goods valued at forty thousand ducats . the moors did not lo●… rejoyce a●… this accident ; for ferdina●…●…ez fallying the next day with four hundred men on the side of st. francis , obtained anothe●… 〈◊〉 , equal to that of ruy goncalez , and brought away some ammunition , arms , one piece of cannon , and other booty . nizamaluco beheld this action , and mounting on horse-back , offered to come down in person , with a lance in his hand ; then changing it to a whip , in a rage threatned his men , and upbraided them as cowards . . our men were now so accustomed to danger , nothing could terrifie them ; and they seemed to court death , as if she had not been busie enough about them . some of our soldiers being employed , levelling the enemy's works we had driven them from about st. francis , and being more handy at the sword than spade , drew upon themselves a great number of enemies , whereof they killed above two hundred , not without loss on our side . . d. iohn de lima , francis de sá , and d. nunno alvarez went out to discover some mines it was thought the enemy was carrying on . they executed their command , entring those quarters , where they put all that were in them to the sword. in these two actions we lost six private soldiers , and d. luis de gastellobranco , who having lost one leg , offered the other ; d. iohn de lima , who seeing a moor miss several shots he made at him , stood still till he was killed ; performing his promise made on his brother d. duarte's grave , that he would soon follow him ; anthony de fonseca , he who hung by his lance at parnel , and laughed at the enemy ; francis barradas , and ruy pereyra de sa , and five other gentlemen of note . . after the king had made it appear he designed to continue the siege all the winter , and all things were on both sides disposed in order thereto , faretecan made some overtures of peace , but without any visible commission from his prince , who caused him to be apprehended , not for acting therein without orders , for , doubtless , he had private instructions ; but upon suspition that he was corrupted . it was no wonder if nizamaluco desired a peace , after lying before a town seven months , without any success , but losing as many thousand men. nor was it strange the portugueses should wish it , having already lost above four hundred of their own , besides indians . but the hopes of peace being extinguished by the imprisonment of faretecan , george pereyra coutinno went out with his ships , and , without any considerable loss , burnt three that belonged to nizamaluco . . it was now the beginning of iune , and the attacks and batteries were carried on with such vigour , as if they then began . the first attempt was upon d. nunno alvarez his house , which was lost through carelesness . yet after it was taken , some gentlemen attempting to recover it , lost at least twenty portugueses , without doing any considerable execution . next , the enemy possessed themselves of the monastery of st. dominick , where great slaughter was made . at d. gonçalo de meneses his house it was well fought , but to our great loss . in all the other quarters , the cannon-balls ●…lew like hail . let us come to the last assault . . the batteries never ceased from the end of may , till the end of iune ; nizamaluco resolving to make a breach fit for his whole army to try its fortune . on the th the elephants appeared loaded with castles , and the castles full of men. a valiant moor , well mounted , walked leisurely before all our works , within musquet-shot , and never altered his pace ; notwithstanding above five hundred shot was made at him , and his horse wounded , he went off unhurt . the whole army expected the sign to move , but it was not given because our cannon killed an officer of note , which the king took as an ill omen , and put off the assault till next day . six of our men venturing out of the works , drew a great multitude of the enemy within reach of our shot which was so well bestowed , that one hundred and eighteen fell down dead , and above five hundred were wounded , with out doing us the least hurt . . the next day about noon the king gave the signal to fall on ; and the whole body of men and elephants advanced with horrible cries , and noise of warlike instruments . agalascan attacked iames suarez de albergaria , iohn de silva barreto , roderick homen de silva , and laurence de brito , in their posts . faretecan and sujatecan fell on the quarter of the misericordia . misnarr●… , captain of the guards , on that of ruy gonçalez . d. francis , our commander in chief , being to relieve where-ever the greatest danger pressed , planted himself opposite to the king with part of his men , having distributed the rest where there was need . . the day was darken'd with smoak , at times lighted with flames ; the slaughter and confusion was great on all sides . some of the enemy's colours were planted on our works , but soon taken , or cast down , with those who had boldly set them up . the elephants , made drunk by the nayres , that they might be the more fierce , being burnt and wounded , ran madly about the field . one much valued by the king , being fired in the flames , ran into the water , and swam over the bar , where one of our vessels killed him with a cannon-shot . in fine , the assault ended with the day , the portugueses remaining masters of all their works , after killing above three thousand of the enemies ; among which , one was the son of agalascan , and many more of note . . this action cost us but a few private soldiers , and eight gentlemen . d. henry de meneses being lame , having his legs burnt , caused himself to be carried in a chair . laurence de brito took a colours . gonçalo rodriguez caldera and hierome curv●… would not leave their posts , after receiving many dangerous wounds . in fine , all did more than mortal actions ; it would be a lessening of others to commend some , and we cannot particularize them all . . the moors asked leave to bury their dead ; which being granted , as they drew them off , they asked the portugueses , what woman it was that went before them in the fight , and whether she was alive ? one answered , yes ; for , doubtless , she was immortal . and they replied , then certainly , it was the lady marian. so they call the blessed virgin . many said they saw her at lawrence de brito's quarter , so bright , that she blinded them . and some who went to see her image in the churches , were converted , and staid in town . . nizamaluco was desirous to treat of peace , but was not willing to shew it : our commander wished as much as he , and was as backward in making it appear . at length both sides abated , and a treaty was set on foot : faretecan and azafacan were commissioners for nizamaluco : peter de silva , and meneses , and anthony de teyve , for our commander in chief ; and d. francis mascarennas baroche , for the captain of the city . the substance of the accommodation was a league offensive and defensive between nizamaluco and king sebastian . this agreement was celebrated with great joy , and sending of rich presents on both sides . all this might have been done , without so much effusion of blood. nizamaluco raised his camp , and returned home . chap. xi . the proceedings of zamori upon this occasion , and during the government of d. luis de ataide . . zamori the third chief of this league , who was to act by sea as sovereign thereof among those of india , performed his part very coldly . after goa and chaul had been besieged a month , he instead of putting his fleet to sea , sent to treat of peace with the viceroy , either by this means to amuze him , or else to gain some advantage upon his pressing necessities . for few princes follow the dictates of honour , when opposite to their interest . this affair being proposed in council at goa , it was unanimously agreed to accept of a peace though upon hard terms . but the viceroy who had resolved to loose all or nothing , said , he would make no peace unless upon such terms , as he might expect in the most flourishing condition . . zamori seeing this design fail , set out a fleet about the end of february under the command of catiproca marca . he soon appeared before chaul with twenty-one sail , and a great number of men , whereof above one thousand were musqueteers , and passed by night through all our gallies and galleons that filled the port without opposition . the entrance was defended against only two paraos , whereof one got in , the other not . the malabars with reason boasted of this action , and nizamaluco's men rejoyced at the success . . nizamaluco was much pleased at the arrival of the malabars , posted the musqueteers , and then perswaded the officers to attack our ships , which were under the command of leonel de sousa . a great number of calemutes , which are small vessels that king made use of , were crammed full of men to accompany the twenty-one malabars , every one going as to a sure victory . they set out with great eagerness , bearing down upon lionel de sousa , and fled with the same precipitation seeing him make at them . yet for all their haste our gallies did considerable execution among them . nizamaluco , who from a height had been looking on , did all he could to perswade them to try their fortune again , but to no purpose ; for after twenty days they stole away by night out of that harbour with the same good fortune they came in . . the queen of mangalor thinking to make some advantage of these confusions , and hearing : that catiproca was near with his fleet , represented to him how easily our fort might be surprized , and offered to defray the charge . he accepted the proposal , thinking to regain the credit lost at chaul . unexpectedly he applies scaling ladders , and some of his men mounted some servants of d. antony pereyra , who commanded there , awaking , and seeing the enemy , threw out of a window the first thing came to hand , which was a chest of their master 's full of silver , and with it beat down those that were upon the ladder . pereyra waking with the noise , threw down those that had mounted , the other fled carrying away the chest aboard the ships . as they passed before cananor , d. iames with his squadron fell upon and totally routed them . d. iames follows them up the river of tiracole , and not one ship of them escaped , cutiproca was killed , and his nephew cutiale taken , as also d. antony's chest recovered . . zamori did not fulfil the articles of the league by sending this fleet , for every one had promised to undertake something in person ; till now d. iames de meneses had obstructed him , scouring that sea , burning many towns and ships , and taking many which he carried to goa . towards the end of iune , when d. iames was gone , and hidalcau and nizamaluco were about drawing off , zamori fate down before the fort of cbale with men , most of them musqueteers . this place is but two leagues from calicut , that prince's court , and was then held by d. george de castro . the enemy planted forty pieces of brass cannon , and girting the place round thought they had shut out all hopes of relief . some was sent from cochim under the conduct of d. antony de noronna , who could not put it into the place , for the furious batteries of the enemies cannon . francis pereyra de sousa coming from cananor with extravagant bravery , conquered the difficulty , but the relief was small because the vessels were so . as soon as the viceroy had advice , he sent d. iames de meneses with eighteen sail to carry supplies to the fort. he with great difficulty got to chale about the end of september , when the besieged were reduced to the last extremities , there being at least six hundred persons in the place , whereof not above seventy that could bear arms. . it seemed impracticable to attempt the putting in any relief , for the mouth of the harbour was very narrow , and all the hills about it were planted with cannon . but our commander resolved to surmount all difficulties : a great vessel was filled with provisions for two months , and fifty soldiers put into it . iames de azambuja went before in his gally , and antony fernandez and d. luis de meneses cover'd it with their vessels . they pierced with incredible courage through showrs of bullets , and ferdinand de mendoca , nephew to d. iames , run in all the supplies , whilst francis de sousa with his men killed above five hundred of the enemy , who endeavour'd to obstruct it . this done , they retired through the same dangers with loss of forty men. as they were cutting off a soldier 's leg he asked whether the succour was got in , and hearing it was , then , said he , let me die in god's name , for i cannot die more honourably . . though it was not possible to bring the ●…ss people out of the fort , as was design'd , yet the putting in of relief was an action scarce to be parallell'd , for the great hazard and difficulty that attended , and vast power that opposed it . . the king of achem , the fourth of these great confederates , whose thoughts were always employed against malaca , did not in point of time answer the covenants of the league , but we shall see him at length in the government of d. antony de noronna performing what he so long delayed . the queen of guarcopa and others , as has been related , made up what was wanting in him . . this was the end of that mighty league ; this the government , valour and fortune of our viceroy ; who opposing all the united power of india , re-established the portugues reputation , so much decayed ; for which he deserves an everlasting fame . . d. luis de ataide lord of atouguia was of unquestioned valour , had great experience in military affairs , to which he had applied himself from his youth , and of a spirit so free from the infection of avarice , that as others brought from asia to portugal heaps of treasure , he brought four jars of water from the four famous rivers , indus , ganges , tigris and euphrates , which were preserved many years in his castle of penicbe . . after serving in europe and africk he went over to india , and served there , and at the age of twenty-two , was knighted at mount sinai by the governor d. stephen 〈◊〉 gama . returning to portugal he went a●… bassador to the emperor charles v. and was in that battle in which the emperor defeated the lutherans under the landtgrave and duke of saxony ; where he behaved himself so well , that charles v. offered to knight him , and he said , he had already received that honour at mount sinai , and was therefore sorry he could not admit it then . the emperor in the hearing of all answer'd , he more envyed that honour , than he rejoyced in his victory . . at his arrival at lisbon king sebastian caused him to be received under a canopy , yet afterwards ( like king emanuel and duarle pacheco ) very much slighted him . we shall see it when he is made the second time viceroy , being the first that was so twice . d. antony de noronna succeeded him now : he was the tenth that had this title , and of governours the twenty-fourth : the first of the name and sirname , the third count that had that post : he was of the larger size , had a good meen , his complexion white . chap. xii . the government of the viceroy d. antony de noronna , from the year till , in the reign of king sebastian . . king sebastian thinking the government of india , as it was then extended , too great a burden for one man , divided it into three parts : the first from cape guardafu to the island ceylon , which is that of india : the second from cape corrientes to guardufu , which is monomotapa : the third from pegu to china , which is that of malaca . the first was given to d. antony de noronna , with the title of viceroy ; the second to francis barreto , and the third to antony moniz barreto , both stiled governors . though it may alter things as to point of time , i will speak of them in distinct chapters , beginning with d. antony de noronna . . he set out from lisbon with five ships , and was followed by two more . they arrived at goa the beginning of september safe as to the number of ships , for none was lost ; but not so as to men , dying at sea of sickness of that set out . d. antony came before hidalcan had raised the siege , and thereby obtained part of the honour of obliging him to quit it . hidalcan lest commissioners to conclude the peace with the new viceroy . it was proclaimed with great joy on the th of december , and so the year and the war ended together . . the first care of the new viceroy was to send relief to chale in two galleys , one galleon and four ships , and after them two galleys and t●…ee other vessels . but these were soon applied to other uses ; d. iames de meneses coming from chale , he sent him back with men , who came too late , the fort being already delivered to zamori upon conditions . this surrender was made contrary to the plurality of votes by the commander d. george de castro , overcome by the prayers and tears of his wife and other ladies that were there , without considering that he was eighty years of age , and ought rather to chuse an honourable death , than a short term of infamous life . nor was this all his fault , for the provision had lasted longer , had not he put it into his wife's hands , and she into those of her slaves . thus she was the first eve among the portugueses of india that tempted her husband to a crime of this nature , this being the first place so delivered by them to the enemy . and the viceroy could not but lose more honour by loss of chale , than he could justly pretend to by the raising the siege of goa . . d. iames gathering the people that came out of chale , and were under the protection of the king of tanor , left them at cochin , then dividing his fleet with mathi●… de albuquerque , they clear'd the sea of pyrats and secured the coasts ; next they took and demolished a fort built by a nayque subject to hidalcan , at the mouth of the river sanguicer . here was killed antony fernandez . chale , a malabar , who for his valour and conduct had often the honour to command many of the bravest gentlemen that were in india at that time . he was of the order of christ , was carried to goa , and there buried with greater state than any till that day , that had not been governor of india . . when the viceroy accepted this command in portugal , so much lessened by the division of governments , his great aim was to get an estate , being poor , and having children . he thought india might mend his broken fortune , and that antony moniz barr●…to would be satisfied with less than was ordered to fit him out for the government of malaca ; he was deceived , for moniz was not satisfied with what could be done , nor was india in a condition to give what was promised him in order to go to malaca , nor malaca in a posture for a man , who look'd upon his reputation , to go thither with that title without a considerable force . the one would not go with what was given him , and the other could not give more . difficulties hard to be composed . . moniz resolved not to go to malaca , and writ to portugal that the reason was , because the viceroy would not furnish him with what was requisite , as not desiring he should go . malicious whispers are generally grateful to princes and great men. those who govern'd king sebastia●… ( unhappy kingdom , whose king is a child ! ) without any other information besides this gentleman's , which all tended to his own advantage , committed the weakest act that has been heard of : moniz himself will shame them and himself , as shall appear in its proper place . . the vice-roy , after fitting out several squadrons as usual , and receiving four ships from portugal , two whereof were lost in their return , was obliged to make ready a considerable succour for damam , threatned by the mogol , on account that that place and ba●…aim both belonged to the kingdom of cambaya , whereof he was now possessed ; and by this means sultan mamud , heir to the late king of cambaia , was left to the tuition of three great men , alucan , itimitican and madremaluco . each of these envying the others fortune , strove to make himself master of the young king : and he finding all their aim was power , fled from madremaluco , where he thought himself in danger , to itimitican , and totally lost himself . they were all three bad , but this was the worst of all . therefore , considering the young king might flee from him , as he had done from the others , he resolved to lay aside all shame , and betray him . gelalde 〈◊〉 hecbar taxa , king of the mogols , was now in great power ; to him he offers to deliver the king ; by which means , with a small army , he might possess himself of that kingdom , whereof he should be viceroy , as a reward of his treachery . hecbar agreed , set forward with a good army ; and at the city amadaba , the traitor delivered up his prince to him ; and so the mogol , without drawing sword , was seated in the throne of cambaia . . hecbar not satisfied with what he had got , resolved to recover the lands and towns of baçaim and damam . this design being known , d. luis de almeyda , commander of damam , gave advice to the viceroy ; who immediately sent some succours , and prepared to follow in person . he set out from goa the latter end of december , with nine galleys , five gallions , eight galliots , and ninety other vessels . . the viceroy being come into the river of damam , struck such a terrour into the enemy , who was encamped two leagues off , that the king immediately sent an ambassador to the viceroy , to treat of peace . the viceroy received him in his galley with great state , and firing all the cannon of the fleet ; and having heard his proposals , sent back with him anthony cabrall , who concluded the peace to the content of both parties . the viceroy returned to goa , and the mogol setled himself in the possession of the kingdom of cambaya , cutting off the head of the traitor itimitican , a just reward of his villany . . the inhabitants of 〈◊〉 were offended at the fort lately bui●…t by us there ; they besieged it to the number of . ruy gonçalez de camara , who commanded there , gave advice to the viceroy , and provided to make a good defence . five sail came immediately to his relief ; then twelve more , under the command of d. george de meneses , who by the way destroyed the town of the naique of sanguiçer , with great slaughter of the enemy , and loss of two men. without the bay of braçalor he took a ship of meca ; and entring , found all was safe , with the succour of the first ships . . d. henry de meneses sailing to the northward with one galley and seven other vessels , near the islands of angerula , eight leagues from chaul , took two great ships belonging to hidalcan ; but a storm arising , they were all drove ashore , and taken by malabars , who carried them to hidalcan ; and he , because the ships were taken after the late conclusion of peace , ( though the fault was theirs , for answering with their cannon , when they were required to shew portuguese . passes , as had been agreed ) caused d. henry , and all the portugueses then at his court , to be put into the castle of bilgam ; and it cost some trouble to release them , and appease that prince . . it was the middle of october when the king of achem ( though late , yet pursuant to the great league before spoke of ) appeared before malaca , with almost sail , men , and a vast quantity of ammunition . he landed the same night of his arrival , and suddenly set fire to the town of iller ; which had been burnt to the ground , had not as sudden and violent a shower of rain quenched it . iohn bandara , captain of the horse , ran with more zeal than discretion to succour the town , and was killed . . the enemy attempted to burn our ships ; but failing in this , and other designs , he sate down before the city , resolving to carry it by a regular siege , having at first thought it would not cost him that trouble . the city was in a miserable condition , very poor , without men , unhealthy and out of heart , having suffered much by shipwrecks , sickness and famine , not without deserving it ; for malaca was ( i know not whether it is ) the portuguese ninive in asia . chap. xiii . the siege of malaca , with other occurrences , and end of the government of d. anthony de noronna . . malaca had , in a manner , no hopes of defence ; the enemy incessantly battered the walls , and cut off all provision from coming to it : there was nothing within but misery , and calling upon god for mercy , without deserving it by any other action , but because they implored it . so cas●…e it is to appease the divine wrath. . so it happened ; for in this extremity , accidentally came into that port tristan vaz de vega , with one only ship , in which he sailed for sanda , to load with spice . the be●…ged earnestly ●…ntreated him to assist them , and he could not but give ear to their intreaty , though it seemed a rashness to engage a fleet of an hundred sail with ten , whereof nine were almost rotten , and unrigged . among these were distributed soldiers , as naked as hungry . the captain , who might repose much confidence in his own valour , acknowledging , in such cases there ought to be no trust but in god , gave the example , and caused all his men to confess , and prepare themselves for death . . about the end of november he sailed , and discovered the enemy's fleet in the river 〈◊〉 . he gave the command of his own ship to emanuel ferreyra , and went himself into a galliot with his sword in his hand , to encourage the men , seeing him expose himself to the greatest danger with them . the signal being given , and the cannon furiously discharged , our captain lays the enemy's admiral on board , makes great havock among men that were in her , beats down her flag , and she getting loose , shews him her stern . . mean while , ferdinand perez , with only thirteen men , in a small vessel , took a galley . ferdinand de lemos runs his ship with such force against another , that he overset and sunk her . francis de lima having taken another , burnt it , to be at leisure to return to the fight , that still continued . emanuel ferreyra , who was in vega's ship , sunk three vessels , unrigged others , and killed many men. to be short , every one fought to admiration , the whole enemies fleet fled , except four galleys and seven small vessels that were burnt or sunk ; of the enemy were kill'd and taken , of ours only five were slain : our ships waited three days to see if the enemy would return , and then carried this joyful news to malaca , where it was scarce believed . . let us see what was doing at the malucos . whilst gonçalo pereyra marramaque , our admiral in those seas , carried relief to ternate from amboina , this fort was besieg'd by the fleet of ternate , sent by the king either to stop pereyra from going to relieve our men whom he held in great distress , or if he were gone to possess themselves of those islands . they being too late to stop him , besieged the people of ulate in the islands of iliacer . they had been forty days shut up , when d. duarte de meneses with sancho de vasconcelos , who commanded at sea , came to their relief . they of ulate encourag'd with this succor , fell upon the besiegers and put them to flight . they presented our captain with baskets of heads , and he returning to amboina , found d. duarte dead , and succeeded him in that command . the command of the sea he gave to simon de abreu , call'd papabierro , that is sword-swallower , because , being concern'd in many duels , he always disarm'd his adversary . . being abroad with his squadron he met that of ternate , and there began a furious battle , but the other vessels in the heat of the action forsook him , and he overpower'd by the multitude was killed , and men with him . autony lop●…z de resende , who went not off with those cowards , came to succour him , but it being too late ; the enemy offer'd him quarter , and he refused it , saying , he bad rather die as his commander had done . the admiral of ternate attacks , him , and he taking a cannon upon his shoulder ( i suppose it was a little one ) order'd a souldier to give fire to it , so succesfully , that it broke the admiral 's leg. his men thought him dead , and whilst they were busie about him resende had time to make his escape , having lost four men in this great action . . the little king of atua , a new convert , who had fought bravely , was betrayed to reboanje , commander of the ternatenses , who offer'd him his life if he would renounce the faith , and threatned him with a new sort of martyrdom if he refused : he continued firm ; and being hung by a rope between two vessels , reboanje's galley run with all its force at , and tore him to pieces . . iohn de silva succeeded in the command of the sea. all our men seeing so many misfortunes befal us in those islands , were for quitting them : only sancho de vasconcelos protested he would not abandon the christians of those islands , affirming , if no body would bear him company he would stay alone and defend them with the natives , they were all asham'd , and yielded to his resolution . they quitted ito , and fortified themselves upon the point of rosanive , where the land makes a bay of four leagues in length , and three leagues over at the mouth , and runs up still narrower like a pyramid ; on one side of the point is the pleasant and plentiful town of rosanive , the inhabitants thereof and the neighbouring places were our friends . there the new fort was built , the atives and tavires labouring at it with great fidelity to the portugueses , by whom they were reduced to the faith , which they firmly adhered to . iohn de silva went to malaca for succor , which was granted him by francis de costa commanding there , and was cast away in the bay of tapara , where the men were made slaves . . though these were lost , yet some supplies came to amboina , sent by the viceroy . our enemies at atua falling on a sudden upon the portugueses , killed five and an italian ●…esuit . mascarennas fled into the woods , whence he was brought out at the end of eight days almost famished . sancho gathering our friends , fell upon atua , and killed not only the children at their mother's breasts , but the very beasts . in the island 〈◊〉 , twelve leagues distant , he did the same , some of the natives retiring to a mountain . . at this time time arrived at goa four ships from portugal , under the command of d. francis de sousa , who as soon as he landed , went to the archbishop d. gasper , and deliver'd to him a letter from the king , and other papers . scarce had that ancient and learned man seen them , when without any consideration , he committed a great weakness , putting those orders in execution ; for there being several circumstances that ought to be weighed by a person of his years and profession , he instantly with great disorder called together several persons appointed for this extravagant action into the church ▪ . the orders were read by a cryer ; they contain'd , that d. antony de noronn●… should be deposed from the viceroyship , and that antony moniz barreto should immediately succeed him with the title of governour . all noronna's crime , whereby he merited to be thus deposed , was , that he gave not to moniz what was not in his power to give ; and all the merit of moniz , that he promised that which afterwards he could not perform . d. antony return'd to portugal , though slighted , not inglorious ; for extravagant injuries done by superiors , are rather honours than affronts to the person that receives them : yet he not well considering it , died for grief , as did his wife and brother-in-law ; and that minister 〈◊〉 state who was the cause of their death , by crediting so slightly the information of antony moniz , being sensible of the wrong he had done , broke his heart : and king sebastian hearing of the death of d. antony , declared he was sorry it happen'd before 〈◊〉 had made him reparation of his hono●… d. antony was a man of great honour , si●… cerity and prudence , and who , according to the rules of the world , deserved his ill fortune . his visage long and disagreeable , his body large and gross . in the number of viceroys he was the th , in that of governors the th ; the st of the name , and th of the sirname ; he held the government ●…wo years , and deserved to hold it many . chap. xiv . the government of antony moniz barreto , from the year till , in the reign of king sebastian . . scarce had the bishop concluded that act so misbecoming the pastoral staff , when he took out another order , wherein gonçalo pereyra marramaque was appointed to succeed antony moniz barreto in the government of malaca , and in default of him d. leonis pereyra was named . the latter succeeded , for the other died after relieving of ternate . this done , that pharisaical caba●… broke up , and hasted to carry the news to ●…he viceroy , who received it with such unconcernedness as might well put them all out of countenance . . advice is now brought , that malaca ●…s again in danger , the k●…ng of achem being again before it , assisted by the queen of ia●…a . the new governor orders d. leonis per●…yra to be gone to his government to ●…ccour that place ; d. leonis demands of ●…im what he had before demanded of d. a●…tony , and he returns the same answer no●…a had given him , without remembring what he had writ to the king , or considering he had now less reason to refuse d. l●…onis , than noronna had to deny him , for then india was threatned by all the power of the east , and was now deliver'd of that danger . d. leonis , to take all manner of excuse from him , would have been satisfied with much less now , than moniz demanded before : but even that was not given him , and he came away for portugal ; where that was his justification for not taking upon him that command , but was not esteemed an offence to deprive moniz of the government , as it was with less reason in the case of d. antony ; whereby it appears , the will of ministers of state makes the crimes or merit of such as depend on them . . this year passed without any thing remarkable , and about the end of it arriv'd six ships from portugal : they carried an order for trying and executing d. george do castro , for delivering up the fort of 〈◊〉 to zamori . he was taken into custody , and with him his wife donna felipa , who , tho' really guilty of the crime , was not liable to undergo the punishment . he suffer'd for her , and all that were in fault , having his head cut off upon a scaffold in the market place of goa ; and it was observ'd , that others who were as much to blame as he , did not only escape unpunish'd , but were rewarded ; and it is yet more remarkable , that a year after a commission was sent from portugal , for d. george de castro to serve in another post. . scarce did india begin to breath , after so many troubles , and particularly malaca , when the queen of iapara sent to besiege it , her general quiaidaman with chosen natives of iava , in almost great galleons , and above smaller vessels . tristan vaz de vega was come back thither from sunda after the late victory : by common consent , and with much justice , he was chose commander of that place , d. francis enriquez his predecessor being dead . he gave advice of the danger to the governor antony moniz , and he to all the neighbouring places , promising to requite whatever they should do in order to relieve the besieged ; whereby such succours came into them on a sudden , as put them into a good posture of defence . . mean while moniz demanded of the chamber of goa to lend him pardaos to fit out a fleet , and finding them backward , offer'd his son duarte moniz , a boy of eight years of age , as a pledge ; the chamber gave the money , and took the pledge . . whilst this fleet was fitting out , the general of iava began to act in the same manner the ring of 〈◊〉 had done , attacking iller ; and d. antony de castro coming with only ten men to defend it was killed , as bandara had been the last siege . the whole army landed and lodged themselves ●…ound the town . vega sent iohn pereyra and martin ferreyra with men to beat the enemy from a post ; they killed of them , levelled their works , and brought off seven pieces of cannon . pereyra afterwards burnt above of their galleons , and some great engines they had framed to attack a bastion . ferdinand perez de andrade a d●… bernardin de silva burnt their palisades . in all these actions we lost or me●… . the river being thus cleared , pereyra with our vessels besieges the besiegers , and at in takes the provisions that were coming to them ; whereupon in great consternation they imbarqued and went off by night . p●…reyra pursues and cuts off their rear : almost half the perished by fire , sword , and sickness during the siege , which lasted three months , and the pursuit of three hours . . the king of achem and queen of i●…para took it by turns , for when he left the port she came in , and he now comes in 〈◊〉 she goes out . he came now with gallies , some ships , galliots and other vessels , to the number of , with a great train of artillery . tristan vaz order'd iohn perey●… in a galley , bernardin de silv●… in a caravel , and ferdinand de pall●…res in a ship with each men to go out to guard the provisions that were coming , and whereof the city was in great want ; the enemy falls upon them , and in an instant beat all three to pieces ; men perish'd by fire ; sword and water , were taken , and only five sav'd themselves by swimming , the three captains fought to their last breath . iohn pereyra promised s●… to do , to one who seeing all lost offered hi●… a boat in which he might have escaped . only men remained in malaca to defend it , and of these were sick and aged . want of men and ammunition caused them to be very still in the city . the enemy not knowing the cause , imagined they had some cunning stratagem in hand , and in a panick fear raised the siege , when they might have carried the town , contenting themselves with their success against the three captains . they came into the port in the beginning of ianuary , and went out about the latter end . . the priests , women and children had cried loud with sighs and tears , imploring the mercy of god , which at length they obtain'd : next to god the city was saved by tristan vaz de vega's courage , being ready upon all occasions ; and by his liberality having spent above ducats , wherewith he has purchased a never-dying honour . the succours the governour sent came too late . . d. iohn de costa , admiral of the malabar seas , cruized there victorious with two gallies and other vessels . he fell upon the town of gaipar , near braçalor , then in rebellion , kill'd of the inhabitants , burnt the town , and cut down the woods . thus the king of tolar , grown haughty , was humbled . in the river of chale he destroyed an island belonging to zamori . above that his city of parapangulem could not escape its ruin. the heir of the crown coming to the relief of it , was killed with moors . at cap●…cate were ●…ain , with the loss of two on our side . at mount delii , the town of nilachiram was consumed to ashes . between these actions , several vessels were taken , which supplied the galleys with slaves , and the fleet with provisions . . let us now see our dominion in the molucos drawing to an end . new commanders were still sent to ruin all by their avarice , with strength to maintain the fort : d. alvaro de ataide was now there , and nanno pereyra under sail to succeed him . the king of ternate continued the seige , and the place was almost famished . it looked as if god had undertaken the revenge of his father's death , and assisted him to starve that garrison ; for no succor was sent thither , but perished . of all marramaque his squ●…dron not the least vessel return'd to goa ; four ships that went with antony de valadares and lacerda were cast away in several places , and he got thither alone , and after him francis de lima with a galliot . these were comforts to the besieged , but no perfect cure. the king of ujantana , our friend , supplied the enemy with arms. sancho de vasconcelos coming from amboina to succor the besieged to small effect , found a galleon of his loaded with them in the port ; and a portugues ship at banda in danger of falling into the hands of those people : for , seeing the decay of ou●… affairs on that side , every one strove to hasten our ruin. belchior botello going with one galleon to relieve the fort , was ca●… away on the sands solocos , another in which d. alvaro was going , away , after resigning that command to nunno , was beat to pieces in the harbor . the great ship of lionel de brito came when there was no fort therē , and was lost afterwards . other supplies , a great deal of cannon , much merchandise and ammunition , and above men design'd thither , perish'd all by lamentable disasters . the murderer of that innocent king was stabbed by the people of iava , rather as executioners of god's justice , than enemies to the portugueses . gonçalo pereyra marramaque , who consented to the murder , died for meer grief of so many misfortunes , as he sailed for amboina , and was cast into the sea. . in ●…ine , our dominion in that island came to a dishonourable period ; for those who had so insolently treated the ternatenses , were forced to beg their lives of them , delivering up the fort to the king , who treated them better than they deserved . . the king entring the fort , protested before the portugueses , he did not take possession of it for himself , but in trust for the king of portugal , and would deliver it to whoever he should appoint , as soon as the murder of his father was punish'd . i believe they never demanded the fort , becaus●… they would not oblige themselves to do justice . this was the second place we lost after this manner in asia . the loss of this place was not punished as that of chale , the c●…ime being the same , only with this difference , that the tears of the women extorted the one , and the perswasions of jesuits the other . the arrival of that ship , with sufficient supplies was a testimony of the guilt . but both places being lost for want of relief , they ought rather to have been executed who did not relieve , than they that surrendred them . it was a good answer of the king of persia to a portugues ambassador , when asking , how many governours of india the king had beheaded ? the ambassador said , none : then replied the king , the dominion of the portugueses in india will not last long . . our affairs at amboina were not in much better a posture ; for though sancho de vasconcelos did more than could be expected of his force , yet it was less than was requisite , it was but rising and falling . he defeated two fleets of ternate , killed their commanders , and cachil tidore ; the people of amboina slew maladam , and many more , and eat them ; for they use to eat those they kill in the church . by his order alexander de mattos destroyed the island iamam , but at length the natives killed him and all his men ; but afterwards d. henry , unkle to the king of tidore , coming with two hundred and fifty men , slew two thousand of them . two natives of those islands , as big as giants , killed with their own hands , the one above twenty , the other above thirty men. san ho returned again , and entred the same town . . the people of amboina designed privately to murder sancho de vasconcelos . he suspecting that ruy de sousa , a new convert , and the principal man of rosanive , was the author of that conspiracy , sent friendly for , and then secured him by the advice of some portugueses , not without the help of the jesuits , believing it was for the better , and they ruined all : for sousa escaping out of prison , did what he never had design'd , joining our enemy , and killing a good number of our men , which put our affairs into a desperate posture . . this year f. peter de alfaro with three companions entred the city of quantung , and perceiving he did not profit much there , returned to macao , where he built the church . he was a spaniard , and seem'd to foresce , that what belong'd now to the portugueses only would soon belong to his nation . a token of his sanctity is , that perishing by shipwrack , he was afterwards found on the shore upon his knees . . this year concludes with the arrival of four ships from portugal . since there is no account to be found of what our governor acted the next year till d. iames de meneses succeeded him , let his government end here , and i will go over to the relation of what was done these very years , in monomotapa , by the governour francis barreto , and his successour vasco fernandez homem . antony moniz barreto was a man deserving of that post he obtained , though he got it not fairly , and was one of the best governors of india , the twenty-sixth of that number , and second of the name and sirname . chap. xv. the government of francis barreto in monomotapa , beginning in the year , in the reign of king sebastian . . since , by reason of the disagreement between antony moniz barreto , and the viceroy d. antony de norronna , and d. leonis pereyra , the government of malaca , one of the three into which that dominion was divided , took no effect , let us go over to the other of monomotapa , which was erected , though it lasted not long . when francis barreto returned to portugal , after having been governor of india , he was appointed admiral of the gallies : he exercised this command at the time of that memorable action of pennon , by which he gain'd great reputation . being come back to lisbon , and the king resolv'd to make that division of governments , he named him for monomotapa , with the additional title of conqueror of the mines there . the great inducement to this conquest , was the information and experience of the vast quantity of gold found , particularly at manica in the kingdom of bocaranga . . the doubt was , whether it were proper for a man who had been governour of all our dominions in asia , and this southern part of africk to accept of this , which was the least considerable part into which it was divided , but the danger and difficulty of it made amends for the greatness . three things prevailed with him to accept of it ; the first , that he was poor ; the second , that he thought it no lessening to take a less command in obedience to his prince ; and the third , that it was allowed him , in case the viceroy and he met at sea , their power should be equal in all respects . . in fine , francis barreto submitted to his king's command , and the desires of his country , and sailed from lisbon in april , , as captain , general , and governor of that conquest , with three ships . he carried one thousand landmen , and might have had more , if the vessels could have contained them ; for the noise of gold drowned the thoughts of danger , and nothing raises men like the thoughts of gain . among these were many gentlemen and old african soldiers . being come to moçambique , he went to subdue the king of pate , who was revolted from us . . barreto had orders not to undertake any thing without the advice of francis de monclaros , a jesuit , who was the cause of the ill success of this enterprize . so great an error it is to subject a soldier to a religious man : so indiscreet a presumption for a religious man to undertake what does not belong to his profession : there were two ways to the mines , the one through monomotapa , the other by zofala , barreto was for this , monclaros for the other , and carryed it , notwithstanding , all the votes to the contrary , and so the first step they gave was to their ruin . . now the governor enters upon this conquest , let us say somthing of its climate , quality , and extent . the coast from cape delgado to mozambique , is in the form of a bow ; it begins in deg of s. lat . and ends in d. m. in which space are the islands pajaros , mesa ; one at the mouth of the river paudagi , mocoloe , matemo , queriba , cobra , near the river menluane , quisve , and cabras , or del açotado . then follow the rivers , m●…cutii , mucululo , situ , habe , xanga , samoco , veloso , pinda , quizimaluco , tintagone . between these last are the bays of xanga and fuego , and the sands of pinda . from mocambique to the port of the bay of cauea , in deg and half of s. lat . the continent runs to the westward , gathering the waters , where appears the parcel de z●…fala , the dangerous scylla , and caribdis of those seas , into which falls these rivers , moeugo , bayones , m●…ge , mojuncoale , sangage , ambuzi , ( here lie the three islands of angoxa , ) monca , macolonga , ( with three other islands ) tondamaje , corombeca , quesungo , loranga , chimani , mogundo , mafusa , ( between the last are the ports of quilimane , and luabo , with the island chimgoma , ) tendicalu , quiloe , sabam , bagoe , miave , zofala , ( with the opposite island called inbansato ) quiloane , mambony , molimon , quilamancohi . between cape b●…siqua in deg . of s. lat . and cape correntes in , is the great bay of sau●…a . into this bay falls the river inhambane , where is the trade of ivory . from these names i infer the language of those people , cannot be harsh , being mostly compounded of the soft letters , l. and m. . the empire of monomotapa from the mouth of cuama in the east , runs leagues , is divided by the great river zambere , which falls into that of chiri , running through the country of borero , where are many other large rivers , and on their banks many king 's , some absolute , some subjects of monomotapa ; the greatest of the first is mongas , bordering on c●…ama and zambere , which falls into the sea , between mozambique and zofala , to the s. e. by four mouths . the first that of quilimane , leagues from mozambique . the second cuama , to the southward . the third luabo , leagues lower , and the fourth luaboel , more to the south . between them are fruitful and large islands , whereof one is leagues in compass . the river is navigable , the same number of leagues up to the town of sena , inhabited by portugueses , and as many more to tete , a colony of theirs also . the richest mines are those of musapa , called anfur , the ophir where the queen of saba had her riches , when she went to hierusalem . in these mines has been found a lum●… of gold worth ducats , and another of the value of . it is not only found among stones , but grows up within the bark of several trees to the top , where the branches spread . the mines of mancbica and butica are not much inferior to these . there are many others not so considerable . there are three fairs or markets , whither our people trade for this gold , from the castle of tete on the river zambeze , ●…ngues from the sea ; the first is luane four days journey up the inland . the second buento farther distant , and masapa the third , yet farther of . this gold was purchased for cloth , glass-beads , and other things of no value among us . at masapa resides a portugues officer appointed by the commander of moçambique , by consent of the emperor of monomotapa , but upon condition , not to go into the country , without his leave upon pain of death : he is judge of the differences that arise there . there are churches of the dominicans at massapa , bocuto , and luanze . . the original , number and time of the reign of the kings is not known ; it is believed , there were several in the time of the queen of saba , and that they were subject to her , for thence she had her gold. in the mountain afur , near masapa , are seen the ruins of stately buildings , supposed to be pallaces and castles ; in process of time , the empire was divided into three kingdoms , quiteve , sabanda , and chiganga , this last the most powerful , as possessing the mines of manchica , butua , and others ; its believed , the blacks of butua of the kingdom of chicanga , are those that carry the gold to angola , because 't is thought there are but leagues distance between those two places ; this country bears rice , and what we call indian-wheat , has abundance of all sorts of cattle , fowl , and gardening : their chief care is pastorage and tillage ; this empire is divided into kingdoms , which are mongas , baroe , manica , boesa , macingo , remo , chique , chiria , chidima , boquizo , inbanzo , chiruvia , condesaca , daburia , macurumbe , mungussi , antiovaza , cbove , chungue , dvia , romba , rassini , chirao , mocaranga , and remo de beza ; there are many lordships , that have not the title of kings . . the emperor has a great palace , though of wood ; the chief apartments of it are three , one for himself , another for his wife , and a third for his menial servants ; it has three doors into a court , one for the queen , to go in and out at , another for him and the servants that attend his person , and are sons of his noblemen ; the third for the cooks , who are two great men and his relations ; and the under-cooks who are also men of quality . none of these must be above years of age , for till that age , they do not believe they have to do with women , and if any do , they are severely punished ; after that time , they are preferred to great imployments : those within doors , are governed by a captain , and those without by another , as formerly in spain , the alcalde de los donçeles . . the principal officers about the king are , ningomoxa governor of the kingdoms , mocomoaxa , captain general , ambuya great steward ; to him it belongs when the mazarira or the king 's principal wife dies , to name another in her stead , but it must be one of the king's sisters or nearest relations ; inbantovo , the head musitian , who has many under him , and is a great lord ; nurucao , captain of the van-guard ; bucurumo , which signifies the king's right-hand ; magande , the chief conjurer ; netambe , the apothecary that keeps the ointments and utencils for sorcery ; nebono , chief porter . all these offices are executed by lords ; there is no delicacy in cookery used ; they only eat boyl'd and roasted , they eat the same as is usual among us , with the addition of mice , which they esteem as good as partridge or rabbet . . the king has many wives , only nine called great queens , which are his sisters , or near relations ; the others the daughters of nobles . the chiefest is called mazarira , and mother of the portugueses , who often present her , because she sollicites their business with the king ; and he sends no embassador to them without some servant of hers ; the second is inahanda , that sollicites for the moors ; the third nabuiza that lives in the same apartment with him ; the fourth navemba ; the fifth nemangore ; the sixth nizingoapangi ; the seventh nemongoro ; the eight nessani ; the ninth necarunda , each of them lives apart , with as great state as the king , and have several revenues and kingdoms for their expence . as soon as one dies , another succeeds in place and name ; they have power to reward and punish , as well as the king ; sometimes he goes to them , sometimes they come to him ; there are many women waiting on them , of whom he makes use as he pleases . . the principal people of monomotapa , and whereof the emperor is , are the mocarangi , not warlike , nor furnished with any other arms , but bows , arrows , and javelines ; they have no religion nor idols , but acknowledge one only god , and believe there is a devil , that he is wicked , and they call him muzuco : they believe their kings go to heaven , and call them muzimos , and call upon them in time of need , as we on the saints . they speak of things past by tradition , having no knowledge of letters . they give ear to the doctrine of christianity ; the lame and blind they call the king 's poor , because maintained by him with great charity ; and if they travel , the towns they go through are obliged to maintain and furnish them guides from one place to another . a good example for christians . . every month has its festival days , and is divided into three weeks , each of days ; the first day is that of the new-moon , and the festivals the fourth and fifth of each week : on these days they put on their best apparel , the king gives publick audience to all , holding a truncheon about three quarters of a yard long in each hand , as it were leaning upon it ; they who speak to him lye prostrate , this lasts from morning till evening : if he is indisposed , ningomoxa stands in his place , no body can speak to him , or go to court , on the th day of the new-moon , because it is held most unlucky . . on the day the new-moon appears , the king with two javelins runs about in his house , as if he were fighting , the great men are present at this pastime , and it being ended , a pot full of indian wheat , boyled whole , is brought , which he scatters about the ground , bidding them eat , because it is the growth of the earth ; they know how to flatter , for every one strives to gather most , knowing that pleases him , and they eat it as savourly , as if it were the greatest dainty . . their greatest holy-day , is the first day of the moon of may , they call it chuavo : on this day all the great men , which are a vast number , resort to court , and there with javelins in their hands run about representing a fight ; the sport lasts all day , then the king withdraws , and is not seen in eight days after , during which time , the drums never cease beating . on the last day he orders the nobleman he has the least affection for to be killed ; this is in the nature of a sacrifice he offers to his muzimos , or ancestors ; this done , the drums cease , and every man goes home . the mumbos eat man's flesh , whereof there is a publick butchery . let this suffice for the customs of this empire , for it would be endless to relate all . chap. xvi . continues the government of francis barreto in monomotapa . . such was the country whether the governour francis barreto was now going , he set out from mozambique with more vessels than he brought and more men , tools , camels , horses , and other necessaries for war , and for the work of the mines ; having sailed ninety leagues , he went up the river cuama , called by our first discoverer de las buenas sennales , he came to sena , or fort st. marcalis , as f. monclaros desired , and repaired the town inaparapala , which is near to another of the moors , they being always professed enemies to the christians , began to undermine our designs , as they had formerly done in india ; they attempted to poyson our army , and some men and horses began to die , and the cause being discovered by one of them , they were all put to the sword , and the chief of them torn to pieces at the mouths of guns , except one ( called mahomet iame ) who affirming the blessed virgin had appeared to him , and commanded him to become a christian , by the name of lawrence ; he had the favour to be strangled . the discoverer was pardoned . . barreto sent an embassador to the emperor , who for the more honour admitted him to his presence , not as other embassadors were treated at this court , which is to go without arms , bare-footed , on their knees , and when they come near , prostrating themselves on the ground . the effect of the embassy was to desire leave to punish the king of mongas who was in rebellion , and go on to the mines of butua and manchica : the first part was a piece of flattery , to obtain the second , because the lands of mongas lie between sena and the mines , and it was necessary to make way with the sword. he consented to all , and offered one hundred thousand men ; bareto accepted not of them , because he would give him no share in the honour gained in that war , and thinking thereby to oblige him the more . . he marched ten days with twenty three horse , and five hundred and sixty musquetiers , ( enduring much by hunger and thirst ) for the most part along the river zambeze , over whose most rapid stream hang pieces of the high mountain lupata , ninety leagues distant from the ethiopian sea. at the end of this tedious march , they began to discover part of the enemy , and soon after saw the-mountains and valleys covered with arm'd men , the governor was not daunted , seeing it was hard to discover the end of that multitude , he drew up , and gave the van to vasco fernando homem , he had the rear , and between the bodies was the baggage , and some field pieces ; when they came to charge , he removed the canon to the front and flanks , the two unequal bodies advanced , the enemy in the sorm of a half-moon ; before they engaged , an old woman advanced and scattered some powder towards our men , having perswaded the enemy ( she was a notorious witch ) that that powder alone would gain the victory . . barreto understanding the superstition , having seen t●…e like in india , ordered a gunner to level a ●…iece at her ; which was so well performed , the old woman was torn to pieces ; the cafres were astonished , believing her immortal . barreto rewarded the gunner with a gold chain ; the enemy advance without order , either through ignorance , or relying on their multitude , and clouds of arrows and darts begin to fly , but our musquetiers killing them by hundreds , they turned their backs , many were killed in the pursuit , and then our men ordered to halt ; the governor marches to the city mongas , and meets another multitude like the former , which in like manner was put to flight , above six thousand cafres were slain , and two of our men , and the governor was sorced to alight and lead his men ; the city was entered without opposition , being abandoned , our men entrench'd , and in the morning discovered an army as great as both the former ; the cafres were again routed , and beg'd peace in the king's name . the governor received the messenger with such majesty , that he was astonished , and could not speak ; being come to himself , and having delivered his message , barreto promised he would see the king , and mat ters should be adjusted . . the next day our men marched and incamped in a convenient place where embassadors came from the king to treat of peace . it happened one of our camels broke loose and came so near the governor , that he stoped him till they came up that were in pursuit of him ; ●…e cafres having never seen such a beast , admired it stopped at the governor , thinking it some submission it made to him , and began to ask some questions . he making his advantage of their ignorance , told them , he had many of those beasts that only fed upon man's flesh , and having devoured all that were killed , that beast came from the rest to desire he would not make peace , because they would come to want food ; they astonished hereat , earnestly intreated him , he would desire the camels to be satisfied with good beef , and they would instantly bring them a great number . he granted their request , and marched on . he was in great distress for provision when news came his presence was required at mocambique . he gave the command of the forces to vasco , and departed●… the cause was this , . antony pereyra brandam , who at the molucos had committed crimes that deserved the severest punishment , in portugal was condemned to banishment into africk ; he desired the governor he might be permitted to go with him to monomotapa ; he did it , and being come to moçambique , gave him the command of that fort. brandam , though eighty years of age , and under such obligations , resolved to secure himself in the fort , and defame francis barreto with false informations sent to the king : the original papers fell into the governor's hands , who being come to moçambique , showed them to him , and he falling down and kissing his feet begg'd pardon ; barreto lifted up and forgave him , then giving the command of the fort to laurence godino , returned to prosecute his design . . our governor being come to the fort of sena , f. monclaros came out in a great rage to tell him , he should desist from that conquest , with which he had imposed upon the king , that no more men might be lost , for he should be answerable to god for what had , and should die . it was most certain , barreto was not the promoter of that conquest , and monclaros was in fault for all the miscarriage that had been committed ; barreto took this insolence so much to heart , that he died within two days without any other sickness , breathing out his soul in sighs . doubtless the jesuit had more to answer for his death , than he , for the miscarriages the jesuit was guilty of . . king sebastian much resented this loss , and particularly expressed it by the honourable reception he made to his body when brought to lisbon . so this great man having escaped so many bullets among the indians , so many darts and arrows among the cafres , and the malice of a villain , fell by the words of a religious man. chap. xvii . the government of vasco fernandez homem in monomotapa , in the reign of king sebastian . . the governor francis barreto being dead , an order of the king 's found among his papers was opened , by which vasco fernândez homem his major , was appointed to succeed him . the perswasions of f. monclaros , who now disliked the conquest , so far prevailed with him , that forgetting his duty he returned to moçambique . there some understanding persons , and chiefly francis pinto pimentel his kinsman , represented this affair in such manner to him , that he returned to monomotapa . being now delivered of that religious man , who went away to portugal , he set out by the way of zofala , as francis barreto would have done , that being the properest road for the design in hand : he marched directly towards the mines of manchica of the kingdom chicanga , bordering by the inland with that of quiteyve , the next in power to monomotapa . with him was the same number of men , and sorts of instruments his predecessor had . to oblige the king of quiteyve , he complemented and sent him presents , and tho' these are the most efficacious means to make all things easie , that prince grew so jealous of these solicitations , that he received all very coldly . . the governor not making much account of his answer , marched into his kingdom . several bodies of cafres attempted to stop his passage , but were routed with great slaughter . the king seeing he did not prevail by force of arms , had recourse to policy . he caused all the people and provisions to be withdrawn from the towns and country , so that our men suffered extream want till they came to zimbaoe his court , whence he was fled , and had fortified himself in inaccessible mountains . vasco burnt the city , and marched on to chicanga , the king whereof rather through fear than love , received him with exterior signs of affection , and gave him free passage to the mines . our men marched to them , many believing they should gather gold by handfuls ; but seeing the natives with much difficulty gather'd but little in a long time , and not being expert at that work , and that to make any thing of it , more men and materials were requisite , they return'd the way they came , and parted friends with that king. . though they obtained not what was sought this way , yet the ease wherewith they came to the place designed , evinced how great an error it was to impose f. monclaros as director to the late governor , who , only to follow his own extravagant humour , lead him a way so dangerous and tedious . vasco returned to quiteyve , and that king did now for fear what he refused before , permitting the portugueses to march to the mines of maninnas , only upon condition they should pay him twenty crowns yearly . vasco passed thence to the kingdom of chicova , bordering upon monomotapa to the norward along the inland . the cause of undertaking this march was , the account he had of rich silver mines . having encamped , he ask the cafres for the mines and they seeing it was in vain to resist , and fearing the discovery of the mines would be their ruine , scattering some ore far enough from the mines , shewed it , telling them , there they were . . by this means the cafres got time to escape ; for our men giving credit to them let them go , perhaps not desiring they should see what treasure they got . the governor caused all round about to be dug , and after much labour it was no wonder he did not find what was not there . provision growing scarce , and finding no fruit of his labour , he marched away , leaving captain antony cardoso de almeyda with two hundred men , and necessaries to continue there some days , to examine into the truth of that so much coveted corner of the earth . . vasco being gone , cardoso suffered himself to be again deceived by the cafres , who had before imposed upon him . they offered , since he could not find a vein there , they would show him a place where he might ; and leading him the way of death rather than that of the mines , killed him and all his men , after they had defended themselves with incredible bravery . this may convince those who affirm , numbers of cafres would fly from a gun , as not having before seen them , since here two hundred men fighting with them for their lives , were all slain by their darts and arrows . . this was the end of that government , scarce begun sooner than ended , and possest by two governors , who no sooner saw , but they lost it . the first killed by rash words , the second expelled by a prudent , not barbarous , stratagem . however the peace and trade with the emperor of monomatapa continued . these actions of francis barreto and vasco fernandez homem , were in the time of the government of d. luis de ataide , d. antony de noronna , and antony moniz barreto ; but we could never exactly find when the first died , and the last desisted . chap. xviii . of the viceroy ruy lorenco de tavora , and the government of d. james de meneses , from the year till , in the reign of king sebastian . . in the beginning of this year sailed from lisbon ruy lorenço de tavora , to succeed antony moniz barreto , with the title of viceroy of india , and four ships : he died at moçambique , and was the first that came short , being appointed for that government . the ships arriving at goa , the royal patents of succession were opened , and d. iames de meneses there present was the person named in the first . so he was rather successor to antony moniz , than ruy lorenço . however , since he was designed for it , we will reckon tavora the twelfth of the viceroy's , and twenty-seventh of governors , and first of the name and sirname . . d. iames de meneses having held this command near two years , there is no doubt but there happened more remarkable passages than i heer relate , but i could find no more , having used all possible endeavours to get some farther memoirs of his time. certain it is there are some , but our portugues gentlemen , though they make no use of , keep them as close as misers do their treasure . the little i could gather is thus : . as soon as d. iames took upon him the government , he fitted out several squadrons for the usual purposes . at that time some captains were upon the northern coast upon their own account , as d. hierome mascarennas , d. iames and d. antony de silveyra brothers , and francis pessoa . they anker'd in the river of dabul , that city being then at peace with us , and were received by the tanadar melique tocan with feigned kindness . he proferred to furnish them with what they wanted , and invited them home to dine with him , having men ready to murder them in the height of their merriment . all things succeeded as he desired , for they put themselves into his power unarmed , except mascarennas , who forboding some treachery stayed in the river . those that accepted the invitation were killed , except a few who fled to the shore , and the murderers after them had like to have entred mascarennas his vessel , but that he and those few that were with him laying hold of arms repulsed the bloody assassins . mascarennas carried the news of this disaster to goa . . towards the end of this year arrived the ships that sailed from lisbon the beginning of it ; they were six in number , two set out first under mathias de albuquerque , appointed to command at malaca , and four after . . as soon as the governor was informed by d. hierome de mascarennas of the villainy committed by the tanadar of dabul , he dispatched d. peter de meneses with a small squadron to revenge that wrong , ordering him to lay wait for the ships of meca , and do all the mischief he could on the coast subject to hidalcan . meneses met two great ships of m●…ca , and after a sharp dispute forced them a shoar , where the sea running high they beat to pieces . this was the posture of affairs when in august arrived d. luis de ataide count de atouguia , to take upon him that government the second time , which d. iames de meneses then quitted , having been the twenty-eighth governor , the second of the name , and third of the sirname . chap. xix . the count d. luis de ataide is the second time viceroy of india ; he set out in the year , and governs till , and is the last sent out by king sebastian . . when king sebastian had resolved ( though he designed better ) to bury the glory of his kingdom in the sands of africk , he appointed d. luis de ataide count de atouguia , general of his forces : but soon after , not able to conform his youthful heat to the prudent circumspection of the count , that he might have a plausible colour for removing him , he again constituted him viceroy of india , pretending there was need of such a man there ; as if he had not much more need of his conduct himself . . the count well understood the drift of this change , but not willing to disgust the king , took no notice of it . he desired to have along with him nunno vello pereyra , a man more expert than fortunate in military and sea affairs , as will appear hereafter , and iohn alvarez suarez , a man versed in the revenue , and who had given good proof of his courage , as was related in the siege of chaul . d. luis had a prosperous voyage , and was received at goa with great joy. . his arrival at goa was about the end of august : the first thing he did after receiving the sword , was the spreading the news that king sabastian would infallibly that year go over into africk , where he was already killed when this was given out . the viceroy foreseeing that disaster , and the ill consequences might arise from it , fitted out such a mighty fleet , as struck a terror into all the neighbouring princes , who measure their own safety by our power . the design of this fleet he never revealed to any man. . amidst these greater cares he forgot not the less , but sent supplies to d. peter de meneses to enable him to act the more vigorously against melique the tanadar of dabul . the viceroy in person carried on the war against hidalcan along the river of goa , whether his dominions extended ; and he no longer able to endure it , proposed a peace , promising the traytor melique should be for ever banished dabul , and all his dominions . the peace was concluded , and our forces withdrew . at that time arrived at goa three ships from portugal , and were the last sent sent by king sebastian . when these came to india , two caravels set out from lisbon with the news of the king's death , one bound for goa , the other for malaca . . henry the cardinal succeeded in the throne , and from amidst those ruines dispatched five ships for india , fearing lest the loss of king sebastian being known , new troubles might arise , if those dominions were not timely supplied . . the viceroy understanding that melique tocan , contrary to the articles of the peace concluded the year before , continued at dabul publickly exercising his office , and was ready to launch a great ship to trade to meca , he resolved to show how much he resented that wrong , and to that purpose sent thither d. paul de lima pereyra with ten sail. . d. paul coming to the mouth of the river found all the shore fortified , and a great number of cannon planted in all convenient places : he forces his way in through all the batteries , and sees six thousand horse , and great number of foot covering the shore , and pouring showers of bullets and arrows upon him ; nevertheless he attempts to burn two ships belonging to hidalcan , but finding it impossible to come at them for the number of the enemy's cannon , he runs up the river , and spent some days in burning all the towns along the coast. . the enemy calls in to their aid cartale and mandaviray , two malabar pyrats who were in the sea of chaul with five galliots : to these melique joins other five sail he had ready with five hundred turks , persians , and other resolute men. the shore was cover'd with people that came to see this action . d. paul prepared to receive them , and after the discharge of the cannon they came up board and board , and hand to hand . . d. paul boarded the first galliot , they were ten to ten , though the enemy had the advantage of the bigness of the vessels and number of men ; but our captains following the example of their admiral , behaved themselves so bravely , that only one of the enemy's galliots escaped , the rest were all taken . we lost but two or three men in this action , which was as fortunate as any we perform'd in asia . . having taken this revenge of melique for his crime , and of hidalcan for winking at it , d. paul sailed out of the river through the same dangers he came in , losing one man. being come to goa with nineteen sail , whereas he went thence with only ten ; the viceroy came out to receive him , and in the hearing of all that were present , said , what is it you mean , d. paul , will you with such acts of bravery provoke my envy to poison you ? thus heroes praise great men , and at the same time upbraid those who enviously rail at noble actions . . the emperor of ceylon had some time since by his ambassadors desired king iohn iii. to send him some religious men of the order of st. francis , to instruct him in the christian religion : they being come to him he recanted . f. iohn de villa de conde was this year at his court , and had several times confuted the bramenes disputing of religion . yet they refusing to yield themselves overcome , he offer'd with a lively faith , that he and one of them should be cast into a river full of great crocodiles , or into a great fire , and that his religion , who came out unhurt , should be allowed to be the true . they refused , and the franciscan immediately reaped the fruit of this victory , baptising d. iohn parea pandar king of cota , in the same island . . the kingdom of angola is near monomotapa , whereof we lately spoke , and therefore will relate what happened there this year , because it is a remarkable passage . paul diaz undertook to war with that king , who had treacherously kill'd a number of our men : this captain with only two galleys did wonders on the banks of the river coanza , till he fortified himself in an island formed by this and the river lucula . then joining the king of congo and other princes with only portugueses he several times defeated the enemy . but the most remarkable is the battle wherein that king had a million of men , which were put to flight in such confusion they kill'd one another . . at the beginning of this year , when the ships sailed for india , our kingdom , by the death of the old cardinal , king henry , was under the direction of five governors , who dispatched them . they were four , whereof one was forc'd back to lisbon , the last sent under a portugues government , and the last our viceroy saw : for he having done no more than what is related , or if he did , having left no memory of it , died the beginning of the year , having in some manner foretold it for some time before leave being asked of him to bury his cousin antony rotello by his brother d. iohn de ataide , he refused it , saying , he had long since designed that place for himself . . at the end of his first government something was said of his qualities and merit , and i have referred it to this place to speak of his undaunted courage , as a virtue most peculiar to him . some proof of it has been given in the former part of his life , i will now give another instance . at the attack ( as i think ) of onor he sailed in a brigantine , sitting on a chair , and a famous musician by him playing upon a harp. the enemy's cannon from the fort reached the vessels , and grated the musicians ear ; d. luis , who was pleased to hear the musick , seeing him give over , as if he had not seen the cause , asked him , why he left off ; the musician told him ; and he stretching out his hand , said , i pray let nothing disturb thee , go on with that tune , for it is a very good one . . one of the gentlemen that were standing behind him , seeing this was too great a contempt of danger , said , tell that man , if he happens to be killed , all will be lost : and another answer'd , do not tell him so ; for if he be killed , here are men enough fit to succeed him . . d. luis this second time govern'd the term of two years and seven months , and may be reckoned in the number of viceroys the thirteenth , in that of governors the twenty-ninth ; the first of the name and sirname . chap. xx. the government of ferdinand tellez de meneses , who was named by the governors of portugal , upon the decease of the cardinal king henry , in the year . . the ships dispatched by the governors of portugal the last year , carried new patents of succession . in the first was named ferdinand tellez de meneses . the bishop of malaca , d. iohn ribeyro gayo , was president at this ceremony , which was celebrated with such demonstrations of joy , as if there had been no memory of their fresh subjects of tears . . whilst the affairs of portugal were in this miserable condition , those in the kingdom of visapor were no better , the succession being uncertain upon the decease of hidalcan , who died without heirs in the d year of his reign , and th of his age. he studied less to have wives to get children , than young men instead of wives . a youth of years of age , who had more honour than to consent to such baseness , killed him as he was endeavouring to allure him to his brutal appetite . abraham , son of xatamas , one of two brothers not long before slain by him , succeeded in the throne . qui●…balechan , a powerful man , conspiring with others , enters visapor with forces , and seizes that prince . not long after the ethiopians ( who are the guard of those princes ) did the same under three heads , chose by themselves to this purpose , who were acalachan , armichan , and delarnachan . this last secures the other two , and takes all the power into his own hands . our governor kept a watchful eye over all these proceedings , knowing the happiness of our affairs , depended much upon the event of those . . at this time were brought to india new instructions from the governors of portugal , and philip the second then sworn king , and first of the name there . the governor was order'd to tender the oath there . ferdinand tellez performed the ceremony with great solemnity in the church of goa on the third of september . . the captains then commanding our forts there were at goa , d. tristan de meneses ; at zofala and moçambique , d. peter de castro ; at ormuz , d. gonzalo de meneses ; at damam , martin alfonso de melo ; at baçaim , d. emanuel de almada ; at chaul , d. ferdinand de castro ; at cananor , george toscano ; at cochim , d. george de meneses baroche ; at columbo , emanuel de sousa coutinno ; at tidore , iames de azambuja ; and at malaca d. iohn de gama . . the governor understanding that four galliots of malabar pyrats were harboured in some of the rivers about goa , immediately sent mathias de albuquerque with ten small merchant ships that were the readiest at hand , after them . he found them in the river carapatan ; three of our vessels that were foremost falling violently upon them , forced the malabars to leap into the water , and by that time albuquerque came up , each of them had taken one . . there were at mazulopatan two ships of the bigness of ours that trade to india ; one belonging to the king of achem , loaded with ammunition , design'd , as was believed , against malaca ; the other to the king of pegu richly loaden . the governor sent gonçalo vaz de camoens with four ships to seize upon them : the first of the two had notice of it , and went off , and gonçalo vaz being informed of the great force of the other , by the consent of his men left that design , and went over to the coast of pegu , where the malabar pyrats took one of his ships commanded by francis serram , and a galliot of ferdinand de lima. they came to the mouth of the river negraes , just at such time as the ship they feared to encounter at mazulapatan was entring . they could not in honour avoid engaging her , though they were but two galliots : after a desperate fight , which lasted almost two days , the ship was sunk , our men having first rifled her with such covetousness , that our vessels had sunk , had not the captain thrown many of the goods over-board . . the galliots setting out again , were for some time carried about by the weather , it being the beginning of winter , till about the place where they sunk the ship , they discover'd the prince of fegu with a fleet of sail , design'd for the conquest of the kingdom of arracam . the prince desired to meet with these galliots , having advice they were thereabouts , and that his father would be as much pleased with taking of them , as the conquest of that kingdom . sixteen of the best sailers advancing , began to play their cannon , and were as well answer'd , till they came to board . after a sharp engagement , three of the enemy's ships were disabled , some entred , many prisoners and pieces of cannon taken ; then our men seeing all that multitude was coming upon them , making all the sail they could and plying their oars , got into the port of arracam . the king rejoycing for the share he had in this success , and well pleased that gonçalo vaz made him a present of some of his subjects taken in the great ships , gave liberty to some portugueses he had long kept in prison . . about this time three turkish gallies set out of the port at moca , sent by the bassa mirazenam to plunder moscate , having intelligence from moors living there ; that the town was rich , and unprovided of defence . alibec , a turk , used to robbing undertook this design . mirazenam was born at otranto of christian parents , and was governor of all that part of arabia felix and petrea , which the natives call ayaman , he resided in the city cana , the center of arabia felix . leagues north of moca , and as many from xael . cana is built upon a hill , encompassed with a good wall , and thought to be the foundation of cham the son of noah , and to have been the court of the famous queen of saba . the province is most fruitful , called by the ancients , siria mumifera , because it produces frankincense , myrrh , and storax . . alibec being before mascate , landed his men , ordering those that remained in the galleys to enter the port , and as soon as they were in to play their cannon furiously , that so the inhabitants being imployed on that side , he might come in upon their backs . it succeeded as he desired ; for most men saved themselves by flight , but few their goods , and he in an instant entred and plundred the town . iames machado going out to bury some treasure , was killed , and himself and money deprived of burial . . let us in some manner describe the situation of this town : extend the right hand with the palm of it down , stretch out the thumb from the fore-finger , and separate that from the middle finger , keep that close to the other two . the space between the middle and fore-fingers , is a bay called seabo , running up as the hand represents . the distance between the thumb and fore-finger is another bay , not so deep , along the shore whereof the town is bailt , shut in by two mountains ; one rises at the point of seabo next that part where the three fingers are together , it has only one path that leads to mascate so narrow , that two men cannot pass it a-breast . this way alibec come into the town , no body imagining he would attempt it , for four men with one cannon might maintain it against the universe . . let us not deny any man the honour that is due to him : they that fled from mascate to mataro , a town a league distant , not thinking themselves safe there went to bruxel , a fort four leagues up the inland , belonging to catani , head of a hord of arabs . this place at that time was commanded by an officer of his , a man so just and honourable , that hearing the misfortune of those people who came to him for refuge , ( for in great dangers the lesser is a refuge ) he went out to receive , comfort , and entertain them . this was much , but what follows is more ; his men seeing the portugueses come loaded with riches , advised him to make use of that opportunity , and not show too much weakness or pity . and he fearing , lest covetousness should make them disobedient , laboured with soft expressions and sweet words , to disswade them from their wicked design . . they all submitted themselves to their officer's reasons , and , with kind usage , much comforted the disconsolate portugueses , who continued there till alibec being gone , they returned to mascate , always relating and admiring how honourably that moor treated them , without suffering the least wrong to be offered to their persons or goods . . the news of the ruine of mascate being brought to ormuz , the commander , d. gonçalo de meneses caused the gallies to be closely watched , and ships to be fitted out immediately to follow them . he made luis de almeyda commander in chief , giving him a galleon , a galley , and six other vessels , with four hundred good men. but he not observing the orders of meneses that were to follow the galleys , fell into the coast of the naytaques , where they intended to surprize the beautiful and rich city pesani . but francis machado having given the alarm , by falling upon some people that were passing in two boats , the inhabitants all fled . . they plundered the city without honour or danger , and after burnt it and near fifty sail that were in the bay. the very same fate attended the city guadel , not inferior to pesani , and that of teis of the abindos , a barbarous and fierce nation , the last of gedrosia , on the banks of the river calamen , the people of it join with the naytaques in their piracies . . all these things were begun , though not absolutely transacted , when d. francis de mascarennas arrived in india with the title of viceroy , being the first sent by our first king philip , who was second of spain . ferdinand tellez left the government in a peaceable condition , and the sea of goa well furnished with good ships . he was the last governor appointed by the portugues authority , in number the thirtieth , held it six months , the first of the name , and fourth of the sirname . the end of the third part. the portugues asia . tom . ii. part iv. chap. i. of the gods , surpestitions and opinions of the asiaticks , particularly the indians , and among them the malabars . . i have purposely omitted giving so particular an account and description of the people and countries mentioned in this history , as will be expected from me , to avoid interrupting the series of affairs , and connexion of matter , reserving it still for a more proper place . the grand revolution of the kingdom of portugal now brought under a foreign prince , puts a period to the proceedings of our own , that we may begin again with what was transacted under our new sovereigns . here then it will not be amiss to give the curious the satisfaction of some further information touching the indians , ethiopians , chineses and iapans , but still with my usual brevity , dividing among them this fourth part of this second volume . as asia is divided into several empires , so it is inhabited by many very different sorts of people , and each people distinguished by very opposite customs . yet those that are of one belief , agree in the essential part , though they differ in form. it is so in india , as well as any other considerable portion of the world , and therefore the malabars , one of the nations thereof , may inform us of the religion and government of all the rest . . as to the frame of the world , they believe it had a beginning , and will have an end ; but then begin again , and in that manner will be everlasting ; that all things after having encreased , diminish ; that in the beginning as one thousand and animals were produced one thousand died , but now for one thousand produced one thousand and one die ; that the reason why more die is , because the heat of the sun increases ; that in the end , a violent wind shall dissolve all things ; that nothing shall then remain but the deity ixoreta , as in the first chaos ; that he shall be reduced to the bigness of an egg , and this to the quantity of a dew drop , scarce discernable ; that after it has sounded like a cricket , it shall increase by the same measure it diminished , and shall produce within it self the five elements , ( for they reckon the heaven the fifth ) that their increasing shall burst the egg in the middle ; that there shall appear in it seven shels put together like an onion ; that the egg being divided into two unequal parts , the biggest will be the heavens , and the lesser the earth ; that the gods were and shall be so formed again . the egg being open , the deity will be placed in the upper part , on the earth will appear a mountain of silver , on the top whereof will be seen the instruments of generation ( which they call the true ixoreta or deity , the true god and causa causarum ) because all things in the world proceed from the union of the instruments of generation ; therefore they particularly adore the noblest , that it is the male , and place its image in their pagods , and on their ways . this they reign to have three rines , from which proceed the three gods , bramá , vist●… , and givem , or ixora . . of the superior and inferior productions , this is their opinion . ixora with this instrument of generation , which was of a prodigious bigness , plowed up the earth for the space of seven hundred thousand loxenas , each of these when greatest , is four leagues , and when least a league and a halfe ; from the furrows sprung seven seas and seven lands , the ridges were the mountains , the furrows , the vales and waters . then from ixoras back came the woman called cbati , ( this has some resemblance with eve's being made of adams rib , ) and was separated from it by virtue of some words , and they resolved to have copulation . the length of the generating instrument ( called linga ) wherewith ixora had plowed the ground hindred ; he cut it into eighteen pieces , whereof were made the weapons they use , as the spear , sword , bow , and buckler . then ixora with his finger opened the way of generation in chati , which shed much blood ; he received it in his hands , and throwing it up into the air , suddenly of it were produced , the sun , moon , stars , roses , flowers , sweet-herbs , and snakes , which they use in their ceremonies , both being then fit for copulation , by them the world was peopled , the beasts and devils produced , and heaven filled with spirits , which they say are thirty three millions . . the heaven is fixt upon the earth , not the earth , the center of it . the sun and moon move like the fish in the water , by day from east to west , by night they run about the northward , not under the earth , but along the edge of the horrizon ; they doubt whether the earth be supported upon a bulls-horns , or upon the snake called ananta ; their paradize is in some mountain . the snake bassagui fighting with the wind , would not let it pass , but ixora commanding her to give it way , the wind flying the more impetuous for having been detained , tore up a mountain , which falling into the sea , formed the island ceylon . other islands are encompassed with seas they call of sugar , milk , butter , and sweet-water . happy the sailers that could find such pleasant seas . . the bases or grounds of the elements are of several matters , that of the earth of copper ; that of the water of silver ; that of the fire of gold ; that of the air of a pretious stone ; that of heaven of another stone of more value : they are gods and move , on the first waits the bird anam ; on the second guereram , on the third a cart ; on the fourth an ox ; on the fifth a horse . . there are seven large subterranean dwellings , called padalas , where live people who have no other light but that of certain bright stones , which snakes have in their foreheads . one day of ours is a year in heaven , and one of our years , three hundred and sixty five there . the days of the week ( as among us ) take their names from the planets , and one of them is a festival . they believe the transmigration of souls . . the god givem , or ixora , is of the colour of milk ; besides the usual two , he has one eye in the forehead , which being of fire , consumes all things ; his body of such a length , that brama , though he endeavoured it , could never find the beginning or end of it . the other brother vistnu , who is god of the transmutations , converted himself into a hog , and turned up the earth with his snout , but could never find his feet . he is so thick that the snake that girts the world , cannot encompass one of his arms , ●…e has sixteen hands , all employed with deer , chairs , a guitar , a bell , a bason , a trident , a rope , a hook , an ax , fire , a drum , beads , a staff , a wheel , a snake ; on his forehead , a horned moon ; his apparel skins of beasts , laid down with snakes ; he has two wifes , the goddess of the water , and chati , who has already dyed one and twenty times ; and because every time she dies , he puts one of her bones upon his neck , he now wears one and twenty bones there . having shared his body with his wife , and she hers with him , he is halfe man halfe woman ; his care is to finish all things , bram●… to create , and vistnu's to govern them . . the god ixora lives in calaya , a most delicious mountain for woods , gardens , fountains , birds and nymphs , among them there is nothing but harmony . the desert parts of it are inhabited by ri●…is , hermits , much esteemed for sanctity , in a private and most pretious tabernacle , is the silver rose with two musical white nymphs , and among them the linga , or eternal god , placed on a lion of inestimable value , and invisible . . brama and vistnu envying ixoras's greatness , set themselves against him ; he said if they could find his beginning or end , they should be his superiors . vistnu looked for his feet and brama and for his head ; the first was deterred by a snake , the second disswaded by roses ; he brib'd them to testifie he had seen his head , which they did . vistnu sensible of the fraud , turn'd them into beasts , and cut off one of his heads , of his blood sprang a man with five hundred heads , and one thousand hands . ixora did penance for this crime , and travelling , came to a place where they threw several beasts at him , he catched , ●…ead them , and cloathed himself with their skins ; being over-powered , vistnu came to his aid in the shape of a beautiful maid , and his enemies were astonished at her form : ixora having to do with her , a son was born , ixora and vistnu differed about whom it should belong too , and a heavenly spirit reconciled them , taking it to himself . he bred him an expert archer , and kept him as his guard against sagatracavaxem , the giant of five hundred heads , and one thousand hands , sprung from bramas head , cut off by ixora . this pilgrimage of ixora gave the original to the pilgrims , called iogues , who wander about living upon charity , wearing periwigs , and strewed with ashes . . ixora has four children , the first has the face of an elephant ; the second of a monkey ; the third is superbenia , with six faces and twelve arms ; the fourth a young woman called patracali . the father and his wife chati converted into elephants , begot a son with an elephant's head and four arms , he is wonderful big , and rides on a mouse . the first fruits of all that is sowed are offered to him . . the bramones who are the masters of their ceremonies , abstain from fish , flesh , eggs , and wine , of other things they eat and drink without measure , they celebrate the aniversaries of their dead with great banquets ; they are so much afraid of the moon on the fourth day after the full , that they shun seeing even the reflection of her in the water . . chati washing her self in the time of her courses , produced a man. her husband cut of his head , which rowling to the foot of his mountain calaya , brought forth the tree on which grow the coco's , which therefore have the resemblance of eyes , nose and mouth . but the wife complaining ixora cut of an elephants head and put it to the body , which remained man and elephant . then both converting themselves into monkeys , begot one , but she ashamed to bring it forth , desired the wind to translate it to another womb , and it was removed to that of the wife of the heavenly spirits . she was delivered of , and ixora gave him great power , calling him anuman . this is the reason the indians adore monkeys . . patracali ixoras's daughter is black , she has eight faces , and sixteen arms , great round eyes , hogs teeth , two elephants for pendants , she is cloathed with snakes , her hair like the peacocks tails , has several things in her hands , particularly arms , the devil medala waits on her ; she seeing her father could not overcome the giant daridabaxada , conquered him by policy . ixora to deliver her from enemies , sent her to live invisible among men. at sea she overcame some fishermen , and landed at coulam , and marryed the prince of coulett , who being falsly accused of stealing the queen of pande's bracelets , was impaled . patracali brought him to life , caused sacrifice to he offered to him , and thus freed from the bands of wedlock , remained a virgin. . ixora in a passion threw his wig on the ground , which became an armed fierce man , who cut off the head of lecxaprazava king of the peringales , and the hand of the god of fire , and the sun's teeth . ixora put on a goats-head upon lecxaprazava's shouldiers instead of his own . chap. ii. the metamorphoses or , transformations . . the god vistnu is black , he has four hands , and always lies sleeping on his back in the sea of milk ; yet so he governs the whole world ; his bed is the snake ananta , which has five heads ; on four he lays his hands , on the other his head ; the snake asked him , in case she had more heads , what he would lay on them . then one thousand heads sprung out from her , and as many hands from him to lay on them . he has two wives , laexemi and pumedevi , the first scraches his head , the other his feet . . vistnu was born or transformed nine times , into a fish , a tortoise , a hog , half-a man , half a lion , a bramen , siriparexi rama , siri rama , belapader , and siri christna , and is to be born the tenth time . in the first shape he overcame breniacxem in the bottom of the sea , taking from him the law he had stole from the heavenly spirits . in the second he reconciled the difference between the celestial and infernal spirits , about parting the ambrosia from poison , and giving this to the latter , and that to the former . with ambrosia he cured king devaindra , who being cursed by rixi for lying with his wife , was cover'd all over with privy-members , which were converted into eyes . . the sea is salt , because the great raxi ag●…ssia having drunk it all up , at the request of vistnu pissed it out . that there might be no thieves in the world , he appointed guards ; these were indra , king of the higher spirits ; vani , god of fire ; pidarpati , king of the devils ; varuna , god of the water ; maril , god of the wind ; cabera , god of riches , and other persons of note . the malabars , in their poems , make a jest of this , because they are all theives . . mave●… , lord of the world , kept mankind in such plenty , that none remembred god. vistnu in one of his changes remedied this , and then from the water which washed one of his feet came the river ganga , which therefore is the purgatory of such as when they die are washed therein . venus endeavouring to hinder the reformation of mankind , lost an eye . . the bramenes are the masters of the indian religion , and proceed from fishermen ; because the malabar churches were delivered to fishermen , upon condition they should always wear some mark of their trade . this is the cause they wear abou●… their necks some threads of their nets . this is the original of those threads they wear , never before mentioned by another writer . . vistnu turned himself into siri rama , and his snake ananta , chocra and buzio into men. siri rama killed tarb●…ga wife to r●…jada , that was a man-eater , and had the face of a lioness , and wore two elephants as pendants , her cloathing snakes , her weapon a trident ; she lived in a mountain of bones of the people she had eaten . siri married the daughter of king genega , and went to do penance for killing tar●…ega . his wife went with him , and he obtained of rixi anisoya , that he should be always victorious , and his wife appear beautiful to him . they went to ceylon , where churp●…naga sister to ravena king of that island being a widow , asked siri rama to get her a husband , he bid her chuse among the heavenly gods , and she liked none of them , but lacxena brother to siri rama , who despised and cut off one of her breasts , of the blood whereof sprung the leeches . . her brother ravena for revenge ●…ole siri rama's wife sida . the manner of looking for , finding , and recovering her is so tedious , preposterous , and foolish , as well as the foregoing part , it is not worth the strickest curiosity to read it . what follows is little better , but something of this monstrous medley is fit to be related , to show the prodigious stupidity of these opinions . . siri rama having found his wife , and seeing she was very beautiful said she had wronged him , and lain with his enemy . he threatned to kill her , and she offered to purge her self by fire ; and kindled one so fierce , the heavenly spirits could not endure it , she stripped her self naked , and walked seven times round it , then turning to the east , said , when ravena stole and would have taken me by the hand , i doubt whether his shadow touched me . afterwards in the island ceylon seti●…●…e under the tree axogani , he fell at my feet to overcome me , and i doubt whether the crown he had on his head touched them . there was nothing more that i know of between me and him . then she threw her self into the fire , and could not be seen for some time ; then the god of fire came out , and bidding siri rama hold out his hands , dropt sida upon them , assuring him her honour was unstained . . this done , siri rama placed bixivem on the throne of ceylon , and went himself to possess that of aioddia , after he had spent fourteen years in these affairs . the princes , people , celestial spirits , and dancing women received him . the queens prevailed with sida to show them the figure of ravena , she drew him with chalk on a board , which shook as siri rama sate on it ; not knowing his enemy's picture was thereon . the queens told him , sida had painted him , and he again jealous , though she was with child , ordered lecxena to carry her to a mountain , and there kill her . he carried , but left her there alive . she was delivered of two sons very like siri rama , who seeing them , and knowing she was not dead was satisfied . he went to fetch her , but could not ; for pumi goddess of the earth opened it and swallowed her up . his sons succeeded him in the crown of ajodda . chap. iii. other metamorphoses , and the consequences of them , of the god brama , and the foundation of pagods ; an account of the famousest of them . . vistnu turned himself into his younger brother siri christna , who was born very beautiful . at the hour of his birth the palace was filled with brightness , though it was mid-night ; the doors flew open , and the fetters fell off that held bassudever . he arose and took the child to carry it to amparhi , and by the way the waters of two rivers divided themselves , that he might pass dry . camusem consulting diviners about the birth of this child , which was the first quarter of the moon , on a thursday in august , the sun being in leo , and the moon in taurus , in the time of minabixam , they answer'd , siri christna would govern the whole world , and would kill him in the sixteenth year of his age. they advised him to send a woman that had venomous milk , that sucking her might be his death ; but the child , instead of her milk , sucked out her soul , and she died to the astonishment of his mother axoda , who was present . thus he escaped other dangers from his enemies , and at seven years of age , was skilled in all sciences , and among other extravagancies defloured the maids he played with . . his mother whipped , and causing him to open his mouth to discover whether he smelt of some butter 't was said he had eaten , she saw within heaven and earth and her self . she frighted , bid him shut his mouth , but he would not till she promised him figs or sugar , and other things , and that she would carry him to the river to make pipes to play upon . he , to be revenged on the women , watched a bath where they came , and enjoyed them all . . he went afterwards to fight the snake caliga that was nine leagues long , had eyes like two suns , and lived in a lake made of the venom she cast out of her mouth . the snake finding she could not overcome him , perceived he was the god vistnu , and begged his pardon . camused caused a woman turned into a snake to swallow him , and he swelled till he burst her . in fine , camused was killed , and siri christna's parents placed on the throne of the kingdom of madure . this done , vistnu turned into siri christna , married women , and lying with them all in one day got as many sons . this is counted the greatest action of this god. . betele is a plant , the leaves whereof pouder'd with lime and areca the indians chew and suck to preserve the teeth , strengthen the stomack , and provoke lust. it is so like our ivy , that an ambassador of hidalcan in lisbon made use of it instead of betele , mixing it instead of areca with cipress apples , and said the virtue was the same . argionem being upon a tree degastri , one of the wives of the celestial spirits came and carried him up in her chariot , where he found this plant , and stole a stock of it which he planted on earth . this is the reason the indians believe this plant came from heaven , and that it cannot thrive unless he that plants steal it . . the time of siri christna's death drawing on , he gave signs to know it by , which was , that when he expired the world should be inverted from what it ought to be , and is the time of culi , which now is . their writings say , all will come to confusion . but vistnu coming to the world again , shall kill all for their wickedness , except two kings , who till then shall be doing penance for the love of vistnu . these are mara of the sun's charge , and divappi of the moon 's . . darmaputrem , one of the hundred brothers , descended into hell , where he saw one encompassed with great treasures , and perishing with hunger : he asked the reason , and the other answer'd , that it was because he had not given alms while he lived in the world ; but that once he shewed a poor man the house where the rice was kept that was given for charity , pointing at it with his finger . then darmaputrem bid him put that finger with which he had pointed into his mouth , which he doing thought he tasted all the dainties in the world. darmaputrem and others returning into the world gave great alms , whereby after death they purchased paradice . this proves the malabars believed heaven and hell , and a reward and punishment for good and bad works . . brama is the antientest god of the three , he resides in the rose that springs from vistnu's navel , though he lies in the milky sea. he descends through the hollow stalk of the rose to vistnu's belly , where are the ideas of all things , and where he produces these by looking on those . he has four heads , which are the original of four laws ; and because ixora cut off the fifth head for the lye he told , he lost the fifth law , which is that of god , and therefore the bramenes want it . he dies and comes to life very often ; an artificial day of his contains years of the celestial spirits . he has two wives , but never had children by them . . among the malabars are four sorts of nobility , bramene , exastri , baestri , chadra . the first they say proceed from brama's face ; the second ( being kings called coilas ) from his arms ; the third from his thighs , which race they say is extinct ; the fourth from the feet , called nayres . the bramenes have the name , because descended from the face , and are much honoured by the kings who are not bramenes , and may sit down before them . . though they attribute the production of all things to brama , he acts only in the most perfect , giving others the lesser power . sometimes he grants so great power to others , that he is in great danger of them , and forced to fly . vistnu converted into a nymph , delivered brama from one of those dangers . ixora seeing that beautiful form of his got him with child . he was delivered of two children , the one at the mouth , the other at the thigh . one was called chartava ; the other ayapem , who lost his birthright by drinking too much wine , and it being put to his choice , whether he would be the lowest among angels , or chief among devils , he chose the latter , and was constituted such . ixora gave him privilege to converse with men and be serviceable to them , and he came in the shape of a nayre to the court of the king of pande . he lived in malabar and turning physitian , in which he was successful , had temples dedicated to him his chief offering is whelps , because he is a hunter . so ancient a custom it is for doctors and whelps to go together . they say in this age of brama all men have monkey faces , and in the next they will be horse faces . the contrary is seen among us ; for outwardly we appear men , and inwardly are brutes . chap. iv. a continuation of the same matter . . before they build a pagod they sow the ground with kidney-beans , when they are green they turn in a greyish cow to seed on them , and where she dungs , they believe is the place for the pagod , placing on the very spot a pillar , and on the top of it the idol , to whom it is dedicated : then they build the walls , which are never of great extent , but rich , as being black marble well carved , covered with copper-plates , with globes of gold , or gilt . the inside is set thick with monstrous images with many heads and arms , and girt with serpents . then they build a square wall about it , on each side of it is an entrance with a sumptuous portal , with histories of their gods carved about them . they are covered in the same nature as the temples . underneath are heads of elephants , bears , lions , tigers , and other wild beasts with terrible eyes and teeth . it is thought these things are to terrifie those that resort thither , and move them to give alms ; though their poet palcanar laughs at it . those who go to visit the idol enter the inclosure , but not the temple . the inhabitants of pande , subjects of bisnagar , are singular in these works . . the most famous pagods are , that of rettora built by cheram perimal living at cranganor , who placed in it the statue of a man ten cubits in length , lying on a snake with five heads in the sea of milk. the temple was covered with plates of massy gold , but because they were subject to be stole he put them into the treasure of the pagod , and instead of them placed others of copper . the idol is still covered with pure bright gold that shines like fire ; his crown is of an inestimable value , and has many precious stones , in the forehead three rubies that exceed all price , on his feet buskins valued ducats . . in the treasure , besides the covering plates there laid up , there are nine boats of gold set with rich stones , each big enough to contain three men ; the same number of kettles of the same matter , each deep enough to hide the bramene with the idol upon his head , many pots , peacocks and cocks of gold and silver , and an infinite quantity of co●… . these are useless vessels , those that are of use and the same metal are kept more at hand . at the entrance of the pagod hangs a gold candlestick so big , no man can lift it from the ground , and with the continual smoak looks like ebony . several idols and candlesticks that stand before the principal idol are of the same metal . in fine , the treasure is unmeasurable , if we may believe a bramene who turned christian , and had many good qualities that show he merited credit . . the revenues of this pagod are incredible , and very many live on them . the enclosure is of marble six yards high , and above one in thickness ; it is about half a league from the shore , a beautiful way leading to it . at each of the wonderful gates can enter at once four elephants with all their furniture . it is guarded by armed men : the coast is dangerous , which secures many great men who keep their treasures there . . the pagod called comori , from which that famous point of land takes name , is also remarkable . comori pagod , signifies , the church of the virgin. it is like the other in structure , but not in riches , because they trust them not there , since our fleets sail upon those coasts . the pagod is dedicated to a virgin daughter to a shepherdess , that was changed for a son of davagni sister to the giant maveli , who killed all her children , because he was told one of them would be his death . he thought to kill this virgin , and she giving him a kick flew through the air into the desert to the place where the pagod now stands on the shore , having been formerly leagues from the sea. she after flew a great giant by the help of the god vistnu , and set his head on a rock that now appears in the sea , and is above fathom round . in the very place where the virgin sate after this victory , was erected the pagod . . the pagod of trivate is more ancient than that of rettora , but poor , having been plundred by the nayque of madure . it is not much frequented . this temple was instituted in memory of the giant naragecoguerpoli , who by destroying the world provoked the god vistnu ; and still came to life again , though overcome and killed by him . vistnu , to end the dispute , laid him on the ground and sate down upon him . this is what is represented in the pagod . . that of upper cranganor has an idol on whose head one of the bramenes gives several strokes of a hammer every day . for they think if this were not done , he would by this time touch the stars with his head . in the frontispiece are several images in the portugues habit , whence is concluded either that work was finished after their arrival , or such a habit was formerly used there . . that of canari in the island salsete , is bigger than all the others , and exceeds them in sumptuousness of building . it seems to have taken the name from some builder of that country , or from canara king of bisnagar , the grandure of the work requiring so great a founder . it is dug out of a mountain that looks like one solid stone , and is black marble . the body is very high , the isles low , but altogether of a vast bigness , somewhat dark , as dug out of the middle of a mountain . among at least habitations that are cut out about it with each a cistern by the door , there are some large rooms , and one of an extraordinary bigness , in which 't is said are read lectures of all sciences . we have already spoke in the second chapter of the second part of this tome , of the way cut under this mountain said to run as far as cambaya , of the franciscan that attempted to discover that secret , and the princes that are believed to have made it . . the pagod of maliassa is in the same island . at the foot of a mountain is a portal of a moderate bigness : the two pillars that support it are in the shape of giants well carved . there are other figures like those of angels among christians . this leads into a large porch , and on the left hand is the gate of the pagod through which the water runs : then follows a great apartment , after that other little ones , and then a strait way , all dug out of the solid mountain . . the pagod called of the elephant , because the figure of one stands upon a rock at the entrance of it , is in one of the many islands of the river bombaim between bacaim and chaul . it is like the others , in that it is cut out of a mountain , but exceeds them much in curious work . the first entrance is into a spacious room supported by vast pillars in the form of giants curiously carved . it has three isles : the pillars are all composed of figures of the same height as the temple : on one of them is the giant briareus with his hundred hands ; on another the god they call mahamurte , who has three faces to one body , on his head a pontifical m●…tre , though of marble , wrought to admiration . in a chapel is the angel turning our first parents out of paradice . pa●…ipbae and the bull are there also : on one of the walls is a sort of altar , and over it are carved many wild beasts , the most remarkable one with seven heads . some soldiers attempted to enter an apartment that is very dark , and being fearful took lights , but were drove out by a multitude of bats that were frighted at the light ▪ there are galleries with rich carved work of men and women , most of them in very immodest actions and postures . this ( they say ) was the choire of their ceremonies . their are other buildings to be admired for their greatness and structure , and two remarkable sepulchres . . to conclude , the pagod dedicated to the monkey is so great , that only the cloister in which they shut up the cattle designed for sacrifices , has columes of marble nothing inferior to those of the roman pantheon . chap. v. of the officers , rites , ceremonies , burials , and other things . . every pagod has a cook who dresses the rice that is offer'd for himself , for the idol , and for those who offer . the last divide their share with their neighbors , who esteem it as a holy thing . a great poet of theirs laughs at them for offering more food to the statue , seeing it has not eaten the last , and they answer , though he does not eat , he smels it . . the kings and nobles every day use a ceremony ( called tevaram , that is divine ceremony , ) which is with many prayers to offer rice , coco , and butter , all burnt in honour of their golden idols , of which they have a number answerable to their estate ; so that some have above ; this sacrifice is to obtain riches for themselves , revenge and destruction of their enemies : many have in their houses familiar devils , which they call cutichates , every day they offer something to them , they get by them ; and some have of them . they make them enter into the bodies of those they would be revenged of , whereof they make great advantage , for many pay to be delivered from them . by the help of them converted into the shapes of beasts , they hurt people and infest whole towns : there are those living , who have seen the town of cranganor burnt by this means . at pudiangale near calicut , a woman had one of these , and saw it in the shape of a cock , a monkey , and a little black boy with a truncheon in his hand : these are not punished in malabar , but their kings make use of them in danger : the very heathens observe that all those who follow that course live and die miserably . . in sickness they consult wizards , not doctors ; they say a devil causes the disease , and bringing him into the sick man , make him tell the reason of molesting him ; then they promise him something to go out again , and he does it . they think the small-pox is cured with an offering to patracale , who they affirm causes them . the gout they believe is caused by ●…ive she devils like sows , tothem they offer food fit for such beasts , that they may transfer the disease to their enemies . . they adore and offer sacrifice to venemous snakes , that they may not hurt with their poyson . the lawyers on the first day of september do the same to their books . . their baths are used rather to cleanse the soul than the body ; they know the ten commandments , but think not themselves bound by them . it is a great sin if a nobleman is touched by one that is not such , though he be never so great by learning , by the sword , or by virtue : and even riches there cannot prevail to gain this point . the king of travanco●… being resolved to become a bramene , though not of that descent , was told , he must first be bore of a cow ; be made one of gold so big , that going into it , he was born out of it ; he offered it to the bramenes with a great snm of gold , and obtained the dignity , but not hereditary . . they purge themselves from venial sins , by putting their heads under water , one of these is a nobleman touching a plebean , and to prevent it , the latter cries as he goes , po , po , po , that is , have a care ; another is , touch●…ng the dead or their friends within fifteen days ; another , to touch meat with the right hand when they eat ; another , to touch them so touched , or their houses or wells ; to touch another with the right ●…and whilst eating ; to touch a grain of rice fallen as it is taken up ; to touch a drop of water disturbed by one not so noble mortal sins are not forgiven , so he who commits them ▪ remains subject to death , and the lord of the earth as long as he lives . the mortal are these , to use pots touched by men de●…led ; to eat rice before purification , to eat it boyled by a man of base race ; to have to do with a woman of that sort ; to eat rice into which is fallen the least grain out of another man's plate . . their bathing is thus , they believe the stone of the bath is the god brama ; the lips of it vistnu , and all together ixora . when they go in , their nakedness is covered with a rag or leafe ; in the water they write om with one finger , and throw water over it with three , believing the three gods bathed there . then dividing the water , dip their heads , and after cast up some towards eight parts of the world , offering water to the eight guardians thereof . they call upon siri pagod , and wash their faces three times ; they also cast water up towards heaven , offering it to the sun , then wash their hands and feet : on the palm of their left hand they put ashes of cows-dung and sprinkle it , and believe the left hand is the earth , the right heaven , and and the palm the place of generation ; laying one hand upon the other and shutting them close , they say , let the end of the world come . . this they do in imitation of ixoras's egg , and think the upper hand when opened , represents heaven , the lower the earth ; with the right thumb they write upon the ashes , iara , that is the fight that was in the egg between fire and water . then that all their limbs may be sanctified , they touch with their hand the principal parts of the body , from the privy parts to the crown of the head , and the ears , elbows , knees , and great toes : they hold their hands as if they gave something to two spirits ( who they say attend on us writing our good works on the right hand , and the bad on the left , ) the same they do to the eight guards of the world , turning about . the last ceremony is to rub the forehead , shoulders and breast with ashes taken with two fingers and the thumb of the right hand , in honour of the three gods. . the bathing called titan , performed in the sea , is very solemn ; before it they perform a ceremony , in which they offer 〈◊〉 , ( a sort of flowers ) prostrating themselves three times on the ground ▪ once in reverence to the pagod , once to the sun , and once to the sea. the chief places they resort to for this bathing , are three on the coast of travancor , ( viz. ) baçora , rettor●… , and 〈◊〉 ; the days appointed are the first of each moon , chiefly those of iuly and ianuary , but if the new-moon fall on a wednesday , it adds so much to this devotion , that the mountains and valleys can scarce contain the multitude of pilgrims that resort from above five hundred leagues distance , of all sexes , ages , and conditions , and all a foot . above all others , the ganga of bengala , is held in veneration for this washing . . ashes of cows dung is their chief purgation , powdering their forehead , shoulders and breast with it ; the more of it their iogues , or religious men , have upon them , the more holy they are reputed ; they carry it in purses to recompence the alms that are given them : the reason they esteem this powder is this , ixora was sanctified by the ashes of gevelinga , vistnu desiring to partake of this blessing , and impart it to mankind , carryed a cow to 〈◊〉 , where she got a mouthful of that dust ; vistnu took her dung in which was that ashes she had eaten , and burning it made more ashes , which he shared with man. . they also dissolve the same dung and sprinkle their houses and highways with it , to purify them ; with this is the way dayly sprinkled through which zam●…ri goes from his pallace to the pagod , and his table cloth , and a gold dish , on which the meat is brought . as soon as they see a cow piss , they run and catch it in their hands , drink part , and sprinkle themselves with the rest , and believe themselves most pure ; besides the law that forbids killing a cow , 't is so great a sin , that it requires much alms and other good acts to expiate it . oxen are not so much valued , though many princes think themselves descended from a bull , because all men being destroyed , and only women left , one of them had carnal copulation with a bull , and brought forth a boy , who was the restorer of men. . their manner of swearing is laying a hand upon a sons head , if the swearer has one , or else upon a cows ; to clear themselves when accused of any crime , the party puts his hand into boiling butter , or oyl , then 't is wrapt and sealed up in a cloth ; if on the third day after it appears found , he is cleared , if otherwise , found guilty , the accuser , if the party be cleared , makes satisfaction with a sum of money . they make another tryal in the river that runs from cochin to cranganor , where is the pagod of the crocodil . the brame●…es by their sorceries bring one of them to the shoar , the person accused leaps upon his back , if he is carryed over safe , they account him innocent , if devoured , guilty . both these experiments have been made use of in presence of our people of late years . . they have yet another manner of tryal , which is by putting the hand into a pot full of adders , to fetch out a ring , thereby the more to provoke them . if they sting , the party is guilty , if not , clear . this is used in cranganor , mangalor , and other parts of canara . a king of theirs coveting a most plentiful wood of coco's that belonged to a poor woman , took it from her by force , and ever after it bore none but hollow empty coco's ; there are some living who are eye witnesses of this wonder . . they have several fasts , one called egadezi , which is kept the eleventh day of every moon , on this fast they eat nothing but fruit : that called giveraseri begins by night in february , and they neither eat , d●…ink , nor sleep , in twenty four hours . they walk round the pagod rehearsing stories out of their scripture : if any happen to shut his eyes , overcome with sleep , he washes himself as oft as it happens , and continues his former exercise . in the morning they offer some money to the idol : the fast tirivadira belongs only to the women . that for the dead , which the kindred of the deceased keep , lasts a year , during which time they do not eat , fish , flesh , eggs , drink wine , or chew betele . . the fast masa upasa is the most religious of them all , and few account themselves so happy as to observe it . he that does , begins the last day of october , he washes himself , puts on clean cloaths , and visits t●…e pagod of vistnu . on the first of november he goes round it one hundred and one times , ( the devoutest one thousand and one ) at each turn in the nature of a prayer , repeating the name of vistnu , one hundred and one times : this must be done every day of november , and the ten first of december . he must eat only eggs and milk , not look upon women , he must think on nothing but that name , and praises of it . next year he must do the same , beginning the first of december , and ending the tenth of ianuary , so he must go on every year till twelve be over ; and then begins again the first of november , and fasts the forty days ; after this he is canonized sor a saint , in such a manner , that only the sight of him is forgiveness of sins . chap. vi. continues the same subject . . in matters of matrimony they have several customs . the bramenes may have as many wifes as they can maintain , though they be not of their race ; but the bramene women can have but one husband , and must not mix with the nayres , on pain of losing their quality . they consult foretune-tellers about a happy time to marry ; they choose a husband of their own race born under the same planet , and the same day of the moon , as themselves , to which purpose the times of nativities are punctually observed . the bramen that does the duty of priest , is called odicon , or curical ; he for four days sacrifices in a den rice , butter , cows , and such like things ; he lights a lamp , and sets aside a portion of rice for garapatii , and for the epicurean elephant , that he may not disturb the feast . the bridegroom ties about the brides neck , a thread on which hang three little pieces of gold , in honour of the three gods ; this is called tale , and is the mark of a marryed woman . hence among the malabars matrimony is called quo fa , which signifies binding ; if the husband dies first , the woman throws away the thread , or tale , in token of liberty . . the priest takes the couple by the hands and says some prayers , then they go to feast ; they do not lie together till some happy planetary conjunction , when that happens , they go to the door of the room which is half put too , and therewith the priest say some prayers , and withdraw ; the next day they go to a cauldron of water , in which are live fish , and each holding the end of a cloth , draw it through like a net , the fish taken they lay respectfully on their heads , with the right hand ; if many be taken , they believe they shall have many children , and the contrary . . if any dies a maid , they cause some poor man of the family , ( an unheard of beastliness ) to deflour her though very young ; him they pay well for so doing , and as soon as done , throw stones at him till he runs out of reach . those of the family exastri , and the kings that are not bramenes , make no royal marriages , so their wifes are not queens , but concubines , called natiaras , and all of them may have gallants . therefore the sons do not inherit , but the nephews born of sisters . of their manner of marrying we have spoke before . . the tale among the meaner sort of women , serves to tie them to one husband , and among ladies , to turn them loose to all lasciviousness . only the bramenes have liberty to lie with all sorts of women , from the meanest to the queen . the others if they have to do with inferiors are killed , if women , sould . the nayres differ not from the others , in the manner of their weddings . among the meaner sort as tradesmen , one of them puts the tale upon the young woman , who is thereby capacitated to follow whom she pleases , or be taken up by whoever likes her . among silver-smiths , black-smiths and founders , four brothers , or as many as there are , keep one wife between them , and have particular days assigned for each , that the inheritance may not be confounded . till a maid is licensed by the tale , she may be abroad among men , and ●…one dare presume to meddle with her . . the bramenss of the north do not only celebrate their own weddings , but those of beasts and the elements . in our age there was a great man of that family , who spent above ducats at the wedding of a bull and a heifer . there was also a baneane who making a well in the village calegam for the use of passengers , and resolving to marry this water with some other , despised all that was near , and marryed it to the river of suratt , above leagues distant , and spent above crowns in the wedding . . the chatines marry as the bramenes , but their widdows cannot throw off the tale , because they must not marry again , nor keep a gallant : when they want heirs , they adopt one , by drinking to the adopted , who pledges in coco-milk dyed with safran . if he is a man they give him one of the names of the sun , if a woman , of the names of gods wife . . the cause the families do not mix , is because the bramenes descended from the god bramasface , those of chatrier ( that is kings ) from the right hand , those of vaixer from the belly ; those of chadrer , ( they are the nayres ) from the foot. at first they used to mix , but afterwards the bramenes obtained a priviledge of king cheraman perimal to the conrrary ; hence they are so much superior to others , that they are polluted by coming near as well as touching them ; they must not eat with those of a lower race , nor any thing drest by them , nor out of any vessel of theirs ; if any of them marries , or has to do with inferiors , they burn on his forehead a mark like a daws soot , and his kindred making a statue like him of straw , and the herb dorpe , burn it with ceremonies , as if it were a dead man. the bramenos loose their birthright of their family , by eating fish , flesh , or eggs ; and by drinking sura or orraca , by stealing or killing another bramen , provided it is not in war●… among the other families , there are divers customs about being defiled . . saniade or saniassi is a dignity greater then a king , of which only the bramenes are capable , the elect is installed by another saniassi in this manner . the image of the elect is made in straw and burnt , to show he is dead to the world ; then the master leads him to a bath , cuts of his corombi , and dips him times , then takes off his piece of net , the mark of a bramene , cloaths him in red , and he can never after wear white , only on his back a fota . he delivers him a rod with a piece of the same cloath , and a straw hat ; for three or four days he is under the masters tuition , must not eat fish , flesh , chew betle , nor so much as look upon a woman , and if accidently he meets one , he puts his hat over his eyes , and goes on till she is out of sight . he is to take what is given him without complaining , lives in or near the pagod , succeeds and is heir to his master . he bows only to the idol , and even the king and bramenes do to him , all his defence is in curses , so much dreaded , that every one endeavours to appease him ; he is not to handle money ; none can carry his hat when he goes a foot : if he does any thing contrary to his institution , the bramenes accuse him before the king ; if convicted , they stain him with safran and depose him , but he buys it off with bribes . . they use no ceremony with those that die under the age of years ; those that are above this age , are burnt towards the south from their houses , where lives iemen king of the devils , that he may the sooner carry away the soul. for mourning they shave their heads and beards , which they do not cut for a whole year after , nor have to do with women : lye days on a mat , and enter not into the pagods ; the days expired , they cast the ashes into the sea , if near , if not into some bye place , and plant a fig-tree where the funeral pile was ; then they wash and put on clean cloaths , cast out all earthen vessels , and one comes to purify the house , sprinkling it with cows piss and milk. . every day of the fast , he that purifies the house puts a little rice upon a fig leafe , which the rooks eat , or if they fail , which is looked upon as a great misfortune , 't is cast into the water for the fish. the anniversary is a feast at which there must be no poor . on the coast of coromandel , goa , and cambaya the women burn themselves with their husbands , unless such as have sucking children . i●… any refuse , the relations hold it as an affront to them , and force her . burnt themselves with the naique of madure . the manner of it is thus , the woman is carryed on mens shoulders to the pagod , in her best attire ▪ and anointed with sandal , after praying to the idol , she dances all the way to the place ; where her husband was burnt , and casts her self into the fire ; the relations standing round with forks to keep her in , and making a noise with several iustruments that her cryes may not be heard and move compassion . . the original of this custom was from king pandues wife , who voluntarily burnt her self with him , and it is upheld to secure the lives of the husbands ; it having been observed , that more died by means of the wifes , then by sickness . the saniade or saniassi is not burnt , but buryed whole in the pagod where he serves ; they make a hole and seat him in it upon the bench he used before he is quite dead , with a little rice , and some without for the idol , then cover him with clay without any farther ceremonies , believing he is suddenly gone to heaven . chap. vii . of the empire of aethiopia , and first of the kingdoms and provinces into which it is divided ; of the progress of christianity therein , and of the product of the land. . ethiopia was the second of our three great discoveries ( which were india , ethiopia , and china ) and therefore shall be the second described . the reader may be assured of its truth , as being delivered by an unbiassed and learned person , that spent a considerable time there , travelling and examining into the truth of things , and being an eye witness of the greatest part . . the city danoas was the metropolis of this empire , seated on the top of a mountain : the country about it is divided into districts , some mountainous , but all fruitful . three miles to the northward is ogara so fertile , that the green and ripe fruit hangs at once upon the trees . westward is dambia , not inferior to the other ; then amfras , where our patriarch resided , and had lands . next follows dara and others , till you come to the nile . . in all these divisions are many monasteries and churches , with priests and friars . ethiopia kn●…w not the sacrament of confirmation . the country tacussa was best disposed to receive christianity , because many portugueses lived there , and that of gorgorro by the labours of the jesuits who had a church there . so the heathen ago●…s gave ear to our doctrine ; these are a warlike people , and possess a plentiful country . the damotes , though more polite , received not the gospel so well , till being overcome in a battle by their prince , they submitted and entertained the religious men , and there are now theremany churches and mo●…asteries . . the kingdom of gojao was the first that admitted the observation of lent , and kept the catholick holy-days . it contains a great number of monasteries , among them those of gonge and salalo are famous . the jesuits had three residences here , colelá , sarcá , and neb●…sse . the first two have good churches finished , the third one very magnificent begun . the stone they are built of is blew , so light it is more like wood , but yet hard . the kingdom of bagamidri received some catholick fathers , and there are still christians there . . the kingdom amora began to incline to christianity at the time the emperor rejected our doctrine . the viceroy ●…da christos and many of the people continued firm . the faith was not spread into the kingdoms of narea and zemen , or provinces of abargale , borá , saloá , casta , bugua , orejate , sarte , anubas , sera and others . . it took most root in the kingdom of tigre , which being the chiefest of ethiopia , the description of it will serve to illustrate what relates to all the others . the kingdom of tigre is almost round , its extent one hundred leagues north and south from the borders of the amaceus to those of enderate , with the same distance east and west from dangali at the mouth of the red sea to the river tacasse near semen . it is divided into several governments , called xumetes , and the governors xumos , some of them in some cases not subject to the viceroy , but immediate to the emperor . in sire , enderata , agamea , serave and some others , the xumos must be natives of the province , and of certain families to which those commands are peculiar . their law-suits are like ours in europe , there lies an appeal from the judge to the viceroy , and from him to the emperor , except in some cases , in which the judge finally determines . . the governments are sold , and he that bids most carries them . a governor is declared , by putting on him the cab●…ya , tying a red ribband about his head , and he walking about the c●…tama , or court , a cryer proclaims ; we have made this our slave governor of the province of bugna ( or any other . ) then he returns to court , and takes his leave of the emperor , having first laid aside the ornaments used at this act , for the same serve all upon that occasion . then he sends a servant with such a riband , to make it known in the town where the governors reside . the viceroy of tigre for his place pays three hundred oqueas yearly , which is about two thousand ducats . the barnog●… ( corruptly barnaga●… ) which signifies king of the sea ; for bar is the sea , and nogus a king , pays two hundred . the xumos or governors according to the value of their commands , there being no set rates , but all pay . . along the coast of moss●…a northwards is the country of the dobeytas , subject to the turks ; southward lie the xios ; up toward the ●…nland near enderata and ojerate the dob●…s , all mahometans subject to the emperor . next those are the dorbeytas , christians only in name , rebels to the empire , defended by their inaccessible mountains . the mamps●…s follow their example , and have been often attacked without success . along the same coast are these provinces ; cantiba the upper and lower , seraoe , salicit , sama , tedexerez , torates and galas : westward is siré , and its desart on th●… banks of the famous river tacasse bordering on the cafres ; then nader and addit . from the west southward tamben , gralta , sart , ojerate , enderata , the bugnas , dobas , and sera a plentiful country peculiar to the queens . turning again to the west senafe , both mambarata's , agamea , ambacenete , b●… the greater and lesser , galá , and many other governments . the center of all is tremona between the famous church of a●…çum , where the emmperors are crowned , and the famous monastery of abb●… guarima . in each of these divisions there is a fair every week , and several custom towns , as barava , ser●… , sir●… , that yield a considerable revenue . . there are two winters , the first of the sea , and reaches about two days journey up the inland , beginning at massua , and ending beyond the monastery of brizan . it begins in december and ends in march. from that place forward towards the inland it is summer . the second winter begins near the famous church asmara near bizan , where the first winter ended , and reaches over all ethiopia . the commencement of it is in iune , as in india and coast of arabia , but not so severe . it rains the afternoons only with thunder and lightning before , which gives notice to travellers and shepherds to get to shelter ; for soon after fall flashes of fire , and such hail as kills all it meets . . there are also two summers , the first temperate , the other insupportable , for the burning wind , which they call urur , strikes down people , and sometimes they rise no more . in some places , as marebo , tacasse , nor and others , as soon as winter expires , pestilent fevers rage , proceeding from vapors the sun exhales from bogs . though the roads are full of woods , mountainy and lonesom , they are not so much infested with highway-men as in europe . . there never was the plague in this kingdom , and when it happens in the other provinces , it kills not many , because there are no great towns. such as are infected , or fearful , go from the towns into cottages about the mountains , and if any dies , he is burnt together with the cottage , no body daring to bury him . the people are long lived , and know not what the pleurisie or stone is : they have abundance of good and wholsom springs . from them and what the country about most produces the provinces take name . there are also hot springs doubtless medicinal , if they knew the use of them . the cattle drinks of them , and thereby becomes larger and fatter . they have other springs and rivers esteemed miraculous . . as there are two winters and summers , so the product of the earth is twofold : they have abundance of wheat and barley , pease , lentils , beans , kidney-beans , indian-wheat of several sorts , hemp , whereof they make no use , nuga , an herb with yellow flowers whereof they make oil , zufo for the same use , and serves to die cloath of a saffron colour ; aja , a grain between wheat and rye , but has a scattering ear , a particular sort of grain whereof they make sava answerable to our beer , though not so clear , yet serves to make them drunk . . they have white rose-trees , white and red lil●…es very beautiful , jasmin wonderful for smell and greatness , hony-suckles , a certain odoriferous flower that dies by day , and recovers at night . their hills , valleys , meddows , and shores are cover'd with variety of flowers of of all colours . all sorts of herbs are there abundantly produced , and some but little ginger . . for fruit-trees they have the tamarine , peach , pomgranate , ancoy a sort of pear , fig , orca like the fig ▪ the ●…e of bigger bulk , but the leaves less ; another sort of fig-tree , called muss , which grows like a body of a tree covered with leaves so big , that a man may wrap himself in one of them ; out of the top shoots one only branch on which are the figs , on each of them , whatever way cut , appears a cross , for which reason it is concluded to be the fruit forbidden our first father adam , and the cause of his fall. there are wild tamarins , the fruit whereof is not eaten . vineyards there are none , but some wall vines whereof they make no wine , but reasins . there are lemmon-trees sweet and sowre , cedars and ebony-trees . they have also cotten , whereof are made course clothes for the common sort , and is used as all other things instead of mony , of which i●… this country there is none . . they plow their ground only superficially , not cutting deep , and their plows in many places are drawn by men and women , most of the plow-shares are of wood. their chief stocks consist in cattle , and some men possess from two to head of great cattle . some of them divide their herds by the colours , and those that have horns from those that have none , for there are naturally many here without them ; none of the bulls are fierce . there are many goats , and it is reckoned a shame to drink their milk ; no less quantity of sheep , some of such large tails , as are equal to one of the quarters ; they make course cloath of the wool for the poor . they have all other sorts of beasts and fowl in abundance . . the conntry abounds in butter and honey , the best of the last is that of enderat●… and agamea . the bees , for fear of theives , are kept within doors , with holes through the walls for them to go out . there are wild bees , and of their liquor is made the wine most in esteem ; both men and women glory in being drunk with it . where these swarm , there resorts a little bird that loves honey , and fearing the bees , goes out to meet passengers , and attracts them with his note , and leaping from tree to tree to the place where the honey is ; the people knowing this , follow him , take the honey , and he remains satisfied with what is left . . it is certain there are gold mines here , but not made use of , lest they should provoke the turks and other nations to covet the country . they lie eastward , and on the right hand of the way from maigoga to tamovem . on the top of a neighbouring mountain is to be seen a wall , believed to have been a fort to defend the mines ; though they are stopped up , some gold is taken about the skirts of them . there are other●… in other places , but none known of silver in this kingdom , in that of semen there , are , and those so rich , that two parts in three of the oar are pure metal , they are also stopped up . in tigre there are mines of lead , and many of so good iron , that they make thereof all sorts of we●…pons without steel , whereof they have none in senafe there is abundance of pure sulphur , and as much salt-peter at gralta . . between baraoa and massua , there is abundance of a sort of bright stone which opens in leaves like izinglass , and being burnt turns to a white pouder like ceruse used by painters , but not with oil , for that turns it black . between dangali and senafe is a great mine of salt of great value , because there is no other there but what is made with sea-water between massua and defalo . the salt dug out of the mine is cut into bars about a span in length , and between two and three fingers broad and thick , which serve for money in other parts . not far from it in a mountain is a sort of salt that is a cure for some diseases . . the empire of ethiopia has never a good sea-port town , because it reaches not to the sea , only some little part of the kingdom of tigre . the port baclur , the first within the mouth of the red sea belongs to the king of dangali a mahometan , and is not considerable , being incapable of great ships . the port defalo between that and arquico where the turks have a fort is yet worse . the best port on the coast is arquico , where the turks have raised another fort : between it and defalo are two large bays , where any ships may ride . chap. viii . of the laws customs and religion of the empire of ethiopia . . in ethiopia there are no written laws , but ancient prescription is preserved by memory , and often proclaimed at the courts of kings and governors . there are no prisons . when a man is accused , they fasten a chain to his right hand , and to the left of the accuser , or one of his servants , and so they continue till sentence is given , so that it is as dangerous to accuse as be accused . when a man is condemned to death , they deliver him over to the party aggreived , to kill him as he pleases , without allowing the least time for preparation . . the witnesses may be accepted against , and such as are allowed give their evidence viva voce , for nothing is writ . they have a sort of judges called umbares , which they hold to be descended from those sent by salomon with the queen of saba , and her son david , when she returned from hierusalem . . the rich wear shirts of bo●…eta lined with the same , or another sort of linne , they reach to the ankles , the sleeves long and close to the arm with abundance of gathers , the neck high and stitched , with silver and silk buttons of several colours , and loops of the same instead of button-holes . others wear them blew , and all gir●… themselves with silk or linnen scarses ; they use no belts , but such as are fastned to their swords , which they seldom wear ; their breeches as long as the shirt and narrow ; from the mid-thigh downward of velvet , damask or sattin , upward of linnen , because of the heat . over all they wear cabayas , which are like sheets ( called also fotetes ) thrown over their shoulders , to do reverence to any body they open these , for they wear nothing on their heads ; but if they do reverence to the queen or prince , they let fall the fotete to the waste . if any wear veils on their heads they do not take them off . . they wear periwigs , which they call gatonas , made of sundry shapes , some like the brims of a hat one over another , some round , others like horns , and so other sorts . it is a trade to make them , and they spend a whole day in ordering one ; they are ointed with butter whereon the dust settling makes them look monstrous . . some over their cloaths hang carelesly ●…certain skins like sables with little bells of gold or silver ; about their necks gold chains with crosses , bracelets of the same metal , and silver rings . the poorer sort cloath much in the same nature , but with apparel of less value . for the most part they go barefooted ; or if they wear any thing , it is only a sort of buskins so streight the foot never goes to the bottom , and so they drag them . the meanest sort of all wear cow. hides either with or without the hair , dressed as soft as any cloath . . the women of great quality , as the oisoros , that are of the blood-royal , and others wear shifts of silk , or rich indian linnen , they cover the whole body , very close at the wrist , but the rest of the sleeve so wide it hangs down to the ground . they use bracelets of gold and silver , necklaces of glass of several colours , from the shoulders downwards they are covered with silk veils of several colours , or white as the men , and they let them fall like them when they make reverence ; they put nothing on their heads , their hair hanging in many breadths , or loose and divided , fastned to the skin ointed with butter , the ends are knotted . men and women to avoid discomposing this so tedious dress , when they sleep rest their neck upon sticks so framed , that the head lies hollow : they always carry bodkins of ivory , ebony , or other things well wrought to scratch themselves with , and are always stuck in the hair. . round their eyes and lips they lay colour , makes them rather blew than black . the brides on the marriage-day die their hands blacker than they are naturally ; for as among us whiteness is beauty , so blackness among them : they wear rings on their fingers , on the little one they let the nail grow so long , it exceeds all the ●…ther fingers , in their ears great rings of gold or silver . . their weapons are firelocks , which they have from the turks , darts of several sorts , maces , slings , swords , hangers , poiniards , and for the defensive coats of mail , helmets , and bucklers of bufalo and sea-horses skins . the warlike instruments , trumpets and kettle-drums , the musical tabors , great and lesser guitars , the first of five , the others of three strings . . they love feasting , and make more account of the wine than the meat ; the tables round ; for table-cloaths cakes of bread of several sorts of grain , generally three cover the table , and sometimes one . their food much the same as ours . when they wash their hands , every one wipes on the cloath he wears , and when they eat on a piece of bread. the greatest dainty , without which the feast is not compleat , is beef just killed and eaten raw , and for the more delicacy , instead of mustard , dipped in the excrement of a certain gut of the same beast . the desert is parched pease and other grain . whilst they eat they drink little or nothing , but as soon as dinner is done they go to another place to drink , in which they spend more time than in the former . the drink is sava , or beer , and that liquor of honey before-mentioned : they drink and talk , till being hot-headed they go out brandishing their swords , and promising to kill all the master of the feast 's enemies . the feast is esteemed most splendid , whence most come out drunk . the women go to feasts with their husbands , and the oisoros without them if they please . . the sons of women of the blood-royal , that is those oisoros , can never inherit the crown , nor they marry with men of the family , though removed a hundred degrees . in this they agree with the chineses . all men descended from the male-line can pretend to the crown , and he that is descended from a king that reigned years ago , has as good a claim as the son of the last . the oisoros women pay no reverence to any body , not to their own husbands . in this particular we have many oisoros among us . . there can be no fix'd callendar of their festivals , for they are many according to every man's fancy ; those universally received are saturday and sunday in every week , six days of every month , one of the most holy trinity , another of our saviour , one of our blessed lady , one of st. michael , one of the apostles , and one of a saint they call guebramanisascodust . easter they keep fifteen days ; all the festivals of the year they observe according to the old stile , on the feast of the epiphany they also celebrate the baptism of christ , and men and women repeat their baptism in some river or pool . . they add more days to the lent than we do to make up the forty , because the saturdays as well as sundays are kept holy . their way of fasting is only to eat after sun setting till the rising . throughout the year they fast wednesdays and fridays . they dre●…s their herbs with oil of nuga , having none of olives , and have little fish , which must be such as has scales , for in most things they retain somewhat of the jewish customs . . the weddings are celebrated with trumpets , tabors and dancing . some live together upon promise of marriage , if they have any children . the women are common to the husband's brothers and relations , and the nearer of kin the more free to this beastliness . if the wife knows the husband has to do with another woman , she recovers of her forty of every creature she has upon the ground , as forty cows , sheep , goats , or any other thing ; and if she will , the husband is fined for her use many cloaths which are delivered to her , for the wives have their goods apart . adultery is not punished with death . . in their funerals they use the same musick and dancing as in the weddings , to signifie it is the same thing to die as to be born . all the difference is the people that follow the corps wear white ribbands tied about their foreheads , and go without priest or cross. instead thereof they carry the dead man's richest goods before him . it is a great token of grief to shave their heads ( at the death of their kings all men are obliged to it ) but yet a greater to accompany the corps naked from the wast upwards . . their mourning is a black cloath died in a certain sort of mud , for they have no other dying . if a man be found dead and the murderer not known , the country is fined to make satisfaction to the relations . the same if any cattle be lost ; the country people are obliged to maintain the viceroys and other people when they travel . when two meet after a long absence , their salutation is kissing commonly the mouth , sometimes the cheek , or shoulder . the women neither spin nor soe , the husbands mend the cloaths ; the poorest woman would be ashamed to wash her own cloaths , the men do it , and the women bring the water . . they have many churches , i will say somewhat of the chiefest , that of acçum is the principal of all ethiopia for its antiquity , and because the emperors must be crowned in it and no other . it stands in the middle of one of their greatest towns. near acçum are the caves where the holy king cabeb and his son did pennance . they are buried in the church of st. pantalion , which stands on the top of a high mountain ; pantalion was one of the saints , they say went from rome to preach the gospel in that country . . the famous monasteries of abbagarima and aleluya and the church of acçum stand in the form of a triangle , a days journey distant from each other . in the center is tremona ; abbagarima took name from its founder , who was one of the saints , and son of a king of rome , called isaac , as the son also was ; but the ethiopians called him abbagarima , which signifies , a man prodigious for miracles ; they feign that there was a way under ground from this saints cave to rome , and that he used to travel it . . the monastery of aleluya sormerly the habitation of many religious men , ●…ow of very few was founded by abba samuel disciple to one that was so to abba arragavi , one of those roman saints and preachers . the religious of these monasteries are of two sorts , those of abba tula aymanot and those of abba stateus the founders . they live not in community , but every one where he pleases with servants ; they observe no noviceship , nor make any vow , such as will marry and have or three wives ; most of them have mistresses , and think it no sin . such as do profess chastityare much esteem'd , all their business is to gather riches , and get governments . their habit is white shirts , or striped with several colours , over them , a black scapulary before , a narrow round hood of the same colour ; they never take it of , not even when they consecrate , cloaks or mantles as every one can afford , the poorest or most observant wear cow hides , like the meanest of the people . all carry crosses in their hands ; the masters who are not marryed bigger then the others ; but they want not for women even of those they call nuns . . the nuns make no vow , live where they will , and wear hoods like the fryars●… sometimes they retire into deserts , where they say the religious men follow them . the men are well read in scripture , the clergy lead much the same life , but must not marry twice , if they do , they are excluded the church . the abugnas who give the holy orders scarce do it gratis . they use no ceremonies , nor examine those who are to be ordained ; they pay more respect to the altar stone on which they lay the blessed sacrament , then to the the sacrament it self ; their chalices are made of tin , or copper , very large , that they may hold much wine for the people to whom it is given in little spoons . the priest to say mass puts nothing over his cloaths , but as it were a piece of a casula which hangs behind and covers his back . the thuribels have bells to make a noise , they use no mass book , but say the mass by heart ; they assist at it with a confused noise their chalice cloaths are black and dirty , so rags for other uses , their bells of stone . . in the country of barnagassa towards arquico is the famous monastery of birau , corruptly called vizan or vision . it is of years standing , had once fryers , now not above . there is a great church with isles . sustained upon pillars , built and dedicated , as they say to the blessed virgin before her birth ; about half a league from it , is the church of st. george , possess'd by the last patriarch ; near this church is a large cave cut out of the rock , where are kept with great veneration , and even heathen sacrifices , some dead bodies they call saints , and not dead men , for they say , they rest there , and if any offer to lift the cloaths that cover them , to see what is under they hinder them saying , do it not for they will wake . . there are many other ancient remarkable churches ; those most admirable which are curiously cut out of rocks ; those lately built are , that of dancas , those of nebesse and tremona , of gorgorra , colena , and sarca ; most of the antient ones are round ; men and women go not to the same church , but each sex to their own apart . . their errors in faith are many , the chief , that they baptize without saying any thing , or if they do , use not the words instituted by the church : in confession they use no form of absolution , others absolve without hearing the sins , giving unreasonable pennances . they say god is like a man , that the divinity was born of the blesied virgin , that there is but one nature in christ , that the holy ghost proceeds not from the son , that there is no purgatory , that the souls are given by the parents , not by heaven , that till the day of judgment none goes to heaven or hell , even the blessed virgin. they eat not swines flesh , hare , rabbet , or eel ; saturday they keep better then sunday , no woman in the time of her courses enters the church ; nor days after she is delivered of a son , and of a daughter , nor those who have had carnal copulation the day they had it . if any one enters the church when they are communicating , he must receive without confessing , though he be loaded with sin , they had no knowledge of the sacrament of confirmation , nor extream unction . there is no punishment for errors in matters of religion . chap ix . of the nature of the country of ethiopia , of its towns and the kings it has had , and of the entrance and expulsion of our doctrine . . all this country is divided by vast mountains , so high , that they appear as if they had been heaped one upon another , of strange figures on which they build impregnable castles ; some are difficult of ascent , some almost , and others quite impossible to be ascended ; they are beautified with variety of trees , and inhabited by a rebellious people , that have much of the nature of their habitation . . their cities and towns are small , but the ruins of great ones are to be seen . in accum they appear to have been very sumptuous , for there are obeliscks of black stone , some ruined , some standing , two whereof are above yards high . it is believed the court of their kings was there kept for some ages after the famous queen saba . i will here give a particular account of the city adem , though on the coast of arabia , because it was in a manner , and is the inlet into ethiopia . . about leagues from the mouth of the red sea , a point of the continent runs into the sea , making a small peninsula covered with vast hills and rocks that do not produce the least plant ; on the top of one is a square fort with towers ; thence runs down towards the bar a wall with bastions , the last of them at the foot of the mountain . hence the wall turns along the foot of the hill , till it joins the lower fort , making a sort of circle . this work though it appears formidable at sea , can do no great harm to the ships , byreason of its great height , to remedy which fault , there is a plat-form raised near the water . in all the works there are about large , and lesser pieces of canon , and soldiers armed with good firelocks , swords without shells , cimitars , and tucks . . in a bottom at the foot of the wall and mountain , lies the city , not the third part of what it has been , girt with a wall and towers at convenient distances ; it is divided rather into lanes than streets , there are wells the water whereof is brackish , but used when rain water fails , the inhabitants are arabs and strangers , moors descended from those who were once masters of it , and jews who are in all parts of the world and here live meanly . . provisions are brought from the inland on camels ; their money pieces of eight , and another of the same value called cabres or xamies . there are no thieves , and therefore no locks to the doors ; their weapons swords , semiters , poniards and bucklers hanging by straps about their necks . their cloath ing black , the better sort wear a thing like a like a shirt down to the ancles ; the poor a clout tyed about the waste , reaching half way down the thigh ; the gallants add a fota or loose cloak hanging down , or under the arm , only the xarises wear veils on their heads . the women use the same sort of shirt or cassack as the men , except that before it reaches only to their knees , and behind sweeps the streets with a train a yard long . the best sort wear a kind of silk petticoat of several colours , they cover themselves to the knees with a kind of veil , and have only one eye uncovered in the street . the arabs easily took this town from the turks , and it might as easily be taken from them , if any would attempt it by way of surprise . a portugues gentleman , after being possessed of it , shamefully quitted it . . the emperors of ethiopia since the queen saba ( or maqueda for she was so called ) are these , her son solomon , amna , sahacam , baremgabo , sabacio , thoasca , adona , ausayo , omacio , cboa , luvo , antata , bahaca , savads , adina , gotolea , sasalea , elgabul , bautaul , bavares the first , bavares the second , mahase , nalque , baisol , in whose time christ was born ; chempas gado , bhur sagad , grima , casar , sarado , cucii bacheon , sargay , zeray , sona aogad , gheona , gaya ; macugna , safa●…da , agdar , abraha , and cabaha , who reigned together , in whose time went thither a patriarch called minatas and pantale●… , who we said preached the gospel there . h●…pba , a●…sid , anci , arada , asadadora , amamid , in whose time two christian kings sailing through the red sea , landed with some religious men , and reign'd there , and then the descendants of the former were restored , and were saba , thazena , caleb , gabra , masael , constantine , b●…gar , zansagad , frey , senay , adoraza , aidar , madai , calaudamo , grima affar , zergaza , digna , micael , bud gaza , arma , asbanani , digna , zana , ambusao , demo , delnaad , hitherto the line of saba ; those that follow are of another branch , himnamale , agba , acheon , bhar , sagad , hesta , sarad , cama , asgad , vda●… arad , anda cheon , caifa arad , vd doma , david , theadros , isac , andreas , astbinavi , anda iesus , bad linavi , iarai , acob , beda m●…riad , or zeriaco , hescander , or alexander he that peter de covillam saw when vasco de gama was discovering the indian sea , andacheon or nant , david , oena saged , whom d. christopher de gama went to assist ; claudius or athana saged , to whom went the first embassador from portugal . in all emperors from queen saba , till the year ●… , or thereabouts . . we have already , at the time it happen'd , spoke of the introduction of a catholick patriarch into this country , and shall in its proper place , in the third tome , speak of the banishment of them . it is very remarkable that this emperor , who so joyfully received an apostical prelate , and submitted to the holy see , should after be so cruel an enemy to it ; and that these people who called themselves christians , were the backwardest in receiving the true catholick doctrine ; the chief cause hereof , is their great inclination to judaism , as descended from solomon's son. therefore they so rigarously adhere to circumcision , that not only the men but women are circumcised ; they observe strictly the saturday ; they take the liberty of being divorced only for their pleasure , and have several wives , without regarding whether they have been their own father's brother's , or other mens . this obstinacy is not a little helped by the pontifical power usurped by their emperor ; and by a prophecy they have , that the franguis or europeans shall become masters of their country , and they fear the preaching the faith may be an introduction to it . they have also another prophecy , that they , assisted by the franguis , shall destroy the house of meca , which they desire as much as any other christians . but let this suffice for ethiopia . chap. x. of the islands of japan . . we have already in the eleventh chapter of the first part of this tome spoke of the situation , extent , names , and some other particulars of these islands , which will be needless to repeat , and shall therefore proceed to what has not yet been related . . the country , though not void of large plains , is very mountainous , some so high they are much above the clouds . two are most remarkable ; that of fiyenoyama four leagues from miaco , and that of letchu which continually casts out terrible flames , and among them sometimes the devil comes out to perswade the people to cast themselves in there , affirming , it is the shortest cut to heaven . about this mountain are many silver mines : the fields are water'd with many rivers , which together with the summer rains and winter snow make them fruitful , if the continual wars did not hinder all tillage , which is the reason that land is undeservedly accounted barren . it bears rice and wheat , of which they do not make bread , but use it after their own manner , all sorts of fruit usual among us , and many others , abundance of wood both on the hills and plains . it is plentiful of all sorts of cattle , and abundantly furnished with fish. their water is thin , the air wholesom ; the natives are generally long-liv'd , and vigorous to the last ; they apply themselves to the use of arms at years of age , and give it not over till sixty . . their countenance is agreeable , well-shaped , generally large , and they value the greatest bodies , very strong , and inured to labour and hardship : as soon as born they dip the children in the water to make them hardy , and as soon as grown to any strength the boys hunt wild beasts in the woods . they are more ready at handy-crafts than the europeans , and their count●…y people more polished ; this makes them the more tenacious of the christian faith , because they admit it not till sufficiently convinced . . honour is no less worshipped among them than their idols , and they will endure any thing rather than abate in any point of it ; this makes them very courteous , they show the same civility to friends and enemies , they never swear , princes punish subjects and masters servants in such manner , as neither has cause to complain , all differences , though between near relations , are composed by a third hand to avoid animosities . to speak ill of the absent , is a crime to them unknown ; so is play and theft , and no less begging or borrowing . poverty , nor any other misfortune that depends not of the will , is not looked upon as disgraceful , for they will no way allow honour to depend upon fortune . . withal there is no faith among them , even between father and son , but it is a disgrace for a man to be open-hearted . hence it proceeds they commonly murder one another in their embraces , subjects do the same to their princes , and servants to masters . thus rebels are caressed by their sovereigns , for all their study is conveniency ; mothers instead of suckling strangle their children ; some kill themselves to save receiving an affront ; and the sick have no relief , for all fly from them , and when dead throw them like beasts on a dunghill . they are not only given to women , but much more to sodomy . . if two happen to lie together , each lays his head at the other's feet . neither men nor women wear any thing on their heads , only the great men when they travel go under an umbrello ; they mount on horseback on our off-side . instead of bowing when they meet , they draw back their foot out of the slipper more or less ; when the inferior sees a superior he sits down . they , value pretious stones no more than straws ; any piece of antiquity they esteem at extravagant rates of what sort soever . the king of bango gave crowns for a vessel among us not worth a groat . they have the same value for any draught of a famous master , or for a blade of a sword or hanger . . their mourning is white , and their festival apparel black , the same is used by the chineses . the men varnish their teeth , the women their hair . our musick to them is ungrateful ; they delight in those instruments that make most noise : their fish they eat raw , and hate milk or any thing made of it , calling it unconcocted blood. beef or mutton is never eaten but in the utmost extremities , as loathsom vermin among us ; the wheat they make like the italians into vermicheli , or macaroli , and drink water boil'd with the herb cha hot , sipping it ; this i believe is our tea . the service of their tables differs from ours ; the vessels are all of gold or porcelane , for the silver is all coined into money . our sweetest perfumes are loathsom to them . what would make us sick is the diet of their sick , as fish salt and raw , limons and other acids . bleeding is not used , for they say 't is a madness to lavish the treasure of life , so they call the blood. their purges are sweet and pleasant , the others , they say , and with reason , do but heap misery on the patient . . though there are many kingdoms , the language is the same ; but so various , it sounds like many ; for they have great variety of words upon all occasions : those that are used in serious discourse serve not to jest , those that are for great men are not for the meaner , those for the old are not for the young , the same are not for men as for women . in writing they have fourteen different sorts of characters , all varying not only in form but signification . the gentry learn to read and write till twelve years of age in the monasteries of the bonços . there is one sort of character to write to princes , another to nobles , another to the meaner sort , and another for books , of which they have great plenty in prose and rhime very elegant and ingenious : every character is a word . some of our people that understand the language of iapan and latin , avouch the former to be much more copious , beautiful , soft , and compleat in all particulars . . all their buildings , because of the earthquakes the island is subject to , are of wood , but of such structure , they are no way inferior to the finest in the world. they are whitened with a plaster made of shells of fish , which preserves the wood from the weather , and makes the cities appear most beautiful at a distance . the tiling is black and of such a nature it will last five hundred years . the curiosity within it not to be parallelled . hangings are not used , but all the walls curiously painted with landskips or histories of their ancestors . the floors are covered with fine mats , and such as go on them wash their feet first . there are no chairs nor bedsteads . on the beds there are few cloaths but what they wear by day , but some have coverings of the same straw as the mats wrought with gold. . the poor eat as they can , but always with decency ; the rich with such state of servants , musick , plays , and variety of dishes , that a whole night is spent in a supper . they use as many tables as dishes , about a span and half high , because they sit on the ground , each table about half a yard square curiously wrought of cedar inlaid with gold and several colours . there are no napkins nor table-cloaths , because they never touch any thing , but feed themselves with little cipress sticks so artificially that never any thing drops . the meat is heaped in the dishes like pyramids strewed with gold , the fowl whole , the beaks and talo●…s gilt . their entertainment is generous and friendly , but so ceremonious , it were better to endure hunger than their complements . . all the cloathing is silk , thin in summer , more substantial in winter , and a set time for all people to alter their dress . they take many wives , and are easily divorced , yet adultery is a capital crime , and the woman's relations resent it as hainously as the husband . the children are bred as has been said , and at fifteen have their sword put on by the bonzos with much ceremony . every man is so absolute over his children and servants , he may punish and kill them without being liable to any penalty for it . chap. xi . a further account of japan . . till the year one thousand there was but one monarch over all iapan , he was called huo , or dayri . he had two cucabo's , or generals of his army . at that time one of these killed the other , and rebelled against his prince . civil wars ensuing , several kingdoms were erected . every lord of a province called himself ia●…ta , that is king. they have four sorts of people , as among us , the bonço's or clergy , the nobility , gentry and commonalty , these two last pay great respect to the nobles , who are called tonos , and , as among us , have the distinctions of dukes , marqueses , earls , &c. the chief trade is silver and china silks . in mechanicks they are excellent . their cutlaces are so temper'd , they cut through our armour as if it were wood. their lances are longer and lighter , their musquets and other arms perfectly good , as is their powder , their horse furniture curious beyond expression . printing among them , as well as the chineses , is very ancient . all the land is the king 's , and he gives parcels of it to noblemen and gentlemen to serve him in war and peace , and they give portions of it to their servants . . the king has power to recall his grants , and take back his lands at pleasure , and hereupon it is not counted infamous in the subject to forsake his prince , and go over to his enemy for profit : so it often happens that kings are dethroned , and private men set up . but this does not only happen in iapan . . no prince is more difficult of access than those of iapan ; all business is done by way of petition . the people when they see the king , rather adore than reverence him . there is no prison or juridical proceeding against criminals , every king , t●… , or master of a family punishes without any of our forms . the punishment is commonly inflicted by surprize , for none will receive it without resisting . when the king punishes a great man , he causes his house to be beset with armed men , and as an honor gives him leave to kill or defend himself . if he defends himself , there is a battle between those that are to execute him and his family ; if he kills himself , he makes a cross wound with a dagger , and throws it into the air , to shew he fears neither heaven nor earth . when they are grown in years , and have sons of the age of eighteen , they give their estates to them , reserving only some small thing to live upon , and this they do not for love , but to prevent being turned out and dispossessed by them . there is nothing among them but what is purchased and maintained by force of arms , and so dividing them into five parts , not above the ●…th dies a natural death , the other four by the sword. . in the reign of dayri sole monarch of the island , there rose a bonço with the name of a prophet , and introduced sodomy among them , since which time they have never been free from rebellions , which are the destruction of iapan , to prove god could better endure idolaters than sodomites . of their several sorts of opinions in religion enough was said in the eleventh chapter of the first part of this tome , and somewhat shall be hinted out of a hebrew canon in the last chapter of this same tome , touching the preaching of st. thomas the apostle in this island . bonço is a common name for all the ministers deputed to the service of their gods , as well camies as f●…oques . though these differ in condition and profession , they agree in three particulars ; the first , a counterfeit chastity , for it is not lawful for them to marry ; the second , abstinence from all sorts of fish and flesh ; and the third , shaving their head and beard , in token they contemn the world. . some live in towns , and have the charge of the varela's or temples of the idols , others in great monasteries . there are also monasteries of women , whom they call biconies , who also profess chastity , and observe it as ill as the men. it is wonderful that though both of them be extravagantly debauched , proud , covetous and cruel , yet on account of their profession they are held in great veneration . they had once an infinite number of stately temples , and even at the time st. francis xaverius went thither , he found five hundred that had escaped the fury of their wars . in one of these is that prodigious altar on which stand fifteen hundred idols of the common stature of a man , all gilt and orderly placed in nine rows round a principal one , to whom they seem to make their court. every one of these has three heads and above forty arms , which the bonços say represent the power of their deities . the silver and gold lamps and other rich gifts presented by kings and lords when they go to war , are innumerable . all the city hara is full of temples ; in one of them is the idol xac●… of gilt metal , and so big , that a pigeon standing upon its head , can scarce be seen by those who stand at its feet . . in these buildings there are wonderful columns of cedar : in one of them there are ninety-eight of a vast height , and near twenty-three foot in compass , so wrought that none of them could cost less than five thousand ducats . the porches are forty foot high , and twenty-five in breadth , on sides of them are statues of a monstrous higness with maces in their hands , threatning the devil who lies at their feet , as st. mi●…el the archangel is painted among us . a●… is kept extraordinary clean : in the city miaco all things more majestick . the gardens belonging to these houses are surprising , adorned with variety of flowers , many whereof seem rather the work of art than nature . the parks , ponds , fountains , birds of several colours , and variety of wild beasts not to be molested , are impossible to be described . the sons of the principal men put themselves into these convents . the colour of their habits differs according to their several sects . they wear beads , and keep choir , where they sing in the manner of our psalms ; mati●…s at midnight , other hours at break of day , and others at sun rising . they are called together by bells , whereof they have great number , and of extraordinary grandure . they are rung at certain hours of the day for the people to pray , and they do it in the evening as we vespers . . their galleries before their cells , their refectories and other offices are very large and orderly . the funeral ceremonies are very stately . they grant indulgences for the living and dead , and for the latter habits which they say carry them directly to heaven . there is a commemoration of the souls departed in the great feast of their ●…amies and f●…toques . they preach in large pulpits , and the people is called with a bell. the preacher is cloathed in majestick garments with a gold fan in his hand , and moves the audience with an affected gravity and modesty , takes his text out of their scripture , and discourses thereon so efficaciously , that the hearers burst into tears , calling upon ami●…da and xa●…a , and leaving very consideral alms , the chief aim of the bonzos passionate discourse ▪ they study in several colledges founded by their kings . . they have also a military order , which they call ne●…goros , consisting of two sorts of bonzos . one ( the fewest in number ) keep a choir , and have charge of idols and temples ; the other follow the wars , serve any prince for pay , to the number of thirty thousand , and are absolute in their own conquests . some of them have estates of sixty thousand ducats a year . every day they carry five arrows to the publick magazine of arms. they profess chastity , and admit no women into their towns , but make no scruple of committing sodomy . . over all these religious professions is a head bonzo called zaco , who ( in the same nature as the pope ) has the disposal of all their church dignities , orders all matters of religion , and grants dispensations . the monasteries chuse their superiors . the cities have tundos , answerable to our bishops , to them all the bonzos are subject , and they grant power to the superiors of them to dispence in lesser matters . the pontifical chair is at mi●…co , is vastly rich in revenues , and is in continual war with the laity about the succession . . besides those spoke of , there are some remarkable buildings in iapan , but i will only touch upon one fort. six leagues from ca●…goxima in the kingdom of s●…me , there is a vast high mountain all of one solid rock . on the top of it is artificially cut out a castle with all apartments equal to any great palace , defended by ten bastions , and they encompassed by a large deep ditch , the whole of one entire piece , as being cut out of the very rock , in the same manner , as if it had been formed of clay or wax . we have already and shall again in its place speak of some such works in india . let us now go over to china . chap. xii . of the great empire of china , and first of its situation , division into provinces , of its product , arts and commerce . . the island hainan , the southermost part of this empire , is in deg ▪ of north lat. and the tartar wall the utmost northern bound , in some places exceeds deg . the extent from east to west no less , so that it is not much inferior to all europe in greatness . on the south coast are abundance of small islands so near the continent , they seem to be all one body . . this vast empire is divided into fifteen provinces , each of them formerly a large kingdom . most of the nine they call the southern provinces are watered with such large rivers , that in some of them the opposite shore is out of sight ; they are all navigable , and such multitudes of vessels upon them , as seems incredible even to those that are eye-witnesses . a passenger in less than an hour counted above three hundred in only an arm of the river m●…mquim . they are curiously built , for round the outside are galleries for the sea●…n to sail them , without incumbring the middle , so that they are more like pl●…asure-houses than boats , and that also in respect of their painting , gilding , and the spaciousness of their several upper and lower apartments . those of hang●… 〈◊〉 all the others . . the no●… 〈◊〉 being nearer to our latitude ▪ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the ●…me 〈◊〉 , th●… are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 others ▪ and more healthy ; yet 〈◊〉 are ●…lly long liv'd in all of them , ●…d there are many vigorous old men ; it is so well peopled , that not only small towns , but cities are in sight one of another , and where the rivers are much frequented , 〈◊〉 a continued town . they have greater and lesser cities , towns , and castles , which they call fu , che●… , 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 , the villages are innumerable ; they are all guarded throughout the kingdom by ●…ight , as if they were upon a frontiere ; the streets are watched with great diligence . . the multitude of people is unexpressable ; it is difficult going in the towns by reason of the concourse , and the roads are as usually among vs , upon ▪ fairs . according to their general lists there are near millions o●… men wh●…h 〈◊〉 ●…uchs , women and children a●…●…erable . the common buildings 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●…o ●…ghtly , and lasting as ours , but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and clean . they 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a●… c●…ram with great art in their structures ; c●…aram is a sort of var●… that distils from certain trees , it mixes with all colours , and is most beautiful as may be ●…en in many things brought from thence . they build no upper ●…oors , looking upon the low to be more convenient ; all neat people have gardens with flowers and small trees ; in the north they use such as bear fruit , if they have much ground , they plant great trees , raise mounts , on which are kept fowl , as cran●… and swans , and beasts ; as deer and others . they also make ponds in which are black and red fishes with gilded scales . . they first frame the roof of the ho●… , then set it upon pillars , each of them of only one piece of timber , varnished with 〈◊〉 for the most part black ; then they build the walls of brick , and a sort of plaste●… like lime which is very hard ; they say that formerly they built after our manner , and have still rules of architecture only observed in publick buildings , as pallaces and the like ; they have many towers of several forms , all beautiful , from to stories high , with winding stairs and others , and galleries without ; their houshold stuff is various , curious , and very cheap . . this kingdom being of so great an extent and consequently lying under so many several climates , produces all sorts of fruit●… that the whole earth affords . their common sustenance i●…●…ce , and wheat , whereof they have such pl●…y , that a pico of either of them , is sold for royals , and when dearest for . a pico is a hundred and a quarter weight of ours . the northern provinces make most use of wheat and barley , the southern of rice ; all other sorts of grain is plentiful , the poor use it for wheat ▪ and it serves to feed cattle . the comm●…nalty feed on herbs all the year , and no other medicines a●…e found in the apothecaries shops . . every village affords abundance of meat , the commonest is pork , beef is sold without bones , wild foul and beasts not so usual , they have of all sorts except rabbets ; they have nighting●…ls that sing like ours , but are much bigger ; and ano●…●…ort very beautiful and of delicious 〈◊〉 ▪ they have ●…lso all those sorts of birds we see painted on their works ; they breed infinite quantities of tame foul , the geese so nume●… ▪ they are in vast stocks about the fields . what is 〈◊〉 of their hatching eggs by art is true , 〈◊〉 it is done only in summer . . as for savage beasts they have many , as tigers , wolves , &c. but not hurt●… ▪ elephants are brought from abroad ; of tame cattle they have all the same sorts as among us , and use not oxen for plowing as in india , but bufalos . horses are plentiful but not good ; they formerly used coaches , now chairs . their way of travelling is in litters , on mules , or in chairs carryed by , , or men , according to every ones ability ; they are bigger than ours . in the cities of peking and nanking , horses stand in the streets bridled and ●…addl'd , to be hired to go about the town . . fish is not so plentiful in the northern provinces , because there are not many rivers , but much comes from the south salted , and otherwise preserved : their best fruit is in the southern provinces , the best oranges those of quantung ; in xeni there are most grapes , whereof they make reasins , but no wine . in the north they make drink of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 ●…e south of rice only , it is p●…ant to the sight , smell , and taste , and among them drunkenness is accounted no shame . there are two pleasant and strange fruits , the suçu , a red apple like an orange of excellent taste , and is preserved hung up . the lequias of the bigness of an ordinary pear , shaped like a heart , in colour like a strawberry , the inside pearl colour , in the middle a core very pleasant , but not to be kept . . they have all sorts of flowers , many unknown to us , and keep them all the year , some grow in the dead of winter , when the leaves are fallen off the plants : these are called lamui , and are more agreeable to the smell than sight , being yellow like wax . . their apparel , beds , and other furniture , is made of wollen , linnen , silk , and cotton , of which they have abundance , and work it curiously ; china supplies strangers with the richest commodities of the east , as gold in thread , beaten , an●… in bars , rubies , zasires , pearl , musk , silk raw , and wrought ; porcelane , quick-silver , copper , tinn , tortoise-shell , vermillion , salt peter , and sulphur , sugar and other things of less value . their gilding either for use or curiosity is well known ; the vilest things are not lost among them . the kingdom is rich , but not private persons ; there are not so many rich men as in europe , nor so many poor ; few possess very much , many have plenty , and scarce any want . . money is scarce as may appear by the price of all things , servants wages , hire of work-men , and allowances to ministers of state. a pound of mutton is worth a half penny , a pidgeon not a farthing , a man's wages not above a crown a year ; some things alter the prizes but all are reasonable , and much about these rates . chap. xiii . of the provinces into which china is divided . . this vast empire is divided into two parts , the northern , and the southern , and they into provinces . to the southern part belong , which are quantung , quansi , yunnan , fokien , kiangsi , suchuen , huquang , chekiang , and nanking . quantung is the most southerly , and lies between and deg . of lat . it is large and rich , and abounds in wheat and rice , of the latter , though differing in kind , the earth gives two crops a year . here is much sugar , iron , copper , and ti●… , all which are wrought with great perfection , as also the works of charam and gildings brought to us . the people are very ingenious at handicrafts , easily imitate what they see , but are not good at invention . our merchants repair twice a year to the capital city quangcheu , leagues distant from macao , and macao is from the islands , and is about leagues in circumference . this is the most frequented port of the whole kingdom . the portugues alone export hence yearly , chests of silks , bars of gold , each weighing ounces , picos of musk , which is hundred and three quarters . pearl , sugar , porcelane , china wood , reubarb . and other lesser commodities in vast quantity . the island haynan belongs to this province , about it is a great fishery of pearl , it is well peopled on the northern coast , on the southern is a town that owns no subjection to any body . it produces several sorts of precious wood. . on the n. e. side of quantung lies the province of quang●… , between and deg . of lat . it differs not from the other in any thing considerable . that of yunnan to the eastward in the same lat . is the farthest from the center of china , 't is large but not rich , its principal commodity being amber for beads , and such uses . here contrary to the custom of all the rest of the kingdom , the women go abroad to buy and sell. on the other side of quantung to the e. n. e. is the province of fokien between and deg . of lat , it is for the most part mountanous ; the natives contrary to the general law , travel and trade abroad : it yields gold , sugar , hemp , and paper of several so●…ts ; the goodness , plenty , and cheapness of it very remarkable . printing here is very ●…eap , and as ancient as shal●… be mentioned hereafter , it is not done with loose letters as among us , but cut in wood , so that the original remains ; there are an infinite number of printing houses , every one may print what he pleases without a licence , and notwithstanding this liberty , they never publish any scandalous or immodest book . this province lies on the sea , and thence are exported infinite quantities of merchandize for manila , iapan , and the island formosa , which is in sight ; the dutch trade here . . the province of kiangsi lies north of quantung , between and deg . of lat . it is hemm'd in with great mountains , from which fall two rivers , one running to the southward , all the way navigable ; another to the northward , which after running through great part of this province , receives another great one coming from the province of huquang , and is the famous kiang . the feet of these mountains are adorn'd with good cities at convenient distances for travellers , and carrying of goods , which are generally on men's backs , and the concourse is incredible ; the innkeepers give an account of all that comes in to their houses , and are obliged to give two meals to all such passengers , having other ways to be payed ; every man carries his own bed , for the lodgings find nothing but bedsteads . in the custom-house , which is here very great , they do not visit the goods , but take everymans word , and the duties are very easy ; a traveller that is no merchant , is custom-free ; the strangers that come to macao , pay according to the tunnage of their vessels without searching . . this province is so populous they miscal it laocha , that is little mice , because they spread all over the kingdom , serving all sorts of trades , particularly taylors ; they are very poor ; the province has abundance of rice and fish ; it is famous for large soles , but more for porcelane . the clay 't is made of , is only found in one village , and in another place the water to work it , for if they use any other , it proves not so good . in this work there is none of the mystery generally represented to us , it is meer clay , but of a most rare quality ; it is wrought after the same manner , as ours , in the same time , and of all colours . this province fokien and quantung meet in an angle formed of many mountains , among which is a small kingdom , the king whereof owes no obedience to him of china ; they allow the use of phisitians in sickness , but of no lawyers in their suits . if any scarcity happen , they go a robbing in the nature of open war. . the province of suchuen is much in the same latitude , and has nothing singular ; that of huquang is in the same lat . more plentiful of rice than any ; has much oyl , and fish in its great rivers , and lakes like seas . the province chekiang lies between and deg . upon the sea , is plain and fruitful , and watered with many rivers , some whereof run through the towns ; it is much richer than the others , particularly in silk , which is exported only from thence . hangcheu is the metropolis , the most populous of china , so delicious and pleasant , that it is a proverb , glory in heaven , and hangcheu on earth . three things make it most famous , the lake called the rarest in the world , about two leagues in compass , beset round with curious pallaces , and they with delightful hills , the water runs in at one end , and out at the other , across it are set dogs of stone for people to go over upon , many vessels ply about it , some very large , being built for pleasure and feasting , with kitchins fore and aft , in the midship rooms with tables , above floors for women , the windows covered with close nets , that they may not be seen , all painted and gilded ; the abundance of meat in them is wonderful , in these many spend what they have . the second thing famous , is the silk , and man ner of working it ; the third , the worship of their idols , and magnificence of their temples . . the last of these southern provinces is nanking , between and deg . of lat . the best in the whole kingdom . it permits no foreign trade , the merchants , to enhance the value of their goods , say , they are of nanking ; in only the town of xanham , 't is said , there are loomes for cotton , which yearly yield the king ducats . the court long resided here , and all the tribunals and priviledges of a court still remain in the capital city called ( as my author will have it , ) ymthienfu , but i find it is by all others named kiangning . this city is the best in the kingdom for sumptuous buildings , spacious streets , trade , and abundance of all things ; it has twelve stately gates well defended with canon , without the walls runs another , at a great distance much ruined ; the outward circumference will take up a horseman two days journey , travelling a good pace , the inward is leagues ; between the two walls are buildings and tillage , the crop whereof is appropriate to the souldiery that reside within , to the number of in one quarter of the town is a mount and thereon a sphear of a vast bigness , of curious workmanship , but stands not on a frame ; there is also a rare tower stories high with all appurtenances made of porcelane , a most wonderful work . the river runs by the foot of it , called according to my author yamcuquiam , by all others i find it named kiang ; but yamcuquiam signifies son of the sea , because it is one of the greatest in the world , and may perhaps for brevity generally be called quiam or kiang ; it has great store of fish. . the northern provinces are , their names honan , xensi , xansi , xantung , peking , and leav●…ung . the first lies between and deg . of lat . and produces the most delicious fruit , which is prodigiously cheap , so that one hundred of apricocks is worth about half a farthing . a prince lives here in as great state as the king. . the province xensi lies to the eastward of the last in near the same latitude ; it is large but dry , as the three next to it ; bears little rice , much barley , common and indian wheat . their sheep are shorn three times a year , spring , summer and autum , but the first shearing is the best . the wool serves for hats and such like work , but is not fit to spin . the goat's hair is spun , and of it they weave stuffs richer than of silk , but it is only of a sort of down that grows next the skin under the long hair. this province yields musk , which grows in the navel of a beast like a little deer , the flesh whereof is eaten . the purses brought hither are not all the same in which it grows , because the musk mixed with other drugs is too much to be contained by them only , and so purses are made for it of the skin . scarce any musk comes over pure . here is also some gold gathered , but in rivers , for the mines of it and silver are not open . most of the rhubarb in the world seems to come from hence ; for that which is brought from persia cannot be of the prod●…ct of that country , because none that have travelled there relate they ever saw this herb grow there . it grows high and bears leaves bigger than those of cabbage , requires much care , and grows not wild , as some would have it . . this is a province of great trade , for the numerous caravans , some of above one thousand men , which repair to its two western cities , socheu and xancheu . in them come ambassadors from the mahometan princes to the king of china , every three years is an ordinary embassy , and every fifth one extraordinary , they always bring presents . the princes are , the turk , the arabs , camul , samar●…an , and tarsan , but none of them , except the last , know any thing of these embassies or presents , the merchants do it at their own cost for the more security of their trade . the present consists of a quantity of precious stones , three hundred and forty horses , three hundred small sparks of diamonds , some sine blew , six hundred knives , and as many files . the king returns for each horse two pieces of cloath of gold ; thirty of yellow silk , thirty pounds of cha , ten of musk , fifty of a medicine called tienyo , and fifty of silver . . cha ( which i suppose to be our tea ) is the leaf of a tree like myrtle , in some places bigger than others , they dry it in iron pots over the fire , and so it runs up together . there is of it from a ducat the pound to less than a halfpenny , such is its variety . it is their common drink steeped in hot water , with it they treat strangers , and relate many virtues of it . . the province of xansi lies between and deg . of lat. the many mountains make it barren , therefore bears little wheat , less rice , and most of indian wheat ; it supplies the kingdom with resins . here are wells of fire for the use of houses , like those of water in other parts . they make small mouths , and over them boil any thing . they have coal-pits as in england . the province of xantung lies between and deg . of lat. it is poor , subject to locusts , and often to famine . it bears a sort of apples which is carried over most of the kingdom . . the province of peking between and degrees of latitude , is now honoured with the court in the city of the same name , but more properly xunt●…ienfu , or xuntien ; the moors call it cambalud . the people ( as all those of the north ) are not so ingenious , but more laborious and warlike . the land dry and healthy , but barren ; yields indian corn , but little rice or wheat . the rice used at court comes from nanking , it is pleasant only boiled in water without any other addition . the king keeps one thousand sail that trade to the south for provisions . this province sends abroad no commodities but pensils and persumes . the city is not so large as nanking , but far exceeds it in populousness : the walls are so thick , twelve horsemen ride abreast on them ; they are guarded with as much care in peace as war. at the gates are officers to receive the duty of all things brought in , and that belongs to the queen . . the magistrates of this city have but very little state in their persons and houses , only the chief of them can go in chairs , the others on horseback . all people have their faces covered along the streets to avoid the dust , but more to save the ceremonies to mandarines . the cold is more violent here than could be expected in that latitude . the river and lakes are froze over , so that they bear . they use a sort of stoves that conveys the heat underneath which serve in their gardens , and anticipate the spring . . the last northern province is leaotung , famous for a precious medicinal root it produces , which adds strength and vigour to such as are in health , and gives great comfort to the sick. this being the tartar frontier , is much ruined , and in part possessed by them . along it runs that so famous wall for the space of three hundred leagues , of great renown , but little use ; for notwithstanding it the enemy breaks in at pleasure . in all these provinces there are four hundred forty four cities , and eleven hundred and fifty towns of note ; the others are not to be numbred . thus much of the soil , product and division of china . chap. xiv . of the people of china , their customs , inclinations and studies . . the people of china are white , the more northward the whiter ; both men and women suffer their hair to grow to its full length ; it is generally black , and they therefore called by some nations , the black haired people . their eyes are commonly black and small , their noses little , they look upon ours as deformed , their beards thin , the black esteemed most beautiful ; it is never cut , but they had rather it should all fall off than one hair of the head . they take great pains in dressing it , and have many barbers who never cut but only serve to order it . . they are handsomest whilst very young , particularly in the south . the women of 〈◊〉 are counted the most beautiful , thence the great men have their concubines . the men , as they grow above twenty-five years of age loose their colour , but not so much of their features , yet grow ugly ; they are well made , strong , and inclined to labour . in tillage they are very industrious , sometimes plowing with a plow of three coulters that makes as many furrows , and on it carry a tray with a hole , through which kidneys-beans drop , and the ground is sowed at once ; other grain is sowed after plowing . often he that drives a beast loaded carries a burden . . nothing that can be of use is lost . there are often seen many vessels loaden with only w●…s for candles taken out of the heart of a rush. others that carry nothing but paper for privies , which must have no letter upon it , esteeming it a sacriledge to put any such to that use . they are naturally merchants . about the street is fold by retail , whatever is by wholesail in shops . children sell small things that no age may be idle . in matters of trust they are most faithful , but in selling the cunningest of cheats . they will dig out the flesh of a fowl , make it up again , and fell the skin and bones as an entire bird ; they counterfeit gammons of bacon , so that it is hard to discover the fraud . in fatning , colouring and patching up of old , lame and unsound horses , none equal them . . they are much addicted to chimistry , and believe he that finds the way to make silver , has a sure receipt for to live long . old men they think have found out this receipt , and therefore some will maintain them only in hopes to learn it , and others make themselves gray only to get a maintenance that way . . they are affable and courteous , treat strangers with civility , give them the upper-hand , lend them money upon pawns , but without use , though they exact it from their own kindred and friends , even in prisons ; where the scum of nations is , they shew compassion towards them . all that are condemned to death are beheaded , or strangled , any other death is accounted cruel ; when many are condemned , only four or five die , the rest remain in prison . humility and chastity are virtues held in great account . they raise triumphant arches in honour of chast women , and bestow publick encomiums on them . where they use ceremony it is endless , but among friends and kindred none is used . they are so grave and staid , that no accident whatsoever can discompose men of quality ; so that mortal enemies meet at feasts without altering their countenance . they lessen themselves to extol foreigners , and commend all the works of europe , even to undervaluing their own . their curious workmanship may be seen by what comes from thence , which is never the best or curiousest . they are incomparable at working of ivory , ebony , coral , and amber , and most exquisite in gold and silver . a gold chain of their making has been seen that had three hundred links , and did not weigh seven ounces , their gold thread is not so fine as ours . no vessels of sive●… are used , but only porcelane ; they have learned to make clocks to stand on tables . . they are of most ready wits , whereof i will give one instance . a visitor general being long in a province without executing his employ , a friend of his enquiring into the reason , found he had lost the seal , without which no business could be dispatched ; and , knowing the governor was his enemy , he advised him to set fire to his own palace at night , and when the governor came , as of course he must , to see it put out , then to deliver to him the box in which the seal is kept , saying , he could in that danger only trust him with the royal seal : that if it was the governor who had caused the seal to be stole , he would certainly restore it , because of the trust reposed in him , which if he did not , the world would believe it was lost in his custody ; this was put in execution , and next day the governor restored the box with the seal in it . . their cloaths , as was before said , are made of woollen , linnen , silk , or cotton . two hundred years before christ they wore short sleeves ( as the iapans descended from them still do ) and the fashion lasted while the famous family of honan , for four hundred years , then it was altered to what is used to this day , is the same throughout the kingdom , and cannot be changed without the king's leave . the habit reaches from the neck to the feet open before , even to the inward garments without buttons ; but folding over , the sleeves large and open like those of a monk's cool . for a band they wear a piece of white taffety a handful broad , which the better sort as soon as soiled throw away . young folks wear all colours , the commonalty and all servants black , old men grave colours , such as are or have been governors on festivals the finest red . the ●…ich change apparel four times a year , the poor sort twice . . till seventeen years of age they wear the short hai●…loose , the rest knotted on the top of the head. after that age it is put into a net of horsehair with a cap over it ; that of the lawyers square , the others round ; it is made either of silk or horse-hair , but in winter of felt. much ceremony is used at the time they first put on the net. the rich wear shoes of silk , the poor of cotton , differing from ours in fashion and costly ; leather is only used for boots , which are rare . in the same manner the rich wear stockins of damask , or other soft silk , the meaner sort of cotton , but all white . breeches are common to men and women . the latter dress their hair with flowers , natural or artificial , except the common women , who are not allowed to use them , nor to live within the walls . . the apparel of men and women is the same in all other points ; but these have feet less than can be imagined , and to make them so , they swath them hard from their infancy . the custom was taken from a queen , who having deformed feet endeavoured by that means to bring them into shape . . the women are very retired , none of any age is seen in the street , no men visit them in their houses , nor presume to enter into their apartments . servants have admittance only whilst very young , brother or father-in-law on no account . the ordinariest . women go abroad in chairs . if they happen to go a foot on account of any pilgrimage , they cover their faces : if they travel in boats , they pass by each other , without speaking one word . yet in some parts of this great empire , women go abroad , but such as are of quality always after this manner . . the language is thought to be one of the of babel ; by their books it appears to be of four thousand years standing . it is called quenhra , or the language of mandarines , because as they spread their command they introduced it , and it is used through all the empire , as latin in europe . it is very barren , and as it has more letters far than any other , so it has fewer words , for there are not above that absolutely differ , and of those that only vary in accent and aspiration ; most end in vowels , the rest in m and n : they are all monasyllables , all indeclinable , as well verbs as nouns ; so contrived , that often a noun serves for a verb , and the contrary , and sometimes for an adverb . thus it is easier to be learned than latin. it is most compendious , and therefore the most grateful to the chineses . it is rather sweet than harsh , and spoke as they do at nanking pleasing to the ear , very full of respectful terms . to bid one take a thing in his hand , among us we repeat the verb take , which they do not , each word signifies the verb and manner , nien , is to take with two fingers ; tço , to take with them all ; chua , with the whole hand downwards ; tcie , with it opened upwards . so in other verbs : a man's foot they call kio ; a birds , chua ; a beasts , thi. . they use a different stile in writing and speaking ; the letters are as ancient as the language . they all know them , but not all by the same name . the author of them ( they say ) was fohi , one of their first kings ; at first they were fewer in number , plainer , and in some measure like what they expressed : there are now four sorts of letters . the ancient still used in books and by lawyers , but only for titles and seals instead or ●…ts . the second called chicum , the most generally used . the third taipie , little practised but on fans , in letters and prologues . the fourth , a sort of short hand . . there are sixty thousand letters ; but they use abbreviations , so that 't is enough to know ten thousand to write , read and be learned . if they meet any that is not known , they turn to a book like our dictionary , and find it : only nine strokes serves to form all this multitude of letters , but several letters and perfect figures are joined to signifie different things . this stroke — stands for one , crossed with another stroke it stands for ten , another stroke being drawn under the lower point it signifies the earth ; with another at the top , a king ; adding a prick on the left hand between the two first points , a precious stone ; with dashes before , a pearl ; and all letters that signifie precious stones , must have this last mark ; all that signifie trees must have the letter that is for wood adjoined , and so of other things . . good writing is valued above the best painting . all written paper is looked upon as sacred ; if it lies on the ground they take it up carefully . the manner of writing is downwards from the top to the bottom , and from the right towards the left-hand , as the hebrews and all the people of the east . if a word of respect , as your lordship , or the like , fall in the middle of a line , they write not forward , but begin the next line , because it is not esteemed manners to join any word to those ; if they write the name of god , it is set above the rest of the line . . they once writ on the rine of the barks of trees , with iron points , as also on plates of metal , which now are highly esteemed . paper has been invented among them two thousand years , and is of so many sorts , and so plentiful , that there is as much in china as all the world besides , for goodness none to compare to it . the most usual in printing , and plentifullest , is made of a tree ( called by them cho , by the indians bombo ) made in the same manner as ours , but the best is of cotton rags . instead of pens they use pensils of several sorts of hair , but the hares is best : there are no ink-horns but stones on which the ink is ground , as colours among us ; it is also sold in rags in the nature as we have spanish wool , but the best is lamp-black , and they that make it are not accounted mechanicks . . printing has been used by them sixteen hundred years , we said before it was all carved on wood. the author writes his book in the size it must be published , and every leaf is pasted on a board , and graved exactly as he writ it , therefore they write and print only upon one side of the paper , so that every leaf consists of two , for the books are sewed along the edges of the paper , not the middle as we do , the blanks remain within , and the two leaves pass as one ; the best wood for this use is pear-tree . when they would have the paper black and letters white , they are carved in stone , because in the stone the letters are cut into the superficies , and in wood they make the superficies . that manner of printing is only used for epitaphs , paintings , trees , mountains , and such like things , which are preserved with respect , and are lasting memorials . chap. xv. a continuation of the same subject . . from their childhood they apply themselves to study , the first books they read are morals , then the classick authors which are entirely learned by heart , next the masters exposition , who looks not on the book when he teaches . the coppies for writing are laid under the paper , and the learner draws by it , the paper being transparent . from letters they proceed to composition , such as are approved of are printed every years , and learners study them . there are no universities , every master reaches all that is requisite for a man to know , as well in learning , as manners and behaviour . the disciples of quality never go any where without the master ; there are many schools for the common sort , but no master can take more schollars than he can teach himself , for he is not to trust to another . their days of recreation are the first in the year ; and some others , but few in the th and th moon . the masters that serve in great houses eat at their patrons table . . they have large and stately halls , richly adorned , where they examine students , whereof there are great numbers in every city and town , but chiefly in the metropolis of provinces , where they take their degrees . these buildings for the most part are all of the same form , some bigger than others , but all large ; the greatest of our pallaces is not equal to the least of them , in every one is an infinite number of little rooms , where such as are to be examined , compose each by himself , with a soldier to attend him , that the more learned may not help the ignorant . the hall of quantung which is the least , has of these cels and the number of students is greater . . there attend all the time of the examination , prefidents , magistrates , examiners , clerks , and all sorts of trades , and all that are there are maintained ind yet and lodging the whole time upon the publick charge . the order and disposition of all things is much to be admired , formerly gentlemen were not admitted to take any degree , because not imployed in the government , but they perceiving that only the learned rose , obtained though with difficulty , to be admitted to both ; such as are any way infamous , cannot take a degree : the degrees are answerable to o●… of batchelor , master of arts , and doctor ; the chancellor goes about the town●…●…d cities to examine the first , the second is done in the metropolis of each province , once in years , in each of these acts there are above students , and above take the degree of master of arts. the doctors are only made at court , on a sudden a bricklayer or taylor is set up in state , the marks of this dignity are given them and are a cap , gown , tassels , and boots , all put on with much ceremony . the king defrays the whole charge , and every one that takes this degree , stands him in ducats . . of those that go to the court to take their degree , are admitted to that of doctors ; the marks of that honour ( except the boots which are the same in all ) differ very much in the value , besides those mentioned , they have a girdle , they wear them all in the employments they get , and the last is still richer , as they ●…e preferred . there is another examination at which the king used to be present , now a colao supplies his place ; after it they go to salute the king , who is on his throne , and gives with his own hand , a premium to each of the three first presented ; the first of the is superior over all the others , and has a particular name , as has the second and third ; this is so great an honour , that soon after the whole kingdom knows them by those names , and their degree of honour is equal to our dukes . out of the are chosen , who have pallaces assigned them , and are subject to the colao that is president of the great college , of him they learn the speculative part of government . hence they are preferred to employments superior to viceroy ships , only such as are of that college , are admitted to the supream dignity of colao : when one of these doctors is made a mandarin , ( especially if he be one of the three presented by the king ) there is erected to him in his own country a triumphal arch all of marble , and very stately , with his name on the front . . nothing can be said distinctly of their sciences , because in reality they know no distinction . three of their kings were the masters of the ●…oral and speculative learning , under my●…ical numbers and symbols , they were also the legislators . above years before christ , two other kings composed the book called yequim , being a comment upon those symbols ; then followed philosophers , like the stoicks . the most famous confucius composed books , which are esteem'd ( chiefly of them ) like our holy writ , many doctors comment upon them ; he flourished years before christ , and aimed at the reformation of mankind ; and is held in veneration as the universal master , and a saint , with temples dedicated to him . the government of the city where he was born , remains in his family ; the immediate successor has the title , revenue , and state of a duke ; they are all as soon as born held in great veneration . . the principal books are , yequim that treats of natural philosophy , fate and predictions ; the second , xoquim of chronology ; the third , xiquim poetically discourses of the nature of things and human affections ; the fourth , liquin of divine worship ; the fifth , chun●…icu , examples of good and bad kings . there are other books of the same author , and another called mencu , that treat of physicks and morals ; out of these is taken a subject for the compositions of such as are examined ; there are also books of comments upon those , but only one of them is established by law. . they consider principal objects in the world , heaven , earth , and man , and accordingly their learning is divided into sciences ; that of heaven treats of the original of all things ; that of the earth , of its position , product and variety ; that of man , of his manners and affections , to whom they ascribe moral virtues , piety , justice , policy , prudence , and felicity , respecting orders of persons in the common-wealth , father , and son , husband and wife , king and subject , elder and younger brother , and friends among themselves . . they have rules of grammar , understand rhetorick , are well skilled in arithmetick , and have knowledge of geometry , but know nothing of dialectica , and algebra ; astronomy is a profession only allowed to two persons to study , one in each court , and they leave it hereditary to their sons ; they reckon elements , water , metal , fire , wood , and earth , and appropiate to them as many planets , mercury , venus , mars , iupiter , saturn . the zodiack they divide into signs , the year into moons , and days , making a bissextile every three years of moons and days ; it begins with the next moon to the th of february . their musick consists all of one sound , the bonzes sing after the manner of our plain song , their instruments are of several sorts , for the most part noisy , and some like ours , such as are played upon strings , have them of silk . . poetry was always much esteemed in china ; all that was published of this sort , used to be sent to the king , they never write any thing reflecting , or immodest , nor have any letter to express the private parts , so that they are never mentioned in any writing , their verses are in rhime . their painting was without oyl , or shadows , till they knew and imitated us , and draw well by the life . their skill in phisick is the greatest , they have ancient authors that treat of it , ours are there unknown ; bleeding , cupping , sirrups , glisters , issues , nor potions , are not used there , but only pills . all the medicines are simples , as herbs , roots , fruit and seeds , all dry , and therefore their apothecaries have no pots ; the doctors write no receipts , but bring along with them a case with all medicines in good order , and compound them before the patient ; their judgment in the pulse is singular , they ask no questions of the sick , but give themselves an account of the disease , and apply the remedy ; their cures are singular , not but that there are some ignorant among them . . in ceremonies they are impertinent , the manner is to bow the head to the ground , if to a greater person , they kneel and bow in like manner , in some cases they rise again and repeat it at least times , commonly , to the king . particular garments are used for visiting , unless among familiar friends ; if they meet , and one has the garment on , and the other not , he immediately puts it on , for a servant carries it ; it is generally black , doctors , magistrates , and gentlemen that wear the habit of doctors , are excused from wearing of it . . the king when he does reverence to his idols or mother , holds before his face a piece of ivory , a span and half long , and about fingers broad , all that speak to him use the same ceremony . if two mandarines in the street cannot avoid meeting without stopping their chairs , they joyn their hands , and carry them leisurly to their heads bowing them , which is done as soon as they see one another , and repeated till they be passed by ; if one be inferior to the other , he stops the chair , or in case he be on horseback , alights and makes a profound reverence ; if they are not mandarines , they make the usual compliments , if common people they joyn hands , carry them to the forehead shaking . servants in great houses do not bow to their lords , but at the new year , or when he has been absent , their sign of respect is to stand upright with their arms hanging down ; mandarines servants speak to them on their knees , to give or receive any thing with one hand is not courteous betwixt equals , and very rude from inferors to superiors . . in their visits they use the thie , which is a long piece of paper made like a fan , the breadth is proportionable to the quality of the person from one to sheets , the colaos use the least ; only one line is writ upon it , and contains letters between friends , among others , or , the purport of them to this effect , your great friend and perpetual disciple of your doctrine , ( here enters the name ) kisses your hand , and comes to do you reverence . this paper is in a purse of the same , and that in another made close and curious . . the visiter himself carries this paper and gives it the porter , who delivers it to his master ; if he receives the visit and not the thie , he is not obliged to pay it , but if it is left only with the porter , he pays the visit . great men , as colaos , mandarines , and viceroys seldome visit ●…y body , but as they pass by the doors , leave their thies ; when they will not receive visits , they set up a paper over the door specifying , they are not in town ; all visits are made in the morning , and they always treat with sweet-meats or fruit , or at least drink that is cha. . when any one is to absent himself for a time , all friends visit and present him , and he is bound at his return to send presents to all that sent him any ; they never visit the sick , but inquire at the door of their health ; the person visited sets the chairs himself , and wipes them with his sleeve , all the visiters do the same with his . if there be no distinction of superiority , they take their places according to age , the person visited the last ; as soon as seated , the cha is brought and they all drink . when one speaks of himself , it is with great humility , if they speak of the son to the father , they do not say your son , but the noble son ; if of the daughter , the pretious love ; if they inquire about the sick , they say , how goes the illustrious sickness ; speaking of themselves they do not say , i , but the schollar , the disciple , and persons of mean profession , as a carryer , they call the great rod ; the person visited waits upon the visiter to the street , and they part with impertinent ceremonies , then send messages to and fro , as if they had not seen one another . . they often send presents of shooes , stockins , linnen , porcelane , ink , pencils , and eatable things of the best . with the present goes a thie , being a list of the things sent ; it is no ill manners to send back all or part ; some only send the list of things they design to present , naming very many , as knowing all will not be accepted , and he it is sent to , marks down what he will accept of , others send all the things which are only hired , and so restore what is sent back and pay for the rest ; he that receives is obliged to return a present . . they use many banquets , which are very costly and last long . there are neither napkins nor knives on the tables , because they eat as was said of the iaponeses , but sitting on chairs and at high tables and round them hang cloths in the manner of pulpit cloths , dinner is at in the morning , supper at evening or night ; upon these occasions the rooms are adorned as our churches on holidays ; all the time of eating , there is musick and plays acted , some will go to four or more feasts in one day ; they seem to be of the opinion of let us eat and let us drink , for to morrow we shall die. chap. xvi . of the marriages , burials , ceremonies , sacrifices , and belief of the chineses . . the chineses have used an indissoluble form of marriage , by joyning of hands for above years ; they also allow of concubines , which are taken after another manner , and commonly bought . they may part when they please , but till they have children , are servants to the wife , their children call●… mother ; and do not put on mourning for them . when the man dies , the wife and children retain the command of the house , and if she di●… the concubine succeeds ; widdows may marry again , but are more esteem'd if they do not . in choosing wives they have respect to good qualities , but for concubines , beauty ●…or good humour . . they cannot marry into the fathers kindred , though many degrees removed , nor with any of the sirname , for fear of kindred , but may with the mothers , if not near related . maids seldom marry with widdowers ; there are matchmakers : the bridegroom sees not the bride till she is brought home to him , nor knows her name till made sure ; portions are not used , nor does the husband buy the wife , as has been falsly reported of them . on the wedding day the brides goods are carryed in procession , and she at the end of it in a chair , lock'd up , and the key sent before to the bridegrooms mother , for he goes on horseback well attended to fetch her , if by night , they carry many lantherns on long poles , the inheritance is divided between the male issue without respect to those by the lawful wife above the others , yet there are some noble families where the eldest inherits . . the funerals of the chineses are very costly , they bury all in coffins , according to every ones ability in value , some cost ducats , the coffins are made of thick planks , varnished with charam , and adorned with gilding , unless some that are made of pretious wood ; most of them keep their coffins by them in the house . . no body is buryed within the cities ; without there are sumptuous templ●… for their use , with country houses about them in places appointed by their astrologers , the tombs are covered with polished stones , and beasts carved before them , especially the noble ones , as elephants and lions , and elegant epitaphs upon them . where ever a man dies , he must be carryed to his own place of burial : when one is given over , they carry him into an outward room to die on a pallet bed , but some that are of great quality die in their alcoves . the son as raving with grief , pulls down the curtains upon the dead body , then it is put into the coffin with the robes of his dignity , and so closed , that no ill smell can come out . it is laid in a great room hung with mourning and a picture of the dead man , the children sit round upon the straw and in mourning , the women are weeping behind curtains , many ceremonies are used while the corps lies there . . the coffin lies sometimes years in the house for want of money ; the funeral pomp is thus , first , there are carryed great statues of men and beasts made of painted pastboard , pyramids , and other things in triumphal chariots , adorned and curiously wrought with silk ; if it be a person of quality , all those things are burnt when the coffin is interred , but the common sort only hire them ; after this sollow bonzos singing and playing on musick , then other bonzos who never cut hair nor beard , and live single in communities ; these also play on several sorts of instruments , next another sect of bonzos , who cut their hair , praying ; after them the friends and relations , then sons and grandsons in deep mourning , and barefooted , with little truncheons about half a yard long in their hands , on which they lean so , that their heads hang down near the ground ; next them comes the coffin on a thing so big , it is carryed by men , with a curious pall over it , and about it many lanthorns on poles ; the last is a multitude of women in chairs , who are heard to cry . . the mourning is of such course hemp , it makes the men look monstrous , sons for their fathers wear it years , and in all that time sit not on chairs , but little wooden stools , nor dine on a table , touch flesh , drink wine , lie on bedsteads , go to feasts , go abroad unless in a close chair , go to examinations , nor can officiate any publick employ , and finally ( they say ) they abstain from women ; mourning for a wife lasts a year , there are for relations of and of months , and for friends of days . every town has a publick place of buryal for the poor , some save the trouble , burning the dead and burying the ashes ; these in the province of suchue are put into pots close stopped and thrown into rivers . . the funeral of the queen mother in the year , was very magnificent ; to omit the mourning and lesser circumstances . the king with his own hand strewed on the body , pearls to the value of crowns , and laid on the sides of it bars of gold , and of silver ; all persons of quality of both sexes came to worship her ; all magistrates were ordered to their tribunals , and to fast days ; the officers of the revenue to provide wax perfumes , images and and other necessaries to be burnt , the expence in only these small things amounted to ducats ; the royal golledge was commanded to write poems fit for that occasion , men were posted at each of the nine gates of the city , thence to the place of buryal , which was miles , a lane of soldiers to be made , men carryed the coffin , accompanyed it , guarded the buryal place , while the ceremony lasted , the ways were repaired and railed in , that no body might cross them ; at every paces was laid a basket of yellow earth to be spread about when the coffin went by ; many tents were set up to rest by the way , and provisions for all that attendance that , amounted to . . after many ceremonies , the coffin was placed on a triumphal chariot with many lights and perfumes ; the king accompanyed it to the th gate of the pallace , great was the order and silence observed , the journey was so ceremonious , it lasted days . at last the coffin was removed to a more costly chariot , they sacrificed a bull , aromatick wine , perfumes , and many garments to the earth , imploring its tutelar spirits to receive the dead body graciously . the ceremonies lasted long , the king favoured all that assisted at them , eased the kingdom of taxes , set open the prisons , all as an oblation of filial love. . the chineses follow sects which they endeavour to reconcile ; the first natural , the third idolatrous . the first of the followed by the lawyers is antient , adores no idols , ownes a superior power , that can punish and reward , but allows it no temples , sacrifice , prayers , or ministers , speak honourably of it as of a divine being , attribute nothing indecent to it , but being blind in their faith , worship heaven , earth , and man. only in the two coorts , there are temples dedicated to heaven and earth , where the king in person sacrifices , and in his absence the masters of the rites ; in all cities there are temples of the tutelar spirits , where the mandarines sacrifice , as they do to the spirits of rivers , mountains , and parts of the world. there are also temples of famous men , and publick benefactors in which are their images ; they ask nothing for the next life , but happiness in this , in fine , all tends to the government , concord plenty , and exercise of virtue . . the second sect is of the tauçus , the author of it lautu , a philosopher who they say was years in his mothers womb , and lived in the time of comfufius ; this sect has many followers , who live together , do not marry , let their hair grow , wear ordinary cloaths , only instead of a cap they wear a small crown which holds the knot of their hair at the top . they own one great god , and others lesser but all corporeal , allow of heaven and hell , the felicity with the body , and even in this world ; they feign , that through certain excercises , men become young again ; they say and believe any thing that comes into their fancy , they have musick and good instruments , and are therefore called to funerals and sacrifices ; they pretend to sorcery , and promise rain , which always fails to their shame . . they also pretend to lay devils that haunt houses , and are as successful as in the other ; their chief study is a quiet and long life , but more for the long , which they endeavour to purchase at any rate . . the third sect , ( as its author ) is called xaca , he is said to be son of maga , and a dream , for that she dreamed she conceived looking upon a white elephant , was delivered of him through her side , and died immediatly . xaca did pennance for this misfortune on the snowy mountain , and had there in years masters , became learned in the science of the first causes , and had many disciples who spread his sect through all asia . this doctrine was brought into china about the year of grace , at the instance of the emperor hamin ; the followers of this opinion once amounted to three millions , now they are but few . . their priests wear neither hair nor beard , adore idols ; believe there is reward and punishment in the next life , and live in community together ; they are called to sacrifices and burials , and wear a sort of copes , eat no flesh , fish , eggs , nor drink wine , have large inclosures in villages , and live under a superior ; others live in caves , dens , and on rocks , some do most rigid pennance . some lock themselves in narrow houses , or rather boxes of wood full of spikes , the points inward , and live in these a month without being able to lean for the spikes , or eating ; only drinking cha. but others affirm , they go in provided with lumps of beef hard baked , which they dissolve in that hot liquor , there is another sort called vagabonds , that are generally villanous fellows , guilty of all crimes especially robberies . there are also nuns of these orders , their heads shorn , they are but few , and not enclosed . . they believe the transmigration of souls , that they descend and pass through nine hells , then return to be men at best , or else beasts like men , or , what is worst of all birds . the wisest of them direct all their study toward the prima causa ; after the last death , they believe there is neither reward nor punishment . . of transmigration , they believe if a man was courteous , he becomes man again , if subject to passion , a lion ; if cruel a tiger ; if unchast , a hog ; and if given to stealing , a bird of prey . from these proceed many other sects ; it is a proverb of these three sects , that the lawyers govern the kingdom , the taucus , the body , and the bonzot the heart . . in their sacrifices are offered a beast like a goat , swine , oxen , cocks and hens , all sorts of fish , chiefly the barble , rice , grain , and wine . if the king sacrifice , the offering is divided among mandarines , if great men , among their relations , if ordinary people , they eat it among them . all other things offered are burnt , as silk , leaves of gold and silver , cut paper , candles , perfumes , &c. there are no priests appointed for this , every one does it for himself . . the chineses are great admirers of virtue , and have a sort of commandments written in their houses , much of the same nature as ours . there are strangers in china , who differ in point of belief , but not considerable . we have already mentioned those barbarous inhabitants of a part of the island hainan , and others in the mountains of quantung , hucheu , and quiangsi , these follow the opinions of the rest of the kingdom . in the province of yunnan there is a large tract of land inhabited by a people differing in language and customs , having a king of their own , but tributary to china ; in some parts there are mahometans who have their mosques , but ill observe their law . tney marry their sons ro chinese women , but the daughters only marry among themselves , because women follow the opinion of the husbands , and these never change . their first coming into china was about years since being called in by a king to assist him in his wars , and having served well , such as would , were allowed to ●…le there . there are jews in the province of honan , and in the metropolis of it , caifumfu ; they have a neat synagogue , which shall be described hereafter . for want of priests they are become very ignorant in their law , and many be●… mahometans and pagans . chap. xvii . of the original of the kingdom of china , the pallace and government of it . . there is no certain account of the original of this kingdom , though their histories begin at the universal flood . the first three kings are esteemed saints ; since that time the succession has been in families ; this now reigning , has continued years ; the first of it did all that was possible to secure his line ; he abolished all royalties , forbid under severe penalties , any of the blood royal to have any hand in government , and gave all the power to lawyers who were to attain it by learning and virtue ; the monarchy continues as he left it . . they reckon years from the beginning of the last reign , the first actions of it are coining of money , crowning of the queen , giving her and the concubines names , offering great sacrifices , giving alms , treating magistrates , setting open prisons , turning the ladies out of the court , taking in new ones ; all the states acknowledging the king , giving him a new name . he is stiled emperor , the courtiers call him son of heaven , and pay him a respect more than human . . the reason the ladies are turned out of court is because many are old , and the deceased may have had to do with the young , and therefore the successor must not venture coming where he has been ; beautiful maids are sought for this purpose all over the kingdom , and the fathers strive to marry them off , that they may not be carryed to court. . the women turned out , are all sold at the pallace ga●… to the best bidders , who take them for 〈◊〉 ; none but mean people buy them , their faces and hands are covered , and the buyer sees them not till he carries them home , and takes them for better for worse . . there are about of these women , who live in four pallaces ; one king tired with choosing , was drawn in a chariot by goats , and wherever they stopped , he took up , another chose by the pictures of the beautifullest . . formerly the kings were more familiar with their subjects , and visited the kingdom , giving publick audience ; this custom decayed by degrees , and the common way of doing business is by petition , but still the king gives some publick audiences monthly , and at the four seasons of the year goes to sacrifice in a temple without the city . . the first that introduced this retirement was vamlie grand-father to him now reigning , he did it because he was very gross , and would not lessen the royal majesty , since his time they are not so often seen as formerly . the temple the king goes to at peking , is round , all of marble , and a beautiful structure ; that of nanking is long , and has five isles , born up by many columns , all plain except the pedestals to show the rarity of them , for that being many in numbers , very high and thick , and all exactly alike , each is made of one tree . to these temples there are many gates adorned with gilded iron , in them many altars with images of the sun , moon , planets , spirits , mountains , rivers , and other things , to signify he , to whom they sacrifice there , is lord of all . all the rest of the year besides the times of these sacrifices and audiences , the king continues in his pallace , and is seen by none but particular persons . . some will judge the kings of china live a confined life , but their pallace is a city consisting of many pallaces , orchards , and gardens inclosed within a wall of a vast circumference ; there is one pallace for the king , queen , and small children , another for the queen-mother , another for the sons that are marryed , another for the queens , four for the ladies , another called the cold pallace for the old men ; apartments for eunuchs , servants , mathematicians , and priests , an infinite number of courts , or cloisters , and lesser apartments for all that live within , which are above . . the structure of the pallace is sumptuous , much after our manner adorned with curious carving , painting , and gilding . a river runs through the gardens which are adorned with artificial mounts , and they covered with delightful variety of birds and beasts . all is encompassed by two walls distant from each other , the circumference is about miles , that of nanking about five ; there are gates that look to the four quarters of the world , and have strong guards of elephants and soldiers , of these always do duty in one of the courts . . next to the empress , are six queens , who upon publick occasions , sit on as many chairs somewhat below the two imperial thrones , then there are that have particular honours allowed them ; the last in degree are the ladies . if the empress has a son , he takes place of all others , if not the eldest of any of these women ; there are eunuchs , with their proper officers . the president who answers our secretary of state , may come to the king without asking leave , another who is supream judge of the eunuchs , is also captain of the guard of horse and foot , the eunuchs have all the best employments , and are for the most part marryed . . in the court most go on horseback , few in chairs , except the great eunuchs . the father of the king now reigning , had a most insolent favourite eunuch , upon the kings death he kill'd himself , but was drag'd and torn to pieces by the rabble , and the king seized his vast treasure . many fathers geld their sons to make them capable of this sort of preferment . . no criminal can escape justice in this vast empire ; their submission to the king is worthy admiration ; every body speaks to him on their knees with the ivory ( already mentioned ) before their mouths . the king's garments differ not from those of the subjects in form , but in the costliness , and being embroidered with dragons which none can wear but he , his wives , and the royal family . it is not easie to know the real value of the king's revenue , but it is reckoned above one hundred and fifty millions of ducats yearly ; fifty-five are for the king's expence , the ninety-five for his ministers , examinations , works and presents . chap. xviii . of the royal marriages , nobility , counsels , and government of china in peace and war. . when there were many kings in china , they married into those royal families . now there is but one , and he is forbid by law marrying out of the kingdom ; he must of necessity marry a subject . the great men will not give the king their daughters , because they must be first searched , even in those parts none but a husband may see , and if not liked they are sent back . therefore in the choice , they have no regard to birth , but youth , beauty , good inclinations and parts . such a one being found , two old women strip her stark naked , and axamine as well inward as outwardly the parts not to be named , then put her into a heat to discover whether her sweat be offensive . all things answering expectation , she is carried to court in state , and there instructed in such manner as she may deserve to be called mother of the kingdom ; for that is the stile they give their queens . some of them have proved incomparable . . no such care is taken in marrying the princes . the p●…incesses chuse one of twelve young men o●… eighteen years of age , placed so as they may be seen without seeing the princesses : but the husbands are treated ●…o impertinently by the princesses , that th●… nobility avoid them ; so that commonly their husbands are no better born than the kings wives . . the nobility were of another nature when there were titles and lordships . now all depends upon learning , which makes any mechanick a gentleman ; the want of it renders a gentleman base . this is the reason their nobility is not of long standing ; for the sons of learned men being left rich , do not study , and consequently have no employments , and the family perishes . yet they have five sorts of nobility . first , the blood-royal thus preserved , the prince inherits the crown , the other sons live in other cities with titles , but must not stir thence . their eldest sons succeed them , the others marry the best they can , and so their children as long as the family lasts . the daughters ( not looked upon in case of inheritance ) marry with gentlemen . the second sort consist of those who have titles , but no dominions , and are inferior to some magistrates . the third , the magistrates . the fourth , the students , who aim at degrees . the fifth , those who live upon their estates , or merchandice , who if not very rich , are looked upon no better than the commonalty . . the government is in the hands of six councils , so highly respected , it is scarce credible . each of them has a president and two assessors , this is the next dignity to that of the colaos . so that a viceroy of a province is happy , if after his government expires , he reaches to be one of those assessors . many more officers belong to each of these courts ; the first is answerable to our counsel of state , the second to that of war , the third is of ceremonies , the fourth of the revenue , the fifth of the publick works , the sixth of criminal causes . there are also nine other courts ; the first like our chancery , the second the high stewards , the third the master of the horses , the fourth the master of the ceremonies of the court ; the fifth , of particular rites ; the sixth , of the petitions given the king ; the other three of lesser matters . every city has its own particular council , each metropolis of a province five distinct tribunals . each town has a private court. . the great mandarines are carried about town in chairs adorned with ebony and gold by four men , with others by to relieve them ; before the chiefest go men by pairs with long staves , always crying out , two others follow these with tables , on which is writ the quality of the person carried , after these go six scattering bamboes , with which they use to bastinade offenders and others with fetters and chains . near the chair a man with a sil●… umbrello three times as big as those we use , ●…two just before the chair carry a small box with the royal seal , on one side a great fan that shades all the chair , behind go the pages and other attendance on foot and horseback . . when one of these goes by , all things are taken from the windows , the images of funerals are lowred , the people stop on the sides of the streets , there is no noise , and he passes without moving his eyes . when he goes to any city , the ancient men receive him at the gate on their knees . the king bestows honour on magistrates mothers as they rise ; and when they die , buries them with pomp , and assigns them stately pallaces while living . . the prisons are large , and commonly near to the palaces of the mandarines th●…y belong to ; they have no grates to the street ; the dungeons are terrible ; the other part is in rows sustained by pillars with planks along for beds , where every one lies with fetters on his hands and his feet , as it were in the stocks ; over them all run long chains , so that they cannot turn . the lesser criminals are more favourably dealt with , but all fare hard ; for the prisons serve to punish as well as to secure men. the prisoners have much to do at their entrance with the keepers about their fees , for they pay none at going out . . their punishments differ not much from ours , but whipping is used before all other penalties ; the lashes are given on the bare buttocks and thighs , as well to women as men , and that before the tribunal , or in the street when the crime is done there ; no body values the shame , but only the smart . they also have several ways of racking . . military science is very ancient among the chineses . they had tedious wars with their neighbours , conquered the island ceylon , and subdued one hundred and fourteen kings . they always entertain a vast number of souldiers ; in nanking there are forty thousand , in peking eighty thousand , all over the kingdom above a million , but they are all cowards . yet of late years they beat the iaponeses out of corea , and the tartars out of the province of peking . they use foolish reviews , in which , like our boys , they represent tartars and chineses , and the former are always beaten . . gun-powder is of most ancient standing among them ; of it they make curious and costly fire-works ; they have some cannon , but no skill in the use of it , only shoot at random . their most usual arms are lances , arrows and cutlaces . there is a sort of back and breast pieces proof against arrows . their civil government is very just , because bad ministers are severely punished , and the king hears complaints against them . thus much may suffice for the affairs of china . chap. xix . the division of the dominions the portugueses do , or have possessed in those parts , commonly comprehended under the general name of india : some remarks on the customs and religion of those people , with some account of the christians of st. thomas , and of the island of ceylon . . the portugues dominions generally comprehended under the name of india , though dispersed along the coasts of asia . and africk may well be divided into five parts . the first containing the islands of that vast ocean , as those of maldivia , the king whereof , being a christian , with his wife and family resided at cochim ; that of ceylon , in which we have the town of columbo , and a right to the kingdoms of iafanapatan , cota and candea by donation from their natural kings ; the island of manar , with its fort and fishery of pearl ; eastward , the sovereignty of all that archipelago , the moluco islands , and that of macao on the coast of china . . the second part lies from cape corrientes to the mouth of the red sea , peopled by moors along the coast , and the inland by idolatrous and brutal cafres . . the third is divided from persia by the persian golph , inhabited by moors of different opinions . . the fourth contains the kingdom of ormuz , and neighbouring parts that trade thither , especially baharem , so famed for the fishery of pearl , that draws all mankind thither . . the fifth is called india within and without ganges . all that lies between indus and ganges which is above leagues along the coast , is inhabited by two nations , pagans and mahometans , who for above three ages have been possessed of that tract called indostan . . in this fifth part is included the principal part of the portugues patrimony . it begins at diu , a city not inferior to many famous in europe , and was once the metropolis of cambaya . almost opposite to it is damam , both which almost shut up the mouth of the bay of cambaya , and extend their command twenty-four leagues , in which space are many villages that yield a considerable revenue . . from the river of agacaim to that of bombaim , are eight leagues , and in that space the city 〈◊〉 ●…th its forts and villages , as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , agaçaim , bandora , tana , c●…a , and opposite to it , the island salsete , whose wonderful structures prove it to have been the metropolis of that country and court of princes . the dominions of cambaya once extended thither . the next is chaul , a place of importance . then the capital of our empire , that is the island goema●…e , which sig●…fies , happy land , corruptly called goa ; and trissuari ( signifying thirty villages , for so many it contains ) which on the continent commands the lands of salsete and bardes . there follow on the coast of camaran towards cape comori , the towns of onor , 〈◊〉 and mangalor ; then in malahar , cananor , cranganor , coulam , and the chief port of our fleets cochim . turning the cape , appears the pearl fishery , and above it the cities negapatan , st. thomas and other towns if not subject to , at least inhabited and defended by portugueses . . the exterior india begins at the river ganges , and reaches to china and c●…bodia , and is terminated by the river mecom . it is inhabited by heathens worse , if possible , than the others . here the portugueses have the rich city of malaca , metropolis of that kingdom , and the greatest place of trade of all those eastern provinces . . something has been already said of the manners of all these people , we will add somewhat in general of india , whereof much relates to the greatest part of asia . those heathens have a book they believe in , and esteem as we do the holy scripture . it is writ in verse , ( as they say that understand it ) pleasing and ingenious , but it seems strange to us there should be any harmony in verses composed of seventy-five syllables , for so many an author say they contain . . they believe in one god creator of all things , yet allow other increated gods ; that there is heaven and hell , and that the souls of such as die in sin go into beasts , and stay there till being purged , they go to eternal rest. they esteem cows as properest for this transmigration . when one is dying , they bring one to him , and put the tail into his hand , that when his soul departs , it may be near the door it is to enter at . . they allow no free will ; and some are of opinion , that the souls return from hell into other bodies till they merit heaven ; and that there is an indifferent place without reward or punishment for such as live indifferently . the sins they esteem most hainous , are murder , theft , drinking of wine , taking away another man's wife . the first is wiped off with pilgrimages ; the second with alms ; the third with fasting ; and the fourth with sacrifices ; some are of men , the greatest of cows . some will lie down under the wheels of the heavy carts of their idols , which crush them to peices . others wear irons with spikes that run into them . others hang themselves on a hook , and there sing verses to their idols . . they maintain hospitals , where they look after sick birds and beasts , and send men abroad to bring them in , but have no com●…assion for men , saying , those afflictions are sent them for their sins . there are men employed to buy birds or other creatures , only to restore them to their liberty . they believe god has five regents that govern the world , and every one of them a wife , those are called xadaxivam , rudra , maescura , visnu , and brabema ; the wives , humani , parvadi , maenomadi , lacami , and exarasvadi . the first governs the first heaven , where are all the planets ; the second , the fire ; the third , the air ; the fourth , the water ; the fifth , the earth . brahema , visnu and rudra are the chief , and form a body with three heads , called mahamurte , signifying , the three chiefs . hence it is inferred , the indians had some knowledge , though imperfect , of the blessed trinity . . they are much addicted to witchcraft and superstition , and believe there are fourteen worlds , and that this we live in is an image of that in heaven . their several families touch not one another , not eat together . tradesmen cannot marry out of their own trade . the most renowned families among them are the raja's , an ingenuous people that rather lose their lives than their arms in battle . the bramenes , who contend for precedence with the raja's . the chatines , which are the richest merchants . the b●…lalas , or country people , held in such esteem , that kings marry their daughters to them , saying , they are the publick substance . from these four roots ●…pring one hundred ninety-six branches divided into valangas , that is , of the right-hand , and elanges of the left , but none of these are honoured as the other four . . let us say somewhat of the christians of st. thomas . four leagues from cochim , on the malabar coast , is the city cranganor , almost encompassed by a river , inhabited by christians , gentiles , mahometans and iews . the whole kingdom takes name from the city ; it has a great trade , is frequented by merchants from siria , egypt , persia and arabia , by reason of the plenty of pepper brought thither . at the arrival of the portugueses in india , it was governed in the form of a commonwealth , but subject to zamori , whom they cast off , seeing him weakned by our arms. . their heathen rites are the same with those of the other malabars . the christians called of st. thomas , who inhabit from this c●…ty to coromandel and meliapor , the place , where that apostle was buried , have churches like ours in europe ; on the altars and walls crosses painted , but no other images ; no bells ; the people meet on sundays to hear sermons , and other service their head bishop resides in chaldea , has twelve cardinals , two patriarchs , archbishops , bishops and other prelates and fathers . . the priests are shorn in the form of a cross , they consecrate leavened bread , and wine made of rasins for want of other , baptize after forty days , unless there be danger of death ; instead of extream unction the priests bless the sick , use holy water , bury after our manner ; the relations and friends eat together eight days while the ceremonies last . if there be no will the next of kin inherits ; the widows recover their portion , but forfeit it if they marry within a year . . they have all our holy scripture in hebrew and caldaick with expositions , which they read in schools ; their divines interpret it well , chiefly the prophets , which they study most . they observe the same lent and advent as we do . o●… the eve of the resurrection they neither eat nor drink , and keep that day with great solemnity ; as also the sunday of pastor bonus , in remembrance that on that day st. thomas felt our saviour's side ; they observe our very festivals , as sundays , the feasts of our lord , lady and apostles , and have the same bissextile or leap year as the latines . both they and the gentiles keep the feast of the apostle on the first day of iune . there are monasteries of monks and nuns cloathed in black , and religiously observe their rules . the priests observe conjugal chastity , and marry not a second time . there is no divorce allowed beween man and wife . . in the year came to cochim , iacob a caldean bishop of cranganor , where being dangerously sick , he sent for the treasurer peter de sequeyra , and told him , necessity had obliged him to pawn two copper-plates with characters engraven on them , which were original grants and privileges bestowed on the apostle st. thomas by the sovereigns of those countries , when he preached there ; that he desired him to release them , least they should be lost if he died , for if he lived he would take them out himself . this prelate found the only way to lose them , in trusting the portugueses ; for sequeyra paid the two hundred royals they were pawned for , put them into the treasury , and they were never more heard of . . the governor martin alfonso de sousa , after long search for some body that could understand them , had found a retired jew on the mountain , who said they were writ in the caldean , malabar and arabian languages , and the substance of them was , that the prince then reigning of his free gift granted to thomas at cranganor , such a parcel of ground to build a church ; for the maintenance whereof he assigned the fifths of merchandize . . very much might be said of the island ceylon , but i will only add a little to what is already said . about five hundred years before christ , a heathen was king of tenaç●…rii , and lorded it over a great part of the east . he banished his son and heir vigia raja for his depraved wicked life . the young man took ship with men like himself , and put into the port of preature , between triquilimale & iafanapatan in the island ceylon , then not inhabited , but abounding in delightful rivers , springs , woods , fruit-trees , and sightly birds and beads ; whence the new planters gave it the name of lancao , which signifies paradise , and is still held the delight of all the east . . the first town they built was mont●…ta opposite to manar , whence they traded with cholca raja , the nearest king on the continent ; he knowing who this prince was , gave him his daughter to wife , and women for his companions , with them he sent labourers and workmen to forward that plantation ; the prince when he saw his power increase , stiled himself emperor of the island ▪ strangers call these people galas , that is banished men , because their original was such . . vigia raja dying without children , left the crown to his brother , in whose line it continued years , the fruitfulness of the island and fame of its excellent cinnamon , drew thither the chineses , who marrying with the galas , brought another rac●… which to this day are called chingalas , grown very powerful , and most fit for courtiers , being most subtle and false . . the first line being extinct , the kingdom fell to dambadine pandar pracura mabago , who was treacherously taken by the chineses , after restored , and then slain by alagexere , who in his absence had usurped the crown ; this usurper held it years , and dying without issue , and two sons of dambadine , who were fled for fear of the tyrant , being found the eldest succeeded , his name was maha pracura mahago , he gave to his brother the dominion of the four corlas , and settled his court at cota , which he built to that effect , by a daughter marryed to cholca raja of the antient blood royal , he had a grandson who succeeded him . afterwards the line failing , queta p●…rmal king of iafanapatan , inherited and called himself bo●…negaboa , that is , king by force of arms , for that he had overcome his brother , king of the corlas . . his son caypura pandar succeeded him , and the king of the corlas having killed him , possessed himself of the crown , and took the name of iavira , procura magabo ; these two brothers were of the blood royal , and the king maha procura had given them those two crowns ; after the tyrant , reigned his son drama procura magabo then living when vasco de gama discovered india ; afterwards about the year , that empire was divided between three brothers , into so many kingdoms . boenegababo pandar had cota ; reigam pandar had reigam ; and maduze pandar had ceitavaca . . in the country of dinavaca which is the center of this island rises that vast high mountain called pico de adam , because some believed our first father lived there , and that the print of a foot still seen upon a stone on the top of it , is his ; the natives call it amala saripadi , that is the mountain of the footstep . some springs running down it , at the bottom 〈◊〉 a rivulet , where pilgrims wash , and believe it purifies them . the stone on the top is like a tomb-stone , the print of the foot seems not artificial , but as if it had been made in the same nature as when one treads in clay , which makes it be looked upon as miraculous . . the pilgrims of all sorts who come from as far as persia and china , being washed , go up to the top , near which hangs a bell which they strike and take the sounding of it as a sign of their being purified , as if any bell being struck , would not sound . the opinion of the natives is , that drama raja son of an ancient king of that island , doing pennance in that mountain with many disciples , when he was about to depart at their instance , left that print there as a memorial ; therefore they respect it as a relict of a saint , and generally call him budam , that is wiseman . . some believe this saint was iosaphat , but it is more likely it was st. thomas , who has left many memorials in the east , and in the west , in brasil and in paraguay . the natural woods in this island are like the curious orchards and gardens in europe , and produce citrons , lemmons , and sundry sorts of delicious fruits ; it abounds in cinnamon , ginger , cordamom , sugar , canes , honey , and hemp ; of metals , iron , whereof they make the best firelocks of all the east ; of precious stones , rubies , zafires , cats-eyes , topaces , chrisolites , amethists , and berilus ; of valuable beasts , civet-cats , and the noblest of the elephants of all the east ; there are excellent rivers abounding with variety of fish. all round it are ports fit for the largest ships , . in all parts of india there are prodigious wizards . when vasco de gama sailed upon that discovery , some of them at calicut , showed other people in basons of water , the three ships he had with him . when d. francis de almeyda the first viceroy of india , was coming for portugal ; some witches at coehim told him , he should not pass the cape of good hope , and there he was buryed . at mascate there are such sorcerors , that they eat a thing inwardly , only fixing their eyes upon it ; with their sight draw the entrails of any human body , and so kill many . one of these fixing his eyes on a bateca , or water-mellon , sucked out all the inside , it being cut open to try the experiment , was found hollow , and he the more to satisfy the beholders , vomitted it up . . to conclude the description of these parts of asia , let us say something of the most exquisite production of nature it affords ; doubtless the most wonderful thing in the world is , a tree there growing , of which alone are built ships and houses , the one loaded , the other stored with all things necessary for human life , and on it alone , men may feed and cloath themselves ; having seen no particular account hereof , i will be the more plain in describing it . the tree is about foot high , on the top grow the leaves like that of a palm or date-tree in shape , but more large and beautiful , it bears about of them , and among them about clusters , each containing about of those we call cocos , as big as good pumpkins , so that one tree sometimes produces , never less than of them . . first on the outside is a thick tough shell or rhine , as is over the walnut-shell , though not of that nature , then a hard shell , and within it a sweet kernel ; that outward rhine is spun , and of it all manner of tackle and cordage is made , of the inward shell porrengers , salts , flasks , spoons , and other curiosities , besides being burnt , it is a pleasant sort of cole , to this shell sticks the kernel which is hollow , white as snow , about an inch thick , juycy and sweet as almonds , it serves to season several things , as milk and sugar with us , and eaten alone , is pleasant , strengthening , but hard of digestion ; within that hollow is about half a pint of most pleasant water , which at certain times congeals and forms a substance like an apple , ( called by the indians pango ) of a delightful taste , as is the conserve of sugar , of the same tree , and this same is the seed that produces the tree . . to make wine , sugar , vinegar , and other things of this coco , they suffer not the cluster to grow , but bind the branch hard , when green , with cords made of the same tree , cut the end of the branch , and put it into a vessel , into which it bleeds like a vine . this liquor is called sura and a great quantity of it is gathered ; to make wine they distil it , some is stronger , some weaker , as our brandy , the hottest they call orraca ( and we corruptly rack ) to sweeten and colour it , they put in raisins , and it is a plentiful and pretious commodity in all that part of asia ; vinegar is made only by leaving that liquor some days in earthen vessels ; sugar by boyling it to a consistence , with this sugar they make good preserves , one of the kernel of the same coco grated . . oyl is made of the coco's prepared and ground ; it serves not only to burn , but to eat , dress wounds , cure colds , and purge , it is a considerable commodity ; that mass of coco which has been so pressed or ground , is excellent food for cattle ; so that of the wood , leaves and shells of this tree is made the ship , sails and rigging , without any other material , and of the fruit , liquors and preserves are made to load it : of the leaves are also made brooms and baskets ; of the wood , darts and lances not much inferior to iron ; it also bears a a sort of down that serves instead of tinder . when any of these trees is cut down , they take off the head , called palmito , which is of an excellent taste , like to that of our cardoons . it is therefore not to be admired , that the indians take much pains to raise a wood of these trees , and are so much troubled to have them destroyed in time of war. chap. xx. of the memory there is of the preaching the gospel of christ in all asia and its islands , particularly by the apostle saint thomas in those parts mentioned in this history , and of the extirpation and reparation of the same . . for the better understanding of what follows , it is necessary to run over the position of these countries . off from the island zocotora appears on the coast of africk the empire of ethiopia , divided on the east from asia by the red sea , beginning on the north at the city suanquem , and ending on the south almost at the mouth of the red sea. between that sea and the persian golph lies that part of arabia , which is most fruitful and best peopled . ten leagues from this shore , and three from that of persia , just within the mouth of the gulph , is the island gerum , and in it the city ormuz , a kingdom more famous for its trade than extent . from thence runs along the coast of caramania subject to persia for the space of two hundred leagues , to the city diul seated on the westernmost mouth of indus , which river makes one of the sides of that continent which is properly called india , and is in the form of a lozenge . . of its most distant angles , the one lies north between the fountains of indus and ganges on mount imaus ; the other south , and is the famous cape comori , the distance between these two angles is four hundred leagues . the other two angles which lie east and west , at three hundred leagues interval reach the mouths of the same two rivers . this vast continent , called by the natives indostan , is divided into several kingdoms and dominions , as are ( to begin at the mouth of indus where we left off ) the kingdoms of gurzarate or cambaya , decan , bisnagar ; those of malabar , viz. canor , calicut , cranganor , cochim , porcà , coulam and travancor , reaching to the point of the cape in deg . min. of n. lat. from the cape , the coast runs again toward the north till the mouth of ganges , where taking a great round it makes the bay of bengala , and runs again towards the south , to the other famous cape of cingapura , the southernmost of all the eastern continent . opposite to cape comori is the island ceylon , that of sumatra to cingapura : but beginning at cape comori , two hundred leagues of the coast belong to the kingdom of narsinga , or bisnagar , the rest to those of orixa , bengala , pegu and siam . beyond cingapura are those of cambodia , tsiompa , cochinchina , and the great china . . the islands of this great archipelago are innumerable : but not to mention those opposite to indostan , there are iava , timor , borneo , banda , the molucos , celebes , mazacar , sunda , lequia , and those of iapan , without speaking of many more of note . it is certain the gospel was in the time of the apostles preached in many of these provinces , if not in all . for the ethiopians value themselves upon receiving it from a servant of queen candace baptized by saint philip , and from the evangelist st. matthew . there is no doubt but arabia and persia flourished with many saints and martyrs , and the people of bazora , where tigris and euphrates fall into the sea , have a tradition that the beloved disciple preached to them . but the most singular apostle of those parts of asia was st. thomas , the memory of whom is still preserved in cranganor , coulam , and meliapor , with evident testimonies that he travelled over all those countries , even as far as china , whence he returned to the kingdom of coromandell , where he ended his preaching with his life . . christianity being now utterly corrupt in some parts of asia , and quite lost in others , the portugues arms , accompanied by apostolical ministers , went thither to restore it . the first who baptized in that part of asia was f. peter de cubillones of the holy order of the blessed trinity , and confessor to the first discoverer , vasco de gama . . the most successful labourers after him were in india the vicar michael vaz , and iames de borba , and other religious of the order of st. francis. in the moluco islands , captain francis de castro , who converted five kings in the island mazacar . captain antony de payva , who in the same island baptized two kings and their courts in one day . others are named in their proper places in this history , and will doubtless be recorded in the book of life . . this was the estate of christianity in asia , when its new apostle st. francis xaverius , of the society of jesus came thither . he travelled more than is credible , and did more than human works . he was born of a noble family at pamplona in navarre in the year , studied and taught philosophy and divinity at paris , whence he went companion to st. ignatius loyola , followed his rule , and received holy orders at venice . . he came to portugal in order to pass into india in the year , and the reign of king iohn the third , who sent for him and a companion from rome . he had the dignity of apostolical nuncio in the east ; and during the voyage , and in india , was called holy father . he preached in the island zocotora , at goa and travancor , where he was persecuted . it cost him no less pains to reclaim the portugueses , debauched with the riches of asia , than to convert infidels . in the island ceylon he converted the king of candea , went thence to the moluco's , and gained many souls . after several times traversing the islands , india , and other parts , he went to iapan , and , with the prince's leave , preached at cangoxima , and suffered many afflictions , then went to firando , yamanguchi and miaco , where with great pains he planted the faith. then he returned to malaca , after converting the king of bungo , who soon after died a christian , being called francis in baptism . . next he prepared to go into china , and died at the entrance of it in the island sancham , in the fifty-fifth year of his age , and the eleventh of his preaching , having first foretold the day of his death , which was the second of december about midnight : his body the year following was translated to goa . he had the gift of languages and prophecy , and was canonized by pope gregory the th , in the year . he had many disciples and companions , who wrought and endured much , and were held in opinion of sanctity . . we have already spoke of the first entrance of christianity into ethiopia , india , iapan , persia , and arabia , and of its restauration by the portugueses ; now we will say somewhat relating to the same in china ; there are still undeniable testimonies that st. thomas spread the evangelical doctrine there , and though no footsteps of it appeared , the same had happened in all india , had not thomas called cananeus an armenian christian , about the year come to mogodover or patana , who renewing the apostles churches , and building others , resettled the christian religion , and gave occasion to the mistake ( because both had the same name ) in believing they were all the work of the sormer . the same happened in china , as shall be made appear ; the time christianity was forgot in both places , differs not much , for as it appears , thomas-cananeus re-established it in india about the year eight hundred , so it is plain by what shall be said , that about the year seven hundred it began again to take footing in china . . let us first speak of the antient and then of the modern testimonies . in the caldaick books of the indian christians still remaining at cranganor , and particularly in a breviary , there is a lesson to this purpose ; by st. thomas the errors of the idolatry of india were abolished ; by st. thomas the chineses and ethiopians were converted to the truth ; by st. thomas &c. by st. thomas were spread in all india , the rays of the doctrine of life ; by st. thomas flew to the chineses the kingdom of heaven . and again in an antiphon , the indians , chineses , the persians and islanders , those of siria , armenia , grecia , and romania , in commemoration of st. thomas , offer adoration to thy holy name . among the islanders may well be reckoned the iaponeses ; in the summary of the synodical constitutions , and chapter of those that are canonical , there is a canon of the patriarch theodosius , in which are these words , so also the bishops of the great province , as are most of the metropolitans of china . when the portugueses entered india , the governor of the malabar mountains , called iacoh , stiled himself , metropolitan of india and china ; paulus venetus a true historian in all points , that can now be proved , assures in his time , there were in china many christians who had sumptuous churches , and names the cities in which they were . the fathers of the society of jesus had an account of people who worshipped the cross. the cause why the christians and their churches were quite extinct , and no footsteps of them remains , is that they having favoured the tartar when he invaded china about three hundred years since , he being overcome by the chineses , many of them were killed , the rest fled , and all that had been theirs was totally extirpated . . in the year , digging for a foundation near siganfu , metropolis of the province of xensi , there was found a flat stone above spans in length , in breadth , and one in thickness ; one end of it goes off sharp like a pyramid , on it is cut a cross , the ends of it adorned with flower de luces like that found in the tomb of st. thomas the apostle , about it are clouds , and at the foot of it three lines , each containing three chinese letters , all the superficies of the stone is full of those characters , and the edges , only that on these are some sirian characters , containing the names of the bishops then in being . the governor of the town set it up there , under an arch within the inclosure of a temple . the three first lines have these words , a monument in praise and eternal memory , of the propogating the law of light ; and truth come from iudea into china . then over the rest of the writing is this title ; the prologue made by the priest of the kingdom of iudea called quimein . . the substance of the inscription is this : that the most spiritual , incomprehensible and eternal is without beginning or end ; that the beginning is three and one without having a beginning . lord olooyu ; that he formed the four parts of the world in the figure of a cross ; that he framed all creatures and man ; that man perverted from his innocence , fell into the snares of satan ; that hence sprang three hnndred sixty five sects ; that some assigned divinity to creatures , and others believed all was a meer nothing ; that all was full of errors and confusion ; that then the messiah , concealing his majesty by becoming man , appeared to the world ; that an angel coming to declare the mystery to a virgin , she brought forth the holy ; that a star appeared , denoting his birth , and those of the kingdom of pozu went to offer him tribute , all suitable to what the twenty-four saints had said ; that he proposed to the world the most pure law , and filled it with light and virtues , opening the way to life , and shutting that of death ; that he overcame the dark seat , and the devil was destroyed , and man made capable of ascending to the bright seats ; that at noon day he ascended into heaven , and there remained twenty-seven books of the holy scriptures ; that he opened the gate of conversion by the water that purifies ; that his ministers used the holy cross , and stayed not in one country , nor had servants , nor looked for riches ; that they seven times offered sacrifice of sweet odor , wherewith they helped the living and dead ; that every seven days they offered and purified the heart to receive the holy innocence ; that no proper name could be given to the true law , and for want of another they called it , the law of light ; that in the year of chinquon kieiça , there came from iudea a man of great virtue , called olopuem , with the true doctrine ; that this was received throughout all the kingdom , and churches erected ; that afterwards some change of affairs happening , it grew weak , but in the time of the great tam , the holy gospel returned to china ; that in the year of ximbie , the priests iohn and paul redressed all , and new churches were erected ; that in the reign of the great tam , the second year kienchum , on the seventh day of the month of autumn , this stone was set up , kinçin governor of the church of china being bishop . . by this venerable piece of antiquity it appears , that the christian faith was planted in china about the year six hundred thirty-one . from it also may be inferr'd , that st. thomas first preached there , but that christianity being almost forgot , those priests of iudea and kings of china restored it , as has been shown it happened in india . so that what the portugueses , assisted by other european religious men now perform , is a second re-establishment of the faith. . about the year , fernan mendez pinto had this following information in china . he was travelling from the city mindoo to that of peking , and seeing by the way the ruins of another , was informed , that about two hundred years before it was a most flourishing place . that a holy man coming thither raised some dead to life , and preached of jesus christ , and his vicar upon earth ; that the heathen priests designing to burn him , he quenched the fire , making the sign of the cross over it ; that they stoned him to death , and being thrown into a river , the stream stood still five days , the holy body being born upon the superficies all the time ; that this occasioned the conversion of many people , of which there was a great number in that province . further upon a mountain was a stone cross , which this writer saw some people worship , pronouncing these words : christ iesus ; mary conceived him being a virgin , brought him forth a virgin , and remained a virgin. these were disciples descended from a weaver , called iohn , in whose house that holy martyr was entertained . they preserve a book of his life , which says his name was matthew escandel , by birth an hungarian , and had been an heremite on mount sinai . that history related , that he being taken out of the river and buried nine days after , the city was swallowed up with four thousand bonzos , who only durst stay in it , the people having abandoned it , by reason of the earthquakes that happened before . . at the same time the same writer found in the cities sampitay and quiangsi of china , many christians who had been converted twenty-five years before , which was sixty years before the jesuits entered china , which is now one hundred and fourteen years since . and this is the reason those fathers found some monuments of christianity , but so obscure that little could be made out by them . . the same feruand mendez relates , that in the city timplan , the court of the emperor of caminam , a borderer on china , he found most ancient monuments of the christian faith , and some account of the holy scripture . those people said , that the creation of the world was the work of the will of the creator ; that he was not visible , nor to be felt ; that there were eighty-two thousand moons since the earth was separated from the water ; that on earth god had created a most delightful garden , and placed therein the first man called adda , and his wife baragom : that he forbid them the fruit of the tree hisaforam , and they transgressing this command , all men became liable to the punishment of that guilt : that the man broke the precept , being deceived by the woman , and she by the serpent lupantoo : that for this disobedience they were cast out of that delightful place : that by reason of the sinfulness of man , god had drowned the world ; that only one just man with his family escaped in a wooden house , and by them mankind was restored : that god would punish the wicked , and reward the good : that one iohn , a disciple of thomas modeliar , ( a servant of god , whom the citizens of digun killed , because he preached that god became man , and suffered death for the sins of men ) had preached the same in that country , and lost his life for so doing . thomas modeliar is the apostle st. thomas . the people of calaminam own the blessed trinity ; when they sneeze they say some words that declare it , and they make the sign of the cross. . the last testimony was discovered in the year , but the thing in it self is at least as antient as the stone already spoken of . some heathens passing through a street in a village near the city civenche●… of the province of fokien , by night saw lights on some stones that lay there , and turning them up , found on that part which had lain next the ground crosses carved . a jesuit examining into it , caused the stone on which the greatest light appeared to be fixed in a decent place , as a monument of the miracle , and of our religion in those parts . . we shall speak of what was done by the religious of the society of jesus in order to the reparation of christianity in this empire in the proper place , and third tome of this our asia . they entred upon this undertaking in the year , which was the the last under our portugues princes who yet expired not without this glory . in the year , they founded the first church at xauking . the rest of their proceedings we refer to the third tome , beginning under the spanish monarchs , as this has ended with the portugueses . the end of the second tome . the portugues asia : or , the history of the discovery and conquest of india by the portugues ; containing all their discoveries from the coast of africk , to the farthest parts of china and iapan ; all their battels by sea and land , sieges and other memorable actions ; a description of those countries , and many particulars of the religion , government and customs of the natives , &c. in three tomes . written in spanish by manuel de faria y sousa , knight . of the order of christ. translated into english by capt. iohn stevens . tome the second . london , printed for c. brome , at the sign of the gun , at the west-end of st. pauls . . dedicated to her most sacred majesty , catherine , queen dowager of england , &c. the preface . when almighty god , the only founder of empires , is so pleased with a people , as to possess them of a new one , he generally endows the first founders with a wonderful proportion of heroick virtues , as sincerity , magnanimity , valour , majesty , and an almost more than mortal staidness : the solid foundations to support the greatest monarchies . such founders rarely exceeded three in number . let the learned ( by the help of this not yet vulgar remark ) seek foreign examples ; it shall be my care only to shew those of my own country . the kingdom of portugal was founded by three heroes , ( henry , alfonso , and sancho ) most visibly adorned with a●… those virtues which merit to erect imperial thrones , and from them to command many kings , many princes , and many nations . their successors began to decline . the dominion , the same distributer of power was pleased to give them in asia , was also founded on three , as appears in the beginning of this work : they were duarie pacheco , d. francisco de almeyda , and alfonso de albuquerque . scarce had they one successor who did not manifestly decline , or at least had a mixture of valour and timerousness , of moderation and covetousness , with that unhappy distinction , that still the timerousness and avarice were most predominant . no living creature puts away his young ones , till they can shift for themselves : so almighty god , when he erects monarchies , cherishes them with particular care , till they gather strength , and then ( tho' he does not wholly abandon ) puts them into the hands of men , that they may perceive the difference between the divine and human care. let an unbiassed judgment here reflect upon the exploits of the portugueses in gaining this asiatick crown , and it will appear that only pacheco could have forged it with that fiery heart , which melted the arms and riches of the obstinate zamori ; that only almeyda could have filed and polished it , by applying his own and his son's sword , which brought it into form by humbling the turkish pride ; and that only the great albuquerque , giving the finishing stroaks , could have set in it the most precious jewels of goa , malaca and ormuz . for they so far removed from their country , that they had not only lost sight , but even the hopes and memory of it , entring with a few indifferent vessels and a most inconsiderable number of men , where scarce a tree offered them a secure shade , amidst numerous and well armed squadrons and castles , and through showers of heavy ball and poisoned arrows ; by the force of their swords opened deep trenches , raised high walls , and secured to themselves famous cities and large countries . let those who have since acted less , having so good a ground to perform much more , not take it ill if we say , that the bounds of our dominions in india , are almost reduced to what they were in the beginning . it is true , some of the successors ( a few among so many ) added something to the foundation ; but it was an inconsiderable copy of the great original . it is also true , others valiantly desended that ●…dation , but it was an indispensable duty . let not timerous spirits call this a rash iudgment , which the brave will only style unbiassed ; or say , we endeavour to lessen the merits of hero's ; our only design , is to shew the ways and means the giver of crowns takes to frame and deliver them to mortals ; and how far less capable they are to maintain , than he to form them . the divine providence gave a sufficient demonstration hereof in the erecting this empire , and they no less in diminishing of it . hereof we have seen much already , and shall see yet more ; yet not without singular acts of valour : that it may be manifest the cause of our ruin is , that the souls are not always the same ; for the hearts always are . the contents . tom . i. part i. chap. i. the government of the vice-roy d. garcia de noronha , from the year , till the year , in the reign-of king john the third , page chap. ii. continues the government of the vice-roy , d. garcia de noronha , p. chap. iii. the government of d. stephen de gama , from the year , till the year , in the reign of king john the third , p. chap. iv. goes on with the government of d. stephen de gama , p. chap. v. sundry exploits of captain antony faria , from the year , till that of , during the government of d. stephen de gama , p. chap. vi. continues the exploits of antony de faria , p. chap. vii . continues still the exploits of antony de faria , in the government of d. stephen de gama , and the year , p. chap. viii . concludes with the actions of antony de faria , p. chap. ix . continues the government of d. stephen de gama , and contains the actions of his brother d. christopher in ethiopia , p. chap. x. the end of the government of d. stephen de gama , p. chap. xi . the government of martin alfonso de sousa , from the year , till the year , in the reign of king john the third , p. chap. xii . continues the government of martin alfonso de sousa , p. chap. xiii . continues the government of martin alfonsa de sousa , p. chap. xiv . the end of the government of martin alfonso de sousa , and of the first part of this tome , p. tom . ii. part ii. chap. i. the government of d. john de castro , from the year , till the year , in the reign of king john the third , p. chap. ii. continues the government of d. john de castro , and siege of diu , p. chap. iii. continues the siege of diu , the governour d. john de castro comes in person to its relief , p. chap. iv. continues the government of d. john de castro , and reign of king john the third , p. chap. v. the end of the government d. john de castro , p. chap. vi. the government of garcia de sá , from the year , till the year , in the reign of king john the third , p. chap. vii . the government of george cabral , from the year , till the year , in the reign of king john the third , p. chap. viii . continues the government of george cabral , p. chap. ix . the government of the vice-roy d. alfonso de noronha , from the year , till , in the reign of king john the third , p. chap. x. continues the government of the vice-roy , d. alfonso de noronha , p. chap. xi . the government of the vice-roy d. peter de mascarenhas , from the year , till , king john the third still reigning , p. chap. xii . the government of francis barreto , from the year , till , in the reign of king john the third , p. chap. xiii . the end of the government of francis barreto , p. chap. xiv . the government of the vice-roy d. constantin de braganza , from the year , till , in the reign of king sebastian , p. chap. xv. continues the government of the vice-roy d. constantin , in the reign of king sebastian , p. chap. xvi . the end of the government of the vice-roy d. constantin , p. chap. xvii . the government of the vice-roy d. francis coutinho , count de redondo , from the year , till , in the reign of king sebastian , p. chap. xviii . the government of john de mendoza , for six months of the year ●… , in the reign of king sebastian , p. tom . ii. part iii. chap. i. the government of the vice-roy d. anton. de noronha , from the year , till , in the reign of king sebastian , p. chap. ii. continues the government of d. anton. de noronha , chap. iii. continues the government of d. anton. de noronha , in the reign of king sebastian , p. chap. iv. the end of the government of the vice-roy d. anton. de noronha , p. chap. v. the government of the vice-roy d. luis de ataide , count de atouguia ; from the year , till , in the reign of king sebastian , p. chap. vi. continues the government of the vice-roy d. luis de ataide , p. chap. vii . the dangerous sieges of goa and chaul ; and first of the foremost , continuing the government of d. luis de ataide , and reign of king sebastian , p , chap. viii . continues the siege of goa , and government of d. luis de ataide , p. chap. ix . the siege of chaul , p. chap. x. continues the siege of chaul , p. chap. xi . the proceedings ●…f zamori upon this occasion , and during the government of d. luis de ataide , p. chap. xii . the government of the vice-roy d. antony de noronha , from the year till , in the reign of king sebastian , p. chap. xiii . the siege of malaca , with other occurrences , and end of the government of d. antony de noronha , p. chap. xiv . the government of antony moniz barreto , from the year till , in the reign of king sebastian , p. ●… chap. xv. the government of francis barreto in monomotapa , beginning in the year , in the reign of king sebastian , p. ●… chap. xvi . continues the government of francis barreto , in monomotapa , p. chap. xvii . the government of vasco fernandez homem in monomotapa , in the reign of king sebastian , p. chap. xviii . of the vice-roy ruy lorenzo de tavors , and the government of d. james de meneses , from the year till , in the reign of king sebastian , p. chap. xix . the count d. luis de ataide is the second time vice-roy of india ; he set out in the year , and governs till , and is the last sent out by king sebastian , p. chap. xx. the government of ferdinand tellez de meneses , who was named by the governours of portugal , upon the decease of the cardinal king henry , in the year , p. tom . ii. part iv. chap. i. of the gods , superstitions and opinions of the asiaticks , particularly the indians , and among them the malabars , ●… chap. ii. the metamorphoses , or transformations , p. chap. iii. other metamorphoses , and the consequences of them ; of the god brama , and the foundation of pagods ; an account of the famousest of them , p. chap iv. a continuation of the same matter , p. chap. v. of the offices , 〈◊〉 , ceremoies , b●…rials , and other things , p. chap. vi. continues the same s●…ct , p. chap. vii . of the empire of aethiopia , and first of the kingdoms and provinces into which it is divided ; of the progress of christianity therein , and of the product of the land , p. ●… chap. viii . of ●…he laws , customs and religion of the empire of ethiopia , p. chap. ix . of ●…he nature of the country of ethiopia , of its towns and kings it has had , and of the entrance and expulsion of our doctrine , p. chap. x. the islands of japan , p. chap. xi . a further account of japan , chap. xii . of the great empire of china , and first of its situation , division into provinces , of its product , ar●…s ●…nd commerce , p. chap. xiii . of the provinces into which china is divided , p. chap. xiv . of the people of china , their c●…stoms , inclinations and studies , p. chap. xv. a continuation of the same subject , p. chap. xvi . of the marriages , burials , ceremonies , sacrifices , and belief of the chineses , p. chap. xvii . of the original of the kingdom of china , the palace and government of it , p. chap. xviii . of the royal marriages , nobility , counsels , and government of china in peace and war , p. chap. xix . the division of the dominions the portugueses do , or have possessed in those parts , commonly comprehended under the general name of india : some remarks on the customs and religion of those people , with some account of the christians of st. thomas , and of the island of ceylon , p. chap. xx. of the memory there is of the preaching the gospel of christ in all asia , and its islands , particularly by the apostle saint thomas in those parts mentioned in this history , and of the extirpation and reparation of the same , p. the portugues asia . tom , ii. part i. chap. i. the government of the vice-roy d. garcia de noronha , from the year , till the year , in the reign of king john the third . . in the month of november d. garcia de noronha the vice-roy began to take upon him the administration of affairs in india . he had set out of lisbon with sail , and arrived with , and in them three thousand fighting men ; many of note . one of the ships was never heard of , which was esteemed a judgment ; because it was full of malefactors taken out of gaols . whose punishment was changed into transportation . . though this fleet was fitted out chiefly to oppose the turks , who now oppressed india ; yet the vice-roy suffered them to batter diu , without relieving it farther , than with the hopes of relief . antony de sylva meneses was the second that was sent thither with small vessels , and came late ; yet contended with the great antony de silveyra for the honour of that victory : so much he valued , having been only a witness of it . the vice-roy was ready to sail for diu with a fleet of sail of several sorts , and in them five thousand fighting men and a pieces of cannon , when the advice came that the turks had raised the siege . he was overjoy'd ( it is not known for what ) and discharging the merchant-ships that were ready to attend him retained ninety . with these he set out for diu , but sailed so slowly , that it appeared as if some ill omen threatned his ruin there , since he avoided not only seeing of it in danger , but even now in peace . it s quiet was disturbed by lurcan and coje zofar , who ranged about with fire and sword. the vice-roy heard of this at dabul , and sent against them martin alfonso de melo with his galley , and the vessels that went with antony de sylva . he went ; but being hard set by the enemy , was forced to take shelter under the fort. the vice-roy at the same slow rate removed to bacaim , nothing moved with the news he received from diu. it was murmured , he either consulted his safety or his private interest . but when least expected , he steered thither on the first of ianuary ; when a storm rising , which lasted eight days , dispersed the fleet into several ports ; two gallies , and some other vessels , perished . . the first thing the vice-roy attended to , was to hear d. gonzalo vaz confino , who came with five small vessels from onor , whither he had been sent by the late governor nuno de cuna upon this occasion . one of solyman's gallies , that had been at diu , was forcod into that port ; and 't was thought that queen ( then a widow ) violated the peace concluded with us by protecting it . gonçalo vaz calling her to account , she answered , the gally was there against her will she not being in a condition to binder it ; but should be glad it were taken by our vessels . the captain attempted it , and after a sharp engagement was forced to desist , having lost men , and among them his son iames. he suspected the queen had assisted the enemy , and refusing some refreshment she sent for the wounded men , returned some rash words mixed with threats . the queen cleared her self , and again offered peace , which was concluded , and some portugueses left in that port , to observe what the queen did towards expelling the turks . . we will conclude this year with the memory of the arrival of six ships at lisbon from india , rather for the bones than the riches they carried . in one of them was the body of the great d. vasco de gama , which the king caused to be laid in his tomb , with the greatest magnificence that has been seen in this kingdom . . this year peter de faria the second time was made commander of the famous fort of malaca . immediately resorted to him embassadors from the neighbouring kings , to congratulate and confirm peace with us . the first was of the bataas in sumatra , upon the ocean where the island of gold was imagined to be , and which we earnestly desired to discover ; but that design being later , we will then speak of this embassy . the second was of aaru in sumatra ; both demanded assistance against him of achem. faria had not yet taken possession of the command , which still d. stephen de gama held for a few weeks . one excused himself , because his power was expiring ; the other , because he had not yet commenced . whereas both ought to joyn in relieving that king , as well because his fidelity merited it , as because his kingdom lay between malaca and achem , and served us for a bulwark . gama was most in fault , being in possession , and much pressed by faria to grant it . but we shall soon see him more blameable , refusing then what he now urged should be granted . such the inconstancy of man. . afterwards peter de faria sent that king some relief ; but it was inconsiderable and came late . the king of achem sent against him his brother-in-law heredim mahomet with vessels , all of oars , and fighting men. he from the mouth of the river puneticam battered aaru's fortifications , but to no effect ; so he landed and entred the works : but was again beaten out , with loss of men and canon . the besiegers persisting some days , lose men. they bribe an officer of the besieged , who treacherously led the king to a dangerous place , where he was killed by a musquet-ball . the enemy enters the works , and putting all ( even the sick ) to the sword , flew . the body of the dead king was carried to him of achem , who caused it to be cut in pieces and boiled in oil. . the queen of aaru , who was in a wood , hearing the death of her husband , would have burnt her self alive ; but being hindred , with about men fell upon the achems , who were plundering the city , and slew . being too weak to proceed , she returned to the woods , and from thence made excursions ; but not able to hold out , went over to malaca with about persons in her retinue , in vessels . peter de faria sent his son alvaro , who had the command of the sea , to receive her upon the river with pomp and grandeur . . faria treated her with much respect ; but kept her four months with only promises of succour , till she despairing , publickly reproached him for this neglect , and he without any regard gave no other answer , than turning his back . private interest drew away the commander from the performance of what he owed to a royal matron , who for her husbands sake deserved our aid , for her misfortunes our pity , and for her merit . respect . . the afflicted widow went to the king of ujantana , then at bintam , who scandalized at peter de faria's proceedings , offered assistance , and married her , to have the better title to pretend to the kingdom of aaru . he sent his embassador to achem , to demand that crown as his right by marriage . the tyrant would not hear the embassador , nor receive the present he brought , which is the greatest affront among those princes ; but sent a letter full of reproaches , saying among other things , his letter had been writ upon the wedding-table . . the king of ujantana provoked by this affront , immediately set out sail under the command of his admiral lacxemena , who anchored before the fort of puneticam , and carried it at the first assault , killing achems , and their commander morat arraez a turk . . by this time heredim mahomet was sailing that way with such another fleet , and in it fighting men. the two fleets met , and after a sharp engagement , heredim being killed by a canon-ball , his men dismayed , and most of the fleet was taken by lacxemena , most of the achems slain , and only vessels got off . . the king of achem caused the captains to be beheaded , because they fled , and the souldiers beards to be cut off , and that upon pain of being sawed alive they should ever wear womens habit , with a sort of tabor in their hands ; and whenever they affirmed any thing upon oath , they should say , as i hope to see my husband safe ; or else , as i hope to see the children i have bore prosper . this was put in execution , and let it not seem strange ; for in the time of king sebastian , two gentlemen for cowardise were condemned either to be beheaded , or walk the city of lisbon with a spinning-rock at their girdle , and one of them chose this last . . but above years after this , in , the king of ujantana possessing aaru without apprehension , he of achem furiously fell upon and took him and his women , and put them all to death with barbarous torments . the kingdom of aaru he gave to his eldest son , who after died before malaca , as shall appear in its place . chap. ii. continues the government of the vice roy , d. garcia de noronha . . let us return to our vice-roy , whom we left at sea. after the danger and loss above related , he entred the port of diu with sail. he applauded , as was due the bravery of antony de silveyra , repaired the fort , and delivered it to iames lopez de sousa , to whom the command was given by the king. let it suffice once for all to note , that these commands are always given by the king , and so many successors named , that many of them are in their graves before they succeed in the post. a treaty of peace was set on foot , and concluded little to our advantage ; which the common vogue ( i know not whether infallible ) attributed to covetousness . . ruy lorenço de tavora , commander of bazaim , was close shut up in his fort by the forces of the king of cambaia , who were masters of the field , after having done all that could be expected from him . the vice-roy sent to his relief tristan de ataide , late commander of malaca , with a galeon and barques well manned . the two being joyned , repulsed the enemy with very considerable loss of men , baggage and reputation . mean while the vice-roy prosecuted the works at diu , and sent martin alfonso de melo to command at ormuz , peter de faria to malaca the second time , and michael ferreyra a gentleman of worth , years of age , with small vessels and men , to assist the king of cota in ceylon against his brother madune pandar , king of ceitavaca , who distressed him . ferreira did great damage in several towns , abandoned by the inhabitants . in the port of putulam he surprized pate marcar's fleet , consisting of paraos , and easily gained them ; and with the same success carried the works and cannon ashoar , though defended by men. he anchored in the bay of columbo with the ships , cannon and other booty . then he marched to cota ; thence towards ceitavaca at the head of the army of the king he relieved , destroying all before him ; and seeking madune , who had men , saw them fly to the shelter of the woods . thence he sent to beg peace , which was granted upon condition he should send the heads of some morish officers , especially patè and cunale marcar . he opposed this condition as much as he could , but there being no other medium to appease his adversary , consented , and killing them two and others , sent heads upon as many spears , a present so acceptable to ferreyra , that he presently made peace between him and cota , and went off himself with honour . . the same time the vice-roy sent ferdinand de morales with a great galeon , laden on the kings account , to trade at pegu. as soon as arrived at that port , the king won him with promises and favours , to aid him against the king of brama , who invaded that country with such a power , that the two armies consistssed of two millions of men and elephants . morales went into a galliot , and commanding the fleet of pegu , made great havock among the enemies ships . brama came on by land like a torrent , carrying all before him , and his fleet covering the river , though as great as ganges . with this power he easily gained the city and kingdom of pegu. ferdinand morales met the fleet with his , in respect of the other scarce visible , at the point ginamarreca , where was a furious , bloody and desperate fight . but the pegu's overpowred by the brama's deserted morales , who alone in his galeot maintained himself against the enemies , performing wonders with vast slaughter of them , till oppressed by the multitude he was killed . but the memory of his bravery still lives among those people . . the cause of this revolt of brama , who was tributary to pegu , was this : above brama's laboured in the king of pegu's works , this being one condition of their vassalage . the king used to visit them with his women , because they delighted to see foreigners and the notable works , and never carried any other company . the labourers ( what wickedness would not they in idleness invent , who thought so much in their labour ) resolved to rob the queens or concubins , and suddenly murdered the king , stripped them and fled to their country . dacha rupi , heirto the deceased , was not only deprived of means of revenging this villany , but even of maintaining himself , for many of his subjects rebelled . parà mandarà , king of the brama's , desiring to enlarge his empire , and seeing that his pickaxes and shovels had opened a way to his cimiters and standards , rushes out with that violence , and over-runs the kingdoms of the lanjoes , laos , iangoma's , and others , that like his were tributaries to pegu. thus this tyrant possessed himself of his ancient kingdom of ava , that extends two months travel at ordinary journeys , and contains cities . on the n. e. a months journey , is that of the turks , containing as many cities , which the king of pegu had taken from him of cathay . the kingdom of bimir lies west of ava , of the same extent , and has populous cities . north of this that of lanjam , of equal greatness , has cities , and great store of gold and silver . on the east is that of mamprom , as great , but has only cities ; on the east it borders on cochinchina , on the south with siam , afterwards conquered by brama ; and east of this is the great kingdom of cambodia . all the inhabitants of these kingdoms are pagans , and the most superstitious of all the east . they believe in one only god ; but in time of need have recourse to many idols . of these they have some dedicated to the secret acts and necessities of nature , in the same form they are performed . they hold the immortality of the soul ; are zealous in giving alms , and bear great reverence to their religious men. these are very numerous , follow a rule , and keep a choir much like ours ; they live upon what is given them that day , without keeping any thing for the next ; they eat neither fish nor flesh , because they kill nothing that has life ; their cloaths are yellow cassocks and cloaks , with hats of oiled paper ; they observe lent and easter after the christian manner . whence may be inferred , that these are some remains of the doctrine of st. thomas the apostle , though mixed with many errors . the people are all white , the women very beautiful . their bodies are all wrought blue with hot irons down to the knees . in general , they are not only not civilized , but very brutal . . the vice-roy being at goa , d. iohn de albuquerque , a spaniard , presented him king iohn's patent , by which all the conquests from the cape of good hope , to india , were made subject to his diocess , with liberty to erect the church of st. catherine of that city into a cathedral . the patent was obeyed , and thus a spaniard was the first prelate of the conquests ; as if spain had now taken the power in spirituals , it was afterwards to possess in temporals . at this time the guzaratas streightned ruy lorenco de tavora in baçaim . he sallies with men , and put them to the rout . coje zofar comes on with his men , and puts him into a dangerous condition . george de lima , commander of chaul , having notice hereof , sent men with speed , with which assistance the enemy was repulsed , and time given to repair the damage received . . four ships arrived in india from portugal , to return with merchandize . in one of them the great antony de sylveyra imbarqued . the flag-ship perished in her return , and was never heard of ; but silveyra arrived safe at lisbon , and had scarce anchored , when the great men of the court came aboard to conduct him to the king and princes , who with joy waited to see and honour him : and no wonder , since all the christian princes visited him by their embassadors , led by the admiration of his glorious exploits . the french embassador had his picture drawn , which was hung up in the gallery of fame among the other hero's . he was of a middle stature , strong built ; of a clear judgment , ready wit , a great heart , and very liberal . his liberality did as much at diu , as his valour ; for it is vain for a miser ever to expect to purchase glorious victories : yet this virtue was prejudicial to him in portugal ; for the king having appointed him governour of india , was disswaded by some , who said , that empire was too little for his bounty . . the late success of our arms , chiefly in cambaya , terrified all the eastern princes , our enemies ; so that nizamaluco and hidalcam immediately sent their embassadors to confirm the last peace concluded with them . zamori , to obtain the more favourable reception with the vice-roy , took emanuel de brito , commander of the fort of chale , for his mediator . brito promised his interest , and accompanied the embassador china cutiale , who came to goa with a splendid retinue . the vice-roy received him with courtesie and grandeur . the peace was concluded much to our credit . had not the vice-roy fallen sick , he designed to go to calicut , to perform the ceremony of swearing to the observation of the articles ; but sent his son d. alvaro to this purpose , under the direction of discreet men , because he was young . they came to panane with a numerous fleet , where that prince expected them , accompanied by the kings of chale and tanor . they met with great demonstrations of joy ; the peace was sworn , and lasted years , which was one of the greatest blessings we enjoyed in india . . about the beginning of ianuary this treaty was concluded , and the vice-roy sent towards cambaya , d. peter de castellobranco , with sail , who returned to god without any action of note . iohn de sepulveda coming from ormuz , and hearing that ruy lorenço de tavora was streightned by the enemy in baçaim , relieved him with diligence ; and they forced the enemy to leave the field . antony carvallo , with small vessels , went to seek some pirates that coursed between baticala and anchediva . they fled ; but being overtaken , were destroyed , their ships burnt , and the country laid waste . carvallo returned with honour to goa , where the vice-roy growing so weak , he could not attend the government , he proposed a worthy person might be chose to supply his place , and then said , it should be no other than his son d. alvaro . this surprized all men , being a violation of the publick liberty of choice : and might have proved of dangerous consequence , had not his death prevented it ; for sometimes it is expedient one should dye for the good of the people . . the vice-roy being dead , the first patent of succession was opened , and martin alfonso de sousa was therein named , who not long before was gone to portugal . the second being opened , named d. steven de gama , who lived indisposed without the city . all rejoyced at the election , as few were grieved at the death of the predecessor , who nevertheless was honourably interr'd . his picture represents him in the ancient habit of portugal●… , all black lined in crimson . he was the third vice-roy , and eleventh governor , but first of the name , and held it a year and seven months . his son d. alvaro came to portugal , and brought with him two embassadors of the king of cota . he desired of king iohn , that in case he had no son , his grand-child might be sworn king. to this effect the embassadors brought his image in gold , which held in its hand a crown set with jewels , for the king to crown the statue with . the king did it publickly , with much solemnity , and the embassadors returned well pleased , as dispatched to their prince's satisfaction . chap. iii. the government of d. stepen de gama , from the year , till the year , in the reign of king john the third . . don stephen entred upon the government the beginning of april ; he was son of d. vasco de gama . the first thing he did , was to cause all he had to be publickly valued , that it might not be thought afterwards he had got his estate by that government ; at the end whereof it was found considerably diminished . the first act was hard to be imitated ; so the second , which was , that he advanced a great sum to the publick , seeing the treasury exhausted . next , he refitted the fleet , which was laid up . the care of temporals did not lessen his attention to spirituals ; so he founded the colledge of st. faith , for the heathen youths that are converted : this was the second colledge erected in that empire , and the first at goa ; and the first rector of it was that singular person the vicar general michael vaz . he sent his brother d. christopher , young in years , but not in ability , to attend the repairing the ships at cochin . he sent advice to several commanders , in order to be in a readiness to oppose the rumes , who , it was said , were sailing towards our coasts . d. christopher set out with men against the king of porca and a caymal of his , because they had robbed sebastian de sousa coming from maldivia , and refused to make restitution . he marched up the country , slew many of the enemy , and routed the rest ; beheaded the caymal , and laid the country waste ; which produced an advantagious peace , and an agreement between this king and him of pimienta . . being advertized , that the rumes could not set out this year , he attended other affairs . emanuel de vasconcelos was sent with sail to the coast of malabar ; and antony de castelobranco with to cambaya . scarce were they gone , when ships arrived from portugal . they carried new orders from the king , as dangerous as they were new ; for whoever deprives men of the hopes of advancement , takes away their courage . such were these , being the sullen thoughts of ministers , who thinking all too little for themselves , think every thing too much for others . the ships being sent to cochin , to load and return home ; d. stephen prepared to set out for the red sea , in order to burn the turkish gallies at zues ; but first he sent some commanders to the post assigned them . . when badur , king of cambaya , made over the lands of baçaim to the portugueses , he took them from bramaluco , a brave man , to whom he had before given them . he thought the death of the vice-roy d. garcia , furnished him a convenient opportunity to regain them by surprize . he set out of damam , in the dead of winter , with horse and foot. ruy lorenço de tavora , commander of that fort , considering if the enemy once took footing , it would be hard to remove them ; sets out with portugueses , the later number were horse and men of known valour . the foot he divided into four battalions , and reserved to himself the horse and about blacks . hearing the enemy was lodged in the village baylam , two leagues up the country , he resolved to surprize him at noon , when they use to bathe . half a league from the place he halted to rest the men ; and the enemy having intelligence thereof , came on with such diligence and secrecy , that they had put them to the sword , had not ferdinand de silva , who led the van with much bravery , given a check to their fury . antony de sotomayor relieved him , already wounded in the leg , was himself wounded and lost some men ; but did great execution . this gave tavora time to make ready , whose furious coming up made great havock . our men turning back to back , and facing the enemy round , did wonders . ruy lorenço , with his horse ranging about , did them great harm , till falling on their flank many were slain , the rest fled without hopes . . next , he resolved to take a great ship of bramaluco's , that was newly finished in the dock of agaçaim . he marched thither by land , and d. luis de ataide went by water . the latter by force of arms made his way to the city , at such time as the other was reducing it to ruins ; breaking through a multitude of enemies , who endeavoured to stop his fury , each of them lost six men. d. luis landed , and both together cleared the field , unpeopled the city , and then set fire to it . the ship was carried to the port of baçaim , and for many years traded to lisbon . bramaluco sued for peace , and he being a suspected subject of cambaya , our governour treated with that king , and by this means secured the former peace , and obtained a grant of half the customs , whereof only the third part was offered before . . let us now return to the fleet , in which the governour was to sail . his great liberality brought him more men than he desired , whereof he chose the best . the fleet consisted of sail of sundry sorts and sizes , and carried two thousand men. . while this fleet was fitting , the king of achem falling upon the king of the bataas unexpectedly , made a great slaughter of his people , killing among the rest three sons he rather adored than loved the king desirous of revenge , sent his brother-in-law embassadour to peter de faria , then commanding at malaca . the embassy was to confirm the peace before concluded , and desire assistance of arms and ammunition ; and the better to obtain it , sent him a rich present , and offered a free trade in his dominions , which abound in gold , pepper , benjamin and camphir . faria , who was intent upon profit , as well as his king's service , plentifully supplied him with arms and ammunition , offering his utmost assistance , and entertaining the embassadour with splendour . the king of bataa attacked his enemy with resolution ; but was beaten after having almost gained the victory , and retired with great grief to his city panaaju . here he dispatched pinto , sent thither by faria to trade , who narrowly escaped being lost in the river parles of the kingdom of queda , by reason of the revolution had then hapned in the city of that name , the court of that prince , who had murdered his father and married his own mother . the first he denyed , and pretended he had done the latter in honour to her , having refused many considerable matches . pinto brought news of the island del oro , or of gold , the great motive of his voyage . . but now our governour enters the red sea with his fleet. he found most of the islands and cities abandoned , the people having had notice of his coming . the chief island was maçua ▪ the principal city suanquem , in about degrees of north latitude , well built and rich . the king , who was fled a league up the country , entertained the governour with shews of peace , that he might not destroy the island . but the greatest damage was , that hereby he prevented the burning the ships at suez , gaining so much time as carried thither the news of this design . the governour in revenge , marched with his brother d. christopher and men , made a great slaughter , was master of the field , and took a great booty : then turning to the city , it was plundered , and private men got four or five thousand ducats each ; then it was burnt to the ground . the waters being shoal , the governour resolved to go over to alcoçer , and other places , with only sixteen catures or barges , the rest of the fleet he sent to maçua , under the command of lionel de lima. there was a great dispute about who should go with d. stephen , and he had much difficulty to compose it . they set out of the bay for this reason called de los agraviados , or of the offended . many gentlemen went in the barges as private souldiers , accepting any place so they were admitted ; such was their desire to be in this action . the number of men was two hundred and fifty . at alconçer , which is in the latitude of degrees , they did the same as had been done before at suanquem . crossing over to tor or toro , they took some vessels of the enemy . the turks at first opposed the landing , but some being slain , fled and abandoned the city , in which nothing of value was found . the governour would not burn it in reverence of st. catharine , and a monastery found there with religious men under her invocation , which at their instance he visited . to his great glory , he was the first european commander that took that city , where he knighted several , who held this honour done them there in great esteem ; and it was afterwards envied by the great emperour charles the fifth , as shall appear in its place . our people , and those religious testified great regret at parting . they are of the greek church , and of the order of st. basil. the city is in the latitude of degrees , and is thought by learned geographers , to be the ancient elana . . the governour went over to suez , and after many brave attempts made by several to sound and view the harbour , which all failed , he resolved in person and in open day to discover the gallies . he saw them , and desiring to do something considerable , landed ; the enemies shot flew from the town , and turkish horse broke out of an ambush ; some few whereof were killed by our canon ; but our men obliged to retire , much grieved that this voyage was disappointed . the governour returned to his fleet at maçua , where he found the severity of emanuel de gama had caused a mutiny , which gave occasion to men to run away with a ship , designing to go over to ethiopia . they were met by a captain of the king of zeila , and after a vigorous resistance , most of them killed . on a gallows hung five , whom gama had executed , for concealing the design of the other ; they at execution summoned him to answer before the great tribunal , and he within a month run mad , and died . chap. iv. goes on with the government of d. stephen de gama . . at this time grada hamed , king of the country , called by some geographers , trogloditis , vulgarly adel ; having submitted himself to the turk , to obtain assistance of men , casting off the obedience he owed to the emperour of ethiopia , began furiously to over-run that country with a powerful army . to excuse his ambitious designs , he laid hold of the opportunity his sovereigns tender years offered , and in a small time made himself master of such part of abassia , that the emperour atanad sagad , or claudius , was obliged to retire towards the kingdom of goiame , and his mother saban , or elizabeth , with the barnagais , got into the rugged mountain dama , a place naturally impregnable , which rising to a prodigious height over a vast plain , on its top forms another almost round and about a league over , in which is an indifferent town , with fruit and cattel that maintains it . on one side only is a painful ascent , till near the top ; from thence people are drawn up on planks with ropes , and in like manner let down . . the queen reduced to this condition , hearing d. stephen was in the red-sea , sent barnagais embassadour to him , to desire his assistance against that tyrant , who over-running her kingdoms destroyed the ancient churches , and carried away slaves the religious men and priests . the embassadour was heard , and received a favourable answer . it was resolved in council to send relief , and d. christopher named commander in chief , of four hundred men it consisted of . he had with him eight field-pieces , many small fire-arms , and plenty of ammunition . d. iohn bermudez , the patriarch , much desired by that emperour to introduce the roman ceremonies , accompanied them . the two brothers d. stephen and d. christopher took leave on the shoar , never to meet again : let us conduct the one into india , and then return to the other . . about iuly the governour was taken in such a violent storm , that a galliot sunk down right , a barque was lost , and all the fleet scattered . many religous vows were made in the danger ; but that of a private souldier was pleasant , who vowed he would marry d. isabel de sa , daughter to d. garcia de sa , after governour of india , and the applauded beauty of all those parts , which afterwards gave pleasant matter of discourse . at length the governour arrived at goa , and perceiving the ships did not come from portugal , and that he was exhausted with the charge of the last fleets , he loaded the goods , provided for the ships expected , on four galeons , and sent them away . peter de d. castello branco , late governor of ormuz , commanded one of these galleons , and was taken by the french near the islands azores . . nizamoxa desired to possess himself of the forts of sangaça and carnala , held by two subjects of cambaya , on the frontiers of that kingdom , and formidable for their strength and situation . the commanders nicoda amorgin , and atridican being absent , he assaults and enters them . the owners had recourse for the recovery of them to d. francis de meneses , commanding at baçaim , promising to hold them of us , if restored . he went in person with three hundred portugueses , a party of the natives , and each of the proprietors , two hundred men. they scaled the fort carnalia , and the defendants in a pannick fear abandoned it , some throwing themselves down the ●…ocks , where they were beaten to pieces . those of sangaça , quitted it before it was demanded . d. francis left the moors in possession with portugues garrisons . nizamoxa in a rage sent men , who ruined all the country about . the owners despairing of maintaining themselves against that power , resigned their title to those forts to the portugueses , and were received into bacaim by d. francis , who sent supplies to the forts , and resolved to maintain them . . nizamoxa sends men more , of them musquetiers , and horse , well armed . they beset sangaça , and gave several assaults that day , wherein many of them were killed . the portugueses stood all day and night at their arms , and with much difficulty sent advice to d. francis at bazaim , who came to their relief with portugueses , horse and some naiques , with indians . don francis received a letter from the governour of chaul , giving an account of the great strength of the enemy ; and some of his men coming to hear the contents of it , he read quite the contrary to what really was in it , and marched on . a small party of the e●…my attacked the van , to draw them into two ambushes , each of which contained a thousand men. some of the portugueses fled . d. francis with his twenty horse resolved to keep a pass , and he with some gentlemen killed several . those of the ambush coming on , the portugueses were forced to fight back to back . those who at first fled fell into the second ambush , and endeavouring to shun it returned to the first , with whom the others were engaged . the moors thinking this had been a fresh relief , fled ; our men took heart , and struck such terrour into the enemy , that running to cangaça , they raised their camp , leaving all the ground about the fort strowed with all sorts of weapons and ammunition . d. francis returning from the pursuit , found they had slain about , and lost men. he stored the forts , and went back to his command . . i shall relate a thing scarce credible , but most true : in this action a giant-like portugues of prodigious strength , called trancoso , seeing a moor well wrapped in a large veil falling from his head , laid hold of him thereby , as if he had been a buckler , and so carried him before his breast , received upon him all the stroaks of the enemies weapons , and thus continued , making him his shield till the fight was ended . . however , considering the keeping of those forts was of greater charge and danger , than advantage could be made of them ; and because nizamoxa , our confederate , offered for them p●…rdao's , besides the he paid before , the governour resigned them up to him , to the great regret of d. francis de meneses , who had gained and maintained them with so much honour . the garrisons marched out with all the usual ceremonies . . when this hapned the governour was at chaul , in order to visit the northern forts , he furnished them with all necessaries . being returned to goa , he provided the loading for the ships that were detained at moçambique , and received embassadors from xeque ismael of persia , the kings of calicut and cambaya , about important affairs , and were answered to their satisfaction . . peter de faria , who commanded at malaca , had received some information of the affairs and seat of the island del oro , or of gold , which was said to be in the sea of the river calandor , in five degrees of south latitude , leagues from the point of sumatra , encompassed with great banks of sand and strong currents . he advertized the king , who sent to that discovery and conquest francis de almeida , that died by the way . one iames cabral of madera succeeded him , and the governour martin alfonso de sousa displaced him , to give that charge to hierom de figueredo . he set out in the year , with men in three ships , and laying aside the enterprize , through covetousness , went in search of some ships of meca on the coast of tanauçarim , took them , and in them a rich booty ; but refusing them their shares , they tied his hands and feet and left him on the sands at gale , in the island ceylon . thus for that time was the king disappointed of that discovery . . the king of aaru , as well as he of the bataas , was first victorious against him of achem , then beaten and killed . he had also received supplies of arms and ammunition from peter de faria . this king of achem's design was to conquer this kingdom , which hindred his passage to malaca by land , being now convinced it was impossible to take it by sea. . some time after faria sent his factor pinto with a present and letter to the king of patane , desiring him to procure the liberty of five portugueses , then slaves at siam , to his brother-in-law . he was also to deliver goods of the value of ten thousand ducats to his factor at pam. they had made up fifty thousand crowns in diamants , pearls and gold , and were ready to sail next day , when a sudden confusion hapning that night , they lost all . there resided in that city an embassadour from the king of borneo , with his wife . he catched the king of pam lying with her , and killed him . the death of the king being noised , the people ran about , not so much for revenge , as to rob. about four thousand men were presently butchered ; the two factors being robbed , and some of their companions killed , escaped and fled to patane . they , and other portugueses , asked leave of that king , to make reprizal on three vessels belonging to the merchants of pam , which came richly laden from china , and were then at anchor leagues off in the river calantam . he consented ; they set out to the number of in three ships , and after a sharp engagement , took and brought the vessels into patane . the prize was worth above three hundred thousand ducats . the people of patane pressed the king to take them from the portugueses ; but he urged the fifty thousand crowns ought to be made good . the merchants accepted the condition , paid the mony , and continued their voyage . chap. v. sundry exploits of captain antony faria , from the year , till that of , during the government of d. stephen de gama . . while what is above-related happened the three years last past , antony de faria and sousa , did actions deserving eternal fame ; which i shall relate without affection to our kindred , but with my usual sincerity . . peter de faria , commander of malaca , sent his kinsman antony de faria and sousa , to the king of patane , to treat of important affairs , and preserve the peace , which was very beneficial to that place . he carried with him goods to the value of twelve thousand ducats , and finding no sale for them there , sent them to the port of lugor , in the kingdom of siam , a place of great trade , where he was informed they would go off to great advantage . he committed this affair to christopher borallo , who being come to an anchor in the mouth of that river , was surprized by coja hazem , a moor of guzarate , in a vessel well stored with artillery , and manned with turks a●…d moors . this coja was a sworn enemy to the portugueses ever since hector de silveyra took a ship of his in the sea of diu , killing his father and two brothers , and had kept his oath , robbing and murthering all he met . . borallo thought himself happy that he escaped falling into the pyrats hands , leaving his vessel and swimming ashoar . he carried the news to antony faria at patane , who vowed , never to desist till he had destroyed that moor. this was the motive that led him to all those brave actions . he fitted a small vessel with men , and sailed from patane on saturday the th of may. . he steered north-east , towards the kingdom of champa , to examine that coast , and saw the island pulo condor , in the latitude of degrees , minutes , then to the eastward rounded one six leagues from the continent of cambodia . entring the port of bralapisam , he found there a vessel of the lequii , that had on board an embassadour from the prince of the island lossa , in the latitude of degrees , to the king of siam . as soon as this vessel spied ours , they weighed anchor and sailed . faria sent after them a chinese pylot with a civil message , who brought back this remarkable answer : we return thanks ; the time will come when our nation shall have commerce with that captains in real friendship , through the law of the supream god , whose clemency is boundless , since by his death he gave life to all mankind , and remains an everlasting faith in the house of the good : we confidently hold this will be when half the times are past . he also brought a rich cimiter in a case of beaten gold , the hilt and scabbord of the same set with some pearls of value . the captain would have made some return , but the vessel could not be overtaken . . thence he coasted to the river pulo cambier , which divides the kingdoms of cambodia and tsiompa . at the town catimpar●… , he was informed that great river had its beginning in the lake pinator ( leagues westward in the kingdom of quitirvam ) encompassed with high mountains , about which were towns , of them considerable , one whereof was xincaleu , where was a gold mine which yielded yearly millions of crowns it belonged to four lords , who had continual wars about it . at bauquerim , another mine of the best diamonds . treasures ( according to the disposition of that country ) might be easily conquered by us . . coasting along still , he anchored in the mouth of the river toobasoy , fearing to go up it . suddenly they spied a great vessel , to which making signs of peace , they received a rude answer . night coming on , it was thought fit to expect the day ; but in the dark they discovered first one , then three vessels , and counterfeiting , they leapt out of the first vessel , boarded them , who were all slain , and their vessel taken , the others burnt . a black that was taken declared , he was a christian and slave to gaspar de melo , whom ( with portugueses ) that pyrat had taken and dashed out their brains , and that he had left another large vessel richly laden in the port with only a few sea-men . this pyrat was found to be similau , and he ( with the other prisoners ) were put to the same death they delighted to give to others . as soon as day appeared he took the other vessel , and found the booty in silver only amounted to ducats , besides other goods . . thus increased , he goes on to the river tinacoreu , or varela , where the siam and malaca ships , trading for china , barter their goods for gold , calamba and ivory , with which that country abounds . he anchored off of tayquileu , a small town ; the inhabitants called them the bearded people ; not but those people have beards , but theirs are short and thin , ours then were at their full growth , and some reached to the waste . by them the captain was informed , that river was formerly called tauralachim , that is , great stock , to express its greatness ; it is deep for eighty leagues up to moncalor , then shallower and wide , where is a country for eight days journey unpeopled , by a multitude of birds , years before the great kingdom of the chintaleuho's . in the middle of it is the great lake cunabetee , or chiamay , whence spring four great rivers . it is leagues in compass , beset with mines of silver , copper , tin and lead . . hence he directed his course for the island hainan , passed in sight of champiloo , in the latitude of degrees , and at the entrance of the bay of cochinchina . farther on he discovered the promontory pulocampas , whence is seen the point of hainan : westward is a river , up which borrallo was sent in a small vessel with men , who discovered at least two thousand sail , and a large walled town . on their return they saw a large vessel at anchor . the captain thinking it was coja hazem , fell upon and took it : but among the prisoners he found an ancient christian of mount sinai , who told him , it belonged to quiay tayjam a pyrat , who had killed above a hundred portugueses , and now laid hid in the fore-castle with six or seven others , who were all killed there . in that vessel were found quintals or hundred weight of pepper , much other spice , ivory , tin , wax and powder , all valued at crowns , besides good cannon , baggage and some plate . in the hold were nine children , the biggest about nine years of age , loaded with irons and starving with hunger . . coasting along the island hainan , he met some fishers of pear●… , whom he used courteously . they told him , the island belonged to the king of china . hence he went to the river tana●…quir , where two great vessels suddenly fell upon faria ; both which , after a long dispute , he took , having killed of their men , and lost , whereof one portugues . after a while they heard lamentable cries in the hold of one of those vessels ; where they sound seventeen prisoners , two of them portugueses , one of which said , those vessels belonged to necoda xicaulem , who after turning christian at malaca , and marrying a portugues , had killed her and many more of her country . his body being found , was cut in pieces . the booty was valued at crowns . one of the vessels was burnt , for want of men to sail it ; in both were seventeen brass guns , most of them with the arms of portugal . . he anchored forty leagues farther at c. tilaumere , where came up with our four vessels four others , in which was the bride of a noble young man , who had promised to meet her there with a like number of ships , and this mistake brought them to our vessels . three of them were taken , and in one of them the bride . some seamen were chose , the rest set ashoar . they came to mutipinam , and found it a most convenient place to sell their prizes . the governour of the city somewhat obstructed the sale , so they were obliged to hasten it ; the goods were paid for in silver uncoyned , and amounted to two hundred thousand crowns . this was the beginning of the year . chap. vi. continues the exploits of antony de faria . . antony de faria sailed on in search of the port of madel , in the island hainan , and by the way took some prizes . here he met hinymilau , a bold pyrat and a great enemy to christians , whom he delighted to put to cruel deaths . they had a bloody fight with , and at length took him . he gave a bold relation of the cruelties he had exercised against the portugueses , and was therefore with four more immediately killed . the prize was valued at ducats . . this action struck such a terrour into many of those that were there in that river , that they sent a message to faria , offering him crowns to take them into his protection , calling him king of those seas , and desiring of him passes for their safe trading therein . he received the mony , and gave the passes by only writing , of which in twelve days time a servant of his got ducats . the governour of the city offered to make him admiral of those seas for the king of china , with a pension of crowns , if he would serve . such a name had he already got in those parts . . they run all along this coast without any remarkable occurrence , only saw many , though not large towns , and a very fruitful country ; and were informed , there were there mines of silver , tin , salt-peter , and brimstone . the souldiers now weary of looking after the pyrat coja hazem , demanded their shares of the prizes , to be gone . they agreed , and directed their course for the kingdom of siam . by a furious storm they were wrecked upon the island de los ladrones , where of five hundred men , only eighty six got ashoar naked ; of these twenty eight were portugueses . here they were fifteen days almost without any thing to eat . a bird flying over them with a fish , dropt it , and afterwards they saw many others , that frighted at their shouts , let fall their prey ; this , and a deer they found killed by a tyger , kept them awhile , but some died with want. being thus in despair , because the island was not inhabited , they discovered a small vessel making to the shoar , where they cast anchor , and presently thirty men landed ; some carried wood and water , and others diverted themselves . they were chineses . our men agreeing together upon a sign , run furiously , and possessed themselves of the vessel , and with the same swiftness put to sea. the chineses were astonished at that unexpected misfortune , and our men overjoyed , finding in the vessel good provision and much silk . in the barque they found only an old man and a child , whose father was left ashoar . . sailing for liampo in port xamoy , they took a vessel of chineses , and went to the island luxitay , where they stayed fifteen days , went over to the great vessel , and refitted the small one , and then went on . upon the coast of lamau they discovered a great vessel , which as it came near began to fire fifteen great guns it carried ; but coming closer , they discovered crosses and portugues habits on both sides ; so they hailed each other , and the vessel appeared to belong to quiay panjau , a chinese , and great friend to the portugueses , whereof he had thirty souldiers aboard . he came to farias's vessel , and brought a present of amber , pearls , gold and silver , worth two thousand ducats . after other discourse our captain told him he was bound for liampo , to furnish himself with necessaries , in order to attempt the mines of quamjaparu , where he was told he might get a treasure . quiay panjau offered to accompany him , demanding for himself only the third part of what should be taken ; which was agreed . . at the river anay they refitted , and came to chincheo ; where faria hired portugueses he found there . putting to sea again , he found eight portugueses naked and wounded in a fisher-boat . they told him , the pyrat coja hazem had taken their ship in the port of the island cumbor , that it was worth two hundred thousand ducats , and that they with difficulty had escaped in that condition . faria was overjoyed to hear news of that pyrat , and turned eight leagues back to layloo , to provide for the fight . there he changed his old vessels for new , provided arms , ammunition and men , paying generously for every thing . he had in his four vessels five hundred men , whereof portugueses , pieces of cannon , musquets , darts , other arms and much ammunition . in a day and half he came to the fisheries , where coja hazem had robbed those portugueses , and was informed by fishermen , that he was two leagues off in the river tinlau . to be sure , he sent one to discover him . . before day began a most furious fight , and the pyrats four ships were reduced to great streights , when four small ones came to their relief . one of our cannon was so well pointed , that it sank the first of them downright , and killed some men in another . the fight was renewed , and coja encouraged his men , till faria boarding , gave him such a cut over the head as struck him down without sense , and with another stroak ham-strung him , that he could not rise . his men gave our captain three wounds ; but he being relieved , the victory was compleat ; it cost men , eight of them portugueses . of the enemy almost died , above half drowned , leaping over to save themselves . . faria landed , and buried his dead . he found in a house men left there by coja hazem to be cured ; these , though they cried for mercy , he destroyed , firing the house . here he performed a most magnanimous act , which was , that he restored the portugues ship to the owners , and gave liberty to the slaves , paying their masters , as he had vowed when he went on this design . what booty remained to him was worth crowns . . sailing hence that night , rose such a violent storm , that faria's ship and another were cast away , and most of the goods of the others was thrown over-board , to the value of two hundred thousand ducats . one hundred and eleven men were lost , the eleven portugueses . thirteen that escaped drowning were carried prisoners to nauday , where faria with the five remaining vessels came to an anchor . he offered the governour of the city three thousand crowns for the prisoners . the answer was such , as obliged him to resolve to hazard all , to obtain by force what he could not effect with courtesie and mony our men were fearful of the greatness of the enterprize ; but he so encouraged them , that they resolved to follow him . he had in all men , of them portugueses ; out of the whole he chose for this action , which hapned the beginning of the year . . after sending another civil message , to which the governour answered by hanging the messenger , he landed ; as they marched , twelve thousand foot and an hundred horse came out of the city to meet them ; our musqueteers killed at least three hundred of them , and pursued the rest to a bridge that led into the city . the governour was within on horseback with six hundred men , maintaining the pass till killed by a shot ; at that sight his men fled ; faria pursues them with great slaughter till they run out at the other end of the town . the city being plundered , he that got least was rich ; the remainder was consumed to ashes . our victorious captain returned , carrying the prisoners he had recovered , and many beautiful women . he lost eight men , one a portugues , and many wounded . now he prosecutes his voyage towards the mines . . the course was to pulo hindor , an island not inhabited , where he designed to winter and take some rest ; it was fifteen leagues off . about the islands of commolem he was attacked by two great ships , in which were two hundred resolute men , commanded by the pyrat premata gundel , a mortal enemy to the portugueses , to whom he had done great harm ; but thought now these had been chinese merchants . one of the pyrats boarding one of ours , quiay panjau came to his relief with all his sails abroad , and run so furiously foul of the pyrat , that they both sunk down right . quiay and most of his men were saved by the care of our men. the pyrat himself had boarded faria , who was in danger of being lost ; but at length was victorious , killing moors that had entred his ship. then he boarded the enemies , and put all to the sword. this cost us men , five of them portugueses , above forty were wounded , and faria himself had two great cuts and a hurt of a spear . the prize was valued at ducats . they staid days in the island buncaleu , to cure the wounded men . thence they steered to the gates of liampo , which are two islands three leagues distant from the city of that name , built by the portugueses , who there governed in the nature of a commonwealth . chap. vii . continues still the exploits of antony de faria , in the government of d. stephen de gama , and the year . . anntony de faria being anchored at those gates of liampo , sent to ask leave of the inhabitants to enter the port : they returned a courteous answer , praying him to defer it six days , till they had prepared a house to entertain him . the term expired upon sunday morning , when he hoised sail and went up accompanied with many boats sent from the town to receive him , with three hundred townsmen , who saluted and welcomed him , the river resounding with the noise of musical instruments . . about two hundred ships then in the port were placed in two lines , and made a lane , through which as faria passed , all the cannon of the vessels and ashoar were fired . some chineses seeing this great reception , asked whether that was the king of portugal's brother , or near kinsman ; and were answered , he was his smiths son ; which so surprized them , they concluded the kingdom of portugal to be the greatest in the world. from his ship faria went into a barge shaded with a natural chesnut tree , the fruit hanging on the boughs , and was seated on a silver chair placed upon six steps adorned with gold. on the sides were six beautiful maids richly clad , who sang and play'd sweetly ; and thus he was carried to the key . . where was a richer chair carried upon mens shoulders , covered with a rich canopy ; about it halberdeers , and before it went men mounted on fine horses , before these eight with silver maces , all in most rich attire . faria long refused to be thus carried , but was forced to subm●… , and in this manner came to a large scaffold , covered with fine tapistry . there he was placed on his chair , and received the complements of the magistrates in the name of the city , and of others for the gentry . he received them standing , and returned their courtesie with great civility . . from the key to the city , which was a considerable distance , was a lane in nature of an arbour of chesnut , pine and laurel trees , the ground strewed with flowers ; at distances many perfumes , several companies of dancers , and multitudes of people all the way . at the entrance of the town was a castle built for this occasion . on the front of it , the arms of the faria's , which are sanguin , a tower argent , in base a man torn to pieces . faria being come hither , was received by a reverend old man ( attended by four mace-bearers ) who after some ceremonies made a long speech in praise of his family , and concluded extolling his own actions , and welcoming him to that place . . the speech ended , the old orator in the name of the city , offered him five chests full of silver bars , to the value of twenty thousand pieces of eight , which he could not be prevailed with to accept of ; but returned his thanks , and promised to endeavour in part to deserve the honours they did him . then he went on foot through many sightly arches to our ladies church , where ( under a canopy ) he heard mass , and a sermon of his own praises . . hence he was conducted by above a thousand portugueses , to a large place that was before the house , provided for his entertainment . this place was shaded with variety of trees set , as if they had grown there , the ground strewed with flowers and sweet herbs . in the middle were three long tables richly covered , and side-boards . faria being seated , all departed , but about who were to dine there , and souldiers . at a distance stood the halberdeers to keep off the people . as soon as seated , the musick began to play . . presently eight beautiful maids appeared playing on instruments and dancing , eight others stood by him singing . the dishes were brought by fine women , and set on by men. the plenty and costliness was great . after dinner they went to another place , where there was a bull-feast , and some wild horses among them ; at the death of every one followed dancing , musick , and other divertisements . chap. viii . concludes with the actions of antony de faria . . here faria continued five months always entertained with great splendour , and had dogs and horses to go a hunting , that place being stored with all sorts of game . the time being come to set out for the mines of quamgiparu , the chinese quiay panjau , who was to accompany him in that voyage , was snatched away by a violent sickness . all things were in forwardness when the chinese , similau , dissuaded faria from that enterprize , representing the great difficulties , and proposing other undertakings much more easie , and no less beneficial . among the rest he said great things of the island calempluy , where were the ancient monuments of the kings of china , and in them great treasures . to this he soon gave ear ; for covetousness is of great force to perswade , even in a man so generous and understanding as he was . happy if he had returned to india , satisfied with his past victories and triumph . . about the middle of may he set sail with similau in two galliots , in which were men , of them portugueses , and among them the priest iames lobato . next day they discovered the islands of nanguitur , and then entred seas till then unknown to portugueses . crossing a gulph of leagues , they discovered the high mountain nangalaci , and held on their course northward . at the end of ten days they anchored in a river where they saw white people , like the chineses , but differing in language , and could never prevail to have any commerce with them . after eight days sailing they entred the streight of silcapaquim , in which they spent five days in sight of many populous towns. but this course appearing dangerous , they steered another by the advice of similau . this was up the river humhepadam , which they entred , and to the west saw the mountain fangus , and thirteen days after the bay buxipalem , in the latitude of degrees , which produces fish , serpents and crocodils of wonderful sorts and greatness , and many sea-horses . farther on they came into the bay of calindam , girt with high mountains covered with trees , from them four great rivers fall into the sea. . next they sailed under botinasora , a mountain abounding in lions , abada's , tygers , ounces , and other wild beasts ; then gangitann , the habitation of the gigahui , a wild gigantick people , some ten , some eleven spans high , of which they saw fourteen of both sexes : they have good complexions , being white and red ; but ill features . faria gave them some porcelane dishes and silk , for which they appeared thankful , but could not be understood , and brought some cows and a deer . at length they came into the bay of nanking , and within six days to the great city pamor whose bay was almost hid under three thousand vessels . fearing danger here , they stood off and came to tanquilem , where similau and thirty six chinese seamen run away for fear ; because our captain weary of the voyage , and finding he could give no good account where they were , had threatned to kill him . he was not so ignorant ; but terrified with the ill usage of the portugueses he knew not what he said , and they feared either he knew not the coast , or designed to betray them . it was a great error , to believe him at liampo , and use him ill at nanking , where they had most need of him . in fine , they gave themselves for lost , not knowing where they were , till some of the natives informed them , they were but ten leagues from the island calempluy , which made them repent the wrong they had done similau . . turning cape guinaytarau ( after a tedious voyage of two months and a half ) they discovered in the middle of the river the island . it is plain , and to appearance four miles in compass . it was then night : next morning faria went about it with his galliots , and saw it was enclosed with a wall of jasper stone , which were joyned so close , it appeared all of a piece . it rose about foot above the superficies of the water , and was terrassed within . the top of the wall was a massy twist : upon it were brass rails , and at distances little columns , on which were the statues of women with balls in their hands , all of the same metal . at some distance from these appeared several figures of iron of monstrous shape , that seemed to give one another their hands . farther yet were several curious arches of stone of many colours : within was seen afterwards a delightful variety of small woods of orange trees ; among which were chappels , dedicated to the gods of the year . on one side a great building , not all of a piece , but divided into seven parts , all over glittering with gold. . in the evening the captain entred the island at one of its eight gates , with sixty men , four of them portugueses . entring one of the chappels , they saw an old man , in appearance an hundred years of age , who with the fright of seeing them fell down ; but recovering , and seeing the souldiers take out the bars of silver out of the tombs , he rebuked the captain , giving him advice to be saved . faria courteously took his leave , having information what was in the other chappels , and resolving next day to plunder them all , he retired to his ships with the silver taken in this , which was a considerable quantity . . about midnight there appeared lights upon the top of the great building , and bells began to ring throughout the island . faria was advised to be gone , being they were discovered ; but he returned to the island with only six men , and could see no more than what he had from his vessels . being returned aboard , all protested he ought to retire , and he no longer able to withstand the mutiny ; said , he was obliged in honour to see what he fled from ; and went ashoar again with the same six men. he entred a chappel and found two old men , whom he brought away with some candlesticks and a silver idol he found , and immediately left that place . he understood by the old men , that the alarum was given , and the island would soon be relieved ; that the first hermit had given notice . then faria found , how much he had erred in not bringing him away , as he was advised . . he went away in a passion , that he should lose that treasure through his own fault ; and having sailed almost a month , one night , being the fifth of august , there arose such a terrible storm ; that his galliot was swallowed up , as was guessed by those in the other by the miserable cries ; for they could not see it . a few days after the other also perished , only fourteen of them escaping . thus ended that brave commander ; doubtless a just judgment for the robbery he designed to commit . . no less unfortunate was the end of the city liampo , where this captain had been so nobly received , and was the effect of a base and insatiable avarice . lancelot pereyra , a judge of that city having lost a thousand ducats by the chineses , went out with a body to rob and plunder others , as if this might be done though they have been the debtors . this barbarous , hellish action , brought the governour of that province with threescore thousand men upon that city , which in four hours time was burnt , with eighty ships that were in the port ; twelve thousand men killed , of them a thousand portugueses , and three millions of gold lost . scarce any thing was left , but the bare memory of liampo ; but it appeared that whatever the portugueses gained by their valour , they lost by their covetousness . it was admirably said of one of those we call ba●…oarians , hearing the actions of the portugueses in asia celebrated : his words were these ; let them go on ; for whatever they gain as couragious souldiers , they will lose as covetous merchants : they now conquer asia , asia will soon conquer them . who was most barbarous ; he that said this , or they who did what he said ? . liampo had above three thousand inhabitants , all catholicks , and almost half portugueses . those who escaped that storm , though quite discredited among the chineses , obtained leave with great presents , in the year , to settle in the port of chincheo ; where there was a village , which began to flourish with a rich trade ; but came to the same end as the other , as shall appear the year . chap. ix . continues the government of d. stephen de gama , and contains the actions of his brother don christopher in ethiopia . . whilst this hapned in india and china , don christopher de gama marched through ethiopia , led by that barnagais , who came as embassadour from the queen mother , to desire favour of the governour d. stephen . the heat the men endured was excessive , though they lay by the day , and marched by night . a week was spent in passing over a rugged mountain , whence they descended into a most pleasant plain country , watered by many rivulets . through this they marched in two days to the city barua , metropolis of the province barnagasso ; though damaged by the late invasion , yet of sightly buildings , divided by a great river , encompassed with good villages and country-houses . at the gates they were received by several religious men singing a litany , one of which made a speech to welcom them , and extol their generosity in coming to their relief ; after which our men visited the church , and encamped . . don christopher sent advice of his arrival to the emperour , who was far off ; and to the queen mother , who was near . he desired of her , to leave that mountain and put her self under his guard . barnagais was sent to conduct her with two companies of portugueses . she came with a great retinue of women and servants . our men were drawn out to receive her , and the cannon fired . the queen sat upon a mule , whose trappings reached the ground , and she was hid by curtins fixed to the saddle ; her cloathing was white , on her shoulders a short black mantle with gold fringes ; and from her white head-cloaths fell a veil that covered her face . barnagais led the mule , his arm naked , and a tygers skin upon his shoulders , ( a token of respect ) a lord on each side in the same garb. she opened the curtains to see the portugueses , and lifted her veil to be seen by d. christopher . the reception on both sides was courteous . afterwards d. christopher went to visit her , and by advice of the ethiopians it was resolved to winter there , and expect the emperour's answer . . the answer came , expressing his joy for the arrival of the portugueses , and desiring d. christopher to march the beginning of summer . it was put in execution : some light horse led the van to discover ; then followed the artillery , next the baggage ; after it the queen , guarded by fifty portugues musqueteers . d. christopher brought up the reer ; barnagais and his officers made up the flanks . in eight days they came to the mountain ganè , of most difficult ascent ; on the top of it was a city , and on the highest cliff a chappel , near which a house , hung round with three hundred embalmed bodies , sewed up in hides , which being rent with age shewed the bodies white and uncorrupt . some were of opinion they were roman conquerors of that country ; others , and among them the patriarch , supposed them to be martyrs . at the sight of the portugueses , many of the people resorted to the queen . . don christopher marched on to the mountain canete , well watered and stored with cattle , impregnable by nature , and yet strengthned by art. formerly the emperours were crowned here ; now it was held for the tyrant by a thousand men , who at times came down to ravage the country . d. christopher , contrary to the advice of the queen and her counsel , resolved to assault that den of thieves . he divided his men into three parts , and led the one himself , and boldly assaulted the three passes that led to it ; but were forced this day to desist , by reason of the great stones the enemy rouled down upon them . having heared mass on candlemass-day , they returned to the assault , playing their cannon , and lost some men by the stones thrown down ; yet they came to the first gates and broke them open , making their way with much slaughter and loss of three men to the second gates . those who were within these and the third gates , seeing so few of our men , opened them , and the portugueses as freely rushed in ; where was a hot dispute , till d. christopher and the others coming up , pressed the enemy so hard , that many of them threw themselves headlong down the rocks . many women and children were taken , and there was a considerable plunder . the queen and her retinue went up with a general admiration ; the ethiopians having always held that fort to be impregnable . the patriarch blessed a mosque , dedicating it to our lady , where mass was celebrated with great joy to both people . . the mountain being provided , and garrisoned under the command of an ethiopian , the army marched . as they entred the country of the rebel iarse , he submitted himself to the queen , and brought his men to her service , thinking nothing could withstand those who had conquered nature ; in such esteem did they hold the taking the mountain . the king of zeila came on now , covering the plains and hills with his numbers , and joyful to have to do with our men. d. christopher encamped in good order near a mountain , both armies in sight . palm sunday and monday were spent in skirmishing with equal loss , only the portugueses had so much the advantage , that the enemy retired to their works . d. christopher was forced to move his camp for want of some necessaries , chiefly water . the king of zeila perceiving their motion from the higher ground , came down to encompass our men , who marched in good order , pouring their shot in upon the enemy : who pressing on , d. christopher ordered emanuel de cuna with his men to face them , who performed it so successfully , that he obliged a body of turks to retire , after losing many of their men. they rallied , and coming on again had somewhat distressed him , till d. christopher came in person to their relief , fighting with such resolution , that he felt not he was wounded in the leg. the king himself came on , thinking to put an end to the days action , and it turned to his loss ; for our cannon cut off many of his men. d. christopher was in danger of being slain , but still lost no courage , and the fight continued till the tyrant was struck down by a shot which pierced his thigh . his men furled their colours , and fled with him , as they thought dead , though he was alive . this victory cost eleven portugueses , two of them men of note . the queen her self with great alacrity tended don christopher and all the wounded men. . after a weeks respit , the army marched towards the enemy , who was encamped at no great distance , and came to meet them , carrying their king in an open chair . it was resolutely fought on both sides . a turkish captain with fifty horse thinking to recover the honour lost the other day , charged in the midst of our men , and was entirely cut off . d ▪ christopher mounting on horseback , led his men with such fury into the heat of the battle , that he obliged the enemy with great slaughter to turn their backs . the king had infallibly been taken , had there been more horse to pursue him . eight portugueses were lost in this action : the victorious army marching down to a pleasant river , found it possessed by the enemy , who immediately quitted it , the king flying at the sight of our men. . the king sent an embassy to the bassa of zibit , acquainting him with his distress : he mollified by presents , sent him almost a thousand turkish musqueteers . d. christopher wintered in the city ofar , expecting the emperour . here a jew proposed , that if he wanted horses and mules , he would shew him a mountain not far off inhabited by jews , where there was store of both . the king of zeyla had a garrison of four hundred men there . d. christopher having enquired into the truth of this information , marched with two companies of his own , and some ethiopians , to the foot of the mountain , which is twelve leagues about . in the ascent some moors , who guarded the passes , were killed . on the top met him the captain with all his men. d. christopher immediately rnnning at , struck him down dead with his lance. our shot being poured in among the moors , they soon quitted the place and fled , leaving many dead . great quantity of horses and mules were found , and about eight thousand jews , who lived in six or seven villages on that mountain , were brought under obedience . there was a tradition , that these jews dispersed about ethiopia and nubia , are descended from some of the dispersion of the ten tribes . . the jew , who led our men , astonished at their valour , was converted and baptized , and by common consent appointed governour of that mountain , which being called before caloa , was after known by the name of the iews mountain . the second day after d. christopher returned to the army ; the king of zeila appeared now more bold with the increase of the turkish musqueteers . d. christopher's youth now transported him as well as his valour : for whereas he ought to have retired to a mountain till the emperour joyned him , it being impossible to withstand so great a force , he never considered it till it was too late . on the th of august the turks gave the onset , and were repulsed by d. christopher , who lost four men and went off wounded in the leg : emanuel de cuna did the like service , with loss of three men. francis de abreu fighting like a lion was killed , and his brother humphry going to fetch him off , fell down dead upon him . d. christopher returns like a furious tyger , and performed wonders , till a musquet-ball broke his arm ; a couragious souldier carried him off . he was scarce drest , when he heard fonseca and vello were killed , and the enemy entred the works . he caused himself to be carried where the greatest danger was : but the tyrant being now undoubtedly victorious , some of our men fled , as did the patriarch and the queen on fleet mares , each taking a different way , he for fear and she by choice . d. christopher sent after and obliged her to come back , because her absence brought utter ruin. but at length seeing all lost , in despair he grasped his sword in the left hand and said , let who will follow me , for i am going to dye amidst the enemies . he was drawn from that resolution by meer force , and carried out of the field with only fourteen men , and the queen and barnagais among them , seeking some place of refuge . the night being dark they lost the way ; but the queen and barnagais hit it better , taking up a mountain . d. christopher wandring with his companions , fell into the hands of the enemy , who carried him to the tyrant , who coveted no greater prize . the victors cruelly run , hewing those that had any life left them , which moved one to set fire to a quantity of powder that was in one of the queens tents , and blew up all that were about it . . the king overjoyed that d. christopher was taken , caused him to be brought to his presence , and said , what would you have done with me , had i been defeated ? he answered : i would cut off your head , and divide your body , and the limbs should be set up in publick places for a terrour to other tyrants . the king caused him to be buffeted with his slaves buskins , his body to be bathed in melted wax , and his beard wove with waxed threads , which were fired , and he led through the army . being brought back , the king himself cut off his head ; his body was quartered and set upon poles . it is said , where the head fell there gushed out a spring , the water whereof drank cured many diseases : the same hour , the air being calm , a tree was tore out by the roots in the garden of certain religious men ; and afterwards the same hour the emperour having vanquished this tyrant , caused his head to be struck off ; the tree that was then dry , re-planted it self in the same place , and was covered with leaves . . most of the portugueses that were taken , perished in slavery or dungeons . alfonso chaldeira , with thirty , followed the queen . emanuel de cuna , with forty , got to barnagasso , and was well received . others followed the patriarch ; they made up in all one hundred and thirty : whereof ninety ( because cuna with his forty men were too far off ) went to the emperour , who then drew near , and very much lamented the slaughter of that body , and loss of such a commander . what those portugueses did in the service of that prince afterwards , does not belong to this place ; because the affairs of india , whence we have made a long digression call upon us . chap. x. the end of the government of d. stephen de gama . . the governour d. stephen perceiving the ships from portugal stayed long , and guessing they were at mozambique , resolved to make use of the merchandize they brought . to this purpose he sent luis de mendez to vasconcelos , in a galley , to give orders about it , and to advertize him , whether a successor was sent him in those ships . he guessed not ill ; for martin alfonso de sousa sent to succeed him with five ships , was detained at mozambique by the weather , and a tedious sickness . . this fleet was happy , in that it brought over to india one of the first fathers of the society of iesus ; as well in respect of time , as that he was one of the chief in piety and virtue . this was the famous st. francis xaverius , who laboured much , and was very successful in converting those infidels . . st. francis was the first that had in the east , the dignity of apostolick legate in all asia . but because we shall hereafter have occasion to touch upon his great virtues , and wonderful actions , let this suffice here as to the time of his coming . . most of them that enter upon the government of india , look upon it as no small happiness , if they can send off their predecessor with disgrace , and therefore endeavour to come upon them by way of surprize . martin alfonso desiring to compass that , commanded leuis mendez not to acquaint d. stephen , that he had found him at mozambique . but mendez , who was d. stephens kinsman , and resolved to do his duty , sent a man to carry him advice . martin alfonso heard of it , and imprisoned him . he met with bad weather in his way to goa , and light upon iames suarez de melo , called the gallego , who flying a sentence of death he had incurred , was passed to india , and with men in two vessels , was become a pyrat . him martin alfonso received and pardoned , because he pretended he could say much against d. stephen . much he might have said that was honourable , very little to his discredit . what ought to have procured him severer punishment , was the cause of his favourable reception . let us remember this suarez , endeavouring to rise more than was due to him , by these hellish contrivances ; and we shall hereafter see him rise to the highest pitch , and then cast down to the depth of misery . . martin alfonso de sousa being come to an anchor in the port of goa , sent advice of his arrival to d. stephen at a very unseasonable hour , being the dead of night , and that in such manner , as well signified the ill-will he bore him . which obliged d. stephen to send an answer unworthy of them both , and to make him a very uneasie visit , when he resigned up the government to him . martin alfonso sound nothing to lay to the charge of d. stephen , as those desired , who set him upon it ; for he being a gentleman of much honour , could never desire it of himself . . but whereas he ought to have checked himself , finding nothing against him , he grew the more obstinate : for it is natural to men in the wrong to persist , and believe they take wing when they are deepest stuck in the mire . he vented his malice in allowing him the worst conveniences for his voyage , and d. stephen was so disgusted at these proceedings , that he never saw his face after he resigned the sword to him . at length he arrived in portugal ; for his enemies had no power on the seas and winds , and was received with general joy of the court , and with favour by the king ; who offering him a wife , he refused her , and thereupon ( as others for accepting ) was put out of favour . he obtained leave , and went to live at venice ; for portugal was always ready to despise or banish great men. the emperour charles the fifth persuaded him to return to his country , assuring him of his prince's favour . he returned and found none ; for princes are more fixed in punishing a little omitted to please , than in rewarding much done to serve them . . this is what d. stephen did in india ; this the reward he had for governing it well . he was of a middle stature , thick and strong , a thick beard and black hair , his complexion ruddy . he was very liberal , and not a little positive , but not without cause : a great horseman . in the number of governours the twelfth , first of the name , second of the sirname , and held it two years and a month. he made an inventory of what he was worth when he entred upon the government , and so when he left it , and was found crowns the worse , the full value having been . on his tomb is only this epitaph , he that made knights on mount sinai ended here . so much did he value the honour of that action , and not without reason . chap. xi . the government of martin alfonso de sousa , from the year , till the year , in the reign of king john the third . . this chapter must begin with what hapned in the time of both governours , one ending and the other commencing . homaum paxa , king of the mogols prosecuting his ambitious designs of enlarging his empire , undertook the conquest of the kingdom of patane , then possessed by xa holan , whom fortune had once much favoured , and now seemed to neglect . nothing withstood the mogol , till he came to the city xamanea , before which he fat down . his enemy encamped a league off on the other side of ganges , and entertained him with continual skirmishes , generally with equal loss . homaum still pressed , and halon despairing of removing him by open force , had recourse to stratagem , wherein he was singular . he endeavoured to protract the time the best he could , till the season that ganges overflows , which generally drowns all the plain for the space of eight leagues . mean while he dug vast ponds to receive the river , and then dammed it up ; and as the floods began to swell he broke the damms , which caused the waters to spread abroad with the greater violence . ●…us all on a sudden , when the mogol least thought of it , they gushed out upon his army , and before he imagined it swallowed up of his men , and an infinite quantity of baggage . . homaum , by the help of a carrier , escaped upon a mule ; and the queen , who was with child , on an elephant . the queen was delivered of a daughter , and fearing her husband should hate her because it was not a son , she changed it for one the wife of a cornaca had then brought forth . cornaca's are the men that govern the elephants . some said the child , thought to be changed , was got on the queen by the cornaca , there being a suspicion he had had to do with her upon the elephant . there is no need of disputing the possibility of the thing ; for on the elephants are castles , those castles loansom , and solitude and idleness produce wanton thoughts . queens are women , and women have ready wits . however it was , homaum esteemed the son as his own , and he was called gelaldim hacbar . as to his person , he was more like the cornaca , than homaum ; but the endowments of his mind were equal with the greatest of men. this prince , when he came to the crown , being offended at the innundations of ganges , prevented them by drawing it into several channels , and built there a palace of such wonderful structure , that ten thousand men spent thirty years in the work. homaum being come to the city delhi , cloathed the carryer in royal robes , entertaining him with a splendid train , and made him sit three days in the regal throne ; during which time he enjoyed the whole revenue of the crown , and had the full power of government . from this time forward a mule was stamped upon all his coyn , that even the beast might not pass unrewarded . . about the same time antony de mota , francis zeymoto , and antony peixoto , sailing for china , were thrown by a storm among the islands of nipongi , or nifon ; by the chineses called gipon , and by us iapan . in one of these they were well received , and had the honour to be the first that discovered them , though accidentally . they lye far eastward of all india , opposite to china , between and degrees of north latitude . they are many ; the principal , nipongi , or iapan , in which is the city meaco , the imperial court. according to the natives , the length of the island is leagues , according to our computation one hundred less : it is divided into fifty six governments . the chief islands about it are cikoko , tokoesi , sando , sisime , bacasa , vuoqui , taquixima and firando . the japans have the vain pride to esteem themselves descended from the gods. they say a great giant made the world of a cocks egg , and of the earthly part a woman , who engendring with a crocodile brought forth a man , from whom they descend . and the family of the conguis among them to this day wear tails like those of crocodiles hanging at their breeches in token , they are the immediate line . the truth is , they are descended from a chinese prince , who being banished passed thither ; but they are so vain , they would rather descend from a cock and a crocodile , than from the chineses . in matters of religion they have several sects : that of the xexuni , who deny the immortality of the soul , and is followed by the nobility ; it is not only in iapan they follow it : that of the foccenxuni , who adore the sun , and allow a second life : the xodexuni , that adore the idol which they think saves them , if they name it : that of xocoxu , who believe there is a reward for the good , and punishment for the wicked , and is followed by the country people : that of xamabuxe , the professors whereof adore the devils , and converse with them so familiarly , that when one would be revenged of another , he orders them to enter into him ; they call them with a horn. their priests are called bonzes : but above all they adore an idol called seuto , who lives in heaven , and is the beginning of all things . parricide and treason , they hold as sins that cannot be forgiven . pity this doctrin should not be held among those that pretend to be christians . . fernan mendez pinto , in his travels , appropriates this discovery to himself ; saying , he came to the island tanixuma ( which i suppose to be taquixima , one of those about iapan ) with his two companions christopher borallo and james zeimoto ; not by way of shipwreck ; but designedly , in the service of a pyrat , who had taken them up when cast away . both relations mention three names , one of them is the same in both , and both agree upon the same year . i will say something i find in that author , because it is rare and worthy admiration . . nautaquim was then prince of that island , and seeing the three portugueses he stood amazed , and uttered these mysterious words : let me dye , if these ( meaning the portugueses ) be not the chinchicogies our ancient records speak of , who flying over the waters , shall come to be lords of the lands where god placed the greatest riches of the world ; and it will be very fortunate for us , if they come as friends . let us return to india . . the first thing the governour did , was lessening the souldiers pay ; for saving of charges is a great means to gain the favour of princes : and ministers never express their zeal , by retrenching their own large allowances ; but by cutting off the small ones of the poor . this caused great discontent among the commonalty . however two thousand men were raised , and imbarqued in seventy vessels of several sorts , with which the governour set out for batecala , a city seated on the banks of a river upon the coast of canara , well built and encompassed with a fruitful country . the occasion of this voyage , that the queen refused to pay her tribute , and entertained pyrats in her port to the detriment of the publick . . the fleet entred the port , and the queen seeing so great a force , and that the governour demanded the tribute , and delivery of the pyrats ships that had retired thither and fortified themselves ; she designed to hold him in hand till the time came he must go to cochin . this artifice was soon disappointed ; for he landed with twelve hundred men in two battalions , the command of one he gave to ferdinand de sousa and tavora , and ordered twenty light vessels to go up the river and attack the city by sea. the governour marching through a wood , was met by a body of musqueteers : our men made no halt , but drove them before to the gates , and entred with them , not without great opposition , the queen her self with much bravery encouraging her men. a portugues souldier being beset by two hundred of the enemy bravely defended himself , till another envious of that honour came up to him , and both back to back kept their ground ; at length a party of our men , fell upon the enemy , and with great slaughter of them rescued the two . . it was night when our men possessed themselves of the city . in the morning they not only plundered the portugueses that were there ; but falling out about the booty had such a battle among themselves , that all were hurt , and none enriched . the enemy who perceived this from a hill , pours in a shower of arrows ; the governour orders all to march to revenge it ; but those who are grieved by the lessening their pay , answer , that the gentlemen who are rich may march ; for they only came to make up by plunder what they are unjustly deprived of . garcia de sa went out with a sew lances , and after some retreats reciprocally on both sides , almost all the portugueses were put to shameful flight , running to their ships in such haste that some were drowned . . the governour hearing this , run to them with reproaches , crying out , he did not know them , and thought they were not the same he left two years before in india . this seemed a reflection upon his predecessor ; but they with as loud voices undeceived him , answering , that the men were the same , but the governour was not ; that this was the fruit of lessening their pay , to give gratuities to those who knew better how to beg , than deserve them . he retired to the ships , and resolved the next day to burn the city , and destroy the country . the city run with the blood of all living creatures of both sexes , and all ages , before it was burnt ; then the country was laid waste , and all the woods cut down . this caused such a general terrour , that whereas before throughout india , it was commonly said , beware of batecala ; they afterwards changed it to beware of martin alfonso . the queen no longer able to resist , submitted , and purchased peace with a heavier subjection ; for generally they draw on themselves a greater burden , who proudly throw off that they have . . martin alfonso abhorred that so many men quitting the service , turned merchants ; to prevent this , and considering the vast frauds of the custom-house at malaca , he sent new orders thither . he lowered the customs of strangers to invite them to trade there , and raised them to the portugueses , to lessen their desire of trading thither . the first succeeded well ; for the customs after that amounted to much more than before . the second took no effect . much of the same nature was what he did at ormuz , and therefore we will mention it in this place . that king was in arrears for tribute five hundred thousand ducats , which he refused not to pay , but was not able ; for from twelve thousand that albuquerque at first imposed on him it was raised to almost one hundred thousand ; so that the king from a tributary was become a slave , not having a competent maintenance left him . martin alfonso finding he was not able to pay the debt , proposed to him to make over the customs for payment : he to be rid of oppression submitted , and as before he was a king without a revenue , now he had some he seemed no king ; for the custom-house is the support of that crown . no doubt it was a judgment for the wickednesses of the portugueses , in taking from that king what was his due , that the persians , whose it had been , should take it from them . the oppressed king making virtue of necessity , resigned his crown with praises of him that took it from him ; for the instrument began with these vain preambles : i command all to obey this supream instrument , that it may be understood that between me and my lord ( meaning king iohn the third ) who in greatness reaches to heaven , and has power over all the circumference of the earth , and in grandeur is equal to the king of china , great king of iustice ( as if any justice were now done him ▪ ) greatest of all kings in the world ; key of the treasure that is on earth , that is , vertue and nobility , of whom is learnt the wisdom of reigning , brightness of the sea of kingdoms , &c. could any man wronged flatter him , that injured him more ? it is certain , he who gave the praises , deserved them better than he that received them . chap. xii . continues the government of martin alfonso de sousa . . about the end of this year arrived in india four ships from portugal ; another came out with them , but was put back . at the same time d. george , commander of ternate , was at variance with the spaniards , who under ruy lopez de villalobos had invaded the portugues bounds . villalobos was at zagala , a town of camafo , inhabited by renegado christians , and from thence held correspondence with the king of gilolo . d. george protested against him , for intruding into what he had no right to , according to the late capitulations . he sometimes answered , he was forced thither by storm : otherwhiles , that he was within the limits of spain . d. george sent iayme lobo with men in two galiots , believing this a sufficient force , because the spaniards were spent with misfortunes . he had orders to assist geliato de gomo conora , who besieged a fort of his own that was in rebellion . iamye went to momoya , where he gathered many of the natives , then christians , and passed over in parao's , which landing they took up and carried about half a league to a lake , there launched them again , an●… wasted over to the fort geliato , besieged . the enemy seeing the portugues relief , offered to capitulate ; but the portuguess , covetous of plunder , refused . the morning appearing , they could not land but man by man , and that in several places ; which the besieged perceiving , fell upon those who were ashoar , and with considerable damage forced them back to their vessels . the enemy had hooks hanging at their arms , one stuck in the face of a souldier , which drew him along till another came and with his dagger cut it out . d. ge●…rge sent men to the relief of these , who found near the lake three portugueses set upon poles . iayme returns to the fort ; which the besieged abandoned , and it was dismantled . . being able to do nothing against the spaniards , he returned to ternate . villalobos went over to gilolo , was well received by the king , fortified himself , and sent a messenger to d. george , to tell him , he was within the spanish bounds , and demand restitution of the artillery he had taken , and the spaniards that were with him . d. george granted the last , and sent advice to goa and portugal . villalobos dexterously began to draw near , and plant himself in tidore . . iordan de freitas set out from goa in april , to succeed d. george in that command , and take possession of the island amboyna , whereof he had a grant from tabarija king of ternate , w●…o had been unjustly sent prisoner to goa by tristan de atayde , was there baptized , and now sent back by the governour martin alfonso to be restored to his crown . frey●…as being come to malaca , and considering that king would not be easily admitted by his subjects , for having changed his religion , left him there , designing to take his brother , which would make his re inthronement the more easie . at ternate , d. george delivered him the fort ; he treated with villalobos , and they agreed upon a truce for eight months , in which time they might consult their superiours ; and during this time there was to be no correspondence between them . the spaniards fell out among themselves in such manner , that many of them went over to the portugueses at ternate . f. hierome of st. stephen , confessor to villalobos , affirmed , he was excommunicated for entring the portugues limits ; but he remained obstinate . . freytas , sent along with d. george , who was going to goa , aeiro the present king , to make room for him he had left at malaca , not knowing he was since dead , and had made the king of portugal his heir . his mother and father-in-law , who had been with him , went to ternate with ferdinand de sousa , who carried relie●… to that fort. freytas received them in mourning , and then took possession of the kingdom , the government whereof he committed to the father-in-law and mother , till other orders came from portugal . afterwards the governour d. iohn de castro sent back aeiro with the title of king , to prevent the disorders that happen by many heads . this last belongs to the year ; but i insert it here , not to break the series of these affairs . . about this time in ethiopia , the emperour marched against the king of adel , or zeila . he was followed by the portugueses who escaped the former defeat , except who were with emanuel de cuna in barnagasso , who being sent for could not come time enough . those with the emperour were ninety , by whose advice he marched towards the enemy , giving them the van of his army , for the great opinion he had of their valour . in the province ambea , at the foot of the mountain oenadias , they met seven hundred horse and two thousand foot , led by a captain of zeila , to joyn the king. fifty portugues horse advanced to attack them , the formost antony cardosa , who killed the enemies captain the first stroak of his lance ; the others following his example , slew many ; when barnagais first , and then the emperour coming up charged furiously , and killing eight hundred put the rest to flight , who went rather to terrifie the tyrant with this relation , than reinforce him . . he was a league off with his army in battalia ; it consisted of two bodies of foot , three thousand men in each ; he marched in the front with five hundred horse . the emperour met him with the like number , and in the same order . the portugueses , who were the forlorn of this body , charged the five hundred and slew many , losing two . the emperour in person behaved himself bravely , till the enemies horse fled to the wings of their army . the king was wanting in nothing , shewing his son , ten years of age , to stir up his men to fight . the fight was renewed , and the emperour in great danger ; but a portugues shooting the king in the belly killed him , and his horse carried him about hanging , being tied to the saddle . only a few turks chose rather to dye , than fly , and made a great slaughter of ethiopians . iohn fernandez , page to the unfortunate d. christopher , at two stroaks of his lance killed the turkish commander . in fine , few of the enemy escaped by flight , the king's head was cut off , and his son made prisoner . the emperour acknowledging how great a share the portugueses had in this and the late victories , did them great favours . cuna returned to goa with only ; the rest stayed and married with women of the country , whose progeny still continues there . . at goa , the governour heard the complaints of the king of ormuz , brought hither by d. pedro de castellobranco , by order of martin alfonso de melo iusarte , commander of that fort. the kings complaints against him were most just , having been used as the meanest of madmen , whereas his madness was no other , than the avarice of those would make him so . they endeavoured all they could to hinder his restauration ; but seeing him re-inthroned , they poysoned him , and what caused his imprisonment and was the cause of his death was not punished . after this injustice followed the justice executed upon hierome diaz a portugues physician , of jewish extraction ; he was burnt for heresie . chap. xiii . continues the government of martin alfonso de sousa . . about forty leagues off , to the eastward of the moluco islands is that of macaçar , rich and plentiful of rice , salt , fish , flesh , fruit and grain , and yields sandal , wax , ivory and gold. the people hardy and good seamen : the soil pleasant and well watered , and has good towns and villages . some portugueses hearing the cstristian faith was received there , went thither , and among them antony de payva , that went as a merchant , not a preacher ; but proved more preacher than mercahnt . he had before had some discourse with one of the kings of the island about religion , who seemed well pleased therewith . returning now , he arrived in the kingdom of supa , and had so much discourse with that king , who was years of age , that he was very near being converted . . however , the king remained dubious , and payva sailing thence went to the port of sian ; the king whereof , on account of the grateful conference they had before , received him with kindness . the discourse of religion was renewed , and payva at large explained all points to him , and at the same time urged the absurdness of the adoration of idols . . the conference ended , the sky till then being serene , there arose a storm of thunder , lightning and rain , which was esteemed as a heavenly confirmation of the truth of what payva had said ; and he laying hold of that advantage , urged the king to embrace the faith. he was inclinable ; but his subjects , and the moors that traded there , obstructed him . he demanded time to consider . at this time arrives the king of supa , and hearing he of sian had desired time , said , a work so good ought rather to be put in execution , than delayed ; that he was only sorry for the time he had lost , but would attone by being the first , and desired to be immediately baptized . all stood amazed , and there being no priest , the ancientest of the portugueses performed the function ; and he was christened luis . then the queen , and many that came with him , were baptized , which was celebrated with the guns and warlike instruments of both people . he of sian moved by this example , was baptized with his whole family . . mean while the governour fitted out a fleet of sail , in which were three thousand seamen and souldiers . the design was kept secret , and was to rob the pagod of tremele , which is twelve miles up the inland of st. thomas meliapor , in the kingdom of bisnagar : for which he had express orders from king iohn , upon pretence india was wasted ; as if any pretence could justifie such a robbery . nevertheless the design was discovered , or ( as others say ) disappointed by contrary weather ; yet the governour was persuaded to plunder other pagods , where it was thought there was no less treasure . . he took the advice ; and by the way sent to the king of iasanapatan , in the island ceylon , either to submit and pay tribute to the king of portugal , or provide to ●…ppose that fleet. the king was so unprovided , he thought it a happiness the governour was so content , and agreed to ●…ay four thousand ducats yearly . the king called grande , near cape comori , for ●…ear , sent him a present . he went on to ●…he pagod tebelicate , near calecoulam , not●…ithstanding we were at peace with that ●…ing , and entred it with a few of his confidents ; they brought two casks so heavy , they loaded many men : it was said they carried water ; such as were not easie of belief , affirmed it was pure gold and precious stones . the truth was never known . some writings declare , there was only a pot of gold found , in which the idol was bathed , valued four thousand crowns , which king iohn ordered to be restored , much admiring this action of martin alfonso , as if it had been a greater crime to rob at tebilicarè without his order , than at tremelè with it . however it was , whilst the portugueses marched to their ships , the pagod and town flamed , and two hundred nayres set out to revenge this loss , commanded by the keeper of the pagod . they appeared on an eminence over our men , who marched through a defileé , and poured their shot and arrows upon them , which killed thirty . the governour had been in danger , had he not dismounted our men being got into the open field , put the nayres to flight . . no danger terrifies avarice . they went on to another pagod . out of it was taken a chest , which was publickly opened , and some silver mony that was in it distributed ; but of so little value , that many believed thence proceeded the liberality . the governour returned to goa , where four ships arrived from portugal , soon after his departure , expected him . five had set out from lisbon , but one was forced back by a storm . . the governour had not returned so soon to goa , if d. garcia de castro had not sent to hasten him upon a sudden emergency ; which was thus : acedecam , lord of the lands about goa , designing to depose hidalcan , prevailed by dint of presents and promises with d. garcia , to deliver up to him meale can , brother to hidalcan , pretending he held the kingdom wrongfully . this gave hidalcan just cause of complaint , and drew on no contemptible danger . the governour heared both parties , and ●…ough both used equal arguments , offering equal advantages to the crown of portugal ; the governour inclined more to acedacan , who offered the kingdom of concam , then possessed by abraham , a good man and our friend , whose revenue was above a million . it was the more valuable for being near goa . chap. xiv . the end of the government of martin alfonso de sousa , and of the first part of this tome . . the governour armed in defence of meale , and to possess him of the crown acedecan offered him . this was a notorious act of injustice , and martin alfonso being led by interest , and naturally so haughty that none durst advise him , peter de faria resolved to do it , encouraged by his quality , the great offices he had born , and his great age , being years old. late at night he repaired to the governour 's tent , and having prepared him to hear , laid before him all the motives that could persuade , to desist from so unjust an undertaking , with much submission , gravity and discretion . . martin alfonso submitted to faria's reasons . as soon as day appeared , the governour pretending other causes , gave over the design and returned to the city , securing meale can. at this time died acedecan , the promoter of this discord ; and hidalcan came down the mountain-gate with a powerful army , reducing his rebels , and in few days recovered the kingdom of concam , which not long before we had hoped to possess , if not dissuaded by the experienced faria , to whom martin alfonso confessed he owed his life and honour : for had he gone to concham , it was much to be doubted whether ever he had returned . hidalcan still fearing meale can , offered for him , if he were delivered to him , the lands of salsete and bardez , valued at fifty thousand ducats a year . it had been a breach of trust , to deliverup a man that had put himself into our protection . therefore the governour answered ; if what was offered were given , he would send him where he should not disturb hidalcan . he admitted this condition , and performed on his part ; but had not entire satisfaction from us ; for meale was carried from goa to cananor , and from cananor to goa , in the eyes of hidalcan , as the politick said , to keep in awe ; but the state criticks said , it was a bait to draw presents . some were sent soon after . . hidalcan had moreover granted to the governour upon this treaty , the vast treasure acedecan had laid up when he rebelled , and which at his death fell into the hands of cojecemazadim , and was worth ten millions of ducats . he persuaded the governour it was not above a million , and delivered so much to him . one record says , he sent almost half of it to portugal in bars of gold : another , that he applied two hundred and fifty thousand ducats to the kings use in india ; if we may not take into this account , one hundred thousand given by hidalcan upon the late accommodation . but if these did make up the sum , he afterwards discharged a good conscience , discharging the king of some debts . . hidalcan gave him notice of the great fraud used in delivering the treasure , persuading him to recover the remainder of cojeçemazadim , who was at cananor . he used means to take him ; but not succeeding , resolved to endeavour it in person . he fitted out twenty four great ships , and many vessels to row , and without saying any thing what he intended , landed at cochin . putting to sea again , he steered several courses , and anchored at mount delij . at night , without making it known to the fleet , he went into a barge with five or six gentlemen , and ordering three of the lightest vessels to follow , came with incredible speed to the fort of cananor , where iames alvarez tellez commanded . he spoke to him without being known to any other , ordering him to endeavour to secure cojeçemazadim , or pocarale aderrajam , who governed him . then he returned to the fleet , and with it to goa , all men admiring the voyage and preparations , without seeing the design or effect of them . tellez could not take zemazadim , for he was upon his guard ; but he ordered henry de sousa , commander in chief of malabar , to take pocarale . he attempted it , and many coming in to his relief , pocarale and a brother of his were both killed . this enflamed the king and people against the fort , and though they were appeased , yet the hatred to the portugueses for this action was not extinguished ; but raised one of the greatest storms we weathered in india . . the king of xiraz caused some disturbance at ormuz , appearing in the neighbourhood with a considerable power ; but he soon drew off , coming to agreement with that king. sultan mamud , king of cambaya , aimed at the recovery of diu , not forgetting the death of his uncle badur , and being troubled to have us so near neighbours . one of the dishonourable articles of peace , which the vice-roy d. garcia had admitted was , that the kings subjects might build a wall between their town and our fort. the wall was raising , and displeased emanuel de sousa and sepulveda , who commanded there , because it looked like somewhat more than a bare partition , which was the true intent of the articles . he fortified himself , then beat off the workmen , threw down the wall , and made use of the materials . the king was heinously offended , and at the instigation of his great subject coje zofar , he began secretly to stir up that great part of the world , with letters to the several princes , to unite and expel the portugues , not only diu , but all asia . . let us see what hapned while this storm was rising . hidalcan pressed the governour , either to restore what he had given him on that score , or else to send away mealeacan . the governour endeavoured to please him with artifice , rather than performance , and to this effect sent iohn fernandez de negreyros embassadour to him . him , and all the portugueses that were in his court , the king put in prison , keeping them as hostages for the performance of what was before agreed , and now demanded . this was a great provocation to the hot nature of martin alfonso ; but submitting to necessity , he began to appease hidalcan , assuring him , that as soon as the season would permit , meale should be sent to malaca . three ships arrived now from portugal of five that sailed thence ; one was forced back , and another cast-away on the coast of melinde , the men saved . . this year the tartar entred china , and besieged peking . a great part of his numerous army , which consisted of almost millions of men , threescore thousand of them horse , marched to the city quamsi and plundered it , killing above threescore thousand persons of all sexes and ages , and then went on towards peking . by the way , the fort nixiancoo defended it self so bravely , that the general nanticor thought it impregnable , having lost three thousand men before it . among the prisoners taken at quamsi were nine portugueses , one of them called george mendez , offered , if he might have his and his companions liberty , to put him in a way to take the fort. the general admitted the proposal , and by this man's advice took it with the slaughter of above two thousand chineses and mogols . he went on to peking , and in pursuance of his promise obtained of his prince the portugueses liberty , and did them great honours , endeavouring with large gifts to detain them in his service . george mendez stayed , and was afterwards allowed a pension of six thousand ducats . these accidents often cause the portugueses in asia , to forget their country and sometimes their religion . this was when they came to tuymican , the tartar's court , whither he retired after the raising the siege of peking , which lasted almost seven months , with the loss of four hundred and fifty thousand men , most destroyed by pestilence , besides three hundred thousand that deserted to the chineses . . four small vessels , with one hundred portugueses in them , cruised upon the coast of tanauzarim , and were much dreaded , having ( among other prizes ) taken three great ships . the maritim towns complained to their sovereign , the king of siam ; and he sent out against them heredim mahomet , a turk , with a royal galley , four galliots , and five other vessels that rowed , in which were eight hundred men , three hundred of them janizaries , the rest turks , greeks , achems , malabars and mogols ; all brave men. a poor king of the neighbouring island , pulohinor , who was newly converted , gave our men notice of the danger . they left the port and run up a creek , both because it was more hid , and for that at the mouth of it were some ruins , that might serve instead of a fort , to defend themselves . the turk missing them in the port , thought they were fled to some of the neighbouring islands , and sent the ships and galliots in search of them , staying behind with only the galley . they who were upon the watch , fell upon the galley at night , and destroyed three hundred men that were in her , and the admiral , with loss of only one man. of the other nine vessels , three were cast-away and six were taken by our men ; with great slaughter of the enemy , and only two killed on our side . . the governour dispatched the homeward bound trading ships , whereof one was cast-away at zanzibar . those from portugal arrived in india , and brought him a successor , which he so earnestly desired , that a few days before being at mass with iames silveyra , who was coming for portugal ; he said to him at the elevation of the host ; speak to the king , to send one to succeed me , for i dare not govern india , because men are so changed from truth and honour : or else i swear by that sacred host , and by the true body of christ i behold in it with the eyes of faith , that i will open the patents of succession , and resign the government to whoever is named therein ; and desire his highness , not to expose such a subject as i am , to the danger of having his head cut off . this was the condition of india , almost past hope of recovery : for if the governour was tolerable , those that were governed were intollerable ; and the contrary . martin alfonso had served well in brasile and india , in other posts . he was violent in his undertakings , a great discoverour of mens humours , and knew better than many to save what was superfluous , and spend what was necessary . he instituted those officers of the king's revenue , that are called surveyors , in india . he was of a handsom and large stature , his complexion white , his beard chestnut-colour . he governed three years and four months ; was the th had the title of governour , and first of the name . the end of the first part of the second tome . the portugues asia . tom . ii. part ii. chap. i. the government of d. john de castro , from the year , till the year , in the reign of king john the third . . about the latter end of august , or beginning of september , arrived at goa six ships from portugal , commanded by don iohn de castro , who went to ease martin alfonso of the government . immediately ( as is customary in india ) complaints were carried to the new governour against the old. the chief , the crying-down the value of money ; which was immediately restored to its former value . this gave occasion to martin alfonso to go away dissatisfied , and the other to remain so upon the manner of his discontent , falling out after having very well agreed . these governours , and their governments , seem to resemble the soul and body , which never part without great struglings . . don iohn began his government as is usual , sending commanders and officers to several forts and towns. bernardin de sousa went to succeed iurdan de freytas , at ternate , carrying with him the king aeiro , to hold that crown till other orders came from portugal , it being left to our king by the deceased tabarija , as was said before . ferdinand de sousa & tavora , who was sent against the spaniards , commanded by villalobos , reduced him to a necessity of surrendring himself , and continuing at ternate till the season of sailing for india , where he and his men might either remain in the portugues service , or return in their ships to europe . this difficulty surmounted , sousa resolved to take revenge of catabruno , king of gilolo , for the injuries he did the portugueses and new converts since he tyrannically usurped the crown , killing his lawful sovereign . . sousa consulted his own men , and the new guests , who approved of his resolution , and villalobos offered to bear him company . they made up four hundred spaniards and portugueses , and fifteen hundred ternatenses . coming to an anchor in the port , they found the tyrant ready to receive them , well fortified and provided with cannon . the christians began to batter them ; but received more damage than they did . sousa perceiving there was no way , but by giving an assault , gave the first of the attack to iohn galvan and bernard de la torre , the first a portugues , the other a spaniard , who sticking in the thorns the tyrant had designedly strewed about , and scarce able to move , stood as a mark to the enemies bullets and arrows . catabruno charges them with three thousand men. sousa comes to their relief , and the fight was desperate ; for both spaniards and portugueses did wonders . night parted , and morning brought them together ; the dispute was hot , till galvan being killed his men were put in disorder ; all our body came to their relief , and brought them off , forcing the enemy to retire to their works . our captain seeing no likelyhood of prevailing , returned to ternate ; whence he went to india with the spaniards , as had been agreed , only villalobos excepted , who died in the fort. . coje zofar , at cambaya , now his princes favourite , kept a fair correspondence with the portugueses ; but with the natural perfidiousness of a moor. he persuaded the king a second time to endeavour the shaking off the yoak of the fort of diu , and to this effect drew together a great number of men ; yet had more hopes to succeed by policy , than strength . he agreed with an infamous portugues , called ruy fre●…re , to poyson the cistern , fire the magazine , and upon a sign given admit him into the fort. an ethiopian , a turk and a woman slave , discovered the treachery . coje zofar was astonished to see his design discovered , and began to complement d. iohn mascarenhas , commander of the fort ; pleading , that the cause of breaking the peace had been , because they obstructed building that wall , which d. garcia de noronha had so weakly allowed , and emanuel de sousa had couragiously beat down . coje zofar dissembled while he gathered a great power , and d. iohn perceiving the danger that threatned him , prepared to meet it , and gave advice thereof to the governour and neighbouring commanders . . a considerable number of men was already drawn together in the city diu , and among them five hundred turks , sent from mecha by the king of zibit . d. iohn assigned every man his post , and placed an officer with men in each of the four bastions ; his lieutenant over the gate with twenty , another with the like number in a small work ; reserving fifty for himself to be wherever the greatest danger called . this was the number of men he had , and thus ordered , when coje zofar came on with all his power , resolving to attack the bastion of the sea , with three castles built upon a ship of prodigious bigness , well stored with cannon to batter the wall. within the castles were two hundred turks , who were to distract the desendants by pouring in continually all sorts of artificial fire-works . this design succeeded not , for our commander having notice of it , sent iacome leite to burn that ship. he took twenty men in two vessels , and though he set out by night , was discovered ; yet did not desist , but couragiously went on and set fire to it ; then retiring , saw a great part of it fly into the air , with most of the turks , the remainder casting such a flame , as at a distance discovered the enemies army running in batalions to quench the fire . iacome seeing them in clusters , let fly his cannon and killed many of them . in this action he had seven men wounded . he went on to the mouth of the river , and took from the enemy some vessels of provision , with which he returned to the fort , much admired of all . . coje zofar began to build the wall , that had been before beat down , which could not be hindred , though our cannon killed many of the workmen ; but was brought to such perfection , that he planted ●…hereon sixty great cannon , besides many small , and one of such extraordinary bigness , that it shook the whole island , and made pieces of the fort fly ; it was managed by an expert french renegado . at this time arrived d. ferdinand de castro , son to the governour , sent by him with some relief of men. mascarenhas wanted some intelligence from the enemies camp. iames de anaya coutino , a gentleman of note and man of great strength , knowing of it , at night putting a helmet on his head , with a sword by his side and spear in his hand , let himself down the wall , and lying close at some distance from the fort , discovered two moors , who being come up to him , he killed the one with the spear , and taking up the other in his arms run with him to the gate of the fort , and calling threw him in , to the great admiration of those that beheld it . this was much ; but what follows is more : he had borrowed the helmet he carried , and promised on the word of a gentleman to restore it , or dye . in this scuffle it fell off , and he mist it not till the owner asked for it . he said nothing ; but letting himself off the wall again , went to look for , found and restored it . nothing could be more brave ; nothing more honourable . . the king came from champanel with ten thousand horse , to see ( as coje zofar said ) that place taken . this caused an extraordinary motion in the army , and d. iohn desired to know the cause of it . six of our men sallied out at night and fell among sixty moors , who were all asleep , whereof they killed some , and the rest waking at the noise , as also some that were not far off , our men were forced to retire , leaving two dead ; the four brought a prisoner with them , who informed our commander of what he desired . this action incensed the king and coje zofar , so that they renewed the fury of their batteries , and did much harm . the renegado frenchman was struck dead by a chance dart , and the gunner who succeeded him being ignorant , did more harm to his own party , than to us , which was some revenge . all the neighbourhood resounded with the noise of the cannon and cries of dying men , when a bullet of ours falling in the kings tent , sprinkled him with the blood of one of his favourites who was near him , and beaten to pieces . this so terrified the king , that he instantly fled , leaving the command of the horse to iuzarcan , a valiant ethiopian . . coje zofar pressed the besieged , and there was great slaughter and destruction on both sides ; the more visible and dangerous in the fort , by reason of its little compass , and the small number of men. mascarenas appeared wherever there was danger , as hoping to gain no less honour than antony de silveyra had done there a few years before . he was no less fortunate in couragous women ; for those that were in the fort encouraged the men ; assisted and relieved them at the work . and when the turks entred the walls , one of them hearing they were got into a house , run in with a spear and fought till mascarenas came and put them all to the sword. . coje zofar omitted nothing that could be devised to fill the ditches , and lay open the fort. all industry was used on our side to repair the breaches . the prime gentry did the duties of private souldiers and masons , the walls and bastions were ruined at night , and repaired by morning . coje zofar was astonished to see all he destroyed restored . coming on in a rage with fresh men , a cannon ball took off his head and right hand , whereon he leaned it . thus he fulfilled his mothers prediction , who being at otranto , still persuaded him to be reconciled to the church , and perceiving she prevailed not , superscribed her letters to him thus : to coje zofar my son , at the gates of hell. his son rumecan succeeded him as well in wickedness , as the ardent desire of taking that fort. he took upon him his father's command , and inherited his fortune . our commander was obliged to send fresh advice to the governour at goa , and the captains of the neighbouring places . a priest was the messenger , who run very great danger , the sea at that time being scarce navigable . but then portugal had some decij , and some reguli : now it has only the grief of wanting them . chap. ii. continues the government of d. john de castro , and siege of diu. . rumecan now gives a general assault , he and iuzarcan attack the bastions of st. iohn and st. thomas , where they found a most vigorous resistance , and so many were killed that the defendants seemed rather a raging plague , than men. yet at length , valour was forced to give way to numbers , and the enemy mounted st. thomas's bastion : but despair administring fury rather than valour , the few portugueses rush upon the multitude of enemies , and making a wonderful slaughter , throw headlong from the wall such as had escaped the sword , so that the dead lay in heaps . . rumecan thinking mahomets displeasure was the cause of this misfortune , spent this night in prayers and processions . in the morning , thinking he had attoned , he renewed the assault : after mounting the two bastions he was forced to retire , having lost almost two thousand men , and among them the ethiopian iuzarcan , general of the horse : an uncle of his of the same name succeeded him . in this action seven portugueses were lost . several other assaults were given with like success . in one of these the fire was so close and furious , that several who were clad in cotton , which soon took flame , ran and dipt themselves in the water , and so returned to their posts . those who wore skins escaped better . our commander taking notice of this , caused some gilt leather , wherewith his rooms were hung , to be made into coats for the souldiers . another time d. iohn and d. peter de almeyda , with one hundred men , sallied to destroy a mount raised by the enemy to over-look the fort , and effected it , killing three hundred moors . martin botello another time went out with ten men , to take some body to give intelligence ; and falling upon eighteen put them to flight all , except a bold nubij , who standing all the eleven , wrestled with botello ; and he finding it hard to overcome him whilst he could touch the ground with his feet , like another hercules with anseus , ran with him in his arms to the fort. . the attacks were still renewed , the defendants spent with labour , and above all with hunger , feeding even upon nauseous vermin . a crow taken upon the dead bodies was a d●…nty for the sick and sold for five crowns , the ammunition was almost spent , and now the enemy gives a hot assault with fresh men , ten thousand having newly joyned them . they entred st. iohn's bastion , and retired . scarce had they left it , when it blew up , and in it of our men , ten whereof came down alive . iames de sotomayer fell into the fort with a spear in his hand ; a souldier in the same manner fell among the enemies , and was killed by them . it was no fable , that armed men were seen in the air this bout . our captain mascarenas foreseeing the danger , had ordered them to quit the bastion ; but one reynoso protested , he would accuse them of cowardize , if they did . the one commanded prudently , the other advised couragiously ; yet was guilty of disobedience . . thirteen thousand of the enemy attack the breach they had made ; only five souldiers withstood them till mascarenas came with fifteen more . the women assisted the men , and ran even to brave death . the priest , who was returned from carrying the advice to the neighbouring places , appeared encouraging all with a crucifix lifted on high . the actions done here were incredible ; but night coming on the enemy retired , having lost three hundred men. mascarenas spent all the night in repairing the damages received . . the enemy daily renewed their attacks with the same success , and held out by means of their vast numbers . rumecan fell again to mining , and pierced the very rocks that stood in his way ; but met not with such success as he had done the time before ; for d. iohn perceiving his work , countermined it , and it flew all back upon the besiegers , killing many of them . d. alvaro , the governours son , sent with supplies , seemed to sail in opposition to the seas and winds , through storms almost incredible : yet they all arrived at baçaim , and antony moniz barreto , with gentlemen , got first into diu , who though so few , by their bravery were no small comfort to the besieged . one of these , called michael darnide , a man of prodigious strength , barreto refusing to take him into his boat , leaped into the water with his musquet in his mouth and swam after him , so he was obliged to take him up . . next came luis de melo & mendoça with nine men ; then d. george and d. duarte de meneses with seventeen ; after them d. antony de ataide , and francis guillerme , with fifty each ; and lastly , ruy freyre , factor of chaul , with twenty four . all together fell upon the enemy , then possessed of some of our works , and among them the bastion santiago . the dispute was hot ; yet the enemy set up their colours on the walls . antony moniz barreto made good his post with only two souldiers , and was going to quench his flames in the water ; but one of the two , who was in the same condition , detained him , and both did things worthy admiration . antony correa sallied out with twenty men to discover the enemy , and saw twelve moors sitting about a fire ; he exhorted his men to fall upon them , but they seeing him go on , fled ; however he went on thinking to take one that might give intelligence : he fell on and behaved himself bravely ; yet he was taken and carried to rumecan , who examined him about the posture the fort was in , which being then very miserable , he represented so powerful , as drove him into despair , and moved him to cause the unfortunate prisoner to be dragged through the streets , and his head cut off , which was set upon a pole next day in sight of the fort. . the enemy had now lost five thousand men ; the besieged two hundred , and had not so many more left , and not above half them able to do duty , when d. alvaro arrives with the supplies , which consisted of four hundred men , and a sufficient quantity of ammunition , having by the way taken a ship of cambaya richly laden . the joy of this relief was soon allayed ; for the souldiers that came with d. alvaro , fearing the mines , proposed to meet the enemy in open field : but the governour prudently refusing , they broke out into open mutiny in contempt of all military discipline , scarce known , or at least not respected by the portugues nation . d. iohn seeing himself in danger of perishing in the fort by his own men , chose rather to dye in the field among the enemies . he sallied with almost five hundred men in three bodies . at one heat they gained the enemies advanced post , forcing them to retire to their works . those who insolently forced their commander to this extravagancy , stood heartless at the foot of the trenches , seeing others mount who had said less . d. iohn seeing them in this posture , cried out , whether it was thus they had promised to fight ? where was now that boldness that obliged him to come into the field ? where the threats , that they would fight the enemy without him ? behold your commander you accused of cowardize , calls you to the danger : and who is there follows me of those that would have led me hither ? within the walls you were fierce , and now in the field timorous . your courage suits with your tongues ; for those who said much , always acted little . they ashamed to be thus justly upbraided , took heart and mounted : the whole army came down upon them , and the portugueses having done wonders , were forced to retire in disorder . this was the time the enemy had possessed himself of the fort , had not mascarenas with his prudence and valour prevented mojatecan , who with five thousand attempted to enter , and was valiantly opposed by luis de sousa in st. thomas's bulwark . threescore men were lost in this action : d. alvaro de castro was mortally wounded in the head. this was the fruit of that insolent disobedience . . the moors had taken the cannon of the bastion santiago , when vasco de cuna and luis de almeyda brought a fresh relief . the latter immediately went out with payo rodriguez and peter alfonso in three caravels , and as soon returned with two great ships of meca and some other vessels , whose loading was worth fifty thousand ducats . at the yard-arms hung many moors , whose heads were then cut off , as was the captains , who was a janizary and offered three thousand ducats for his ransom . chap. iii. continues the siege of diu , the governour d. john de castro comes in person to its relief . . now begins the month of november , and the siege had lasted eight months , when the governour d. iohn de castro covers the sea with a great fleet of all sorts of vessels for the relief of diu. all goa admired the constancy wherewith he received the news of the death of his son d. fernando ; for though he highly resented it he dissembled his grief , and dressing himself gayer than ordinary , went in procession , to give god thanks , that diu was still in the possession of the portugueses ; and then went to a publick feast , which is an imitation of a fight , wherein they use canes instead of lances . . the fleet consisted of above ninety sail , besides three of the ships that then came from portugal ; and several gentlemen that came in them , went in other vessels . . the governour being come to baçaim , waited the coming up of the vessels that were scattered , and the mean while sent d. emanuel de lima to scour the coast. on the coast of damam he took several ships , and cutting the moors that were in them in pieces , threw them into the mouths of the rivers , that the tide carrying them up , they might strike a terrour in all that coast. entring the river of suratt , after a vigorous resistance made , he destroyed all that belonged to the town called , of the ethiopians . the same was done at the city ansote , not far distant , without sparing beauty , the finest women of the bramens and baneans being slaughtered . so in other neighbouring towns ; and then d. emanuel withdrew , leaving an universal terrour all along that shoar . . the fleet appearing in the sea of diu , the enemy stood amazed , though they had just then received a supply of five thousand fresh men sent by the king. the governour went privately into the fort , and afterwards landed his men. he proposed in council , whether it was fit presently to march out and fight the enemy ? the question was debated , till the experienced garcia de sa put an end to it , saying , they ●…ught to fight . they marched in this order : d. iohn mascarenas , commander of the fort , led the van , consisting of five hundred men : d. alvaro led as many : don emanuel de lima , the like number . the governour led the rest , which were one thousand , and a body of indians . among the men were some portugues women in mens cloaths , to assist the wounded . in the fort was left the lieutenant with three hundred men. that night they fixed their arms , and next morning prepared their souls . the governour appointed rewards for those who first mounted the enemies works . . at break of day , on the th of november , this small army marched out to attack the numerous forces of the enemies , who were well intrenched and provided with cannon . our men gave the onset with much bravery , and some fell . two gentlemen , who had challenged each other , now agreed he should be owned as victorious over the other , who first mounted the enemies works ; both honourably strove for this glory , and both died gloriously in the attempt . at length our men mounted the works ; such was each man's eagerness to be the first , that it could not be known who really was so . payva having lost a leg , fought on his knees till he was killed . the tanadar cut down a turk , and stooping to make an end of him , was slain by another turk . francis de azevedo was killed , after having made a great slaughter . . the brave mascarenas and d. alvaro de castro , having taken a bulwark , make themselves room in the field . the governour comes up and enflames the fight . he orders his ensign to fix the colours on the enemies works , and is immediately obeyed by him . twice was the ensign thrown down , and twice he remounted . our men encouraged by the governour , press forward , and the enemy gives way . the portugueses enter their works pell-mell with them , and rumecan comes on with the whole body of his army ; but after a hot dispute retires , leaving his enemies masters of his works . . rumecan joyns iuzarcan , who on the other side was worsted by mascarenas . the governour marches out of the works to meet them , giving the van to his son d. alvaro . the portugueses were much distressed , when f. antony del cazal appeared before them with a crucifix on the point of a lance , encouraging them with godly words . they take courage , and covering the field with dead and wounded men , put rumecan to flight ; but he rallying , forced the portugueses to retire in great disorder . the governour exposing himself to admiration , renewed the fight , and restored good order : at this time a stone broke a●… arm of the crucifix , and the priest calling upon the men to revenge that sacriledge , they fell on with such fury , that having done incredible execution , they drove the enemy to the city , who still gave way , facing us . the first that entred the city with them was d. iohn , then d. alvaro , and d. emanuel de lima and the governour , all several ways , making the streets and houses run with blood. the women escaped not the fate of the men , and children were slain at their mothers breasts , one stroak taking away two lives . the first part of the booty was precious stones , pearls , gold and silver ; other things , though of value , were slighted as cumbersom . . rumecan ▪ and his general officers , rally their men , and appear again in the field with eight thousand . the governour and his son , and d. iohn mascarenas encompass them , the fight was bloody ; in the heat of it gabriel teyxeyra killing the bearer , took the standard of cambaya and dragged it about the field , proclaiming victory . george nunez , from among the dead , brought out rumecans head , and presented it to the governour . others took iuzarcan , who was wounded . our men were left absolute masters of the field . of the portugueses one hundred were killed , others say only thirty four ; of the enemy five thousand , and among them azedecan , lucan and other men of note . free plunder was allowed , some were enriched ; many got much , and all were satisfied . there were taken many colours , forty pieces of cannon of an extraordinary bigness , which with the lesser made up two hundred , and a vast quantity of ammunition . . many particularly signalized themselves in this action . the governour played the part of a souldier , as well as a general . d. iohn mascarenas , after a siege of eight months , did more ( with respect to such merits ) than all . d. alvaro de castro , of whom it is enough to say , he did like his father . the ensign barbado , who being several times thrown down , as often mounted the works . f. antony , who with the image of life , banished the fear of death . and many more , as well of those who were killed , as they that survived . the enemy confessed , that one day during the siege they saw over the church of the fort , a beautiful woman cloathed in white , from whom proceeded such rays that blinded them ; and this day , in the field , some men with lances , who did them the greatest harm . the king in a rage for this loss , caused twenty eight portugueses he had in custody , to be torn to pieces in his presence . . whilst the governour was employed in repairing the damage received , d. emanuel de lima by his order scowred the coast of cambaya with thirty ships , extirpating all the towns on that shoar . the city goga , one of the chief of that kingdom , was taken without any resistance , the inhabitants flying to the mountains . it was plundered and burnt ; then pursuing the inhabitants , they were found at night about a league off asleep , and all put to the sword. all the cattle in the fields were either killed or ham-strung . the city gandar had the very same fate . the same was done in several other towns , and with many ships along the coast of baroche . . great was the joy at goa , for the news of what had hapned at diu , carried thither by iames rodriguez de azevedo , by whom the governour desired the city to lend him twenty thousand pardao's for the use of the army , sending a lock of his whiskers in pawn for the mony. the city returned the pawn with respect , and sent him more mony than he demanded ; and the women their pendants , necklaces , bracelets , and others jewels . the governour punctually restored all , as it was sent ; being the day before supplied by a rich ship of cambaya , taken by antony moniz barreto on the coast of mangalor . . the fort being repaired , and put into a better condition than it was before the siege , and five hundred men into it , and d. george de meneses with six ships upon the coast , and the city better inhabited through the good usage of the governour to the moors , he sailed for goa , and arrived there on the th of april . he was received with loud acclamations , and a splendid triumph prepared by the city , in imitation of those of rome . the city gates and streets were hung with silk , the windows thronged with fine women ; all places resounded with musick and noise of cannon , and the sea was covered with vessels richly adorned . the governour entred under a rich canopy , where taking off his cap , they put on his head a crown of laurel , and a branch of it in his hand . before him went the priest with the crucifix , as he carried it in the fight , and next to him the royal standard . then iuzarcan , his eyes fixed on the ground , perhaps that he might not see his prince's colours dragged and ours flying , and among them six hundred prisoners in chains . in the front the cannon , and all other sorts of arms in carts , very delightful to behold . the governour walked upon leaves of gold and silver , and rich silks . the ladies from the windows sprinckled him with sweet water , and threw flowers on him . our queen catherine hearing the relation of his victory and triumph , said , d. john had overcome like a christian , and triumphed like a heathen . chap. iv. continues the government of d. john de castro , and reign of king john the third . . scarce was the triumph over , when the governour sent iames de almeyda freyre with one hundred and twenty horse , eight hundred foot , and a thousand indians , to drive out of the lands of salsete and bardes , some troops sent to hidalcan to possess themselves of them ; because the conditions upon which he delivered them were not performed . the enemy appeared at cowlij to the number of four thousand , who fled at the news of our approach . so the lands were recovered without drawing sword. hidalcan sent the same troops again , with nine thousand more , and a company of renegado portugueses , commanded by gonzalo vaz coutino , who flying the punishment of his crimes , defended himself by committing greater . iames de almeyda marched again with the same force as before ; but being too weak , was forced to quit what before he had regained . the governour marched in person with three thousand men in five batalions . francis de melo joyned them with about fifteen hundred . the enemy hearing of it , though so numerous , retired to the fort of ponda . our army followed , and d. alvaro de castro , who led the van , took a ford defended by two thousand musqueteers . the other twelve or thirteen thousand were drawn up in good order about the fort ; but fled , after receiving our first fire , leaving the fort so clear , it appeared they had no design to maintain it . . the victor never wants friends . cidoça , king of canara , sent to congratulate d. iohn de castro upon this victory . he proposed a new league with portugal ; which was concluded upon honourable terms , as always happen to those who are sent to . this kingdom of charnataca , corruptly canara , had no sovereign prince till the year of grace . it began then in boca a shepherd , who stiled himself rao , that is , emperour , a title that contiued in all his successors . this king , as a memorial of the defeat given to the king of delij , built the famous city visajanagar , corruptly also called bisnagar . the crown continued in his line till usurped by narsinga , from whom this kingdom took that name , as also that of bisnagar , from the city . afterwards king melique sent also to ratifie and confirm the peace with us , rather through hatred to him was defeated , than love to the conquerours . . d. george de meneses , who was left in the sea of cambaya with six ships , was informed that madremaluco , son-in-law to coje zofar and lord of baroche , was gone from thence with all the garrison . baroche is a city seated in the highest part of those plains , encompassed with a strong wall , very populous and well built . meneses marched by night , and at break of day had entred the houses , killing many asleep , and the others as they awaked . such as escaped with the fright , they knew not whither they ran , leaving wives and children behind only to save their own lives . the city could not be maintained , and therefore was plundered and burnt , and the cannon that could not be carried aboard , were burst . to d. george's sirname was added that of baroche . . the governour was informed , the king of cambaya would come upon diu with a greater power than before , and with all diligence prepared to relieve it . the city of goa advanced mony for this enterprize , and the women again sent him their jewels by their little daughters , complaining he had not made use of them the last time , and desiring he would now : but he sent them back with presents . the fleet consisted of sail. . they sailed to baçaim , and thence to suratt , where d. alvaro , who set out eight days before , had taken a work , killed some moors and got cannon . next , they entred the port of baroche , whence they discovered the king of cambaya covering the plain with men , and cannon in the front ; the army made a semicircle and covered a league of ground . d. iohn boldly leaped ashoar , not only to shew he feared him not , but with design to fight him . the most experienced officers dissuaded him , representing it was a rashness for to attack ; that it was enough that he had landed , and drawn off with as much leisure , as if victorious . he was forced against his will , to submit to the advice of his elders . he went on to diu , and giving the command of that fort to luis falcam , because d. iohn mascarenas was returning to portugal , he run like an inundation along the coast of por and mongalor . the beautiful and strong cities of pate and patane were abandoned by the inhabitants , and by us destroyed , near two hundred vessels burnt in their ports , and a rich booty taken . the same hapned to dabul , but with some opposition . this was done in revenge for hidalcan's ravaging the lands of salsete and bardes . . calabatecan , his general , had lately possessed those lands with twenty thousand men. the governour went to meet them with fifteen hundred horse and four thousand foot ; but the enemy scarce heard them , when they fled to the mountains of cowlij , leaving their tents and baggage for haste . our army rested , and at break of day marched to give a good morrow to calabatecan , who slept not , but came down with two thousand horse to maintain the ford. but almeyda passing with a few horse , struck him down with his lance ; yet he rising nimbly had killed our captain with his cimiter , had not his page again cast him down with a stroak of a lance. he again rose , and was again beat down by almeyda , and cut to pieces . his arms , horse and furniture were of such value , that the share of george madera , one of those that killed him ( being the cimiter , dagger , chain and rings ) were worth eight thousand crowns . the moors and christians fell to it desperately ; but the former knowing their general was killed , soon fled , losing almost three thousand men. . soon after the governour marched to the coast , where he left neither town , wood , nor flock or herd of cattle that could be seen , but what he destroyed with fire and sword. he was so pleased with this success , that he entred goa in manner of triumph , giving the best share of it to his son d. alvaro . these were rather demonstrations of joy , than triumphs ; if otherwise , the triumphs were too many . . sometime before f. antony del padron ( the first commissary of st. francis in india ) with some companions had entred into the island ceylon , and preaching had wrought no small effect along the coast. f. pascalis was so well received by the king iavira pandar of candea , that desiring to become a christian , he was only deterred for fear of his subjects rebelling , and therefore desired assistance of the governour in case of any commotion . antony moniz barreto was sent to this effect . mean while the king of cota persuades iavira , that he should no sooner be a christian , but the portugueses would deprive him of his kingdom . the king giving credit to this wicked device , resolved to kill all the portugueses sent to his assistance . but the better to execute it , feigned himself still of the same mind . barreto ( it is not known how ) had intelligence of the design , and finding more danger in returning to the ships , than going on to ceitavaca , where that king was our friend , he caused those one hundred and twenty men he had landed to burn all they had , except some little provision , to let them know they were to save nothing , but their lives . three days they marched , fighting with eight thousand men so fortunately , that they arrived at ceitavaca without losing one man : to the great honour of their captain . . our irreconcileable enemy , the king of achem , about this time sent against malaca a fleet of sixty sail , and in it five thousand land-men ; among which were five hundred orobalones , commonly called , of the gold bracelets ; because they wear them , and are very brave ; but his best regiment was of turks and janizaries . this body was commanded by a valiant moor , who had the style of dr. king of pedir . he landed by night at malaca , and found nothing but some geese , which he took to shew his prince , as a testimony of his landing : but those fowl alarming the city ( as formerly the capitol , ) caused all to be in readiness , which was but little , the town being then very scarce of men. . however , the enemy was forced to retire and imbark , having burnt two ships of ours that were ready to sail . without they took seven fishermen , and cutting off their noses ears , and feet , sent them to the commander simon de melo , with a challenge writ with their blood. the challenge was made a jest of , because there was no force there to answer it . but the great st. francis xaverius , who was zealous for the king's honour , as well as the service of god , being there then , he disapproved the jest , and advised to meet the enemy at any rate . the governour and others excused themselves , urging there were in the port but eight small vessels , which , as being rotten and unfit for service , lay aground . this was true , but the cause of it was the neglect and avarice of the government . . the great xaverius took so much pains , that he prevailed with some merchants to fit out those vessels , prophetically promising two galliots would come to their aid . the time prefixed was near expired , when they appeared sailing for patane , and came into malaca , though they had not designed it . the saint went aboard , found they were commanded by iames suarez de melo , called the gallego , and his son baltasar ; he persuaded them to have a part in that action . these ten poor vessels being fitted and manned with two hundred and thirty men , sailed to find out the enemy under the command of d. francis deça . . being about to return home , after two months spent in search of the enemy , they found him in the river parles , and engaged upon a sunday morning . the fight was desperate ; our men behaved themselves with incredible bravery , and had a most compleat victory , killing four thousand of the enemy , sinking several of their ships , and taking most of the rest , whereof they carried away but twenty five , for want of men , and burnt the rest . three hundred pieces of cannon were taken , and almost a thousand musquets . this victory cost us but twenty five men , some say , only four . . at the time of this fight st. francis was preaching at malaca , and pausing , on a sudden related all the particulars of it to his auditory , who were in great care for those ships , having had no news of them in two months . his prediction was verified a few days after by their arrival . . in september arrived five ships from lisbon : six set out , but the one was cast-away at angoxa , the men saved and distributed amongst the other ships . chap. v. the end of the government of d. john de castro . . the governour began this year with the utter destruction of the coast subject to hidalcan . he had the same fleet as before , and began in ianuary at the river charopa , two leagues from goa . he spared neither living creature , vegetable , nor the very stones ; but burnt and slaughtered all as far as the city dabul , which was reduced to ashes , the inhabitants being fled with the best of their goods . hence he ran in the same manner to the river cifardam , which parts this kingdom from that of melique . . the king of campar , who had taken the city adem from the turks , being threatned by them , had recourse to the portugueses , submitting himself to our king ; and to this effect d. payo de norona was sent to him with a supply by the commander of ormuz . d. payo behaved not himself as he ought to have done on this occasion ; for the king marching out to fight the turks , by whom he was beaten and slain , and having left him to guard the city , he ( over-fearful of treachery ) retired to his ship , and returned not though he saw the town assaulted . some turkish galleys came and besieged the place , and d. payo having promised the prince assistance left him , carrying away the few portugueses he had brought . emanuel pereyra resolved to stay there , and francis vieyra , who was raising men at campar , made his way in . both behaved themselves bravely ; but the turks entring by treachery , the prince and one of his brothers were killed ; the portugueses with another retired to campar , to expect the succours were to come from india . . d. alvaro went with three hundred men in thirty vessels , loaded with ammunition . the governour was overjoyed with the news of the submission of adem . but this joy was soon allayed by a dangerous fever , and a violent mutiny raised for want of bread. emanuel de sousa & sepulveda prudently appeased it ; and the governour being recovered , caused his hand to be cut off who beat the drum to call the people , and two others of the chief , to be imprisoned . . d. iohn de ataide , or meneses , sent before by d. alvaro to adem , entring boldly as believing it to be in the possession of d. payo , lost two vessels and all the men that were in them , who were either killed or made slaves by the turks . noronha met d. alvaro at canequirim , and earnestly laboured to represent how great the danger was that obliged him to quit that place . but the dead kings embassadour and his own silence , when accused , were witnesses against him . he came afterwards to goa , and one of his servants having taken a hen from a slave , the slave was complaining at the door they would not restore it : when a portugues passing by told him ; leave off , for in that house they love hens : if it were adem they would soon part with it , but not a hen. now in portugues by a hen they signifie a coward , as well as the fowl ; and the word adem signifies a duck , and was the name of the place he quitted . d. alvaro finding the posture of affairs so changed , desisted from the enterprize . . he had orders , as soon as he concluded at adem to go to caxem , that first being laid aside , he went to the second . the king of caxem impatiently expected his assistance against the turks , who had taken his castle of xael . they assaulted it , and those within ( being only thirty ) offered to surrender upon honourable terms . the portugueses against the inclination of the king and d. alvaro , refused to give any conditions , and wrongfully detained them that came to treat . pride and injustice seldom go unpunished . the portugueses attack the fort , and the besieged turning their submission into rage , died couragiously , killing five hundred portugueses : the rest returned in triumph to goa , which was no ways grateful to the governour ; and 't is thought the cowardize at adem , and rashness at xael , were two great causes that carried him to his grave , for all he endeavoured to dissemble it . . the news of the victory at diu being brought this year to lisbon , the king resolved to send a greater fleet than usual to india , and to honour d. iohn with unusual favours ; for they were the first that any governour of india received from his prince , for good service performed . the fleet consisted of seventeen sail. d. iohn had the government continued to him with the title of vice-roy , a present of mony , and his son d. alvaro made admiral of the indian seas . . d. iohn was almost dead when these bounties reached him , and he died of a disease that nowadays kills no man , though it did formerly ; for even diseases dye . it was grief for the miserable estate india was reduced to , without any means of redressing it ; and the actions of some gentlemen , among them that of his son at xael . he publickly begged pardon of many for writing against them to the king , that it may appear , even great spirits purchase favour by mean whispers . . d. iohn find ing himself unable to manage the government , appointed a council of select persons to supply his place . and when he saw there was no hopes of life , he called them before him , and some others , and said , though he neither hoped nor desired to live , yet while he continued in that condition something must be spent : that he had nothing , and desired that they would order something out of the king's revenue , that he might not dye for want . then he ordered a mass-book to be brought , and laying his hand upon it , his eyes lifted up to heaven , swore , that he had no way made use of the kings , or any other mans mony : that he had not drove any trade , to increase his own stock ; and desired that this act of his might be recorded . soon after he gave up the ghost in the arms of st. francis xaverius , on the th of iune , in the th year of his age , having governed two years and eight months . in his private cabinet was found a bloody discipline , and three royals , which was all his treasure . . he was buried in the church of saint francis. in the year his body was brought to portugal , and laid in the church of bemfica of the dominicans , on a hill not far from lisbon . he is painted crowned with palm-branches , and cloathed in red. he was a great latinist , and well skilled in mathematicks . being desirous to know why the red-sea appears of that colour , he made men dive to the bottom and bring up what they found , whereof he writ a treatise . . d. iohn governed without suffering himself to be over-ruled by pride , as others did before and after him . he asked nothing for himself as a superiour ; what the necessities of the government required , he asked as an equal . he valued men according to merit , not fancy . he so much loved every one should look like what he was , that seeing a fine suit of cloaths as he passed by a taylors , and being told it was his sons , he cut it in pieces , saying , bid that young man provide arms. he was the th in the number of governours , and may be accounted the th vice-roy , and first of the name . . it is fit something should be said of this great man's descent and first actions . he was born the year , and was son of alvaro de castro , governour of the chancery , and of d. leonor de noronha , daughter of d. iohn de almeyda , count of abrantes . in his youth he served in tangier , and returning home had a commendary , valued at ducats a year conferred on him , which was all a man of his birth and merits was ever worth . in those days the revenues were small , and men great ; afterwards the revenues grew great , and the men little . a great soul then did much with a little ; now they do nothing with a great deal . the year , when d. francis de almeyda went first vice roy of india , his salary was but royals a year . d. constantine fifty years after , because he was of the blood royal , had . now they have . see who performed the greatest exploits in that post. . he served afterwards under the emperour charles the fifth , in the expedition of tuniz , and refused his part of a present in mony that prince made to the portugues officers , saying , he served the king of portugal , and of him expected his reward . after this he commanded a fleet upon the coast , and was sent with another to the relief of ceuta , which joyning with that of spain ; the spaniard hearing the moors were drawing near , would draw off to consult concerning the manner of giving battle ; but d. iohn refused to stir . the moors not knowing the fleets were parted , retired , and d. iohn remained with the honour of this action . . when the vice-roy d. garcia de noronha went to india , d. iohn was captain of one of his ships . being ready to go aboard , the king sent him a grant of the command of ormuz , and ducats a year ●…ll he was in possession of it . the last he ●…ccepted , because he was poor ; and refused ●…e first , saying , he had not yet deserved it . ●…e went to suez with d. stephen de gama , ●…nd up to mount sinai , where his son 〈◊〉 . alvaro was knighted . being returned to ●…ortugal , he lived retired in a country-●…ouse he built near cintra , giving himself altogether to his studies . thence he was called by the advice of the infante d. luis , and sent governour to india . chap. vi. the government of garcia de sá , from the year till the year , in the reign of king john the third . . the first patent of succession being opened , named d. iohn mascarenhas who after the long siege of diu was gone for lisbon , to seek the reward which now he missed in india . the second named d. george tello , absent also . in the third was garcia de sá , a person well versed in the affairs of india . at his first entrance upon the government he gave sufficient tokens of his zeal for the publick , and used some liberality to gain the hearts of the souldiers , much dejected with the lessening their pay. . he received an embassadour from hidalcan to treat of peace , which was concluded much to our advantage . about the beginning of august came in eleven of the seventeen ships sent from portugal this year : the other six were arrived before . in this fleet were the first fathers of the order of st. dominick , that went to build a convent at goa ; they were six , and their chief f. iames bernardez a spaniard , and a learned and pious man. . the governour sent martin correa de silva to diu ; hastned the departure of the trading ships , and sailed for baçaim with some men in thirty vessels , designing to gain some advantage over the king of cambaya . he was disappointed ; but it was some satisfaction that he had advice there , that the king of tanor being converted , desired succour against such as should rebel upon his change of religion . garcia de sá , the governours nephew , was sent with threescore men of note , who had good success , as shall appear in its place . . at this time the governour splendidly received the embassadours of zamori , canara , nizamaluco , cotumaluco , and other princes , who came to confirm the former peace . at last sultan mamud , king of cambaya , made overtures , tired with ill success , and the peace was established to our credit . . the spiritual conquest was now very successful . xaverius erected churches , and converted many among the patava's , and two kings with a multitude of people in malaca . iohn soarez , vicar of the fort of chale , converted the king of tanor , with his queen and children . he desiring to see the offices of the church solemnly performed at goa , and be confirmed by the bishop , came to the city , was nobly received , and departed well satisfied , promising to make his subjects follow his example . the persuasions of zamori wrought no effect upon him now ; but afterwards it seems they prevailed , for we shall see him in arms against those who received him with such honour . . one bislald , an ethiopian and favourite of the king of ormuz , rebelled against him at manojam . the king sent against him a good body of his men , supported by portugueses , to which were afterwards added of the first , and of the latter ; but all to no purpose , for he still kept himself out of reach . d. emanuel de lima finding he could not do any thing by open force , resolved to reach him by craft . he agreed with a gallego , that he should counterfeit he fled from him , and getting into baslala's camp , kill him the first opportunity . the gallego soon performed , and all was quiet . . this year we shall see a bloody war between pegu and siam , for an elephant . the king of siam had a white elephant , a beast coveted by all the princes of the east . the king of pegu demanded it by way of superiority ; and he of siam refused it , not so much for the value of the beast , as for the manner of asking . he of pegu entred his dominions , and reduced him to desire a peace upon any terms , so the elephant were not comprehended . they agreed the king of pegu should have the siam's daughter and a noble woman every year , as an acknowledgment : but the latter not performing , the other returned with men , elephants , and an incredible train ; with him came the kings that depended on him , and iames soarez de melo with portugueses . above two thousand workmen went before , who every night set up a stately wooden palace , richly painted and adorned with gold. he made a prodigious bridge of boats over the rapid river menam , a league over , to pass his army . in his way was a narrow pass , where the siamite had raised a strong wall , guarded by men. iames soarez was sent to gain it with , which he performed with some loss to himself , but utter destruction of the enemy . at length he sat down with his wonderful army before the city odia , the court or the king of siam , who was within with men , and cannon , some of a prodigious magnitude . odia is eight leagues in compass , about it a strong wall , and round that a wide and deep water . . the battery began . in the town were portugueses , commanded by iames pereyra , who behaved themselves to admiration . the king of pegu endeavoured to corrupt them with bribes ; but they rejected all his offers . the king astonished , despaired of gaining by the sword , what could not be bought with gold , and removed to the city camambee , where were the siamites treasures ; the place strong , and defended by men. after many attempts this vast power was forced to march off without doing any thing . . xemindoo rebelled against the king of pegu , who sent iames soarez with two hundred portugueses to suppress him . he followed him to the city cevadi ; and he slipping by , got into pegu , because the city sided with him . the queen fled to the castle , where she was defended by twenty portugueses , till the king came and put the rebels to flight . the army entred the city , and put to the sword not only men , women and children , but even the beasts ; nothing escaped , but what was within the liberty of iames soarez his house , which the king had ordered should be exempted ; above twelve thousand saved themselves therein . the plunder was unaccountable , iames soarez alone got above three millions . at his intercession the king pardoned a portugues , who had furnished xemindoo with ammunition . . though the king escaped the hands of xemindoo , he could not the villany of ximi de zatan , ( ximi is equivalent to a duke , and he really was one of satan's creating ) who murdered him in the delightful city zatan . the traytor was immediately proclaimed king , and falling among the murdered princes men , killed three of those that belonged to iames soarez , who fled to the city ovà , and afterwards at pegu was reconciled to this new king , till xemindoo , who fled before , came on again with a powerful army . ximi commanded iames soarez , and his portugueses , to march with him against the enemy ; but before he came thither , the punishment of his great insolencies reached him , as shall be seen hereafter . . zatan was taken and beheaded by xemindoo , who gave out it was for the killing of soarez , as if the murder of the king had not been a more justifiable motive . thus the first rebel possessed himself of the crown , till mandaragri , the late kings brother-in-law , claimed it in right of his wife ; and coming to a battle , gave him such a total defeat , that xemindoo fled to the mountains , where he married a poor fellows daughter . he discovered himself to her , and she revealed it to her father , at such time as great rewards were proposed to such as should discover him . the father-in-law delivered him up to the king , who cut off his head. . the king not throughly satisfied with the people of pegu , built not far from it another great and strong city . then he marched with an army of men , and over-run many neighbouring kingdoms . but another rebellion breaking out at pegu , the queen was forced to fly to the castle , chiefly relying upon portugueses , who defended her till the king came and vanquished the rebels . then the king sent an officer to bring those men , who had defended the queen , to his presence . he brought him some moors of note ; but the king knowing the portugueses were the men , said in anger , i sent you for men , and you bring me cowards ; go , bring me men. the portugueses being brought , he bid them ask whatever reward they would , and they with the surprize doubting , the king loaded them with riches , praises and honours . . now were the inhabitants of the city chincheo , the second portugues colony in china , in a flourishing condition , and seemed to have forgot the sad fate of liampo , destroyed through their wickedness and avarice . ayres coello de sousa came thither to be judge of the orphans , and proveditor for the dead ; his intention being to rob the living and dead , his countrymen and strangers . he committed many villanies to lay hold of ducats , belonging to an armenian christian , who died there , and more of some chinese merchants , upon pretence they belonged to the dead man. these and other insolencies provoked the chineses to do , as they had done at liampo ; to wit , to raze the town , and destroy all the inhabitants . only thirty escaped of five hundred portugueses that lived there . these , and some others they gathered , went over to the island lampazau ; and afterwards , in the year , obtained of the chineses that of gaoxam , where they built the city now called macao , as shall be seen in its place . . our governour studying some means to relieve the great wants of the souldiers , was suddenly snatched away by death , about the beginning of iuly . he was much regretted for his prudence , affability and integrity ; for being seventy years of age , and having born considerable offices , he was forced to give all he had to match two daughters , and yet the best part of their portions was their beauty , and that he was their father . he had a graceful presence ; a comly countenance , always smiling , without lessening his gravity : for it is not necessary to be like a statue , to appear like a god. he was of the first quality of his country : his beard very white and full , falling upon his breast : governed a year and a month , and was the th in that rank ; the second of the name , and first of the sirname . chap. vii . the government of george cabral , from the year , till the year , in the reign of king john the third . . the patents of succession being opened , there was found in the first george cabral , a gentleman by birth , and of known worth , who not long before was gone to take possession of the command of baçaim . he received the news with small signs of joy , an ill token for him that expected the recompence of carrying it : but he being a generous man , did not lessen the reward . it was not want of desire to govern that made him dissatisfied ; but that he feared another coming soon from portugal to succeed him , he should lose the great advantages he might have made of the command he was in , and which he was to hold four years . with him was his wife d. lucretia fiallo , who had double pretensions to be vain , as a woman , and as a beauty , and had now a third , in the news of being wife to the governour of india ; so she laughed to see her husband doubt , whether he should receive what was offered . . cabral revolved a thousand thoughts with himself , not knowing whether to admit or refuse the government , and these cares so disturbed him , that he could not rest at night . his wife finding him so dubious , and fearing to be disappointed of the pride of sitting , though never so short a time in the throne of india , took him one night to task , and using all arts of an ambitious womans tongue , and the allurements of that place , prevailed with him to lay aside all doubt , and accept of the honour offered , which he had seemed averse to , and which she so ardently desired . . he admired her efficacy in persuading , no less powerful in the beauty of her language , than that of her person . though he always thought her a woman of sense ; ( for beauty and folly are not always inseparable ) yet he could not but conclude , the desire of greatness is a great matter of eloquence . who could resist a resolute beauty ? had it been to draw on mankind another universal sin , he must have been an adam to that eve ; much more to accept of a command for which he was sufficiently qualified . in fine , the new governour sailed to goa , in this only governed by his wife ; for india might vie with her in the desire of seeing him possess that throne many years : for cabral deserved to have been long continued in that post , and india was obliged to his wife for the short time he held it . women are not always hurtful : but in those days there were some beautiful and gay without being quite mad. . at our governours coming from cochin , there was not a right understanding between that king and him , because he ordered francis de silva to attemp to plunder the pagod of palurte , which was disappointed , and he lost three portugueses ; and the loss had been greater , but that the king was then absent . this was the cause that three ships set out for portugal late , and ill laden . now came the news , that above sail were fitting out at suez , to transport turks into india . the governour applied himself to provide for such a storm , he acquainted the chief of our towns. goa offered much , chaul sail , bazaim . whilst these preparations were making , f. antony criminal , an italian jesuit , preaching at cape comori , received the crown of martyrdom at the hands of a multitude of the king of bisnagar's subjects , who assaulted him as he preached . he was run through with three lances , and then his head cut off . king iohn was so mightily delighted with this exploit , that he immediately sent advice to baltasar de faria his embassadour at rome , to communicate it to the pope , who received it with due applause . chap. viii . continues the government of george cabral . . zamori , and the king of pimienta , were joyned in a league against him of cochin , which threatned that state with dangerous consequences . the governour set out to prevent them with a fleet of sail ; but returned to goa without doing any thing , because the season was unfit . he only consulted with the king of cochin about the manner of carrying on the war against those confederates , since they could not be brought to a peace . . the weather being seasonable , the king of pimienta took the field at bardela wth nayres , the king of cochin did the same with his men , and portugueses , commanded by the rash francis de sylva , captain of that fort. the armies being drawn up in sight , the king of pimienta , at the request of sylva , gave him a meeting between them . sylva pressed for an accommodation , which the king condescending to upon reasonable terms , was broke off by our captain ; who having more natural strength than natural reason , acted more like a brute than a man. the armies charged each other couragiously , and the king of pimienta was carried off wounded , and died before he knew the event of the battle . his men fled , and were pursued into their city with great slaughter ; the royal palace was fired , which among them is the hainousest affront ; whereupon they rallied , and fell upon the victors with such fury , that they obliged them to retire in great disorder . sylva discharged some few that stood by him , and rushing into the thickest of the enemies , was killed . above fifty portugueses were lost here , which abundantly countervailed for our victory . . five thousand nayres , all sworn to revenge the death of their king , or dye , entred the country of cochim , killing many , and forcing others to fly to the fort. the commander of the fort , henry de sousa , marced out , and finding them engaged with the indians , who fought desperately , killed five hundred . two strange and contrary accidents hapned upon this occasion : one was , a man that lay dying arose , and taking a lance did great execution among the enemies , and perfectly recovered his health : the other , a man in perfect health , who fell down dead with the fright . . all the joy of this success vanished at the sight of zamori , who came attended by the princes of malabar , with men. he encamped with at chembe , ordering those princes ( who were eighteen in number , and among them the king of tanor , lately so fond of us and our religion ) with the other , whereof had devoted themselves to pass over into the island bardela . our governour , upon the first advice , prepared to meet this storm . he sent before emanuel de sousa & sepulveda with four ships , and orders , that having joyned those that were at cochim , he should shut up those princes in the island till he came , being resolved to follow at his heels . sepulveda did his part , and the governour his , for he sailed immediately ; the cities of goa , chaul , and baçaim , furnishing what they had offered for the expedition against the turks , which came to nothing . the fleet consisted of above sail , and almost landmen . the first execution was at tiracole , where many houses , ships and goods were burnt . coulete suffered the same fate , after a vigorous resistance , which cost the lives of many of them , and sixteen of ours . at panane the same , and we lost eight . . our governour landed at cochim , and found that king with forty thousand men ; he had himself six thousand , two thousand having joyned him there . the island being beset , and signal given to fall on , those within began to waive a white flag , for a parley . it was concluded , those eighteen princes should put themselves into the governours hands , upon promise of life . he finding they delayed , resolved to fight them the next day , but was hindred by a great flood ; yet he concluded he might put his design in execution the day after . but what security is there in human felicity ? cabral was almost in possession of one of the most glorious actions that had been seen in india , when the sudden arrival of the vice-roy d. alfonso de noronha ravished this honour from him , no●… suffering him to proceed , nor concluding himself what was so well begun . on the contrary , he suffered all those princes to escape with their whole army . . st. francis xaverius seeing how many great enterprizes were disappointed through the malice or envy of the governours , wrote a letter to the king , acquainting him therewith , and advising to punish such miscarriages with severity , whereby they might for the future be prevented . but ministers serve as they please ; saints advise well , and princes eyes are never opened . commonly , the want of due punishment is the cause of publick calamities . . whilst george cabral was at cochim , waiting to embarque in the ships that were bound to portugal , one night about the middle of february there was a report , that eight thousand sworn nayres would enter the city . cabral run to the gates , with emanuel de sousa & sepulveda , in order to march out and meet them at break of day ; but was hindred by the council of the city . he stayed with a competent number of men to guard the town , and sent sepulveda with fifteen hundred portugueses and the natives . they found those desperate men in a neighbouring town , acting all that rage and malice could suggest . they charged them ; the fight was very desperate , fifty portugueses were slain , and above a thousand of the amouco's or devoted nayres , the rest fled . . let us see what was done during this time by the captains , sent by the governour to several parts . the king of cota had asked succour against his brother madune pandar , king of ceitavaca , who endeavoured to expel him his kingdom ; he offered in requital for the relief , to pay a greater tribute than before . caralea pandar , prince of candea ( not following the example of his father , who was bent against the religious men , who made him a christian ) desired to be baptized , and fled with the priests to a fort , from whence he sent to beg the governour 's assistance . both these places being in the island ceylon , he sent thither d. george de castro with six hundred men. madune scarce saw him , when he raised the siege he had laid to cota , where his brother was . the king of cota and d. george followed him ; and he so fortified the passes , they were forced in some places to fight their way through showers of bullets , stones and arrows , with some loss of men , and no small slaughter of the enemy . being come in sight of the city madune met them , and there ensued a bloody battle desperately fought on both sides . at length madune was obliged to ●…y to the mountains , and leave his brother in possession of that great city , singularly adorned by a pagod of wonderful magnificence . the plunder was very considerable . madune implored his brother's mercy , who had little reason to shew him any ; yet did , and left him possessed of his kingdom . . d. george did not meet with the like success at candea , whither he went after this victory . the enemy came unexpectedly upon him with forty thousand men in a narrow pass , whence he could not escape , and killed eight hundred of his men , half of them portugueses . he got away with more grief for this loss , than honour by the late victory . for it is certain , we are more sensibly grieved at misfortunes , than pleased with success . . bernardin de sousa , at the maluco's , continued the war against the king of gilolo , and drew off with a rich booty , after destroying some towns on the coast with fire and sword. at this time came christopher de sá to succeed him in that command . . george cabral imbarqued well pleased with his good success against the sworn nayres , and was well received in portugal for his great merit , contrary to the custom of this kingdom . he was generally esteemed one of the best governours of india . he was the sixteenth of that number , and held it a year and four months . his person was graceful , his countenance pleasing , of a ruddy complexion , his beard a dark chesnut . . this year was born at goa ( the father and mother were canara's ) a hairy monster like a monky , with a round head and only one eye in the forehead , over it grew horns , and on the sides ears like those of a kid. as the midwife received it into her hands , it cried out with a loud voice and stood upon its feet . the father locked it up in a hen-coop : it got out , and seizing upon the mother , had like to tear off one of her nipples . the father catching it again , poured scalding water upon the head and killed it , and could scarce cut off the head , it was so hard . he burnt it ; and the thing being known he was punished for killing it , and the body was exposed to publick view in the city . chap. ix . the government of the vice-roy d. alfonso de noronha , from the year , till , in the reign of king john the third . . don alfonso de noronha was taken from the government of ceuta , to be sen●… to that of india , and more favours conferred on him than on any of his predecessors ; as if this post of it self were not as great a favour for him , as for others . thus we see princes bestow the very same places on some as rewards , which they give to others as a step to merit : the fault is not in the gift , but in him that bestows it . but it seems , the king in part ballanced this favour by assigning him a council , by whom he must of necessity be advised in india . . he had orders to send back into portugal all the new christians , that is , converted jews , who had gone from hence with their whole families ; and it were better they had been banished both places . he was also to take cognizance of those ancient christians , who disturbed such as were converted from paganism . . don alfonso set out of lisbon with four ships ; one had been sent before ▪ to give advice why the rest stayed , and d. alvaro de gama ( son to the great vasco ) sailed so late , it was never expected he would get thither ; yet he overtook the others , the seas being favourable to all that descend from his father ; for it was never known any of them was cast-away . the vice-roy was received at goa with the usual demonstrations of joy , proceeding rather from the hatred they bear him that lays down the sword , than love to him that takes it up . . he immediately sent advice of his arrival to all parts , and dispatched commanders to several forts , and for sea. luis figueyra was sent to the red sea with five vessels , where they met the turk cafar with five galliots . figueyra attacks cafar's galliot , and was slain , much admired by the enemy for his valour . the four subordinate captains stood looking on and saw him killed , without coming to his relief . one of them , gaspar nunez , ashamed of what he had done , went away with all his men into ethiopia , and was never more heard of . soveral , another of them , met one of those galliots , fought , and they parted upon equal terms . after he met the other two , and they all returned with disgrace to goa . . the arabs of catifa delivered up to the turks the fort of that city , which highly offended the king of ormuz . the turks had also expelled his kingdom the king of baçora , who yet kept the field with thirty thousand men , in hopes to recover his kingdom with the assistance of the portugueses . to this effect he sent an embassy to the vice-roy , offering leave to build a fort in his harbour , and other advantages to the crown of portugal . d. antonio de noronha , nephew to the vice-roy , was sent to assist these two kings , with twelve hundred men in nineteen vessels . being come to ormuz , they marched with three thousand of that kings men , and set down before the fort of catifa . four hundred turks that were in that garrison behaved themselves bravely ; but finding it in vain to resist , fled by night , and being discovered were pursued and routed . the fort was taken , and the captain of ormuz not daring to maintain it , it was thought fit to be razed . a mine was made , which taking fire before the time , and blowing up , the work buried portugueses . . after this victory noronha sailed to the mouth of the river euphrates , in order to relieve the king of baçora . here a cunning bassa persuaded him , he was sent for to be delivered up to his enemies ; whereupon he returned inglorious to ormuz , where being come he understood the deceit , but it was too late . . the vice-roy had sent d. garcia de meneses to command at ternate , at the request of that king , who could not endure iordan de freytas , that sent him prisoner to goa . the affairs of malaca hindred meneses from going thither . bernardin de sousa , who had scarce resigned that post to christopher de sá , returned , with orders to continue there , in case the spaniards encroached upon those places . sá refused to admit him , because the spaniards were quiet , and his order conditional ; but sousa pressed to be restored , because he had not made so much of that command as he expected . at length sá , to prevent mischief , submitted . sousa immediately sets out with portugueses , and sails for gilolo , to destroy the fort was raising there . the king of ternate , and prince of bacham , followed with men. . the king of gilolo couragiously expected the coming of his enemy in the the fort , with men and many pieces of cannon . baltasar veloso led our van ; the prince of gilolo breaking out of an ambush with four hundred men , fell upon and distressed him ; but veloso , though seventy years of age , made such havock among the enemies , they were forced to fly . our captain received some damage , continues his battery , and sits down to besiege the place . he cut off their water , which obliged them , after a siege of three months , to capitulate , and peace was concluded upon these hard terms , that the king should lose this title and be styled governour , and pay tribute . the portugueses entred the fort in his presence , committing many barbarous enormities , and laid it even with the ground . it is no small credit to those of gilolo , that they held out four days after all their provision was spent . on our side three hundred men were killed , eighteen of them portugueses ; there were more wounded . ferdinand macha●… saying , he should be killed here , said the office of the dead for himself ; and le●…t it might be thought cowardize , went dancing up to the enemy ; he died of his wounds soon after the surrender . the king also died for grief , and his son c●…chilguzarate succeeded him . bernardin de sousa being jealous of the fort of tidore , went over to it ; and that king fearing greater damage , agreed it should be demolished . . sultan halaudim , that king that peter mascarenas expelled bantam , and d. stephen de gama from ujantana , resolved now to try his fortune against malaca . he had a great power at sea , and was assisted by the kings of pera , pam and marruaz , and the queen of iapara in the island of iava . about the beginning of iune the fleet of these confederates put to sea , consisting of above two hundred sail. the king of ujantana had sent an embassadour to d. pedro de silva , commander of malaca , whose chief business was to discover what force was in malaca . d. pedro , on the other side , was privately informed by laximena , the embassadour's father , of the king's design , which was to surprize malaca by giving o●…t , his preparations were against achem. he had like to compass his ends , for the time was very short to provide . the king entred the port , and burnt what ships were in it , and at the same time possessed himself of the suburbs . then he intrenched , planted his cannon , and began to batter the fort furious and successfully , and at length reduced the inhabitants to feed upon such things as are loathsom . . d. garcia de meneses sailing for the maluco's , put into malaca with his caravel , where he had a hot dispute with lacxemena , the kings admiral , who had betrayed his masters counsels to the portugueses , and was then killed by them , with his son , and his ship sunk . but d. garcia did not long survive this honour ; for attempting to gain a gun that did much damage to the town , he was killed , and with him above thirty portugueses , brought by d. pedro de silva to rescue him . mean while several portugues ships came into the harbour from divers parts , the news of the danger malaca was in had reached . the enemy endeavoured to oppose them , and gomes barreto conducted them in with safety . . the enemy resolved to assault the city , and the commander d. pedro having notice of it , provided to receive them . scarce did they begin to mount their ladders , when there fell on them a storm of great pieces of timbers , stones and granado's , so that in an instant above eight hundred of them lay dead under the wall. this obliged them to retire to their works , and they resolved to starve the city . our commander fearing the consequence of this resolution , was advised by an unknown souldier , ( who before at the assault promoted the throwing of beams ) to send abroad some ships , and give out , they were going to put those king●… countries to fire and sword. they believing it , left the siege , which was prosecuted by the queen of iapara , with the men of iava , till giles fernandez de carvallo coming unexpectedly with two hundred men , there ensued a bloody fight ; and at length the enemies were put to a shameful flight , having lost above two thousand men , many ships , and all their cannon and ammunition , whereof was a great quantity , and it was of great consequence to the city . what the enemy could not execute by force when present , they did by perfidiousness after their flight . they poisoned a well , whereof our men drinking , above two hundred died , to the great terrour of all , till the cause was known . . the affairs of ceylon were now in a very turbulent posture ; for madune , contrary to the agreement , distressed the king of cota , who had recourse to gaspar de azevedo , commander of columbo , and he ( with the king's men and portugueses ) defeated the enemy . but the king of cota being killed by a musquet-shot , he of ceytavaca renewed his pretensions . the success was not answerable to his expectation ; for the new prince , assisted by the portugueses , gave him a total rout. at the beginning of september the vice-roy prepared to go in person to remedy these disorders . at the same time arrived from portugal five ships , and soon after two more . one was forced back to lisbon by ill weather . the vice-roy set out the beginning of october , with men in sail. . the first thing he did after his arrival at ceylon , was to put upon the rack some subjects of that king he went to succour , that they might discover where their princes treasure was buried , as if he had been an enemy , or had sent for him to make him his treasurer . in the second place , he searched the dead man's palace , and found ducats . thirdly , he demanded ducats for his charges , which was immediately granted . and , fourthly , he took the field with his three thousand portugueses , and four thousand of the kings men. the king of ceytavaca met them with a like number ; but soon fled into the mountains , followed only by men. his city was plundered , and the booty very considerable . the vice-roy turned over the earth , and dug up the foundations of buildings , to discover hidden treasures . one was found , consisting of many gold and silver idols of a large size , and other things . one half of right belonged to the king we pretended to relieve , according to agreement ; but the wants of india permitted no performance of promises . had the indian broke his word with the christian , he had been a barbarian . i know not what a christian is , that breaks his with the barbarian : perhaps wiser men know . it appeared we went in search of hidden treasures , not to relieve distressed kings ; when this king desiring five hundred portugueses might be left with him , to prevent his enemies making head again , he was left without any , because there was no more hopes of treasure . but we shall soon see the king of cota revenged by the king of portugal , that it may appear the actions of kings are divine , when they are their own . . mean while don antony de noronha scoured the sea of calicut , making great havock in it , and along the shoar . the vice-roy returned to cochin , bringing with him a kinsman of the king of cota , who was become a christian ; went to portugal , where he was received with honour , and sent back to india , and died in the faith. the vice-roy found the dispatch of the homeward-bound trading ships , was retarded by the prince of chembe , he resolved to punish him , and set out with a fleet that contained four thousand men. thirty thousand were gathered from calicut to oppose him , and some endeavoured to hinder the landing , but were soon put to flight . . our men landed and marched to the city ; the enemy met them , and there followed a bloody battle , in which we lost forty men ; but the enemy was put to flight , and the vice-roy satisfied with ravaging the country , returned to cochim , and dispatched the ships for portugal . in them went an embassadour from nautaquim , prince of tanixumaa , or taquixima , one of the islands of iapan , and a rich present ; he desired five hundred men to conquer the island lequio , and in return offered to pay tribute . the embassadour was one iames gomez de almeyda , who was lost in the unfortunate ship in which emanuel de sousa & sepulveda was cast-away , with his wife d. leonor de albuquerque & sá , who being put ashoar at the cape of good hope , endured incredible hardships , and at length died miserably , giving occasion to sundry relations that are spread about the world , which being in part false , i will here give a brief account of the whole matter . . they got ashoar at the cape of good hope , to the number of five hundred and thirty souls ; and at first marched in good order , with colours and a crucifix on high , designing for mozambique . they began their march the d of iuly , and about the end of it several were left behind famished , and among them a natural son of emannel de sousa . d. leonor marched afoot ; for those who had carried her were no longer able to support themselves . at the end of three months and a half they came to the cottages of oinhaca , a little prince on the banks of the river del espiritu sancto : this good old man entertained them with great kindness , offering to relieve them till some portugues ships came to the neighbouring shoars , whereof his people had always notice . he also warned them , that further on was the little prince ofumo , who would do them all the harm he could , if they proceeded on their journey . emanuel de sousa following his destiny , went on ; but seeing that of five hundred and thirty persons , he had but one hundred and twenty left , and that his wife d. leonor could hardly go farther , taking her turn with the slaves in carrying her little children , he began to shew some signs of distraction , which was an incredible grief to his wife , who doted on him . being come to ofumo's country , forgetting the warning oinhaca had given , he trusted him , and resolved there to wait for portugues ships . ofumo designed to rob him , but feared his mens arms. he persuaded him to deliver them up , and he should have all necessaries abundantly provided ; pretending his subjects did not supply him for fear . notwithstanding all persuasions to the contrary , he delivered them , and had scarce done it when he was robbed of all his jewels , and only their cloaths left them . at this he run quite mad , and his wife taking him by one hand and her son in the other , her slaves following , and some few men , they went on till the cafres fell upon and stripped them . d. leonor endeavoured to defend her self to no purpose , and with hazard of her life , till her husband persuaded her to choose the lesser evil ; but she thought it less ill to dye , than be seen naked by any , but her husband . as soon as she was stripped , she made her slaves stand about her , and sitting down on the sand , made a hole , where she covered her self to the waste : then looking upon the pylot , andrew vaz , said , you see how god permits , as a punishment of my sins , that my husband , children and i perish in this miserable manner . if you get to portugal , or india , give an account of it . the pylot not able to return an answer for grief , went whatever way chance guided him . emanuel de sousa had run to the wood , to gather some wild fruit for his wife and children , who were perishing with hunger , and returning found one dead , and her with the other scarce alive . he buried the dead child , and returned for more fruit , but too late ; for when he came they were both dead . after pausing a while , he made a hole and buried his son , and then his wife ; after which he ran into the thickest of the wood without once looking back . three of his slaves got to india , who gave this relation , as others who reached moçambique did , of other passages . among these was sebastian de sá , who in this misery experienced two notable things : one , that the gravity even of a portugues gentleman ( as he was ) must yield to misfortunes ; for he , to oblige the cafres to give him some sustenance , played the antick , or buffoon . the other , that this sort of life is the surest in the world. chap. x. continues the government of the vice-roy , d. alfonso de noronha . . the great turk offended at what we had done at caxem , or catifa , and attempted at baçora , studied revenge ; and to execute it set out pirbec , an old pyrat , with sixteen thousand men in strong galleys and other vessels . d. alvaro de noronha , commander of ormuz , concluded this storm threatned him . he sent some to discover the enemy , and among them simon de costa , who met pirbec's son sent also before in a galley to discover . our barque slipped under his very oars so swiftly , that two of the men were left hanging at them ; the galley pursues , but simon scattering mony among his men , may be said to have got off with golden oars . the young man raged that this prize should escape him ; but was somewhat appeased when he met another barque , in which was the wife of iohn de lisboa , commander of mascate , and those of some other portugueses that lived there , with two old men , all sent away to ormuz for fear of the enemy . the women were secured , and the men put to the oar. . the enemies fleet came before mascate , which held out almost a month against that great power ; but was forced to submit and capitulate . pirbec broke the articles , putting the captain and sixty men to the oar ; some of them were afterwards ransomed . this done , pirbec goes on to ormuz ▪ d. alvaro de noronha had nine hundred men in that fort , and in it was the king , his wife , children , and the chief of their court , who had taken sanctuary there . he laid up ammunition for a long siege , and secured forty sail that were in the bay , among them one of those that the year before went from portugal . the turk being come to an anchor , presently landed and encamped . he intrenched , raised batteries , planted much cannon , and played it furiously without intermission for a whole month. finding he sustained much loss , and laboured in vain , he plundered the city and went over to the island queixome , whither many considerable men of ormuz had withdrawn themselves ; here he got a great booty , and retired . . before pirbec departed from ormuz , he offered our commander to ransom the prisoners taken at mascate , and sent him as a present the wife of iohn de lisboa , the two old men , and the two souldiers that hung to the oars of his sons galley . d. alvaro received the two last , and sent back the others with some presents , and this message ; that the present was in return for the men he received : that the old men he sent , because they had not rather ●…hose to lose their lives , than liberty ; and the woman ( though innocent ) to punish her husbands guilt , by seeing her return into slavery . this proceeding was no ways justifiable ; and pirbec to shew he did not again receive what he had once given , ordered them to be left upon the shoar . . the governour informed of the danger that threatned ormuz , but not of its deliverance , with great diligence fitted a fleet to go in person to relieve it . all ranks vied in aiding him towards this work , at such time as six ships arrived from portugal , it being the beginning of september . he sailed as far as diu , and hearing ormuz was out of danger , returned to goa . at this time d. duarte deça sailed for ceylon , to succeed d. iohn enriquez , deceased ; with him went st. francis xaverius , carried by the desire of making a spiritual conquest . . a bold turk , by consent of zamori , scoured the seas with fifteen large vessels well manned . he fell upon punicale , where emanuel rodriguez commanded with seventy portugueses . the fight was sharp , till antony franco taking the enemies colours , they fled . the turk enraged sent again fifteen hundred , who put all our men to flight , except the captain and seventeen , and these made a desperate resistance ; but at last were obliged to quit the town and fly to bisme naique , a subject of canarà , who made them all slaves . the turk , after plundering the town , returned to his ships victorious . the news being brought to coc●…im , stirred up a general desire of revenge . whilst things were debating , giles fernandez de carvallo offered himself to go , and bear all the charge , desiring only shipping . all was provided with great diligence , and he set out in search of the enemy ; but by ill luck lawrence coello fell into their hands , and was slain with all his men , having fought bravely , carvallo being no way able to come to his relief , by reason of the contrary wind. . on the th of august he fell upon the turks with great fury , and was received with no less courage . the fight lasted some hours with much bravery ; all the enemies ships were boarded and taken , but much shattered ; many killed in them , and others swimming to the shoar . then giles fernandez went to ransom the prisoners , and restored emanuel rodriguez , not only his liberty , but also goods of great value the turk had taken from him at punicale . . at this time the two brothers , d. alvaro de ataide and d. pedro de silva , at malaca , were at variance about that command ; the former was most to blame , endeavouring to remove the other before his time . iames de melo coutino and d. duarte deça acted worse in ceylon ; for , after the example of the vice-roy , having taken mony of that prince to assist him with each fifty men against his enemy , the king of ceytavaca ; the first after demanding more mony , sent but twenty ; the other after receiving his , sent none , and because he refused , more increased the feud he ought without any bribe to appease . melo had secured that princes father by d. alfonso his order ; upon pretence of suspition ; in reality , because he owed him ducats of he promised on account of being succoured . deça , instead of mending this fault made it worse , keeping the old man with more rigour , and much more when he heard he was converted to the faith , which might hinder his wicked designs . a wicked practice of many portugueses , who hindred the conversion of many souls , because it was an obstacle to filling their purses . the prisoners wife bribing the guards got him out , and set him at the head of a body of men she had in readiness to revenge this outrage . he began to act successfully , till his son appeased him . this year departed this life st. francis xaverius , and the next was brought to goa with great solemnity . . at constantinople pirbec's head was cut off , for going beyond the commission he received from the turk , notwithstanding he made him a present of all the riches he carried . at the same time moradobec set out by that prince's order with fifteen galleys , to prevent the harm the portugueses might do in revenge for what they had received . moradobec was the captain that lost catifa , and desired to recover his reputation . on the coast of persia , d. iames de noronha met him with his fleet. they saluted one another with showers of bullets and arrows . in the height of the engagement the wind calming , left our galleons without motion . that of gonzalo pereyra marramaque was far distant from the rest . the turk laying hold of this opportunity besets him with his galleys , tears all his rigging and pierces him in a thousand places . however pereyra stood firm , and did much execution among the enemies , but receives more harm ; for almost all that was above water of the galleon was torn in pieces . the gentlemen , souldiers and seamen fought with incredible courage , and appeared wherever there was occasion , though weakned with several wounds . . the captain was always where the greatest danger threatned , and the turks never durst board him . our admiral raved that he could not relieve and share with him in that honour , and after making his vows to heaven , without being heard , even railed at providence , stamped and tore his beard for madness . he sent some boats , but they could not reach the galleon , because the galleys compassed it round . towards night the wind began to freshen , and the admiral to move . the turk not daring expect him , retired . the admiral came up to the galleon , admired the bravery ; but scarce knew the men , they were so disguised with wounds , blood and the smoot of the powder . he embraced every one , and bestowed due praises on them . . pereyra his galleon and men were not in a condition to proceed , so they were sent to ormuz with some barques . the admiral pursued the galleys , which kept close in with the shoar . our light vessels forced a ship that had been taken by pirbec to run aground ; the men leaped over-board to save themselves and were killed . the ship was taken and brought off , and our admiral returned to ormuz , having in vain endeavoured to overtake moradobec , who run up the euphrates , where there was not water for our galleons . at this time arrived in goa only one ship from portugal ; four set out thence , one of them was forced back , the other two came later . in the first ship went our admirable poet luis camoens , to try if he could advance his fortune by the sword , which had been so little favourable by the pen. . now comes the king of cota's revenge ( as was promised before ) for those wrongs done him by the portugueses . one of the orders fernandalvarez cabral , captain of the ship newly come from portugal , carried , was , that all that had been exacted from that king , should be restored ; which , though slowly , was executed . another , that bernardin de sousa should be imprisoned for what he had done at the maluco's : he was imprisoned , but not long . and another , that the vice-roy should no way employ d. james de almeyda commander of diu ; for that the king had struck him out of his books , never to ●…e received into service : this also was put in execution . almeyda's crime was , that he had seemed to undervalue the kings favour , refusing some grace offered him . the vice-roy was concerned , that the differences between the kings of pimienta and cochi●… grew daily greater . towards the end of november , the vice-roy sailed with a good fleet to assist the latter , who was our friend . he was met at sea by d. iames de noronha and his fleet , with whom came gonçalo pereyra marramaque , who was received with much joy , for his great bravery in the late action with the turks . it was agreed , after some consultation , to land in the islands called alagada's , belonging to the king of pimienta . the natives in crowds opposed our men landing with showers of arrows ; but the cannon made way . after a vigorous resistance all was destroyed with fire and sword ; only one man was lost on our side . . gomes de silva was left to prosecute the war , which he did so successfully that the king sued for peace , which was concluded to our advantage , and he was satisfied with the restitution of the islands , his wife , and the people taken in them . the vice-roy dispatched the ships for portugal . that of ferdinand alvarez cabral was cast-away at aguada de s. blas ; some of the men got ashoar in boats. after a tedious journey by land , cabral and d. alvaro de noronha , with his family , were drowned in a river . the vice-roy sent his son d. ferdinand , with a good fleet to the red-sea . he attempted to gain the fort of dofar , but was repulsed with loss of seven or eight men ; so he returned without any effect . . at diu arose new troubles on account of the death of the king sultan manaud . he was bred with poison ( like mithridates , ) that none might hurt him . when his women were near their time , he opened them to take out the children . he was one day hunting a deer with some of them , and falling off from his horse hung by the stirrup ; the horse dragged him , and one of the women running cut the girts with a cimiter ; in requital he killed her , saying , a woman of such courage , had enough to kill him . a page , in whom he had great confidence , murdered him ; for tyrants always dye by the hands of those they trust . a child , accounted his son , succeeded him . the nobility offended at the insolence of madre maluco , who with the title of governour managed the affairs of the crown , rebelled in several parts . one of these was abixcan at diu , who suffering his men to affront ours , obliged d. iames de almeyda to enter the city with five hundred men , killing a great number , and plundering their houses . abixcan , though late , saw his error , and came to composition ; and was afterwards more submissive than had been at first desired of him . . d. iames de noronha succeeded almeyda in that post , in pursuance of the kings order before-mentioned . the moors forgetting their fault , and the punishment they had incurred , relapsed again . noronha with six hundred men so refreshed their memories , that they abandoned the city . cide elal , who commanded in the castle that was in the city , offered to defend himself ; but seeing our men begin to scale it , submitted to march away without arms. the castle was demolished . scarce was it done , when abixcan appeared with four hundred men. ferdinand de castanoso advanced to meet him with one hundred and twenty ; but three hundred of the enemies horse obliged him to retire in such disorder , that on a sudden he found he had but seventeen men left . he posted himself where the horse could not come , and the three hundred enemies dismounting beset the , who back to back defended themselves till they were all killed , their hearts cut out , and carried to the general . . d. iames de norona marched on with the rest of the men , ignorant of what had happened ; but so impatient to engage with abixcan , that he could no way be dissuaded from pressing forward . meeting the three hundred horse , he fell on furiously and put them to flight ; but abixcan coming on with his cannon , d. iames was forced to retire , rather losing than gaining reputation in this action . common conveniency brought them to an accommodation . noronha this day lost by his rashness , what he often deserved for his valour ; for the factor endeavouring to stop his fury , and saying to him , he ought to consider the king's fort would be lost . he answered in a passion , no matter , when i am gone , all is gone . this saying was remembred when he was in election to be vice-roy of india , and deprived him of that post ; because it was thought , so great a trust could not with safety be reposed upon so rash a man. . the great turk hearing miradobec was come off worse than the unfortunate pirbec , and alechelubij making great boast of what he would do , gave him the command of fifteen galleys . d. ferdinand , who was come out of the red-sea , went after them . on the th of august he had sight of them near mascate . alechelubij not daring to give battle , endeavoured to get off with all his galleys ; but six of them could not escape , being taken by our caravels . . d. ferdinand put into mascate , refitted the galleys , bought the slaves , and appointed them captains . alechelubij pursued by some of our vessels was drove into suratt with seven of his nine galleys , and there shut up by d. hierome de castellobranco , nuno de castro and d. emanuel mascarenhas . the other two were pursued by d. ferdinand de monroy and antony valadares , till they were beaten to pieces on the coast of damam and daru . . but because one is coming to succeed our vice-roy , let us say somewhat of him . he was modest , easie , and not active , which was the cause his government answered not expectation . as to his person , he was of a middle stature , a graceful countenance and agreeable behaviour ; his complexion swarthy ; his hair black . in the number of vice-roys he was the th , in that of governours the th , and held it four years , the second of the name and sirname . chap. xi . the government of the vice-roy d. peter de mascarenhas , from the year till , king john the third still reigning . . don peter de mascarenhas was of one of the best families of portugal , and had born the most considerable offices in the kingdom , and was years of age when named vice-roy of india . he set out of lisbon with six ships , one of them was drove back , and that in which he went , as soon as he landed at goa , sunk downright . in these ships were two thousand land-men . the first thing the vice-roy did , he appointed his nephew ferdinand martinez admiral , to the great dissatisfaction of all men. martinez had sail given him , and orders to bring to goa the turkish galleys that were blocked up at suratt . cáraçen , commander of that place , would not permit it , and gave good sufficient reasons for his refusing ; so by consent of both sides they were taken to pieces , and the turks fled into the woods and mountains : the late vice-roy d. alfonso de noronha now failed home with the trading ships ; whereof that commanded by belchior de sousa was lost , with all the men. . the great turk ( as it were ) foreseeing the fate of alechelubij , immediately sent after him zafar , a janizary , to take upon him the command of the galleys : but too late ; for he only came time enough to hear the news of their destruction . he took four merchant ships of ours bound for ormuz , and returned rich to suez . about the same time gemes de silva took several prizes in the sea of calicut . . the vice-roy sent f. gonçalo rodrigues , and bro. fulgentius freyre , of the society of iesus , to persuade the emperour of ethiopia , to redress the abuses introduced among his people in matters of religion , and with them went iames diaz , well versed in the affairs of that empire . the emperour could not be moved to admit our manner of baptism , and abolish circumcision ; the priest continued at his court , but to no effect . in february set out emanuel de vasconcelos with three galleons , and five small vessels , to discover what zafar was doing at suez . he spent some time under mount felix , and returned without doing any thing . with him went the famous luis de camoens , who finding no employment for his sword , exercised his pen. . some great subjects of hidalcan at this time , treated with the vice-roy about making mealecan , who had lived long at goa , king of visapor ; and assisting to support him in that title . in return , they offered to make over to the crown of portugal the lands of concan , worth a million of yearly revenue . a great bait for our avarice . the profit was considered , but not the difficulties , and peter de faria his advice to martin alfonso on the same occasion was now forgot . we shall see in its place , how much more proper it had been to consider the difficulties , than the profit . the offer was admitted , and meale immediately proclaimed king of visapor ; and his wife and children left at goa as hostages for the performance of our hopes . three thousand portugues foot , and two hundred horse , marched with a body of the natives of the island . after a small resistance they took the fort of ponda , and sent advice to the vice-roy , who set out with the new king , and at ponda delivered him to his people that there waited for him . he left d. antony de norona to command the fort with men. . the vice-roy returned so sick to goa , that he died in a few days ; and it was believed if he had continued in that government some years , he had re-established truth , justice and honesty in india . it is a mark of his justice , that he gave no employment to any of his servants ; because he would not deprive them of it to whom it was due by merit . a friend of a court-favourite , complaining he did not dispatch him after serving three years ; he answered , i am now busie about those that have served twenty , fifteen , ten or five years ; as soon as i come to those that have served three , i promise i 'le remember you . . d. peter mascarenas had such an awful presence and majestick deportment , that no body before him durst do or say any thing undecent . he is famous on six several accounts , any one whereof might give another a name after death : he was a valiant souldier , a wise commander , a magnificent embassadour , a singular tutor , a just vice-roy , and what is best of all , a very good christian. he was tall , and though lean , graceful ; his complexion brown : his gravity no ways made him intractable . of vice-roys he was the th , of governours the th ; held it ten months , and was the second of the name and sirname . he is buried in the church of alcazar do sal , where he had built a tomb worthy of him . chap. xii . the government of francis barreto , from the year , till , in the reign of king john the third . . francis barreto succeeded d. peter mascarenas with the title of governour . he was a gentleman of merit , and qualified for this post , and had gained much esteem , being commander of bazaim . his government began with a fire kindled by a squi●… , which burnt ten the finest vessels in india , notwithstanding he used the utmost diligence , and promised great rewards to save them : yet this care saved the rest of the fleet. he soon repaired this damage , building others no less beautiful . . he went to ponda , to carry on what his predecessor had began , by installing mealeacan king , and appointed officers to receive the revenues about ponda , leaving d. ferdinand de monroy in that fort , and sending d. antony de noronha , who had it before , to receive the revenues at concam . xacolim aga , who was gathering the same for hidalcan , with seven thousand men prevented him . the governour sent a supply of ammunition to noronha , which he no sooner received , but he marched to cural●… , of which he took possession , ( the commander of it being fled ) and with kindness attracted the natives to come and inhabit the town and country , leaving portugues officers to look to the revenue . then hearing that xacolim continued gathering the rents , he went to find him . by the way he met two ships , in which was xacolim's wife , children , and goods of value , which he fearful of some danger sent to cambaya . noronha easily made himself master of all . . not far from achara he halted , and designed to pass the night . xacolim sent a thousand men to surpize ours ; but they were upon their guard , and d. iohn the morisco falling upon them killed seventy , and put the rest to flight ; after the pursuit he returned to d. antony . they marched together to meet xacolim , who was drawn up in good order on the other side of a river . after a vigorous opposition our men forded it , and there ensued a bloody battle , in which d. antony and xacolim met , and having tryed each other parted . in this action were lost portugueses , above of the enemy were slain , the rest fled . our men proceeding , gathered the revenue . . mean while meale was solemnly proclaimed king at visapor . he enjoyed it not ●…ong ; for there were some of those who ●…et him up , that designed to betray him to hidalcan , who offered great rewards for him . he succeeded not this way ; but did , purchasing fifteen thousand men of the king of bisnagar , that were so successful , they killed the chief of those had made meale king , and took him prisoner . hidalcan immediately sent forces to recover the lands where d. antony was employed . the governour hearing of it sent him orders to withdraw , as also to ferdinand de monroy , who was at ponda . they unwillingly obeyed , remembring how prudently peter de faria had before dissuaded this undertaking . . this year sailed from lisbon five ships , one of them was cast-away at the island tercera , and another at the islands beyond madagascar . the captain of this last left about four hundred of his men on that shoar , and in his long-boat got to goa . these four hundred who were left , built a small vessel and arrived at cochim . in the other ships went the bishop d. belchior carnero , a jesuit , and some other religious men , sent by the pope to the emperour of ethiopia . d. alvaro de silveyra was now made admiral of a fleet of sail , provided for the sea of calicut , and against the queen of olala , who refused to pay her tribute . he over-run all those coasts with fire and sword , destroying many towns and ships , and all things that stood in the way ; particularly the city mangalor , and a sumptuous pagod . zamori sensible of his losses , desired peace , which was concluded . silveyra returned victorious . . let us return to ceylon . tribuli pandar having made his escape ( as was related ) out of prison , fled to balande . madune subtilly exasperates him against the portugueses , and sent him six hundred chingala's , with whom and his other men he was so succesful , that he reduced the towns of paneture , caleture , maça , berberi , gale and beligam , to the last extremities , destroying our churches , and killing many christians , converted by the religious of st. francis , who first preached there . now comes alfonso pereyra de laçerda to take upon him this command : madune , who before had assisted pandar , now offers to aid laçerda against him . he accepts the offer . the king sent his son raju by the way of caleture with an army . laçerda sent ruy pereyra with two hundred men , and antony de spinola with one hundred two other ways to assault the city palandu , where tribuli was . they beset the town at one time , and after a vigorous resistance the portugueses entred it ; the king fled , his wife was taken , and many of his men killed . the portugueses returned victorious , and madune obtained one of the ends he had proposed to himself , which were either , that the portugueses should destroy pandar , or he them . . the beginning of this year sailed iohn peixoto with two galleys for the red-sea , to discover what was doing at suez . he found all quiet , and being loath to return without doing something , he landed before day in the island suanquem , with the king whereof we were at variance . it being a dead time of night , he found all asleep , and might say ( as a prince who killed a man that was sleeping ) that he left those islanders as he found them ; for many were killed before they awaked , others after . the same fate befell the king in his palace . peixoto returned to his galliots , carrying slaves and booty without receiving the least damage . next day , keeping along the coast he destroyed several towns , and returned to goa , having purchased as much honour with two small vessels , as others with many . he brought away f. gonçalo rodriguez , whom he found at arquico , much dissatisfied that he had not prevailed with the emperour of ethiopia , to admit of the rites of the church . . the king of baçora , oppressed by the turks , made now the same offers to the governour , he had done before to the vice-roy d. alfonso de noronha , in case he would assist him to throw off the turkish yoak . the conditions were admitted , and neither this time did it succeed ; for d. alvaro de silveyra going upon this design with twenty sail , met not with the success he had the year before against the malabars . a terrible storm so disabled him in that port , that he was not in a condition to attempt any thing a second time . michael rodriguez coutino prospered better , going to the lands of salsete and bardes against some parties of hidalcan , who sought revenge for our favouring meale . all the sea-ports were destroyed with fire and sword , and many ships perished . he killed and took many prisoners , and returned with honour and riches to goa . the chief of the booty was a great ship of meca , taken at dabul after a sharp engagement ; for there were two hundred moors in her , who killed eight of our men. . this misfortune the more enraged hidalcan ; and to mend it , he sends a numerous army into those same lands . the governour set out with a strong body to oppose him . the war lasted all the winter , without any action worthy relating . in september arrived four ships from portugal ; in them went ferdinand de sousa and castellobranco , embassadour to the emperour of ethiopia , and f. iohn nunes barreto , patriarch of that stubborn people . his companion was the bishop andrew de oviedo , who did nothing , because the emperour could not be reduced to change his old rites . with these came to india f. gonçalo de sileyra , to be provincial ; he afterwards received the crown of martyrdom in monomotapa . all this shall be related in its proper place . . the governour set out to visit our forts in the north , with a fleet consisting of one hundred and fifty sail of all sorts . he gained the mountain and fort azarim for a small purchase , by the means of coje mahomet , a trusty moor , living at bazaim . this mountain is not far from the city , and rises very upright for the space of a league ; a little below the top it is girt with a sort of border standing out , which renders it almost inaccessible , the rest being very difficult of ascent . it is kept by threescore men , who need no other arms to defend them but the stones that lye there , which rolled down the passes , must carry before them all that is in the way . the garrison lives upon the top , which is plain and almost round . they light themselves with sticks of wood that grow there , and burns like a torch , with that odds , that they cannot be quenched by wind or water . . antony moniz barreto was sent to take possession of this place ; he left there a captain and portugueses , and went on to take the fort of manora , not far distant , which the inhabitants abandoned ; he left there george manhans with men , and returned to bazaim , where he found the governour receiving an embassy from the king of cinde , who desired succour against a tyrant that infested him . we were desirous of this prince's friendship , and thought fit to purchase it by relieving him . seven hundred men were sent to him in twenty eight vessels , all commanded by peter barreto rolim . . the fleet arrived safe at tatá , the court of the king of cinde . the prince , who was there , visited barreto , and sent word of his arrival to his father , who was absent in the field : he answered , desiring our commander to wait till he advised what was fit to be done . barreto stayed , and soon after hearing the king was agreed with his enemy without giving him notice ; he asked of the prince leave to depart , and that he would pay the charge of the fleet , as was promised by the embassadour . the answer was so little to satisfaction , that barreto landed his men , entred the city , and in the fury killed above eight thousand persons , and destroyed by fire the value of above two millions of gold , after loading the vessels with one of the richest booties that had been taken in asia . he lost not one man in this action . he spent eight days , destroying all on both sides indus . the fort of bandel made some resistance , but being taken was demolished . . gaspar de monterroyo , a souldier of note , going accidentally into a wood , met some blacks , who bid him go no farther ; for hard-by there was a serpent had just then devoured a bullock . he desiring to see such a monster as they described , went on till he discovered the head , which was of a wonderful bigness ; and not satisfied , came so near as to touch it with the point of his sword , and the monster lifted up its head ; and he gave it such a fortunate stroak on a soft place , that it soon after died . it was thirty foot long , and proportionable in bigness . barreto returned thus victorious over men and monsters to chaul . there he found orders to go to dabul , where he would find antony pereyra brandam admiral of that coast. they were to joyn in order to destroy that city in part of revenge , for the damage hidalcan did us . being joyned they attacked the city , and though vigorously defended , it was taken , and wholly reduced to a heap of rubbish . then they did the same to all the villages upon the shoar of that river . chap. xiii . the end of the government of francis barreto . . hidalcan's general , nazer maluco , entred the lands of salsete and bardes with horse , and foot. the governour with portugueses , canara's , and horse , met him in the fields of ponda , having then but men , and a mountain on his back . he furiously attacked , put him to flight , and returned victorious to goa . d. peter de meneses , who commanded the fort of rachol , did what he could , which was not much , because the enemy was too numerous . iohn peixoto vigorously opposed moratecan in the lands of bardes . a renegado portugues , who had fortified himself , doing him much harm , he assaulted and routed him twice , killing of his men , and 〈◊〉 captain . nazer maluco intrenched himself again at ponda . . five ships arrived now from portugal , three of them were cast-away in their return home ; one at tierra del natal , another at the island st. thomas , and the third at madagascar . the arrival of these ships , and some damage we had done hidalcan , obliged him to conclude a peace , which we sued for , yet was not dishonourable . . d. duarte deça , commander of ternate , was not idle . he was harsh and covetous , so easily falling out with the king , he unchristian-like imprisoned him , his mother and brother cachil guzarate , using them very unworthily , and to compleat his cruelty , ordered they should have nothing to eat . publick complaints obliged him to consent the hospital of misericordia should maintain them ; and his desire of killing them made him so base as to poison their water , which was discovered by a stone the king had in a ring . the ternatenses took arms , and called in the tidores , so that the fort was in great danger . . d. duarte having received relief , ventured to fight at sea with as good success , as if justice had been on his side : but the portugueses themselves no longer able to endure his obstinacy , put him into custody , and discharged the prisoners , which put an end to that discord . no man would take upon him the command of the fort , till antony pereyra brandam was forced by the people to accept of it in trust , till the governour disposed of it . whilst some portugueses in the maluco's , by their actions , appeared most barbarous heathens , some infidels became christians ; a thing to be admired , having such ill examples before them . the king of the island bacham was converted by f. antony vaz , a jesuit . . the war continued at goa . a moor with five hundred men waded over the ford of zacorla , in the island choram , and surprizing those few portugueses that were in it , gained some advantage , till others coming in from several parts , drove them headlong into the water , where many of them were drowned . the governour hearing of this , marched to their relief , and sent before george mendoça , commander of the city , with some gentlemen , who behaved themselves well , and brought many heads of moors to the governour . all was kept quiet afterwards by d. francis mascarenhas , who was left in the island with men. . the governour desiring to secure the promontory of chaul , asked leave of the king nizamuxa to fortifie it . he not only refused it , but secured the messenger , and sent men , who began to build an impregnable fort there . the governour sent alvaro perez de sotomayor with some ships , to keep the mouth of the port till he came , which was soon after . he brought portugueses , besides natives . the enemy better advised , proposed a peace , which was concluded to our content , on condition the work of the fort should not advance . the governour returned home . a miracle was seen here , which was , that the moors could never cut down , or remove with force of elephants , a small wooden-cross , that was fixed upon a stone . . the governour having setled affairs at goa , was wholly employed in fitting out a mighty fleet against the king of achem , who is the only terrour of malaca . in a few months he provided galleons , gallies , and galliots , all so well furnished , it renewed the hopes of fixing our empire in india . but all this industry falls to nothing ; for now a new governour comes , and the new ones never prosecute the designs of the old. however this force was well employed , though not as our governour designed . . francis barreto brought to lisbon a jewel wrought by the hand of nature . a portugues souldier on the coast of the island ceylon , met a iogue ( that is , a sort of penitent heathen , ) who among other things had picked up a brown pebble , of the shape and bigness of an egg , on which were represented the heavens in several colours , and in the midst of them the image of our blessed lady with our saviour in her arms. the souldier gave him some small thing for this stone ; and afterwards it came to the hands of francis barreto , who presented it to queen catherine , and by virtue of it god wrought several miracles in india and portugal . . francis barreto was a couragious , discreet and generous gentleman , and such a governour as india now mourns for . he afterwards returned as governour and conquerour of the empire of monomotopa , where he died , as shall be seen in its proper place . he had a stately presence , his complexion tawny , and black hair. he governed three years , was the th governour , and second of the name . chap. xiv . the government of the vice-roy d. constantine de braganza , from the year , till , in the reign of king sebastian . . about the end of the government of francis barreto , died king iohn the third . in him ended the good fortune of portugal , as did that of india in the vice-roy sent thither , after his death , by those who managed the state during the minority of king sebastian . d. constantin , brother to theodosius , duke of bragança , was years of age when he accepted this charge . what he wanted in age for so great an employ , was made up by being of the blood royal , and by his great parts and natural endowments . . he sailed from lisbon on the th of april , with four ships and two thousand men , and arrived at goa about the beginning of september . three things remarkable hapned in his voyage and at his arrival ; the first , that he had not the least bad weather in his passage ; the second , the great demonstrations of joy wherewith he was received ; and the third , that he no way affronted the governour that went off , as was always used in india . . our vice-roy commenced as usual , by sending commanders to forts . d. payo de noronha went to cana●…or , and by his ingratitude in receiving some presents sent by that king ( though not with sincere meaning ) gave occasion to his resentment , signified by not suffering the portugueses to resort to the city . the vice-roy sent fourteen sail to their assistance , and gave the command of them to luis de melo de silva . the vice-roy was bent upon possessing himself of the town of damam , a place of consequence , to secure the lands of baçaim , and whereof francis barreto had obtained a grant from the king of cambaya . the difficulty lay in wresting it out of the hands of cide bofata , who was in rebellion against his prince , which was the chief motive why he so freely gave what he could not get for himself . bofata was well provided , and with a resolution not to sell the place at an easie rate . the vice-roy having held a council about it , the result was , he should go thither in person . . he first dispatched the trading ships for portugal , in which went his predecessor ; the ships were seven , and only three of them came to lisbon . one was lost at the island st. thomas : two were forced back to mozambique , in one of which was the late governour francis barreto : the captain of a fourth finding her sinking , got into a long-boat with men , and came to goa , the rest of the men all perished . francis barreto , at mozambique , spent ducats of his own in refitting the two ships . they set out again , and being in distress , the other ship ungratefully forsook him ; yet he afterwards seeing her perishng saved all the men , so that he had persons aboard . in this condition , not able to go forward , he almost miraculously returned again to mozambique . this year ended with the foundation of that fort , and return of barreto to goa . . luis de melo , at cananor , being assaulted in his trenches by moors , put them to shameful flight ; and while he sent for succours to the vice-roy , followed fortune that now seemed to favour him . mean while the vice-roy set out with the fleet , had been fitted out by barreto , having increased it to sail. . the vice-roy arriving at damam , sent d. iames de noronha to take a view of the works ; he found them strong , and defended by men. notwithstanding all this preparation , no sooner our men landed but the enemy fled , abandoning both city and fort. the vice-roy entred , and giving thanks to almighty god for this bloodless victory , blessed the mosque under the invocation of the purification of the blessed virgin , on which day it was taken . . the enemy , after their flight , encamped at parnel , two leagues off , and thence with horse infested the vice-roy . antony moniz barreto offered with men to remove them . he marched all night towards the enemy , and being come up with them , found that he had but men , the rest wandring in the dark through unknown ways ; yet thus he attacks and puts them to flight , as believing the vice roy was there with his whole force . the morning discovering from how small a number they had fled , bofata and his men come down from a hill , whither they had retired , and falling upon barreto pressed him hard , till those that were scattered coming up , he again routed the enemy , killing of them . in their camp were found good pieces of cannon , some cart loads of copper-mony , and other plunder . . the vice-roy with liberality and good usage attracted the country people , who were fled for fear ; and confirmed to the neighbouring king of sarçeta the duties he had in damam . for the more security he resolved to possess himself of the island balzar , not far distant . he intended to go thither in person , but sent before d. peter de almeyda with horse , and as many foot. the people of balzar abandoned the town , which d. peter entred , and the vice-roy being come , left alvaro gonzales pinto to command there with men , and some cannon . being returned to damam , he sent d. alvaro de silveyra with sail to the red-sea , being informed cafar was fitting out his gallies . this fleet was dispersed by storms , and put into several ports of india , without effecting any thing . . d. iames de noronha was appointed commander of damam , and had men given him under five captains , who were to keep tables for them . tables are kept in india for such as have not any thing of their own ; or if they have , yet will accept of this liberality . i admire there are men that will stoop to receive this , but much more there are any that give it ; for the same men when they come to spain , have not the heart to give a stick of wax , which there is worth nothing , and here a half-peny . the vice-roy after this success returned to goa . . in the city st. thomas , or meliapor , a portugues , one of those who more religiously worship their interest , than the heathens their idols , and of those there are many in india ; persuaded rama rajo , king of bisnagar , to march against the city , telling him the plunder would be worth two millions , and it would be a great service to the idols he worshipped , which were there thrown down by the christians . he was a good christian , that was so zealous for idols . the king hearkning to the hopes of gain , set out with men. peter de ataide encouraged the inhabitants to defend themselves ; but they , to palliate their fear said , it was but reason the king should be admitted to waht was his own . ataide went away to goa ; the townsmen prepared for the reception of the king , and sent him a present of ducats , wherewith he was somewhat appeased . he encamped and would not enter the city ; but ordered all the inhabitants of both sexes , and all ages , and all their goods , to be brought to his presence . which being performed , he found the whole value did not exceed ducats . enraged at the wickedness of the informer , he ordered him to be thrown to the elephants , who tore him to pieces . he discharged the citizens , and restored all their goods so punctually , that only a silver spoon being missing among them all , it was sought and restored . . luis de melo de silva , who sailed last year for the coast of malabar , did much harm there , and ruined the trade of the moors . at mangalor he ordered two captains to bring him a vessel belonging to our enemies of cananor , that was in the river , but the owners and some of the townsmen coming to defend it , our men were worsted . melo enraged hereat assaulted the town , and put all living creatures to the sword ; then fired it . an old moor leading a company of the inhabitants that fled , with a dagger in his hand met our commander , and struck him through the arm. he laying hold of his long hair , delivered him to those that were near , saying , take away that devil . he had scarce said it , when the moor was cut in pieces . melo having burnt the city with loss of some few men , returned to his ships . . thirteen ships of calicut and cananor were coming up to attack melo ; but he went out to meet them with only seven . he was formost in his galliot , and the admiral of calicut , a turk , advanced before the rest to meet him . as soon as they came within cannon-shot , our gunner made one so fortunate , it swept him from stem to stern , and in a minute the keel of the ship appeared above water , all the men perishing . three other ships board the galliot , and kill many of the men ; but melo stepping forward , not only cleared his own deck , but pursued into the ships , in which not one man was left alive . our other vessels took the other three ships of calicut , so that not one of them escaped ; and the admiral of cananor fled with his seven , having only stood by as a witness of what the others did . the enemy lost above men. for a long time after the people along that coast would not eat fish , because a man's fingers were found in the belly of one . . luis de melo went thus victorious to goa , and the vice-roy confined him ; because he had done those actions when his presence was required at cananor . his confinement was censured , and the vice-roy being none of those that will obstinately persist in their opinion , though it do never so much mischief ; he went in person to be friends with melo at pangim , where he was in custody . melo knowing well how to esteem such favours from superiours , was abundantly satisfied , and returned with his fleet , by the vice-roy's order , to cananor , because d. payo de noronha , was in some distress there . emanuel de vasconcelos went to ternate with three ships , and other small vessels . . luis de melo was the life of noronha : who was in great danger at cananor , being threatned with a siege by all the princes of malabar stirred up by ade rajao , not without some provocation given by noronha . rajao with men attacks the fort , and enters the trenches . melo , who was in them with men , flew about like lightning , antony de villena , with fifty , did wonders among the moors , who had entred his house . in fine , the whole number , which was men , did more than human actions among that multitude of enemies . it is said , a religious man at his prayers saw the holy ghost in the form of a pigeon on a beam of the church , and shewed it to many others . our men hearing of it fell on with new vigour , and so effectually that they put the enemy to flight , having killed of them . of the portugueses were lost . the fight lasted hours . luis de melo played the part of a souldier as well as commander . francis risca●… , a man of ordinary extraction , performed extraordinary acts of valour . the enemy went home admiring the valour of our men , and peace was restored to cananor . . it is strange , that among all the churches erected in india , none till this time had been dedicated to its apostle st. thomas . our vice-roy taking this into consideration , began to build at goa a sumptuous church to him , which was not finished , because the time of his government expired , and remains to this day as a heap of ruins , none of his successors having put his hand to advance so good a work. chap. xv. continues the government of the vice-roy d. constantin , in the reign of king sebastian . . at this time the emperour of ethiopia was much molested by the turks and moors , and obtained some victories over them , having some portugueses in his service . our bishop could not work upon him to leave his heretical customs , and therefore resolved to leave him ; but stayed at the request of the portugueses . the emperour being invaded by the king of mallassays , contrary to the advice of the portugueses , marched to meet him , and they followed . he was slain by malassays ; and they seeing his subjects fly , cast themselves among the enemies , and after doing more than is credible , were most of them killed . . the turk desiring to possess himself of the arabian ports on the side next persia , sent this year an officer with two gallies and seventy barques , with turks and janizaries , against the fort of baharem . rax morado , a resolute commander , was in it , who provided the best he could , and sent advice of the danger he was in to the king of ormuz , and d. antony de noronha , then commanding that fort. d. iohn de noronha went to relieve him with ten ships ; he was near taking the turkish galleys , but missed for want of pursuing , and the next day they obliged him to take shelter in the creeks along that shoar . d. alvaro de silveyra receiving advice from ormuz , came up , and joyning d. iohn took the galleys . the bassa having lost them , concluded he was also lost , if he took not the fort , and therefore pressed on his attacks . rax morado and d. alvaro had a meeting , and agreed it was not convenient to fight , but besiege the besiegers ; yet such was the insolence of the sou●…diers , that mutinying they obliged them to give battle . rax joyned the portugueses with persians , well armed , they attacked the turks , who purposely ( though with loss ) gave way , till they drew them to an ambush , which put them into disorder in spight of all d. alvaro could do , till he fell by a musquet-ball that hit him in the throat . the portugueses fought desperately , some to defend , and others to bring him off , but to no purpose , for the turks cut off his head. above of our men were killed , and several taken . rax morado retired with many to the fort , after behaving himself in such manner as might be envied by the portugueses . thus was the rashness of those that were so hot for fighting punished . . peter peixoto succeeded in the command of our men , and following the advice before despised , besieged the island , and so streightned the turks they sued for mercy ; whereby it appeared how great a fault it was not to take this course at first . d. antony de noronha receiving advice at ormuz of our loss , presently set out to revenge it . the siege continued , and in conclusion the turks surrendred on condition to return our prisoners ( they were about thirty , ) and deliver up their cannon , arms and horses , and ducats . they were to be carried to baçora , but were so weak with hunger and the pestilential fever , which about that time rages at baharem , that only two hundred of them lived . many of our men died of the same disease . . about the end of this year arrived in india five ships from portugal ; six sailed thence , but one was drove back . in them went f. george of st. lucy , and f. george temudo , the first was bishop of malaca , the latter of cochim , both dignities new created ; for queen catherine seeing the see of goa was over-burthened , had obtained of the pope the instituting these bishopricks ; but subordinate to goa , as were to be all others that should be instituted . . the vice roy understanding the enemy was fitting out ships on the coast of malabar , where luis de melo was , sent to his aid sail with men. melo distributed them about the mouths of the rivers , and he himself ran along destroying the towns and woods . seven strong parao's , well manned and equipped , came down the river maim , where gonçalo perez de alvelos was , firing their cannon upon him , and he answering sunk one of them : but the powder taking fire in one of our ships , blew it up and all the men in it ; so the enemy escaped . melo continued the war this year and the next with success , and utter desolation of all that coast. . bofata , not long since defeated , now marched towards our fort of balzar with horse , and a great body of foot. our commander alvaro gonçalez pinto boldly meets him with horse , portugues foot , and natives . the first charge they killed of the enemy ; but being overpowered by the multitude were routed , the captain and most of the portugueses killed , and of the natives , the rest fled . bofata immediately attacks the fort , not at all doubting to carry it ; but was vigorously opposed by the valour of gomez de silva , who though not born a gentleman , in this action shewed how gentlemen are created . the enemy encamped , and silva did great execution on them , till tristan v●…z de vega came to his relief , from damam , with ten vessels well furnished . in spight of all opposition he landed and got into the fort , and bofata seeing no hopes of prevailing drew off . not long after he returns , and our commander alfonso diaz pereyra meeting him in the field , had the same success as pinto , and was killed as well as he ; all the difference was , that the enemy now entred the fort pell-mell with our men ; but vincent carvallo drove them again out headlong . calisto de sequeyra killed with his own hand . they were quite spent with continual fatigue when luis alvarez de tavora brought relief from damam , at sight whereof the enemy retired . . however , by the vice-roy's order , the fort was abandoned , and the enemy returning razed it ; then went on doing great harm in the villages , till they came to tarapor , where martin lopez de faria was with men ; they attacked his works and were repulsed with such loss , that they desisted and went on . this action cost lopez his life , being mortally wounded , whereof he died at damam . d. iames de noronha marched after the enemy , and found them in the country of vaypim , being horse and foot ; with him were of the former , and of the latter . he fell on with such fury , that of the enemy fell the first charge , and after a sharp dispute they all fled , leaving him many prisoners , their women , mony , baggage , horses , arms and ammunition , with which he returned triumphant to damam , notwithstanding the enemy rallying attacked him in the rear ; but at last fled to lament his loss in the woods , whilst it was celebrated in the town . . christopher pereyra homem sailing for ethiopia with three vessels , only to set ashoar there b. fulgentius , a jesuit , sent by the vice-roy to the bishop with some church-stuff , near arquico met cafar his four gallies , and with difficulty escaped them . but the admirals galley coming up sometime after , the fight could not be avoided , and pereyra boarding her with men , the turks who were killed every man of them . the other two vessels leaving him in the danger got to goa , where vincent carvallo and rock pinheyro were put in gaol for their cowardize ; for had they done their duty , cafar had been taken . . b. fulgentius was taken , and afterwards ransomed ; the loss of him and what he carried , was lamented by the portugueses in ethiopia . adamas sagad succeeded the emperour that died , and defeated many rebels , in which victory the portugueses had a considerable share . the turkish bassa returning with a greater power , defeated sagad with the assistance of some portugueses ; for they can be turks when they please . this was the cause that emperour never after trusted . them . . bisminaique , lord of the pearl-fishery , seeing those of punicale would pay no greater acknowledgment than one days fishing , resolved to right himself by force . he marched with men , melrao lead the the van , doing much harm . d. duarte de meneses after several skirmishes killed him , and stopped the current of his men , till the useless people , as aged men , women and children , with the best of their goods , got off in a ship , where they suffered much hunger , and such thirst that they drank their own water . the commander of the fort , emanuel rodrigues coutinho , charged a body of those that melrao had commanded , and did good execution ; but bisminaique coming up with his army , d. duarte was forced to retire to his ship , and coutinho to another , where he was taken with all his men , and after ransomed . the enemy entred and plundered the town . . four ships arrived now in india , of six that sailed from lisbon : in them went the first archbishop of goa , and the first inquisitors , sent to suppress the jews . one of the six ships was forced back to lisbon . another commanded by ruy de melo , was drove to brasile , and thence set out again so unsuccessfully , that she was lost beyond the cape of good hope . the men got ashoar , and part of them coasted along in the long-boat and two barques they made , the rest marched along in sight of them , till they took three little ships which held them all , and so went up a river in the king of menanchabo's country . their neglect , and the beauty of d. francisca sardina , wife to iames pereyra de vasconcelos , gave courage and opportunity to those barbarians to assault them , and steal her . they fell on our men on a sudden and killed , carrying away this portugues hellen or proserpine . the rest arrived in india . . the late governour francis barreto put to sea the third time , and arrived safe at lisbon with d. luis fernandez de vasconcelos , who had before lost his ship. the kings of cochim and cananor were now at war , and the portugueses intermedled not , because they were both subjects to portugal ; in the end he of cochim had the better . those of cranganor committing some outrages , iohn pereyra chastized and reduced them . . the vice-roy was now preparing to make war upon the king of iafanatapan , and lord of the island manar , because he persecuted the christians , and had usurped that crown from his brother , who fled to goa , and was baptized by the name of alfonso . he landed near the city iafanapatan with men , forcing the prince to retire , who with opposed him . the portugeses entred at a large street in which were some pieces of cannon , which killed n. sardina , ensign to luis de melo . iohn pessoa took up the colours , and marched up to the canon . luis de melo and d. philip de meneses were both wounded . . the vice roy came on , and six or seven men were killed about him . the prince coming down another street made some resistance , but to no effect . night coming on the king retired to his palace , and not thinking himself safe there , set fire to it and withdrew to a fort a league off . thus the vice-roy was left possessed of that beautiful city . he marched after the king , who thinking that fort too weak , was fled farther off . d. constantin took possession of it , and sent several parties to pursue the king , the first of them commanded by luis de melo , the achilles of those times . they pursued him till he cried for mercy ; and to purchase an accommodation , offered to restore the treasure taken from tribuls pandar , and his mother-in-law , wife to the king of cota , to pay an acknowledgment to the crown of portugal , and give up the island manar . the vice-roy accepted the conditions , considering how difficult it was wholly to deprive him of that crown , and restore it to his brother , though he had never so much right . . fortune is as quick in over-turning , as bestowing her favours . whilst the conditions were putting in execution , the natives falling upon the portugueses , who were secure in their submission , killed many . the vice-roy escaped narrowly and got aboard the fleet , whence he sent d. antony de noronha with men to relieve the fort , where ferdinand de sousa was , and had killed many of the natives in defence of it . they two being joyned made themselves way and marched to the shoar , carrying all that was in the fort , and killing all that opposed them . the vice-roy thus succesful at first , and afterwards unfortunate , set sail , carrying with him the prince , given as an hostage for performance of the articles of peace . he sailed to the island manar , where he built a fort , and translated thither the inhabitants of punicale , to redeem them from the tyranny of that nayque who would fleece them . emanuel rodriguez coutinho was left to command there , and with him some franciscans and jesuits , all satisfied with the equal distribution the vice-roy made of all things . then he sent balthasar guedez de sousa to command in chief in ceylon , and with him the king of cota , his grandmother and kindred , whom the king of iafanatapan had delivered to him , being one of the conditions of that unfortunate treaty . chap. xvi . the end of the government of the vice-roy d. constantin . . among the treasure lately taken from the king of iafanatapan , was an idol adored throughout all the coast of asia , and so highly esteemed by all those princes , particularly the king of pegu , that he every year sent embassadours with rich presents , to get a print of it . this so much worshipped relick was nothing but a tooth of a white monkey . some say , the rarity of the colour was the cause of his being so much admired , as the king of siam's white elephant : others affirm , besides his whiteness , he came into such esteem by finding out the wife of an ancient indian king , that was run away from him , and had been sought for through all parts to no purpose , the king loving her beyond expression . the king in requital made much of the beast while it lived , and after its death erected altars to it : others are of opinion , it was a mans , not a monkeys tooth , and perhaps the man had the same employ as the monkey ; for all was no better than pimping , a great step to preferment with princes . however it was , the king of pegu hearing our vice-roy had the tooth , sent to offer him ducats for it , and it was not doubted his zeal would extend to give a million , if the bargain were well drove . most of the portugueses were for taking the mony , and some wished they might be employed in carrying the tooth to pegu , not doubting but they should gather a treasure by shewing it by the way . . the vice-roy doubtful whether he should accept , or reject the offer , and to throw the blame of either resolution from himself , had a meeting of the chief of the clergy and laity , where the question was discussed long , and with much heat . the resolution was , that the tooth should not be sold , but consumed to as●…s . the vice-roy accordingly , in the presence of them all , caused it to be beaten to dust in a mortar , and then burnt . all men at that time seemed to applaud the act ; but not long after , ( two teeth being set up instead of that one , as shall be related in the government of d. antony de noronha ) they as much condemned and railed at it . . d. george de meneses baroche at this time did much in ceylon in defence of the king of cota against his brother madune . d. george was hard to please , because he loved to endure hardship ; he hearing one morning , in his galley , a souldier asking an ●…on for breakfast , said to him ; what do you 〈◊〉 for dainties ? there is no provision in this store , but powder and ball. a good example for our times , when a portugues lords half a galleon with hen-coops , and 〈◊〉 of sweet-meats . . this severity in d. george caused some souldiers to desert to cota ; he went to bring them back , and at his return found that george de melo his lieutenant ●…d fallen upon the enemy so successfull●… that he cut off a number of them . baroche envious of this honour , attacked them in another place and killed , and with the same heat run up a river after madune , till a cannon ball kil●…g of his seamen at once , he retired a ●…e . then matching by land , after raju 〈◊〉 son , who had above men ●…h him put him to flight , killing , without losing one man. the enemy fortified himself in a convenient place , and d. george going on to attack him , was told there was no powder ; then says he , load your muskets with sand. he advanced unfortunately ; for what with an ambush , and what with the assistance of the elephants , he lost above men. d. george was in danger of being killed by an elephant , had not p●…dralvarez freyre fortunately shot it . he retired in such a rage for this ill success , that he bit the sand , perhaps because it had not served him instead of powder . . madre maluco , king of cambaya , taking the advantage of the vice-roys absence from damam , resolved to recover that city , and was ready to march with a formidable power . d. iames de noronha , who spent much mony in intelligence , soon understood his design , and finding he could not oppose him with open force , had recourse to artifice . he dexterously persuades cedemecan lord of suratt , his neighbour and friend , that his brother-in-law , madre maluco , was coming to expel him that city , and therefore gave out his design was upon damam . cedemecan gave credit to the fiction , and going to visit his brother-in-law in the camp , persuaded him to sup with him in the town , and carry with him the principal heads of his army . scarce were they in his house when he killed them all , and falling upon the camp put the army to the rout with great slaughter thus noronha avoided this danger without drawing sword , and cedemecan drew on himself another , to shun that which did not threaten him . the manager of this intrigue was , d. iames pereyra , a gentleman of great prudence and vigilance , who performed it very dexterously , not without great danger to himself . . chinguiscan with a prodigious power marches to suratt , to revenge the death of his father , and enters the city ; cemedecan retiring into the fort , chinguiscan sets down before , and begins to batter it furiously , and cedemecan omitted nothing towards his defence , when ships arrive , sent by d. iames under the command of luis alvarez de tavora , with orders so to manage himself , that either of the two enemies might believe he came to their assistance . d. iames under-hand writ to chinguiscan , acquainting him he had sent those ships to his aid ; tavora had a letter from him to cedemecan of the same purport . all this preparation vanished ; for the besieger hearing another enemy invaded his kingdom , agreed with the besieged and returned home . so did luis alvarez , having given much content to our neighbour , who had he known all , had more cause to be highly dissatisfied . alvarez coming to damam found d. iames de noronha at death's door , and he soon after expired at ●…he age of . he died poor , having spent ●…ll he got in the service of his king and country . d. antony de noronha , after vice-roy , used to say , that a man must be mad to ●…ractice this sort of liberality . after that rate ●…ow-adays all men are very wise. . the vice-roy being at cochim , dispatched three ships for portugal , two of them arrived safe , the other was forced back . then he had a meeting with the king of pimienta , with whom he was at variance , and they agreed . the princes of calicut being sent to be bred at cananor , and those of cananor at calicut , caused such a confusion , that iohn pereyra , commander of cananor , was in some danger , attempting to hinder the passage of the malabars , who had possessed themselves of the island primbalam , belonging to cochim , which might prove the loss of our fort. the vice-roy sent first d. francis de almeyda with ten ships , and after him luis de melo de silva with men , and the king of cochim assisted with his forces . there was a great fight , many of the enemies were killed , and the rest expelled the island . martin alfonso de melo afterwards cleared all the passes , and restored the island to the king. d. constantin returned to goa . . he sent commanders to several forts ; and a fleet of sail under the command of sebastian de sá , to assist the king of baçora against the turks , for which he offered to permit us to build a fort there . this fleet was by bad weather scattered and put into several ports . cedemecan sent to acquaint the vice-roy , that chinguiscan was again marching towards him , and he being in no condition to oppose him , would deliver up that fort to the crown of portugal , only upon condition to be carried with his family and treasure where he should appoint . don constantin immediately fitted out fourteen ships , the command whereof he gave to d. antony de noronha . with him went luis de melo , to receive the command of damam from iames de silva , who held it by the death of d. iames de noronha . there they found four galliots of sebastian de sá his squadron that was dispersed , and so made up men , and passed to suratt . they went up the river through such showers of bullets , that there was scarce a vessel but lost some men. then they landed , and immediately entred a work , and after a tedious engagement chinguiscan with above men , was beaten by portugueses , and our captain remained master of the field . . in the same heat he entred the city , where chinguiscan was , and retired honourably , though not without danger : but coming to treat with cedemecan about delivering up the fort as he had promised , found him quite estranged from it . some say , he durst not do it for fear his own men should kill him ; and 't is likely it was so , for d. antony being gone to goa , they would have murdered him only for the intention ; so that he was forced to make his escape from them , and being taken by chinguiscan had his head cut off . caracen his brother-in-law succeeded him in suratt , and found the means of obliging chinguiscan , so that he left him in peaceable possession . . emanuel de vasconcelos being arrived at the moluco's , prevailed with the king of ternate , to quit his claim to that kingdom , as being left by the rightful possessor , who died a christian at malaca to our king. accordingly king sebastian was proclaimed in all the neighbourhood , he that resigned still keeping the title and government . vasconcelos having made war against the king of tidore , soon after died . sebastian machado his lieutenant succeeded him , and sent george ferreyra against the sangaje of gilolo , who brought him to submission . the christian faith was now very much propagated in these parts by the labour and industry of the jesuits . . the year ended the government of d. constantin , applauded by all lovers of truth , though censured by the vile portugueses in india . he was endued with all those parts that make a man great , and was fortunate in his undertakings ; his government such , that king sebastian offered it him for life , and he refused ; and when that excellent vice-roy d. luis de ataide returned thither the second time , he bid him govern like d. constantin . . his countenance was beautiful and majestick , his complexion white , his beard thick and black . in the number of vice-roys he was the th , in that of governours the th , and held it three years . chap. xvii . the government of the vice-roy d. francis coutinho , count de redondo , from the year , till , in the reign of king sebastian . . in the beginning of september arrived at goa d. francis coutinho , count de redondo , no less known for his witty sayings , than his actions in peace and war. he brought five ships , and sailed from lisbon the beginning of the year . the count having sent commanders to several forts , dispatched five ships for portugal , in one of which went d. constantin . next he sent d. francis mascarenhas with men in ships , to seek out cafar's gallies that were abroad a pilfering ; but he missing of them through neglect , returned to the coast of malabar , where he secured the trading ships for the term of three months , and then went into port. . in february the vice-roy sent george de moura with three galleons , and some small vessels , to secure our ships that were to come from ormuz against cafar's gallies . on the coast of caxem he met a ship of achem of great strength and value , it carried fighting men and pieces of brass cannon . towards night peter lopez de rebelo stood up with and boarded her , whereupon ensued a bloody fight . the enemy fired the galleon , and antony cabral coming up in the night with another , thinking it was the ship , attacks the galleon . perceiving his mistake he drew off , and the ship taking fire both were inevitably lost . cabral saved rebelo and his men. of the enemy only a few escaped in the long-boat . moura was coming on with the rest of the ships , when discovering a sail he gave it chase , but in vain . he cruized there some time and saw several ships , but could not fetch up any . . in september arrived in india ships from portugal , with land-men . the vice-roy was preparing to set out for the sea of calicut , whilst cide meriam was marching to besiege damam with horse and foot , after doing much harm in the neighbouring villages . our men went out to meet them , a dominican carrying a crucifix before them ; at the first charge several of our men fell , and among them the dominican ; a souldier took up the crucifix and marched before till a ball broke the arm of it , which much stirred up our men to revenge . in the heat of the action cide appears , calling upon garcia rodriguez , who spurring his horse met , and with a stroak of his lance dismounted him ; but garcia fell too , and meriam recovering came at him with his cimiter ; garcia embraces him fast , and so they strugled till one of our souldiers run meriam through with a pike . our captain mounted again , and running into the thickest of the enemy , they were disordered and fled ; many were killed , many taken , and a considerable booty . . about the beginning of december the vice-roy set out of goa with sail , in which number were ten very large gallies ; in this fleet were men. all this preparation was only to meet zamori , and swear to the peace already concluded . they met at tiracole , the vice roy walking through a lane made by his men , and the king through another of . after the usual ceremonies the articles were read , and then sworn to by each after his own manner . . the count returning to cochim , dispatched the ships for portugal , which arrived safe , except one that was never heard of . the portugueses of this great fleet having no other employments for their swords , fell to challenging one another , by which means above were killed . the grounds of these quarrels are commonly so idle and ridiculous , that it is not worth time to mention any of them . . the vice roy began this year , sending some commanders to several parts : but there was nothing of moment , but the business of amboina , one of the maluco's , whither he sent henry de sá with some relief . amboina is an island in that eastern sea , about leagues in compass ; but contains in that little space many good towns. iordan de freytas , commander of ternate , got a grant of it for himself ( as is before said ) from the king of it , who being converted by his means repayed him with that gift , which afterwards fell to the crown of portugal . sá sent his nephew vasco thither to build a fort ; but he behaved himself so ill , that he estranged the hearts of all the people , chiefly the inhabitants of ative , where he was ; and those of aito , not far distant . the better to compass their revenge , they offered subjection to the queen of iapara , in the island iava , that she might assist them with her shipping . the other islands also sent a fleet , and joyning with those that were in arms , killed many of the christians newly converted by st. francis xaverius . one of these called emanuel , gathering a number , put a stop to this current , till henry de sá joyning they totally defeated all those enemies , with a great slaughter of them . then sá took in hand the punishing the rebels , among which were two infamous portugueses , who had laid the muzzles of their musquets to emanuel , because he defended the new christians ; that it may appear , there are many new christians better than the old. peace being setled , the spiritual conquest was carried on . . in ceylon madune , always aiming to deprive his brother , the king of cota , of his kingdom , kept his son raju in the field with a good force . raju with men besieges the fort of columbo , commanded by baltasar guedez de sousa . he battered it several days with great fury , but found such opposition he was forced to draw off , and marched to the city cota , two leagues distant , not doubting to carry it , having been reinforced and believing the portugueses were not in condition to relieve it . yet baltasar guedez was there as soon as he with men. the city was besieged , and the attacks carried on vigorously , and backed with elephants . many portugueses were here seen fight with those beasts single , and with many wounds drive them back upon their own men. . though bravely defended , the town was in great danger by reason of the enemies great number , had not iames de melo coutinho , commander of manar , come opportunely with men and provisions . raju seeing this relief raised the siege , having lost men. on our side twenty were killed , and three franciscans . the king repaired his works , and coutinho returned to his command , leaving the men he brought . . this year sailed from lisbon four ships , one of them was forced back , three arrived at goa , one whereof sunk there . the vice-roy sent d. francis de mascarenhas to cananor with fifteen sail , we being then at war with that king. hierom diaz de meneses staid behind with his ship , in which were forty tried souldiers . he met three parao's of malabars , and could not with honour avoid them ; so making up to the formost layed it aboard , and killing most of the moors , had taken it , but that the other two coming up forced our men to defend their own ship , and though they behaved themselves with great bravery , were by the multitude of enemies drove into the poop , whence breaking out again they cleared their decks , killing moors . they parted , and diaz pursued his voyage . . the vice-roy dispatched two ships for portugal , which after a dangerous voyage arrived safe . hearing what had hapned , hierom diaz with the malabars , who continued their piracies contrary to the peace so lately sworn , he complained to zamori . he answered coldly , because his intentions were never sincere , that those were some rebels , and whosoever met them might punish them . the count meditating revenge , heard above vessels of malabars were sailing for calicut ; these he resolved to destroy , and if zamori complained , to answer after this manner , that they were some rebels had done it , whoever took might punish them . to this he sent dominick de mesquita , a man of valour and no nice conscience , as was requisite for such an action , with men in three ships . he cruised upon the coast of carapatan , and took by two and three at a time twenty four sail. the vessels he sunk , some of the men he beheaded , others he sewed up in their sails and threw them into the sea. above died after this manner , so that all the coast of malabar was filled with cries for the loss of friends and goods . this action soon after produced a very tedious war. . this was the vice-roys last action , and scarce came to his knowledge ; for he died very suddenly about the end of february . his death was lamented , because he was beloved . he was neither prodigal , nor covetous , a great lover of justice , and so happy in witty expressions , that all pleasant sayings were fathered upon him . his countenance was jovial , his eyes lively . in the number of vice-roys he was the th , and ●…e th of governours , and held it two ●…s and five months ; the third of the name , ●…rst of the sirname , and second that had the title of count , for d. vasco de gama was the first . . at this time our famous poet , luis de camoens , was at goa , and had been well looked upon and favoured by the two last vice-roys . the governour francis barreto had imprisoned , and then banished him for debts and some youthful extravagancies ; and the count towards the end of his government , had again given him up to the law , and he was cast in prison . we shall hereafter see him deceitfully carried to zofala , and there sold. such is the hard fate of great wits . chap. xviii . the government of john de mendoza , for six months of the year , in the reign of king sebastian . . john de mendoça , late comma●…er of malaca , succeeded the vice-r●… with the title of governour . as soon as he had taken the sword , there came to him embassadours from zamori , complaining of the harm dominick de mesquita had done the beginning of the year to his subjects , contrary to the peace so solemnly sworn . the governour answered as the count designed to have done ; that it was perhaps some portugues who was in rebellion ; that they might punish him if taken , and he would do the same . the embassadours had nothing to say ; but before their departure came in dominick de mesquita , and the governour ( not to carry on the shew too far ) caused him in their presence to be apprehended . as soon as their backs were turned he released , and rewarded him as his good service deserved . . a woman of a bold spirit , and of good repute among her people , wife to one of those killed by mesquita , running about the city of cananor with loud cries and complaints , stirred up the moors to revenge that action . they all run to arms , swearing not to lay them down , till they had rooted out the portugueses from among them . they beset the fort where d. payo ●…e noronha commanded , and the king unexpectedly set fire to above thirty ships that ●…ode under the shelter of it . the governour sent immediately andrew de sousa with six sail to the relief of that fort , where adé rajao already was with a great power . thus began the war of malabar , and went on slowly . . it being now the beginning of september , the ships arrived from portugal , in which went the vice-roy d. antony de noronha , to whom the governour delivered the sword , and went out of india poor , after bearing honourable and advantagious employments . he was the th governour , and held it half a year , was the second of the name , and first of the sirname . . since the short time of his government afforded not matter enough for a chapter , i will give some account of the zamories and preaching of st. thomas the apostle . it is before related how perimal , who divided the empire of malabar into several kingdoms , was persuaded to mahometanism , and went to end his days at meca . this was a false invention of the moors ; for there were several sovereign princes in malabar years before the birth of christ. malabar lies between the points of cananor and cape comori , leagues in length , and about in breadth up the inland , expiring at the foot of a mountain that runs through all that length . the chief sovereignties therein are cananor , tanor , moringue , cranganor , parum , mungate , repelim , cochim , diamper , pimienta , turungule , maturte , porca , marta , pitimene , calecoulam , coulam , changernate , gundra and travancor . . the differences that often arose between these sovereigns , obliged them to chuse an arbitrator , who was to be but of indifferent fortune , to prevent his growing too powerful ; and the office was not to be hereditary , but he always chose by consent of those princes . this arbitrator they called xara perimal , and appointed his residence to be in the city calicut ; so ancient is this employment . the great concourse of merchants from all parts to that city , caused it in time to rise to an empire , though such care had been taken to prevent it . this dignity of emperour ( which is signified by the word zamori ) continued till the year of grace , according to the records of calicut ; but according to those of cochim , till . whensoever it was , xara perimal then reigned , who tired with the cares of a crown , and having some knowledge of the evangelical doctrin , as being a great favourer of the christians of st. thomas , inhabiting at cranganor , he resolved to end his days at meliapor , serving in that church . by consent of all his princes he resigned the crown to manuchem herari his page , esteemed worthy and able to govern that empire . perimal died at meliapor , and it is thought one of those bodies found with the apostles was his . since his time till now have been above zamories , of whose names we do not make a catalogue , because they are all called manuchem and zamori , in memory of that first successor of perimal . another relation says ; this perimal was one of the three kings that went to adore our saviour , new born at bethlehem , and perhaps that might be the reason of his following the apostle st. thomas . in an ancient manuscript of two hundred years standing , i have found what follows : melchior was king of nubia and arabia ; baltasar , of goli and saba ; gaspar , of tharsis , insula , and grisola , where the body of st. thomas lies , and they were afterwards by him made bishops , and suffered martyrdom with him . . in this empire ( so in all the kingdoms of it ) the sons do not inherit , but the nephews born of sisters , by reason of the ill conceit they have of the mothers , believing this way they secure the royal descent . the princesses that bring forth these heirs , get them in this manner : the princess is married to a neighbouring prince , who leaves her untouched ; a nayre of the family of naburii , destined for this employ , gets her maidenhead , and then departs , never more to be seen in the country upon pain of death . the princess afterwards chooses others among the naburiis , of whom she makes use till she has conceived . she has liberty to choose among them all , but none of them can court her upon pain of death . the nayres are very poor , few of them can maintain a wife ; and he that can , need not fear another corrupting of her . for this reason three or four of them joyn to maintain a woman , and that is their manner of marriage : when one goes to the wife , he leaves his buckler at the door , which is a sign one is within ; and if another comes , he must stay . the kingdom of cochin was subject to this empire , though without paying tribute , and made free by the portugueses in requital , for the fidelity of the king uniramacoul , who reigned when we first discovered india , and exposed himself to utter danger of being ruined , rather than deliver up the portugueses to zamori . king emanuel sent him a crown of gold by the vice-roy d. francis de almeyda , which he received , submitting himself as a subject to portugal , without any other acknowledgment ; but is yearly presented with two pieces of gold ; the one a portugues , being a coin worth ducats , on the st of ianuary ; the other on the day of the epiphany , is a cup worth , thus much of the empire of malabar . . as to meliapor , for what relates to the apostle : it is the received opinion he was killed at antenodur , a mountain a league distant from the town , where he had two caves , whither he retired to pray . the nearest now belongs to the jesuits , the other is the church of our lady of the mount. he being one day at prayer in the former , opposite to a clift that gave light to it , one of the bramens , who was watching , thrust a lance through that hole in such manner , that a piece of it remaining in his body , he went to the other cave , and there died , embracing a stone on which a cross was carved . hence his disciples removed and buried him in his church , where he was found by emanuel de faria , or frias , and the priest antony penteado , sent thither on purpose by king emanuel . . in the year , being about to repair that oratory where the apostle died , digging they found a stone , which seems to be the same he held then . it is about a yard long , and three quarters wide , the colour grey , with some red spots . in the middle of it is carved a portal round at the top , with letters between the two borders ; within two banisters , rather than pillars ; being turned , on which are two twisted figures , like dogs sitting , from whose necks rises a graceful arch of five borders , and between every two are knots like beads . in the hollow of this door is a pedestal of two steps , from the uppermost of which rises a branch on each side , and over them , as it were in the air , is a cross , the ends of it like to that of the military order of alcantara , as the history relates ; but the print shews them like three half moons , the convex sides outwards , and the points meeting , as commonly we see in many ancient churches in europe . over all is a dove flying , as it were descending to touch the cross with its beak . there are ancient pillars in the east with doves after this manner . one preserved in the pagod of negapatan , has carved on it a cock , a rope and a candle . there is a tradition , it came of it self to those parts by sea , with a candle burning . . the chappel being repaired , or beautified in the year , the stone was solemnly set up in it , and at the time the priest pronounced those words of the gospel ; missus est angelus gabriel , &c. it began to change colour , and became black and shining , then sweating turned to its own colour , plainly discovering the spots of blood which before were obscure . the letters about it could not be understood till the year ; a learned bramen said , they were hieroglyphicks , every one containing a sentence , and were to this effect : in the time of the son of sagad the gentile , who reigned years , came upon earth one only god , and was incarnate in the womb of a virgin : he abolished the law of the jews , whom he punished for the sins of men , after he had been in the world years , and taught twelve servants the truth he preached . a king of three crowns , cheralacone , indalacone , cuspandiad ; and king alexander of the kingdom ertinabarad , with catherine his daughter , and many virgins and six families , voluntarily followed the law of thomas , because it was the law of truth , and he gave them the sign of the cross to adore . going up to the place of antenodur , a bramen run him through with a lance , and he embraced this cross , which was stained with his blood , and his disciples carried him to maiale , and buried him in his church with the lance in his body . and because we the above-named kings saw this , we carved these letters here . hence , besides the story , is gathered , that maiale was the ancient name of the city meliapor , now called st. thomas . this stone afterwards sweated sometimes : till the year it was a good omen ; since then a bad one . . in the time of the priest penteado were also found three brass plates about a span long , and half as broad , in shape like a scutcheon , on the top a ring . on the one side was a cross and peacock , the ancient arms of meliapor ; on the other , characters which were explained by another learned bramen . the first part was titles of the king ; boca raja , son of campula raja , and grandson of atela raja . he begins confessing , one god without beginning , maker of all things . and says of himself , that he is as great a gentleman as the beast chigsan , and as one of the five kings who conquered : that he is as strong as one of the eight elephants that the world stands upon , and that he conquered the kingdoms of otia tulcan and canara , cutting his enemies to pieces with his sword. the other plates contained grants of lands to st. thomas , directed to himself , and calling him abidarra modeliar . whence may be gathered , these princes reigned at the time that christ suffered . one of them begins thus : after the year , in the first year called icarrana rachan , on the th day of the new moon of the good year , i give in alms to the saint abidarra modeliar , &c. thus another : this is a token of alms-deeds to purchase paradice , and all kings that perform them shall obtain much more , and he that disannuls them shall be years with the worms in hell , &c. . it has always been controverted , which way st. thomas came into india . the heathen history says , that st. thomas and st. thaddeus being in mesopotamia , they parted at the city edessa ; and the former sailing with some merchants came to the island zocotora , and after converting the people , passed to mogodover patana , a city of paru in malabar , where he built a church . the king keeping there the wedding of his son , some jewish women came to sing , and their musick was texts of scripture , many of them fulfilled by the life and death of our saviour . st. thomas being present , was so rapt , hearing those prophecies from them people , that a heathen observing it gave him a box on the ear. soon after going to fetch water , a tiger bit off his hand . he came running to tell his misfortune , and after him a dog with the hand in his mouth . the apostle took , and set it on again , so that no mark remained . then he went to calicut , and converted xa perimal . there is an account , that he went to the mogol's country , where chesetrigal then reigned , and after being in china recurned to india , visiting the province of tibet , and setled at meliapor , where he ended . . in the year arrived at mogodover , or patana , a rich christian armenian , called thomas cananeus , who with his company presented himself to the king : he received him with kindness , and soon after won by his presents , gave him the lands of cranganor and city patana , where there was scarce any footsteps of st. thomas his church . on those foundations he built another ; another at cranganor by the name of st. thomas , now standing within our fort ; another of our lady , and another of st. ciriacus . these being the works of thomas cananeus , made them erroniously be believed the apostles . afterwards were found other plates containing grants of lands to the disciples and successors of the apostles . . it may reasonably be believed , that pagod where gama entred , as he went from calicut to zamorie's palace , was of this foundation , because the image of our lady was there called mary by the heathens ; and it being believed one of the three kings that went to bethlehem was of malabar . the heathens yearly celebrate a feast to st. thomas , to preserve their ships ; because formerly many of them used to be cast-away sailing to parvi . end of the second part. the portugues asia . tom . i. part iii. chap. i. conquests under king emanuel , from the year , to the year ●… . lope soarez de albergaria , being governor . . the great alfonso de albuquerque was drawing towards the last period of his life , when king emanuel , as if he had foreseen it , sent a new governor with a fleet for india . the governor was lope soarez de albergaria , the fleet consisted of thirteen ships , and in them fifteen hundred fighting men , many gentlemen by birth , most such by their actions . among them was duarte galvam , a person of learning , authority and judgment , who went embassador to prester iohn , with rich presents ; some for him , some for the church . the governor being arrived at cochin , by his ( perhaps rather affected than natural ) reservedness became disagreeable to many , and particularly to the king , who was used to albuquerque's discreet civility . d. garcia de noronha , who took charge of the dispatch of the homeward bound trading ships , went away with them after no small disagreement with lope soarez . till this time the gentlemen had followed the dictates of true honor , esteeming their arms the greatest riches ; from this time forwards they so wholly gave up themselves to trading , that those who had been captains became merchants , so that what had been command became a shame , honor was a scandal , and reputation a reproach . lope soarez entred upon the government . he visited the forts , placed in them new captains , gave out orders and such other affairs of small moment , which rather serve to fill paper than increase the substance of a history . . this year sailed from lisbon five ships under the command of iohn de silveyra , three of them arrived in india , the other two were lost on the sands of st. lazaro . the governor prepared , according to the king's order , for the red sea ; and being informed , that the soldan was fitting out a great fleet at suez , he sailed in search thereof from goa , on the eighth of february , with twenty seven sail of several sorts and sizes . in this fleet were twelve hundred portugueses , eight hundred malabar soldiers , and eight hundred seamen of the same nation . he arrived before the city aden , the commander whereof miramirzan , finding himself defenceless , by reason a piece of the wall was beaten down by raez soliman , admiral of the suez fleet , lope soarez went in search of , he made a virtue of necessity , and offered the keys to lope soarez , affirming he would have done the same to albuquerque , had not he begun by acts of hostility . lope soarez pleased with this flattery , trusted to him , and took not possession of the city , but went away in search of raez soliman , thinking first to find out him , and then take the city ; and neither did he take aden at his return , nor meet soliman as he went. he went up the red sea , in quest of solyman , but with bad fortune ; for d' alvaro de castro was lost with forty men through covetousness ; for having taken some . vessels , he so overloaded his own with the goods , that it sunk down to rights . other ships sustained much damage . hearing that solyman was drove by stress of weather to ioda , and had no defence , he resolved to sail thither . . ioda ( or as the arabs call it ) gidda , is seated in arabia felix in twenty one degrees and half of north latitude , in a most barren soil , being all a deep sand. it was a colony of moors , who attended more to trade , than delight . the buildings are good , but not the harbour ; the inhabitants of two sorts , the native arabs , and foreign merchants . the town was fortified by mir hozem , after he was defeated by d. francisco de almeyda , for his own security , being afraid to return to the soldan , but upon pretence of the defence of the sepulchre of mahomet and his prince . when hozem was busie in this work , came to the soldan raez solyman , a turk of base parentage , but a powerful and bold pyrate , born in the island mitylene of the archipelago . he offered himself to command the fleet of twenty seven sail , that was preparing at suez to fall upon aden , an employ mir hozem had set his heart upon . the old servant was laid aside , and the stranger received . the punishment of this inconstancy soon fell upon ioda . for solyman after repairing the loss sustained at aden ( where many of his men were killed ) and taking a great booty in the city zeibid , returned to gidda , where he slew mir hozem , and then delivered the city to the turk , who not long before had killed the soldan in battel . this was the occasion that lope soarez found solyman at gidda . . the port being dangerous , lope soarez anchored a league from the city , in which there was so good cannon , that three or four peices reached the ships at that distance . there came a messenger from solyman , offering a private combat between man and man , or as soarez should propose . the challenge was received by gaspar de silva , and d. antonio de meneses , but the governor would not permit , saying he would answer ashore . he sounded a channel that goes up to the city , which was terrified by the firing of a galeon . solyman appeased the tumult , and appeared with some men without the walls , whilst multitudes appeared on them , filling the air with loud cries . lope soarez delayed the landing two days , till his men began to complain of the delay . he appeased them by shewing his instructions , wherein he was ordered to fight the fleet , which he could not compass , not to attack that city where there might be much danger and little profit . tho votes differed , it was resolved in council to desist . he retired to the island camaran , whence he sent some to several parts of that sea. here died duarte galvam , a studious and ingenious man , who had been embassador in several parts of europe , and was going now in the same quality , being above seventy years of age , to prester iohn . at his death he said , that his son george galvam and all his men were cast away in their vessel , and that in the island of dalaca they had cut off the heads of laurence de cosme and others that were sent thither . it being impossible this news could be brought to the island where he died , yet was afterwards found true . . after suffering much through famine , whereof some men died , and losing seventeen portugueses , taken by the moors , and carried to gidda , lope soarez set sail , and appeared before the city zeyla , on the mouth of the red sea , and the african shoar , called by ptolomy , emporium avalite , being the great market of those parts . the town was easily taken , being unprovided , and burnt , and then the fleet bent its course to aden . . here soarez found how much he had been to blame in not taking possession when offered by miramirzan ; for he finding his enemy now weaker , and the wall repaired , refused by forming delays what afore he offered with haste . lope soarez fearing to lose time , durst not call miramirzan to account , but set sail , designing to do the same at the city barbora , as he had done at zeyla . but the fleet was scattered by storms , and drove to several ports , and when they came after to hear of one another , it was found above eight hundred men had perished by hunger , sickness and shipwrack . all which misfortunes made the loss of the most fortunate albuquerque be the more lamented . . whilst these disstasters attended lope soarez , another threatened the city goa , where d. gutierre de monroy commanded . according to the orders left him by soarez , some ships of the enemy were taken of more value than reputation , and with more danger than profit . one alvaro madureira , who was married in goa , fled to the enemy , and turned moor , then was reconciled , and falling again , brought the indians to attack our ships , putting them in great danger . and because troubles seldom come alone , it happened that one ferdinando caldera , who also was married there , flying the punishment of crimes , followed the example of madureira , or ( as was said ) terrified by the threats of d. gutierre , who desired his absence , being in love with his wife . this is likely , since there was scarce ever any great mischief without a woman at the end of it . caldera went to serve ancostan , an officer of hidalcan . d. gutierre demanded him , because he desired not his absence that way . ancostan refused to deliver him . the other challenged him , but he accepted not . de gutierre sent one who pretending to be a deserter should kill caldera , he executed it , and was killed upon the body by the moors . lope soarez arriving at goa was informed by d. gutierre what had passed , and left it to him take the revenge he thought fit of ancostan , which produced the loss of men and reputation , and brought upon the city a dangerous siege . it fell out thus . . as soon as d. gutierre had this leave of the governor , he prepared to put his designs in execution , and when he thought time , sent out his brother d. fernando with one hundred and fifty portugueses , whereof eighty were horse , and a great number of canaras , against ancostan . at ponda they routed the moors , who rallying , obliged d. ferdinando to retire , having lost two hundred men , killed and taken . this caused all the country to rise in arms against the portugueses , and hidalcan pretending the peace was broke , to order his general sufo lari to besiege goa . sufo lari appeared with four thousand horse and twenty six thousand foot , and attempted to pass into the island , but was repulsed . hunger began to press the besieged , till three ships arrived , one from portugal , another from quiloa , and another from china , so lari raised the siege , and the former peace was confirmed . . the same misfortune attended malaca , through the ill government of george de brito , and animosities of others . the people fled from malaca , because of their tyrannical usage , and the king of it that had been prepared to recover it , sending before to this effect his general cerilige de raja , with considerable forces , and some cannon . he intrenched himself , and so pressed the besieged , that had not d. alexius de meneses come to take the government with three hundred men , then had ended the portugues possession of malaca . . anthony de saldana arrived now in india with six ships from portugal . in this fleet went one alcacova as surveyor of the king's revenue , with such a power as lessened that of lope soarez , and with a will to take it all away . there soon broke out the flame of contention between these two . alcacova bore down by such as envied him , took revenge on himself by returning to portugal , and on them there by causing them to be called to account for their proceedings . hence began the hearing complaints against the governors and commanders of india , and hence it was that many took more care to heap riches than honor , knowing them to be a protection against all crimes . lope soarez sent d. iohn de silveira to the maldivy islands , d. alexius de meneses to malaca , manuel de la cerda to diu , and antony de soldana with six ships , by the king's order to the coast of arabia . they arrived at the city barbora near to zeyla , and not unlike to it , but much less . it was taken without resistance , the inhabitants being all fled . it was burnt , and the fleet , without doing any thing remarkable , returned to india at such time as lope soarez was sailing for the island ceylon . chap. ii. a continuation of what was done in india the same year , during the government of the same lope soarez de albergaria . . the island ceylon is opposite to cape comori , and is the southermost land of india , within ganges , distant from the continent sixteen leagues , once , as some imagine , join'd to it , in length about eighty leagues , and forty five in breadth . the southermost point is in the latitude of six degrees , the most northerly in about ten . in this sea is a fishery of precious pearls . the ancient inhabitants of it called it ilanare . the persians and arabs , seradib . it took the name of ceylon from the sea that parts it from the continent , because being dangerous , and the chineses having lost a great fleet there , called it chilam , that is to say , danger ( it somewhat resembles scylla ) and corruptly it was called ceylon . this is the ancient trapobana , and not sumatra , as some have imagined . it produces many things , cinnamon better than that of all other places , rubies , saphires and other precious stones , much pepper and cardamum , brasil wood , and other dyes , great woods of palm-trees , the elephants bred there the most sensible , much cattle , has good ports , and several rivers of good water . the mountains are covered with pleasant woods , one particularly rising the space of seven leagues , on the top whereof is a round plain of about thirty paces diameter , in the center whereof rises a smooth rock about six spans above the rest , on the superficies whereof is the print of a mans foot about two spans in length . this footstep is held in great veneration , being thought to be of a holy man born at delhi , who lived many years on that mountain , preaching to the inhabitants the belief of one only god , who afterwards returning to his own country , sent one of his teeth to the kings of that island , as a token to remember him , and they keep it as a relict whereon they repose much confidence in time of danger . on this account resort thither many pilgrims from places a thousand leagues distant . the island is divided into nine kingdoms , the chiefest columbo on the west . the others gale on the south ; iaula , tanavaca , cande , batecalon , vilacem , triquinamale , and iafanapatam . . the king of columbo in ceylon had a trade with the portugueses , desired their friendship , and furnished them with cinnamon from the time of albuquerque . lope soarez went thither now with a design to oblige him to pay tribute , and to build a fort as king emanuel desired . he had with him seven gallies , two ships , and eight small vessels with the materials and workmen for the building , and portugues soldiers . they had bad weather , but arrived safe . the king presently granted leave to build a fort , and the moors as soon altered his mind , and he received soarez going to begin the work in such manner as put him to a streight ; but in the end the enemies were put to flight . they had fortified themselves to hinder the work , and lope soarez did the same now to begin it . the king came to composition , the articles were that he should be a subject to portugal , paying a yearly tribute of twelve hundred quintals of cinnamon , twelve rings of rubies and saphires , and six elephants , for soarez would not admit his excuses , wherein he blamed the foreign merchants . . at this time arrived from the maldives , iohn de silveyra with four sail ; in his way he took two ships of cambaya , and the king of the island granted leave to erect a factory . he went with the same design to bengala , where he was in great danger , for there a bengalian young man that sailed with him , discovered the taking of the two ships which were sent to cochin , and so he was looked upon as a pyrate not worthy to be heard . it had been worse with him , had not iohn coello arrived then with his ship from pacem , being sent on the same errand by ferdinando perez de andrade , to the king of bengala . don iohn de silveyra , set sail hence after passing the winter with great hardship , especially through famine . he was invited by the king of arracam to his port , who , with the messenger sent him a present , but all his kindnesses tended to destroy him at the instigation of the governour of the other port. this treachery took no effect , and he arriv'd at ceylon at the time that lope soarez finished the fort , who gave him the command of it , and left anthony de miranda de azevedo with four ships to cruise in that sea. . whilst these things were acted at maldivia , chatigam and columbo , d. alexius meneses secured malaca , being arrived with men and amunition , and putting an end to the divisions of the portugueses about succeeding the governour who lay dying . alfonso lopez de costa had the government , and duarte de melo the command of the sea. duarte coello was sent with an embassy and present from king emanuel to him of siam , the substance of it was to confirm the peace , and as a token of it , that he would send people to inhabit malaca , that so the moors whom he hated as much as we , might be totally expelled . he granted all with great satisfaction , and as a testimony of his sincerity , caused to be erected in a remarkable place of the city hudia , where he then was , a cross with the arms of portugal on it . coello having thus succeeded was thrown by stress of weather upon the coast of pam , the king whereof received him friendly , and voluntarily submitted himself to the crown of portugal with an yearly tribute of a gold cup. this action was done rather in hatred to the king of bintam than of any love to us . . the kingdom of siam where coello had now been setling peace , is one of the three greatest of asia , the others are that of china and that of bisnagar . the great river menam runs through the middle of the kingdom of siam as it lies in length , the river has its spring in the great lake chiamay in the latitude of degrees , and falls into the sea in degrees , so that the length of this kingdom is leagues . on the west of it is bengala , on the south malaca , on the east cambodia , and on the north china . it contains much mountain and plain , and in both sundry sorts of people , some most barbarous and cruel , who feed on human flesh , as the guei who for ornament make figures on their bodies with hot irons . here are bred many elephants , black cattle and buffaloes . it has many sea-port towns and populous cities . hudia is the metropolis or court. the faith of the siamites agrees in many considerable points with the christian , as one god , heaven and hell , good and bad angels attending each body . they build sumptuous temples , in which they place idols of vast bigness . they are very religious , sparing in diet , much given to divination , studious , particularly in astrology . all the land is most fruitful , abounds in gold and silver , and other metals . the memorable services of subjects are recorded to be read to the prinçes , not the favours of the kings . against this king takes the field , he has in a readiness almost men , elephants , and other beasts of burthen . . about this time fernan perez de andrade ( sent by the king to several discoveries ) sailing towards the bay of bengala , arrived at pacem the metropolis of one of the kingdoms of sumatra , where he found portugueses trading , and was well received of that king. here he lost his biggest ship , burnt by a candle carelessly set up , and was thereby obliged to return to malaca , sending away iohn coello in a ship of bengala to expect him there with what intelligence he could get till he returned from malaca . hence coello set out with fresh instructions for china , and met with furious storms and other dangers . on the coast of champa taking in fresh water , had like to cost him his life . at patane he established peace and commerce with the governour , the same at other places and thus spent the winter without reaching china . he returned to malaca , and refitted himsel●… for his voyage , to which he now sets out with eight ships . . the empire of china is the most eastern part of asia , as spain the most western of europe . opposite to it is the island hainan , as that of cadiz to spain . it is almost as big as all europe : divided from tartary by a wonderful wall running from east to west above leagues , and ends at a vast mountain that like a promontory is washed by the eastern sea. this large empire is divided into fifteen provinces or governments . along the coast quantung , fokien , chekiang , nanking , xantung , leaotung . the inland , queicheu , iunnan , quangsi , suchuen , huquang , xensi , kiangsi , honan and xansi , in which are cities . its riches are prodigious , its government to be admired above all others . they say they have two eyes , europe one , and all the rest of the world is blind . they had printing and cannon long before us . the city quantung , which is the chief on the coast , is remarkable for its greatness , strength of its wall , and resort of strangers most merchants . . fernan perez arriving here after some dangers and difficulties , had a conference with the th●…ee governours of this city , and sent to them one thomas perez with an embassy and present from our king to theirs , to be sent forward to him . he setled a peace with that city and traded in it and the neighbouring parts , and then sailed for malaca , having received advice of the dangerous condition it was in , by reason of the war with the king of bintam and the discord between the portugueses . . fernan perez loaded with riches , ammunition , and good success in china , was no less welcome at malaca , than d. alexius de meneses had been not long before . what followed shall be seen hereafter . now let us turn to behold iames lopez de sequeyra newly possess'd of the government . lope soarez de albergaria was the third governour . he was a comly man , very red hair ; he is pictured with crimson breeches and doublet , and black coat lined with the same , his armour white adorned with gold. chap. iii. from the year , tell the year , ending the government of lope soarez de albergaria , and beginning that of james lopez de sequeira , king emanuel still reigning . . about the end of march sailed from lisb●… 〈◊〉 ships bound for . india , with fighting men , all under the command of iames lopez de sequeyra , to whom the king gave the government of india as a reward of his good service in africk , his discovery of malaca , and worthy qualities . at the cape of good hope , one ship was in danger of perishing by means of a great fish , which running against her , stuck the length of two spans of a long beak it has into her side ; this was afterwards found to be the fish called the needle . lope soarez presently resigned the government to iames lopez , and set sail for portugal with nine ships . sequeyra began to act . d. alonso de meneses was sent against baticala , because it refused to pay . iohn gomez went for maldivia , where he was to command and build a fort. these things dispatched at cochin , iames lopez went away to goa , whence he dispatched others , anthony de saldana to the coast of arabia , and simon de andrade to china . . the king of bintam who had treacherously concluded a peace , only that d. alexius meneses and fernan perez might depart for cochin , as soon as they were gone , attacked malaca with men , and many elephants , and with vessels by sea. in the city were only , many sick , and most unprovided . but this surprize cured many of their feavers , and all men running to oppose the danger , on both sides there was a sharp engagement for the space of three hours with great loss to the enemy , and some on our side . twenty days the king lay before the town , and then retired having lost men , of ours were killed . then he lay to hinder the bringing of provisions till the governour sent relief , and the portugueses perceiving the damage they received from the fort of muar , whence sansotea raja made inroads , they resolved to gain it , and accordingly gave the assault , and after a vigorous resistance entered , having killed most of the defendants , which were moors , and then burnt it after securing the spoil , in which were cannons , some of brass . thus malaca was for a long time delivered of a dangerous enemy . . the king of bintam still persisting in his resolution of taking malaca , the inhabitants were reduced to great extremity , having but few men , many of them sick , and their commander alfonso lopez ready to die . he delivered the city from this last danger by resigning his command to garcia de sa , who was newly arrived with men. nothing of note happened at this time , only that iames pacheco going with two ships in search of the island of gold was lost , and most of his men. . now arrived at malaca , anthony correa , who came from the city martavan , where he had been concluding a peace with the king of pegu , at the swearing of the peace assisted with the king's ministers , the priests of both nations , catholick and gentiles . the heathen was called the great raulim , who after the capitulations made in the golden mine , as is the custom of those people were publickly read , began to read in a book , and then taking some yellow paper ( a colour dedicated to their holy uses ) with some sweet leaves of trees , whereon were certain characters , set fire to it all , and then taking the hands of the king's minister and holding them over the ashes , said some words , which rendred the oath inviolable . anthony correa , to answer this solemnity , ordered his priest to put on a surplice and bring his breviary , which was so tottered and torn , that it was scandalous those heathens should see how little respect was paid to our sacred books . correa observing this , ordered to be brought instead of it a book of church-musick , which was more creditable , being bigger and better bound , and opening it , the first verse he met was . vanity of vanities . this passed among those people as well as if it had been the gospel . the metropolis of this kingdom is bagou , corruptly called pegu. on the west of it is the bay of bengala , on the east the kingdom of siam , on the south that of malaca , and on the north that of arracam . the length almost a leagues , and in some places the same bredth , not including its conquests . the land is plain , well watered , and therefore fruitful , producing several plants and plentiful of provisions , as well of cattle as grain . in it many temples with multiplicity of idols and much variety of ceremonies . the people believe themselves to be descended from a chinese dog and woman , who only escaping from shipwrack on that coast ingendred , and thence they say it is that the men are very ugly and not the women , those taking after the father , and these after the mother . sodomy being grown much in use among them , a queen called canane endeavouring to banish it , ordered that all should wear small bells on the private parts , thereby to incite them to the use thereof neglected by that horrid vice . . garcia de sa encouraged with the relief brought by anthony correa , resolved to shew himself to the king of bintam . he fitted ships , and in them men , whereof were portugueses , and gave the command of all to anthony correa . they sailed to the place where the king was lodged , which was defended by a fort well mann'd and with much cannon . the access to it was guarded by many difficult passes and vessels well provided our men fell on , and the moors stay'd not for a second attack , so the fort was taken and in it pieces of cannon . the king retired to the town and the portugueses followed , and found him with men and some armed elephants . mean while our ships cleared all that hindred their going up the river , and then landing killed many and put the rest to flight , the town was first plundered and then burnt . the king flying on an elephant , stopped not till he came to the island of bintam , where he continued long , wanting courage and necessaries to prosecute his hopes . . his success in the beginning of this war encouraged the kings of pacem and achem to commit some outrages against the portugueses . garcia de sa being now victorious , set out a ship commanded by manuel pacheco to take revenge of the harms sustained . after some success he sent out a boat for water , rowed by malayes with only five portugueses in it , on a sudden they espied three ships of pacem with each men , the commander made up to them before the others , and they finding it impossible to escape , boarded the ship , and laid about them with such fury that they soon covered the deck with dead bodies of the enemy , the rest leaped over-board , and after them the captain , rather to punish them than save himself , being seen to hue them with his cymater as he swam . the five portugueses were left in possession of the ship , which the other two perceiving fled . the king of pacem terrified with this action offered peace and satisfaction for all the damage he had done , and so emanuel pacheco returned to malaca with honor , where the ship taken was preserved as a monument of so notable an action . duarte coello was then ready to sail for china . more of him in its proper place , let us see what was done by the commanders sent abroad by iames lopez de sequeyra . . iohn gomez went to maldivia to build a fort there , but behaved himself with so much pride , that the moors offended at it , fell upon and killed ten or twelve portugueses he had with him . this is the chief of a thousand islands that lye in clusters in that sea , and such is the signification of maldivia . they lye like a long ridge of mountains , and about the middle of them is this great one , where the king resides . the natives are gentiles governed by moors , and the distance between some of them so small that the yard-arms grate against the shoars , and trees . they are stored with coco-trees , the inside whereof is pleasing food , and the outward rine of use to make cables . there is another sort of these trees growing in the bottom of the sea , the fruit whereof is bigger than the coco , and a greater antidote against poison than bezoar-stone . . christopher de sousa sent to the coast of dabul did much execution , not without some loss . christopher de sa in the bay of cambaya gave some trouble to melique az , obliging him to lay up his fleet of boats. . this year king emanuel sent a fleet of fourteen ships to the relief of india , which was dispersed to several parts . the commander in chief george de albuquerque and four more arrived in india . six stay'd at mozambique . some fell into the coast of brasil where fifty of the men were killed , and one of the captains d' luis de guzman wickedly slew others and turned pyrat , whereby he grew very rich and at last died as he deserved . one was drove back to eisbon , another watering at matira lost some men , and six more at oja , that king keeping them long with kind entertainment , the ship sailed and left them , and was lost upon a bank off of quiloa , and the moors of that island , monfia and zanziber , slew all but one young man. george de albuquerque passed with much difficulty from mozambique to india , not able to follow iames lopez de sequeyra to the red-sea , as he had sent order by gonzalo de louli , who by the way took up the men that had been cast ashoar in the late storms . . iame lopez de sequeyra having dispatched the trading ships homeward-bound , commanded by ferdinando perez de andrade , and settled other affairs , sailed from goa on the th of february with a fleet of sail , and in it portugueses and almost as many malabars and canaras . on the coast of aden lopez , his ship struck upon a rock and was broke in pieces , the men were saved and he went into the galeon of peter de faria . at the entrance of the red sea they took a moorish ship , who informed them there were six turkish gallies at gidda with men designing against aden the weather hindered going in search of them , and it had been to no purpose , for they hearing of our fleet had haled in to the shoar . iames lopez designed for the island maçua , when by the way , on the th . of april being easter-sunday , there was seen by all in the orb of the sun about the time of its setting , a little black flag with some motion . being arrived at the island , they found the inhabitants were fled , yet they found some booty and vessels in the port , and some prizes in the neighbourhood . the inhabitants of maçua were fled for refuge to the port of arquico belonging to prester iohn ; the governour of the town sent a messenger with a letter to iames lopez , desiring he would make peace with those people that had fled to his protection . he asked nothing in behalf of the town because they were all christians , and because there was a prophecy among them foretelling the coming of foreign christians to settle a correspondence with them , which he seeing the christian colours looked upon to be fulfilled . iames lopez ▪ returned a courteous answer , and stood in to the shoar , where some christians came abroad to him . they told him their prince prester iohn , had some years since , sent an embassadour whose name was matthew , to a king of the end of the world , whose fleet then conquered india , to inform him of those remote christians , and demand succour against the moors , but that he never returned . sequeyra hearing this , was convinced those men dealt ingenuously , because he brought that embassadour with him , and had orders from king emanuel to land him safe in his prince's dominions . the embassadour was placed before them , who received him with great respect and joy , which was no less in him for being restored to his country after ten years absence . next day came ten religious men from the neighbouring convent of the vision with the same gladness to see him , they were received by the priests of the fleet in their surplices . there were great demonstrations of joy for the union of two so distant nations agreeing in the same faith , and the fruit of this meeting was , that those who from the beginning had not acknowledged the supremacy of the roman church , now submitted to it . chap. iv. a continuation of the government of james lopez de sequeyra , from the year till the year , and reign of king emanuel . . the kingdom of prester iohn , now discovered , is most known by this name , though improper , and is properly called the kingdom of abassia , or empire of the higher aethiopia . it was so called from that great iovarus ( corruptly prester iohn ) who came to it from the christians of tartary , with a cross before him like our bishops . and this king carried a cross in his hand , with the title of defender of the faith , as being a iacobite christian. the dominions of this prince lye between the rivers nile , astabora and astapus . on the east it runs along the red-sea leagues , this being the least side , which in all contain leagues . on the west it borders on those blacks who possess the great mines of gold , for which they pay him tribute . on the north divided from the moors , by a line drawn from the city suanquem to the island meroe , or noba . on the south it borders on the kingdom adea , from whose mountains falls the river obi , that loses it self in the sea at the town of quilmance in the kingdom of melinde . . the kings of abassia pretend to be descended from solomon and the queen of saba , she being delivered on the way , called the child meilech , and sent him to his father to be by him declared king of ethiopia , who when he anointed gave him the name of david his grandfather . he ordered his houshold , and gave him officers of his own , and for high-priest azaria the son of sadoc , who stole the tables of the law out of the temple , and carried them with his new prince . they affirm , that the descendants of those same officers still possess the same employs . they had knowledge of the law of christ by the means of queen candace , in whom they glory as being of their country . but their true apostles were s. philip , and s. matthew . the king , in memory of his descent , begins his many titles thus : david beloved of god , pillar of the faith , of kin to the stock of iuda , grandson of david , son of solomon , son of the pillar of sion , son of the progeny of iacob , son of the hand of mary , &c. emperor of the great and high ethiopia , &c. the people are very religious , have many churches , and many monasteries of only two religious orders , the one of s. anthony , the other the canon regulars . they have no considerable towns , little practice of learning , no skill in mechanicks , and so are very rude in their diet and cloathing . in such houses as use more grandeur , all the furniture is of other countries . there are as expert thieves among them , as our gypsies in europe . the religious men who live in convents wear long habits of cotton ; the others and their priests and nuns , skins , which does not cover as much as modesty requires . their prince for the most part lives in the field in a populous city of tents , often removing . in his messages he uses that style of portugal ; i the king greet you . this was what our discoverers could then gather ; let others say what is since found , and what alterations have happened . . now came the barnagax or governor of that province , having received the news of the arrival of matthew the embassador , and our fleet. he appeared on the shoar with two hundred horse , and two thousand foot. after some difference about the place for him and iames lopez to meet , they met on the edge of the water , and were seated on chairs upon the sand , which then burnt with the heat of the sun ; there matthew the embassador was delivered , and with him d. rodrigo de lima , sent embassador by king emanuel to prester iohn . there they treated of building a fort either on the island camaran , or that of maçua against the moors . lastly , they both swore the sincerity of this agreement on a cross , and after they parted , sent some presents on both parts . d. rodrigo de lima set forward on his journey without matthew , who soon after died in the monastery of the vision , which he had earnestly desired to reach . iames lopez erected a great cross in that port in memory of the arrival there of our fleet , and caused many masses to be said in the mosque of maçua . hence he went to the neigbouring island of dalaca , and having burnt the city , deserted by its inhabitants , stood over to the coast of arabia . one galley and most of the men were cast away by bad weather , and he came to an anchor at calayate , where he found george de albuquerque , who waited his coming , and going on to mascate , left him to winter there with the ships , and he went on with the gallies to ormuz . . whilst our governor was in the red sea , chrisnarao , king of bisnagar , covered the hills and plains , and drank up rivers , with an army of thirty five thousand horse , and seven hundred thirty three thousand foot , five hundred eighty six elephants , loaded with castles , in each of which were four men , and twelve thousand water-carriers , to supply all parts , that the men might not dispe●…se to seek it . the baggage was numberless , and there were above twenty thousand common women . he led all this power to take the city rachol , belonging of right to his ancestors , who still left the recovery of it as a charge to their successors , and was possessed by hidalcan , with whom to this effect he waged war. . the city rachol was naturally almost impregnable , seated on a high mountain , fortified with several walls , and large and deep ditches , strong towers , stored with artillery , and all other defence , garrisoned by four hundred horse , eight thousand foot , and twenty elephants , with provision and ammunition enough to tire the most patient besiegers . chrisnarao encamped about it , and gave many assaults to no effect for the space of three months , when hidalcan came to the relief with eighteen thousand horse , one hundred and twenty thousand foot , one hundred and fifty elephants , and much great cannon . after many preludes these two princes came to a battel , wherein at first chrisnarao received great damage , but recovering himself , made such havock among hidalcan's men , that only those escaped the sword , or captivity , who at last moved pity in the very enemy . the principal booty consisted of four thousand horses , one hundred elephants , four hundred great cannon , besides the small , and other riches . here died valiantly forty portugueses who were in the service of hidalcan , who saved himself by flight . as chrisnarao returned in a rage against the city , there came to his camp christopher de figueredo , with twenty portugueses , who brought some arabian horses to sell to the king. they discoursed about the siege , and he asked leave to view the place which was granted . he gave two assaults , and being backed in the second by crisnarao , the town was enter'd . crisnarao was puffed with this victory when hidalcan's officers came to beg the booty taken in the former . he answered , it should be restored , if hidalcan came to kiss his foot , as supreme lord of the empire of canara . the base condition was accepted , but the execution prevented by several accidents . ruy de melo , who commanded at goa , laying hold of this opportunity , possessed himself of the neighbouring part of the continent , with only two hundred and fifty horse , and eight hundred canara foot. . about this time lope de brito had succeeded iohn de silveyra in the command of the fort in ceylon , and carried with him four hundred soldiers , and many workmen , wherewith he made the fort so strong , that it raised a jealousie in the people of columbo , who , at the instigation of the moors , refused to trade with him . brito sent them some threats , which brought on him twenty thousand men , who besieged him five months , during which time the besieged suffered great hardships , till anthony de lemos arrived with fifty men , with this small relief they ventured to fall upon that multitude , and putting all to the rout , the place was restored to its former quiet . . the season being fit to sail ( which in those parts is very uncertain ) iames lopez set out from ormuz , and went to meet george de albuquerque at calayate , where he found one ship arrived from lisbon , of nine that sailed thence together , all the others afterwards came safe . one of these ships sailing before the wind beyond the cape of good hope , stopped all of a sudden , the sails , tho full , giving her no motion . the cause being examined into , it appeared that a great sea-monster bore the vessel upon its back , the tail about the rudder , and head up with the boltsprit , casting up streams of water . it was removed by exorcisms , no human means being thought sufficient . the sailers said it was the fish called sambrero or hat-fish , because the head resembles it , and such a one , tho less , had been seen on the coast of portugal , doing great harm about atouguia . the king ordered the governor to build forts in maluco , sumatra , maldivia , chaul , and diu. iames lopez resolved to attempt the last first . to that effect he treated with melique az , but was put off with delays , and he dissembling , sailed for cochin , to provide for his return thither , in order to gain by force what the moor endeavoured to put off by art. . he dispatched the homeward bound trading ships under the command of antony de saldana . being eased of this care he applyed himself to that of the attempt upon diu. in order thereunto he gathered the greatest fleet of ours that had been seen on those seas , consisting of forty eight vessels of all sorts and qualities , and in them three thousand portugueses , and eight hundred malabars and canaras . a great power lamentably disappointed as will appear in the sequel . on the ninth of february , iames lopez appeared with all his pomp before diu , melique az was then absent , being gone to the king of cambaya , to prevent him granting the leave he persuaded us to ask for building the fort. and being suspicious this preparation was made against him , had fortified and intrenched the city in wonderful manner . he had left in it against all accidents his son melique saca , and three stout commanders with a strong garrison . our governor having observed the difficulties , had it debated in council what was fittest to be done , and all agreeing the city should not be assaulted , they all afterwards accused him because it was not done . and tho they allowed his prudence in private , yet in publick accused him of cowardise , but his valour was well known . besides they laid several imputations upon him , so that the innocent sequeyra suffered for their crime , having acted nothing with that great power , but only lost much reputation . a misfortune ( if it be lawful to say so ) well deserved by princes , who wink at such crimes , and do not punish faults committed through malice . iames lopez went to winter at ormuz , some of the captains to several markets , and d. alexius de meneses , with the rest of the fleet , retired to cochin , with power from the governor to act as should be expedient in those parts . . d. alexius , at his arrival at cochin dispatched the trading ships for portugal , and others appointed for several places . but their chief business being merchandise , their names are more proper for the custom-house-books . but because some of them were at sumatra , it will be fit to give some short account of that island . chap. v. a continuation of the government of james lopez de sequeyra , the year , and reign of king emanuel . . the island sumatra lying north-west and south-east is in length two hundred and twenty leagues , its greatest breadth being but seventy , the equinoctial line cuts it into two equal parts . it is divided from malaca by a narrow channel , by a less its most southern point is parted from ia●… , which is above one hundred leagues in length , and but twelve in breadth . east of it lies borneo , cut by the equinoctial , so that two thirds are on the north-side the line . sumatra is plain about the coast , the inland mountainous , watered by great rivers , covered with vast woods so condensed with fogs , that all the force the sun has there cannot pierce them . for this reason it is very unhealthy , yet resorted to for its riches , and chiefly plenty of gold. there is in it a spring of oil , a burning mountain like aetna in sicily , it produces white sandal , benjamin , camphire , pepper , ginger , cinnamon , abundance of silk , much fish and cattle of sundry sorts . the natives are pagans ; the moors first came in as merchants , then possessed themselves as lords , since the year . of the natives those they call batas who inhabit the inland are most brutal , eating human flesh . the moors dwell on the coast. they use several languages , but chiefly that of malaca . their weapons were poisoned arrows like those of iava , from whom they are descended ; afterwards they used our arms. the island is divided into nine kingdoms , that of pedir was once the greatest , now that of pacem whose kings are no longer lived than the rabble pleases . george de albuquerque now carried one of their princes expelled , to restore him to his crown , either by persuasion or by 〈◊〉 he having to this effect fled to the protection of the portugueses , when alfonso de albuquerque took malaca . . george albuquerque arriving at the island , and assisted by the neighbouring king of ara , proposed to the usurper to quit the kingdom to the lawful prince , who had submitted himself to the king of portugal . genial the usurper offered the same submission to keep his possession . the offer was refused , and albuquerque went to attack him in his fort , which was scaled , and the gate broke open , but valiantly maintained by thirty men who were in a tower over it with the usurper himself , till cid cerveyra with a musket shot , which went through his forehead , brought him down , whereupon the thirty men dismayed and fled . the flower of three thousand moors ( assaulted by three hundred of our men ) courageously defended a large court or place of arms , assisted by the elephants . hector de silveyra directing his lance to the trunk of one , the beast put it by , and laying hold of his body threw him into the air , but so fortunately , that he lived . two others succeeded better , one killing the rider , the other wounded the elephant , so that he flew back , making great havock among his own party . the moors retired to a lesser place , and being close pursued , the king of aru coming on to our assistance in due time , two thousand of the enemy were slain . four or five men of note were killed on our side , many wounded , george de albuquerque twice in the face . next day the dispossessed prince was restored with great state , and made tributary to king emanuel , and a fort raised there as in other places . . at this time arrived at the same port antony de brito with the fleet that had been commanded by his brother george , who with the choice of his men was killed on the shoar of achem , twenty leagues distant from pacem , and was sent thither with six sail , and three hundred men. behold an example of avarice and ingratitude . iohn de borba , after suffering shipwrack , having been tossed nine days on the waves with nine companions , and cast upon the shoar of achem , was received and relieved by that king , as if he had been in his native country . but george de brito arriving , he informs him there was great store of gold in the tombs of the kings , and the more to induce him to commit the robbery , said the king had taken away the goods of some portugueses . brito , after some inquiry into the business , began to pick a quarrel with the king , and seise upon that gold. he landed with two hundred men , and finding a fort in his way , took it . two drunken men issuing out after the taking were killed by the enemy , and several succeeding to relieve or revenge them , george de brito was at last obliged to come to their succour at such time as the king came on with a thousand men and six elephants . here brito and most of his men were killed , among them fifty of note . this is the just reward of injustice , ingratitude and avarice . the sad remainder retired to their ships , the command whereof fell to antony de brito , ( brother to him slain ) who now joined albuquerque in the port of pacem , where he left some men , and three ships which were afterwards of use against a moor who infested that coast. . george de albuquerque returning to malaca , and taking possession of that command , prepared to make war upon the king of bintam , who was forty leagues distant from malaca , in the island bintam of forty leagues circumference . the island was well fortified , having two strong castles , and the rivers staked , so that it seemed almost inaccessible . albuquerque set out from malaca with eighteen sail , and six hundred men. finding it impossible for the ships to come up , he landed his men in boats to attack a fort , but the water being up to their middles , and the enemies shot very thick , they were forced to retire without doing any execution , and having lost twenty men , and many wounded . . hence antony de brito set sail for the maluco islands , which are in the midst of many others under the equinoctial , about three hundred leagues from malaca eastward . the principal of them are five , about twenty five leagues distant from each other . their names ( tho in general called malucos ) are ternate , tidore , mousell , maquien , bacham . the biggest not above six leagues in circumference . they are covered with woods and fogs , therefore unhealthy . these five produce ●…ves , but no manner of food , and th●…and batochina , sixty leagues in length , produces food but no cloves . in some there are flaming mountains , chiefly in ternate . their chief sustenance is meal made of the bark of trees like to the palm , from these and others they have wine and vinegar . there is a sort of canes that in the hollow have a liquor delightful to drink . the inhabitants are not great lovers of flesh , though they have plenty ; more of fish , of which there is an infinite quantity . they are not affable , but warlike , and most swift either in running or swimming . idolaters as to their religion . of their origen there is no account . they were in process of times possessed by moors , since whose first coming to them there was yet living an old master when brito arrived . . to these islands , and particularly ternate , brito was sent to build a fort , which long since boylefe the king thereof had desired . others had gone before but to no effect , as in the time of albuquerque , antony de abreu , who lost one of the three ships he carried , but saved the men. he arrived in the island banda ; five go under this name , but it is most proper to the chief , which is like an earthly paradice , one great ornament of it being the plant which produces the mace. antony de abreu returned to malaca , but his other captain francis serram was drove to ternate , the king whereof seeing him , and some of his men in armour , concluded a prophecy was fulfilled , which foretold , that men of iron should come to that island , who would make it famous . anthony de miranda went thither afterwards , francis serram staying there to expect an answer from king emanuel , to the letters of the kings of ternate and tidore each striving to have the fort built in this ●…sland . d ▪ tristane de meneses afterwards carried this answer . because the difference increased about the same thing between the two kings and the king of bachan who desired the same , tristan defferred the work to avoid the danger , and get loading for five ships he had with him . this was what happened from the taking of malaca , till this time when anthony de brito undertook the affairs of maluco . . he had six ships and above men. at the island agacim he met d. garcia enriquez with four sail. they set out together , and brito arrived at ternate at such time as the king boleyfe was dead , and he of tidore had admitted to the spaniards , thinking himself as happy in them , as ternate could be in the portugueses . yet seeing the queen of ternate governess of her son , received brito with great joy , he visited and finding him displeased on account of the new guests he had entertained , offered to deliver them up to him . this he thought would oblige him to build the fort at tidore , which at length was done at ternate as the most convenient , brito laying the first stone , and after him all the captains and men of note crowned with garlands , it being upon the feast of st. iohn the baptist. . at this time a correspondence was held between francis serram at ternate and ferdinando de magallanes in portugal , which turned to the advantage of spain , and trouble of portugal . magallanes , or as he is commonly called among us magellan , was a gentleman of good note , a man of valour , and knight of santiago , and had served well at azamor in africk , and in sundry parts of india . he solicited for a sort of allowance ( given usually to men of service in spain and portugal ) very inconsiderable for the value , but of much esteem for the honour of it . with much justice he might pretend to it , and therefore finding a refusal , proceeding from the malicious accusations of some men , which found more credit than his service , he resolved to quit the kingdom , and go over to the emperour charles the v. his service . by his skill in sea-affairs , and the correspondence he held with serram at maluco , he guessed there might be another way to india , and this at such time as the spaniard had began to taste the fruit of those islands , and accordingly he writ to serram that he hoped soon to be his guest at ternate , going thither a new way . in order hereunto he went and offered his service in spain , was admitted , and the command of five ships given him , with men , some of them portugueses . he sailed from the port of st. lucar de barrameda on the th . of september . many at this time took the liberty to rail and cast reproaches upon him , but he to take off the occasion , had by a solemn act unnaturalized himself . princes should be cautious of forcing to desperate actions by injustice , such men as have deserved rewards . . these ships being past the rio de ianeyro on the coast of brasil , the men began to be mutinous , but much more when having passed the river s. iulian , they found not the streight they looked for , and began to be pinched with the great cold of that climat . hence proceeded some disrespectful discourses against magellan , not only reflecting on his knowledge , but also his fidelity . he finding it run high , and that of necessity he must give them some satisfaction , suppressing the best he could the anger that began to swell his breast , called together the principal men , to whom he made a large and learned discouse . he spoke of navigation in general , then of discoveries , and the pains and hardships that great undertakings are subject to , he encouraged them by the example of all the great discoverers that had been before them , he put them in mind that the world would say the spaniards were less daring than the portugueses , and after proposing many motives of honour and glory , concluded with threatning to put in execution the power of life and death the king had given him , and accordingly to punish such as were refractory . this , instead of a compliance , produced fresh disputes , more disagreement and finally a conspiracy to kill magellan , thinking no other means were left to prevent the prosecution of this voyage . the chief conspirators were three captains cartagene , quixada , and mendoça . the design was discovered , and mendoça immediately stabbed , and after quartered , the other two were taken , and quixada quartered alive , both as traytors . cartagena with a priest who had a hand in the design were set ashoar on that barbarous coast : most of the men were in the conspiracy , but it was necessary to pardon them , least he should want them to prosecute the voyage . whilst they wintered there , he sent some men into the country , who went up about twenty leagues , and brought some of the natives of the stature of giants , being above three yards high . after suffering much through cold and hunger , and continual labour in the ships , being almost spent , they reached the cape they called de las virgenes , or , of the virgins , because discovered on the day of the virgins . it lies in degrees of south latitude . below it they discovered the mouth of the streight they looked for , b●…ing a league wide . being entred , they found within in some places the same bredth , in others somewhat more , and in others much less . the land high on both sides , part bare and part covered with woods , many of cypress , and much snow which made the tops of the mountains appear the higher . having run about leagues in this streight they spied another , and magellan sent one ship to discover it , but having staid much beyond the limited time for her return and no news of her , he ordered the astrologer andrew martin to erect a figure , and he answered they were gone back to spain , and that the captain alvaro de mesquita was carried as a prisoner for opposing that resolution . it proved so , and they spent eight months in the voyage . magellan somewhat troubled at this action , called the chief men to council , and contrary to the opinions of all resolved to proceed . which he put in execution and came out into the south sea with only three ships of the five , that which iohn serrano commanded being lost , but the men though with much difficulty all saved . . to shun the cold which tormented them , he sailed towards the equinoctial , steering w. n w. and being leagues from the mouth of the streight , found an island in degrees of south latitude , and leagues farther another . having lost his computation for the malucos , he found several islands in degrees and a half of north latitude , and at last came to that called subo in degrees of north latitude , being about leagues in circumference . he was well received by the king and the natives , and so good a disposition he found among them , that the king , queen , their children , and above persons were baptized . this prince was at war with a neighbour , and made use of magellan's assistance against him . after two victories he was killed in a third battle , together with the astrologer and some others , on the th . of april . the king who in baptism was called ferdinand , seeing that slaughter , agreed with his enemy to kill all the christians that were ashoar , and inviting them to dinner poysoned them all . they who were aboard being too few for three ships , burnt one , and set sail with the other two , one of them the famous victory commanded by iohn sebastian cano. they arrived at the malucos , and were received at tidore by the king , in hatred of the portugueses and ternatenses for their late differences . there they loaded with spice , and went thence to banda , where they took in more with the assistance of iohn de lourosa a portugues . the second ship returned to ternate , some of the men being dead , and the rest spent by a contagious disease . antony de brito treated them as if they had been his country-men , not intruding strangers , relieved and sent them to india , whence they returned in our ships to their country . the famous ship the victory returned with triumph to spain , after performing that wonderful voyagé about the world. their arrival raised new contests between the emperour charles the v. and our king iohn the iii. because the maluco islands belonged to portugal , according to the former agreement . the year . there was a meeting of civilians and geographers , about this affair between badajoz and elvas , which fell to nothing . but was afterwards setled in the year . chap. vi. continues still the government of james lopez de sequeyra and reign of king emanuel . . it is absolutely necessary something be said of those captains who the foregoing years were sent to several parts , tho' what they did was in relation to trade , a subject unbecoming a grave history . fernan perez de andrade had secured the trade of china in the city quantung . the profit was exceeding great , and all mens desires were directed thither . his brother simon de andrade obtained leave of the governour to undertake that voyage with five ships . they anchored in the port of the island tamou , opposite to quantung where the other had been . our embassadour to the king of china was not yet gone thence , but went soon after up a large river with three vessels richly furnished with portugues colours , it being a received custom that none but those of china should be seen there , which are gules a lyon rampant . in this manner he came to the foot of the mountain , in which are the springs of the river he sailed . this mountain is called malexam , which beginning at the bay of couchin china in the province of fokien , divides three southern provinces , that is , quangsi , quantung and fokien , as the perineans , spain and france . in one of the only two ports there are in this division thomas perez landed , and travelled northwards to the province and city nanking , where the king then was , having spent four months in the journey without staying at any place . so large is that empire . that prince designed to give him audience at peking , a city farther distant . the embassadour followed . but now appear the effects of trading avarice , for whilst he travelled , simon de andrade behaved himself after such a manner in the island tamou , that an account of his bad proceedings was sent after thomas perez . the embassadour set out , but the information reached the king first , and was fully credited . he and his companions were condemned to death as spies . the rigour of the sentence was mitigated , but the embassy not received , and they sent back prisoners to quantung , with order , that in case the portugueses would restore malaca to its king , who was a subject to china , they they might be restored and heard , otherwise these should be punished , and none ever admitted , but treated as enemies . . simon de andrade was proud and conceited , and thought by high hand to authorize his unjust dealing . to this end , as if he had been king of that island , he raised a fort , and set up a gallows to terrify the people . he committed violence upon the merchants who resorted thither , contrary to their privileges , and bought young people of both sexes without the usual precautions , giving occasion to thieves to steal them from their parents . these extravagancies which lost nothing by the carriage , were heard by the king before thomas perez , and had the effect above related . at this time arrived there iames calva with one ship from lisbon , and others from malaca . the portugueses agree in acting more insolently , which wholly exasperated the governours of quantung , who to punish them , secured some , and contrived to take the ship arrived last . they began to act when duarte coello arrived with two vessels from malaca , well manned and provided . the itao or admiral of that sea , attacked them with fifty sail , did some , and received greater damage from our artillery , was forced to retire , and lying off , kept them besieged . forty days he had kept them in , when ambrose del rego came with two ships more from malaca , and it was resolved to force their way through itaos's fleet , and get out of the island . the fight was bloody , but a storm rising dispersed the enemies fleet and left ours in safety . the itao revenged this disaster upon some of our people that arrived there , and upon the embassadour , thomas perez and his companions who being returned to quantung were all slain and robbed of the present sent to that king , and what perez had gained . we will not pass it in silence to show how great was the return of this trade , for this man being of base parentage , and by trade an apothecary ( though chosen for embassadour for his good parts ) yet at this time there was found with him weight of rhubarb , pieces of damask , of other silks , above ounces of gold , and of silver , three quarters of a hundred of loose musk , and above purses of it , at first called papos , and much other merchandise . . mocrin king of lasah refused to pay the tribute due to the king of ormuz for the islands of baharem and catifa , on the coast of arabia ; and he of ormuz was backward in paying us , excusing himself with the failure of the other . he had already sent a considerable force with some assistance of portugueses to reduce him , but to no effect . he now resolved to do it effectually , and treated about it with iames lopez de sequeyra , who to secure our tribute , consented to assist him against his enemy . the king of ormuz set out vessels with arabs and persians . the portugues party consisted of seven ships and men , commanded by anthony corea . all our ships arrived at baharem , raez xaraso commanded the ormuzians , some whereof came not up . mocrin was well prepared to receive them with arabian horse , persian archers , turkish musquetiers besides natives , and above armed with several weapons , strong intrenchments and other works , the wall well furnished with cannon , all under the care of tried commanders . the persian gulph lies between arabia and persia , from which last , as the noblest , it takes its name . this most famous part be gins at cape iasque , or carpela , in twenty six degrees of northern latitude , and ends at the mouth of the river euphrates ; along this coast are many cities , rivers , woods and islands . it is not so on the other side , which beginning at c. mozandan , or assaborum , and ending where it meets with persia , yet in all that distance has but four towns , in which is a fishery of pearl . catifa is opposite to baharem , and is thirty leagues round , and seven in length , distant from ormuz one hundred and ten . it s greatest product is tamarins , but has all other fruit that is usual in spain . the greatest town is of the same name , there being in the island about three hundred villages . the inhabitants are moors and arabs , the air unhealthy . the pearl found here , tho not so much in quantity , is of more value than that of ceylon in india , or hainan in china . opposite to the island on the continent is the city lasah , whereof mocrim was king , who now was provided against us at baharem . . raez zarafo was ordered to relieve where he should see the greatest need , whilst correa landed with one hundred and seventy portugueses , to which his brother ayres carried the van with fifty , all of them knee-deep in water . the trenches assaulted , the fight was hot , the king encouraging his men at the head of them , till weariness and heat obliged both parties to take breadth . being recovered , they return to the attack , and the king being shot through the thigh , whereof six days after he died , his men fainted , and great numbers being killed , and wounded , they left us a complete victory . raez xarafo from his vessel looked on all the time . but after knowing the dead body of the king was carried over to be buried at lasah , he obtained leave to go take it , and having performed it , cut off the head which was carried to ormuz . we had many wounded , seven killed , and the island in two hours was restored to our homager . for this reason antony correa had the title of baharem added to his name , and the head of a king to his arms , which continues in his posterity . . whilst our arms were exercised at baharem , they were not idle in india . they assisted the king ▪ of cochin against him of calicut , who braved it with two hundred thousand men , the other having but forty thousand . the portugues aid being but forty men , thirty of them musquetiers yet so terrified the enemy , that they retired , iames fernandez de beja , who was left by the governor before diu , now came to him to ormuz , ill treated by the vessels of melique az , whose double dealing was now visible . iames lopez thought to mitigate the grief of this accident , by another more grateful , and brought new trouble upon himself at ormuz , thinking to prevent the frauds of that custom-house . to this effect he placed portugues officers in it , which so exasperated the natives , who were concerned , that thev endeavoured to shake off our yoke , as shall appear in its proper place . . now iames lopez designed to reassume the business against diu , and therefore sent before iames fernandez de beja , with four galeons , to hinder any ships entring that port , he executed it effectually , and took some . but melique az his vessels coming out with much cannon and better fortune , they sunk one of our ships , and did much damage in the others , till the wind , which had failed , favouring , they were obliged to retire . with like fortune iames lopez drew near for having taken a ship by the way , and divided the moors were in her among his , those who were allotted to antony correa , set fire to the powder , which blew the poop into the air , and sunk the vessel , so miserably ended that brave captain who had triumphed over king mocrin . these misfortunes obliged iames lopez to desist from the enterprise , and go over to chaul . . here he found ferdinando camelo , whocame from the court of nizamaluco , with leave for us to build a fort there , for his own ends , and chiefly for the importation of horses , which at that time was the trade of goa only . the work was begun , and melique az fearing it would lessen the trade of diu , and encrease our power , resolved to obstruct it . he appeared in the sea of chaul , with above fifty vessels of his own and confederates , and presently sunk a great ship in which peter de silva de meneses was newly come from ormuz , and for for the space of twenty days did much damage in the ships and gallies , wherewith d. alexius de meneses opposed them . notwithstanding all dangers the work was carried on with good success . . but it being necessary for the governor to repair to cochin , because his successor was arrived , and he must prepare to return home , he set out of dabul , rushing through the dangers that surrounded the work. he left his nephew henry de meneses to command the fort , and antony correa at sea. . whilst iames lopez sailed to cochin , ag●… mahamud , who commanded melique az his fleet , came to hinder the work of the fort. to secure the entrance of the river there was raised opposite to the work a bulwark , which was committed to the care of peter vaz permeo , with upwards of thirty men , mahamud sent three hundred by night to surprize this bulwark , whilst he on the other side gave a diversion . they reached the place by morning , and the three hundred unexpectedly assaulted the thirty , and the thirty fought as if they had been three hundred ; for tho the captain and some others were killed , they maintained the place till ruy vaz pereyra came with sixty men , and put to flight about two hundred of the enemy , the rest being killed . this success daunted our enemies , and among them xeih mamud a great man in the city , who feigning himself our friend , sought our ruin , and now sent a present , and to congratulate for this good fortune with antony correa . correa , who knew his designs , sent him for an answer the heads of the chief men who carried the present , and hanged the bodies along the shoar . the barbarian was astonished , but began to act openly what before he had done underhand , encouraging the aga by giving him intelligence of our scarcity of ammunition , but then arrived d. luis de meneses , to whom correa gave up the command . mean while iames lopez de sequeyra with his ships set out from cochin for portugal . he governed three years , was of a ruddy complexion , a white beard , is painted with a truncheon in his hand , a coat of mail , his cap and upper garment black , the sleeves , lining and breeches blew . he was the fourth governor . chap. vii . the government of d. duarte de meneses , in the year , when began the reign of king john iii. . d. duarte de meneses , . now governor of india , tho sent the year before by king emanuel , entered not upon the government till the twenty second of ianuary of this year , king iohn iii. being on the throne , whose father died the thirteenth of december foregoing . he brought with him twelve ships . having taken the government , and sent the commanders to their posts , he began to feel the effects of his predecessors , putting portugues officers into the custom-house of ormuz . he received advice the moors had taken arms , killed some men , and besieged the fort. d. luis his brother was immediately sent with relief , and simon de andre made commander of chaul , who began his charge with taking two turkish gallies , and a victory in dabul , which reduced that city to pay tribute . melique az. terrified with this success , and the arrival of d. luis , of whose actions in africk he was informed , withdrew his vessels from before chaul . . the cause of d. luis his going to ormuz was the insurrection which was occasioned by the avarice of the portugues officers there . iames lopez had placed them there against his will in obedience to the king's commands , and at the persuasion of men who loved novelties , and said the reason the tribute of ormuz was not well paid , was , that the officers cheated the king , to prevent which it was convenient to place portugueses in their stead , to the avarice used by the portugueses was added , the violence they offered to the persons and honor of those people , forcing their daughters , and wives from them . d. garcia coutino then commanded that fort , with whom that king conferred about sending a present and embassy to our king to obviate the inconveniences that innovation produced . this means was prevented , and so it broke out to the great loss of the portugueses . for sudddenly by night they were attacked by sea and land with fire and sword at ormuz , baharem , mascate , curiate and soar , by private order from the king , and above one hundred and twenty of them killed ruy boto was put to great torments by the moors in defence of the faith. at morning some of our men died , endeavouring to relieve others . all things being disposed the best the time would permit , and the ships secured under the shelter of the fort , d. garcia sent advice to the governor . mean while he was besieged , had two vessels burnt , and feared hunger and thirst. tristan vaz de vega , and manuel de sousa received advice hereof at mascate , and prepared to carry relief . tristan vaz arrived first , and made his way to the fort through one hundred and sixty sail that lay before it . two days after appeared manuel de sousa's ship at an anchor two leagues off . it was dangerous for the fort to relieve him , and dangerous for all if he was not relieved . tristan vaz with his ship ventured to his aid through the hundred and sixty sail of enemies ; eighty of them pursued him , making way with full sails , and manuel de sousa thinking him an enemy did some harm , till undeceived . he was taken into the ship. the king of ormuz in a rage lays a heap of gold on one side , and a heap of womens attire on the other , the one for such as should take tristan and emanuel prisoners , the other ●…or such as behaved themselves not couragiously . some being covetous of the reward , and others fearful of the disgrace , they manned one hundred and thirty vessels , and set upon that one , which through showers of bullets and arrows made its way to the fort , and brought new life to the besieged with the relief it had on board . . the king of ormuz began to despair of shaking off the portugues yoke , and fearing the punishment of his revolt , executed one more grievous upon himself than he could have received from those he had offended . he resolved to quit the city , and go over to the island queixome , which lies fifteen leagues in length , close to the per●… shoar , and three leagues from ormuz , is fruitful , but not healthy . privately he commanded all the inhabitants to follow him , and then barbarously set fire to that beautiful city , which was four days and nights burning . and yet some gentlemen from our fort held intelligence with the king , advising how he should behave himself with the next governour to be restored , and this they did in hopes to be inriched by him . our men , tho astonished at this brutal action were delivered from the danger of the siege , and going out to see if any thing were left in the city , only found water in cisterns , and fire in all the houses . soon after came in a ship from india with provisions , and another with ammunition . . d. luis de meneses sent by the goververnor his brother to ormuz , did nothing of note by the way , but arrived at the town of soar with ten sail. this town they destroyed with fire and sword , and then gave it to xec●… hozem to hold of the king of portugal . mean while his own favourites murdered the king of ormuz at queixome , and crowned mamud xa , a youth of thirteen years of age , son to the late king. . d. luis arrived at queixome , and after several designs that took no effect , came to a●… treaty with the new king. it was agreed , that the king should return to ormuz , that he should pay the former tribute of twenty thousand xeraphins , and the arrears due , that the portugues commanders should not meddle with the government of his city , and to conclude all that king sent d. luis a present of pearls , gold , jewels and silks for our king , and another for himself , which he accepted not but to be sent with the other , as was publickly done . then d. luis dispatched three ships for goa , which were to take lading there for portugal . one of them perished in a violent storm on the coast of mascate . d. luis followed soon after , and came to goa . . he found the governor his brother , and all the city , in tears , for the death of king emanuel , the news whereof was brought by one of three ships that came from portugal this year , whereof two had wintered at mozambique . the gover●…or went over to cochin , to dispatch the trading ships for portugal and other parts . at this time d. pedro de castro was not idle at mozambique ; for being informed by iohn de mata , who commanded that fort , that the island querimba , and the adjacent , denied the tribute to those of zanzibar and pemba , whereby they were disabled from paying theirs to us , he went to querimba with an hundred men , and after a sha●…p fight burnt the city , and obliged the lord of it to pay the tribute , the others terrified by this example submitted . at his return he wasi n great danger by storms and hunger , and his cousin d. christopher killed by the blacks who defended the fruit of certain trees , which our men were carried to taste by hunger , not curiosity . d. diego de melo went now with him to goa . d. pedro's ship being at an anchor in that port , suddenly sunk down right , being very old , whereby it appears there is no security in things that are aged . . d. duarte set out for ormuz with ●…ix sail , two of them gallies , which on the coast of diu took a rich ship coming from pegu. which lying between them in the night , the moors perceived her sinking , and the men in our gallies asleep , so they furiously rushed into one of them , and our men fled to the other , who seeing the moors flie with their vessel , and the other sink , took no notice , so that more credit was lost by this action than had been gained before . melique saca , lord of diu , afterwards had this galley laid up , as if taken by his vessels . about this time iohn rodriguez de noronha , who commanded at ormuz , pressed that king to come thither from queixome to live , as he had agreed with d. luis de meneses , it was effected with the death of one of his favourites , killed by a bold moor , whom d. luis had hired before his departure . . don duarte being arrived at ormuz , examined who were the deepest in the late rebellion ; and it appeared they were found most guilty who had the least power . for raez xarafo a mighty man , and the very soul of those troubles was rewarded ; and raez xamexir who ( according to agreement with d. luis ) had killed raez x●…dim , another tyrant over those kings , was banished instead of receiving the promised reward . the young king not protected by the innocence of his years , had the tribute laid on him of thirty five thousand xeraphins besides the former twenty five thousand , which he could not pay when the city flourished , and must now pay so much more when it was ruined whilst this was acted at ormuz , d. luis sailed towards the red sea , whither his brother sent him with nine ships , one whereof perished at zocotora . on the coast of arabia he took and plundered the town of xaer , because they refused to restore the goods of a portugues who died there . at verruma he burnt some ships , then battered the city aden , he entred the red sea , but did nothing considerable , and so returned to ormuz , where he found his brother the governor , with whose proceedings there he was so much dissatisfied , that he left him , and sailed for diu , but being forced back by the weather to ormuz , kept him company to india . there they found two ships of nine that came out this year from lisbon . . that part of the continent about goa , which belonged to hidalcan , and was taken from him by ruy de melo , whilst he was busied with the war of narsinga , was now lost by francis pereyra pestana , hidalcan having no other care but the recovery thereof . pestana was brave , and opposed the enemies power . ferdinando rodriguez barba obtained a signal victory over them . five thousand foot and four hundred horse of them were after defeated by ferdinando and an●…z sotomayor , with few foot and only thirty horse . nevertheless by degrees the country return'd to the obedience of hidalcan , and was confirmed to him by the late treaty of peace . . d. duarte de meneses began to inquire into such things as related to s thomas the apostle , a particular care of our kings . this was what could now and some time after be discovered . in the year , certain portugueses sailed with an armenian , and landing at paleacate of the province of coromandel in the kingdom of bisnagar , he invited them to go visit the place where were the ruins of many builddings , the stones of several colours , still retaining the footsteps of grandeur and art. in the middle was a chappel entire , of indifferent structure , on the inside and outside whereof were carved many crosses , like to the antient ones of the military order of alcantara , which is fleury fitched . a moor resided there , who coming thither blind , miraculously recovered his sight . he said , that his forefathers lighted that holy body : that there was a tradition that church ( whereof only this part was standing ) was built by the same saint when he preached the christian faith there , and that there were buried with him two of his disciples , and a king converted by his miracles . upon this information d. duarte sent thither emanuel de faria or frias , and a priest and mason to repair the chappel , opening the foundation of one side that was like to fall about the depth of an ell they found a stone-tomb with an inscription , containing , that when thomas built that church , the king of miliapor gave him the duties of all merchandize imported , which was the tenths . going deeper they found a hollow in which it was reported the saint lay . here they found between two stones a body and the two ends of a lance , the but and spear . these were believed to be the bones of the apostle , because those of the king and disciple also found were not so white . they were put into a china chest , and the others into another , and hid in the altar . inquiry being made , it appeared by the ancient records of the kingdom , that it was above fifteen hundred years since the saint came to that city called meliapor , then in a flourishing condition , in and about which there was a tradition there had been three thousand three hundred stately churches , that it was then twelve leagues from the sea , the ruins being now upon the very shore . that the saint had said , when the sea should reach thither , a people would come from the west , and preach the same faith he did . that he converted the king and all his family , dragging out of the sea a vast piece of timber , which all the force of elephants , and art of men could not move , the king coveting it for his buildings , and the apostle for the church . that a bramen chief priest to the king , envious of his miracles , had killed his own son , and accused the saint of the murder , but he restoring the child to life caused him to say who was the murderer . an armenian bishop who had spent twenty years in visiting the christians of the inland of coulam , swore he found what follows in their writings , that the twelve apostles being dispersed through the world , thomas , bartholomew , and iudas thaddeus came together to babilon , and there parted . that the last preached in arabia , since possessed by the moors , the other in persia , and was buried in a convent of armenian , religious men near the city tabris ; and the first embarquing at baçora , on the banks of euphrates , crossed the persian gulph , preached at zocotora , came to meliapor , passed to china , where he built churches , and returned to meliapor , where having done what is said , he at last suffered martyrdom through the malice of the bramens , who , to execute their design , counterfeited a quarrel whilst he was preaching , to find an opportunity of stoning him , and was at last by one of them run through with a lance , and buryed by his disciples in that church of his own building . another learned man , a native of coulam affirmed , that there and at cranganor were two houses built by the disciples of thomas , who were buried in them , and that in that of coulam was the burying place of sibila , indica , by whose advice king perimal of ceylon went to the coast of mascate , to meet the other two kings that were going to adore christ , newly born at bethlehem . that the same king at the intreaty of the sibil , brought her the picture of the blessed virgin which was kept in the same tomb. this was the invention of the relicts of that heavenly messenger in india . and gave occasion to build the city , at this time called s. thomas , a portugues colony in the port of paleacate , seven leagues from the ruins of the most ancient meliapor . chap. viii . continues the government of d. duarte de meneses from the year , till the year , king john then reigning . . antony de miranda de azevedo was this year commander of the fort of pacem , in the island sumatra . on the western coast of this island are six moorish kingdoms . the chief was that of pedir , to which were subject those of achem and daga . but falling to war , that of achem gained the superiority . he of pedir took the protection of our fort against his ill fortune . d. andres enriquez then commanded it , sent to that post from portugal with d. duarte de meneses . . the tyrant of achem scoured the sea and land with a great power , till coming to the city pedir , he endeavoured to draw to his snare the king who had taken the portugues protection . to compass his design , he prevailed with the men of that city to write a letter to the king , telling him he might safely come thither , his enemy being already expelled , and that he might easily destroy him with the assistance of the portuguses . he gave credit to the letter , desired the assistance of the commander , who gave him eighty portugueses and two hundred moors , commanded by his brother d. emanuel in small vessels of oars . the king marched along the shore with above a thousand armed elephants . he was received at pedir with feigned joy , and a design to take him prisoner that night , which was deferred to secure the portugueses . the king being informed of the danger , next day fled with two elephants and some men. the portugueses were left on the shore exposed to the enemies darts and arrows . d. emanuel and thirty five of them were killed , the rest fled . with this loss d. andres lost also the hopes of maintaining the fort. he asked provisions of raphael perestello , who was at charigam , the chief port of bengala . dominick seixas was immediately sent with a ship , who was stopped by thirty portugueses , who were turned pirates in that sea , commanded by games iago . seixas landed at tenacari to get provisions , and one brito making himself captain of the pyrats ( gago being dead ) and flying with a vessel that was laden in the port , left seixas and seventeen portugueses ashore , who were afterwards slaves in the kingdom of siam , such is the fate of those who trust them that have violated all human and divine laws . . d. andres advertised the governor of the condition he was in , desiring a successor to command the fort , lope de azevedo was sent , to whom he would not deliver the post through covetousness of acquiring more , having already gained much there azevedo returned to india . the king of achem over-runs all that country with fire and sword , enters the city pacem with fifteen thousand men , and summons d. andres to quit the fort. he after sustaining three assaults to save the riches he had there , withdraws , leaving the command to his brother-in law ayres coello , who couragiously took upon him this danger he saw the other shun . but the sea forced back d. andres to the danger he avoided . . d. andres sailing for india , met sebastian de sousa , and martin correa , with two ships bound for the island banda to load spices . sousa came from madagascar , whither he was sent by king emanuel to build a fort in port matatane , which was not executed , because the ship wherein were the materials for the work was cast away . these two captains hearing by d. andres the condition of pacem , went directly to that port. ayres coello had then stood a furious assault with loss of a post. the enemy seeing this relief , abated of their heat ; and d. andres after eight days resisting was forced back by the weather . above eight thousand enemies one night encompassed the fort , in which were three hundred and fifty portugueses , some sick , some wounded , and all spent with labour and watching . with great silence they applied above seven hundred scaling ladders , and mounted with great shouts . the dispute was hotly maintained on both sides , till some ships being fired , gave light to each other , and to level our cannon , which killed many of the enemy and two elephants . the morning discovered two thousand men slain about the fort , on our side only one woman killed by an arrow in her chamber . the remaining six thousand retired , leaving half their scaling ladders and fire-works . nevertheless the difficulties of maintaining the place considered , it was resolved in counsel to abandon the fort , shipping all the men and goods , and then giving fire to the rest . the great cannon were left full of powder , that when the fire reached them they might burst . most of the fort was destroyed , but the enemy coming in saved some cannon , which afterwards did us great harm . the portugueses lost some goods in shipping , and embarqued up to the necks in water with the fright , losing more reputation by this action than they had gained by the former . this they were more sensible of when they met at sea a more powerful relief sent by our friend the king of aru , who marched by land with four thousand men ; and lope de azevedo , from whom d. andres ill deserved it , embarqued at malaca with ammunition to come to his succour . sebastian sousa prosecuted his voyage to banda , and the tyrant achem followed the fortune which had raised him above his own hopes . . at this time martin alfonso de melo coutino was gone for china , not knowing what had been done by the portugueses at quantung . he had four ships , and two joined them by the way . they sent ashore for fresh water , and returned with blood , the chineses being in arms to receive them . this drew them to a battel , in which most of the portugueses perished , some drowned , some torn by the cannon , and some taken , part whereof died miserably in the prison at quantung , and twenty three were cut in peices as spies and robbers , the last part of the accusation being the truest . martin alphonso and duarte coello returned to india . . all things cannot be exactly related in order as they happened . malaca was streightned by the king of bintam , who sent a greater power against it , and george de albuquerque what he could against him under the command of d. sancho enriquez , whilst they prepared for a sea-fight there arose a violent storm which destroyed seventy portugueses , the whole being two hundred , the remainder escaped . let us see how misfortunes when once they break out overflow . . till now the king of pam had been a friend to our good fortune , but at present seeing she favoured him he turned against us . george de albuquerque ( ignorant of this change ) sent three ships to his port for provisions , where two of the captains and his thirty men were killed , the third flying this danger met it at iava , he and all his company perishing there . simon de abreu and crew were killed in another action , and in another d. garcia enriquez sent to hinder provisions coming to bintam , lost two vessels . . at surubaya in iava ten or twelve portugueses were killed . sebastian sousa and martin correa found alfonso de melo iusarte in great danger at banda , having offended the inhabitants of cantor through covetousness . . such was the posture of affairs at the malucos , whilst these thing happened . antony de brito had put the fort into a very good condition , when two bastard sons of the late king of ternate disagreeing , and the king of tidore seeking revenge because the portugueses had not built in his island ; he agrees with his daughter the queen dowager of ternate to carry on his design , at the same time that she had consented to make war upon him . but all the contrivance was discovered , the young king and his brothers brought to the fort , and the queen fled to the mountain . the war began , and tidore was besieged . there george pinto was killed with six portugueses , and forty seamen . . the siege continuing , some places were assaulted . at mariaco was a fort on a high ground well ga●…isoned , martin correa first , and after him iohn mendez entered it with twenty men. leonel de lima relieves them , and at last the governor of ternate , bastard son to the late king , coming on with his men , the tidores were put to flight , and most of them slain . several other places being taken , the king of tidore begged peace , which was not granted him . but because there now comes a successor to d. duarte de meneses , let us take leave of him , he was of a ruddy complexion , his beard black , his cap , upper ga●…nt and breeches black , the doublet crimson , and the linings . he governed three years , and was the fifth governor . chap. ix . the government of the viceroy d. vasco de gama , and of the governor d. enrique de meneses , the year till that of , in the reign of king john the third . . now the manner of receiving and delivering up the government seems to be settled , it will not be amiss with our usual brevity to give some account of it . at first the wisdom and experience of the person to be chose , were considered as well as his birth . afterwards the birth was thought a sufficient qualification . gentility among portugueses being of more account than virtue and merit , which has been the ruin of our first acquired reputation the viceroy or governor ( for the office is the same , tho the title differ ) solemnly swears , that he made no interest to procure that employ ( how needless the question , and false the oath ) that he will do justice and follow his instructions , that in bestowing employments he will not have more regard to his kindred and servants , than to the kings and such as deserve , that he will take no bribes . all vows made in storms all forgot as soon as out of danger . can any thing be better swore , or any thing less observed . in india the succeeded delivers the government to the successor in the condition it is , and a publick instrument thereof is made . there are always three or four sealed patents ( called successions ) in case the governor should die . he sailed this year for india with the title of count de vidigueyra , and fou●…teen sail , and in them three thousand fighting men. two vessels perished with all the men , a third was lost , and the men saved . moss●…m gaspar was basely killed by his caravels crew , only because he was no portuguese . these ships being in the sea of cambaya in a dead calm , on a sudden they t●…ssed so , that all thought themselves lost , every one thinking how to save himself , d vasco the viceroy perceiving it was the effect of an earthquake , he cryed out with a loud voice , courage , my friends , for the sea trembles for fear of you that are upon it . one man who leaped over-board to save himself was lost , such as lay sick of fevers were cured with the fright . d. george de meneses , one of the captains , took a great ship of meca worth sixty thousand c●…owns . the fleet arrived at goa . . the new viceroy visited some forts , gave necessary orders , and from cochin sent three vessels of oars towards calicut to curb those indians who began to be outragious . one of them fought three hours with fifty 〈◊〉 , large indian vessels , lost three men , and had been lost had not his companions relieved him , and put them to flight . hierom de sousa was ordered with six vessels against the malabars of that coast , who defeated forty catures , indian vessels , commanded by cotiale , a valiant moor , who hindered the carrying provisions to the fort of calicut . two gallies having joined him afterwards , he fought eighty paraos in the river of bracalor , bound for cambaya with spice , he took twelve of them with the loss of four men. he ordered the commander of the fort in ceylon to quit it , as not worth the keeping , and had the same orders for that of pacem , but necessity had before caused it to be executed . simon s●…dre was sent to maldiva with four ships to oppose the moors , who infested us . he fought a moor of cananor , who had six vessels , took two , and the four narrowly escaped . the viceroy , tho sick , had greater designs in hand , but death drawing on , he named lope vaz de sampayo his successor , till such time as d. enrique de meneses , who was at goa , and the next named in the patents came . he died upon christmas-eve , having been viceroy three months , was of a middle stature , somewhat gross , ruddy complexion ; he is painted with a black cap , cloak and breeches , edged with velvet , all slashed , through which appears the crimson lining , the doublet of crimson sattin , and over it his armour inlaid with gold. d. vasco had a natural boldness for any great undertaking , angry he was terrible , a great sufferer of labour , and hasty in execution of justice . in fine , fit for all that was intrusted him , as captain , as discoverer , and as viceroy . he was the sixth in the number of governors , and second of viceroys . . lope vaz de sampayo , sent francis de sa to carry the news of his access to the government to d. enrique de meneses at goa . he delivered that command to the said francis de sa , and came away immediately . first he sent his nephew d. george telo with a galliot , and five paraos , against a fleet that infested the coast. they met thirty eight vessels laden with spice , under the command of cutiale , took four , and forced the rest ashore . the four were brought to goa , with many of the enemies hanged upon the shrouds , the canaras who rowed carried thirty heads , and twelve alive , who were delivered up to the boys , and by them stoned to death , the sea threw up above sixty upon the shore . afterwards the same d. george had the like success against a ship and ●…e paraos , and then sailed to cochin with his uncle , who by the way being accidentally joined by d. george de meneses , defeated thirty six paraos of diu , and took seventeen . at cananor he hanged a moor of quality , which occasioned many of his relations for shame to leave the city , and go live upon robbing along the the river . by the king's consent d. enrique sent hector de silveyra against them with two gallies and a brigantine ; in two days he burnt four towns with much difficulty , and took their cannon . christopher de brito set out with fourteen gallies , and about one hundred men. they scoured the sea , destroyed some moors , and at dabul came out to them two galiots , and seven other vessels with above three hundred men. at the first shock they killed our commander , christopher de brito ; to revenge whom , our men falling on furiously , in four hours time killed most of them , and took the rest and their captain in chief , who afterwards died of his wounds at goa , being first converted to the faith. the commander of calicut being streightened by a great number of nayres and other people that frequented that city , forced them to retire with only fifty portugueses . d. enrique made little haste to cochin , because his kinsmen d. duarte and d. luis de meneses were there , and dissatisfied with what d vasco de gama had done in their business , and he had no mind to undo what the viceroy had done to oblige his cousins . he sent a message before , that they should not receive him with any publick joy , in respect to the death of gama ; this being the only successor till then that shewed respect to his predecessor . another part of his message was , that they should not give him the style of lordship , because good men had rather deserve honor , than make use of its titles . afterwards the viceroys took the title of excellency , and the captains of lordships . with such modesty did the new governor enter upon his command . soon after he set out from cochin with fifty sail , besides some belonging to the inhabitants of the town , and arel de porca , a subject to our king with twenty seven , making fifty more , and two thousand fighting men , thus he arrived at panane . this is one of the principal towns subject to calicut , seated on the banks of the same river . it was well fortified and stored with cannon , commanded by a portugues renegado . in the river were many vessels in order of battel . the fight began furiously by sea and land , the fortifications were entred , the cannon taken , and the enemy fled to the woods . the town and vessels in the port were burnt , many killed , of our men nine . next day twelve ships were burnt in the port of calicut , and d. iohn de lima did the same in the skirts of the city . hence they went to coulete , where was the same fortification , number of ships , and artillery as at panane , and twenty thousand men in garrison . . a council of war being held , it was generally voted to desist from so dangerous an enterprize , but d. enrique prevailed for going on . d. simon de meneses was to command one attack with men , d. enrique another with one hundred and fifty , and the fleet to engage one hundred and fifty ships that were there . great valour was shewn on both sides ; at last many of the enemy being slain , the rest fled ; of the portugueses fifty four were killed , and many wounded . the booty contained three hundred and sixty pieces of cannon , a vast number of musquets , fifty three ships , most of them loaden with spice ; the rest being shattered were burnt , as was the town . d. enrique returned to cochin , leaving d. simon with twenty sail , and five hundred men to cruise upon that coast. . during the time that lope vaz de sampayo held the government by reason of the viceroys death , and absence of d. enrique , he sent antony de miranda with four vessels , and three hundred and fifty men to the red sea. he was come now to cape guardafu , where arrived before him antony de macedo , with a galeon , and two caravels , tho sent later . they had taken the vessel of those mutinous portugueses who had killed their captain , and now practised pyracy by this crime to shun the punishment of the former . one n. de aguiar commanded them who was beheaded at cochin , and the rest impaled or banished according as they were found guilty . the two antonies agreed to spread themselves cross the mouth of that sea , that so no enemy-ship might escape them . this mouth reaching from cape guardafu in africk , to cape fartaque in arabia is fifty leagues over . here they took ten zambucos and three ships . thence they went to the city xael , and burnt many moors in seven ships , and took five . mean while d. simon de meneses , assisted by fernan gomez , burnt the town of mangalor , and ten ships in the harbour . they scoured the coast , had some rencounters , one with seventy paraos , whereof they took twenty , the rest being shattered and dispersed . another time the moors killed gomez martinez de lemos , who going to assist dominick fernandez , struck upon a bank , where died also manuel de lima , with seven gentlemen , and all the boats crew . . now the king of calicut resolved to besiege that fort in which d. iohn de lima commanded with three hundred men. twelve thousand men broke ground to draw a deep trench about . d. iohn did all that was possible to hinder the work , but the multitude prevailed and finished it . then they planted many pieces of cannon , some so large the ball was two spans diameter . the work being finished , zamori came on with nine thousand men. this power was enough to terrifie any resolution ; yet d. iohn was not moved , but ventured to make a sally , which had like to have cost him his life , so he resolved to stand firm against all their assaults . . the battery began furiously at break of day on the thirteenth of iune . our cannon was more dexterously played , and did great harm , but it appeared not so much in the multitude . next day advice was sent to the governor , who immediately sent to their relief two caravels , with one hundred and fifty men , commanded by christopher iusarte and duarte fonseca . the former arrived first , and there was a sharp dispute by sea and land about their entering the fort , in which three gentlemen were killed . the enemy immediately applyed scaling ladders , but were repulsed with great slaughter . d. iohn sent duarte de fonseca back to cochin to demand more succour , five hundred men were sent him . whilst they sailed , all the military arts then in use were practised against the besieged , and above fifty of them killed . . this relief could not reach calicut , but was forced back to cochin . the governor joined two squadrons he had prepared , and they both appeared to the distressed fort , when rage and despair acted more in its defence than valour or conduct . hector de silveyra commanded one of the squadrons containing seven ships , and peter de faria the other of twenty five , and three hundred and thirty men. they encouraged our men , and did harm to the enemy from the water , because they could not land till the governour arrived with twenty sail , and men , besides some catures or small craft ; and antony de miranda coming at the same time , all the sea of calicut was covered with ships . a council was held about landing , all the votes were in the negative . d. enrique spent four days in considering what to do , then came to this resolution . . one night he put one hundred and fifty men into the fort under the valiant hector de silveyra , and the next as many more under d. iames de lima. by break of day he landed , clearing the shore of throngs of enemies with sho●… granados , and all sorts of weapons . in some intrenchments they burnt two hundred , in others three hundred moors . many gentlemen particularly signalized themselves upon this occasion . hector de silveyra did wonders . d. george de meneses with a two handed sword made great slaughter , till losing the right hand , he took a less sword in the left , and went on without losing the cutlace . but who can recount the actions of this day . in fine , three thousand of the enemy were killed , of ours thirty , none of note . d. enrique remained master of the field , and pitched his tents to give there the necessary orders . zamori sent to desire peace , the treaty held four days , and broke up without any effect . the fort was demolished ( as king iohn had commanded ) because it was of no importance . having shipped all that was in it of value with great care and privacy , they laid trains to blow it up , and all drew off to the ships . the moors finding the coast clear , and no body in the fort , run in clusters to pillage ; but the powder suddenly taking fire , blew up the whole fabrick with great slaughter of them . this shews how much must be ventured rather than hazard reputation ; since all this labour and prepararation served only to raze that fort , because it should not be thought it was rather fear than conveniency forced us to quit it . chap. x. concludes the government of d. enrique de meneses in the year , king john the third reigning . . the fort of calicut being demolished , and peter de faria left with his ships to scour the coast of malabar , the governor went to cochin , to dispatch the homeward bound trading ships , which were five , and whereof two were lost : two also of sour that came this year from portugal perished . after this expedition d. enrique designed to fall upon diu. he sent out hector de silveyra upon other pretences , to ormuz , with instructions that other things failing , he should enter the red sea , and take up at arquico , d. rodrigo de lima , who by that time was returned from his embassy to prester iohn . on the coast of arabia he assaulted and took the strong city dofar , which he destroyed with the loss of two men. then he entered the red sea , and reduced the islands maçua and dalaca , to pay tribute . thence sailed to arquico where the governor delivered to him d. rodrigo de lima , who was there waiting for a passage with an embassador sent by prester iohn to portugal . they went to rest at ormuz . . peter mascarenas , who the foregoing year went to succeed george de albuquerque in the command of malaca , found it in some distress , after performing honorable actions . martin alfonso de sousa scouring that coast with six ships and two hundred men had done great execution among the natives . after returning to malaca he again went out to meet lacxemena , who ravaged the neighbourhood with thirteen hundred moors , after a bloody fight they were defeated , and martin being mortally wounded , died in the city . the king of linga our ally had asked relief of george albuquerque , against the king of bintam , by whom he was besieged . eighty men were sent , who falling upon the besiegers killed six hundred , the rest fled . this victory cost but one man. . here peter mascarenas heard of a renegado portugues , who commanding three thousand men of the king of bintam , had done much harm to the city , in which there were but a hundred , yet obliged him to retire with shame . two hundred and fifty solemnly vowed to carry the head of george de albuquerque , or that of the factor garcia chaino , to the king of bintam ( all vows are easier to make than perform ) they lay in ambush in a close wood , six portugueses , whereof one was francis correa , fell into it . he seeing no possibility of escaping , encouraged the other five , and falling desperately upon the two hundred and fifty killed fourteen , the others fled . one of the six died . . antony de brito at maluco , seeing he was not relieved , desired ( the last year ) a successor might be sent him , d. garcia enriquez who then commanded the cruisers upon the coast of malaca went thither . . he arrived at ternate , where some differences arose between him and brito . they agreed among themselves , and by consent sent a portugues with a small vessel to discover the islands called celebes , where they heard was great plenty of gold. the discoverer found the islands , but not the gold ; and being upon his return , was carried away by a storm to the eastward , till he lost his account , and unexpectedly fell into a great and beautiful island . the inhabitants most simple , and treated them with great affection . of colour more inclined to white , of body strong and comly , lank hair , and long beards , their cloaths of very fine mats ; their food , roots , cocos and figs. their language was not understood , but they dealt by signs . by tokens they gave to understand that in the mountain there was gold , whereof they made no use ; they had no knowledge of iron , or any other metal . they left this island , which they called of iames lopez de sequeyra the name of the pilot , and returned to ternate after eight months , whence antony de brito was then departed , leaving d. garcia the command of the fort. . peter mascarenas at malaca considering how much had been done by his predecessors in defence of that place , and that it was no less insupportable than dangerous , to suffer the king of bintam to lie safe in his works , and continue his hopes proposed to deprive him of both . he immediately began to put in execution his designs , tho they proved unsuccessful . . george de albuquerque sailing from malaca towards cochin , with only one vessel , met arel de porca with twenty five barques of calicut , who was seeking revenge , for that d. enrique had treated him as he deserved for his cowardliness at the ▪ assault of coulete . the case was that d. enrique at that engagement perceiving him stand only as a looker on , watching the opportunity of sharing the plunder , caused a cannon to be levelled at him so dexterously , that it broke his leg. now he sought revenge , and drew on himself farther punishment , for albuquerque not able to avoid the twenty five barques , to lose no time of playing his cannon , levelled among them all , they answered with showers of ball and arrows . but our artillery was so well managed , that arel was forced to retire with considerable loss , having done no other damage to albuquerque , than the killing one of his slaves . . the governor d. enrique still continued his preparations against diu , giving out they were for aden . in all things he acted the part of a wise captain . . he set out with seventeen sail of several sorts all large , with a resolution to clear that coast of pyrats , that always abound there . at chale two leagues from calicut he set ashore d. george de meneses with five hundred men , who reduced the town to ashes . at bacanor he found d. george telo and peter de faria entering that river●… in which they shut up above one hundred paraos , bound for cambaya , laden with spice . he sent to their assistance d. george de meneses , with four hundred men in two ships . the moors by land and sea were four thousand strong . peter de faria was left to keep the mouth of the river , the other went up to the paraos , and saw the shore covered with men and cannon . at length they engaged , the fight was bravely maintained , but the multitude , the disadvantage of the place , and ill fortune , obliged our captains to retire , after losing forty men. victory cannot be always tied to one side , and it is wonderful , that in so many encounters our party should scarce ever be worsted , never quite defeated . . this was not the greatest loss then happened to the portugueses , for at this time d. enrique fell sick of an inflammation in two issues he had upon one leg , and finding death came on , he gave the necessary orders , and expired with that calmness he had practised living . this happened at cananor , ( where he is buried ) about the end of ianuary in the thirtieth year of his age. he was son to d. ferdinand de meneses , called the red , of a pleasing countenance , a large stature , an awful presence , of a free mind , his actions just , free from covetousness , continent , a true patron of merit , and professor of honor. it may appear how free from avarice in that after his death all his treasure was but thirteen royals and a half , not a crown in all ; not but that he had an estate before , but spent it during his government on such as deserved well . he accepted not one jewel of all that those eastern princes presented him . let us give one example of his ready wit , which will shew the beauty of his person . a gentleman whose person was contemptible , but had served well , and was dissatisfied with the governor , one day talking with others , lashed out and said , i am as good a gentleman as any in india , and better than some , as much a soldier as the best , i have served the king as well as any man ; and in fine , i fear no man , nor yield to no man. the governor finding all this passion aimed at him , to shew he understood it , and was not disturbed , answered very calmly : sir , i confess you are a better gentleman than i , and more a soldier than i , that you have served better , and better deserve to be governor ; but since i yield so many points , you cannot but grant me one , and that is that you are not so genteel a man as i. so the anger was turned into laughter , and he doubly shamed . the most renowned governors hitherto were d. francisco de almeyda , alfonso de albuquerque , and d. enrique . his complexion was white , his beard chesnut colour , his cap , upper garment , and breeches , black , slashed with crimson lining , the doublet crimson , over it a coat of mail , and upon that the breast plate . he held the government a year and a month , and was the seventh governor . the end of the third part of the first tome . the portugues asia . tom . i. part iv. chap. i. the government of lope vaz de sampayo , from the year to the year , and reign of king john the third . . the governor d. enrique de meneses , when he died , left a paper sealed , wherein was named who should succeed him , in case the person appointed by the king was absent , requiring all there present to give obedience to him , this paper was lost , but the person therein named known to be francis de sa , then commanding at goa . the second patent of succession being opened ( because the first was fulfilled in d. enrique ) it named peter de mascarenas then commanding at malaca . the distance was great , and the season not fit to sail , after some debates they chose the worst expedient , which was to open the third patent , in which was named lope vaz de sampayo . the government was put into his hands , having swore to deliver it to peter de mascarenhas as soon as he came from malaca . he immediately dispatched captains to several places , and went out himself to scour the coast with seven sail. advice was brought him from d. george telo , and peter de faria , that they lay upon the bar of cananor , to keep in a fleet belonging to zamori . he sent immediate orders to d. antonio de silveyra , and christopher de sousa , who were at goa , to go join the other two , and secure the prize till he came . they performed it . . cutiale , admiral of that fleet , perceiving the danger that threatened him , disposed all things to meet it by sea and land. he had ten thousand men at command , lope vaz went in person through showers of bullets to view the fortifications , which done , he returned and prepared for the assaults , contrary to the votes of most of the captains , who rather envied him the glory of that action , than feared the danger , as if each were not to share with him in it . nevertheless all obeyed , and three vessels were provided with one one hundred men each to land first . lope vaz followed with a thousand men in vessels that rowed . peter de faria was to fire the enemies paraos . they all at once couragiously undertook the charge assigned them , and at the same time mounted the trenches with great slaughter on the one side , whilst above seventy paraos were fired on the other . at length our men remained victorious , above eighty brass cannons were taken , lope spared the town , because it belonged to the king of narsinga , with whom we were then at peace . . lope vaz sailed victorious to goa , where francis de sa refused to re●…ve him as governor , on account of the title he had to it himself by d. enrique's appointment in the absence of peter mascarenhas . but the council of the city siding with lope vaz , he was admitted as governor , and began to act as such . the first thing he did was to send advice to peter mascarenas of his election , either that he was not yet so fond of the government , or rather to dissemble how fond he was of it . next he gave the command of goa to antony de silveyra de meneses , and sent francis de sa to the island of sunda , whether he had been designed from portugal , giving him four hundred men in six ships . antony de miranda azevedo had fourteen to guard the coast of india . manuel de gama had nine for the coast of coromandel , which he cleansed from pyrats , and retook a ship of ours taken by them . martin alphonso iusarte was sent to maldiva with six vessels , and took a rich vessel of meca , in which were three hundred moors . having given other necessary orders , he sailed for ormuz with five ships , and three hundred men. . they suffered much by the way , chiefly through thirst. in his passage he reduced the towns of calayate and mascate , which had revolted , being exasperated by the avarice of iames de melo ; for it is certain the king and publick suffer for the interest of private men , a thing d. enrique was so sensible of , that this melo being then commander at ormuz , he writ to him to be more moderate , and not provoke thirty years to go from goa to teach sixty at ormuz , for those were the ages of them both . lope vaz did nothing at ormuz , but compose the difference between iames de melo and raez xarafo , which had occasioned the revolt of those two towns , receive the tribute of that king , and prester iohn's embassador , who came with d. george de lima , both brought by hector de silveyra . . who was sent to lie off of diu in wait of the ships of the red sea , that trade for cambaya , whereof he took three . they went to diu where he continued many days at the request of melique saca , who made use of him to secure himself against the king of cambaya , feigning he intended to deliver the city to silveyra , being weary of the tyranny of that king. lope vaz was then at chaul , giving oders for fortifying several places , fearing the rumes or turks were coming with a great power , whereof he sent advice to king iohn , and sailed for goa . . at the same time arrived in india two ships of five that set out this year from lisbon , the other three came afterwards . these two brought fresh orders from the king , relating to the succession in the government , wherein lope vaz was before mascarenas , the former having been the contrary . the surveyor of the revenue alfonso de mexia , to whom they were directed , desirous to kindle broils , caused them to be opened , to the great danger of the publick peace . . the news hereof met lope vaz on the way , and arriving at goa he was a second time received as governor , and went thence to cochin . he dispatched the trading ships home , and sent in them prester iohn's embassador , who went to rome , where he gave entire submission to the church of christ , through the means of the portugueses ; and having received several favours from pope clement the seventh , returned to his prince . these ships being gone , lope vaz designed to go to the red sea against the turks , who ( it was said ) fortified the island camaran . some loose tongues said it was a policy to strengthen himself at cochin , in order to resist mascarenhas , who came to take upon him the government . others said he really intended to go to deprive mascarenas of all power , and gain the affections of the soldiers by giving them plunder . the certainty is , he studied to secure himself , for to resign a command voluntarily is a thing not practised since those times . . raez solyman the turk , who killed mir hozem at gidda , recovered his princes favour by delivering up to him this city he had gained in the service of the soldan , and by means of a considerable present ; for gifts are of force even with princes , who have no need of them . selin , who was then at grand cayre , converted his hatred to love , because solyman promised him great advantages in india , if he would furnish him with a competent power to act there . he gave him twenty gallies , and five galions that were then at suez . solyman succeeding his father selin , sent haydarin , to deliver this fleet to raez , who was then fortifying the island camaran , where the said haydarin upon some disgust killed him . mustapha , nephew to r●…ez , succeeded him , and slew hydarin , then sailed to aden , and thence to diu , seeking the protection of the king of camb●…ya , as fearful of the great turk , whom he had offended with that murder and other actions ; and having but few vessels with him , for most of them refused to obey him , and returned to suez . antony tenreyro carried an account of the success of this fleet to king iohn by land , with general admiration , being the first that performed that journey , till then thought impossible . . let us now return to peter mascarenas at malaca , where the news being come of his succession to the government , he was immediately proclaimed and obeyed as such . as such he gave orders , and bestowed some commands . the season was not yet proper to sail from malaca to cochin . but the desire of command wa●…s no season so he set out without it . a storm forced him back to malaca , and he making a virtue of necessity complied with fortune , concluding it was providence brought him to that city , which he had left in great distress , and taking it as an omen of the honor he thought to gain over bintam , whose king entertained no small hopes of recovering malaca , which was wholly unprovided mascarenhas disposed the minds of the few gentlemen that were there , and prepared to fall upon that king , giving out all was for the island of sunda , whither it was known francis de sa was designed . he set out with twenty one ships , in them four hundred portugueses , and six hundred malayes , commanded by tuam mahomet and sinai raja . . great labour was employed in clearing the mouth of the river , when thirty barques appeared , sent by the king of pam to the relief of our enemy . duarte coello and ayres de cuna went to meet them , battered some , dispersed others , and took twelve loaden with cannon and provisions . they return to the hard labour of clearing the mouth of the river , in which work ferdinando serram consumed twelve days , wherein his men were spent with toil , and his ship pierced with a thousand cannon shot . yet he obtained his end , tho not without danger of perishing , for laxemena fell upon him with such fury , that ferdinando was left for dead , and both sides fought with great obstinacy . peter mascarenas perceiving this action , pressed forwards in small vessels that rowed , and coming upon the moors made them retir●… with a great slaughter . being returned to his post , he considered the city , which was formidable for its walls and opposite fort , flanked with bulwarks , stored with men and artillery . he ordered the manner of the assault , assigning every man his post , and diverting the enemy from the place where he designed the chief attack . . our careful and almost rash commander in the dead of night , marched his men through a close wood and unknown way , very difficult for the roots of trees that crossed it , and streams of water that spread the superficies of the grounds , yet before day they reached the city . the warlike instrument sounding on a sudden from all sides , put the moors into a confusion , at last they resort where they thought was the greatest danger , and that was where mascarenas had posted the malayes to give a diversion , whilst he entered on the other side . all was full of confusion , tho the enemies behaved themselves gallantly . the first that mounted a bulwark was ayres de cuna . then they entred the city , and furiously run through it ; peter mascarenas ran to the king's palace , where laja raja who commanded fell upon him , and the fight was couragiously maintained till they understood the king was not there , for he perceiving the city was entered , mounted on an elephant , and fled to the woods and mountain . this being known , the moors gave way , some were killed , the rest fled . the garrison consisted of seven thousand , four hundred were slain , two thousand taken . the town was plundered , the booty great , and almost three hundred pieces of cannon , no inconsiderable part of it . we had not above three killed in this action , which was one of the most glorious we performed in asia , to the immortal honor of mascarenas , and peace of malaca . for the king dying with grief , tho his son alaudin undertook the same task , he had no power to annoy us much . the proprietor of this island from whom the king had taken it , begged of mascarenhas to be restored to it , which was granted , he owning himself a subject of portugal . at this instant arrived the king of linga , our all●… , with succour . he was an honourable witness of our victory , and after congratulating , returned home . . francis de sa now prepared to prosecute his voyage to sunda . this island is divided on the south from iava by a very narrow channel . it produces pale gold , and abundance of pepper and provisions . the natives are many , unfit for war , but curious in adorning their arms. they worship idols , sell their children to supply any want . the women are beautiful , those of quality chaste , contrary to what is usual in most of the other parts of the world. they have convents into which they enter to preserve their virginity as in spain . the married women kill themselves when their husbands die ; a good custom to shew their duty , and to prevent their killing them , were it not against the law of nature , and therefore a brutal error . . hither came before henry leme drawn by the plenty and goodness of the pepper it produces , he was well received by the king samiam , who offered a place to build a fort , and three hundred and fifty one quintals of pepper , as a yearly tribute to purchase the friendship of the king of portugal , in order to his support against the moors who infested him , and were now much inferior to the portugueses in those parts . but he attained not then the effect of his desires ; for when francis de sa came to raise the fort in the place marked out by leme , he met such opposition from the moors , that he was obliged to return to malaca , without doing any thing . . mean while d. garcia enriquez did something at the malucos , which had been glorious , if just . a war being left on foot by antony de brito with the king of tidore , d. garcia made peace with him only to undo what the other had done . this produced some difference between d. garcia and cachil de aroez , who to revenge himself joined now with the king of tidore . d. garcia fearing this union might prove dangerous , suddenly fell upon that city , then busied with the funeral ceremonies of the dead , and entring it , took away the cannon , and burnt the rest . thus the peace rashly concluded was more rashly broke and the portugueses throughout all those islands were esteemed men of no faith or reputation , for commonly a whole nation suffers for the faults of a few . . martin iniguez de carchisano arrived at port camafe in the kingdom of tidore with one ship of six the emperor charles v. sent the year to those parts that belonged not to him . the other ships came before to an island in three degrees of north latitude , which they called s. matthew , where , on the trunks of trees they found inscriptions denoting it to have been inhabited by portugueses eighty years before . as soon as d. garcia understood the new comers were spaniards , he endeavoured to compose the affair , but to no effect , and perceiving they caused an alteration in the price of spice , he sent first , then went in person to expel them , but were all obliged to retire after much damage sustained by the spaniards cannon , yet their ship , tore by the portugues shot , afterwards sunk . our men had the like success at another town on the shore where the spaniards were . d. garcia sent martin correa to malaca , where he understood that the inhabitants of lobu , a port of sumatra , had slain alvaro de brito and seventy men , he carried to revenge the death of others killed there . as soon as he arrived , george cabral recommended this business to him , which he performed , reducing the city to ashes , after putting all the inhabitants to the sword , taking all their cannon , brito's galley and some others , the rest were burnt . . at this time came to the malucos that renowned gentleman d. george de meneses , who lost his hand at the glorious action of calicut , being the first that went thither by the way of borneo , passing through many islands , and giving his name to some of them . the known way being five hundred leagues , he made it a thousand , and spent eight months in the voyage , by reason of the difficulties of that sea , which is a meer labyrinth of islands and banks of sand. d. george and d. garcia fell presently at variance , because the latter would not return the way the other came , but by banda , which was more easie and advantageous , on the contrary of that by borneo . it seem'd d. garcia sought not the same that d. george ; and d. george in all obeyed peter mascarenas as governor of india . the dispute came to words ill becoming such men , and the words to actions of the same nature . d. george puts d. garcia in irons . and d. garcia being set at liberty , puts d. george into them . being threatened by some he set him loose , and d. george being at liberty , sent after him to banda , in case he came thither to make him prisoner , and take his ship. vincent de fonseca carried the message . he also sent vasco lorenzo , iames cam , and gonzalo veloso to malaca , by the way of borneo , and with them a present for that king. one part of the present was a piece of tapestry with figures of men , which the barbarian no sooner beheld , but he cryed out , they were men inchanted that would kill him in the night . and no persuasions being of force to convince him of his error , ordered the tapestry should not remain in his house , nor the messengers in his port. . fonseca was so diligent , that he arrived at banda before d. garcia . they both armed , but fonseca by craft took his ship , and d. garcia endeavouring to regain it , had two of his men killed , and was forced to retire . he embarqued in a vessel laden with goods for malaca , which was there seized upon , yet restored to him ; yet afterwards at cochin the vessel sunk , and the sea swallowed to the value of fifty thousand crowns he had in her . d. garcia was left ashore with only the cloaths he wore , and nuno de cuna , then governor , imprisoned and sent him to portugal , to answer what he had done at maluco . this was the end of those violent courses wherewith he endeavoured to enrich himself , and of the rashness with which he durst say , that in spite of sea and winds he would reach goa . . whilst d. garcia struggled with his ill fortune , the spaniards at tidore were at variance who should succeed in the place of their captain who died . they agreed , and another spanish ship arrived , commanded by alvaro de saavedra . d. george modestly required them to desist , but to no purpose . ferdinando baldaya went against them in a galliot . alfonso de los rios met him in another vessel , they fought couragiously , the spaniards remained victorious , having killed our captain and others . saavedra set sail for new spain to bring assistance to prosecute this act so well begun , and carried with him some of the prisoners in the galliot he had taken . they fled with his long-boat from certain islands where he touched , and being afterwards taken at tidore , and brought to the spaniards , they condemned them as traitors to the emperor ( as if they had owed him any allegiance ) and hanged ferdinando moreira , simon de brito was dragg'd and beheaded . after this d. george de castro ( who accidentally came to ternate ) by order of d. george de meneses went against the city camafo , and the inhabitants being fled , burnt it to the ground . but this belongs to next year , let us see what is doing in india . chap. ii. continues the government of lope vaz de sampayo , from the year , till the year , king john the third reigning . . lope vaz de sampayo understanding at cochin , that peter de mascarenas was coming from malaca to take upon him the government , held a council , where it was resolved not to admit him as governor . this done , he went away to goa , leaving alphonso mexia to put in execution what had been resolved . at his departure lope vaz paid off the soldiers , who presently concluded , that action proceeded not from his bounty , but was to gain their affections . mascarenas arrived the last day of february , and after some difference with mexia , resolved to land unarmed , thinking thereby to disarm the other . on the contrary , as mascarenas landed , he was met by mexia , well armed , and mounted with armed men , who fell upon mascarenas , run him through the arm with a lance , and wounded others of his company , so that to avoid more harm he was forced to return to his ship. . the news of this exploit being brought to lope vaz at goa , it so highly pleased him , that as a reward to the messenger he gave him the command of coulam , taken from henry figuera , because he had treated peter de mascarenas with civility . in this one action he committed two crimes , one in rewarding insolency , the other in depriving modesty of its reward . now being informed , that mascarenas was on the way to goa , he sent out to take and put him in irons , which was executed by antony de silveyra , who delivered him at cananor to d. simon de meneses , commander of that fort. the people of goa were so weary of these proceedings , that they broke out into open railing . and christopher de sousa , commander of chaul , gravely reproved him for it by letter , comforting mascarenas the same way , affirming those affronts redounded more to his honor than the government could have done . . hector de silveyra , a gentleman in all his actions great , fell at variance with lope vaz , upbraided him with his ill usage to mascarenas , and particularly with refusing their pretensions to be brought to judgment as mascarenas desired . lope vaz 〈◊〉 sented it , hector withdrew , and gathering his kindred , friends , and the council of goa , they sent a letter signed by three hundred to peter mascarenhas , desiring him to come to goa , where they would obey him as governor . then agreed to imprison lope vaz , but he knowing it , sent peter de foria , commander of goa , to secure hector de silveyra , and all that were with him . hector refused to deliver himself up , and lope in a rage arming himse●… , entered the house where these gentlemen were , then silveyra , to prevent any publick disturbance suffered himself to be taken . d. simon de meneses , who held mascarenas prisoner at cananor , and was no less offended at lope vaz his proceeeings , hearing what passed at goa , set him loose , and together with all that were there , swore him governor . at this time arrived three ships of five that set out of lisbon , and in them d. iohn deca , brother-in-law to lope vaz , of whom he asked whether he had not a good title to the government , and remained satisfied of the justice of his cause , because approved by him and friends . the other two ships were cast away on the island madagascar . christopher de sousa acknowledged mascarenas as governor , which much enraged lope vaz , but his anger was not of force to take place . . antony de miranda de azevedo , admiral of the indian sea , desiring as well as christopher de sousa to prevent distractions , joined with him , the result of their agreement was , that lope vaz was reduced to put the business to arbitration . it was articled , that the competiors should stand by the verdict , that neither should act as governor in the interim , that all who were imprisoned on this account should be released , that the two who had procured this accommodation might come freely to goa , without any danger of lope vaz his anger . he at first opposed this agreement , but liking the arbitrators , consented , adding some conditions , the chief about alfonso mexia , in case mascarenas had the preference . . christopher de sousa perceiving the judges were all of lope vaz his faction , to his great regret , caused one of them to be removed , and five others to be added . the arbitrators being declared , many resorted thither , and chiefly the inhabitants of cochin who , conscious , of what they had d●…e against mascarenas , declared , if he were preferred , they would fly to the moors . in fine , those who before solicited for mascarenas were now against him , and sentence was accordingly given against him , the twenty sixth of december . it is not much that lope vaz should rejoice , but strange that mascarenas should not be at all concerned . he embarqued in one of the ships that came this year for portugal , was well received by the king , who gave him the command of azamor in africk , on his return from thence he was lost at sea. . as soon as lope vaz was quietly settled in his government , he dispatched commanders to some forts , and among them peter de faria to malaca . antony de miranda de azevedo was sent with a fleet to burn the turkish gallies that were left at camaran , after the death of raez soliman . martin alfonso de melo iusarte went to build a fort at sunda , with eight large ships and four hundred men. he touched at columbo in the island ceylon , where pate marcar of calicut oppressed the king of cota our ally ; but hearing of these ships he fled up the rivers , and madune pandar the king's brother who joined with his enemy , and pretended to the greatest part of the kingdom , raised his siege . martin alfonso went thence rich , having taken some ships of the moors , and agreed at calecare with the lord about the price of pearls , whereof there is a fishery . further on he destroyed the town of core , because the inhabitants had killed iohn de flores , who guarded that fishery . . going on his voyage , a sudden and fierce storm drove all his company out of sight , and set him upon a bank of sand near the island nagamale , opposite to the city sodoe . he went into the long-boat with fifty men , and with great difficulty came to the city chacuria in the kingdom of bengala , the lord whereof , after making use of them against his enemy , made them all slaves . hence they were carried to sore , where two of his captains arriving , thought to have stoln them away by night , but were discovered and disappointed . the indians had made a vow to sacrifice to their idols the handsomest portuguese they should take , they judged one gonzalo vaz de melo to be such , and accordingly sacrificed him , notwithstanding his uncle martin alfonso promised a great ransom for him . the others were afterwards redeemed by a moor , for three thousand ducats . . one of the captains lope vaz had sent out , was d. iohn deca , to scour the sea of calicut . he behaved himself bravely in several rencounters , and took this year fifty prizes , laden with all sorts of goods . he burnt the town of mangalor , and meeting afterwards the fleet of calicut , consisting of seventy paraos , well equipped , under the command of the chinese captain cutiale , he fought them , took cutiale , and most of the vessels , killed fifteen hundred moors , and had almost as many prisoners . in these rencounters he lost twenty portugueses . . antony de miranda de azevedo sailed the latter end of ianuary for the red sea , with twenty ships , and above a thousand men. after taking some prizes , he met in the mouth of that sea henry de macedo , engaged with a great turkish gallion . they boarded him , and the turks threw a burning dart which stuck in the main sheet , and began to fire it , but a strong gust of wind shaking the sail , cast it back into the turkish gallion , where falling among the powder , it blew all up , so that only eight men escaped , and those escaped only the fire , not the sword , being killed as they swam . antony de sylva took a great ship of diu , and killed all the men. d. antony de miranda fought another two days , and she got off . several captains had other rencounters . the chief design , which was fighting the turks in the red sea at the island camaran , took no effect , the winds being contrary . they burnt the city zeylan , the inhabitants having saved themselves and goods by flight . . they went thence to ormuz , and next to diu , and were dispersed by a storm . l●…pe de mesquita met a great ship wherein were resolute moors , and boarded her with thirty men ; no sooner were they in her , but his gallion fell off . being left thus they furiously fell upon the two hundred , kill most of them , and take the ship , which being much battered by the gallion , was sinking . mesquita with all speed sends his brother iames with sixteen men in the long-boat to save the mony taken in the ship , and return for those that were behind . those who thought to escape fell into the greatest danger , for not reaching the gallion , they were taken by the fleet of diu , and carried to the king of cambaya , who would force them to turn moors , but they remained constant . the king in a rage caused iames de mesquita to be put into a cannon , in order to be blown in pieces , but admiring the resolution with which he entred , was appeased , and spared him . they were all put into prison , and afterwards released . lope de mesquita , the gallion and antony de miranda met at chaul . antony de macedo came with his ship so battered , it was almost a miracle he escaped , and his face so monstrous no body knew him , that caused by the cannon , the latter by fire , having been beset by fifty barks and three galliots off of diu. he fought them a whole day , and was reduced to only six men and a woman , who supplied them with powder , till accidentally antony de silva came up with him , and the enemies commander being killed they fled . . the moors had improved our divisions to do us much harm , lope vaz prepared to be revenged . he left antony de miranda to command at goa , and went to cochin where he fitted out eighteen ships . at cananor met him one hundred and thirty paraos of malabars . he could not attack them with the great ships by reason of the contrary wind. but resolving not to slip the opportunity , advanced with thirteen paraos against the hundred and thirty . he came up with and did them much harm with his cannon , and they spared not theirs , but seeing two paraos come out of cananor to the relief of the thirteen , and the great ships spread their sails to come up , they fled , eighteen of them were sunk , twenty two taken , and in them fifty pieces of cannon , eight hundred killed , and many prisoners made . those that fled , and others who joined them fell into the snare near cochin . . lope vaz set out again with the same fleet in search of arel , lord of porca , who was seeking revenge for what had happened between him and d. enrique at the destruction of coulete . lope vaz scoured the coast as he went. simon de melo , who commanded the brigantines , burnt twenty six ships , and razed the town of chatua . the fire ran 〈◊〉 far as cranganor . he ordered the fleet that was there to follow him , that all might share in the plunder of porca , which he thought secure . he had a thousand men with him , and with them he assaulted the city . arel was not within it , and the moors fought couragiously in defence of their wives , children and goods . but the greatest part being slain , the rest fled , and the town was plundered . the wife of arel and other persons of note were taken , with much gold , silver , jewels , silks and other stuffs , good cannon , and thirteen considerable vessels , all was put to the sword first , and then delivered up to the flames , without the loss of one man. the governor returning to cochin found there two ships that came from portugal with nuno de cuna , who came to take upon him that government , and was behind with most of the fleet. lope vaz desired to deliver up india to him , cleansed of pyrats , and so prosecuted his undertakings . he went to cananor , and sent his nephew simon de melo against marabia , a town not far distant , who burnt twelve of the paraos that guarded the port , and landing , fired the town . the same he did at mount delii . antony de silva de meneses acted in the same nature at other places . there was nothing every where but fire and sword , ruin and destruction . . the king of cambaya at this time had fitted out eighty barques against nizamaluco , lord of chaul , and did harm to the portugueses : alexiath , a valiant ●…oor , commanded that fleet ; and our commander at chaul and nizamaluco both demanded aid of lop●… vaz . he set out with forty sail , in which were above a thousand portugueses , besides the natives , who bore arms. hector de silveyra had the command of the vessels that rowed . lope vaz being arrived at chaul , sent eighty portugueses under the command of iohn de avelar to nizamaluco , then sailed towards diu , understanding the eighty barques steered that way . off of bombaim he had sight of them . some vessels run to secure the mouth of the river bandora , left the enemy might escape that way . hector de silveyra with his brigantines fetched up aleixiath . the cannon began a furious charge , and the smoak being dispersed , there appeared in the air showers of bullets and arrows . then they boarded , and after a vigorous engagement alixiath fled with only seven of his eighty barques . thirty three of them were of use , the rest burnt , the prisoners were many , much artillery taken , and abundance of ammunition . hector lost not one man in this glorious action to which lope vaz was a joyful spectator , tho envious of silveyra's glory . iohn de avelar acted no less , for scaling an almost impregnable fort of the king of cambaya ; he was the first ▪ that entered , and having slain all the defendants , delivered it up to nizamaluco . here three portugueses were lost . they were all assisted by a thousand of nizamaluco's ●…ubjects . that prince honored and rewarded the bravery of the portugueses . . lope vaz overjoyed with this success , thought diu , now weakened , would surrender , if he appeared before it , and he judged right , as afterwards appeared . but all the captains , except hector de silveyra , being of a contrary opinion , he was forced to desist , and went back to goa , leaving the famous hector with twenty two vessels that rowed to scour that coast of pirats . antony de miranda on that of malabar drove all that came in his way . he had destroyed twelve paraos , when christopher de melo , the governor's nephew , joined him with a hundred choice men in six brigantines and a gally . then they took in the river chale a mighty ship of calicut , laden with pepper , and bravely defended by much artillery and eight hundred men. near monte hermoso , or mount beautiful , they defeated fifty sail of calicut , and took much cannon and many men in three paraos . but the winter coming on , they retired . . hector de silveyra who was left with his brigantines on the coast of cambaya did much execution . he run up the river nagotana of baçaim , and landed , the natives , with the terror of his actions , deserting the towns , whereof he burnt six . at the last the commander of nagotana appeared in the field with five hundred horse , and a great number of foot. hector knowing it was a ra●…ness to encounter him , retired towards his brigantines , but the horse coming on hindered any from embarquing . hector faced them , and killing three , made some room . francis godino dismounting one of the enemy , got upon his horse , and killing another , brought that horse to his captain , who encouraging his men , made the enemy give back , and so gained time to imbarque . hector went hence to bacaim , seated on the banks of the river of the same name , found it well fortified , and stored with cannon , through whose mouths he must force his landing . behind the town lay alixiath with five hundred horse , and three thousand foot. hector entered the river by night , and in the morning in despight of their cannon forced the works , killing many of the defendants . as he marched to the town , on a sudden alixiath fell on him with his three thousand five hundred men. silveyra drew his men into one body , and bravely put all that number to flight , killing many . whilst they fled , ba●…aim was plundered and burnt . the lord of tana , a great city , not far distant , terrified at this success , submitted himself as tributary to portugal , and was received by hector , who now retired to chaul . . let us now see what was done during this time at maluco . simon de sousa galvam was going in a galley with seventy men , to take the command of that fort of d. george , a most violent storm brought him in a miserable condition to the port of achem. immediately flocked about them several vessels upon pretence of assistance , but being come aboard they fell upon the seventy portugueses with all manner of weapons , but they recovering the fright , bravely drove them all from their ships sides , but not above twenty of them were left that could stand upon their feet . the king in a rage that the ship was not taken , ordered his admiral to attack her in the morning . he came , and simon de sousa encouraging those men that could scarce support themselves , did feats like to those related in fables , and repelled with great slaughter that inundation that came upon them . but a moor , who was in the galley , leaping overboard , gave the enemy an account of her miserable condition . with a fresh supply they came on again and boarded her , killing most of our men , simon de sousa was cut in pieces . only such as had not life enough to seek their death remained alive , and were carried to the king with the galley , and afterwards served in the execution of his wicked designs , as shall appear in its proper place . . thus simon de sousa sailing by the way d. george de meneses continued his command at maluco . he sent some portugueses against tidore and the spaniards that were there , but they being put to the rout , d. george gathered the ternatenses , they their allies the chief whereof were cachil de aroez , the king of bacham and the sangages . they fell upon tidore in the morning , those of of tidore and the spaniards fought couragiously , but were obliged to give ground and retire , the spaniards to their fort , having lost six men , two killed , and four taken , the tidores to their city , whence they were forced to fly by d. george , who burnt and plundered it . then he returned to the fort , and summoned ferdinando de la forre , the spanish captain to surrender . he no longer able to hold out , accepted the capitulation , the heads of it were , that he should immediately go over to the city camafo , that he should commit no hostilities upon the portugueses , ternatenses , or any of their friends , that he should go to no islands that produced cloves . the king of tidore was made tributary to portugal , and obliged not to aid the spaniards . then d. george returned victorious to ternate . . mean while bohaat , king of tidore , died in the fort , not without suspicion of poison given by cachil daroez . his brother cachil daialo succeeded , who was no less suspicious of cachil vaiaco , whom he accused of heinous crimes , but being afraid of his life fled to the fort , and suspecting d. george would deliver him to his enemy , chose rather to die , by throwing himself out of a window . all ternate now mutined against d. george , and he imagining that cachil vaideca had caused to be killed a china sow he much esteemed , having more respect to that foul beast than that noble person imprisoned , and after set him at liberty , anointing his face with bacon , which among that people is the most heinous affront , and had been as highly revenged upon the portugueses , had not the prudence and modesty of antony galvam , who succeeded in the government , appeased the rage of the people . . d. george not content with this violence , sent to rob the houses of the moors of their provisions . in fine , this gentleman became on a sudden most wicked and outragious . the moors stood upon their defence , and treated some portugueses as they now deserved . in the town of tabona d. george took the chief magistrate , and two moors of note , these two he sent back after cutting off their hands , upon the other he set two dogs on the shore , who tore his flesh till he fled into the water to shun them , but they pursuing , he defended himself with his teeth , till the water coming up he was tore to pieces and drowned . this made d. george odious to all , and moved cachil de aroez to stir up the people to rise and expel both portugueses and spaniards . d. george catched him in the contrivance , and beheaded him publickly in ternate , to the terror of all people , which occasioned the city to be unpeopled , the inhabitants and even the queen flying from this storm to other places . d. george was imprisoned for these inhuman barbarities , and sent to india , and thence to portugal , where he was condemned to banishment . any reward was too small for his former actions , and this punishment too slight for the latter . but because nuno de cuna now enters upon the government of india , let us conclude this chapter , and hereafter we shall see lope vaz return to portugal , and his punishment there for the extravagancies committed against peter de mascarenas , and usurping the government , which deprived him of the reward , if not the glory of those notable exploits which might have rendered him deserving of it . he was governor of it three years and ten months , his complexion fair , and countenance venerable , his beard grey , cap and upper robe black with crimson lining , breeches and doublet of the same colour , over all his armour . i will reckon peter mascarenas the eighth governor , both because he executed the power some time , and because the condemning of lope vaz confirmed his right . so lope vaz will be the ninth in order . chap. iii. the government of nuno de cuna from the year to the year , in the reign of king john the third . . in may this same year arrived at ormuz , nuno de cuna , who came the year before from lisbon with eleven ships . because setting out late he had a tedious voyage , and by the way did considerable things , we will say somewhat of him before his arrival in india . one of his ships was lost near cabo verde , the captain and some men saved , one hundred and fifty perished . after passing the line they were dispersed by a storm , some met again afterwards . nuno put into the port san tiago on the island madagascar , where he found a naked portuguez , no less wild in appearance than the blacks , but they were somewhat civilized . by him he understood the loss of two ships of five that came from lisbon the year , commanded by manuel de lacerda and alexius de abreu . . this man was a soldier belonging to abreu , they were cast away upon the sands before that port. they fortified themselves in hopes some ships passing by would take them up . after waiting a year one ship passed but could not come to them , and they no longer able to subsist there , marched up the country to seek their fortune in two bodies , and this man was left behind sick . nuno de cuna having advertised the king hereof . duarte and iames fonseca were sent from portugal to find these men the first perished in that island , the other found but four and a french man , and was cast away with them sailing for india . the french man belonged to one of three ships that came that year from france , and perished in that place . the four said many of their companions lived in the inland , but 't was impossible to find them . from these it is thought sprung those people that the hollanders there found eighty years after . they said , that a portugues captain suffering shipwrack there , conquered that place , and became sovereign , and all his men marrying natives had numerous issue , that they erred much in matters of faith. great were their errors that could be perceived by the atheistical hollanders ! but doubtless these people could not descend from only that shipwrack , they might be some of the first discoverers that were never heard of , and among others the three that sailed from cochin with francis de albuquerque , the year . . nuno de cuna being in this island , inquiring into the affairs of it , his ship perished in a storm . the men were saved in the other two , much goods and arms lost ; and thus he reached the island of zanzibar , where he eased the ships over-burdened with men , setting ashore ( the king being our friend ) two hundred sick , under the care of alexius de sousa chichorro , with orders to go to melinde as soon as recovered . . nuno de cuna went thither , he tried to pass to india , but could not . therefore not to lose time he resolved to take revenge on the king of monbaça , who , in hatred to us , infested those of melinde and zanzibar . if the city was taken he purposed to make munho mahomet , son of him that so kindly received gama the first time , king of it . which he understanding , and returning thanks , said , that he was incapable of that honor , being begot on a cafre slave ; but since he would gratifie his father's kindness to the portugueses , he might do it in the person of his nephew , who , tho younger , was of the blood royal of the kings of quiloa . nuno rightly judged , that none better merited a crown than he that coveted it not , and reserved his answer till he saw the event of the enterprize . he set out with eight hundred men , and mahomet with sixty , and as many with cide bubac the king's nephew , the other had proposed to be king. . as he drew near there met him the lord of otondo , a neighbouring town , offering to accompany him with a well furnished vessel , being admitted , shewing silver chains upon his legs , he said , he wore them in remembrance that he had been wrongfully imprisoned by that king , and had swore never to take them off till revenged ; that all the motive his enemy had to use him so , was for his affection to the portugueses , tho be never was so happy as to serve them . the king of monbaça knowing cuna's design , prepared , planting guns on a bulwark that kept the mouth of the river , and bringing six hundred expert and resolute archers into the city . nuno entred the river through showers of bullets that flew from the bulwark , which killed some men , and battered some vessels . yet he anchored the evening near the city , all the night the enemy poured arrows upon the fleet , which answered with their cannon . day appearing , the attack began , and peter vaz , brother to nuno , driving all before him , was the first who set up the portugues colours in the highest place of the city , which being seen far off , the ships began to celebrate the victory . many moors were killed , the rest left the city . d. ferdinand de lima was suddenly clasped by a stout moor , but his own men coming in the moor was slain , fulfilling a vow he had made to the king's neece whom he loved . for this woman going out with others , said to him : are these the brave men of monbaça , who suffer their wives and children to lose the city , and go for refuge to the cafres ? and he answered : since you affront me thus , i swear by the love i bear you , before two days , those who love shall weep for me , and you , if you value me , shall not see me to reward my love. he fulfilled his vow , as did many more , not one portuguese was lost . . the city was plundered , twenty great pieces of cannon taken . d ferdinand de lima going to secure the bulwark , some moors issued out of a wood , did harm , for a few of our men died of their poisoned arrows . many of the enemy were afterwards slain . hither came news of some of cuna's fleet who had been separated from him . nuno the better to secure and people the city , which was great , sent to melinde , whence presently came a nephew of that king with five hundred men , many of quality , and he of montangue with two hundred . by this means the natives were drove out of the island , tho hunger afterwards forced back many . the king of monbaça , sensible of his ruin , sent a man of note to treat of an accommoda●…ion with nuno , offering to become tributary , and pay a ransom for the city . they came to agreement . . the king presently began the payment , and as soon fell off , finding the portugueses sickened and died . two hundred were already dead , among them some gentlemen , and peter vaz de cuna . this and other misfortunes pressed the disposing of the city . the king of melinde's sons durst not undertake to maintain it without a number of portugueses , which could not be afforded after such a loss . nuno consumed the city to ashes , and returned to melinde , bringing with him those who were left before at zanzibar , and other places , who joined him after the city was taken . . at melinde he left eighty sick men to be carried to india by tristan homem , who afterwards with them defended that king against him of monbaça , who sought to revenge there the harm done him by the portugueses . in may the governor began to visit the neighbouring places to ormuz , making proclamation , that all persons who had any cause of complaint against portugueses should appear before him . many appeared with much cause , and the offenders were obliged to make restitution , to the great astonishment of the moors , , not used to see such justice executed . at ormuz he made a solemn entry , which being unusual , was much admired by those people . . he found that raez xarafo great guazil , or rather tyrant over that king , tho restored by lope vaz , was not clear of those great crimes he stood accused of . the chief were rapin and murder . and the circumstances such , that king iohn had sent after nuno de cuna , emanuel de macedo , with orders independent of the government , to take and bring him to portugal . they both had a hand in securing him . nuno visited the king , and gave him letters from ours . he qualified the king's displeasure for imprisoning xarafo , and his fear for his own offences , received his excuse , and took leave . the king presented him with rich jewels , pieces of cloth of gold , silks and a stately horse with fine furniture after the persian manner . nuno refused to accept , but seeing the king was affronted at it , received it in his king's name . the gentlemen with him received rich gifts . . nuno made some inquiry into xarafo's crimes , and sent him to portugal . the king for the murder of mahomet was sentenced to pay forty thousand xeraphins over and above the sixty thousand he paid yearly . it is true , this crime served only as a pretence to overload him with this tribute , being the third part of the revenue of ormuz . raez xarafo , tho guilty of heinous offences , carried enough riches with him to purchase favour in portugal , and be restored to his employ . . whilst the governor was thus employed at ormuz , belchior tavarez de sousa came thither , he had been to assist the king of baçora with forty men against him of gizaira . he was the first portuguese that went up the rivers tigris and euphrates . baçora is thirty leagues from the mouth of these rivers , in thirty degrees : somewhat more of northern latitude . it is a new foundation in memory of the ancient baçora , eight leagues distant from it , the ruins whereof are still to be seen , and in the opinion of a person of judgment who did see them , are twice as big as grand caire . the island gizaira is formed by the two rivers , tigris , whose springs are in curdi , of the greater armenia ; and euphrates , whose fountains are in turkomania . the circuit of it forty leagues , it contains forty thousand archers . . the king of baçora had received sousa with state , and joy in a court of his palace , so large , that it contained two thousand men without any throng . next day gave him an account of his condition , desiring he would either bring the king of gizaira to an honorable peace , or recover some forts he had taken from him . the king of baçora set out with two hundred dalacas , or large barques , in them were five thousand men , six hundred whereof were musqueteers , seven vessels full of turks with good cannon , his nephew marched by land with three thousand horse . he planted himself on the side of arabià , opposite to where he of gizaira was posted with twelve hundred men. by order of the king of baçora , sousa writ to his enemy , telling him , he was sent by the commander of ormuz to make peace between them , or to stand to the event of war , the king of gizaira answered , that being the first request of the captain of ormuz , and he the first portuguese that had come to those parts , he granted all . . the king of gizaira sent persons with power to treat , and peac●…●…as concluded to the satisfaction of him of baçora , who seeing all safe , refused to perform what he had promised sousa , which was to deliver up the seven turkish vessels , and not admit them into this kingdom again as being our enemies . sousa embarqued , took one of his great barques , and landing with thirty six portugueses , burnt a town of three hundred houses . another , tho not so big , he fired on the persian side . he again appeared before baçora , but wanting provisions , returned to ormuz . . nuno de cuna , to reward sousa , gave him the command of that sea , sending him at the king's request to the island baharem , to secure raez barbadim , who was revolted . but he having good intelligence baffled the contrivance , and obliged nuno de cuna to send his brother simon with eight vessels , and four hundred men , besides some of the natives in their barques . they set out . . mean while nuno de cuna prepared to go for india . he arrived at goa the latter end of october , where were before him four ships come from portugal the most fortunately that any had done yet ; for of above fifteen hundred men they brought , none died but our captain , and they came all in perfect health . nuno made a very solemn entry into the city . there were at this time ready almost one hundred and forty vessels , provided by the care of lope vaz , many considerable , as six gallions , eight royal gallies , six caravels , and fourteen galliots , all well stored , with arms and ammunition . the forts were also well provided . for tho lope vaz usurped the government , he managed it better than many that were named for it . the governor's presence was required at cochin for the dispatch of the homeward bound trading ships and other affairs . . whilst he sailed to cochin , simon de cuna came to baharem with his ships , and joining belchior de sousa , landed . he battered the fort three days , and lost it for want of powder , for whilst he sent for more to ormuz , his men so sickened , that above one hundred portugueses died , and many were in danger , and the very persians used to that clime were in no better condition . with this loss he drew off . this seemed an effect of divine justice , for barbadim offered to deliver up the fort upon condition he might go away in safety , but our gentlemen would not hearken to him , fearing to lose the booty . . simon de seusa found no less a pestilence had raged among his seamen . thus they set sail , but being becalmed not far from ormuz , many of the sick died , and among them some persons of good note , and simon de cuna himself . a great grief to his brother nuno , who had already lost his other brother at monbaça . chap. iv. continues the government of nuno de cuna , from the year , in the reign of king john the third . . nuno de cuna sailing to cochin , put in at cananor , and the king sent to welcome him . cuna excused himself that he did not go ashore to see him by reason of his haste , and the king for not going aboard the gallion , because he was indisposed . after these complements came the guazil , a great friend of the portugueses , and to gain the favour of cuna , as of other governors , privately offered him a collar , which he refused to receive . don iohn de deca at that time had the command of the fort , he visiting the governor aboard , brought him a message from lope vaz then there , desiring him to come ashore , and he would there resign the government to him . nuno sent to desire him to come and resign aboard . he came , and the resignation was performed with the usual solemnities . as he was in the vessel ready to return , he was ordered by cuna to bear him company to cochin . then the governor made proclamation , that any who had been wronged by lope vaz , should repair to him , and he would do them justice . this troubled lope vaz , and he sent him word , that those were rather libels than proclamations ; for no man that had cause of complaint against him , needed to be stirred up by sound of trumpet . at cochin , nuno ordered lope vaz to be imprisoned , and an inventory of all his goods to be taken , and all deposited in safe hands to be delivered at lisbon , as the king should direct . lope vaz said to the officer that took him , tell nuno de cuna , that i imprisoned , he imprisons me , and one will come who will imprison him . nuno being told it , said , i doubt not but i shall be imprisoned , but the difference between us will be , that lope vaz deserves it , and i shall not . neither was he deceived , for he had been close laid up in portugal , had he not died at sea : we shall see it at the end of his government . lope vaz was less afflicted for his confinement , than the insolent reproaches of the rabble , that the worst ship was allotted him to imbarque , only two servants allowed him , and barely so much of his own as would maintain him the voyage . an unjust proceeding with a man of his worth , whose person ought not to be indecently used whilst his crimes were inquired into . . nuno de cuna found nothing in readiness at cohin , of what he ordered from melinde should be provided to make war upon diu , which was the principal point of his instructions . perceiving the year was too far gone for that undertaking , he applyed himself to other affairs , and fitted a fleet of thirty sail to scour the coast of malabar , under the command of iames de silveyra , who commanded the four , came last from portugal . antony de silveyra meneses had a squadron to cruise in the sea of cambaya . and hector de silveyra another for the red sea. whilst these commanders sailed on the coasts assigned them , our homeward bound fleet arrived at the terceras islands , where an officer was waiting to put lope vaz into irons . loaded with them he landed at lisbon , and was set upon a mule , on which he was carried , accompanied by the rude rabble up to the castle , and put into a dungeon , w●…h orders , that not even his wife should be permitted to see him . he was accompanied in this miserable state by raez xarafo guazil of ormuz , brought by emanuel de macedo . after two years lope vaz his crimes began to be taken into consideration and examined , the king having ordered him to be prosecuted with the utmost rigor . the principal article against him was his unjust proceeding with peter de mascarenas . the duke of braganca pityng the misfortunes of this brave gentleman , prevailed with the king to give him a hearing in council . accordingly his majesty being seated in council with all his judges about him , lope vaz was brought in , venerable for his person , his face covered with a thick and longe white beard , and with such tokens of the miseries he had endured in almost three years imprisonment , reckoning from india , that had peter mascarenas or any of his enemies seen him , they might think themselves sufficiently revenged of all the extravagancies he had been guilty of towards them . being placed at the bar as a criminal , after the king's leave obtained , he with an undaunted constancy made a learned , comprehensive and copious speech . in which after running over his forefathers services to the crown , he particularized his own from his infancy till that time , reflected upon his sufferings and wrong done him since imprisoned , and in general to several other brave governors his predecessors , exposed the malice of his accusers , justified his own proceedings , illustrated by examples how others guilty of greater crimes than he was accused of , were pardoned in respect of their services , then made a parallel between them and his sufferings , and concluded , throwing himself upon either his majesties justice , or mercy , from one of which he hoped such a discharge , that he might have more cause to return thanks for the future , than he had till then to lament his hard usage . the king having heared with attention , examined him upon every article of his impeachment , and he answered to each . the articles were in all forty three ; the principal , as was said , such as related to peter mascarenas , the others such as would never have been thought of , had not those brought them in to fill up the number . in fine he was carried back to the castle , whence he sent his defence , as is usual in such cases , and in conclusion was sentenced to lose all his allowance as governor , and to pay to peter mascarenas ten thousand ducats , which confirmed the latter , not him , to have been the real governor , and justified those who had obeyed them as such . he was also banished into africk . but he resenting this hard fortune , resolved to change his country and his prince , as the famous ferdinand magallanes had done before . and getting into spain , he unnaturalized himself ; and from badajoz writ a letter to the king , affirming his usage had been highly unjust , and that he was resolved to try whether changing his country he could change fortune , and restore his honor . this had such effect , that he was restored to his country . alfonso mexia being likewise brought prisoner to portugal , had the same success ; he was also accused of crimes committed at ormuz , the commander of which fort iames de melo was under the same circumstances . let us now return to india . . iames silveyra on the coast of calicut carried so heavy a hand upon those people , that their king was obliged to send embassadors to nuno de cuna , desiring peace . he granted upon such conditions as they deserved who had never kept any . they were willing to accept part , but rejected the rest , so silveyra reduced them to extreme famine , hindering the importation of provisions . they received some relief from cananor , and simon de sousa being forced upon that shoar , after valiantly repulsing the moors , his powder took fire , and blew up the brigantine . . melique saca being expelled diu , found it convenient for the compassing his ends with the king of cambaya , to use those artifices with nuno de ●…una he had done with hector de silveyra , when he offered to deliver up that city to him . he writ to nuno , that tho he could not deliver diu , at least he could assist him in the taking of it ; to this end it was convenient they should have a meeting , and in order thereunto he might send him a pass and ships for himself and retinue , commanded by gaspar paez , whom he had known at diu. the governor granted all , and he made use of it to be restored to the king of cambaya's favour , receiving and putting off gaspar paez with subleties and impudence , pretending the pass was not securely worded , and the ships were too few . paez told him he had by the way with those vessels taken a great ship , and put to flight fourteen barques in the river pormeane , and that he might go with all safety . but no reason is of force against craft and falshood . . gaspar paez would have taken some revenge , but could only burn nine barques . the governor enraged hereat , suddenly began to make such preparations against diu as should not easily be disappointed . he had not yet seen the king of cochin who was sick of the small pox. nuno being less fearful of the infection than the king , who sent him word , that he did not desire to see him , for fear he might catch the disease , tho he believed his fight would cure him . nuno went to visit him , and it was much he was received , for those princes suffer not themselves to be seen in any sickness . the whole conference contained nothing but complaints of injuries done by lope vaz and alfonso mexia . nuno left him well satisfied with his courtesie , so that he began to look upon himself as a king , having till then been treated as a slave , and found himself better in health . . it was requisite nuno de cuna should now go to goa . at chale he visited the king , and gave him content . about mid - february he came to cananor , and saw that king , whom he much obliged by conforming to his own ceremonies at the interview . this prince offered him some jewels , which he fearing to affront him received , but delivered to the officers of the revenue as belonging to the king. . he ordered iames de silveyra to punish a rich merchant of mangalor , who did great wrong to the portugueses . he scoured the rivers along that coast , with sixteen ships , and four hundred and fifty men. then entered the river mangalor , on whose banks is the town of that name belonging to the king of narsinga , our friend , but that merchant favoured calicut , our enemy . this merchant knowing the design was against him , was well fortified . iames silveyra chose the lesser vessels with two hundred and forty men to go up the river , who were met by a great squadron , which after some contest was put to flight . the town was immediately entred , all the defendants quitting it . iames silveyra then turned to the fort , and after some resistance took it . the merchant fled in despair , but was overtaken and killed by a musquet ball. those who fled sought refuge in the river , and our swords there made it run bloody . nothing was taken but some cannon , for booty being very great , the captain caused it all to be burnt , lest he might endanger his ships by over-loading them . there were also burnt thirteen vessels that waited for loading . winter coming on , he thought so great a force was not requisite , and dismissed half the fleet. but there had been use for all when he met pati marcar , a commander of calicut sailing for mangalor with sixty paraos . the weather prevented fighting then , so he waited their return , and gave battel at mount delii , where six paraos were sunk , then went to cochin . . antony de silveyra , to whom the coast of cambaya was allotted , had now under his command fifty one sail , whereof three were gallies , and two galliots , and in them nine hundred portugueses . he went up the river taptii , on whose banks are two cities , the chiefest of that coast. on the one side , surat , containing ten thousand families , most handycrafts , and all of no courage , called bancanes . on the other side , reyner , of six thousand houses , but warlike men , and well fortified . the river being sounded , it was found there was not water enough for the greater vessels , which were left at the barr under francis de vasconcellos . with the rest antony de silveyra returning to the mouth of the river , and having sailed four leagues , discovered surat . three hundred horse , and almost ten thousand foot opposed the landing , armed with bows and musquets , they spent their-shot , and fled without expecting an answer . the city was entred without any farther resistance , and nothing left in it that had life , or was of value . then the city and some ships that lay in the arsenal were burnt . a little higher on the other side was the city reyner , inhabited by the nayteas moors , of more courage and policy , who nevertheless scarce essayed our fire , when they fled , leaving all in the hands of the portugueses , who had all been rich , could they have carried away all the plunder . they carried what they could , the rest was all burnt , with twenty ships and many lesser vessels that were in that port. emanuel de sousa was in both actions the foremost at landing , not without great danger , especially in the latter , the enemy playing much great cannon at him . . antony de silveyra returning to the mouth of the river , found that whilst he burnt those cities , francis de vasconcellos had not been idle , but taken six vessels laden with provisions bound for diu. now they sailed together to damam , a town great and strong , yet terrified by the disaster of the others , quitted by the inhabitants , and burnt by our men. on the contrary the town of agaçaim fourteen leagues from chaul , dared the portugues fury with four hundred horse , and five thousand foot. at first shock they killed five portugueses , and the rest began to flie , but being rallied by the captains , the town was taken , and in it much cannon and riches . many were killed , above two hundred taken . the fire of the town took hold of the vessels which were three hundred . whilst antony de silveyra was thus employed , francis pereyra de berredo , commander at chaul , overcome by the intreaties of the inhabitants , oppressed by badur , king of cambaya ; who was master of the field , marched with fifty horse , and one hundred and fifty foot , till he met popaterao with five thousand of the former , and twelve thousand of the latter . the multitude , weariness and heat so disordered the portugueses , that most of them were slain , francis pereyra seeing the fort in danger , called antony de silveyra , who instantly with care relieved it in person , which preserved it from falling into the hands of king badur , which it must have done , if assaulted at that time . francis pereyra was punished for that loss and rashness by being deprived of his command , and imprisoned by the governor , who gave that post to antony silveyra , whose diligence had saved it . . hector de silveyra , who sailed from goa on the twenty first of ianuary with ten sail , and six hundred men , for the red sea , spread his ships cross the mouth of it from cape guardafu on the coast of asia , to xael in arabia , that no enemy might escape him . most of them had some success , chiefly hector and martin de castro who took two great and rich ships , killing the defendants who made a brave resistance . a brigantine of twelve men that accompanied the ship taken by hector to mascate , made up to a great barque , supposing her a portuguese , and discovered not the mistake till it was not possible to avoid fighting thirty valiant turks that were in her . they fought till both parties tired , were forced to rest , and having recovered breath all the turks were slain . of the portugueses three died , the nine carrying off the barque as a trophy of this brave exploit . the fleet being joined , appeared before aden , where hector managed that king with such dexterity , that he consented to pay a tribute of twelve thousand xeraphins yearly to the crown of portugal , offering him immediately a crown of gold. the agreement was solemnly signed on both sides , and antony botello left in that port with a brigantine and thirty men. in the same manner the king of xael submitted , who not long before had accompanied mustapha , a turkish captain , with twenty thousand men to make war upon aden . in the month of september arrived at goa six ships from portugal . . let us look upon the indian sea now covered with a wood of ships , the product of the governor 's great care , now full of his design upon diu. this fleet consisted of above four hundred sail , many large , more indifferent , and the greatest number small , several of them were only sutlers , fitted out by the natives for private gain . in the island bombaim was made a general review of the fleet , and found to contain three thousand six hundred soldiers , and one thousand four hundred and fifty seamen , all portugueses , above two thousand malabars and canaras , eight thousand slaves fit for service , and almost five thousand seamen . the governor landed at damam , a fort of cambaya , which was immediately quitted by the moors . mass was said there and the general absolution given . then three rewards were proposed to the three first that should mount the walls of diu at the scaling of it . hither came the news , that the arabs , turks and others , to the number of two thousand fortified themselves in the island beth , seven leagues from diu. it was by nature and art so begirt with rocks and walls , and stored with cannon , that nuno de cuna gave no credit to the relation till he saw it . . on the seventh of february he came to the island , and having in person viewed all difficulties besieged it . he summoned the barbarians to surrender ; but they were so resolute , that many of them shaved their heads , a token that they fear not death , but are devoted , which they call making themselves amoucos . their commander gave them a brutal example of resolution , making a great fire , and throwing into it his wife , son , goods and family , that if the portugueses overcame , they might find nothing but a heap of ashes . others followed the example . nuno ordered the island to be attacked at once in six several places . at break of day each officer couragiously fell on the place appointed him . the enemy received them with desperate fury . many were killed , and among them the brave hector de silveyra , who in so many occasions had notably signalized himself . this to us was a great loss . our dead in all were twelve . a portuguese ran through an islander with his lance , and he pressing forward upon it , with his cymiter cut off the portuguese his leg , and they both fell down dead . one stood upon a rock with four women , and seeing our men comeon , killed two of the women by their free consent , but a bullet preventing him from killing the other two , they both leap'd into the sea to prevent being made slaves , but to no effect , for they were taken in the sea. eighteen hundred of the enemy were killed , and sixty cannons taken . . nuno de cuna parting from beth , appeared no less formidable to diu , than that city did to him . the city considered the sea covered with that fleet. the fleet , a city built upon rocks , and encompassed by them and water , the mouth of the river crossed with massy chains sustained upon vessels , and eighty filled with archers and musqueteers to defend them ; within ten thousand armed men , and an infinite number of great artillery . the tops of houses , walls and rocks covered with multitudes of people of both sexes and all ages , rending the air with shouts . our governor viewed the danger , consulted the captains , and ordered the assault . . on the sixteenth of february , the signal being given , the sea and land were covered with clouds of smoak and dust of the destruction our guns made in the city . nuno standing in a boat cloathed in red , to be the better seen , flew to all parts where there was occasion , and being known , was all the mark the enemies shot was directed to . which sebastian de sa , who , by favour , was taken out of another boat into his , perceiving with some concern , said to him , alas , sir , was it for this you brought me hither ! and he pleasantly , as if no danger had been near , replyed to him and others , humilitate capita vestra . d. vasco de lima had not lowered his head , for a ball took it off his shoulders . our cannon began to burst with the continual fire . cuna perceiving this loss , and that twelve men were killed without doing any considerable execution upon the enemy , the day being spent , consulted with the principal men , and it was agreed the enterprize was not practical . he desisted , leaving antony de saldana with sixty vessels in the bay of cambaya , to do what damage he could to the enemy . it was agreed on all hands , that had not the governor stayed to take beth , he had carried diu ; for the moor mustapha was the only cause of its holding out , who entered but three days before with considerable relief . we lost never a vessel , and that part of the fleet which went with nuno de cuna arrived at goa the fifteenth of march , where it stayed till two ships came in of six that sailed this year from lisbon . of the other four , one returned to portugal , another perished in a storm at cape comori , the captain manuel de macedo and all the men being saved ashore , where they defended themselves against a great number of moors , till relieved from cochin . a third was never heard of . and the fourth came afterwards , but returning home with another , it was never known of what became of both . . mustapha as soon as the portugues fleet was gone , went to offer himself to king badur , carrying great presents , and was received with honor , and rewarded . he gave him the command of baroche in the bay of cambaya , and other considerable revenues with the title of rume , because he was a grecian ; for the indian moors being ignorant of the division of the provinces of europe , called all thracia , greece , sclavonia , and the adjacent countries rum , and the natives thereof rumii , this name being proper only to those of thracia , called romania . therefore the turks and rumes are different nations , those being originally of turchestan , and these of greece and thrace , and the rumes esteem themselves more honorable than the turks . he also gave him the title of cham , a dignity among the tartars , like a duke with us , and among the eastern people is given to persons of great merit . so mustapha from hence forward was called rume cham. . antony de saldana , who was left in the sea of diu with sixty sail and fifteen hundred men , went to the city madrefabat , five leagues distant towards the island beth , and burnt it with small opposition . then he went to goga twenty four leagues distant from the last , a place of great trade , formerly populous and strong . in the port were fifteen of the best paraos of calicut , laden with spice , who fled up a creek , and were followed by saldana , with eight hundred men in the smaller vessels . it was found necessary to land , and three hundred horse and eight hundred foot coming down to the relief of the malabars , there was a sharp engagement , till above two hundred of the enemy being killed , they quitted the field and vessels which were all burnt , as was the town and eight ships in the port. we lost some men. the chiefest booty was much good cannon . the same happened to the towns belsa , tarapor , maii , quelme and agacim , and lastly surat , then rising after the last fire , and some vessels in that river . saldana having thus terrified all that coast retired to goa . about this time came into nuno de cuna's power a brother of the king of cambaya , who was the rightful heir of that crown , and through him our governor hoped to compass some considerable advantage . d. antony de silveyra who parted from chaul with six ships arrived at aden , and found that king who not long before submitted to the portugueses , had killed such as had stayed there , for covetousness of a ship laden with spice that came to his port. silveyra being too weak to revenge this , sailed to ormuz , where he died , george de lima succeeded in his command , and took two rich ships in the bay of cambaya . . our cruisers had about this time taken twenty seven ships of the king of calicut richly laden . he being preplexed with these losses , and fearing greater , proposed an accommodation . iames pereyra was sent to treat , and obtained what he desired , which was leave to build a fort at chale . chale is an island in a river that falls into the sea three leagues from calicut , navigable in boats up to the mountain gate . urinama , a heathen , was a king of it , and next to him he of tanor , both subjects of calicut . both coveted the friendship of the portugueses , as well to cast of that yoke as in hopes to grow rich with our trade . as soon as nuno had obtained consent to raise the fort , he set out from goa with one hundred and fifty sail , three thousand portugueses , and one thousand lascarines of the country . such diligence was used in the work , ( the gentlemen not sparing their labour ) that in twenty six days it was in a posture of defence , the wall being nine foot broad with bulwarks , towers , a church , a house for the commander , and store-houses . the command of it was given to iames pereyra , who had forwarded the work , with two hundred and fifty men ; and to secure it by sea manuel de sousa with twenty two ships . the king of calicut repenting he had given leave for that work , made war upon the kings of chale , caramanlii and tanor , at the same time making overtures to draw them to break with the portugueses : but to no effect . . about the end of february emanuel de vasconcellos set out for the red sea with two galliots , and some brigantines . at xael with the loss of one man he took some turkish vessels laden , and among them a great ship called cufturca , which was sent mascate . the king of xael fearful of some danger , made his peace with submission and presents . after vasconcelos , came thither antony de saldania with ten ships , and the king seeing he would not allow of the submission he made to vasconelos , began to secure himself , sending out of the town all the riches , women and children , which were seen from the ships , crossing the mountain upon camels . but the weather obliged saldana to leave that sea. . he sailed to mascate , thence to the coast of diu , seven or eight ships of that city came out and engaged him , he took three , and stranded the rest . the same happened to a turkish gallion that was in port , and endeavoured to flie . a storm rising there dispersed most of the brigantines . saldana had three gallions with him , and they suffered hunger and thirst , when the sea driving them towards the bar , twenty seven ships of the enemy that watched the opportunity fell upon them , but drew off without any considerable action . he dispatched two vessels to view pate , on which he had some design , they meeting a rich ship bound for diu , after a very sharp engagement took her . the ship had only in gold coin above sixty thousand venetian chequins . sailing to goa with prizes worth above two hundred thousand ducats , he met short of chaul , iames de silveyra , to whom he delivered the vessels the governor ordered . at this time arrived four ships that sailed from portugal the beginning of this year , antony de saldana returned home with them . . iames de silveyra sailing to patam , twelve leagues from diu , plundered and burnt that city with four ships in the harbour . the very same was done to pate , and mangalor . this was no new thing in iames silveyra , for he had before the same success at bandora tana , and other towns , and on the coast of diu at castelete , tolaja and madrefabat , by which means he came to goa with above four thousand slaves , and an infinite booty , having killed a great number , and spread an universal terror . . all this encouraged nuno de cuna to streighten diu , and the king of cambaya , that he might be obliged to consent to the raising a fort in that city . and because the growth of bacaim might be an obstacle to our designs , he resolved to destroy it . thither he went with a fleet of above one hundred and fifty sail , three thousand portugueses , and two hundred canaras . melique tocam lord of diu was then fortifying the city , and hearing of the power that was preparing against it , put in a garrison of above twelve thousand men. nuno divided his men into three parts to give the attack , the landing was dangerous , and the enemy so numerous , it seemed a rashness to go on , but our men despising all danger , the enemy fled first to the fort , and then to the mountain , six hundred of them being killed , of ours only eight or nine . here were taken above four hundred pieces of cannon , and much ammunition . the country about was all ravaged , and the fort razed . after this victory the governor sent emanuel de albuquerque with twelve vessels and three hundred men , to destroy the fort of damam ; but he not able to effect it , burnt all the towns from baçaim to tarapor , and bringing under tribute tana , bandora , mais and bombaim , then retired to chaul with much riches , and many vessels taken in those rivers . iames de silveyra , who sailed from baçaim with four gallions and fifteen brigantines bound for the red sea , took off cape guardafu a rich vessel . vasco perez about zocotora took a yet richer turkish ship , most of her men being slain , and near cape fartaque another . iames silveyra afterwards burnt two at aden , and did a very generous action , which was thus : he discovered a very rich ship of gidda , which spying him , lay by , and her captain coming aboard , shewed him a letter from a portuguese , who was prisoner in that city , which the moor thought to be a secure pass , being given him as such , silveyra opened and found in it these words : i beseech such of the king of portugal 's captains as shall meet this ship to make prize of her ; for she belongs to a very wicked moor. silveyra perceiving how the moor was imposed upon , took no notice of the deceit , but discharged him , chusing rather to lose the riches of that ship , than bring into question the sincerity of the portugueses . at the latter end of april he returned to goa . . at the same time arrived in india six ships from portugal , a seventh perished by the way . these ships brought new orders , that the commanders of forts should be sworn by the governor-general , by which it appears , they were till then independent of them . nuno de cuna had always his thought fixed upon diu , when melique tocam , lord of that city , desired him to send a fit person with whom he might treat about an affair of importance to the king of portugal's service . he then was apprehensive of his own king. it was therefore thought , he would for his own security deliver up the town to us . this was the intent ; but vasco de cuna , a gentleman of parts , being sent , and having done all that could be expected in it , returned without concluding any thing , but not without hopes . . at the same time tristan de ga at cambaya pressed that king to consent to the raising a fort at diu. the result was , that the king would have a conference with nuno de cuna , and his design was rather to kill him , than grant the fort. nuno went thither with an hundred sail , in which were two thousand portugueses . the king was already at diu when the governor arrived , and delayed the interview , desiring , he would send him some of his principal captains , for that he desired to see them . they went richly cloathed , and were splendidly received . discoursing , emanuel de macedo took the liberty , tho in a respectful manner to tell the king , that he justly admired he would take the command of that city from melique tocam his subject , who had served him well , and was son of one who had done so before , to give it to mustapha , now called rumi cham , whose first merit was his disloyalty to the turk , his natural prince ; that if he denied this , he challenged to fight either single , or as he should think fit . rume cham was present , and gave no answer , till the king looking angrily upon him for his silence , he said it proceeded from contempt . macedo repeated the challenge , and the turk no longer able to shun it , accepted the challenge to be fought at sea. macedo , according to appointment waited for him , but he came not . the interview took not effect for the differences about the manner of it . nuno taking another course , joined in league with omaum patxath , king of the moguls . then nuno returned to goa , and before and after dispatched several captains , antony de silveyra went to bengala with nine vessels , vasco peres de sampaya to the red sea with sixteen , thither also iames de silveyra with five gallions , d. stephen de gama to malaca , the two that were for the red sea made some prizes . . cunale marcar , a bold pyrat , about this time scoured the sea of calicut with eight vessels well equipped . at cape comori he found at night a brigantine with eighteen portugueses , and three gunners , all so fast asleep , that they were all bound before they waked . having awaked them , he caused their heads to be bruised to pieces , saying , it was to punish them for daring to sleep , knowing he was abroad . a pleasant cruelty . thence he went to negapatan , where were forty portugueses who defended themselves , but to no effect , for the degar , or governor , who they thought their friend , agreed with cunale to rob them . coje marcar , tho of kin to cunale , desirous to deliver them from this danger , did it by art , speaking to each of the two apart , and so making them suspicious to each other . yet cunale took some portugues vessels in that river , and shot to death eight of the men. the first died for sleeping , these , i suppose , because they were awake . antony de silva set out of cochin with two hundred musqueteers , in fifteen small vessels . cunale hearing of it , run up the canamera , a bay on this coast , and fortified himself , but antony obliged him to make his escape in the habit of a beggar to calicut , leaving his vessels and cannon , with which silva returned victorious to cochin . . the king of razet was revolted from him of ormuz . antony de silveyra who commanded the fort at the request of the latter , sent francis govea with two hundred men and eight sail , to reduce him . razet received them with fraud , designing to kill them . but it succeeded not , for govea was upon his guard , knowing his ill designs , and that he had with his own cymiter killed the officer he sent to treat with him . our captain sailing over to a small island to water , met a fleet of this kings , and took a vessel wherein was the king's nephew , for whose ransom razet restored the prisoners he had , and submitted to him of ormuz , ratified the peace made by him he had killed , and excused what was past . . king iohn his care was upon the affairs of india . he had understood the event of nuno de cuna's attempt upon diu , and that the common enemy prepared to disturb our progress , so he continually sent relief . this year arrived there twelve ships with fifteen hundred fighting men , commanded by d. pedro de castillobranco , who set out from lisbon the last november . the latter end of this year came also five ships more , which set out the beginning of this same year , they were commanded by martin alfonso de sousa , who had a commission to be admiral of the indian sea. the governor immediately put him in possession of the post , sending him against damam . at chaul , iames silveyra delivered him his squadron , and vasco perez his . now martin alfonso had five hundred men in forty vessels . he found damam destroyed by its own commander , who was retired to the fort with five hundred turks and resbutos . martin alfonso attempted to scale it , and received some damage , one of his ladders breaking , when the enemy on the other side opening a gate to fly , our men stopped them , and entring , found a large court full of men , and fifty horse , most of them were put to the sword , and the fort razed . the king of cambaya fearing greater loss , desired peace , which nuno de cuna granted , and 't was sworn upon the following conditions . that he should give to the king of portugal for ever bacaim , with its dependences by sea and land. that all ships bound for the red sea from that kingdom should set out from bacaim , and return thither to pay the duties . that none should go to other places without leave from the portugueses . that no ships of war should be built in any of his ports . that he should no more give assistance to the rumes . there were other articles in favour of the king to sweeten the harshness of these , which were afterwards moderated when he gave leave to raise the fort at diu. now we have some footing in this province , something may be said of its situation , people and other affairs with our usual brevity . chap. v. continues the government of nuno de cuna , and reign of king john the third . . the kingdom of guazarata ( commonly called cambaya , from its metropolis of that name ) extends from cape iaquete in the west to the river nagotana near chaul . it makes a great bay of the some name . the sea ebbs and flows with such violence in this bay , that in swiftness it exceeds the fleetest horse ; and if in this fury it meets any ship , it certainly perishes . to avoid this danger there is always a man on an eminence , who when he sees that torrent coming , gives notice with a horn. the distance between cape iaquete and the river nagotana is above two hundred leagues . on the west it borders upon the resbuti , a mountain people ; on the north with the kingdom of chitor , and the east with that of pale , all the coast is covered with many towns and cities . it is watered by two famous rivers , taptii and tapetii , besides many creeks that form several islands . it breeds abundance of cattle , and is plentiful of other provisions . the country is all plain , so that they generally travel in waggons after the manner of flanders , but lighter , and easier drawn by oxen somewhat less than those of spain . the natives are of four sorts ; one called baneanes bagançariis , that feed after our manner ; another called only baneanes , who eat nothing that hath life . their priests are called vertias , who cloath themselves in white , and never take those cloaths off till they fall to pieces . they live upon charity , and ( like the children of israel in the desart ) can keep nothing for the next day . they place their greatest hope of salvation in killing no creature , they use no light at night lest any butterfly should die by it ; they always carry a broom wherewith they sweep the ground they are to tread on , lest they tread any worm or insect to death . the other two sorts are the resbuti , who are good soldiers , formerly the chief of this kingdom . they acknowledge one god and three persons , and worship the blessed virgin , a doctrine preserved from the time of the apostles . the last are mahometans , called lauteas , that is , natives who embraced that sect , and those who came to conquer the countrey . the common people are very ingenious in mechanicks , in works of silk , gold , ivory , mother of pearl , tortoise-shell , crystal , ebony and other things of delight . they follow the rules of pithagoras , killing no creature , but rather buy all , tho venemous , from those who take them , and set them loose again . they entertain men whose only business it is to look about the towns and fields for beasts that are sick , which they cure with great care in hospitals erected for that purpose . notwithstanding all this beastly charity , they have none that may be called human , for they will not reach their hand to assist any person in the greatest necessity . . in the year , and according to the mahometan account , the pagan galacama was in quiet possession of this kingdom , and disturbed it to deprive his brother of the kingdom of champanel , left him by his father . galacarna employed two brothers as generals upon his frontiers , madana , one of them had the most beautiful woman of that country to wife . she was of the race of padaminii , who are affirmed , besides their comely shape , to have so sweet a scent in their skin , that they communicate it to their cloaths , which makes them esteemed above all o others . with much reason , for it is a wonder to find a woman that has a good smell . yet not impossible . they say there are scarce any of these women in this kingdom , but many in orixa . there is no mischief without a woman , even where they have an ill favour ; how much more where one smelt well ! the king in love with this wife of madana , tried all means to gain her ; but she being chaste ( which was doubtless the sweet smell ) acquainted her husband and brother , who joining with xiath nosaradim , king of delhi , on whom the covetousness of that kingdom prevailed , they wasted the kingdom of cambaya , till galacarna was at last slain in battel . nosaradim lest habedxiath his general to conquer the remainder . he rewarded the two brothers who brought him to this conquest , and retured home , having made the kings of mandou and chitor tributary . nosaradim soon after being killed by his nephew , civil wars ensued , and several governors revolting , called themselves kings , as did habedxiath , to whom moors succeeded . thus , . the year , hamet the mahomemetan tartar , who lived in the city cambaya , with the assistance of arabs , persians , greeks and rumes , or turks , usurped great part of this kingdom , then possessed by desingue rao . what he had tyrannically gained , he prudently maintained . ale cham succeeded him , and had forty sons , and three of them were kings . the first peruxiath , who succeeded him , the second azeide cham , who by his wife got the kingdom of mandou , and the third ale cham , who with his wife had the kingdom of agimar , bordering on that of chitor . peruxiath followed his father's example in securing his government , and built the city diu in memory of a victory gained over a chinese fleet. sultan mahomet his son succeeded him , and reigned at the time that d. vasco de gama discovered india , he left the crown to his son madafor , as worthy of it for his actions , as birth . not to his son scander cham , who gave occasion to his subjects to kill him , and set up his youngest brother mahomet cham. but the second brother latisa cham , to whom of right the crown belonged , made war , but without success , and it remained in the third , his name was badur cham. . modafar divided the possession of melique az , the lord of diu , among his three sons . this distribution enraged the king 's own sons , who coveted those ●…ands . but chiefly badur , who poisoned his father by whom he was as much hated as loved by his mother . after this murder he fled to the king of chitor , and killing one there in the king's presence in a ball made to entertain him with the assistance of crementii the queen he fled to delhi . . there he made himself a calandar , or religious man , to shun the punishment of his crimes . these calandars go loaded with iron chains , and feed very hard : with this outward rigor they practise privately all sorts of wickedness and uncleanness . they enter into no towns , but blow a horn without , that people may bring them alms. sometimes they go together to the number of two thousand : badur was one of these . hearing of the distractions of the kingdom of cambaya , he repaired thither with his chains in search of the crown . in that manner he entred cambaya , and was proclaimed king by favour of the people , who were pleased with those tokens of religion . his brother desta●… c ham thought to escape by submitting , but he caused his head to be cut off as a traitor . then he gave the cities of reyner and surat to two rich merchants , and afterwards overcame in battel his brother latisa cham. he caused madremaluco to be fley'd alive , because he had settled his younger brother in the kingdom , in hopes to have the administration of it , then with his own hand beheaded the brother , and two others that reproved that act. . badur desiring to take off melique saca , commander of diu , sent for him upon pretence of business , but he excused himself upon other pretences , and so stopped the execution ; and being pressed , endeavoured to escape with his riches , but being disappointed , went off poor , and not without danger . his friends at diu brought thither from madrefahat his brothor melique tocam . badur , the other being fled , had like to have killed this , but for some reasons was obliged to pardon him and others , but he destroyed many . he set out for champanel the year , where were brought to him sorty french men , and one stephen dias brigas , a portuguese , who for some crimes done in his country , fled into france , and came to india , captain of a ship of that nation ; at diu they were all taken , and sent to badur , by whom they were all miserably put to death . . at champanel came to badur embassadors from babor paxiath , king of delhi , demanding homage for that kingdom , as part of the dominion of their prince . badur at first would have killed them , but replyed , he would himself carry the answer ; and instantly composed an army of one hundred thousand men , four hundred elephants , and a great train of artillery . his design was disappointed , being forced to turn himself to doitabad , a great town , taken by nizamaluco , and tho he recovered it , it was with great loss , some by the weather , as being winter , and some by a shower of stones as big as oranges . at champanel he found certain men of the kingdom of the colii , who said they came to receive tribute , which he paid by fleying them alive . the year he marched with seventy thousand horse , and two hundred thousand foot , and did great harm in the territories of nizamaluco . . mean while babor paxiath , king of the mogols and delhi , marched upon account of the answer given to his embassadors the year before . the king of chitor denyed him passage , and in a battel there was such a slaughter , the mogol was forced to go back to raise new forces to prosecute his first design . but the king of chitor pursuing and doing him great damage in his own country , he desisted . badur fell upon the king of mandou , whom he treacherously slew . then imprisoned the sons , giving the mother and daughters to his favourites . next he killed some officers of that kingdom who had helped to bring him in . . salabedin , one pardoned by badur , fearful of his favour , getting away , secured himself in a strong castle , whence badur drew him by policy , and forced him to turn mahometan . then he prepared to take the fort and mountain raosinga , where salahedin left his son when he was deceived by badur's promises ; and by the way designed to expel the king of chitor , son to him , who kindly entertained him when he fled for the murder of his father . this young king bravely resisted badur , disappointed his design , and made him return to the other against raosinga , a place almost impregnable by art and nature . here eight portugueses who followed him , shewed their usual valour , francis tarares being the first who scaled a bulwark . . botiparao , the son of salahedin , fearing his resistance might occasion his father's death , left that city , and went to recover another , the besieged surrendered . badur perceiving salahedin's women came not out , asked the cause of him , and sent in to know it , they answered , they would not come out unless with him . he was sent to that effect by the king. his wives and slaves ( above five hundred in number ) as soon as they saw him , exclaimed against his turning mahemetan , and shewing him a heap of wood , said , they would sooner burn themselves with 〈◊〉 , than be delivered to their enemy . so salahedin , with one hundred and twenty that were their guard , killed them all upon the pile , where they were burnt with their riches . badur hearing of this , hasted to save the treasure , but was stopped by salahedin and his men , till all was consumed to ashes , and they all slain . yet badur saved almost a million and half of the remainder of this destruction . . salahedin , and those who died with him , were honorably buried . the mountain he gave to sultan alamo , who came to him , forced from that place whither botiparao went from hence . hearing there was a portugues fleet at diu , he flew thither with precipitation . but that being no matter of danger , he returned to the conquest of chitor , with one hundred thousand horse , innumerable foot , and six hundred cannoh . he incamped in the higher grounds about that city , tho it was like raasinga , it was battered the space of two months , and capitulated , and now badur was possessed of three kingdoms , each of which was considerable . . this was the time when tristan de ga was at the court of badur , by nuno de cuna's order , to treat of peace , which was delayed by sundry accidents , chiefly the death of the king of the mogols , whom he much feared . . badur , through covetousness , cut off the pay of many that had served , which occasioned above four thousand of note to desert to the mogol . mujate cham , a prudent and notable man , represented this to him , and he , to reward his advice , sent him on some other pretence to diu , with orders to melique tocam to kill him . but melique abominating the wickedness of badur , advised the innocent mujate cham to fly . mujate , instead of flying to save himself , returned to badur , before whom being prostrate , and delivering his own cymiter , he said , if i have deserved death of you , here is the traitor and the sword. if you please to kill me , i can have no greater honor than to die by your hand , tho my grandfather , father and self have deserved better . the king was surprized , received him with honor , and bestowed new favours on him . . but his rage was turned against melique tocam for discovering the private order , so he sent rume cham to kill him . he got into diu , where melique was not at that time , but received advice of it at a country-house where he was diverting himself , and fled . badur came to the city , and with his usual craft brought it under . at the same time arrived there nuno de cuna , in order to that interview , which took no effect . . it took no effect , because badur never made any proposals but to shift off a danger , which he greatly feared from the mogol , and hoping to agree with him , he was willing to break with the portugueses . but he was deceived , for that prince recalled his embassadors , and commenced the war. let us see who this mogol is . chap. vi. continues the government of nuno de cuna from the year , in the reign of king john the third . . the mogols call themselves chacatais , in the same manner as the spaniards call themselves goths . chacata is the name of the province they inhabit near turquestan , and the nobles suffer not themselves to be called mogols . the persians write they are descended from mogog , grandson to noah , from whom they received the worship of one only god. this nation wandring through many provinces , got the best footing in mogalia , or mogostan , called by ptolomey , paropanisus ; now they stretch farther , and border upon the kingdom horacam , which that author calls aria , or here , now the metropolis thereof . the mogols go from the north to drink the waters of the river geum , that runs through bactria , so called from its metropolis bactria , or bohara ( a famous place for learning , being the remains of great zoroastes , where avicen got the learning that made him so famous ) neighbouring upon sogdiana , now called quiximir , and mount caucasus , which divides india from other northern provinces . this kingdom now reaches to the mountainous parveti and bagous , which they call angou . as there are in it great mountains , so there are most large and fruitful plains , watered by five rivers , which compose the famous indus . they are bet , satinague , chanao , rave and rea. the cities are many , the men couragious . . the mogols are mohometans , their language turkish and persian , they are well shaped , white , and have small eyes like the tartars and chineses . the nobility wear rich and gay cloaths , fashioned like the persians , their beards long . the women are beautiful . their military dress is no less costly , their arms being gilt and polished ; they are singular at the bow. in fight violent , and of good conduct : they use artillery . their king is treated with great majesty , is seldom seen , his guard two thousand horse every quarter . . the mogols and patanes both equally strove to conquer india . they were neighbours . the event of war and treachery brought the patanes and delhi under the subjection of the mogol , at the time when babor paxiath , great grandson to tamerlane the great , reigned among them . . omaum , son of babor , now broke with badur , king of cambaya , who to begin the war sent twenty thousand horse , and a multitude of foot upon his enemies frontiers . here it may appear , that ingratitude never escapes unpunished . the queen crementii , who had saved badur's life , and in return was by him deprived of her liberty and kingdom of chitor , now revenged her self on him , after this manner . he by his embassadors required her to send him her son with what men she could to serve against the mogol . the queen desired he would restore her other son , whom he kept as an hostage , that she might not be deprived of both , and that the mean while she would raise the forces . badur not diving into her design , sent him , and she immediately put her self into the protection of the mogol badur enraged at this action , gathered one hundred thousand horse , four hundred and fifteen thousand foot , a thousand cannon , many of great bulk , six hundred armed elephants , and six thousand carriages . this multitude marched in great order , and was abundantly supplyed with all things . . he besieged the city chitor , and battered it furiously ; but tho the besieged received great damage , they did him much more . badur now raging , received the news that the mogols had slain twenty thousand of the men he sent to ravage their country . he vented his passion upon the city , and at last more by policy than strength became master of it , having lost fifteen thousand men , among them four portugueses . the queen with the choice of her riches fled . badur used no cruelty towards the city , but repaired it against future dangers , leaving mina●… hozem to command in it with twelve thousand men. then he marched towards his enemy , who advanced victorious through the kingdom of mandou , in order to relieve chitor , and being now informed it was in possession of badur , and that he was intrenched about doçor , omaum marched thither , and encamped . . badur found the greatest danger where he sought security ; for being incamped between a river and a lake , and omaum before him , the resort of provisions was quite cut off , so that in few days they suffered extreme famine , and such as went out to seek relief , fell into the hands of the enemy , as did coraçam cham with two thousand horse . . this so disheartened badur , that he stole away , and his camp was plundered by the mogols , who found there vast riches . badur with all speed fled towards mandou , accompanied by rume cham , and some portugueses , being left by many persons of note , and particularly melique liaz , for the murder of his two brothers . in fine , very little of that mighty army escaped the sword or famine , and what did was dispersed and disarmed . badur got into mandou , having slipped ten thousand mogols , who thought to prevent his reaching that place . . badur fortified this city , and gave the chief command to rume c ham his favourite . omaum hearing of it , lengthened his marches to come upon him . rume cham , now fearful of his master , deserts to omaum , rume's wife , daughter and riches were at champanel . badur and rume strove who should first secure champanel , the former having there one ( tho the least ) of his three treasures , which only in copper-mony was worth thirty millions , besides pearls , precious stones , and other things of value , with this treasure he sent rume's family and riches under a strong guard to diu , whilst he himself hearing the approach of omaum , wasted the country , and destroyed the artillery , lest it should fall into the enemies hands . the same he did at cambaya●… rume c ham seeing his wife and riches were carried away , obtained of his new master five thousand horse to follow them . as he entered one gate of cambaya , badur was going out at another , who seeing himself so close pursued by rume , left his women and riches by the way , that they might put a stop to his pursuit . so it fell out , for rume cham returned to champanel , and badur got to diu , whilst omaum was at champanel dividing his kingdom , and conquering that impregnable place with liberality . . champanel was impregnable by art and nature , and the mogols not used to spend time even in easie sieges , but tyrants have nothing secure , so these rocks which might have been a secure retreat to him , turned against badur . this mountain is thirty leagues from the sea , and yet visible thither , the ascent of it being almost five leagues . where nature left any passage , art supplyed it with strong walls . the city stands on the side of it , has sightly buildings , twenty thousand families , and a great trade . the city it self is not walled , but there are many places upon the mountain well fortified , strongly garrisoned and stored with cannon . somewhat higher is the royal palace , wonderful for structure and greatness , and on the top a fort can terrifie the most daring . here badur found no security , for tyrants can meet none in the world , and think themselves between sheets , when they are between the strongest walls , and when between the finest sheets they imagine they lie upon thorns . . these misfortunes were the motives that induced badur to consent to our raising the fort at diu. before , to secure our friendship against the mogol , he had surrendered baçaim to nuno de cuna , and now in hopes of our assistance to recover what was lost , he offered diu. badur sent to dispose martin alphonso de sousa , who was at chaul , and he urged the necessity of raising the fort , giving advice hereof to nuno , and desiring leave to go treat about this important affair . cuna refused him leave ; jealous that any but himself should compass a matter so much desired by his prince , and sent his own secretary embassador to badur . . still badur struggled with his pride , and thought to get assistance from the turk to recover his kingdom . to this effect he sent saf cham embassador with a rich present , but hearing the mogol had taken champanel , utterly despaired . he resolved to fly to meca , and there wait the turks answer , but his mother and friends dissuaded him , advising to grant leave to the portugueses to raise the fort at diu , and by their assistance his fortune might be bettered . instantly he sent to offer it to martin alphonso at chaul , whither also came a message from the mogol with the same offer . . martin alfonso having sent advice to the governor , asked not a second time for leave , but set out immediately for diu , as badur desired . at sea he met the secretary simon ferryra , and both arrived at diu on the twenty first of september . they soon came to an agreement upon these articles , that badur confirmed all that had been done relating to baçaim ; that something which concerned trade should be transferred thence to diu , that there should be a league offensive and defensive between the king of portugal and him , that the fort should be raised , where and in what manner the governor should appoint , that a bulwark upon the sea should immediately be delivered to him , that they should not meddle with the king's revenues at diu , &c. immediately a iew and an armenian were sent to portugal with this news to the king ; and to the governor at goa , iames de mesquita , one of the portugueses who served badur at the siege of chitor , that king desiring that nuno de cuna would instantly come to diu. . whilst these things were in agitation , seven ships arrived from portugal with men and great riches . they came to goa before the first advice reached the governor , and before the second could come he was under sail , with a resolution to accept the offer of badur . the king received him with much honor and demonstration of joy. after the first visits , he desired him to send some men to recover the fort of vivarcne , taken by the mogols upon the river indus , and some relief to the city baroche . vasco perez de sampayo was sent to the first with two hundred and fifty portugueses in twelve barques . to the latter enterprize went emanuel de macedo , who returned to diu , without doing any thing , the inhabitants having quitted the place which was too big for his small number to maintain . . about this time there was one iames botello in these parts , who was in disgrace with king iohn , because it was said he designed to go for france , being skillf●… in the affairs of india . the favour of princes is generally recovered either by something very inconsiderable , or else by some action that seems impossible . botello resolved upon the latter . he knew how earnestly the king desired the raising the fort at diu ; scarce was it granted , when he getting the draught of it , and a copy of the capitulation , committed himself to the vast ocean that is between spain and india , in a barque that was but sixteen foot and half in length , nine foot broad , and four foot and a half deep . he set ou●… privately with his own slaves , three portugueses , and two others , saying he went to cambaya . being out at sea , he discovered his design , they were all astonished , but overcome by fair words and promises . till finding they were reduced to unspeakable miseries , the slaves agreed to kill him , and killed a servant , which occasioned all the slaves , who were sailers , to be slain . without seamen or pilot he held his course , and to the admiration of all men arrived at lisbon , where the barque was immediately burnt , that no body might see it was possible to perform that voyage in so small a vessel . the king was greatly pleased with the news , and iames botello restored to the royal favour , without any other reward for this prodigious action . . nuno de cuna began the work with diligence , and a great number of hands , being himself the first that laboured at the foundation , which was done , with sound of trumpets , fifes , drums , noise of cannon and shouts . the work was soon finished , and the command of the fort given to emanuel de sousa , with nine hundred portugueses , and sixty pieces of great cannon . badur already reaped the benefit of this concession ; for nizamaluco , at the instance of nuno de cuna , not only made peace with , but assisted him against his enemy . vasco perez had recovered varivene , and king omaum hearing nuno de cuna was at diu , despaired of taking that 〈◊〉 , and employed his arms against other places . . badur pleased with this success , desired to view in person how much of his kingdom was yet left him . this he communicated to nuno de cuna , desiring a number of portugueses might go with him , and particularly martin alfonso de sousa . nuno approved his resolution , and gave him five hundred men , whereof fifty were of note . now cuna fearing omaum would fall upon baçaim , sent to its relief garcia de sa , with four hundred portugueses . he seeing a mighty army threaten that city resolved to quit it , to the terror of all the inhabitants , and with miserable cries of women and children . antony galvam considering the loss of the portugues reputation , persuaded him with strong reasons to alter his resolution . sa began to fortifie the place , and the mogol knowing th●…r resolution , drew off . this retreat of the mogols encouraged mirao muhmold , nephew to badur , who was upon the frontier of nizamaluco to recover many places taken by the mogols , which brought fresh hopes to badur of regaining his crown . . badur being thus prosperous with the assistance of the portugueses only , and repenting he had given leave to raise the fort , would build a wall between it and the city , covering the design he had thereby of gaining the fort , with the pretence of parting the portugueses and gurarates , whose too free communication caused divisions . there was some bickering between the king and nuno about it , till the king desisted . nuno de cuna went to baçaim , and began the fort there , giving the honor of laying the first stone to antony galvam , in reward of his resolution in defence of it . garcia de sa was left to carry on the work , and nuno returned to goa . . let us return to malaca and maluco , whence the course of the occurrences in india drew us . during the government of lope vaz de sampayo , the king of achem had caused to be killed simon de sousa , and others , bound for maluco , and taken others prisoners . he feigned to be sorry for that action , and sent three of the prisoners to peter de faria , then commanding the first time at malaca , offering peace , and desiring him to send persons fit to treat of it , and he would deliver to them sousa his galley , and the other prisoners . this was much for the ease of malaca , and therefore peter de faria sent presently a vessel with some portugueses , who were all killed by that tyrants order before they came to him . six months after garcia de sa then commanding , the king writ a letter to him , saying , he wondered no body was sent to treat of peace ; believing by reason of the secresie used in murdering the others , it was not known ; and at the same time caused the prisoners he had ( whom , to compass his wicked ends , he treated kindly ) to write to the commander about it . sa presently sent a gallion well provided with men and cannon , commanded by emanuel pacheco , who suffered himself to be circumvented by the king's barques , and he with most of the men were slain , the gallion was carried for the king to see , who then caused the rest of the men , and the prisoners he made much of to be killed . then he joined with the king of aru , and all this to the intent to gain malaca , having intelligence with sinaya raja , a considerable moor , who lived in that city . the correspondence being discovered by some drunken achemes , produced the publick safety and death of sinaya , who was thrown headlong from a tower by garcia de sa his order . . the year gonçalo pereyra set out from malaca for maluco , and in pursuance to the governor's order , by the way visited the king of borneo , offering him liberty to trade at malaca . borneo is an island fruitful of provisions , rich in costly merchandize , and produces the finest diamonds . the king is powerful , his religion the mahometan , so his people . the city of that name is large , has beautyful buildings and strong walls . the island has four principal ports , to which resort merchants from sundry parts . the offer pleased the king. gonçalo pereyra arriving at ternate , d. george de meneses delivered him the fort , and king cachil daialo , who was there prisoner . the queen his mother , who had fled from her city as was before related , hearing of the new commander , sent to put him in mind , how kindly the king her husband had received the portugueses , how ungrateful the return had been from them , who caused his son and heir to die in a prison , and now kept the other , and obliged her their mother to fly to the mountains , having lost the city where she was born , and whereof she was queen . that she demanded reparation of d. george his cruelty , and liberty for her son. after some scruples gonçalo pereyra solemnly swore he would set him at liberty as soon as opportunity served , whereupon she returned to the city , and they agreed ; as did the king of tidore , being eased of a tribute , imposed by d. george , which he was not able to pay . there was also an accommodation with the spanish captain ferdinand de la torre . thus things were settled as was suitable to the portugues reputation . . gonçalo pereyra , in pursuance of the governor's orders made d. george a prisoner . he was carried to goa , thence to portugal , whence he was banished to brasil , and killed by the heathens there in a battel . after this gonçalo pereyra examined the proceedings of the portugues officers of the revenue , and found them guilty of great frauds . they offended at this discovery , conspired with the queen to kill him , which they executed , tho he defended himself with resolution , yet most of the murderers were killed by the other portugueses , who maintained the fort which was in great danger of being lost , and luis de andrade kept the command as lieutenant . . bras pereyra , who commanded by sea , would have succeeded his kinsman . but the conspirators elected vincent fonseca one of their companions . he having promised the queen her sons liberty , if she would assist him in obtaining that post , now loaded him with irons , and secured his brothers and family . she withdrawing into the country , stopped all provisions from coming to the fort , and so obliged him to set her son free , and all was appeased for the present . . this quiet lasted not long ; for the king being near of age to govern , pate sarangue , who governed for him , finding his power expiring , conspired with fonseca , to set up tabarija , the king's bastard brother , who was younger . to this effect they began to lay several scandalous imputations upon the king , and fonseca attempted to secure him , which he having notice of fled to the mountain . fonseca follows , pretending he had a design upon the fort. the king might have defended himself , but forbore in respect to the portugueses whom he loved . he fled with his mother to tidore . his enemies set up tabarija , and following to tidore , oblige both kings to seek security in the mountains . fonseca was the more inraged against the king for that at his return a moor had killed his son , and endeavoured to slay tabarija , who escaped ; and because many obeyed not the usurper , calling him fonseca's king , whereas they might more properly term fonseca , tabarija's king. he sent pate sarangue with forces , and subdued all . he by treachery catched the queen mother , and gave her as wife to sarangue , and the deposed king's wife to the usurper . the distressed king leaving his mother and friends had recourse to the king of gilolo's courtesie . . now fonseca sends blas pereyra and others prisoners to india . the governor informed of the insolences committed at ternate , sent tristant de altaide to command there , who secured fonseca , and sent him to goa . with him went the spaniards from gilolo , in order to be sent to spain in the portugues ships . but the king of gilolo refusing to surrender the spaniards , tristan was obliged to go with a power , in which the kings of ternate , tidore and bacham joined , the city was abandoned and burnt , and the spaniards set at liberty . . tristan de ataide , at the instigation of samarao , put tabarija in prison , and set up his younger brother cachil aeiro . the king's mother and sarangue were also secured , and the city became desolate , the natives of it finding no comfort in their neighbours , who upbraided them for admitting so wicked a people as the portugueses , who since they had footing in this island were guilty of the most exorbitant villanies that could be imagined . in fine , ataide sent those prisoners to goa , for the crimes he was guilty of himself , and so nuno de cuna judged it , taking care to send them back to their country . . now tristan de ataide employed his thoughts on the profit he designed to make by the sale of cloves , and ordered it so , that the king of bacham would not consent . tristan in a rage sent his men armed , the king protested he was a faithful friend to the king of portugal ; but they sought spice for themselves , not friendship for their king. so they were convinced by the sword , many killed , and the rest were shamefully put to flight . tristan in a greater fury joining with the kings of ternate and tidore , forced him of bacham to abandon his city , which was destroyed , and to sue for peace , which was sold him for a tribute to be paid in cloves . yet at the same time this king conspires with those of gilolo , tidore and the deposed of ternate , and with samarao to kill ataide , and take the fort. they began their design by persuading him to send ships several ways , where he lost many men , and cachil daialo , the deposed king of ternate , laying hold of the opportunity , recovered part of his kingdom , with the assistance of those of gilolo , tidore , bacham , maquiem and moutel , with whose aid the ternates slew all the portugueses about the island . ataide prepared to take revenge , when simon sodre arrived from malaca with a ship and many men , that brought new life to the desperate ataide , and put him in a posture to recover some places . . the moors endeavoured to burn some of our vessels , bringing to execute this design almost three hundred sail , they received some damage , but would not desist , nor hearken to ataide , who sued for peace , being in the fort , and reduced to eat all sorts of vermin . d. ferdinand de monroy , a spanish gentleman , who came from banda with provisions , delivered him out of this danger . this success was answered by a misfortune , for all the inhabitants fled from ternate , and the moors killed some of his men , and took a ship , but now a new captain comes to the fort , which stood in need of it . tristan de ataide was as deformed of body as his actions were scandalous . let us return to the affairs of india . chap. vii . continues the government of nuno de cuna , the same year , in the reign of king john the third . . we have already related how the empire of decan by the death of mahomet xiath , was divided into seven parts , by as many governors who set themselves up as kings , and warring among themselves were reduced to five . the first and chief of these was hidalcam , whose territories lie from north to south along the sea coast from the river domel , eight leagues off dabul , to cintacola , eleven below goa , and has sixty leagues in length , and fifty in breadth where largest . on the north it borders upon nizamaluco , on the south upon canara , and part of narsinga , and on the east upon madremaluco , melique verido , and cotamaluco , which make the five into which that crown was divided . cotamaluco and verido were at war because the former reflected upon the latter , as disloyal to the dead king , as if either of them were innocent . cota came off with loss . . hidalcam upon such like occasion took arms against cotamaluco , who was then at golconda , a city almost impregnable , being seated upon an inaccessible mountain , well fortified and garrisoned . hidalcan set down before it with one hundred thousand horse , and four hundred thousand foot. cota , not without reason , was apprehensive of this danger , but reposed great confidence in twelve portugueses he had with him . the enemy the first attacks lost twenty thousand men , and afterwards an hundred thousand , as well by famine as sword , for catamaluco cut off all his provisions , and such parties as went out for them , and of what he took he sent ten thousand to hidalcan without ears or noses , bidding him put upon them those of his men he had served so the last war. the sorrow for , these misfortunes caused his death , whence sprang wars between his sons . these were mulacam , who was received as heir , and abraham , who could not brook his being owned as such , and being encouraged by cotamaluco and others , disturbed the common peace , and was at last himself taken prisoner . . cotamaluco set upon mulacham as he was carrying his father to bury him , but was forced to fly to the woods . mean while abraman escaped out of prison , and by the assistance of nizamaluco possessed himself of the kingdom , and took his brother mulac●…am whom his army infamously delivered up at bisapo●… . açadacam set out with a good army to rescue malucam . but melique cuf , in whose custody he was , cruelly put out his eyes , and delivered him and his treasure to abraham . he desiring to appease açadacam , made him great offers , which were all rejected ; açadacam encamped within five leagues of him , and sent a messenger to him , whose name was caçem ; this man abraham prevailed with to undertake to murder his master , which açadacam discovering , caused him to be stabbed before he approached him . . açadacam endeavoured to alienate the hearts of the great ones from abraham , but was not altogether so successful as he wished . in fine , cogerte cham , who at his instigation acted in the same manner , was obliged to fly for relief to nizamaluco , in whom he sound his ruin , being robbed by him , and brought to such misery , he resolved to retire to mecha , but passing through dabul , he accepted the offer of protection made him by simon guedez ▪ then commanding there , till nuno de cuna received him at diu , and obtained of king badur to entertain him according to his quality , where after he became one of the chief generals of cambaya . . the new hidalcan ( i mean abraham , for those princes , when they come to the crown , all take this title ) was perplexed with the proceedings of açadacam , and endeavoured to reconcile him . açadacam's forces at this time ravaged all the continent about goa , and hidalcan made fresh instances to bring him to his court , but to no effect . mean while the desolation of that country was such , that the natives freely offered it up to nuno de cuna , he , after conferring about it with açadacam , accepted the offer to deliver that country from utter ruin. . açadacam was a mahometan as well in his dealing , as belief . the more to perplex hidalcam , he goes into the service of the king of bisuagar , who received him with great honor . nuno de cuna was not exempted from his frauds ; therefore to carry on his designs , he persuaded him to send christopher de figueredo , promising to prevail with the king of bisnagar to resign to the king of portugal the continent about goa , to which he had an ancient title . hidalcan being informed of these proceedings encamped near him of bisnagar with four hundred thousand men , and elephants , the other had a elephants more , and some thousands of men. he sent to let him know , that according to former agreements , he ought to deliver up to him his slave açadacam . the king of bisnagar referred it to açadacam himself to give the answer , and he gave it such as deceived , and at the same time was approved of . . but the king was soon undeceived ; for açadacam , who had done all this only to better his fortunes , now went over to hidalcam , when least he expected it . cotamaluco , who had joined hidalcan , to oppose açadacam , seeing him received with great honor , goes over to the king of bisnagar , who was marching to besiege the city rachol , which he had before taken , and had again submitted to hidalcam . at last these princes came to a composition , parting the territory of that city , which fell to the lot of hidalcam . açadacam , by order of his master , marched after cotamaluco to the city naiteguir taken by him , and recovered it , and obliging him to put himself into hidalcam's power , with a grand daughter he had offered him to wife . the wedding reconciled all this discord . . king badur pretended by an ancient custom of indostan to have the power of giving the title of king. he sent the royal ensigns to hidalcam , desiring he should acknowledge him as his predecessors had done : but hidalcam accepted his friendship , and rejected the title . badur's intention was to secure hidalcam against the portugueses , to whom he owed the recovering of his crown ▪ açadacam , being suspicious of hidalcam , endeavoured to be far from him , and to this end prevailed with cotamaluco to return home and declare war. hidalcam discovered the author of this discord , and would have killed him , but the design being disclosed , azadacam threw himself at his feet with two hundred thousand pardaos of gold , begging pardon , tho he said he had done nothing to ask pardon for . thus he bought his life , and hidalcam sold his safety . such is the power of gifts , even over those who can give greater . . hidalcam now bent his thoughts upon recovering the lands about goa . açadacam , who had been the cause that nuno de cuna took them , now was the promoter of his master's demanding them . nuno referred the answer to diu , whither he was going , being sent for by king badur , at his arrival almost despoiled of his crown . they expected no answer , but suddenly solyman aga invaded those lands with almost six thousand men. they began to hinder the carrying provisions to goa . d. iohn pereyra , who then commanded , sent to advertise solymam of the injustice of his undertaking , but he gave no ear to it , and killed some portugueses not without receiving considerable damage . he besieged christopher de figueredo in the fort of mandor , to whose relief came iordan de freytas , with some men , sent by d. iohn , so the turk raised the siege , and fled as far as margam . . don iohn marched at the heels of freitas , and being at ma●…dor , the aga sent him word , he came not to make war , but to receive the rents of those lands : the answer was , that he should march off within an hour and half . don iohn followed the messenger to force the turk , in case he obeyed not , but finding he did , retired . . solyman halted at ponda , from whence he made fresh instances to d. iohn to resign those lands to hidalcan . he answered , he acknowledged him not as his minister , and prepared for war. he built the fort of rachol , where some blood was spilt , solyman endeavouring to obstruct it , who lost three thousand men about bailim and singuizar , slain by the gentils , assisted by two hundred portugueses . iordan de freytas , with fifty men , routed the turk sarnabose , sent by solyman with five hundred . emanuel vasconcelos razed a bulwark the enemy was making in the pass of borii , and burnt some houses . solyman advances as far as margam . pereyra went to meet him with five hundred portugueses , and seven hundred canaras the fight began , the canaras and some portugueses gave way , terrified with strange fire-works made by a witch , who in man's cloaths sought to revenge the death of her husband . pereyra seeing this disorder , advanced , crying out , let who will follow me , for i hope with the help of god to overcome the enemy . all following his example , solyman quitted the field , having lost eight hundred men , on our side not one was killed . the booty was considerable . . mean while açadacam attempted to recover these same lands , but met no great success , for hidalcam endeavoured thus to divert him , while he gained his city of bilgam , where his riches lay . at length they agreed , and açadacam designed again to attempt the dependences of goa . he proceeded not with vigor , being conscious , nuno had by his advice possessed himself of them , and because he had lately received a message from him after his return from diu. yet in conclusion he marched as far as ponda with twenty thousand men. . from that place he sent a letter of hidalcam to cuna , demanding those lands . the answer was , he held them by consent of açadacam , that if he desired war the portugueses were not backward , and that he could not restore them , or raze the fort of rachol without his king's consent . açadacam fearing his master would take his city , acted not much on this side . so there happened no considerable action . . now the answer of hidalcam was brought , containing , that since açadacam was the cause of his taking those lands , he would stand by what should be agreed between them . both cove●…ing the same thing for themselves , they came to no agreement . cuna relieved vasco fernandez who was in some distress , and they put the enemy to flight . hearing the enemy appeared now in greater numbers , he sent don iohn pereyra with one hundred and thirty horse , six hundred portugues foot , and one thousand canaras , commanded by crisna , an honest pagan . they found the enemy at the foot of a mountain , and attacked them with such vigor , they presently fled , their commander and many more were slain , on our side only four . . açadacam , after these losses , desired a conference with nuno de cuna , but it succeeded not , so the inroads were continued chiefly about rachol , where our cannon killed some . winter expiring , nuno began to act more vigorously . he sent antony de silveyra to the continent with two hundred canara horse , and seventeen hundred portugues foot. antony went three leagues up the country , making great havock , and killing three hundred moors , and two considerable officers , with loss of eight portugueses . mean while gonzalo vaz coutinho destroyed the coast of dabul , and thence brought to goa many vessels taken , and three hundred prisoners , and abundance of provisions , which encreased the joy of the other victories , and relieved the city distressed for want . . the clamours of that ruined people , and a letter from nuno de cuna coming to hidalcan , he ordered açadacam to desist . he obeyed not , but to justifie his refusal , sent him a present of a stately horse and cymiter , set with jewels . hidalcan going to take off a piece of silk , in which the cymiter was wrapped , was hindered by his mother , who caused a page to unfold it , he instantly fell down dead , as did two men who were ordered to mount the horse , such was the poison the present carried . then the queen looking upon her son , said , behold your father's murderer . for it was believed he had been poisoned . the governor perceiving that açadacam did not desist , sent gonzalo vaz coutino with thirty vessels and three hundred men , half canaras , who burnt the town of ponda , and many ships , and returned with three hundred prisoners . azadacam in a rage marched towards rachol , and opposite to it began to erect a fort called bori , to obstruct our sailing up the river of that name ; and notwithstanding our opposition , put it into such condition , it appeared formidable . nuno de cuna sent a fresh supply to hinder this work , and they assaulting it with more courage than conduct , four hundred of them were slain , and forty taken , whereof one appearing naked before açadacam , he took off part of his own garment to cover him , saying , the portugueses were not to be so used . this loss caused the demolishing the fort of rachol , which the governor ordered peter de faria to execute . nuno de cuna's presence was required at diu , and he fearing to leave goa in danger , concluded a peace with açadacam . this was rather a truce than peace , for neither desisted from his pretensions , unless açadacam did by going away from ponda . . whilst these things were in agitation at goa , the king of calicut marched to cranganor , upon pretence of visiting those parts , as their emperor , but in reality to destroy the portugueses , induced thereto by king badur . thence he designed to pass to vaipaim , which being suspicious , peter vaz commanding at cochin , endeavoured to prevent , striving withall to avoid affronting him , or being faulty in his duty . having made provision by sea and land , he desired the king to desist from that design . the king gave no ear to him , but sent many ships to clear the passage : but they failed , above a thousand of their men being slain , and much damage received by vincent de fonseca's artillery , which guarded that pass , many more flying with precipitation , were drowned . this happened near the churches of s. thomas and s. iames , which they endeavoured to burn , but could not compass . the passes were valiantly defended all the winter . . on the nineteenth of september , martin alfonso de sousa set out of goa with one hundred and fifty men in fifteen vesels , and passing by calamute , two thousand nayres would have kept him in , whereof he killed many , dispersed the rest , burnt their town , and took seven barques . he arrived at cochin , where were five ships newly come from portugal . the king of calicut understanding martin alfonso was coming to meet him with almost a thousand men drew off . martin alfonso now bent his force against the king of repelim , who had offended him of cochin . antony de brito who had led the van , met a vigorous opposition at this island , till martin coming up they fled , who maintained the outworks . the king retired to his city , in which were six thousand fighting men. next day sousa attacked it , after some resistance the king and all the defendants fled . as sousa entered a mosque , he had like to be killed by a moor , but receiving the stroke on his buckler , he run the moor through with a javelin . this victory cost us fourteen men , the city was plundered and reduced to ashes . the principal part of the booty that fell to the king of cochin , on whose account this action was undertaken , was a piece of marble , by him highly valued , because on it were carved the names of the kings of malabar for three thousand years past , which was taken from him by the king of repelim ; some brass plates with serpents engraved on them , esteemed a great relick by the conquered king ; and his hat lost in the flight , which among them is the greatest disgrace to the conquered , and highest glory to the victor . . the king of calicut returns with forty thousand men to attempt the pass of cambalam . martin alfonso posts francis de barros de payra to keep the pass of cranganor with three vessels , which proved of great use ; he himself goes to the other , and landing , sees five thousand of the king's men attempt to pass the ford. our men began to fear , but he encouraging them , boldly falls on , and killing three hundred of the enemy , made them turn their backs . zamori comes up with the gross of his army , attempts the ford , and is repulsed with equal loss . now the prince of cochin joins us with twenty thousand nayres . martin alfonso leaves antony de brito with them , and four hundred portugueses , who in the space of twenty days fought six battels with the king of calicut , wherein he made such havock as obliged him to draw off with great loss , and greater shame . . the reason why martin alfonso left that post , was because , like a watchful commander , he was at once in two places by his vigilance , here in body , and in thought at sea , where now appeared a powerful fleet of calicut . he therefore seeing the valour of brito , and the assistance of those nayres , left him to command there , and put to sea with three hundred portugueses in eleven ships . at chale he met iames reynoso with five vessels , cutiale , admiral of calicut , had taken one from him , he took reynoso with him . he went in search of cutiale , and found him with twenty five vessels , and in them fifteen hundred men , some of our vessels impatient of delay , advanced before the rest , and forced him to retire to tiracole , whither martin alfonso pursuing , the fight lasted till night with great slaughter of the enemy , who fortified themselves , and in the morning appeared six thousand strong , having flocked from all the neighbourhood . just at this time came an express from the king of cochin , desiring martin alfonso to return with all speed , because the king of calicut knowing he was absent was coming down with a fresh power this advice diverted any farther action he returned , and the king of calicut who came on , because he was absent , retired as soon as he knew he was present . so great is the force of conceit . . mean while madune pandar , king of ceitavaca , besieged his brother of cota , with a fleet by sea. nuno freyre de andrade , in defence of the latter went to columbo to meet the other with only eight portugueses , and six hundred natives , where he killed many , and took four paraos , with good artillery . madune demanded aid of zamori , he sent him two thousand men. with this assistance he besieged the city of cota for the term of three months . knowing then that martin alfonso was coming to his brother's relief , who had desired it as a subject of portugal , he raised the siege . when martin came , madune was drawn off , and reconciled to his brother . there being nothing left for martin alfonso to do here , having visited the king , who was most thankful for the speedy succour , he set out in search of the malabar fleet , which had assisted madune , and met it at mangalor , where after a sharp encounter it was defeated , and twelve hundred moors slain . chap. viii . still continues the government of nuno de cuna , from the year , till the year , in the reign of king john the third . . the king of cambaya , badur ( who with only the assistance of the portugueses had recovered his kingdom ) now studied their ruin , and repenting he had granted leave to raise the fort , endeavoured to take it , and kill the commander , and all the garrison . nuno de cuna understood his wicked design , and began to prepare to prevent it . that brave gentleman emanuel de sousa then commanded at diu , by him badur designed to begin the execution . on the eighth of october at night a moor came to the wall , and told sousa , the king would send for him next day to kill him , that he would not tell his name , le●…t it might be thought an invention to get a reward . emanuel was long in doubt whether to go or stay , at last he resolved to go , and using at other times to have a numerous retinue well armed , went now with only one servant , being sent for at the hour he had been before warned . the king seeing him unconcerned , converted his malice for that time into an honorable reception , and emanuel returned to the fort. the king's mother endeavoured to dissuade him from this wicked intention , and he thought it was better by often visiting the captain in the fort to take off all suspicion , and so murder him there , and seize upon it . he was of a violent nature , and so began his first visit at an unseasonable hour of the night , not regarding the very unseasonableness was enough to render it suspicious . sousa received him upon his guard , they discoursed of things indifferent ; the king went away , believing he had ensnared sousa , and he had given him a sufficient caution . . nuno de cuna being advertised by emanuel de sousa of the posture of affairs at diu , thought strange , that he had not secured the king when in his power , and his wicked intentions were known ; and that he had given out that ships were come from portugal with great supplies . this invention endangered nuno , for badur resolved to murder him first , that he might not come to the relief of the fort when sousa was killed . he writ to him , desiring he would come to diu about important affairs . nuno , tho he knew his wicked designs , made no difficulty of going . he set out of goa on the ninth of ianuary , and with what vessels he carried , and followed him , appeared there with near three hundred sail. . he put in at chaul , and found that nizamaluco , induced thereto by badur , had been there with eight thousand men , pretending it was to divert his women at sea , but in reality with an ill design on that place , which was disappointed by the care of simon guedez , who commanded there . at ba●…aim he took up his brother-in-law , antony de silveyra , a man of great worth , and left in his place ruy vaz pereyra . . king badur was at that time in the mountains hunting . nuno sent to visit him ; but he who let slip no opportunity , now especially , prevented him by sending to him first one iohn de santiago , not long before a christian , but fallen again , and become a favourite of badur , by the name of frangue cham. cuna was indisposed , and feigned himself worse , so lying off of diu he sent to excuse himself to the king for not landing immediately . the king feigning great friendship presently enters into a boat in which he had sent nuno a present of venison . there went with him thirteen men of quality , and emanuel de sousa , who had carried the last message from nuno de cuna to him . he received him aboard the galeon in the best manner he could . being seated , they discoursed of indifferent things , but the king was surprised to see a page whisper nuno de cuna , and it was a message from emanuel de sousa , who believing he was to be there secured , or killed , sent word that some captains were waiting his orders . the king was somewhat quieter , seeing cuna did not mind the page , and soon rose , and went away . cuna had thought it strange that sousa did not secure the king when he had him in the fort alone , and now having him aboard the gallion he did not detain him . nuno ordered all the officers to accompany the king first , and then emanuel de sousa to the fort , where he proposed to secure the king , when he came to visit him ; as the king on the other side had resolved to seize him at a dinner he had a design to invite him to , and send him to the great turk in a cage . . emanuel de sousa was going to invite the king to the fort , while nuno de cuna got thither . he came up with the king 's catur or barge , and made the offer by the means of rume cham , who at the sametime advised the king not to go , because he suspected they would secure him . he slighted the caution , and bid sousa come into his barge , who stepping over fell into the sea , but being taken up , the officers who came with him carried him to the king. at the same time came up another of our barges and some gentlemen , who seeing emanuel de sousa entred hastily into the kings . he suspecting their hasty coming aboard , together with the caution given by rume cham , ordered his officers to kill emanuel de sousa . iames de mesquita understanding it , flew at , and wounded the king , whilst they killed that valiant captain . there was a bloody fray in which four of our gentlemen were killed , having slain seven of the enemy . other of our barges coming up received some damage from a page who shot several with the king's bow , till killed with a musquet ball. three of the king's ships came up to rescue him . he seeing the danger began to fly , but was stopped by a cannon shot which killed three of his men that rowed . the king thought now to escape by swimming , but being in danger of drowning , cried out , discovering who he was . tristan de payva de santarem coming up , reached out to him an oar to bring him aboard his vessel , when a soldier struck him cross the face with a halberd , and so others , till he was killed . he was a little while above water , and then sunk , and neither his nor emanuel de sousa his body could be found , tho nuno de cuna caused them to be diligently looked after to give them the due funeral honors . . most of the citizens from the walls beheld this engagement , and no sooner was the news of the king's death spread , but they began to abandon the city in such confusion , that many were trampled to death , running hastily to save life . the fear was that nuno de cuna would fall upon the city for the plunder , but he soon quieted them with publick proclamations . such as had not fled , stayed ; and those who had , returned . he was seen to enter the town unarmed , comforting the inhabitants , and restraining the avarice of his men , so that not the least disorder was committed . then he went to the fort. . he gave the command of the fort to antony de silveyra meneses , his brother-in-law , whom he brought from ba●…aim , and the sequel shewed it was his worth , not kindred , that procured him that post. pay●… rodiguez de araujo was appointed his lieutenant . the queen mother was retired to navanaguer . nuno de cuna sent to comfort her , and demonstrate the death of her son had been of his own seeking , but she would not hear the messenger . what was found in the palace in gold and silver did not exceed two hundred thousand pardaos . the quantity of ammunition was to be admired . in the port were one hundred and sixty vessels , some of great bulk . no less wonderful was the number of brass cannon , for that of iron was not reckoned . among the first were found three basilisks of such prodigious greatness , that nuno de cuna sent one as a rarity to portugal , which is to this day kept in the castle of s. iulian , at the mouth of the river of lisbon , and called , the gun of diu. . among the dead king's papers , and those of abdel cader his treasurer , were found letters from saf cham , containing the progress he had made towards bringing the turks upon the portugueses , and copies of others from the king to those of aden and xael to the same purpose . nuno having gathered these and other testimonies against the king , called coje zofar , a man in great repute among the maho●…etans and gentils , who gathered the principal merchants and cazi●…es , that is , teachers of the law. before all these the governor produced the letters and other testimonials , which convinced the wicked designs of the king , and justified all his own proceedings in that affair . all the moors and pagans confessed themselves fully satisfied , as to the justice of the action , and accordingly gave him certificates thereof in the arabian and persian languages , signed by coje zofar , and the principal merchants and caziçes , which were dispersed to the princes of decan , narsinga , ormuz , and the coast of arabia as far as aden , that they might all be informed of the true causes of this accident , and that the jealousies caused by the king's death might be allayed . . for the greater satisfaction of the publick , nuno ordered the mahometans should have the free exercise of their religion and laws ; and that the constitutions made by badur should be observed as if he were present . all pensions or salaries allowed by him were continued . among many that resorted to reap the benefit of this unexpected liberality was a moor of bengala , who by authentick informations was found to be three hundred and twenty years of age. he was seen long after , as shall be said , when we speak of his death , or vanishing . he had at this time two sons , one ninety , the other twelve years old . his beard and teeth had fallen and grown again four or five times . to appearance he seemed about sixty years of age. of person indifferent , rather little than tall , neither fat nor very lean . he said , that being one day in his first century , looking to his cattle on the bank of a river , there appeared to him a man cloathed in grey , girt with a cord ; with wounds in his hands and feet , praying him to carry him over upon his shoulders . and that having done it , he told him , that as a reward for that act of charity , he should continue in the same disposition of body , till he saw him again . the portugueses , after this coming into india , and he into one of their churches , and seeing the image of s. francis , cryed out with surprize : this is , this is the man i carried over the river so many years ago . this was the cause why badur maintained him , and why now nuno de cuna continued his allowance . . mir mahomet zaman descended from the kings of delhi , who had reigned in cambaya , hearing the death of badur , went to visit the queen mother at novanaguer . she fearing he came to rob her , would not see him . zaman had no such intention then , but came to offer her his service , and to revenge the death of the son. she thinking she was not secure there , resolved to remove , and he offended at her contempt , lay in wait for her with two thousand horse , and robbed her of all that was of value , which amounted to above two millions of gold , and gathering above five thousand men , was by them proclaimed king of guzarate , and with this title entered novanaguer . hence he sent to nuno de cuna , acquainting him with the posture of his affairs , his title to the crown , and desiring his assistance , in requital for which he offered the portugueses all the coast from mangalor to beth , the town of damam as far as baçaim , the royal country-house of novanaguer , and other advantageous conditions . nuno admitted them , and caused him to be proclaimed king in the mosque of diu ; at the same time advising him to raise forces , and disperse the other pretenders . zaman fearing the advice was deceitful , lay still , and found the ill consequence , for the people set up mahomet , nephew to the deceased , and prepared to fall upon zamam at novanoguer , but delayed the execution because cuna was so near . at this time arrived five ships from portugal . . the governor being gone as the princes of guazarate desired , the better to maintain mahomets title , two of them marched towards zamam with sixty thousand men , they corrupted most of his officers . he being sensible of it , ordered his friends to carry about them as much gold and jewels as they could to serve them in their flight . those who were corrupted did not fight ; the others did wonders , particularly zamam , who fled to omaum , king of the mogols , of whom he received the kingdom of bengala . the conquerors called antony de silveyra , commander of diu , to an account for the king's death , and being satisfied of the causes , proposed a peace , but refusing the conditions granted by zamam , broke off . cuna hearing this news , made ready to return to diu , dispatching the homeward bound trading ships , and sending martin alfonso de sousa with forty ships to guard the coasts of malabar . . the greatest enemies the portugueses found in india were the moors , inhabiting from chaul to c. comori , the space of leagues , who had flocked hither in great numbers for the great riches of the sea in pearls , and vast trade of all those ports . pate marcar , a powerful moor of cochin , offended that the portugueses had taken some of his vessels , went over to calicut the better to annoy them with the assistance of that king. there he was furnished with above fifty ships , two thousand men , and four hundred pieces of cannon , to go to the assistance of madune pandar , against his brother the king of ceylon , our ally . at coulam he found a great portuguese ship lading with pepper , he beset her , and after a sharp engagement was forced to retire , having killed the captain of her . farther on he took a ship , and killed all that were in it . beyond c. comori he destroyed a town of the christians . martin alfonso hearing of this , pursues , and running up a river with only nineteen barques , offers him battel , but he refused , and got off . it looked like a rashness to follow further , so martin returned to cochin , in order to set out again better provided . . he set out with twenty three vessels , all to row , and four hundred men. at beadala he met pate marcar careening , in order to go over to ceylon . pate , seeing alfonso , gathered seven thousand men , and alfonso with his four hundred resolved to fight him . he ordered gaspar de lemos with seven barges to stay till he gave the signal with a cannon , and then to come up with all the greatest noise he could to divert the enemy on that side , while he attacked them on the other . a piece being fired without order , lemos thinking it was the signal , came up , and was killed with others , before martin alfonso could relieve him . at last he came and revenged the death of those , killing above seven hundred of the enemy , and putting the rest to flight , whereby he remained master of the sea and field . thirty portugueses were lost . among the portugues slaves here set at liberty was a woman , who was mistress to one of them loaded with chains , who could not be prevailed upon by threats nor promises to renounce her faith , but with great constancy ( much to be admired in such a woman ) encouraged the slaves to continue firm in the faith , in contempt of all tortures . the chief party of the booty consisted of twenty three barques , four hundred cannon , fifteen hundred musquets , and many prisoners . this happened on the fifteenth of february . martin de ayala was sent to the governor in a catur or barge , with fifteen men , who meeting near chale , a galliot with two hundred malabars , fought them so long till both sides desisted through weariness . ayala being recovered , found he had but four men left alive , and with them prosecuted his voyage . . martin alfonso sailed over victorious to columbo , the king of which place was besieged by his brother madune pandar , who at first thought our fleet had been that of pate , coming to his assistance . but hearing the ruin of it , raised the siege , and made peace . martin and his officers honored and presented by the king , sailed to cochin , from whence they again set out to scour the coast. off of mount delii they met six paraos , and took five of them . a little farther they had the like success with seventeen others . next day they took six , and a ship laden with provisions . six thousand pardaos were offered martin for the ransom of one moor , and he chose rather to hang him for an example . being ordered by the governor to diu , because a great fleet of turks was expected , he forced ashore by the way a great gallion of theirs , and loaded his small vessels with the riches were in it . thus martin alfonso struck a terror into all the enemies , and purchased us great security for some time . . d. emanuel de meneses was gone about this time embassador to xael , and was there imprisoned by that king with all the portugueses who were in the town . so●… base and insolent spirits were the cause of this action . the king had favourably received some portugueses in his port , but they being a loose people , required his kindness with injuries . one of these among others had robbed the king 's own cousin , and after other tortures hung him and two other persons of note by the private parts , to make them discover their treasure . gonzalo vaz committed another robbery . alvaro madera being kindly entertained by an honest moor , forced his wife from him . one godino had the honor to treat the king at his house , and payed it with calling him drunkard . others took a ship belonging to his subjects , and impudently came to sell it in his port. these and other villanies had been acted , when d. emanuel de meneses came with seventy men to settle a peace . he was ignorant of what had happened , and suspected it the less , being well treated by the king. he was lodged , and then beset , the moors killing all the portugueses about the town . a just punishment for such extravagances . the king sent for d. emanuel to court , he went with seventy men , but was admitted with only one , and received very civilly , but detained a prisoner , as were all the seventy , except godino , whose head was cut off in the presence of the king. for insolencences committed upon royal persons admit no delay of punishment . of the seventy he sent thirty as a present to the turk to purchase his favour , thinking he had by this action lost the portugueses . among the thirty was madera , who making his escape from constantinople , carried the news to portugal of the turkish fleet that was fitting at suez to invade india . this advice caused the king to send continual succors , and immediately he dispatched five ships . . nuno de cuna hearing what had happened at xael , ordered d. ferdinand de lim●… who was going to command at ormuz , by the way to conclude a peace with that king. he did it , the peace was sworn , and d. manuel de meneses with those who were still there restored . nuno being satisfied the turks were not coming , as the moo●… gave out to terrifie him , began that vast cistern , which is there of such bigness , that being twenty five spans deep each span contains a thousand pipes of water . this he provided against a long siege , and added new fortifications . having given all the necessary orders in this place , he sailed to goa . chap. ix . continues still the government of nuno de cuna , the same year , in the reign of king john the third . . let us now turn a while to the bay of bengala , into which falls the famous river ganges , by two mouths . this river has its springs in the mountains of great tartary , from whence it runs to the southward near leagues , and divides india into two pa●…ts intra & extra gangem . on the mouth that falls into the sea to the eastward is the city chatigam , on that to the westward satigam . the ganges runs through the middle of the kingdom of bengala , to which were subject on the east those of caor , comataii , sirote , codovoscam , cou and tipora , but these two last joining together , threw off the subjection ; on the west of the river cospetir , ( whose plain is overflowed by ganges , as egypt by the nile ) conquered by the patanas . the heathens here say , that god granted these particular prerogatives or blessings to five kingdoms . to that of bengala infinite numbers or foot , to orixa elephants , to bisnagar people skilled in sword and buckler , to delhi abundance of towns , and to cou innumerable horses . the country of bengala lying between twenty two and twenty six degrees of northern latitude , and being very well watered is most fruitful , and produces many sorts of fruit some like that of spain , sugar and long pepper , abundance of cattel and foul , infinite quantities of cotten , which they work , the curiosity of their quilts is extraordinary . the natives are heathens , and men of no courage , but false and treacherous , that it may appear all the world over cowardize and treachery go together . the king is heir to all men. the principal city gouro seated on the banks of ganges , three leagues in length , containing one million and two hundred thonsand families , and well fortified ; along the streets , which are wide and streight , rows of trees to shade the people , which sometimes is in such numbers that some are trod to death . . about fifty years before the portugueses discovered india , came ●…o gouro an arabian mahometan , who growing rich and powerful , obtained the then king of bengala , a victory over the king of orixa . the king besides other rewards made him captain of his guard , and he ingratefully killed the king , usurped the kingdom , and left the inheritance thereof to the moors that succeeded . they observe no rule of inheritance from father to son , but even slaves sometimes obtain it by killing their master , and whoever holds it three days they look upon as established by divine providence . thus it fell out , that in forty years space they had thirteen kings successively . at the time when martin alfonso de melo iusarte was prisoner to mahomet xiath , that king who tyrannically held the crown kept his court at gouro , in great apprehension of being deposed , but with such state that only his women amounted to the number of ten thousand . martin and the others who were prisoners with him obtained him success against the patanas with whom he was at war. . martin and his fellows obtained their liberty by the means of coje sabadim , a rich moor , who promised , i●… nuno de cuna would carry him to ormuz , he would contrive the king of portugal should have a fort in the port of chatigam . the governor earnest upon this important affair , granted all he demanded , and sent thither martin alfonso with two hundred men in five vessels . the better to gain the king 's good will , martin alfonso sent him a present , but he being suspicious , would have killed the messengers , had not some moors , and a gentil reputed a saint , and to be two hundred years of age , dissuaded him . . thirteen who carried the present , and thirty of forty wherewith alfonso was invited to a dinner , were secured at the same time , the former at gouro , and the latter at chatigam , the other ten that were with him were killed in the fray. . nuno de cuna hearing hereof by those who escaped in the ships , sent antony de silva meneses with three hundred and fifty in nine vessels , to treat of ransoming the prisoners , with the assistance of coje s●…badim , the author of that expedition , and detained a ship of his richly laden , for security of his fair proceedings therein . sylva from chatigam sent the king the governor's letter , and a present . the answer being long a coming , sylva thought the king had secured the messenger , and so rashly fell upon , and burnt chatigam and other places . as he was spreading sail , the messenger came with the king's answer , who knowing what antony had done , kept the prisoners more hardly . . necessity obliged him to turn his severity into kindness , for xercham , a man of note with the mogol , disobliged by his prince , deserted to the king of bengala with his brother hedele cham. both were put into great posts . xercham , now at the head of a great army , resolved to revenge upon this king the death of a child , by him murdered to secure himself the crown . at the same time , omaum the mogol , in revenge of what xercham had done at delhi , met and defeated him . but being apparently reconciled , he recovered himself . . xercham streightened the king , and he advised with martin alfonso how to withstand him , when iames rabelo came to chatigam , sent by nuno de cuna with three vessels to procure martin's liberty . the king being in distress ordered him to be favourably entertained , and to gain assistance from nuno de cuna , sent him twenty two of the prisoners . nuno sent nine vessels . mean while xercham marched to gain a pass upon the fort of gorii , which is where the ganges enters bengala . by advice of martin alfonso , the king sent two of his vessels , commanded by two portugueses , with eight others to stop his passage . they stopped him there , and he taking another away , set down before the city gouro with forty thousand horse , two hundred thousand foot , and fifteen hundred elephants . down the river came three hundred almadies , which sailed to the place where the king had eight hundred paraos to oppose them . here eight portugueses , commanded by duarte de brito , did wonders in the king's sight , to take an elephant that was swimming , and much coveted by the king ; he was taken with the loss of three of the eight . xercham distressed the city , and the king bought a peace , and was content that he from his army should do him reverence . . the king being at ease , gave liberty to martin alfonso and his men to go for india , leaving only five as hostages for the assistance he expected from the governor . soon after xercham returns and enters gouro by force , obliging the king already wounded to abandon the city , who died on his way to omaum , the mogol , while xercham plundered the place . it was said xercham drew off with above sixty millions of gold value , when omaum came on bringing the dead king with him . at this time vasco perez de sampayo arrived with the succour , but acted nothing . omaum finding the city abandoned , buried the king , and set up in his place his own brother-in law , mir mahomet zaman , lately deprived of the kingdom of cambaya , and soon after of this ; for xercham having secured his treasure , with diligence returned to gouro , and made him fly thence . . omaum again set out to meet xercham with one hundred thousand horse , and one hundred and fifty thousand foot , besides the followers of the army , which were above two hundred thousand . they met on the banks of ganges , near the city canose . xercham by a stratagem got the day with such a slaughter , that omaum with only twenty five men never stopped till he came to labor , where his brother camiran mirza received him better than he deserved , mirza being then under cure of the poison he had given him . xercham treated omaum's women , taken in that battel with great respect , and afterwards restored them , well convinced of his modesty and liberality . . omaum finding himself too weak for the enterprize of bengala , bent his thoughts against cambaya , and demanding aid of his principal subjects was by them disappointed . he went into persia , in which king he had great confidence , on account of the friendship of their fathers . nor was he deceived , for the persian king received him with magnificence , gave him rich presents , and lastly , an army of twelve thousand horse . and because sultan xiath , king of quereman , to whom he gave the command of them , excused himself , saying , it was not for his reputation to engage where the person of his prince was not . he gave him h●… son and heir , yet in his nurses arms , and ●…ade him governor of him . so far can a truly royal bounty extend when it resolves to do good . . besides these twelve thousand given by xiath , ten thousand voluntiers offered themselves to omaum . who joining his own forces , invested the city candar , where his broster astarii mirza had proclaimed himself king of mogostam . the city taken , he gave to the young prince , who possessed it not long , but died soon of the fatigue of the marches . king sultan xiath , his governor , went to a city where many of the persian kings lie buried , to inter the infant , leaving all the men with omaum for the space of two years , under four general officers . these soon left him , and returned to persia , where they were disgraced by the king , and made incapable of any post of honor , declaring he could not have wished the young prince a more glorious death than he had in his nurses arms , assisting such a prince as omaum . xercham raised by fortune to a formidable pitch , having at command four hundred thousand horse , and being courted by all the adjacent princes , aspiring now to greater undertakings , took the city calijor of the resbutos , with intent to rob the treasure that was there in a temple . pointing a cannon to kill an elephant belonging to that temple , he killed himself ; for the piece bursting , tore him and many more to pieces . so that fire turned all his glory into smoke . such is the end of pride . . at malaca there were no less troubles than in these parts . d. paulo de gama had the command of this place , he , to found . alaudim king of viantana , son to him of bintam , destroyed by mascarenhas , sent sebastian vieyra with five pórtugueses to settle a friendly correspondence . the king , at the instigation of him of pacem , bound and poured boiling water upon them till they died , and then gave them to be devoured by wild beasts . d. paulo was not then in a condition to take revenge . he sent emanuel godino to the kings of panda and pate , who concluded a peace with them , whereby malaca was relieved with provisions , which he of vjantana cut off on the other side . the year d. stephen de gama came and took possession of that command , and repaired the works . hearing some vessels of the enemy were in the river muar , he sent one to discover them , he returned pursued by ten sent by lacxemena , who came to the assistance of vjantana with seventy sent by his uncle tuam gaba . instantly d. paulo set out with nine sail. two paraos were sent after to their assistance but too late , for when they came up a bloody battel was ended , in which almost all our men were slain , having done wonders , and made such a slaughter of the enemy , that they durst not take the ships whose crew they had killed . only three men of note escaped . . d. stephen now resolved to destroy the city of vjantana , and set out with twenty six sail and two hundred and fifty men. vjantana is the south east point of the coast of malaca , from which forty leagues distant . on the west of it runs into the sea the deep river tor , on whose banks was seated king alaudim's city , and three leagues below it a fort so well stored with cannon , it could sink any vessel should attempt the entrance . here d. stephen entred with much danger , both banks being covered with armed men , but a party of musqueteers on each side cleared the shores. the first attacks of the fort d. stephen received damage , but afterwards did much more for the space of eight days . the besiegers began to dismay , but were encouraged by d. stephen and peter barriga . now the enemy having received fresh succour , drew out into the field , where such slaughter of them was made , that they fled that day in despair to the fort , and the next abandoned it , the king escaping with his women and treasure . the city tor was plundered and burnt , much cannon and some vessels taken , such as could not be carried , perished in the flames , and d. stephen returned victorious to malaca , where he was received in triumph , this being one of the notable victories till then gained in asia . . the king began again acts of hostility , and d. stephen returns with four hundred men. he found the fort he had destroyed repaired , and in it five thousand men five hundred of them were killed the first assault . many ships were burnt , and d. stephen marched towards the city , when the king from the mountain , whither he had retired , sent to treat of peace . he was ordered to send hostages , and sent an uncle of his own , with his wives , so d. stephen returned to malaca , whither four embassadors followed , who concluded the peace upon these conditions . that the king should send to malaca all the cannon that was in his country , that he should build no ships of war , that he should erect no forts , that he should restore all prisoners and goods taken , that he should not hinder bringing provisions to malaca , that his subjects should resort thither to buy and sell. this peace being sworn to , brought great tranquility to malaca . the year this quiet was disturbed by a commander of achem , who attacked the bridge with three thousand men. d. stephen met him with some gentlemen and two hundred soldiers , and slew five hundred without the loss of one , so the enemy drew off with shame . soon after he returns with five thousand , and retired with the like disaster . . d. stephen had sent francis de barros in a ship with twenty portugueses to the king of patane . in that port tuam mahomet , admiral of vjantana , fell upon him with forty sail. the fight was desperate , some portugueses and many enemies fell , and they parted . all advise barros to save himself ashore , most leave him , and he stays aboard with only two , who at last prevail , and firing the ship , they get ashore in the boat , and bring off the cannon . the king received them kindly . henry mendez de vasconcelos was sent to bring them back . those of iava fall upon them both with twenty calaluzes that carried two rows of oars , well furnished with cannon . mendez and barros were in two vessels , ten calaluzes attack each , one had sixteen , the other but few more portugueses . the fight was very hot , some portugueses fall , and mendez was stun'd with a poisoned arrow . barros was in danger , having but three men and himself wounded . vasconcelos recovering , comes to his aid , shatters some , takes others of the calaluzes , puts the remainder to flight , and obtains an entire victory . . mean while tristan de ataide , at maluco , through avarice , caused great troubles . he took king tabarija and sent him prisoner to nuno de cuna , who endeavoured to remedy these disorders , by sending a very orderly commander . such was antony galvam , whose prudence healed all the sores made by his predecessors . having taken possession of the command , he acted with modesty and justice , without favour or affection . the fort was unprovided of cannon and ammunition , he furnished all at his own charge , and because timber was wanting for the works , he was always the fitst that went to the woods , and returned loaded . . all things being settled here , galvam turns to tidore , where eight kings with a vast number of men were allied against the portugueses . he sent to sound them , and they made a truce , but observed it not , and galvam seeing he had but few men , that those decreased by famine , and 't was too tedious to expect relief from india , he resolved upon an action that was accounted rash . he set out in four ships with on●… hundred and seventy portugueses , and fifty moors . tristan de ataide was left in the fort. galvam was met by moors , there passed some blows . soon after appeared three hundred sail , containing above thirty thousand moors , who thought to have terrified galvam , but in vain ; for he held on his course , and they followed him . they anchored at tidore , the shores were covered with multitudes who rent the air with shouts . the cannon of the fort played , but the shot went over the ships . the fort appeared impregnable , but by that it was resolved to begin . galvam scales it with one hundred and twenty portugueses , and as many slaves as made up in all three hundred . the kings came upon him with fifty thousand men , but he draws into a close wood. they thought he fled , and pursue with hideous shouts . soon were they turned into lamentations . king cachil daialo , who led the enemies van , came another way to fall upon galvam , endeavouring to amuse him , till the body of the army came up , which he perceiving , gave the sign to fall on , and after a hot dispute , the enemy fled , the king being killed among the first . some of those that fled disordered them that were marching , others run to the fort. galvam pursues the latter , and enters along with them . they abandon the fort , and he set fire to it . whilst the fort flamed , the kings fled to the mountains with their treasure , and antony marches to the city . the inhabitants abandon , and he burns it down to the ground , levelling the works so that scarce any memory of the city was left , but the signs of the ashes . many moors were killed , and many taken . this unparallel'd victory cost but one slave . . those kings thought to do us some harm with ambushes at embarquing , and afterwards at sea , but came off with loss . he of tidore afterwards came to a peace , the conditions honourable on our side . antony , the more to oblige that king , offered to rebuild the city , which was immediately put in hand , with these and other courtesies he so much obliged him and his subjects , that they confided in him as an ancient tried friend . . galvam found it was easier to overcome the greatest army of barbarians , than the least portugues avarice . he proposed to put in execution the king's instructions relating to the trade of clove , and the portugueses opposed , because they put a stop to their frauds and robberies . next he would have examined into the crimes of tristan de ataide , and he conscious of his own guilt begged mercy . tho undeserving , galvam took pity on and reconciled him with many , that they might not be his accusers . ataide requited his kindness by provoking most of the portugueses to mutiny about the trade of clove . antony endeavouring to appease , found them them all in arms. at length tristan sailed for india , having hindered the loading clove for the king's use , and carrying away most of the mutineers . so the fort was exposed to eminent danger . if the commanders were bad , the moors could not live with them , if good , they could not live with the portugueses . . the kings of gilolo and bachan prepared a fresh to fall upon galvam . he being weak , offered peace ; for the same reason they refused it . galvam finding himself in no condition to withstand , challenges them both to fight man to man. they accept of the challenge , but the king of tidore interposing , came to an agreement . the two kings so religiously observed this pacification , that they refused to admit into their ports two spanish ships forced thither by stress of weather . they were cast away upon the coast , and those few that escaped , taken by the natives , and ransomed by galvam , who treated them courteously . their captain was ferdinand de grijalva , sent out the year by ferdinand cortes . now the ternatenses were at variance , refusing to obey cachil aeiro as king , set up by tristan de ataide , and clamouring for tabarija , by him imprisoned and sent to india . they offered to make galvam king till they had a lawful one . he refused and endeavoured to make them agree . this action of his , and the persuasions of the king of tidore , prevailed with them to admit aeiro . after this all things continued in a wonderful calm . . galvam heared a great fleet was coming upon ternate , he borrowed some small ships of the king of tidore , into which he put forty portugueses , and gave the command to the priest ferdinand vinagre , who behaved himself so well he beat that fleet , and killed their admiral . then he quieted the country , sometimes handling the sword , sometimes putting on the surplice , he baptized many . galvam perceiving how great fruit this priest produced , assisted him to prosecute the conversion ; and he so treated the converts , that the natives said , it must needs be a true god that such a man adored , and his religion ought to be embraced by all men . at this time galvam was informed , a great fleet was coming from iava , banda , macaçar and amboina to load clove at maluco , by force of arms. to meet them he sent iames lopez de azevedo with forty portugueses , and ternatenses and tidores . the battel was fought at amboina , that fleet defeated , vessels , cannon , arms and men taken . he scoured the coast , and baptized three whole towns , ativa , matelo and nocivel . two brothers , gentlemen of the island macaçar , came to ternate to take galvam , for their godfather in baptism , and took the names of antony and michael with his sirname . they afterwards came to visit him with ships richly laden , and several young gentlemen who were also baptized . they gave an account much might be wrought in their islands , and those of celebes both in spirituals and temporals . galvam sent sent francis de castro with two priests , who were drove by bad weather to discover other islands a hundred leagues north of the malucos . the first they came to was satigana , the king and people pagans . castro made peace with him , which was confirmed by drinking each the others blood , to which effect they had a vein opened . then the king , queen , a son , three brothers , and many nobles were baptized . next they discovered the island mindanao , where the same happened with the king , queen , their two daughters and many people . after them were baptized the kings of butuano , pimilarano and camisino , the two first took the name of iohn , the latter was called francis. francis de castro brought to ternate many sons of the new converts , for whom galvam , at his own expence , erected a seminary , where they might be instructed , which was the first in our conquest . the obstinate mahometans were astonished at so many conversions , and endeavoured to persuade the kings to put a stop to their progress ; but were quite amazed when they saw an arab , whom they reverenced almost as much as mahomet , from whom he was descended , leave him to follow christ. the term of galvam's command expiring , those kings begged of ours to continue him for life . but wordly felicities especially in government are never lasting . . antony galvam seeing all things settled , and that it was unjust the kings of that island should always be prisoners , set at liberty cachil aeiro persuading him to choose a queen . this confirmed the great opinion the ternatenses had of him , and they made publick songs in his praise , which are the only history or records they use . he composed all differences between the portugueses and islanders , and being now at leisure built the fort and all the houses after the manner of spain . after his example the king beautified ternate , with buildings , and granted lands to the portugueses , who began to make curious orchards and gardens and country houses , the moors did the same . now antony galvam seeing there wanted water , brought it from three leagues distance . being told he consumed his own without making any advantage of the trade of clove : he said , he could not meddle with cloves , because it bore five nobs , which represents the wounds of christ , and are the arms of portugal . his command at ternate expiring , he returned to portugal full of debts , thinking ( but he thought ill , if he knew his own country ) that he should find some reward of so much valour , such service , so great parts and merits . he found contempt and misery , which brought him to die in an hospital . this was the reward those who deserved best found in portugal , where heroick actions were looked upon as crimes , and crimes as heroick actions . but his fame will live for ever . chap. x. which ends the government of nuno de cuna this same year , in the reign of king john the third , and concludes the first tome . . the present sent by the king of cambaya to the great turk to obtain succour from him , was delivered together with the news of his death . the great value of this present demonstrated to that prince the vast riches of india , and stirred up in him a desire of becoming master of it . he thought he might expel the portugueses in the east , and one of them a renegado , then at constantinople , promoted the design by making it easie . . the turk ordered a fleet to be fitted , and gave the command of it to the eunuch solyman bassa , governor of caire . solyman was a greek janisary , born in the morea , of stature short , his face ugly , and belly so big , he was more like a beast than man , his age eighty years , he could not rise up without the help of four men. his purse purschased him this command , offering the turk to furnish the shipping at his own cost . the better to perform this , he put to death many rich men to seize their estates . among others he hanged mir daud , king of the●…ayda , after taking from him a great sum of mony. so it might well be said , this fleet was rather built by the dead than by the living . it contained seventy sail , most large gallies , well stored with cannon , ammunition and provisions , seven thousand land-men janizaries , turks and mamalucs , the seamen and slaves of the best , many of the latter taken out of the venetian gallies then at alexandria , which were seized upon , the peace made by bajazet in the year , being now broke . . solyman having set out committed villanies natural to a tyrant and coward as he was . he caused four hundred soldiers to be put to the oars , and because they complained , put to death two hundred . he thought to have taken the king at gidda , but he , who well knew him , escaped . at zebet after receiving a rich present he beheaded the king. in like manner after receiving a present and relief from the king of aden , counterfeiting he had many sick men aboard , they were set ashore privately armed , and seized the city while he murdered the king aboard . about the beginning of september he came before diu , having lost six vessels by the way . . when king badur was killed upon the sea with some of his re●…inue , one coje zofar swam to shore , and was well received by the portugueses , who put all others to the sword. he upon several occasions shewed himself so grateful , that nuno de cuna much favoured and recommended him earnestly to antony de silveyra . at last without any provocation he fled from diu to the new king of cambaya , offering his service , and persuading him to war upon the portugueses , and drive them from that coast , affirming it might be easily done with the assistance of the turkish fleet , which he knew would soon be there . the king with this encouragement forms a body of five thousand horse , and ten thousand foot at champanel . the first that appeared was coje zofar , with three thousand horse and four thousand foot , maintained by himself , knowing it is suspicious to advise dangerous enterprizes , and not have part in them . antony de silveyra having notice hereof provided for a long and dangerous siege . . coje zofar made the first breach , falling upon the town of the rumes near diu , where he did much harm . francis pacheco defended himself bravely in a bulwark with fourteen portugueses , till relieved by antony de silveyra and zofar , was obliged to draw off , being wounded in the arm. at the same time appears alu cham , the king's general with all the army , and he and zofar set down before the passes . antony de silveyra orders the officers , commanding them to quit those posts , the better to maintain the city and fort. in the execution of these orders they lost some ships and guns . by reason of this loss , and because there were many private enemies , who only waited an opportunity of shewing their malice , silveyra could not maintain the city . some he hanged , and retired to the fort , always taking the advice of his captains . alu cham and coje zofar presently possessed themselves of the city and island abandoned by us , and began to play their shot vigorously . lope de sousa , who guarded the wood and water , whereof the fort stood in need , had several rencounters , and slew many of the enemy , without losing one man , but was himself much wounded . antony de silveyra , hearing of the approach of the turkish fleet , with speed sent advice thereof to nuno de cuna , the answer was the diligence wherewith he prepared to relieve him in person . . michael vaz , a resolute man , sent by silveyra to discover , saw the enemies fleet , and the better to view it , came up so near , that their shot reached his vessel . he got off , and carried the news to the governor at goa . the fleet came to an anchor in the harbour , and was now formidable , not only to those few portugueses , but even to the moors , who had expected it . next day solyman landed six hundred janizaries well accoutred , and armed with bows and musquets to terrifie the beholders . they entered the city , and there acted all the insolencies used among soldiers . then drawing near the fort , they killed six portugueses , but three hundred of our musqueteers advancing , killed fifty of them , and forced the rest to retire . . a storm obliged solyman to remove to madrefavat , a safer harbour . there he continued twenty days , in which time silveyra bettered the fortifications , planted his artillery , and assigned every man his post. the same was done by the turks , assisted by coje zofar . some of their cannon played upon a bulwark , to burn which they built a wooden castle on a great barque filled with combustible matbut francis de gove●… , who had his command by sea , went out by night , and with great difficulty got to and burnt it . at this time came some relief sent by nuno de cuna , yet the greatest comfort they brought was the hopes of his coming after in person . . solyman returns from madrefavat , and fires his cannon upon the bulwark where francis de gouvea commanded ; from whence , and from s. thomas his tower , he was so well answered , that one of his gallies sunk with most of the men. the greatest harm the portugueses received , was from their own cannon , which burst and killed some : for the enemy only killed two brothers , whose mother took them in her arms , and carried off the bodies without shedding a tear . zofar now furiously battered francis pachecho's bulwark , which he rendered not tenable , seven hundred janizaries assaulted it , and set up their colours , but some of the scattered portugueses advancing , fell on , dislodged them , and killed one hundred and fifty . the dispute lasted all day , and the enemy drew off with shame , for the weight of this action lay upon two resolute gentlemen . next day pacheco in despair surrendred . the enemy enters the bulwark , casts down the christian colours , and set up the turkish . iohn perez , enraged hereat , throws down the turkish , and again rears the christian ensigns , the turks come on , and five portugueses more join perez , who all were killed upon the spot , and their bodies cast into the sea , which laid them at the gate of the fort , where they were honourably buried . pacheco and those with him had articled for life and liberty . the latter was not performed by solyman , the first he granted , cloathing their bodies with turkish garments , as they had cloathed their souls with infamy , in accepting them . then he sent one of them to silveyra to summon him to surrender . he made a jest of the proposal . . solyman enraged at this contempt , prepared to batter the fort. he planted his artillery in several places under the direction of coje . among the cannon were nine pieces of wonderful bigness , carrying ball of above ninety pounds weight . thus several other sizes of cannon , which in all were above one hundred and thirty , guardby two thousand turks . upon monday the fourth of october , the battery began , and continued violently twenty days , doing great harm to the fort , from whence scarce any could be done , nor they could hardly repair the most dangerous breaches , tho all art and diligence was used . . the sixth day after they began to batter , the turks perceiving gaspar de sousa's bulwark much damaged , thought to carry it , but many of them were killed in the attempt , with the loss of two of ours . every day there was action . goncalo falcam had his head shot off . iohn fonseca being wounded in the right arm , held his lance with the left , as if he had received no hurt . the gallego iohn , a youth of nineteen years of age , of a little body , but great heart , pursued a moor till he run into the sea , thither he followed , till losing ground he was like to drown . the moor perceiving it , laid hold on him to kill him , but he recovering himself without losing gun or sword , slew him , and came out all bloody , walking leisurely towards the fort , while showers of bullets flew about him . many other singular acts of valour were performed this siege . . but by this time many brave gentlemen had been killed in the fort , powder grew short , the provisions shorter , the relief of the viceroy d. garcia de noronha , now arrived in india , moved slow , the neighbouring forts sent no aid , and all began to be in confusion . which was increased by a sickness that hindered most from swallowing the little provision they had , swelling the gums , and loosening the teeth , so that they fell out ; this was caused by the bad water . in fine , the portugueses fought and suffered , as if so much misery could not overcome them . let the valour of the women now take place here . donna isabel de vega , a woman of great virtue , and some beauty , was wife to manuel de vasconcelos , he fearing the fort might be lost , and she taken by the turks , earnestly entreated her to go to her father francis ferram at goa , but she begged not to be parted from him ; which , with much regret at last he granted . then this virago considering there were many men employed in the work who might fight , and their places be supplied by as many women , calling together all of that sex that were in the fort , she exhorted them to undertake that labour , to the end so many men might be added to the number of their defendants . they all followed , she led and gave the example , and with her anne fenandez , with whom she had before communicated her design . this anne was wife to a physician , and so couragious , that by night she viewed all the posts , and appeared at assaults , encouraging the soldiers . her son being killed in her sight , she drew him away , returned where the service was , and that ended , went to bury him . . perceiving the turks undermined his bulwark , gaspar de sousa sallied with seventy men to view their work , which he did with great slaughter of the enemy . at his retreat missing two men , he turned back upon the enemy , fought bravely , and being surrounded , was hamstringed , yet so defended himself on his knees till oppressed by the multitude . the mine was countermined ; the continual labour was insupportable , and impossible to repair so many ruins . . at this juncture arrived four vessels , sent by the viceroy d. garcia , which carried only twenty men of relief . solyman was concerned at this succour , tho small , and much more that the fort stood so many assaults , coje zofar having assured he would carry it at two . at the beginning of the siege there were six hundred men in the fort , many were killed , and some cannon burst . but the turk placed no confidence herein , and looked toward the sea , fearful of the portugues fleet he heared was coming upon him . . this moved him to press the siege with more vigour . the bulwark of the sea where antony de sousa commanded , was furiously attacked with fifty barques , two whereof were sunk by our cannon . then they attempted to scale it , and were repulsed with great slaughter . the assault was repeated , and still the enemy came off with loss . sousa sent the wounded men to be dressed , among them fernan penteado , who waiting , heared the noise of a fresh attack , and forgetting the dressing , run thither , and received another wound , the very same happened to him the third time , and then was dressed of all three . by this time there were left in the fort but two hundred and fifity of the six hundred men , fit to take arms. . solyman now in despair resolved to venture all . first he counterfeited he would raise the siege , and twelve gallies put to sea , that silveyra might be the easier surprized , but he provided still to repulse the greatest danger . one night some noise was heared at the foot of the wall by water , it appeared they were applying great numbers of scaling ladders , they were opposed , till morning appearing shewed the place beset round , and assaulted by fourteen thousand men. first the cannon was played , and then they mounted on all sides , chieflly next the commandant's house , where it was weakest : but he had placed such men there as made a great slaughter . failing there , they attempted a bulwark , powring in showers of arrows and bullets . great was the confusion and havock on both sides . now come up fourteen gallies powring in their great shot , but do no execution . francis gouvea made them draw off , having battered two , and killed some men with his cannon . by this time two hundred turks had entered the bulwark , and planted their colours . scarce thirty portugueses were there to oppose them , but they rushing on desperately regain the work. the enemy being very thick , none of our shot is lost , they sustain great damage , and such as were in this action draw off . fresh men succeed , and set up four colours . the portugueses wounded and burnt run for ease , and dipped themselves in jars of salt water , where they perished , seeking refreshment with hellish torture . antony de silveyra indefatigably repaired to all places , encouraging all . here a soldier wanting ball pulled out one of his teeth to load his musquet . the enemy had much the better this second assault , which a few gentlemen perceiving , furiously rushed upon them . iohn rodrigues , a man of great body , and as great courage , run out with a barrel of powder , crying , clear the way ; for here i carry my own and many a man's death . he threw the barrel among the enemies , and suddenly above a hundred were carried up into the air , torn in peices , twenty lay burnt upon the ground . iohn himself came off without hurt , and doing other considerable actions , deserved afterward some of the first rewards and honours gained this siege . other fireworks burnt the four ensigns who had set up the colours . two of our cannon cleared the place of enemies , and two bullets threw down two ensigns that succeeded the former . the enemy withdraws , and fresh comes on the third time , and place their colours . the commander of these , son-in-law to coje zofar , being killed , his men dismayed , and turned their backs . these assaults lasted above four hours , the same small number of portugueses withstanding still fresh and numerous enemies . our women in the fort , and theirs on the walls of the city , being spectators of the whole action . the portugueses all smeared with powder , looked more like moors and were known by their cloaths not colour , and among themselves by the voice , every one looking as if he came out of hell , their black hue wrought with fire , blood and sweat. in fine , the enemy carried off above a thousand wounded and left above five hundred men killed . of ours fourteen were killed , and two hundred lay useless for want of blood. only forty remained able to bear arms , and the arms lay broken to pieces about the ground , some serving such as could not stand on their legs for crutches . no hope was left if the enemy renewed the attack . the walls were all shattered , and no powder left . nothing but horror appeard . only the brave silveyra's countenance was what encouraged all men. . solyman put an end to all these calamities ; for not knowing the condition the fort was in , and terrified with this ill success , he raised the siege . antony silveyra seeing them weigh anchor , and hoise sail , thought it was still counterfeit , and prepared to resist as if he had any thing to trust to . he posted the forty men , and caused some that were wounded to lean against the walls , to shew a number ; those who could not rise ordered themselves to be carried in their beds , saying , it was to die in an honourable place . some of the women also armed themselves , and appeared upon the works . the night was spent upon the watch , but the morning was more comfortable to the afflicted ; for solyman was under sail without any thought of returning . tho fear did much , yet a device of coje zofar did more towards removing solyman . coje was moved to it by two reasons , one that he was weary of the unsupportable pride of that turk ; another an order that he had from his king , in case he found the turk would keep that city and fort ( as was feared ) he should rather endeavour to leave it to the portugueses . coje's device was , that he framed a letter which came to solyman's hands , who finding it contained , that the viceroy of india would be there the next day with a vast fleet , he thought not fit to delay his departure , and so sailed away on the fifth of november . the same night coje's men fired the city , and marched away . this was the first siege of diu which was admired throughout the world , and added new lustre to the portugues glory , all due to the invincible courage of the ever renowned antony de silveyra , and those valiant gentlemen who were with him , and whose fame will last from generation to generation . . solyman touched at the ports on the coast of arabia , and took up some portugueses he found there . he gathered above , and cutting off their heads , then the ears and noses , salted and sent them to the great turk to shew what he had done . among these was francis pacheco , who had not the courage to die like a gentleman in his bulwark . solyman being come to the great turk , and not well agreeing with one who aspired to his post , was reduced to kill himself . such is generally the end of tyrants . . this famous siege was far advanced when the viceroy d. garcia de noronha arrived in india , to whom nuno de cuna immediately resigned the government . his arrival with so considerable relief as he brought might well have bettered the affairs of diu ; yet on the contrary it much endamaged them . for had he not come , nuno had relieved diu with eighty sail he had in a readiness for that purpose , and prevented so many miseries and the death of so many brave men. still fresh advice was brought of the danger the besieged were in , and still d. garcia wasted the time in considering of means to relieve them , without chusing any , or taking the advise of cuna . thus the siege was raised before he found the method of relieving , having gathered one hundred and sixty sail for that purpose . . d. garcia wanted not courage , having given good demonstrations of it under alfonso de albuquerque . but he chose rather to commit an error through his own wilfulness , than act rightly by the advice of nuno de cuna . . it soon appeared noronha was not at all disposed to take advice of cuna , treating him in such manner at goa as obliged him to go to cochin , to order his affairs in order to return to portugal . at cochin he refused him a convenient ship , contrary to an order he had from the king to act as governor , and chuse such vessel as he liked . he was forced to set out in a merchant-galeon , hired for himself and family . tho the viceroy treated him ill there , no less ill usage was designed him here ; and doubtless the knowledge d. garcia had of the ill will the ministers of state here bore him was the cause of his hard usage there . . nuno de cuna by the way fell sick and died . he protested at his death , that he had nothing belonging to the king but five pieces of coin , or medals of gold , found among the dead king badur's treasure , which for their beauty ●…e carried to shew to the king. a chaplain asked , how he would have his body ordered to be brought home . and he answered , since god is pleased i should die at sea , let the sea be my grave . since the land would not have me , i will not give it my bones . he died like a good christian. ordered a sufficient weight should be tied to his feet to carry him to the bottom . thus ended an excellent governor of india . his age fifty two years . he was son of tristan de cuna and donna antonia de albuquerque . of stature large and well proportioned . he wanted one eye . tho he had majesty in command , he was courteous , and not subject to any passion , easie to be reconciled , loved to do good to all , an observer of justice , free from avarice , prudent in counsel , affable in discourse . his picture represents his complexion fair , his beard black , all the cloaths black , only the cap blew . he governed ten years wanting two months , and died the beginning of the year . he was the tenth governor , and first of the name . the end of the four parts of the first tome . dedicated to her most sacred majesty , catherine , queen-dowager of england , &c. the preface . since our asia now receives a new prince , let us begin another tome with a different style . as the other prefaces were filled with instructions and documents of pure zeal ; so shall this with the delightful entertainment of a curious reflexion . for when fortune makes it her sport to heap burdens of care , there is none so resolved or unmoved but requires diversion and ease . the kingdom of portugal parted from consider , that it began and ended in henry's , and in the number ; that the last king died on the day and last year of peace ; that the king and kingdom expired where they had their birth ; that being founded by a spanish female , by another they were extinguished ; and such-like reflections ; we shall discover no less remarkable circumstances in the portugues asia . the promoter of this wonderful discovery was prince henry , and henry was the last of our princes that possessed it . alfonso was the founder of the royal throne of portugal in europe , christ appearing to him ; and another of that in asia , when the cross appeared to alfonso de albuquerque in the red-sea . the throne of this kingdom was raised on the victory obtained by alfonso at orique over the moorish emperor called is●…iael ; and the prince of goa , the metropolis of our dominions in asia , taken by albuquerque , was called ismael ; and the king of persia , deprived of his sovereignty over ormuz , was also ismael . ferdinand tellez de meneses was the last governour of india sent by our natural princes , and his picture was the last the hall in the palace of goa , appointed to hang up the portraitures of the viceroys and governors , could contain . the name of the first viceroy of india was francis , and consequently his is the first of those pictures ; and now we see the name of the first viceroy sent by a spa●…ish prince is francis , and therefore the picture of that name is the first in the second hall destined to preserve those memorials . if there be still any obstinate philososophers , who hold , that all worldly things are the meer effect of chance , let them contemn the consideration of these parallels on such important occasions ; but let not those despise it , who allowing the most inconsiderable earthly affairs to be the work of providence , cannot but be assured the great are much more its care. let not those , i say , undervalue it , who know the immortal providence can be discovered but by shadows . the divine power has always taken this course to manifest itself to man. what wonder then it should take that method in the revolution of a kingdom , more peculiarly belonging to christ himself ? thus then , these wonderful presages first concurring , ( not to spea●… of comets , ) the kingdom of portugal returned to its formet original , after years peregrination over the whole circumference of the earth : and now bringing that precious scepter from the east , puts it into the hands of philip in spain , who had the fortune to be the great ocean to which run all the great , indifferent , and small rivers of so many empires , kingdoms , and sovereignties , spread over the whole face of the terrestrial globle . who would not believe , that the portugueses would lose their valour , having lost their natural prince , since it is certain the presence of princes is the chief strength of it ? we shall see them deprived of this glory , but not of that virtue . our hero's of this age did not degenerate from those of the other , so soon as naturally might be expected . such was their bravery , such their courage , they seem to have exceeded the bounds of their fortune , and even of nature . the contents . tom . iii. part i. chap. i. the government of the vice-roy d. francis mascarennas count de st. cruz , fromthe year , till the year page chap. ii. continues the government of d. francis mascarennas chap. iii. the government of the vice-roy d. duarte de meneses , from the year till . chap. iv. continues the government of d. duarte de meneses chap. v. continues the government of d. duarte de meneses chap. vi. the end of the government of d. duarte de meneses . chap. vii . the government of emanuel de sousa coutinno , from the year , till chap. viii . the government of the vice-roy matthias de albuquerque , from the year till . chap. ix . continues and concludes the government of matthias de albuquerque chap. x. of the propagation of the gospel in the empire of china during these later years chap. xi . continues the subject of the propagation of the gospel tom . iii. part ii. chap. i. the government of the viceroy d. francis de gama count de vidigueyra , from the year till chap. ii. continues the government of d. francis de gama count de vidigueyra chap. iii. continues the government of d. francis de gama count de vidigueyra chap. iv. the remarkable revolutions of pegu , during the government of d. francis de gama count de vidigueyra chap. v. the government of the viceroy ayres de saldanna , from the year , till chap. vi. the government of the viceroy d. martin alfonso de castro , from the year till chap. vii . the government of the archbish d. f. alexius de meneses , who was governor from the year till chap. viii . of the viceroy d. john pereyra frojas count de feyra , in the year chap. ix . of the governour andrew furtado de mendoça , in the year chap. x. the government of the viceroy ruy lorenço de tavora , from the year till chap. xi . of the propagation of the christian faith in china tom . iii. part iii. chap. i. the government of the viceroy d. hierome de azevedo , from the year till chap. ii. continues the government of the viceroy d. hierome de azevedo , in the year chap. iii. continues the government of d. hierome de azevedo , in the year chap. iv. continues the government of d. hierome de azevedo chap. v. continues the government of the viceroy d. hierome de azevedo , in the year chap. vi. continues the government of the viceroy d. hierome de azevedo , in the year chap. vii . continues the government of the viceroy d. hierome de azevedo , in the year chap. viii . continues the government of the viceroy d. hierome de azevedo this same year , and that of chap. ix . continues the government of the viceroy d. hierome de azevedo the same year chap. x. continues the government of the viceroy d. hierome de azevedo , in the year chap. xi . continues the government of the viceroy d. hierome de azevedo the same year chap. xii . continues the government of the viceroy d. hierome de azevedo , in the year . chap. xiii . particular discoveries made in the island of madagascar , or st. lawrence , by order of the viceroy d. hierome de azevedo . chap. xiv . continues the discoveries in the island madagascar , under the viceroy d. hierome de azevedo chap. xv. the government of the viceroy d. john coutinno count de rodendo , from the year till chap. xvi . continues the government of the viceroy d. john coutinno count de redondo chap. xvii . several wonderful accidents during the two years government of the viceroy the count de redondo chap. xviii . of the governor ferdinand de albuquerq●…e , from the year , till . chap. xix . continues the government of ferdinand de albuquerque . chap. xx. of the viceroy d. alfonso de noronna , in the year chap. xxi . of the propagation of the faith in japan , and ethiopia about this time tom . iii. part iv. chap. i. the second government of the viceroy d. francis de gama count de vidigueyra , from the year till page chap. ii. continues the government of the viceroy d. francis de gama count de vidigueyra chap. iii. the government of d. f. luis de brito , bishop of cochim , from the year , till chap. iv. of the viceroy d. francis mascarennas , in the year ; with sundry occurrences at pegu , martavam , prom , siam , and other places . chap. v. continues the affairs of the kings of siam and peg●… chap. vi. of the governor nunno alvarez botello , in the year chap. vii . continues the exploits of the governor and general nunno alvarez botello chap. viii . the government of the viceroy d. michael de noronna count de linnares , from the year till chap. ix . of the affairs of ethiopia , during the government of the viceroy d. michael de noronna count de linnares chap. x. continues the government of the viceroy d. michael de noronna , count de linnares . chap. xi . of the recovery of ceylon , during the government of the viceroy the count de linnares . chap. xii . of several occurrences till the end of the government of the viceroy the count de linnares . chap. xiii . the government of the viceroy peter de silva , from the year ●… , till chap. xiv . the government of antony tellez de silva , from the year , till . chap. xv. of the viceroy john de silva tello , who went for india in the year a short account of what the portugueses are possest of between the cape of good hope and china ; of the several dignities , commands and revenues in the said possessions , and of the religious houses in those parts an account of all the ships that sailed from lisbon to the discovery of the coasts of africk and asia , and the annual trading ships , from the time prince henry first attempted the discovery , till the year . the viceroy and governors of india , from the first discovery till the year books in print and manuscripts out of which the portugues asia was collected the portugues asia . tom . iii. part i. chap. i. the government of the vice-roy d. francis mascarennas count de st. cruz , from the year till the year . . don francis mascarennas count of santa cruz , was the first vice-roy of india sent after the revolution of the kingdom of portugal by the king of ●…ain . the honours and advantages conferred on him , together with this command , exceeded all that till that time had been heard of upon the like occasion . d. francis very well deserved all rewards of honour and ●…ofit , having served well in india , and bravely defended the city chaul with a few men and no wall , against the power of nizamaluco , who ●…sieged it with men. yet this his advancement may be attributed , rather than 〈◊〉 his merit , to the policy of princes , who when they gain a crown , to which there are other competitors , endeavour to gain hearts by bounty , and heap on one what at another time would serve many . the vice roy had five ships . . being come to goa , he found all india had already proclaim'd king philip , according to the orders not long before s●…nt to the governor ferdinand telles de meneses . it is credible the great favours bestowed on the count were only to animate him to procure the peaceable submission of india to the new king , and that being already performed by ferdinand telles , the count fortunately reaped the benefit of his care and industry . . the new vice-roy being eased of that care , applied himself to the usual affairs of the government , sending out squadrons as customary in the beginning of summer . mathias de albuquerque with two gallies and twenty other vessels and seven hundred men , were ordered for the coast of malabar . . he being on that coast , sent francis fernandez with eighteen sail to burn coulete the lesser , which was a nest of pyrats , it was executed by him without losing one man ; the same at capocate , where ●…ty almadies , being fishing vessels , were taken , and the country made desolate for a long ti●… a hundred moor●… of capocate seeing their houses bu●…●…un in a rage to the shore where alo●…●…yra with eighteen men withstood ●…em till he was relieved from the ships , and got off without loss , some of the enem●… being killed by our cannon . d. giles yanez burnt some vessels , and killed several ●…en up that river , then they all returned to their admiral , who was become t●… t●…ror of all that coast. . this destruction fell chiefly on the queens of the mountains between calicut and car●… , and her of olala , their towns and w●…ods being burnt and cut down . the neighbouring people terrified herewith , submitted and paid the tribute they owed for some years ; and the balala of panabur was again brought under subjection . franci●… fernandez , alvaro de avelar , and andrew f●…rtado took each of them a considerable ship. alfonso ferreyra over against coul●… razed a fort of the moors , having killed s●… of one hundred and fifty , he attacked with few men. . iames lopez coutinno de santarem , cruzing on the northern coast with eight sail , near suratte burnt a village of the mogols , because they had killed six of twenty four men , who without orders went ashore ; but as he drew off , the enemy came down very numerous with some elephants , and one piece of cannon , and wounded many of his men and himself , so that he was forced to be sent to damans to be cured . afterwards burning another village he came off with loss . . the vice-roy being informed that the turkish gallies , which the year before plundred mascate , were again at sea , ●…ared they would make some attempt upon moçambique , and therefore sent thither two ships to relieve that place . mean while an army of mogols with elephants and other necessaries for a siege entred the country of damam , burnt villages , and encamped not far from the city . our commander there , martin alfonso de melo , having but few men , and being ill fortified , sent advice to the neighbouring commanders and to the vice-roy ; and in few days so many gentlemen resorted to him , that they valued not the enemy . . the mogol thinking nothing was to be got by men who so freely offered themselves to danger , forbore the siege , and with fresh fury over-ran the whole country . he took a view of the fort where ferdinand de miranda had commanded , and was well known to him ; he called miranda loud , and rid out from the front of his army . ferdinand knowing he that called was calichan , general of those troops , went out , and pointed his lance so well , that hitting on his breast it pierced the armour , wounded him , and flew in pieces , but he fell not , being tied to the saddle . calichan retired to his men , decamped and marched away , but left a garrison to keep possession of one village . but the portugueses had like to have done themselves the damage they might have feared from the mogol , being drawn up in order to fight among themselves , on account of some disputes about superiority , and about opposing alfonso de melo , for imprisoning a soldier . a fortunate alarm prevented this mischief . . ●…mana da rama , king of sarceta , five le●…ues northward of damam , a friend to the portugueses , being upon this occasion entru●…ed to secure the women and children , covetous of the riches they carried with them , refused to restore them . martin alfonso de melo and ferdinand de miranda marched towards him with eight hundred portugueses , whereof horse , and musqueteers , and of the natives . being come in sight of the city raumalaje , the king sent to offer he would restore all , provided they would proceed ●…o farther . they , thinking it was only to amuse them , marched on . the king with his wife and jewels getting on elephants , and being followed by the inhabitants , fled to a mountain , whence he could see the city plundered and burnt , and all the country about destroyed . . the enemy made some attempts upon our quarters , and at last the king ●…me in person with a good number of men , for some time put our men very hard to it , but in the end was forced to fly , and from his retreat sent to make entire restitution of all that had been demanded . . in ceylon , raju was preparing to fall upon columbo . the vice-roy sent five sail to its relief , and raju understanding it , stirred not . iohn correa de ●…to , commander of columbo , eased of that care , sent back three of the ships , retaining only two . . d. hierome de mascarennas , who was with a squadron in the red sea , met with no enemy , but one night the sky being serene and clear , they all saw a great opening in the region of the air with such brightness as enlightned all the sea , then there fell abundance of flames like flashes of powder . this lasted not long ; the night after it continued clear as before , and they sailed to ormuz . . the kings of lara always aspired to raise themselves above those of ormuz , as formerly they had been . he that now reigned resolving to possess himself of all mogostan , and leading a powerful army , had taken several towns , and kept the fort of ormuz in a manner besieged , by hindring the resort of the neighbouring country people , who supply it with provisions . the king of ormuz who was equally apprehensive of this danger , had a conference with d. gonzalo de meneses , commander of the fort , and having adjusted matters , they both set out in august , when the heat of the sun is intollerable , to meet the enemy . the king led men , d. gonzalo choice portugueses , with a train equal to the greatest princes . these were divided into three bodies . they marched to the fort of xamel , which they judged impregnable , not so much 〈◊〉 art as its , natural situation , in it were fire hundred l●…ines , the flower of that 〈◊〉 . . in ●…ing our cannon we lost one man , and had many wounded . the fort was batt●…d twenty days without any effect . the battery was removed against a bastion ●…ar the gate , where it soon made a cons●…able impression . the bastion was assaul●…d and gained with the loss of six men. . the battery was removed thither , and continued playing till the king of lara dying , and his two sons falling at variance about the succession , instead of relieving the besieged , they were forced to surrender upon condition to march out with their baggage . as they marched the amadises of the army of ormuz , who had feigned themselves 〈◊〉 friends , only to get the opportunity of revenging the affronts received from them in the persons of their wives and daughters , now suddenly fell upon them , killed , and had destroyed the rest , had not the king and d. gonzalo interposed . milascar , one of their officers was killed by our men whom he assaulted , believing them the breakers of the articles . . xascambar , another of their officers more discreet , put himself into the protection of d. gonzalo who found much difficulty to save him . the amadises begged of him , since he would not suffer them to kill him , he would at least permit them to lay their mouths to his wounds to suck his blood in revenge of their affronts , with great trouble he appealed them . the king put coiecenadam with five hundred men into the fort , and returned to ●…z . immediately after , provisions , ●…w grown scarce in the city , were plentifully brought to it . . at the same time the king of achem came to malaca with sail , and finding two ships in that river , batter'd them the space of fifteen days . d. iohn de ga●… who commanded there , and whose time was now expiring , was most vigilant till rocque de melo succeeded him . the enemy weary with battering the ships resolved to burn them , and had compassed it , had not bartholomew fernandez a mulato , with two souldiers turned off from them a flaming vessel designed to set them on fire . . nunno monteyro coming from the sreight of singapura in a galliot with sixty portugueses most of them born at malaca , had the boldness to attack all that fleet. though it seem fabulous , at the first onset he made all those sail give way , then the greatest of them boarded him , and he had visibly the better of them , when some spark of fire falling into his powder blew up him , his vessel and all the men : yet this accident was but a just punishment of monteyro's disobedience to the commander of the city , and the enemy content with this success weighed anchor and made away . . the enemy sailed thence to the city ior , and began furiously to batter it . regale the king se●… to malaca to desire succour , it was sent him in twelve ships , which entred that port so unexpectedly , that before any resistance could be made , they fired some of the greatest gallies , killing all that were in t●… , and presented the king with the head●… of one of those commanders , which being set up on the shore so terrified the whole fleet , they all fled . . ●…et us return to damam . ferdi●… de mir●…da put to sea again with his squadron , consisting of twenty sail. after most violent storms they were forced to come to an anchor at suratte . setting out thence they attacked a mighty ship of balala , which surrendred , having articled for the mens lives . chap. ii. continues the government of d. francis mascarennas . . miranda's men in a rage that they were deprived of the booty of that ship which had submitted it self , beset him to the number of fourteen sail , and after much reproachful language , left him and sailed away to damam , putting that town into a great fright , because they had set up black colours . they landed and marched in warlike manner into the city , committing extravagant enormities . every one was astonished not knowing the cause ▪ nor daring to ask it , and their resolution was to kill miranda as soon as he landed . as soon as he entred the por●… they ran to the shore rashly , wounded several instead 〈◊〉 him , no authority being su●…t to 〈◊〉 them . miranda privately with●… to the convent of st. francis , and sent 〈◊〉 to offer them as much as could com●… to every man's share of that booty , where●…th they were appeased . it was not above 〈◊〉 crowns a man , which they valued above their honour and duty . . miranda sailed hence with some small vessels , and took another ship at goga , and then stood for castele●…e , a nest of robbers long since threatned by the portugueses . he now coming furiously upon it demolished the fort , burnt the town , and put the inhabitants to the sword. . zamori seeing so many villages on the coast destroyed by mathias de albuquerque , offered a peace , albuquerque was commissioned to treat of it , he finding himself still amuzed with delays , fell again to acts of hostility , destroying all the coast with fire and sword. the city of calicut felt this fury , being strongly cannonaded , as were paracale , capocaate and chatua . this done mathias went away to ormuz , of which place he was appointed captain , leaving his squadron under the command of d. giles yanes mascarennas , who came to succeed him with eight ships . . this year five ships set out from lisbon , two 〈◊〉 them 〈◊〉 forced in again , one was 〈◊〉 away a●… 〈◊〉 ▪ two ●…ed in india , 〈◊〉 o●… 〈◊〉 upon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fought th●… or fo●… 〈◊〉 vessels , and 〈◊〉 off with honour . . d. h●…ome de 〈◊〉 and ferdi●… de mira●…a being 〈◊〉 with their sq●…drons , took each of them two m●…ar s●…ps . both t●…se commanders were go●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 emanu●… de saldanna , captain of 〈◊〉 , against the king of the 〈◊〉 , who 〈◊〉 over ●…he camponeses of that neigh●… ▪ these commanders being joined with horse , musketeers , almost ●…laves and natives , and the king of sarceta at the request of the vice-roy with horse and foot , they marched with great difficulty for the great heat and badness of the ways by agaçaim , manora , assarim , and at the end of fifteen days discovered the city tavar they sought for . the city had beautiful buildings and gardens , seated on a hill that overlooks a very large plain . the king and inhabitants being fled , it was easily burnt with the neighbouring villages , and the country people and cattel carried away . . our men advancing into narrow defiles where two could not go abreast , the king of the coles with men fell upon their rear , whilst some parties annoyed them from the tops of the hills . here they were brought into great danger , and forced to make their utmost efforts . many gentlemen signalized themselves , and the king of sarceta appeared always in the greatest danger , encouraging ●…e men w●…h his sword in hand . at length our men made their way through the defiles , and the k. ●…f the coles defeated , was forced to sue for peace , and accept of such a one as we were pleased to grant him . . this year began with two grea●… losses . d. iohn de gama sailing from malaca towards goa with his wife , children , much riches , and many men , lost his ship at midnight at nicobar ▪ above persons were lost , and among them , his eldest son. another son , his wife , and almost persons , were saved in an island not inhabited . he framed a barque which held , and with great hardships , after being made slaves , they got to co●…him , the rest being left behind till they could return to fetch them . simon ferreyra coming in a ship richly laden from china , was cast away in sight of the coast of ior. he desired that king to assist him with some vessels to save part of the goods , and the king took them to himself . . d. giles yanes mascarennas , who commanded the squadron on the coast of malabar , would not seem inferior to his predecessor . he made such havock along that shore , that nothing was heard but the cries of the inhabitants . he twice set fire to calicut , panane , calegate , marate , conche , and the island daruti , not without opposition with great slaughter of the heathens . . they came to the river cunnale , upon which is a fort of the same name , the refuge of pirats subject to the commander of the fort. two malabar ships were standing in , and being attacked by two of ours , the one was taken ; in the other , men killed by one ball that swept from stem to stern ; being boarded , and almost taken , she ungra●●●ed , and made to the shore that was covered with mores , and defended with cannon . tavora , who commanded our ship , pursued to save portugueses who were carried away by the enemy , till a cannon ball carried away his leg , of which he died . of the , only one was carried to cunnale , who at one stroke cut him in two . the king of chale , to prevent his own ruin , agreed to pay tribute , assign a place , and furnish workmen and materials to raise a fort. mascarennas on his way to goa , in the river sal , burnt the villages of aselonor , and those of cuenti in salsete . . bracalor , a city seated on the coast of canara in almost degrees of latitude , was once one of the most noted places of trade in india in the form of a common-wealth , but much decayed since the portugueses built a fort there . the people of this place observing , that our commander francis de mello & sampayo was wholly taken up in heaping riches , and pleasing his wife , resolved to rid themselves of that clog . they agreed to fall upon , and kill all the portugueses taken up with the procession on maundy-thursday , and had effected it but that giles yancz put in there with his squadron in his way to goa . 〈◊〉 departing on friday , they prevailed with some christians to let them into the fort on e●…er night . the design was discovered , and the conspirators quartered . now they resolve to attack it by open force , and joyning with their neighbour king of tolar and men , burn the outward town , and bring all into great danger . the viceroy having notice , sent andrew fur●…ado , w●… routed those mutiniers , and going up the river made great havock along the shore . thus the fort was secured , but the officers not justified . . the religious of the society of iesus , who have so much laboured for the conversion of infidels , had sent some of their number into the island salsete , which contains villages of pagans . these fathers took great pains , and the viceroy d. antony de noronha finding the people incorrigible , destroyed all their pagods , yet they in the year . taking up arms , ruined our churches . . this done , they refused to pay the tribute they owed us , and fell to destroying the preachers of the gospel . at this time f. rodulphus de aquaviva desiring to spread the faith in the five villages of cocolii , went thither with f. francis pacheca and f. francis aranna , three portuguese soldiers , and some natives . the heathens fell upon them , cut off f. rodulphus his legs , and then his head. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was struck through with a sp●…●…d then stuck full of arrows . the rest were all slain after several 〈◊〉 . the same ●…y 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 d●… azevedo that went to b●…ll with companions , all suffered mar●… . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fig●…yredo commander of 〈◊〉 , by the viceroy's order 〈◊〉 a great ●…laughter of the people of s●… , destroyed the●… habitations ▪ and leftt them not 〈◊〉 tem●… standing ▪ 〈◊〉 by a wi●…●…tting those into 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 had 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 father●… ▪ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of them ; which 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that 〈◊〉 of them ●…d , new chr●… c●…es w●…e erected , and crosses 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the hills . . this was the posturr of affairs in india , when ●…ve ships arri●… from p●…gal , and in them f. vi●… de fouseca a dominic●… ▪ who went to succeed f. henry de t●… in the arch-bishoprick of goa . . sultan amodifar the lawful king of ●…aya , kept prisoner by the mogo●… after he had ●…surped his kingdom , at this time f●…ed by the means of some women . in disguise he came to a baneane at cambay●… , by whom he was conveyed to iambo , one who in the late revolution had secured to himself a limb of that empire . he dutifully owned , and caused him to be owned by others , so that in few days they gathered an army , in which there were above horse . behold , how attractive is the person of a prince found after having been lost ▪ in a very short time ▪ either 〈◊〉 force or consen●… ▪ they recovered most 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 kingdom of ●…aya . . our viceroy , the better ●…o take the advantage of these confusions ▪ and hoping thereby to gain suratte ▪ went ●…th sail to chaul , and thence sent some ●…standing men to baroche ▪ then besieged by am●…difar , the wife and children of xotubidichan , whom he had fraudulently taken and slain being in the town . t●…se age●…s had orders to treat both with the kin●… and that woman , without letting either of ●…hem know any correspondence was field with the other , that so our interest might be ●…cured with 〈◊〉 prevailing party . but the mogol coming down with a great power , and recovering all he had lost , put a stop to the viceroy's proceedings ▪ who returned to goa much afflicted for the death of d. iohn de castro . this young gentleman commanded a ship of ferdinand de miranda's squadron , and being parted from him by a storm , was attacked by two malabar paraos between tarapor and maii , and his powder taking fire , the ship blew up , only three of the men escaping death to be led into slavery . . whilst the viceroy was absent from goa , many of the principal subjects of hidalcan , provoked by the insolencies of larvacan his favourite , resolved to set up cu●…ocan son to that meale , who being prisoner at goa , so long kept this powerful neighbour in awe . cufo was at goa , and the conspirators contrived how to get him out , and larvachan pr●…ending to act for them , corrupted the guards , and procured his liberty . this treachery was managed by an infamous portuguese , called iames lope●… bayam , much in the king's favour for such-like services . cufo thinking he went to them that designed to crown him , found himself in the hands of larvacan , who caused his eyes to be put out . . then came to goa a woman of great fame , formerly banished by hidalcan . she was about years of age , little of stature , of complexion fair , still shewing the ruins of beauty , esteemed a virgin , and much valued for her prudence , wit , and courage , for in a man's habit ( except her head which was dressed in white ) on horseback with a bow and arrow she followed the army like an amazon , and gained reputation . her name abchi . she pretended to treat with the viceroy about important affairs , which were never known . she was taken by the inquisition , banished to ormuz , and thence fled to the mogol . . zamori now tired with so much destruction , and the clamours of his subjects , his own palace in calicut being burnt by d. giles yanez , and all that lay without the town , at last sued for peace , and concluded it on such terms as we thought fit . . at cochim , that king having assigned over all the customs to the portugueses , the people rose to the number of , swearing on a mass-book to die in defence of their liberties hereby infringed . d. george de meneses baroche , who commanded there , finding the tumult too high to be opposed , suspended the execution of the viceroy's orders relating to this affair . . d. giles yanez mascarennas being appointed to go to cochim to endeavour to suppress that tumult , was ordered by the viceroy by the way to destroy the nayque of sanguicer , who having raised a fort on the river of that name , protected pirats to our great loss . he had sail with of the choice men of goa . . d. giles run up the river , and the better to come where he desired , went out of his galeon into a small vessel , and run so far between the rocks that he could not get out , and his stem lay almost on the shore . those of sanguicer poured in their shot , so that all his men left him where he was killed , the other vessels being no way able to relieve him . . iames de azambuja , commander of tidore , was driven to great streights , because no relief came from malaca , ferdinand ortis de tavora designed thither , having been stopped by the coming of the king of achem upon that city . he understood by santiago de vera governour of the philippine islands , that king philip was proclaimed in portugal , and therefore asked succour of him , who sent ten sail commanded by d. iohn ronquillo this was not only a supply of ammunition , for the spaniards were assisting to him with their persons , especially by taking some vessels of iava , that to our loss used that port. babu king of ternate dying , left his bastard son bozai possessed of the crown , though he had a lawful heir , who wanting power lost his right : for seldom does right prevail where force is wanting . . about this time the great turk sent mahomet bassa with horse , many pioniers , much artillery and money , to secure his late conquests in persia. xa codabanda joyning with semecombel , the georgian met him with a moderate army , and as he was fording a river cut off many of his horse , and caused foot to be drowned . the persians and georgians got not only the victory , but much riches . . persia was now in a great confusion , for the georgian mirsa salmas , son-in-law and favourite to xa , perswaded him , that his son abax mirsa king of ceorazone stiled himself emperour of persia , and caused him to arm against him . the emperour marched against his son , cutting off the heads of many principal men , till he came to the city hers built by tamerlan the great , and now the court of the innocent abax , whō not knowing the cause of this his father's motion , had fortified himself . but now coming before his father and clearing himself , the wicked salmas his head was cut off in his presence . the turk taking this advantage , sent the bassa ferabat with horse , and much money , to conquer the province of raviam . he did much harm there , and had done much more , but that the emperor reconciled to his son , put a stop to his current . . now arrives in india d. duarte de meneses , who went to succeed the viceroy d. francis , who delivered up the sword , after having held it three years , being the th vice-roy , and th in the number of governors , and third of the name and sirname . chap. iii. the government of the vice-roy d. duarte de meneses , from the year till . . d. duarte de meneses , though of great quality , yet was better known by his valour , which moved the king to make choice of him without any recommendations or pretensions of his , not doubting he would be as successful in india as he had been in tangier . he had six ships and a prosperous voyage . . the first thing he applied himself to was the appeasing the tumults at cochin . the vice-roy d. francis had sent commissioners to treat with the heads of that people , and they had reduced them to hearken to an accommodation . d. duarte now arriving admits their proposals , so that the affair of the custom-house was settled . he dispatched the ships for lisbon , one whereof was never heard of . the vice-roy d. francis returned in one of them . . the vice-roy being at goa treated with the ambassador of hidalcan , about the manner of chastising the nayque of sanguicer , for the death of d. giles yanez , and to prevent piracy . the ambassador agreed that rostican , governor of ponda should assist with forty thousand men by land , whilst d. hierome de mascarenuas , sent by the vice-roy , attacked the nayque by sea. . hierome entring the river , sent up vessels that rowed , and at break of day couragiously landed , attacked some works , killed many of their defendants , and took their cannon . then they marched to the town , and the inhabitants flying up the inland , fell into the hands of rostican , who , according to agreement , was upon his march destroying all before him . next day d. hierome landed , and he marching on the one side , and rostican on the other , they laid all the country in ashes . the nayque from the woods sent to implore mercy , promising to perform conditions , if the ruined country were restored to him , which was granted . . iames de azambuja , cammander of tidore , was in great want of ammunition , the governor of manila sent four barques to his relief , commanded by peter sarmiento , who by the way took possession of the island mousel . the king of ternate , whose the island was , resolving to be revenged on three of the barques that went for provisions to baçham , sent his brother cachil tulo with galliots to take them . they being abroad on this design , met two vessels belonging to the philipine islands that had also brought relief to tidore , commanded by n. de duenas . he not able to avoid them , attacked the admiral galliot and sunk her , but all the others falling upon the vessels , in which were but spaniards , they were all slain , having fought to admiration , and killed and wounded many of the enemy . tulo proud of this success , met those he before looked for , after a desperate fight night parted them , of the ternatenses and spaniards being killed . . then arrived at tidore duarte pereyra with one galleon , he went to succeed azambuja , who instead of resigning the command , assaulted pereyra in a house where he was with his wife and family , and all was in great danger , had not the king interposed . at the same time arrived spaniards from manila to assist azambuja to recover the fort of ternate , but he searing pereyra in his absence would take possession of the command , resolved to let slip this opportunity . pereyra understanding it , and being of another mind , said , such important affairs ought not to be lost upon such motives ; that if the other would go , he would bear him company . at length azembuja set out , accompanied by the kings of tidore , bacham and celebes . they landed , though opposed by the natives , battered the fort without effect , lost some men , and retired to tidore . . the city tauris , on the borders of the greater armenia , at the foot of the mountain orote , was once the court of the kings of persia , and is now one of the most famous places of trade in the east , rich and plentiful . the great turk desiring to raise a fort there , sent osman bassa with a powerful army , who encamped before it on the banks of a river . the persian emperor was ready to receive him with horse , and sent out a party to engage him , while his son mirazen mirsa lay in ambush with to break out in the heat of the fight . the youth was brave , and performed his part so well , that at one onset he killed turks , and retired with honour and booty . pursue him , and he facing them cut off one half of them . next day the turks assault the city , but the persians sallying , killed at that time , and again at night more . but the governor after this abandons the city , yet the inhabitants stood upon their defence , and at first made a great slaughter , till over-powered by the multitude many of them were put to the sword , their wives and daughters abused , and all plundered . . osman being now in possession , in a months time raised a wonderful fort for greatness and strength in the royal gardens as the most convenient place . some of the turks frequenting the baths in the city , fell out with some of the inhabitants , and being worsted by them , stirred up the whole army to revenge . they left no sort of villany unessayed , but murdered , ravished , robbed , and marched out with an unspeakble treasure . the prince of persia in a rage obtained of his father horse , and falling upon the turks , at one time killed , and soon after . they decamped and began to march , and the prince desiring to recover the treasure they had taken at tauris , was so successful , that killing more he retired with camels loaded with riches , and an infinite quantity of arms and ammunition . he pursues them again , but fortune changing , he did less harm than he received , and was forced to retire with loss of persians . . fifteen years before this time there came upon the country of moçambique , such an inundation of cafres , that they could not be numbred . they came from that part of monomotapa where is the great lake , out of which spring those great rivers whose source was formerly unknown , to these were joined the cafres , macabires and ambei , and other borderers upon abissinia . with them came their wives and families as those that sought new countries to inhabit , their own not being able to contain them . their choice food human flesh , and for want of it that of beasts . they left no other signs of the towns they passed by , but the heaps of ruins and bones of the inhabitants . for want of them they eat their own , beginning by the sick and aged , so that doubtless fathers became food to their children . the women deformed and hardy , carry their goods on their backs , and in fight use the bow as dexterously as the men , these march in armour , and where-ever they halt fortifie themselves . . hierome de andrade , from the castle of tete , sent out a party of musqueteers , who firing among that multitude killed some to their great astonishment , having never before seen that sort of arms , that they fled without looking back ; in two rancounters above were slain . they stopped not till they came to the country of moçambique , having destroyed all in their way like a fiery inundation . this place was approved of by mambea , commander of about , and he began to build a fort and towns two leagues from moçambique . the fort of cuama where nunno vello pereyra commanded , was much incommoded by them , he therefore sent out antony rodrigues pimentel , or pinto , with men , four of them portugueses , who unexpectedly falling on the barbarians , slew a vast number and burnt the fort , but retiring in disorder , they fell upon and killed him and all his men , except three portugueses and very few blacks . all the dead were eaten by the victorious cafres , except their heads , hands and feet . . since this relation has brought us to moçambique , it will not be amiss to give some account of that country . it is full of orchards and fruit-trees , especially citron , limon and orange-trees , has all sorts of tame and wild beasts , as in europe , an infinite number of elephants . the people feed on indian-wheat , the woods are of ebony , a high tree , bearing a leaf like that of our apple-trees , the fruit like medlars but not eatable ; from the ground upward it is so covered with thorns , it is difficult to come to it ; where one is cut down , another never grows ; the bark of it is as susceptible of fire as tinder . there is another sort of a yellowish colour that is of value . the best manna is produced here . among the fish of that river , there is one as devouring as crododils ; no man in reach escapes them , but they touch not women , so great is the privilege of that sex. one of these of a prodigious bigness was taken that had gold rings in the ears . it was supposed to be some piece of witchcraft of the cafres , to clear the river of those dangerous monsters . to confirm this opinion , metude a learned arabian relates in an account of modern prodigies , that about the year , in the foundation of an aegyptian temple there was found a brazen crocodile with certain characters , which being broke to pieces the crocodils of nile began to devour men ; whence it was inferred , that was a charm upon the crocodiles . . hatred conceived against the favourites of nizamaluco in canara , brought the mogols upon the kingdom of verara , who after much plunder and desolation possessed themselves of many towns and cities . the occasion was , that the king being ill of a contagious distemper , his favourite acedecan first , and after him calabatecan , kept him up without suffering any body to see him . the prince and people ●…ad recourse to arms to oblige these tyrants to give them a sight of the king ; and they perswading it was to depose him , so far prevailed , that he meeting them in hostile manner , made a great slaughter of them , and hereupon the mogols were called in to their aid . . five ships sailed this year from lisbon for india , one of them was lost beyond the cape of good-hope , at the place called bajos de la india , a promontory that rises with many points , which at a distance look like trees ; it is oval and three leagues in length , and abounds in coral , which being naturally soft and white , grows hard and turns green , grey , black and red , but being pounded to dust , resumes its whiteness . . the captain with a few men got into a boat , and after six days landed at quilimane . about sixty got into another boat , others put to sea on planks , above two hundred were upon the rocks expecting to be swallowed by the sea , or else scorched by the sun , or starved to death . . those in the second vessel chose duarte de melo de baçaim to command them , and being over-loaded , were forced the first time to throw seventeen into the sea to save the rest , and , not being light enough , afterwards some others , among which the lot fell upon one of two brothers , the youngest whereof freely leaped overboard , but having swam three leagues after the boat , was again taken up . . a boat built by the pilot roderick migueys contained men , as they were under sail a great storm arose at night , and is said to have ceased , by casting into the water a piece of the holy cross one of them carried . of men that were in the ship , only these mentioned are known to have escaped . chap. iv. continues the government of d. duarte de meneses . . the vice-roy governed india , and his unkle ruy gonçalez de camara him , who desiring to engross all that was honourable , endangered what was necessary . it was requisite at the same time to send a squadron into the red sea , and another to build a fort at panane in malabar , and he would command the one and build the other . the work ought to be solid and of stone , yet the vice-roy agreed it should be slight and of wood , that being soon finished camara might be free to take the other command . . camara being come to panane , advertized zamori of his design , and he consenting , desired him to wait his coming , for he would be present at the chusing the ground . he delayed coming , because his bramenes could not find a lucky day for him to set out ; and camara being in haste , sent presents to those fortune-tellers , who thereupon presently found a fortunate hour . . zamori being come , the fort was made of wood , and the command of it given to ruy gomez de gram , who pulled it all down , and built it after another manner , and of considerable strength . so that gram built the fort , and camara had the credit of it . . as soon as camara had , as he thought , finished what gram believed not begun , he went aboard his squadron , which having been ill undertaken came to a worse end . too much haste in going to panane , made him too slow in going to the red sea ; and now this slowness in going to sea was as prejudicial as the haste in building the fort. his squadron consisted of four galleys , two galleons , and twenty other vessels . . cosme faya went before to discover , and being deceived by a xeque in the island camaran , was slain with all his men. camara sailing with the wind at east , entred the mouth of the red sea , and came to an anchor in a bay on the coast of arabia , eleven leagues from the city moca . some of his ships were dispersed , and he designing●…o take fresh . water while he waited for them , sent some officers and soldiers with those that were to take water . thirty turkish horse and foot falling upon them out of an ambush , killed or ; but our men taking courage stood them eight hours , killing many , till relief coming , the enemy fled . camara sailed thence to find his scattered fleet , he found and lost them again , and after suffering much , chiefly through want of water , he put into ormu●… , without having done any thing . . but before his going in , he sent peter homem pereyra with sail against the niquilus , now dangerous neighbours , who hindred the carrying of provisions to ormuz , from whence vessels more were sent him , with which he made up men , many of them men of note . scarce were they landed , when the enemy rising from an ambush fell on them with such fury , that breaking those who were drawn up , and hindering the others from forming themselves , they slew , forcing the rest to swim to their vessels , many whereof were drowned . this was one of the greatest and most shameful losses we sustained in india . . the pretence for sending this squadron to the red sea , was to fight the turkish galleys that were to set out from moca , whereas in truth there were no such galleys , and the real design was only to employ camara , and strengthen his pretensions ; and whereas he ought to have entred goa in mourning after such a loss , he entred that place with all demonstrations of joy as if triumphant , and had great favour shewn him . so fortunate is undeserving impudence . . nevertheless the pretence of sending out this squadron was made good by two rotten galleys that afterwards put to sea from moca . one of them so rotten , she sunk as soon as out of the port ; the other did as much as might have been expected from a sound squadron . of such efficacy is the valour or fortune of one single man. such was the more mir alibet , who now confirmed the great opinion before conceived of his abilities , for coming before the city magadano , he brought it under the subjection of the great turk only by telling the inhabitants , he was but the forerunner of a great fleet that came to conquer all the coast of melinde . at the city lufiva he took from rocque de brito a rich little ship that had there put itself under the protection of the king of lamo , who basely betrayed it to the more upon promise from him of being spared himself , which promise the more after broke . the portugues defended himself bravely , but was at last put to the oar , and died at constantinople . . the same happened to another portugues ship at pate . alibet had thus framed a fleet of pangayo's or small vessels , and daring much , brought under the turkish subjection the kings of ampaza , pate , lamo , mombaca , calife , brava , iugo , and other cities . all submitted to the force he gave out followed him , whereas he might have been destroyed by any portugues vessel , for in his galley there were but men , and she was in such a condition , that she sunk in the port of maça before she could be carried home , without any stress of weather . . iohn cayado de gamboa being abroad with some ships against the pirats of the north , found that caliche mahomet had a ship at surat which he designed to put out without the portugueses leave . gambo lay to keep him in , and mahomet sent him ducats underhand to remove , which he took , and therewith in the town bought provisions , whereof he stood in need to continue there . this done , he returned the money , letting the more know , he was not a man that would sell his honour , but returned thanks for supplying him with provisions whereof he stood in need , to lay wait for his ship. the more was amazed , and ashamed to be so slighted , and lost his voyage . . some time since , raju son of the tyrant madune of ceylon had besieged our fort of columbo , commanded by emanuel de sousa coutinno , who defended it with valour . he now again sits down before it , iohn correa de brito being commander . but perceiving that his father , brothers , and some principal subjects , were a hindrance to his wicked designs , he murdered them all . this was a just judgment of god , for his father madune had done the same with his own father and brothers ; but this was no excuse for raju's cruelty . having nothing now to stand in awe of but his mother-in-law , a venerable matron , who had tenderly bred him as her own , he caused her to be stripped before him , and sent into banishment , where she died with grief . . the tyrant began to turn his fury upon the portugueses , and they , though but few , engaged a body of of his men , killed of them , and their commander pali●…da , on the day of the invention of the holy cross in may , which therefore was established an annual feast in that place . raju had yet a nephew that gave him some jealousie , he sent for him to a village where he th●… resided . the message was full of kindness , but the young man well understood the smiles of tyrants are fatal , and that the hour he went to him would be the last of his life . he therefore with a pleasing countenance entertained the messengers ( who had orders to carry him by force if he refused ) and preparing a dose of most strong poison , went with it where his wives , children and family were . after exhorting them to die couragiously , he drank first , and then offered it to each of them , whereof not one refused to bear him company in death . the messengers weary of staying , went in and found them all dead . . the great turk understanding his fort lately built at tabris in perfia wanted to be supplied , and desiring to raise another in the city gonsar ; to effect both , sent the bassa ferat with horse . the persian having notice hereof , ordered ho●…alican , governor of gousar , to go and treat with the georgians his neighbours to bring them to his assistance . he sent the prince with hor●… to secure gansar , and ●…e with the rest of his army sat down before tabris , and reduced the turks in garrison there to the last extremities . . the prince ( not long before the terror of the turks ) was overcome by the beauty of the absent governor's daughter , and enjoyed her . advice being given the father , he concluded hastily , but to content the affair he was sent to ; and dissembling with the prince , bribed his barber with crowns to cut his throat as he shaved him . he did it , and was torn in pieces by the servants . . the death of the prince , who was the terror of the turks , endangered the whole persian empire , and so ferat , without any opposition , relieved tabris and raised the fort at gansar , giving the command thereof to chedar bassa , by birth a portugues . gansar is one of the most populous and beautiful cities of media , divided from the province of xeinam by the river lirus , which the turks call cur. the persian emperor was shut up in the city casby , and the offended governor conspiring with others , resolved to set up tamas mirsa , the king 's third son , who was blind . but abas mirsa , who was the second , and then govern'd coerazone , being the lawful successor , took arms to oppose them . the rebels thought to take him by treachery , but he dexterously apprehending the heads , put them to death , and prepared to march and depose his father . . the old man fearing he would kill him , hauging a sword about his neck , and leading his third and fourth sons , presented himself to abas mirsa , saying , he would save him the trouble of looking for his father or brothers , if he desired to murther them , for there he had brought both them and the sword the youth vanquished with that miserable spectacle , cast himself at his father's feet , and said , he was his father , his lord and his ●…ing ; but since his age and infirmities would not permit him to do it , he begged he might be allowed to put a stop to the ruine tha●… threatned their affairs , not as a king ( for only his father should be so whilst he lived ) but as general of his army . the old man took comfort hereat , and the son marched to curb the fury of the usbeques , who , led by their king , in great numbers had broke into corazone . . in the moluco islands the kings of tidore and ternate were at war , for that the latter refused the former his sister that he had promised to give him to wife . at that time arrived there n. de brito with one galeon from malaca , and orders to treat with the king of ternate about restoring the port. he carried a letter for him from king philip , and another from the vice-roy , and a present that rather offended than obliged him , for though but of small value , it was not to be given him unless he performed what was proposed . whilst he knew not this condition , he agreed with the portugueses and king of tidore ; but as soon as it was made known to him , broke off in such a passion , that he ordered no portugueses should enter the city unless they came bare-footed . . iames de azambuja now gave up that command to duarte pereyra , who came from manilla , where he had stayed for that post. he agreed with the king of ternate , who fearing his unkle mandraxa , the rightful heir of that crown , would deprive him of it , perfidiously killed him . that prince was in love with his niece , the king's sister , who had promised her to him of tidore , and seeing that promise , hindred him from giving her to his unkle , agreed with him he should steal her , that so there might be a plausible excuse made to the other . mandraxa had scarce possessed himself of the bride , when the king accused him of this violence , whereupon he was condemned to perpetual imprisonment , but the nephew caused him to be stabbed , and married his sister to the king of gilolo . the king of tidore resolv'd to be reveng'd of this affront , and consulting with duarte pereyra , they agreed to contrive the death of the king of ternate , by the means of his unkle cachil tulo , offering him the kingdom . he approved of the proposal , and they concluded on the manner of doing of it . . rajale , king of the city ior , offended that a vessel of his had been sunk at malaca , though they made him satisfaction , studied revenge , hindring the resort of provisions to that place . d. hierom de azevedo , who came to be admiral of those seas , sent peter vello to burn a town near ior with ships . he executed it , but the enemies fleet meeting him on his return , he was beaten , lost vessels , and had lost all but that peter da cuma carneyro coming up with his galeon , bravely brought him off . rajale thinking himself victorious , appeared in the river malaca with sail , but this bravade cost him dear , much harm being done him as he drew off by our fleet. . paul diaz at angola prosecuted the war against that king with his usual success ; the king was in the field with fighting men , whom he put to flight with little more than portuguses ; and a number of blacks . . the beginning of this year sailed from lisbon for india ships , one of them by the way had a sharp engagement with two english vessels in one degree and an half of north latitude . in these ships went orders for erecting the court of chancery at goa . the portugueses of india had sued for it , being pestered with law-suits , and they begged locusts , for now they beg for mercy being devoured by lawyers . two of the ships that went from india this year were lost , the men and goods saved . by the way died the archbishop f. vincent , who left his archbishoprick , being no longer able to bear with the viceroy , ministers , and even with the church-men . he said , he came to inform the king and the pope ; the accusation ended with his death . one of the ships about the islands azores was taken by sir francis drake , who using honourably of his victory , gave the captain and his men a galeon , in which they came to lisbon . . about this time many pirats put to sea from the fort of cunnale , who scouring all that coast , killed and took many portugueses . these in the dungeon were kept several days from starving by a mouse , for that creature having made a hole through the wall into a place where there was much rice , every night caused as much to fall through that hole as kept them alive . emanuel de oliveyra , one of these slaves , being asked by cunnale , whether any of them would fight one of his men ? answered , he would challenge any two . cunnale replied , if he would turn mahometan , he should have great favours bestowed upon him ; and several times endeavoured to prevail by kindnesses , and then again by threats , but all to no effect ; for oliveyra declared , he would rather die , than forsake the faith ; and accordingly had his head cut off upon the shore , and gained a crown of martyrdom . . the king of melinde , always most faithful to us since our first discoveries in afia , advertised the viceroy how prejudicial to our affairs , what mir alibet had done with the gall●… of m●…ca ; would prove . and 〈◊〉 , this was a great ●…ep towards the 〈◊〉 ●…sign of possessing himself of the mines 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and cuo●… , the king of 〈◊〉 having given 〈◊〉 leave to raise a fort ●…re . the viceroy hereupon cons●…ted the men of most experience in those a●…ts , the resolution was , that a confiderable fleet must be sent to stop their further progress . eighteen sai●… were fitted out , and the command of them given to martin alfonso de melo pombeyro . . they came to an anchor in the port of 〈◊〉 , beca●…e that being the first place that offended , it was thought ●…it to punish it first , as also because that king relying on his fortifications , and armed men , had executed iohn rabelo for not renouncing the christian faith. our men assaulted the town in two bodies , the first met great opposition , and slew the king , then making their way , both parties entred the town , sparing neither women nor children . the town and vessels in the port were burnt , whilst the woods were cut down . ten days were spent in destroying all , with the loss of only four men on our part . . the king of pate seeing this ruin , submitted , he of lusiva fled to the mountains , and our admiral gave this kingdom to a matron , who had been deposed by him , that fled and came now to plead her right . the king of mombaca at first made shew as if he would oppose us , having got together men , but afterwards fled out of the island , and from the top of a mountain beheld the flames that consumed his city . our admiral set sail for orm●…z , according to his orders , and sent to advertise the king of what he had done , and by the way saved a ship of the former fleet that was just sinking . the admiral died at ormuz , and another went to raise the fort at ma●…eate , who finished it . . the commander of moçambique , d. george de meneses , was not idle , but still imployed against the mores , who endeavoured to settle themselves in the trade of those parts of the island madagascar , that lay opposite to him . many of ours were slain , and among them f. iohn of st. thomas , a dominican , who preached the faith to those infidels . chap. v. continues the government of d. duarte de meneses . . the king of ujantana took many of our ships , and hindred the carrying of provisions to malaca , insomuch that famine raged there to such a degree , that died in one day , and mothers cast away their children for want of food . the mana●…cabo's , a neighbouring people , contributed much to this misery , destroying what grew about the town , and hindred the country people from bringing in any supplies . . iames de azambuj●… lately come from the molucos , marched against them with portugu●… and mal●…yes , whereof were musqueteers . with great labour they came to the town of nam , where they met of the enemy . d. emanuel de almada charged them with half our men , and driving them out of the field , pursued them into their works , which he cleared with gr●…t slaughter . thence our men proceeded to bombo , where the king of ior had a fort , which the commander forsook , and the inhabitants submitted ▪ pleading they had no hand in what was done to our prejudice . . the king of ac●… seeing mala●… distressed had provided a fleet of sail to fall upon it , and was ready to set out , when his general moratiza , who had long since designed to usurp that crown , murdered him , the queen and chief of the nobility , and stayed at home to secure his usurped kingdom , which was the saving of malaca . but rajale setting sail from his port of ior , entred the river of malaca with vessels , in which were men. iohn de silva , who commanded in the town , and d. antony de noronna at sea , both applied themselves with all diligence to the preservation of that place . . the enemy attempting to land in two places , were drove back to their ships with great loss , and many of them drowned , our ships with their cannon sunk two of theirs , and did good execution : in the church of the cap●… is said to have been seen a friar driving out the enemies , who not appearing afterwards , was suppos'd to be st. francis. the commander stood at the gate buying the heads of the enemies at crowns each . . d. hierome de azevedo cruising about romania , took and sunk some ships which proved some ease to malaca . the city of cochim sent thither plentiful and speedy relief . iohn de silva the commander , whether through any other accident or grief of the miseries he saw there , is not known , ran mad . the bishop took upon him the government . baçaim , chaul and goa , sent the vice-roy money to relieve this city , the latter desiring that d. paul de lima might command the squadron to be sent thither , and malaca having desired the same , the vice-roy consented to it . . d. paul de lima set sail with men in two galleys , three galleons , four galliots , and seven other vessels . in their way to malaca they suffered much for want of water , and got some , though with danger , on the shores of achem , where they took some ships , killed many men , and made several prisoners , but particularly rajale's ambassador , who was there to incite that our professed enemy to join with him against us . . before d. paul could come up , some of his ships joined those commanded by d. antony de noronna before i●…r . the enemies fleet attacked them , and at the first charge of our cannon fled again , two of them were tak●… . d. antony seeking to-gather his squadron , found his men battering the fort of curi●… , ●…ed above the water , with thirty pieces of c●… , and two hundred , many of the defendants were slain , the rest fled . antony de andria landing , brought off the cannon , leaving the fort in a flame . then they fir●… some shipping and the suburbs , and r●…tired to their ships with much booty and many prisoners . . this success made d. antony de noronna believe it was easie to take the city , if he assaulted it in the morning . ambitious of gaining this honour , and contrary to the opinion of the captains , he assaults the city with only men , knowing there were within , and the walls at every step planted with cannon . nevertheless he entred it , but had lost his life , had not d. paul de lima's captains snatched him out of the enemies hands , being penned up between palisades with only seventeen souldiers , and gained him time to retire to his ships . . the city i●…r is seated on the heighth of a point of land in the country of malaca , in one degree and half of north latitude , not far distant from the shore , girt with thick walls , though of wood , yet strong , being composed of vast beams well knit together ; at small distances are bastions all well stored with artillery , and defended by great numbers of malays , manancabo's , and islanders of iava and other warlike places , some of them commanded by their kings , as those of tringale , dragut , campar , and others . the river adds much to this strength , embracing the city with two arms. . d. paul being come , consulted the manner of attempting the place , and began a battery with good success . the enemies fleet endeavoured a diversion , but in vain . the battery was continued till the day of the assumption of our b. lady , to which d. paul had a peculiar devotion . . the morning of that day he landed portugueses in three bodies . d. antony de noronna , who led one , had a hot dispute about landing with a number of the enemies musketiers , who being repulsed , still rallied ; but at length our men made their way to attempt the town , where some of them were killed , endeavouring to force a passage where there was none . . in the mean while d. paul cutting through of the enemy in a wood , joyned d. antony , and both together broke into the city . the enemy no longer able to sustain our fury , gave way , and was pursued by those two bodies into the city . the third of our battalions had the same success in getting in , and with equal danger , being charged by one of the kings upon an elephant with a strong and resolute party . but the beast being shot by d. nunno alvarez pereyra so disordered them , that our men had the opportunity to advance . . the fight was very desperate in the streets , many arrows and darts flying from the windows ; yet our men advanced till they came to the place where the king was with his allies , and there the battle was renewed . d. paul encouraged his men , not only with words , but with his example , leading them on with sword in hand . . after hours combat , the fortune of the day still seemed dubious , till matias pereyra , who had only men left with him of , attacked and entred the fort botabato , which gave new life to our men almost spent with continual labour . . luis martines pereyra , who was left to command the fleet , ceased not battering the town , hearing only the noise of the fight , and seeing the enemies colours upon the walls , but seeing the christian set up on the fort cotabato , he desisted . the kings also discovering them , and other signs of their ruin , mounted on elephants with their wives , and fled up the inland . . after the victory the city was fired , which being great , and of combustible matter , raised a terrible flame . many people were burnt , chiefly women and children , who in the confusion could not escape . the booty was very great , the prisoners many , and the number of slain by the portugueses amounted to , besides near killed by those that came to assist rajale when they saw he was defeated ; on our side were lost . almost pieces of cannon were found , some very large , muskets , and vessels . d. paul of all the booty took to himself only an image of our b. lady , found by a soldier in the wood where he was first ingaged . . the city malaca resolved to receive d. paul in triumph ; d. antony de noronna , for the share he had in this victory , desired he would let him go by his side , and he replied , gloriam mea●… alteri non dabo . d. antony offended hereat , acquainted his soldiers , and they resolved to anticipate the triumph . they landed with found of drums , trumpets , and noise of cannon , and covering the way with their cloaths , led him to the church . d. paul landed in the same manner he had done at ior , was received by the religious orders with their crosses , and singing , placed under a canopy , and crown'd by the bishop with a garland of roses and flowers . chap. vi. the end of the government of d. duarte de meneses . . the tyrant raju resolving to possess himself of our fort of colombo in c●… , to this effect gathered ●… fighting men , pioniers , and near as many artificers and other labourers ; elephants , oxen , pieces of c●…on , axes , shovels , pick●…s , and spades ; an innumerable quantity of spare arms and tools ; two castles , carried each upon a great cart with wheels , and almost sail. he thought fit first to consult the idols about the success , and having placed men behind them , who should say as he had directed them , the answer was , that if he would enter columbo , he m●…st shed innocent blood. . the people was astonished at this familiarity between their prince and idols , and he pretending obedience to the divine commands , caused children to be snatched from their mothers arms , which were all slaughtered , and the idols sprinkled with their blood. . thus prepared , he marched and sate down before the town , choosing the ground he best liked , there being no body to hinder him . our commander iohn de brito knowing this storm was like to fall upon him , had made the best provision he could . he had but portugueses , the third part of them useless , being old men or children , and natives and slaves , which he posted to the best advantage about that wall , the circumference whereof is very great , reserving to be ready with himself wherever the greatest danger called . raju spent a month in dreining a lake that on one side secured the town , about this work , and securing some boats , we had upon that water , there were many skirmishes , in which the enemy came off with great loss . . the fort was much weakened by the want of that water , which was the chief defence on that side . our commander gave advice of the danger he was in to the neighbouring places . the first that sent relief was iohn de melo commander of manar , it consisted of men under the command of his nephew ferdinand , and ammunition . ferdinand was posted on the side of the lake . whilst raju prepared for the attack , there was a skirmish between the besiegers and besieged , in which the former lost many men , and had some of their works levelled . . on the th of august , before day , raju advanced to give the first assault , with such silence he could not be heard , and the darkness was such he could not have been seen , but the musketiers lighted matches discovered them . they laid their ladders , and mounted the bastions st. michael , st. goncalo , and st. francis , pioniers at the same time working below to undermine the wall , many of the former were cast down upon these last , and abundance of them in the field torn in pieces by our cannon . . all within and without was full of confusion with the cries of women and children , groans of wounded men , and noise of cannon and elephants . these , forced to the walls by their governors , were again put back with many wounds , and did great execution among their own men. the multitude of the enemy was such , no slaughter seemed to lessen them , fresh men still succeeding in the place of the dead . . our commander was in all places where the greatest danger called , and after a most tedious dispute , that vast number of enemies gave way , leaving men dead or dying under the walls . some few chingala's , who were retired to the fort for fear of the tyrant , fought as if they had been portugueses . . twice after this was the assault renewed , and the enemy as often repulsed . the king enraged fortifies himself anew , and provides for another attack . iames fernandez pessoa coming from negapatan with a ship of his own was stopped by a storm , but came afterwards . antony de aguiar & vasconcelos arrived with a ship , and comforted the besieged . the modeliar of candea d. iohn de austria , and the arache d. alfonso , did great execution among the barbarians ; and a soldier called ioseph fernandez of great strength , threw several of them behind him for those that followed to kill them , he having before broke his spear . . the city cochim understanding the danger of columbo , fitted out ships with men and ammunition , under the command of nuno alvarez de atouguia , to relieve that place . but raju resolving to prevent all relief , on the th of august , at night , gave another general assault both by sea and land , so that religious men were forced to play the parts of officers and soldiers ; and the enemy after a great slaughter was again repulsed in both places . . then came atouguia with the relief sent from cochim ; and from st. thomas and other places , arrived of their own free will ferdinand de lima , emanuel de amaral , and roderick de alvarez . emanuel m●…xia rising out of an ambush fell upon one arache , ( who the former siege had killed of our men ) and running him through with a spear , brought him to the fort , where one of our men cutting him open at the heart , drank his blood. such was the hatred they had towards him , as obliged them to commit this brutal action . in september arrived a galley and ships , under the command of bernardin de carvallo , sent to their assistance by the city of goa . . before these ships departed thence , four were come in from lisbon ; five set out , but one was forced back . these ships carried new instructions about trade , the king having agreed with merchants about setting out the india squadron . these instructions were so prejudicial to the inhabitants of goa , that the viceroy had need of all his authority , and that of religious men to appease them . all this was the project of insatiable ministers of state , who , for their own interest , will hazard the ruin of an empire , on pretence of zeal to the prince . . the relief being come to columbo , raju despairing of carrying the place by assault , resolved to undermine it , and had effected it , but that thomas de sousa found out a way to destroy the miners in the work. the tyrant next applied himself to treachery , and agreed with some of his wizards , that counterfeiting discontent they should desert to the town , poison their water , and bewitch our men. these were suspected , put to the rack , confessed the design , and were drowned . while one of these was on the rack , he uttered some words which deprived the executioners of their senses , and left them struggling with convulsions for hours . raju afterwards sent others , and they were punished as the former . . treachery failing , he turns again to force , and causes his fleet to attack ours commanded by thomas de sousa , who sunk two of his ships , and took two , killing most of the men , and hanging the rest at the yard . arms. of the enemy were slain , of ours only two private men. raju in a rage beheaded the captains of his fleet , because they had not overcome ours . now arrived philip carneyro with a ship laden with ammunition sent by the viceroy , and antony de brito , and emanuel de macedo , voluntiers . the enemy gave another assault by night with the same success as the former . . at the same time came iohn cayado de gamboa , sent by the viceroy with a galleon and men , many of them of note . our commander finding himself strong , sent out peter alfonso with a squadron to destroy all he could along the coast. he did so in the towns of belicote , berberii , and beligao , where , for haste to take off the women's bracelets and pendants , they cut off their hands and ears , and having made great havock in many other places , they returned with much booty and prisoners . . but now sickness threatned to do what raju with all his power could not effect . this disease began to rage in the neighbouring towns , and being brought into the city , the physitians found no cure for it . this year was drier than any had been known that age , and that was thought to cause this malady . the doctors opening some that died of it , found their entrails impostumated , which they said proceeded from heat occasioned by that drought . they then applied cold and dry medicines , and the disease decreased . . the year ended , but not the siege . in the beginning of ianuary raju gave two assaults , in the last of which the bastions of st. sebastian , st. conçalo , and santiago , were in great danger ; but by the bravery of the defendants the enemy was at length repulsed , having lost many men , and three elephants . . mean while our fleet , again sent out under the command of thomas de sousa , ruined all along the coast of ceylon . he destroyed the villages of coscore , madania , guindurem , galé , beligao , maturé , and tanavar , where the idolaters were now undeceived , who believed , our arms could never reach that place by reason of a pagod that is there . the pagod is seated on a hill not far from the town , and at sea locks like a city . the circumference of it was above a league ; it is richly vaulted , and the arches covered with gilded copper plates ; the idols in it were above on the side chapels , and large cloisters . all round were streets full of shops , because people from all parts resorted to the pagod . sousa entring this temple , cast down all the idols , demolished the curious workmanship , carried away all that could be removed on men's backs , and killed cows within , which is the greatest affront can be offered to those idolaters . . let us in a few words here perpetuate the memory of two illustrious actions ; the one the effect of a sincere love , the other of true generosity . among the prisoners taken at coscore , one was a bride . as the ships were ready to weigh anchor , there ran suddenly into that where the young woman was a lusty man , and embracing her , and she him , they said many words not understood . by the help of an interpreter it was known , that that man was the bridegroom , who being abroad when the bride was taken , came to be a slave with her rather than live without her . and , she said , that since he by that demonstration of love had made her happier than all the chingala women , ( for they were of those people ) she esteemed her slavery rather a blessing , than a misfortune . sousa hearing hereof , resolved not to part such real lovers , and taking hold of both their hands , said , god forbid two such lovers for my private interest should be made unhappy , love has sufficiently captivated you , i freely give you your liberties . then he ordered them to be set ashore ; but they two seeing his unexpected bounty , requited it by despising their liberties , and replied , they only desired to be his , and die in his service . they lived afterwards in columbo , where the man on sundry occasions faithfully served the portugueses . . the viceroy careful of the security of columbo , sent to the relief of it emanuel de sousa continno , and d. paul de lima. scarce did raju see sousa enter that port , after he had ruined all the coast and the great city chilao ; and was informed , that d. paul was coming , some of his ships being already in the port , but despairing of success when the b●…d least expected it , he decamped , and b●…gan to march away . . yet our men , not to suffer him to go quietly away , fell upon his rear , and in several skirmishes cut off many of his men. during this siege , some say he lost men , others not above half the number . many towns , cities , villages , and ships , were burnt and destroyed . the cannon , prisoners , and other booty taken , were considerable . this rendred raju very contemptible in the eyes of those princes who waited the success of his undertakings . on our side were killed men , of them portuguese●… . of the sickness before mentioned died . . d. paul came the day after the siege was raised . eight days were spent in levelling raju's works . they repaired the damage done to the fort , and furnished it with men and ammunition . . the viceroy , after receiving the joyful news of this victory , and honouring emanuel de sousa and d. paul , died of a violent sickness in the beginning of may. he was little of stature , but graceful , couragious , prudent in counsel , and of great authority , a good latinist , and italian , and so addicted to poetry , that he writ good verses , a lover of justice , and free from avarice . the fault laid to his charge is , that he suffered himself to be governed by one less capable of government than himself . he was the th viceroy , and d governour , for the space of almost four years , the d of the name , and th of the s●…name . chap. vii . the government of emanuel de sousa coutinno , from the year , till . . the viceroy being dead , and patents of succession opened , they first appointed matthias de albuquerque , who was gone for portugal ; the second , emanuel de sousa coutinno , then present , who took upon him the government , and was well qualified for it , as being very brave , and well experienced in the affairs of india . . soon after arrived ships from portugal . d. paul de lima , weary of the toils of war , and much more troubled that he was so ill rewarded , resolved to return to portugal . . the ships that were homeward bound ▪ being dispatched , d. paul imbarked in that called the st. thomas , whereof stephen de vega was captain . on the coast of natal she sprung aleak in the stern , and a storm raging she could not be kept above water , though they threw over board all the riches that was in her . . the boat being lanched , all strove to perish in it , because they would have it hold all that the ship contained . several were killed upon this occasion , and d. paul standing on the side with his sword drawn , could no way prevent it . at length , those that the boat could not contain returned to the ship. the women were let down , and almost drowned before they were taken in , because it could not come to the ship 's side . da. ioanna de mendoca going in to it , left behind a daughter but two years old , and calling for her afterwards , could not get her , because the nurse would not let the child go unless they would take her with it . . the boat was not far from the ship when they saw it swallowed up by the sea. it was yet worse , that being over-loaded with persons , and there being no other remedy left , they were forced to throw some into the sea , who immediately sunk . the boat came to the shore . . ninety eight persons , men and women , landed , several of them gentlemen of note , their wives , and some friers , one of which after having confessed , the people in the ship would have stayed to die with them , that he might be aiding to them in that last hour . they marched in good order , a frier going before with a crucifix on high . the women put themselves into men's habit after the indian manner , that their coats might not be a hinderance to them in going . . the place where they landed , by the portugueses is called , the country of the fumos , by the natives of the macomates , being inhabited by cafres of this name . it is in the latitude of deg . min. beyond the river of simon dote , leagues south of the bay of lorenzo marquez . all the land of the fumos belongs to the king of vira●…gune , and runs leagues up the inland , bordering on the south with the country of moca●…apata , the king whereof extends his domi●…on to the upper part of the river st. lucia , in the latitude of ●… deg . min. and to the kingdom of vambe , that contains a great part of terra del natal . from hence to the cape of good hope there are no king , but ancozes , or lords of villages . next the kingdom of vira●…gune , is that of innaca , towards the n. e. to the point of the bay s. laurence , in deg . min. of south latitude , and has two islands opposite to it called choambone and s●…timuro , the last not inhabited is the receptacle of the portugueses that resort thither to buy ivory . about the bay many great rivers fall into the sea , as beligane , mannica , spiritu santo , vumo , anzate , and angomane . at vumo died d a leonor and her children , and emanuel de sousa was lost . anzate runs along the edge of vast inaccessible mountains covered with herds of elephants , the people of a gigantick stature . in the latitude of degrees the river de l●…s reyes , or del oro , falls into the sea , west of which are the kingdoms of 〈◊〉 and mannuca . from this place to cape corrientes the sea makes a great bay , along which inhabit the moeranges , notable thieves . opposite to the point st. sebastian are the islands of bazaruta , and not far from it the kingdom of in●…abuze , that reaches to the river i●…narigue ; then that of pande , bordering on the other mo●…nibe , which extends to that of zavara in the inland . near these are the kingdoms of gamba and mocuraba , next to it is cape corrientes . . after suffering much hunger , thirst , weariness , and being persecuted by thieves , they came to the town of the king of m●…nica , by whom they were courteously received , and entertained ; he offer'd them to live in his town , or in the island ( where we said before the portugueses used to reside , during the time of their stay ) till such time as portugues merchants came thither . they accepted of the island , where some died . being ill accommodated there , they passed over in boats to the other side of the continent , and in the passage were parted . some few got to the fort of zofala , others to the king of innaca's town , where were some portugues traders , who had also suffered shipwrack , here after enduring great hardships , many died . . d. paul de lima ended his days , and was there buried on the shore . such as escaped death a long time after went over to goa . among these were three women , donna mariana , donna ioanna mendoça , who after led a solitary life , and donna beatrix , wife to d. paul , who carried his bones to goa , then went to portugal , and married again at oporto . . let us return to india . mir alibet encouraged by his success in the year , set out the beginning of this summer from moca with four gallies , and the vessel he had taken from rocque de brito at lamo. he anchor'd off of melinde , and was obliged to remove the first night by matthew mendez de vasconcelos , who commanded on that coast. our governor , emanuel de sousa coutinno , understanding this pyrate was abroad , sent against him his own brother thomas de sousa coutinno with men in vessels of several sorts . . after a troublesom voyage he arrived at mombaça in february , where mir alibet had already fortified himself . our fleet passed through the enemies fire up the river , took the four gallies , killed above turks , released many christians , and took many prisoners , and pieces of cannon . . the muzimba's at this time were on the other side ( in such numbers as shall be related in the year ) intending to kill and plunder the moors of mombaça . having from thence with admiration beheld what the portugueses had done , their commander sent to thomas de sousa to desire him , that since the portugueses were gods of the sea , and he of the land , and they had done their work , they would give him leave to begin his . sousa consented , and they entring the island , killed the moors and turks , who from the city fled to the woods . many fled to the ships and were taken in , the rest were cut in pieces to be eaten by the muzimbas . among those that preferr'd captivity before death , was mir alibet , and a son and brother of the king of qualife . . sousa went over to the island , the king whereof had been a principal actor in this revolt , and being now in arms refused to come to him ; but d. bernardin coutinno with only one souldier ran up to the king at the head of his men , and threatning to stab him if any one stirred , brought him away . he , the king of qualife's brother , and two governors of pate were beheaded . the king of sio was put to the oar , the rest were all fined . then our commander passed over to the island mandra , the people of which place had told some portugueses , that only the sun beams could enter there . yet the island and town were entred , the one wasted , the other levelled with the ground . . thus sousa brought all that coast under subjection , and was received at goa with great applause . mir alibet was brought to portugal where he died a christian. . about the end of the year arrived in india five ships from portugal . . it is not my intention to relate only what is honourable of the portugues , i will here set down four ridiculous and destructive actions of theirs . the first was thus : the king of banguel our friend , desiring to destroy a wood belonging to an enemy of his , desired our admiral of the coast of calicut to assist him with men , to guard those that cut down the wood. they were sent , and instead of securing him , so dispersed themselves in the wood , that the enemy taking the advantage cut them all off . the second ; a portugues galley meeting some pirats of cangane pursued them with scoffs , scorning to take up arms against them , and they turning upon the galley entred it , and put all the men to the sword. . the third ; the admiral that was so unfortunate in the red sea in the year , having now taken a rich ship of meca and killed the captain , order'd the moors in her ( as if it had been one of his galleons ) to follow the admiral 's light. they as soon as it was night fled , and he being ashamed to be so deceived , endeavoured to excuse himself by saying , the jesuits had advised him so to do , as if that were any justification of his folly. the fourth ; seven hundred portugueses from chatigam , took a town , and being in it , a cannon that was hid accidentally took fire , and they without examining further , fled to their ships in such a consternation , that one single moor durst follow them throwing of stones . . two of our gallies going to chaul , to bring an ambassador sent by the mogol , were set upon at the river of carapatan , eighteen leagues from goa , by a great squadron of malabars , commanded by the famous moor castamuza . after a tedious fight , the enemy left them in such a condition , that only their departure could have saved our men , who may be said to have had the victory , because they kept the field . . in may , matthias de albuquerque arrived in india alone , having set out of ●…bon with five ships , four whereof were driven back to portugal . he went to succeed emanuel de sousa with the title of viceroy . sousa having given up the sword , embarqued for portugal on the greatest ship that had ever been seen on the ocean , and vastly rich , and was cast away on the sands of garaj●…o , nothing that was in the ship being saved . this ship made up the number of lost in this voyage between the years , and , a great loss for so short a time , and may be attributed to two causes , the over-loading , and making them too big , both faults proceeding from covetousness . . in fine , emanuel de sousa coutinno was born in the village de los arneyros , in the diocess of lamego , and was a gentleman , might make the place of his birth honourable . he was the th governor , first of the name , and second of both sirnames . chap. viii . the government of the vice-roy mathias de albuquerque , from the year till . . mathias de albuquerque , a gentleman well deserving this command , was before named for this govermnent by the patents of succession , but being come for portugal when they were opened was again here appointed with the title of vice-roy . the season was so far advanced , it was generally believed he could not go through , but he caused himself to be painted on his colours standing upon fortune , and setting them up in his ship , said , he would perform the voyage in spight of her , and did it . about the time he entred upon the government , there sailed from lisbon iames pereyra tibao in a small ship , and in december ruy gomez de gram in a galleon , and gaspar fagundez in a caravel , who were to be in india about the middle of this year we now enter upon , and about the end of it arrived there four ships , that set out about the beginning . . the vice-roy understanding that the king of iafanapatan assisted him of candea against , and delighted in persecuting such as imbraced the christian religion , calling himself king of kings , sent against him andrew furtado , that great commander , with sail. . off of calicut he met three ships of meca , after a hot engagement he sunk two and took one . then he sailed in search of the pirat cotimuza , nephew and admiral to cunnale , who with ( some say ) galleys , was become absolute on the coast of coromandel , had taken several of our ships , and designed to take from us the forts of columbo and manar . at the mouth of the river cardiva , furtado met and fought him , and he having behaved himself well escaped by swimming , leaving us possessed of his whole fleet. it is pity we want the particulars of this fine action . . our admiral after this victory entring the port of manar , found there a great fleet , and made himself master of it , many of the men swimming a-shore to join the king's army . furtado lands and marches toward the town , which was well fortified , manned and provided . he assaults the works , and drives the defendants into the town , whence the king with severe language made his commander return to charge the portugueses , without hearkning to the advice he gave him to shift for himself , because they would soon be in his palace . the general returned , and was killed with all his men. the portugueses advancing , slew the king and his eldest son , his younger brother casting himself at furtado's feet begged his life , which was granted him , and the government of that kingdom , till the vice-roy should order it otherwise . he was afterwards made king upon reasonable terms . . at this time cunnale marcar , a subject of the king of calicut , successfully scoured that coast with a good squadron . against him the vice-roy sent d. alvaro de abranchez with a considerable fleet. f. francis da co●…a was then prisoner at the court of zamori , who inclined that prince to treat of peace with the portugueses , and to that effect sent the same father to d. alvaro , who was then in that sea. d. alvaro sent him to the vice-roy , the peace was concluded to the content of both parties , and zamori not only released all the slaves in his kingdom , but encouraged the jesuits to build a church , himself laying the first stone . . the beginning of this year sailed from lisbon four ships , two whereof we shall see miserably perish , at the latter end of the year following . . let us go to moçambique , where there happened a great loss . our commander of tete had some skirmishes with the cafres our enemies . tete is a fort of that authority , that all the neighbours for three leagues about , divided under eleven captains , obey the commander of it , as each does their own , and upon the least signal given resort thither , to the number of armed men. with these cafres , and some portugueses , he marched against quisura , captain of the munbo cafres , who was at chicarongo . six hundred of these gave him battle , and were cut off every man of them , whereby many prisoners were released , who were to have been slaughtered like cattle for the shambles , theirs being of human flesh. the tyrant quisura was also killed , who used to pave the way to his habitation with the sculls of those he had overcome . . andrew de santiago , commander of the fort of sena , designing as much against the muzimba's , found them so well fortified , he was obliged to send to peter fernandes de chaves , commander of tete , for aid . chaves marched with some portugues musqueteers and the cafres under his command ; but the muzimba's being informed of it , and fearing the conjunction of those forces , fell upon him so unexpectedly , that they slew him and all his portugueses , being advanced before their cafres , who thereby had time to retire . the victors quarter'd the dead for food , and returned with them to their works . f. nicholas of the rosary , a dominican , was reserved from this general slaughter , and after shot to death with arrows . . next day the muzimba's marched out of their works after their leader , who had put on the casula , or vestment taken from the martyr'd priest , and holding a dart in his right hand , and the chalice in the left. the men carried the commander of tete's head on a spear , and the quarters of the portugueses on their backs . andrew de santiago astonished at that sight thought to retire by night , but the enemy falling upon him he was killed with most of his men ; so that in both actions above of them were cut in pieces , to be buried in those barbarians bellies . . d. peter de sousa , commander of moçambique , under whose jurisdiction tete is , set out with portugueses and cafres , to take revenge on these munzimba's . he batter'd their works , but with no success , and endeavouring to scale them was repulsed . being likely to succeed , by raising gabions as high as their trenches , he was prevented by some cowardly portugueses , who , to hide their fear , pretended the fort of sena was in danger . our commander drawing off to relieve it , was attacked by the muzimba's , lost many of his men , the cannon and other booty . yet the enemy offered a peace , which was concluded . . soon after one of these muzimba's marching eastward , gather'd men , and killing all in his way that had life , set down before quiloa , which he entred by the treachery of one of the inhabitants , and put them all to the sword. . this done , he caused the traytor and all his family in his presence to be cast into the river , saying , it was not fit such base people , who betrayed their country , should be spared , nor yet eaten , because they were venomous , therefore he cast them to be food for the fish. so odious is treason even among barbarians . he designed to have done the same at melinde , but that king , assisted by portugueses , withstood him till of the mosseguejo cafres coming to the relief of melinde , the muzimba's were so slaughtered , that of all that army only escaped with the general , after they had ravaged leagues . behold the chalice of this muzimba . . ma●…hew mendez de vasconcelos by force of arms re-established the king of the island pemba , expelled by his subjects ; and they soon after , provoked by the villanies of the portugueses , forced him and them to fly to mombaça , after having killed many , and deprived the rest of the hope of ever returning to that island . . let us return to india . melique had a city opposite to chaul , and of the same name , full of moors , and of great trade as being a good port , and famous for weaving of silks . the commander of it was an eunuch , once a slave to the portugueses , now to melique . this man posted himself on that noted height , called morro , with horse and foot. morro is a promontory over the sea , and this runs down to the shore of chaul which lies to the northward of it , the river running between them . . they terrified the portugueses of chaul , and destroyed them with large cannon they played from that elevation . this motion was made by nizamaluco contrary to the peace establi●…d when francis barreto governed , and he justified it with complaints against matthias de albuquerque . . this siege was commenced in april , when winter begins , at a time the moors infested the lands of bacaim , and some horse , those of chaul . small vessels did great harm along the coast , but much more was sustained in the city from the cannon . then came mogols to be present at the taking of the portugueses , which they held as a thing certain , but being assaulted by some of our men , were killed , taken , and the other fled . the eunuch taladar escaped being taken , and died of his wounds , as did a turk that succeeded him in the command . after him , that post fell to faratecan . . he with continual batteries gave our men no respite . about withstood his power , till d. alvaro de abranches brought from baçaim , and another from salsete . they now made up portugueses , and a like number of such faithful slaves , that they received the wounds themselves to protect their masters . having appointed a day to attack the enemy , they all confessed themselves , and then went up the river in several vessels . , the portugueses , beyond all expectation , made their way to the plain on the top of the promontory , and there the fight was renewed . ten elephants being turned loose , a soldier of ours gave one such a cut as made him run back , trampling his own men till he fell into the ditch , making us a bridge to pass over . another elephant made way to a wicket , the portugueses entred , and found so many dead , as were a stop to them from killing others . . some accounts say , were slain , others make them no less than . faratecan , his wife , and daughter , were taken ; he became a christian before he died , as did his daughter , and came to portugal ; his wife was ransomed . only portugueses were lost . there were taken a great quantity of ammunition , many horses , elephants , and extraordinary pieces of cannon . chap. ix . continues and concludes the government of matthias de albuquerque . . the portugueses , in hopes the death of raju might contribute towards recovering what they had lost in ceylon , gave advice thereof to the viceroy , who sent thither peter lopez de sousa with a good number of men and ammunition . this commander made a halt at palnagure , and ordered francis de silva to bring the queen of candea , whom he would put into possession of that kingdom . but iohn chingala , who had usurped it , taking the advantage of peter his ill conduct , took him and almost men prisoners , and cut off their noses . the queen was put in prison , and above portugueses suffered several sorts of death . . d. hierome de azevedo succeeded peter lopez in this command , and with portugueses fought chingala's , but came off with great loss . these mutiniers were commanded by dominick correa a chingala , who was afterwards taken , carried to columbo , and there quartered . . five ships arrived now from portugal , and then was first carried into india the bull of the croisade , whereof f. francis de faria a dominican was commissary . . the ship st. albertus sailing for portugal , was cast away on the coast del natal , some of the men lost , the rest marched in a body under the command of nunno vello pereyra , suffering great hardships to the river of lorenço marquez , where finding emanuel malleyro with a ship , nunno and most of the men imbarked and came to moçambique . those who were left behind travelled by land , and forgetting their miserable condition , so provoked the cafres with their insolence , that they killed most of them . . nunno vello pereyra imbarked again on the ship chagas , commanded by francis de melo , and had no better fortune the second voyage than the first . near the islands azores three english ships met , and after a bloody fight , burnt them . only escaped , burning or drowning on planks , among which were nunno vello , and blas correa ; they were taken up by the english , carried into england , and ransomed . . the annual ship coming in april from china vastly rich , and being on the malabar coast almost in sight of goa , was set upon by galliots of the enemy . there were but portugueses in the ship , who fought days and nights till they were all killed ; then an islander of iava going into the round top from thence , with a barrel of powder set her a fire , so that the enemy got little by her . a poor comfort . . the viceroy fitted out a squadron of sail with men , and gave the command of it to andrew furtado . on the first of august he met ships belonging to zamori full of riches , and people of both sexes and all ages , above of them were killed in fight , the ships taken , and the booty was such , that a servant happen'd upon bags of pagods , a gold coin of the bigness of half a royal plate , but thicker , and worth a crown . furtado went on , and found the malabar fleet he went in search of in the river of cardiga , which shunned not the ingagement , but was totally defeated , and a great booty taken . . then he sailed for ceylon , arrived at columbo , and secured that place , in great danger of utter ruin by means of the portugueses , who were at variance among themselves , and mutinied against their captain . this done , he returned with fresh honour to goa . . now arrived ships from portugal , and found another beautiful one built , called the mother of god , to return with them , which was lost on the coast called desierto de la ethiopia oriental , between magadaxo and the island zocotora . many of the men were drowned , and more perished with hunger and thirst ashore : only escaped , enduring such miseries , they often envied the happiness of the dead . . i find not any account of the occurrences of this year , only that about the end end of it came ships from lisbon , and in one of them f. alexius de meneses , of the order of st. augustin , who went to succeed f. matthew in the archbishoprick of goa . . about this time the religious of st. dominick , to secure the preaching of the gospel in their district , raised a fort at solor , which grew so considerable , it was afterwards found convenient to send a commander thither . the first , or among the first , were antony de vellegas , and antony de andria , who put to the sword many of the natives that had killed some religious men. this punishment , in stead of amendment , made them worse , for two years after conspiring together , they agreed to kill the commander and friers . they fell furiously upon the town and fort , in the town they did much harm , the commander withdrew himself out of the fort , and could not be found . they imagining he had forsaken it , entred , and andria with a few portugueses coming upon them through a private door they knew not of , killed most of them . . a galley and five other vessels of ours cruizing off cape comori to secure our traders from coromandel , were so surprised by the malabars , that they entred and burnt the galley . the sail that were at some distance coming up time enough to have taken the enemies vessels , suffered them to go away without molestation . . on the th of february happened the death of the franciscan martyrs of iapan . they suffered at nangataqui under the cruel cambaco , in revenge for the numbers they had converted . their names were , f. peter baptista the commissary , f. martin of the assumption , f. francis blanco , and the brothers , philip of iesus , and francis de barrilla , and gonzalo garzia , with iaponneses , among which were brothers jesuits , and children , thomas , antony , and lewis . they were crucified , and then shot with arrows . . on the coast of malabar , between the cities of goa and cochim , leagues from the one , and from the other , is the little port of pudepatam , within which the creeks form a peninsula , joyning to the land on the south side . on the north of it are the ariores or lords of baragare and motonge . they are all divided by a rivulet , and towards the east a river falls there from the mountain gate , and another called capocape on the south . the moor pate marca perceiving how convenient a place this was to shelter pirats that might scour all that coast , obtained leave of zamori , whose subject he was , and the peninsula his , to build a fort there . . he went over thither with his kindred and followers , and began to raise a square fort on the east point of it . from hence he began to make war upon us , taking many of our ships richly laden . he assaulted the village of tana in the island salsete near baçaim , and carried away a rich booty , taking the opportunity of doing it , when those who should defend it were at the devotions of the holy week . . mahomet cunnale marca succeeded him in the sovereignty of that fort , finished and increased it ; and foreseeing the portugueses would seek revenge , he fortified the town ( called also cunnale ) by sea and land. on the land side he made a deep ditch with double trenches yards and a half thick from sea to sea. at distances he raised towers that flanked the work , and on the towers ( by them called zarames ) planted small cannon between the two creeks he built a strong wall which secured the town , with two towers , one at each end , and along the sea-shore stuck palisadoes , where were also two bastions , one greater than the other , planted with gross cannon to secure the entrance of the harbour , which besides was made very difficult even to small vessels by masts strongly chained together . . being thus secure , he took upon him the style and title of king , and carried on his uncle's design against the portugueses with greater success . he took one of our galleys , a ship coming from china , and many lesser vessels , assisted the queen of olaba when she revolted , and melique at the last siege of chaul , and now robbed not only the portugueses , but the malabars also , filling his peninsula with riches . . our viceroy concerned at the increase of his power , resolved towards the end of his government to weaken it , and by d. alvaro de abranches , admiral of that sea , advertised zamori , how that pirat was equally prejudicial to him as to the portugueses , and therefore it would be convenient they should both joyn to extirpate him . that prince being made sensible of this truth , a new peace was concluded , and they agreed , that he by land , and the portugueses by sea , should joyntly undertake the expulsion of cunnale , and razing the fort. both parties provided for this expedition , when a new viceroy coming , the prosecution of it was carried on , as shall be seen in his government . . matthias de albuquerque was one of the most deserving men that arrived to this command , as well for his fortune and valour , as his prudence and justice . in the treasury he left ducars in money , and jewels of ceyl●…n of great value . he thought no body could cheat him , and a soldier to undeceive him received his pay three times in three several shapes , and by as many names . matthias afterwards hearing of it sent for him , and was kind to the man , advising him to use that art no more . . he was of a middle stature , lame of one foot , but not lame in manners , being as much a christian as a gentleman , of viceroys the th , of governours the th , first of the name , and second of the sirname . chap. x. of the propagation of the gospel in the empire of china during these later years . . the manner of the introducing and propagating the gospel in china from the year , till , was so remarkable and worthy of memory , that thô i descend not to the particulars , i cannot but give ●…ome general account of it . . some religious orders had with courage and profit laboured therein before the holy society of iesus appeared in india . the first that set foot there was the order of the most holy trinity , in the person of d. vasco de gama his confessor , who ( as is before said ) was of that congregation . the second was that of st. francis , and the third of st. dominick's , who trampling all difficulties , sowed the doctrine of life there , watering i●… with their blood. afterwards some secular priests , and even lay-men , made themselves famous by this spiritual work. . this was the estate of christianity in asia , till its new apostle st. francis xaverius came thither , who from the year , till , never ceased preaching to those people , and died in the island sancham , with an ardent desire of entring china . by his death , the design of instructing the chineses was laid aside till the year , when f. alexandrinus de valiniano an italian , and visitor of the society in asia , undertook it , notwithstanding all the difficulties that obstructed . . none of the smallest was the hardness of the chinese language , more uncouth to us than all the others of asia . yet at length a few attained some knowledge of it ; and the first that set foot in quantung , was f. michael rogerius a neapoli●…an , on pretence of administring the sacraments to the portugueses who traded there , and by this means converted some of the natives , who went over to macao , where for their better instruction was erected a sort of seminary near to the house of the iesuits : . valiniano considering the greatness of the difficulties , was resolved to desist , but god prevented the execution of this resolution . this language , at first so difficult , was afterwards the best spoke and writ by these fathers , and other obstacles , though not removed yet , began to appear less terrible . by order of the visitor valiniano , who resided at iapan , there came from india to macao f. matthew rivius an italian , to assist f. michael rogerius . they founded a confraternity in that city for such iaponeses and chineses as were converted , calling it , the sanctuary of iesus . other fathers resorted thither , and among them f. francis pasius . . this was the posture of affairs , when the viceroy of xanking , for his private interest , sent for the bishop and governor of macao . the one sent f. rogerius , the other mattheus penela , with a present which satisfied him . f. rogorius returned thither again with f. plasius , and presenting the viceroy a striking watch , and triangular glass which shews things of several colours ; the novelty of these things so pleased him , that he gave them leave to build a church and house in the suburb , where he entertained them kindly . but after months , a new viceroy succeeding , they were forced to return to macao , where plasius died . . the new viceroy sends for the fathers , the same rogerius and matthew rivius go to him , and return without any success , but with much trouble . in may they are again sent for to xanking , whither they came in november , . are kindly received , and have a pleasant place assigned them without the city to build . . it is remarkable , that when these religious men were banished this city , they left an altar-stone in the custody of nicho chus , a youth well inclined to christianity ; at their return they found it decently placed in a room with perfumes burning before it , and over it a board with these words , tien chu , that is , to the lord of heaven . here the religious , for this strange accident , said mass , till their church was made ready . . the fathers , to be the more acceptable , put on the chinese habit , and named god in their prayers by that title they had seen on the board , which much pleased the natives . many of the gentry and learned men began to reverence the images of christ , and the blessed virgin ; they began to give ear to matters of faith , printed and dispersed among the people the ten commandments , highly approving of them , supplied the church with lights and perfumes , and gave alms to the fathers . . the first baptized was a sick man of mean condition . the christian doctrine was printed after their manner , and dispersed through the whole province with no small reputation for the great titles the viceroy bestowed on the authors of it . . f. rogerius now went to macao , to seek some relief to the great poverty that place was in . mean while the chineses changing their humours , began to slander the fathers , and often threw stones at their house . f. matthew rivius was carried before the supream court , he carried his sleeves full of the stones had been thrown at him , and letting them fall at the judges feet , so mollified him , that he caused the accuser to be whipped , and ordered on severe penalties no wrong should be offered the fathers . rivius was skilled in the mathematicks , and made maps and dials , all pleasing and new there , particularly seeing so many countries in the world to them unknown , as believing there was nothing beyond asia . this novelty attracted people from very remote parts to behold it , and proved a great motive to incline them to receive the faith. . f. rector francis cabrall , superintendent of this mission , came from macao to visit this new colony of the church . he found more fruit than was expected , and baptized the first converts , among which a learned man of the province of fokien , whom he called paul , and another iohn , which was he that with such reverence kept the altar-stone aforemention . . the visitor valiniano , for joy of this success , made this mission independent of macao , subjecting it immediately to himself , and the provincial of iapan . d. duarte de meneses , then viceroy , settled an allowance out of the custom-house of malaca upon the fathers . . f. almeyda and rogerius , having obtained leave , went to erect another house in the province of chekiang , where they immediately baptized an ancient gentleman , father to the governor of xanquim , and soon after others . this was in the city xanchin . . but this lasted not long , for the fathers were soon expelled . those of xanking were in danger , but got off , and their accusers were punished . these religious men considering , this prosperity could not be lasting without the king's authority , sent f. rogerius to rome to obtain a letter and present from the pope for the king ; but the pope dying the business was delayed , and f. rogerius ended his days at salerno , in the kingdom of naples . mean while the fathers at xanking were not without troubles , but still protected by the viceroy ; converted many people , till a new viceroy coming they were banished , and all they had taken from them . . on their way to macao they were overtaken by fresh orders from the viceroy ; whereupon they returned to xanking , and had a place assigned them to settle at hancheu . not far from that city is a most delightful plain along the side of a river , and in it a vast temple and monastery of bonzos , called manhoa , and yet the number of idols exceeds that of the bonzos , for only in one of apartments , into which it is divided , there were seen . these , as they call them , religious men live there with their wives and children , and when they think fit , go out to rob . to this place were the fathers led , that if they liked they might settle there , and were well received by the bonzos , but the design of the religious was to live in the city . . the fathers were admitted into the city with the general good liking of all people . they soon suffered by the contagion of the air , which infects the very natives with a disease like an ague , yet escaped the danger . from macao two young chinese converts were sent to be their companions , who were afterwards the first of that nation admitted into the society . . they laboured with no small fruit , some persons of note being converted . among the rest , cuytaiso , the son of a great man , having lost or spent his fortune , came to f. rivius , thinking he was a chimist , and might teach him the way to make gold , and being by him instructed , found the true treasure of the faith. the same happened to an ancient gentlemen of almost eighty years of age. . a persecution was now raised at hancheu , and the governor examining into it , decreed to punish the causers of it , but pardoned them at the intercession of f. rivius . in the year was converted a rich merchant , who long had consulted the idols and their ministers about the way to salvation , and at length found it among the jesuits . f. rivius went with his disciple cuytaiso , and by his perswasion to nanking where he had innumerable auditors , baptized six , left many many more in good disposition . he had done much more here , but that he was sent for to hancheu , whither he returned , and converting many , suffered another persecution , but weather'd it . . till the end of the year , our fathers wore their own habit , and shaved as in europe ; and then changed it for that used by the lawyers , for three reasons ; first , to avoid being called bonzos , for that those cloathed like them and shaved ; secondly , to gain the better admittance to magistrates , who familiarly receive none without that habit ; and thirdly , to please the people . chap. xi . continues the subject of the propagation of the gospel . . about the middle of the year , f. matthew rivius set out for the city nanking in company of a great man. the way was up great rivers , in one of which the vessels were sunk , and f. rivius forced to swim for his life , having lost his companion iohn barradas . his design was to settle a residence in that court , where he found many opposers , and among them a powerful man who had pretended much friendship . . he went to nancham , the metropolis of the province kiangsi , between nanking and quantung . being there in despair of any success , he obtained a lodging , where he said mass on the day of st. peter and paul , and afterwards leave to fix a residence , whither resorted f. iohn soeyro from macao , and the brothers francis martinez and sebastian rodriguez from hancheu ; with much trouble they founded a church . . the visitor valiniano seeing how inconvenient it was the affairs of china should have any dependance abroad , granted f. matthew rivius the full superintendence of them . he resolved again to attempt settling a residence at nanking . from hence he proposed to send advice of his coming to that king , with a present of things very common in europe , though there much esteemed for their rarity . these were clocks much admired of the chineses , for that they move of themselves . triangular glasses , that represent variety of colours . a harpsical . but what was more surprizing than all the rest , was the learning of f. rivius , his art of memory , his maps of the world , his understanding , wit and judgment . . there being no way to send the present , it was agreed the fathers should carry it themselves , going in company of a nobleman that travelled thither . in the way to peking they saw many cities and innumetable villages along the banks of the rivers up which they went. being come to peking , they spent a month soliciting an audience of the king , but without success . . rivius with great trouble returned to sucheu , being sent for by his disciple cuitayso . this is doubtless the most glorious city in those parts . it is built in a river , as venice in the sea , and is of great strength to prevent all accidents . the occasion of sending for f. rivius , was to fix a residence there . the viceroy of nanking's leave was requisite for this undertaking : both master and disciple take a journey thither , and and the viceroy grants leave to settle in both places . here f. rivius disputed with a famous bonzo , and overcame him even in the judgment of his adversaries . . the court of publick works proposed to the fathers to buy a house that had long stood empty because haunted by devils , they did , and all the people was astonished to see that after their entrance the fiends had forsaken it . they could not undertake any thing than at sucheu for want of more fathers . . still f. rivius his thoughts were bent upon peking , to obtain the king's consent to proceed . whilst he prepared for this journey , the faith considerably spread at nanking . the first baptized was a discreet old man years of age , of a noble family , who had an hereditary military command , his sirname was chin , and he was christened by the name of paul. his son , a learned man , followed the good example , and was named iohn , then all their family , and some kindred . . on the th of may , f. rivius embarqued the second time upon the river for peking , with him went f. iames pantoja a spaniard , called by a learned man golden hands , for the delicate works he wrought , and the two brothers sebastian and emanuel . at nanking remained f. lazarus de catania and b. iohn . . whilst they went up the river , the viceroy of the province of xangsi's wife dream'd she saw a sovereign deity with two children . she concluded her dream was expounded , when her husband relating the things contained in the present , for the king mentioned a picture of our blessed lady , with our saviour and st. iohn baptist. the lady desiring such a picture , and there being no painter to copy it , f. rivius gave her a copy he had . the viceroy receiving it with respect , assured him he and his family would always reverence the mother and son. . at the city linchin a covetous eunuch , who was receiver-general of the revenue , called mathan , imprisoned them in the fort of tiensim , seizing upon the present they carried for the king , and all they had . after six months confinement , an order came from the king ( without knowing who had procured it ) that the fathers should be sent to him . all things were restored them , and they arrived at peking about the end of the year . the present was publickly carried to court , and the king as soon as he saw the picture of christ admiring it , said ; this is the living god. yet afterwards caused it to be removed out of his sight . the same happened with his mother ; nevertheless it was set in a decent place , and honoured with perfumes , and is said to be preserved in that palace to this day . a striking clock was much admired ; so several other things . . afterwards they were sent for ; a favourite eunuch spoke to them in the king's name ; they gave him an account who they were , whence they came , and what they desired . he acquainted the king with it , and they were lodged in the palace , in the apartment of the mathematicians , and nobly entertained . there they instructed some men appointed by the king in the motion of the clocks , and how to keep them , and then removed to a hired house . the king saw them not , because he scarce used to see his own people , but to have some sort of sight of them , sent painters to draw their pictures . having seen the pictures he took them for moors . pantoja was again introduced into the palace , to teach some musicians to play upon the harpsical . . thus far were our hopes advanced , when the fathers were imprisoned by the court of ceremonies , for presuming to reside there , without presenting themselves before their tribunal . this confinement lasted but three days , because the king sent for them . though he sent for them they saw him not , yet performed all the usual impertinent ceremonies to his throne as if he had been there . the supream president of that court more particularly examined f. rivius who he was , whence he came , and what he and his companions pretended at court ; and he being the most expert in the chinese language , in most lofty terms answer'd to all those particulars , to the great admiration of the president and all the auditory . . the king being informed hereof , granted the fathers leave to live at that court , and all the courtiers favoured them , especially the ministers of state and mandarins . f. rivius so far gained the favour of a calao , the supream dignity in that empire , that he treated him as his equal ( a thing never used in that great place ) seated him at his table , and gave singular attention to all he said , particularly in matters relating to religion . one of the things that most pleased him was , that christianity allowed not of more wives than one . thus rivius contracted friendship with the president of the supream council , and soon after most of the principal men. . thus with divine and royal assistance the faith was propagated at peking , hancheu , nanking and nancham . there were converted mandarins , lawyers and other persons of note ; some with their whole families ; and the society of jesus , after years labour , in the year was possessed of four residences in china , one whereof at court , which was to support all the rest . . f. nicholas longobardo , a sicilian , who was rector at hancheu , suffered very much , but some men of note , especially one tauli , pleading for the fathers , the storm was somewhat appeased . but it broke out more furious at the instigation of a witch , who , there being a great dearth , said , the goddess quonhin would not give rain whilst the fathers were there , and f. nicholas was threatned with death , who desirous to suffer martyrdom , ran to the place where they were threatning him . he finding those people disputing about the rain , told them how vain it was to expect it from any but the god he preached ; and immediately there fell such abundance as refreshed the fields , and quenched their thirst after his blood ; so that house for that time was restored to its former quiet . let this for the present suffice touching the conversion of china , till we have occasion to speak of it again . the end of the first part. the portugues asia . tom . iii. part ii. chap. i. the government of the viceroy d. francis de gama , count de vidigueyra , from the year till . don francis de gama count de vidigueyra arrived at goa in may , having set out from lisbon the year before with five sail , whereof only his ship winter'd at mombaçá . he carried himself from the beginning with such state , that he gained the general ill will of all men , notwithstanding in other things he endeavoured to oblige . . he disposed of all places in the gift of the viceroys to his own creatures , who sold them to underserving persons , whereby those who had merited them by their service were put by their right . yet afterwards hearing the just complaints made against this unjust proceeding , he caused the buyers to be refunded , and gave those places to men of more worth . . manasinza , the great mogol's favourite , marched to subdue the patanes who were in rebellion , because catula king of orixa having plunder'd and profaned a famous pagod , they unexpectedly fell upon him , and killed his son with men. manafinza had with him horse , foot , many elephants with castles and great quantity of all other warlike engines . at the city iassalor all the inhabitants , to the number fell furiously upon the enemy , resolving to die , and ordering as soon as they were cut off , their goods , wives and children should be burnt , that the enemy might not possess their riches or dishonour their families . they did great execution at the first onset , but were all cut to pieces , and there being no time to put in execution their design , manasinza entred iassalor plundering the riches , and ravishing women ; which struck such a terror into the rest of the patanes they all submitted themselves . then marching towards the king of orixa , and he not daring to stand a battel freely offered subjection . . in ceylon , the tyrant d. iohn king of candea , taking the advantage of time when our general d. hierome de azevedo had dispersed his men to refresh them , caus'd the king of uva and the princes of dinavaca to join , and take the field with men , many musketeers , and armed elephants . with this force they marched towards our fort of corvite ( six leagues from ceitavaca ) where salvador pereyra de silva commanded with men. silva by the general 's order chose some of his men , and marched one night with such a secrecy four leagues to the place where the enemy was encamped , that they sooner felt than heard him , killing many of their men before they could handle their arms. the confusion was such they ▪ presently fled , he pursued them , slew above , and carried away some prisoners , elephants and other booty . . in the summer d. iohn , takes the field again with the king of uva and simon correa , who being in rebellion called himself king of ceitavaca . he thought to draw our general d. hierome out of his works , by attacking our quarters at mature , where d. ferdinand the modeliar commanded . d. ferdinand understanding the enemy was near , thought to have performed such another fortunate piece of service as salvador pereyra had done , but his companion simon pincham prevented him , and after a desperate fight , in which he was almost lost , obtained a victory equal to that of pereyra , and falling upon the rebels in their works killed most of them , so that the flower of candea fell this day . . at the end of may died at columbo the lawful king of the whole island of ceylon , d. iohn parea pandar , a catholick and without heirs . king philip was with the usual solemnity immediately proclaimed king of the whole island , and the oath of fidelity to him taken by all the principal men , as being appointed heir by the last will of the deceased . . about this time came first into india the scourge of the portugues pride and covetousness ; for in the month of september news was brought to goa , that the two first holland ships which durst cut those seas , had been in the port of titangone , and were bound for the island sunda . the viceroy having held a council about this affair , it was resolved to fit out a squadron of two galleons , three gallies , and nine other vessels , and the command of it was given to laurence de brito , an ancient and experienced captain deserving of greater commands . . three ships arrived now from portugal . that which had brought the viceroy was ready at cochim to return thither with them , and accidentally taking fire was burnt with all the riches in her , amounting to a million and half . . not only custom but necessity now required the sending out the two usual squadrons for the coast of malabar and the north ; the design of the northern squadron shall follow ; that of malabar was to give a check to zamori , who not only winked at but went shares with the pyrates of the fort cunnale . among other losses that of captain 〈◊〉 de 〈◊〉 and melo was greatest , he 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cape 〈◊〉 with 〈◊〉 s●…ps , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 eight 〈◊〉 of malabars , 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 slain , after having ●…ed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the squadron the vi●… 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that coast , consisted of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and other vessels , with almost 〈◊〉 men , under the comm●… of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 d. luis de gama . they did 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the same nature as has been related on the like occasions , which 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to incline to make w●… on c●…le , rather to avoid the harm we did him , th●…n in observance of the agr●…nt before made . the squadron for the north con●…ed of ships commanded by luis de silva . he 〈◊〉 ●…nding the pyrats he was in search of in the island of the sang●…es , landed and ravaged it for harbouring of them . in the river c●… he found four paraos of these pirats , took two and 〈◊〉 one , killing many of the m●… . of those who got ashore above were taken , and being beheaded , their he●…●…re set up at the mouths of those riv●… to 〈◊〉 their companions . near chaul he took a galliot , and further on another , more properly a galley , in which was the nephew of cunnale with men , whereof were killed , without the loss of one man on our side . . the war continued at ceylon . the tyrant of candea endeavoured to better his fortune , by distr●…ing us with several ●…odies , of or men ●…ch , our general d. hierome de azevedo ordered salvador pereyra de silva , and simon pi●…am , with a few , but choice , men to oppose him . they with singular success destroyed towns , took forts , slaughtered many people , ( not without cruelty to strike a terror ) and reduced all the corlas or precincts that were in rebellion to our obedience . . the two holland ships , before mentioned , did some small damage along the coast of malabar , and other places , till on that of malaca they met ships coming out o●… the port bound for india , and commanded by francis de silva . they ingaged and fought all that afternoon , and part of the night . next morning they fell to it again , and held it for days continually , till the hollanders finding themselves too weak , made for the port of queda , many of their men being killed , and most wounded . there for want of men they quitted the weakest ship , and going all into the other , were cast away on the coast of pegu. . d. luis de cerqueyra bishop of china , went this year to succeed d. peter martinez , who died at iapan , that nothing might be there wanting towards the spiritual conquest for the lack of a prelate . . with the bishop d. luis went f. alexander de valiniano . they were present at the death of taicozana , emperor of those islands . some time before his death he had designed to cause himself to be adored as a god , and to this purpose to have his images set upon altars in the chief parts of certain beautiful gardens in the fort of tuxi●… . but scarce had he fixed the place of his adoration , when on the th of iuly , . there appeared over the city meaco a wonderful blazing star , then it rained ashes and sand , and there followed an earthquake which threw down the fort and palace of tuxi●… , and in other places many temples of idols , with great slaughter of people . the sea breaking out , and overflowing for leagues towards miaco , zi●…o , and bungo , drowned whole cities and towns , over-running the tops of some mountains like the general deluge . nevertheless after his death he was adored , and statues raised to him with the title of the god of war. chap. ii. continues the government of d. francis de gama count de vidigueyra . . zamori was now sufficiently incensed against cunnale , who called himself king of the m●…labar moors , and lord of the indian sea. it was not these titles , or his pride , or the complaints of the portugueses , that provoked zamori , but that cunnale had caused the tail of one of his elephants to be cut off , as also the privy parts of a nayre , which were also fastened to his mouth . . the portugueses laying hold of this opportunity , offered their assistance against that common enemy , and blew the coals of zamori's anger they saw already lighted . the viceroy instantly fitted out some light vessels , ordering d. ferdinand de noronna to lie with them before the mouth of the port o●… cunnale , till a greater force could be sent to joyn , in order to assist zamori , who was marching to besiege that place with men , and some cannon . . that which is properly called the coast of malabar , runs from cananor to cochim the space of leagues . two to the little island tremapatan , opposite to which is the mouth of a good river , thence half a league to the river sal , thence one and a half to that of maim , one to the town of comenna , at a small distance those of motangue , curiare , and baregare ; then the river pudepatan ; two leagues farther , the town of tiracole , two leagues from cotulete , a league from this the river capocate , one farther pudiangare , one thence to calecut , two to the river cale , two to the city pananor , two thence to tanor , and two more to paranora , one more to the famous river panane , thence nine to paliporto , four to the river of granganor , and five more to cochim . at the mouth of the river pudepatan is the fort of cunnale , seated in a square peninsula , the length of the sides about a cannon shot . just within the bar a creek turns towards the south , good vessels can go about half way up it , beyond that only almadies or boats ; the great river runs first towards the north-east , then turning to the south forms that peninsula . upon that turn of the river the fort is built . the i●…mus is secured by a strong wall about a musket-shot in length from the creek to the river , which there opens and forms the little island pinale . we have already spoke particularly of the fort , in general it was large , strong , well manned , and stored with cannon . . cunnale was well provided , and had distributed the posts to choice moors well armed . our small vessels at the mouth of the river battered the fort to keep the defendants in action , that they might not be any hindrance to zamori who was on the other side , taking up the ground for his army . . d. ferdinand scoured the coast , and taking some of the pirats , hindred the resort of provisions to the fort. now comes our squadron commanded by d. luis de gama , brother to the viceroy , both unfortunate , the one in choosing , the other in being chose . . d. luis his squadron consisted of galleys , and smaller vessels , more brought by private gentlemen at their own charge , three full of men and ammunition sent by the city of cochim . besides , there were two large barques with heavy cannon to batter the fort. . the king of cochim fearing that great power that was falling upon cunnale might be his ruin , by entirely uniting zamori and the portugueses , gave out , that zamori had agreed with cunnale to cut off all our men at one stroke when they should be deepest ingaged in the assault . d. f. alexius de meneses archbishop of goa , who was there on his way to the mountains of st. thomas , at first was fearful , imagining this might be a faithful discovery ; but considering better , perceived it was the politick product of the king's jealousie , answered the king modestly , diverting him from any other designs seeing this fail . he assured the city their ships might safely set sail , yet sent advice to proceed with caution . all our fleet now joyned , they found cunnale had added to the former works a line of galiots on the edge of the water under the fort , imagining he might be attacked that way . . it was resolved in council to enter the river , and draw up the ships in a line , with their stems to the shore , that they might cover the men who attacked the fort. this resolution was sent to goa , and approved of by the viceroy , who ordered his brother to put it in execution ! he over-perswaded by some gentlemen that sought his disgrace , disobeyed , and carried the 〈◊〉 by th●… side of ariole , believing the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 might be fatal , and his 〈◊〉 lay 〈◊〉 not ●…g it . . zamori , who was battering the town , desired some portugueses might be sent him ; d. luis being suspicious of him de●…ed hostag●…s , which were presently sent , being principal men , and among them the princes of 〈◊〉 , chale , 〈◊〉 , and the chief judge of his kingdom . the 〈◊〉 taken , portugueses were sent to him under the command of belchior ferreyra . on the d of may , at night , our men began to land , luis de silva led the van with men , and among them the major d. antony de leyv●… . the sign for both armies to fall on , was a burning lance. before this was lighted , there appeared one in the air , which running along swiftly , at last va●…ed in sparks . . the besieged took this for a good omen , as the besiegers for a bad . belchior ca●…aca , who was to give the sign with the lance , mistaking the hour gave it too soon , and all began to be in confusion . for ferreyra , who was in zamori's army waiting the signal , as soon as he saw the flame , fell on with his portugueses and nayres , and assaulting the works , lost at the first onset men. . but luis de silva , though he was ready , seeing it was not past midnight stirred not then , which proved of ill consequence to the others , the enemy not being diverted on this side . towards morning he passed the creek of balyçupe in almadies or boats with men. benedict correa was the first that landed , and was killed . luis de silva , as soon as ashore , was slain by a musket shot . the ensign antony dias concealed his death , by stripping the colours off the staff , and covering him therewith . . thus they landed without colours or commander . d. francis pereyra , who succeeded d. luis in the command , followed him also in death . the next was the famous major leyva , and he seeing all lost , chose rather to die , than stain his honour by flight ; and having performed incredible feats , was slain with many other gentlemen that stuck by him . . f. francis baptista a capuchin , who encouraged the men , holding up a crucifix till it was shot to pieces ; after moistening it with tears , bathed it with his blood , being killed with it in his arms. so luis cardoso , who getting from under a vessel that overset , upon the keel defended his companions that were swimming from the moors . . whilst those mentioned and many other gentlemen died honourably , performing actions beyond all belief , about shamefully fled , many of them meeting death , where they sought an inglorious life , no perswasions being of force to bring them back . doubtless these were some condemned malefactors who were pardon'd on account to serve in this expedition , for none are greater cowards than infamous wicked men. our commander in chief , who had left the fleet to d. vasco , and had posted himself on the other side the river , opposite to the fort , running into the water up to the waste spent himself , calling upon and incouraging the men , but could send no relief for want of boats. so this proved the greatest disgrace the portugueses received in asia , ( next to that of ruy gonzales de camera at ormuz . ) three hundred men were lost , the greatest part drowned , the others piercing up to the fort , had burnt the mosque , and part of the town , and killed moors and malabars , well revenging their deaths . among the enemies dead there was above of note . . the commander in chief , d. luis , resolved to retire to cochim , and leave somebody to guard the entrance of the river , but no body would accept of that post except d. francis de sousa , who perceiving some of his men intended to forsake him and swim away , ordered a boat to be brought to the side of the galley for them , and said , he would keep none by force , nor have them go away with danger . this made them ashamed , and they all stayed , and he more by policy than force hindred the vessels resorting with provision to the fort. d. francis perswaded zamori to assault the town , believing the late slaughter had so weakened the defendants , it might be easily carried ; and he , desiring to have all the booty he supposed was within to himself , gave the assault with men , but was repulsed . . this bad news being carried to goa , orders were sent to d. luis for him to ●…eturn to cunnale , and there settle a peace with zamori to his content , that he might not raise the siege that winter , but lie till our fleet could return the beginning of summer and take the town . he returned , and d. ferdinand de noronna went to swear the peace to the liking of zamori . the first article was , that he should permit the faith to be preached in his kingdom and churches erected . the peace concluded , the same d. ferdinand was left there with ships . . d. luis de gama returning to goa , refreshed the ill-will all men bore him and his brother , because he was going to be commander of ormuz , which they looked upon as a reward of his ill success , whereas it was the king's grant before he came from portugal , whereof he could not be deprived without being found guilty of some misdemeanour . to fix some crime upon him , he was brought to a trial , but acquitted . . about this time came to the city meaco a spanish vessel , commanded by d. iohn de samudio , from manila , he raised a fort in the port of pinal , notwithstanding d. paul de portugal , who commanded there , opposed him . he protested against this proceeding , and made use of threats , but all to no effect . chap. iii. contiuues the government of d. francis de gama count de vidigueyra . . the hollanders , in hatred to our new prince , and desirous to purchase the spices of asia at a cheaper rate , resolved not to beg them any longer in portugal , and to this effect set out , in the year , some ships which were unsuccessful ; yet this did not deter them , for in the year , they fitted out the first squadron for this voyage , and reaped the benefit of it in . this squadron consisted of ships , in which were men , and provisions for years . their admiral was iacob cornelius neque of amsterdam , they set sail from that port on the th of may , . arrived at madera on the th ; on the th at the canaries , where they took wine ; on the d at the islands of cabo verde ; on the th they were in the latitude of degrees , and passed the line on the th of iune ; a wonderful swiftness , and to me incredible . . on the th of iuly they saw the cape of good hope , where a violent storm parted three of the ships which arrived at the island banda the latter end of april . the others on the th of august discovered the island madagascar , and on the th cape st. iulian. on the th of september they came to the island cerne , or cisne , in degrees of latitude , and called it mauricia . here they found tortoises of such a magnitude , that they carried two men on their backs , and birds they killed with sticks , which made them conclude it was not inhabited . at banda they joyned the other three ships . they loaded four which returned for holland , the others steered for the moluces . . on the st of ianuary they discovered the great iava , and touched at the city tuban , and on the th at the port of madura , an island in deg . min. of south latitude . there they endeavoured to ransome some of their country-men , part cast away in their former ships , and part secured for offering false money ; because the natives demanded too great a rate for them , they attempted to rescue them by force . in the fray , two boats full of men they would rescue were sunk , and at last they were forced to ransome them . at amboina they settled trade . two ships returned to banda erected a factory , and loading spice , arrived in holland on the th of april , . those that were left at amboina went to ternate , were well received by the king , and loading clove , returned home . . d. hierome de azevedo in ceylon raising a strong fort at manicravare to be the nearer to the kingdom of candea , the conquest whereof was his chief aim , so perplexed the usurper , that he setting out several bodies with the king of uva to distract our general , was in all places by him overthrown . more had been done , but that the men mutinied for want , and dispersed themselves throughout the villages for sustenance . being refreshed , they returned to their duty , and reduced all the corlas to our obedience , d. hierome cutting off many heads as a punishment to them , and terror to others . the year following he obtained another victory on the borders of candea . . d. alexius de meneses archbishop of goa was gone to visit the christians , called of st. thomas , who live dispersed about the mountains of malabar in malia , turubuli , maota , batimena , diamper , pimienta , tetemute , porca , paru , and cartuti . . those christians continued firm in the faith till about the year , though with some mixture of errors . about the year , came thither the second thomas , ( mentioned at the end of the second tome , ) repaired the temples erected by the first , and restored the doctrine . thus it continued almost years , till about the year it was over-run with the nestorian heresie . in the year came thither from babylon two caldeans , called mar xarsio , and mar prod , who divided that district into two bishopricks , and were ever after prayed to as saints , till our archbishop , suspitious of them , forbid it . after them came mar ioanne , ( sent by the greek patriarch , ) who living at cranganor , introduced the caldean brevlary . his successor was mar iacob , who died the year , and after him mar ioannat●… . . thus the bishops and heresies continued till the year , when pope paul the fourth confirmed d. iohn berm●…z patriarch of ethiopia , and simon s●…ca bishop of ca●…emit , the metropolis of mesop●…ia ; and mar elias , and mar ioseph , confirmed by the pope , the first as patriarch of mussal , and the others in their suffragan bishopricks , and ordered ioseph , who was bishop of ninice to go govern the christians of malabar , and the bishop d. ambrose mouteceli for his coadjutor . thus the patriarchal seat was divided into two , the one orthodox at mussal , the heretical at antioch . ioseph and ambrose passed over to the mountains of malabar , where the latter would not follow the other , and after reading divinity at goa , died at cochim in the year . d. george temudo , bishop of that place , perceiving ioseph spread the poison of nestor , caused him to be secured , and brought in chains to portugal , whence he returned to his bishoprick upon promise of amendment . he found mar abraham in his place , being chosen in his absence by the thomites . abraham being persecuted , went to rome , and promising to reduce that people to truth , got pope pius the fourth his breves as prelate . neither of them performed what they had promised , but continued in their heresies . . then came mar simon , saying , he was sent by the patriarch of babylon to succeed in that bishoprick . the queen of pimienta received and placed him at c●…use , where he exercised the episcopal power ; till being carried to lisbon , he went thence to rome , and was condemned by pope sixtus quintus , as not being so much as a priest , and a meer nestorian . abraham died , and his archdeacon governed the diocess , no babylonian bishop daring to come there , d. f. alexius endeavouring to keep out such heretical prelates , and that was the occasion of this his visitation . . this prelate found , that amidst their other errors they denied the virginity of our blessed lady , rejected the use of images , believed the souls of the just enjoyed not god till the general judgment ; allowed but three sacraments , baptism , order , and the eucharist ; used , in stead of confession , a perfuming in the churches ; that their consecration wine was of cocos ; that their host was a cake with oyl and salt ; that priests were ordained at years of age , and married after ordination ; that fathers , sons , and grandsons , administred sacraments in the same church ; that their wives ( called catotiaras , or cassaueras , that is , priests wives , ) wore a particular mark to be known by ; that in matrimony they used no other formalities but the consent of parties , and the uniting the couple by getting a child ; that women observed the time of the old law to be churched ; that no sacraments were administred gratis ; that holy water was made with dust of frankincense , and some of the earth where they believed st. thomas had trod ; that they used sorcery and witchcraft ; and in fine , that all was error and confusion . . d. f. alexius with great labour and toil convinced them of their errors , and reduced them to receive the true doctrine . whole towns were baptized , and submited to the roman see. . he held a provincial synod at diamper , and all its decrees were confirmed by the pope , and francis rodrigues a jesuit , who had assisted the archbishop , was made bishop of that diocess . the synod breaking up , d. f. alexius visited all those churches . . the archbishop being in the queen of changanate's country visiting the church of talavecare , one of the ancientest in those parts , ( where they shewed him three plates , on which were ingraven the priviledges and revenues granted by the king of ceylon when the babylonians xabro and pro●… built there ) met topamuta pandara king of gundara , neighbouring on that place , and presented him a letter of king philip , in which he granted him the title of brother , in regard he had allowed liberty for the christian religion in his dominions . . towards the end of this year arriv'd in india eight ships from portugal , which brought the news of the death of king philip ; five of them being ready to sail the year before , were detained because the earl of cumberland lay before the mouth of lisbon river with an english squadron , till the season was spent . one was lost on the parcell de zofala ; another at her return fought two holland ships near the island st. helena and worsted them . . the viceroy having dispatched the homeward bound ships and usual squadrons , began to think of carrying on the war against cunnale . there were men enough , but they wanted a commander ; neither was such a one wanting , but that the envy of the portugueses endeavoured to rob andrew furtado of that glory , or rather their country of that advantage . . at length they were forced to comply and employ him to recover our lost reputation , for cunnale marcar proud of his late success , had added to his former as vain titles , calling himself , defender of mahometanism , and expeller of the portugueses . many princes began to have an eye upon his success ; nevertheless d. antony de noronna , who lay before the port all winter , had perplexed him , taking several vessels laden with provisions , and killing above of his men that opposed him taking fresh water . . the fleet andrew furtado was to command , consisted of gallies and other vessels . by the way he diswaded the king of banguel and queen of olala , who designed to assist our enemy , from their purpose , and cut off the relief five ships of meca were bringing to him . . our commander being come to an anchor in the port of cunnale , set forward to treat with zamori , and he advanced to meet him on the shore . the king was naked from the wast upwards ; about his middle a piece of cloath of gold that reached several times about him , and hung down to his knees , fastned with a girdle of the breadth of a hand , of an inestimable value ; his arms cover'd to the wrists with gold bracelets set with rich stones , the weight of this treasure was so great that two men supported his arms ; about his neck was an extraordinary rich chain ; in his ears hung so many diamonds and rubies , as stretched them down with the weight ; his age was about years , his presence very majestick . a little from his side came the prince with his sword naked held up , behind him the nobility , and somewhat nearer f. francis rodriguez . the king and furtado embraced kindly , and all the cannon of the fleet was fired . being come to the king's tent , they were seated , and discoursed about the affair in hand . furtado at taking his leave , put a rich collar about the king's neck over the other , and they parted very amicably . . zamori sent the prince of tanor and other great men aboard the admiral with full power to treat and conclude all things that were for the common interest of both parties . this done there arrived from goa and other places one galleon , one galley , eleven ships and twenty-one other vessels , with ammunition , and men. furtado went himself to view the enemies works , raised others , planted his cannon , and became absolute master of the river . he caused some outworks to be attacked , the moors fled , but cunnale coming in person to second them , they made our men give ground till furtado landing came up with sword in hand and renewed the fight , here he was in great danger , but at length remained victorious , killing moors . on our side were slain two captains and nine soldiers . . fort blanco , or the white fort , was next assaulted with greater bravery than success . here captain andrew rodriguez pallota loosing nine teeth by a musket shot , jesting said , doubtless the moor knew i had no need of them : which he said in respect he was always so poor he wanted sustenance . cunnale being in distress , bribed zamori with great presents to accept the surrender upon security of the mens lives . zamori was yielding , and furtado understanding it furiously assaults the works ; the king perceiving it , falls on on the other side with nayres . the works were entred , and the lower town plundred and burnt . batteries were raised against the upper town and fort , and doing great execution reduced the defendants to despair . in fine , cunnale surrendred upon no condition but life , and marched out with a black veil on his head , carrying his sword with the point down , which he delivered to zamori , and he to our general . cunnale was about years of age , of a low stature , but well shaped and strong . he and his nephew cinale and moors of note , were sent prisoners aboard the fleet and well treated . furtado dealt generously with zamori , for it being one of the articles of agreement , that the spoil should be equally divided , he said it was to be understood only in relation to artillery , and appeased the soldiers , who expected that reward of their labour . the fort and all other works being levelled with the ground , furtado returned to goa . . as soon as some of the prisoners were set ashore , they were torn to pieces by the rabble . how can they who are guilty of such inhumanities call the much more honourable indians barbarians . cunnale and his nephew cinale were both publickly beheaded , without any regard that they had articled for life . so did that government and rabble go hand in hand in murder and breach of faith. chap. iv. the remarkable revolutions of pegu , during the government of d. francis de gama , count de vidigueyra . . the kingdom of pegu , before not very considerable , was raised to be one of the greatest empires in asia , by the king of uva and brama , assisted by portugueses under the command of antony ferreyra de braganca , who served him as his natural prince . the kingdom of pegu , properly so called , borders on that of arracam , the countries of the brama's and iungoma's ; on the west is bounded by they sea of bengala , from the city rei to that of sidoa , distant leagues from each other ; the breadth of the kingdom is about the same , and its true name is bagou . . it is about years since this kingdom was first erected by a seaman , who was the first king ; then his son , who lived years ; next the grandson , called tam ; these and all their successors added to their name the title of banna , caél uca , talanna , inda , darar , mampla . ximindo , the last , who died the year ( as was before related ) when branginoco so far inlarged it by his conquests , that it extended to china and tartary , and was sovereign of twenty-four great kingdoms , beside eighty princes not inferior to kings . thus it became the powerfullest monarchy in asia , except that of china . . this king for the conquest of martavam , thirty leagues distant from pegu , gathered , men and ships . the siege lasted six months , in which died men. the city being taken and the king killed , houses were burnt , besides temples , in which were taken idols , most of gold and precious stones ; there were also taken elephants , cannon , and innumerable prisoners . the king's share of the spoil was above millions of gold. . for the conquest of siam he led a greater force , possessed himself of the kingdom , and took the king and his two sons , called , by reason of their different colour , one the black , the other the white . he was content to leave that king in possession of the crown as his vassal , having himself been till then his subject , carrying away his two sons as hostages . . branginoco returning victorious to pegu , entred the city in triumph , many waggons going before loaded with idols and inestimable booty . he came at last in a chariot with the conquered queens loaden with jewels at his feet , and drawn by the captive princes and lords ; before him marched two thousand elephants richly adorned , and after him his victorious troops . he built a palace as big as an ordinary city . the least part of its beauty was rich painting and gilding ; for the roofs of some apartments were covered with plates of solid gold. some rooms were set with statues of kings and queens of massy gold , set with rich stones as big as the life . he was carried on a litter of gold upon many mens shoulders , the reverence paid him was more like a god than a prince . . after some time the two brothers asked leave of the king to go visit their father , which he granted , and afterwards sending to demand the usual tribute , the black prince refused to pay it . the king in a rage sends his great favourite banna with a powerful army against him . banna ravaged the country of siam , and besieges the prince in hudixa , who defended it so bravely , that banna being forced to draw off , he fell upon and totally defeated him . the king sends his brother-in-law with a greater power , and he receives a greater overthrow , of his men were cut in pieces , with a great number of elephants and horses , many more of both taken . the black prince remained victorious , his men were enriched , and all encouraged to follow their good fortune . . the king of pegu raises another army of men , elephants , horse and all necessaries proportionable ; the command of it he gave to mapa raja his son , with the title of king of siam , not doubting of the victory . at the news of this power all siam trembled , except the valiant black , now king , who met his enemy , and gave him battel . the two kings encountring on their elephants fought , and he of pegu was cast dead off his elephant , at which sight his men fled , and the siamites pursued them a month , destroying the greatest part of that vast army . . the king of pegu in a rage for the death of his son , turned his fury against the people , and some days burnt above ten thousand , throwing so many into thè river ganga , as stopped the passage even of boats. he forbid them sowing , which caused such a a famine , that they not only eat one another , to which purpose there was a publick butchery of man's flesh , but devoured part of their own bodies . for want of fuel they made fire of human bones , having first taken off the flesh to eat . it is wonderful all this tyranny never obliged that people to rebel . a good example given by heathens , to those more barbarous christians , who dare fly in the face of just princes , without the least shadow of oppression . . this was followed by a pestilence that depopulated all the kingdom . the neighbouring princes taking this advantage , fell upon the king of pegu , covetous of his treasures . among them was the black of siam , who retired with the loss men. the king of tangu was he that possessed himself of all , he promised life , liberty and estates to all that would come over to him . the first that deserted were the portugueses and moors ; for some portugueses are like moors in matters of interest . after them followed a bastard son of the king , whose head was cut off by order of the king of pegu's sister , wife to him of tangu , saying , that he who was false to his father could not be true to her . she said and did well , but who will punish her for treating her brother barbarously when taken . . he in despair delivers himself up to the king of tangu , who being possessed of the city and palace found such treasure , that he made no account of silver , and other metals and riches . it is avouched for truth , that he could not remove all the jewels and gold in twelve caravans , each consisting of seven hundred elephants and horses . the news of this treasure drew thither the king of arracam , who contenting himself with what he of tangu undervalued , gathered above three millions , and a great train of large cannon . the king of tangu presented him of pegu to his sister ; and she who ( having killed his son for betraying him ) it was thought would comfort , used him reproachfully , and afterwards seeing the king her husband inclined to mercy , caused him to be beaten to death . . the king of tangu , in whose house he of pegu was murdered by his own sister , was his creature , and son to a carter . so that kingdom had its beginning in a seaman or waterman , and ended in a carter , both employs of the same nature , one by land and the other by water . . this year came into india from the remote mountains of scythia or tartary , the prince baxan , fourth grandson of tamerlain the great , was by the augustin friars converted to the faith , lived some time , and marryed a woman of quality at goa , and thence came over to live in portugal . . four ships arrived safe at goa from lisbon , commanded by ayres de saldana , who went viceroy of india . one of these ships was taken coming home at the mouth of lisbon river . in another returned the late viceroy , d. francis de gama , better beloved by the elements than by the portugueses , as will appear by what follows . . matthias de albuquerque one of the great men of india , who afterwards fell at variance with the count ; before that happened , sent him a present of two horses worth two thousand crowns . he accepted , but upon the falling out returned them . albuquerque would not take them , and the count's messenger left them by his order tied at the door of one of mathias his servants . albuquerque commanded his servant to turn them loose , and they run about the city , till no body receiving them , they were by his order tied at the hospital door with a bill , signifying they were given to the poor . . the statue of the great d. vasco de gama , grandfather to the count , of a large proportion cut in marble , stood over the principal gate of the city , fastned to the wall by a strong iron bar. the french ingenier sebastian tibao , at the instigation of those gentlemen , the count's enemies , in the night applied to the iron that herb that has the quality of eating it , by which means the next night it was pulled down , broke , and the quarters hung up in publick places . . the day the count was to embarque , forty men well armed got aboard before him , and hanged up at the yard arm his effigies made exactly like him in face and habit. he was going aboard as they returned , and seeing that sight asked what it was ; they answered , it is your lordship , and those are the men that did it . he only replied , no more , no more india . he caused the statute to be dropt into the sea , set sail , and within two days came again into the port , to take in fowl for the voyage , because all he had before were poisoned . this is a common practice in india , especially among the great ones . . but as was said , the elements loved the count better than the men , for he was the first that ever came from india to lisbon without furling sail. the continual biting of the yards upon the masts had so fastned them , that they were forced to out them down when they came 〈◊〉 . lisbon to lower them , because they would not run . . he set sail on the th of december , and arrived at lisbon the th of may , so that he spent but months in the voyage , which equals the swiftness of the winds themselves , and could not have been performed but by running continually with them . the count was tall , and well shaped , of a grave aspect , his complexion fair , capable of the greatest command , and not covetous . he was the th viceroy , and th governour , th of the name , d of the sirname , and the th count. chap. v. the government of the vice-roy ayres de saldanna , from the year , till . . as soon as ayres de saldanna had taken upon him the government , he dispatched the homeward bound ships , which were six , under the command of d. hierome continno . that called the st. simon , commanded by iames de sousa of viana , came first to the island st. helena , where there were two great holland ships , with each two tire of guns . they presently sent aboard our ship to tell the captain , he must instantly yield , and go aboard them , unless he would soon be sent to the other world. sousa considering that message required a loud answer , sent it from the mouth of a cannon , and they understanding it , replied with ; the terror whereof made our men drop from the yards who were furling the sails , but they soon recovered themselves . . the enemies cannon playing , killed at first two of our men , and tore the rigging and masts ; at which our people were so frighted , they sought to abandon the ship. sousa with much valour encouraged them , and began to play his guns with good success . the fight lasted without ceasing that afternoon , all night , and the next morning , wherein the hollanders receiving great damage , made away , leaving ashore the cask they had sent for water . our ships came up afterwards , and continued their voyage together . . the viceroy found at cochim great complaints against the king of iafanapatan , for that , contrary to the treaty of peace , he gave passage to the king of candea through his country . the commander of manar , manuel●… barreto de silva , was sent against him with men. the king expected him with . being upon the point of ingaging , the difference was amicably made up by f. emanuel of st. matthias . religious men are good to promote peace between lay-governors , but when they take upon them secular governments , they confound all . . this year ships set out of lisbon for india , and were all drove back . five galleons also sailed , and two of them were forced in again , one lost on the coast of zocotora . another returning next year from india richly laden , met at the island st. helen holland ships of guns each , ours had but small ones , yet could not avoid fighting . . the fight lasted some days , till the galleon was beaten to pieces , and the enemy got nothing by the victory . the captain and most of the men were taken , and basely treated by the hollanders , who put them ashore in the island of ferdinand de noronna , whence they passed to pernambuco , and were there nobly entertained by iames botello , provided with all necessaries , and sent home . . the ships that were forced back the last year , and two more , arrived in india , and brought the news , that on the th of november , . there appeared over italaca a blue cross , seeming to the eye about four fathoms in length , and two in breadth , of a curious form , with green boughs over it . it continued two hours about day-break , during which time it was seen by above forty christians of suneputat , who were going to mass to their parish of st. lazarus . the following year ships went from portugal . we have no farther account of the occurrences of these years , and therefore must be content with what follows , which happened about that time . . andrew furtado went over to the moluco islands , in hope to recover them . he drove the hollanders out of amboina and sunda , restored the rosatelos to our subjection , gained many strong places from those of ito , nao , and veranula , and then appeared before ternate ; from which by bad weather , and other accidents , he was drove , after having spent years in continual labour . let us leave him at amboina while we treat of the conquest of pegu , which happened about the same time . . xilimixa king of arracam , who had possessed himself of the crown of pegu , to express his gratitude to the portugueses that served him , gave them the port of siriam , at the mouth of the river of the same name , that runs within a league of bagou , the court of the kings of pegu. this grant was obtained of the king for the portugueses by philip de brito & nicote , who most ingratefully proved false to that prince , that had raised him from a vile collier to his favour and esteem . the manner was thus : . xilimixa confiding in nicote , was by him perswaded to erect a custom-house at the mouth of that river for the encrease of his revenue , and his design was to seize upon it , and build a fort there to give footing to the portugueses for the conquest of that kingdom . the king , who suspected not the design , having finished the work , put it into the hands of one bannadala , who fortified himself , and suffered no portugues to enter there , except f. belchior de la luz a dominican . nicote seeing that design fail , resolved to carry it on by other means before the works were too far advanced . . he had with him three portugues officers , viz. iohn de oliva , paul del rego , and salvador ribeyro , with men ; these he order'd to surprise the fort , and turn out bannadala , not doubting but his great credit with xilimixa would bear him out in it . . the three captains so well performed nicote's orders , that they gained the name of founders of the portugues dominion in that kingdom ; and ribeyro was like to carry the whole fame of this action , some affirming , he was the real author of it . . bannadala , who foresaw the designs of the portugueses , contrived to expel them thence at the same time that riberio thought to surprise him . banadala provided many flaming carts guarded by men , which advancing by night took such effect , that the portugueses were obliged to quit their factory ; but flying thence , attacked bannadala's ●…ort with such fury , that having left many men , he was glad to retire to an island not far distant , where he fortified himself , gathering men , and securing the treasure of the pagod of digan to maintain them . the king being informed hereof was much offended , and resolved to relieve banadala , but was dissuaded by the false nicote , who put him in mind he favoured a sacrilegious robber , and offered to compose matters with the portugueses . he went thither , and ordered things to his own mind , so that the work still advanced under the portugueses . . nicote seeing the fort in a good posture , went to coa in order to deliver it up to the viceroy , and thence facilitate the conquest of his master's kingdom ; perswading him at the same time , his journey was to bring succours wherewith he might become emperour of all bengala . he perswaded every one of the neighbouring princes . if he would joyn with the viceroy , he might easily be king of pegu. some of them sent embassadors to this effect along with him . scarce was nicote gone when the king , being sensible of his oversight , sent down the river a fleet with men under the command of banadala . . coming down towards the fort , they were met by vessels with only portugueses , commanded by salvador ribeyro , who in a little time , without losing one man , killed many , took ships , and put the rest to flight . the king joyning him of pram , beset the place with sail by water , and men by land. ribeyro understanding they observed no order , boldly fell upon them with his handful of men , and killing the general , put that whole army to the rout . . bannadala gathering foot of this scattered army , sate down the third time before the fort , lodging his men in good order , and furiously battering the place , till in the dead of night he ventured to give a fierce assault . our men bravely opposing , killed above , which were seen the next morning to fill up the ditch . . the enemy continued the siege eight months . some of our men deserted , yet ribeyro was no way dismayed , but encouraged those that had stayed with him , and to take from them all hope of escape , burnt the vessels that were in the port. the viceroy ayres de saldanna hearing of these proceedings , sent considerable succours , and many , covetous of honour or profit , voluntarily resorted thither ; so that the commander finding himself strong , resolved to attack the enemy in his works . he put this design in execution with much conduct and bravery , and was received with no less , till at length banadala was forced to fly leagues without looking back , and then stood to see all the works he had raised in a year burnt . the portugueses thinking this success had secured their affairs in pegu , dispersed every man to make his own advantage , so that there remained with the captains only that had been sent by the viceroy . . the enemy returns the fourth time with many moving castles , and several sorts of fireworks . the fort was reduced to a dangerous condition , when a fiery meteor so frighted the besiegers , that they fled , leaving their castles behind , which were soon fired by our men. lastly , the victory we obtained over king massinga in the province of camelan , killing him , and doing great harm both by sea and land , produced the security we so much sought after . for those people finding us not only victorious , but courteous , followed us so , that in few days we had above of them . these men considering the success of philip de brito & nicote , and his natural good temper , ( which occasioned their calling him changa , that is , good man , ) proclaimed him king of pegu. salvador ribeyro accepted of the crown in his name , he being then absent , and this , perhaps , might be the cause it was thought in spain , it was he that was proclaimed . . nicote afterwards received the kingdom in the name of his prince as a loyal subject , and was the first of our men that rose to that pitch of fortune in asia . roderick alvarez de sequeyra succeeded him in the command of the fort , who bravely defended it till it accidentally took fire , and only the bare walls of it were left standing . . mean while nicote sollicited for succours to carry thither , which were not hard to be obtained ; for the viceroy seeing his great riches , and the prospect he had of more , married him to a niece he had born in goa of a iava-woman , and for her sake could deny him nothing . he gave him the title of commander of siriam , and general of the conquest of pegu , and succours in ships . being come to siriam he repaired the fort , built a church , and sent a rich present to the king of arracam , who had sent to compliment him upon his arrival . . he ordered the affairs of the custom-house according to the viceroy's instructions , obliging all vessels that traded on the coast of pegu to make their entries there . some of the coast of coromandel refused to obey ; against them he sent d. francis de moura with sail , who discharged himself well , and took on the coast of tanazarim ships of achem richly laden . the king of arracam , to the intent to possess himself of that custom-house , resolved to joyn with the king of tangu , and sent an embassador to him with ialias , or small ships . nicote understanding it , caused bartholomew ferreyra , captain of our small craft , to fall upon them , who put them to flight , so that they were sorced to make their escape to the king of iangona's country . the enemy thus exasperated , gathered small vessels with men under the command of the prince his son , with whom were ximicolia , and marquetam , sons to the then emperor of pegu. . paul del ●…ego pinnero set out to meet them with the boats and ships , and having taken boats that were advanced before the rest , returned to secure them and set out again : but observing the enemy was too strong for him , went in to gather more force . being reinforced he meets the prince , routs him , and takes several vessels . the prince thinking to save himself by running up a river , got into a small creek , where pinnero took all the rest of his vessels , obliging him to escape by land , having lost one thousand of his men. then he took the fort of chinim , and in it many prisoners , among which was the wife of b●…unadala . . nicote was now abroad with fourteen small vessels , in which were sixty portugueses and two hundred pegues , he run up a river , and hearing the prince was on the shore with four thousand men , nine hundred of them musqueteers , he attacks him . ximitoto , a valiant pegu , attempted to take the prince , and being himself hurt wounded the prince in the face , which occasioned his being made prisoner , and gained us the victory . two thousand men of the king of pram came to the prince's assistance as he was taken , and were also defeated . the pegues seeing their prince carried away to captivity , would all have gone with him , striving to get into our vessels . such as could not , remained on the shore , cursing their hard fortune , that would not permit them to follow him a prisoner , as they had done in liberty . christians may here learn the duty they owe to their princes . . nicote may also be a president to all men ; how to use their victories ; for he not forgetting he had been a slave to the prince now his prisoner , served him with the same respect now , as he had done then . he watched him sleeping , holding his buskins in his hands with arms across , a ceremony used by the meanest with their kings in those parts , and himself attended him upon all occasions . this generosity may well equal him with great men , and purchased him together with other the like proceedings , the name of changa , which , as was before said , signifies good man. . but now ends the government of ayres de saldanna , by the arrival at goa of martin alfonso de castro , who came to succeed him with the same title of viceroy . he set out from lisbon with five ships , whereof one was forced in again . about the end of the same year there sailed thence two caravels . . ayres de saldanna seems to have had more natural goodness than inclination to war ; for in his time nothing of this sort was set on foot. he was one of those few viceroys and governors who are believed not to have wronged the king. on his re-return home he died in the latitude of the islands , and the ship that brought him was lost at the mouth of lisbon river . he was tall and somewhat corpulent , of a tawny complexion ; of viceroys the th , of governors the th , and first of the name and sirname . . i have purposely reserved for the end of this government the discovery of grand cathay , for which we are beholding to f. nicholas pimenta , visitor-general of the jesuits in asia . he chose for this employ b. benedict goes , a man well versed in several languages , and particularly the persian , which was the most important for that design . b. goes cloathed himself in the habit of an armenian christian merchant , and after their manner took the name of abdula isai , which signifies , christian lord. he set out from the mogol's court with that prince's favour and merchandize . in his company went two greeks well skilled in the manner of travelling , and were leo grimanus a priest , and demetrius a merchant . these had four mahometan servants ( who were afterwards christians ) which they left at laor ( one of the mogol's courts ) as useless , and took in their stead isaac an armenian , who had a wife and children there , and was there faithful companion . from laor they set out on the th of ianuary . . with great labour and hardships they passed through the cities abec , passaur , caferstan , guideli and cabuo . here they were forced to stay months , and meeting a sister of hamet can king of cascar , that was going a pilgrimage to meca , and was taking up money at interest . b. benedict considering it would oblige that princess and her brother , through whose dominions he was to pass , lent her ducats without interest , which afterwards stood him in good stead . the priest grimanus spent with labour , turned back from cabul . the caravan set forward , and passed the dominions of the mogol's , in sight of the cities characar and parvam . . they passed the high mountains of aingaran , and entring chalca saw a fair people like the germans , then went through gialal●…bat , thalham , quenam , badaxa●… , carebumar , serpanil , sarchunar , tanguetar , iaconich , in which journey almost two years were spent with great toils and dangers . hence they travelled to hiarcan , the court of the king of cascar , and place of great trade . they stayed a year for another carravan , and then set out , much favoured by the king , for the kingdom of chalis . the son of the pilgrim lady they lent the money to at cabul was very serviceable to them , and they were repaid in precious jaspar-stone , the richest merchandize in that country . in their way they passed through these towns , iolchi , hanchalix , alchegret , hagabareth cambaxi , aconferset , chiacor and acfu . acfu is a town belonging to the king of cascar , where a grandson of his , only ten years of age , then governed , who favoured goes the time he was obliged to stay there . . b. benedict and isaac setting forward again ( for demetrius stayed behind at hiarcam ) and passing the famous desert caracatay ( that is , the black land of catay ) and these towns , oitograck , gazo , canani , delai , saraguebedal , ugan and cucha , they came to the city chalis , where a son of the king of cascar governed , and where they were in great danger , and stayed months . here came in the caravan from cathay , by whom our discoverer heard of f. matthew rivius , then residing at peking , and found that china and cathay were the same country , and only the names differed . goes joyful of this discovery resolved to proceed . on his way he passed through these towns , puchan , turfan , arumuth , camul and quiacio●… , ( whence may be seen that famous wall that parts china and tartary ) and came to sucheu , where hearing much of the court of peking , he was throughly satisfied that china and cathay where the same thing . . then ended the year . the th of these travels now grown pleasing to b. benedict , for that he had compassed his end , found his order where it was least to be expected , and could relieve them with what he had got by his merchandize , which amounted to crowns , and at that time was a considerable treasure . he gave advice of his arrival to f. matthew at peking , and he sent b. iohn fernandez , a novice of the converts to conduct him forward . he arrived at suche●… the latter end of march , and days after our discoverer died , not without suspicion of poison given by the moors to rob him , as they did , abusing isaac and b. fernandez , who having buried the deceased went to peking . chap. vi. the government of the viceroy d. martin alfonso de castro , from the year till . . don martin alfonso de castro entring upon the government , gave some signs of being ambitious of glory , but fortune was not favourable to him , or , as some say , his own humour was an impediment . therefore let us proceed with the affairs of the conquest of pegu. . ximilica king of arracam considering his son was prisoner , thought good to treat with nicote , and he , to come to an agreement the better to make his advantage of the profits of the custom-house , sent advice of all to goa , and received orders thence to return the prince without any ransom . but interest being his greatest aim , neither obedience to the viceroy , nor the respect he owed that king , whose creature he was , could prevail to hinder him from selling that prince for crowns , pretending it was for the charge of the fleet the king had obliged him to fit out . . the king of arracam justly offended hereat , set out a small fleet against siriam , which was easily defeated , but gave him occasion to enslave christians , and treat them with great rigour ; which nevertheless moved not many of them , though but new converts . afterwards he combines with the king of tangu , who besieges the town with a great army by land , while he shuts it up by sea with sail , in which he had men. paul del rego , met him with ships , and failing of the success he had formerly , setting fire to the powder , blew up himself and all that were with him , rather than fall into the hands of the enemy . the siege continued so long , till the besieged were ready to surrender , when on a sudden upon some suspicion the king of tangu quits the field by night , and he of arracam found it to no purpose to lie longer upon the sea. . some of the neighbouring princes startled at this success of nicote sought his friendship , and an alliance with the king of portugal . the first that effected it was the king of tangu . nicote marries his son simon to a daughter of the king of martavam , thereby to strengthen himself , and have the opportunity of gathering more riches . and being now desirous to rob the king of tangu , tho actually then in peace with him , to colour his wicked design he pretends that king was overcome by him of ova , ( as indeed he was and made tributary ) since the treaty , as if that could absolve him for breach of faith. in fine , with the king of martavam's assistance , he fell upon , took , and robbed him of tangu , and returned with him and above a million of gold , without hearkning to the protestations he made of his continuing a faithful vassal to the crown of portugal . . let us keep in mind these his unjust proceedings , and in its place we shall see them rewarded as they deserve ; for all these particulars happened not at this time , but it is anticipated , to prevent too much dismembring the relation of them . indeed it is to be admired , a christian government should support such unchristian proceedings . . it will be fit to return to the affairs of the moluco islands . the hollanders were now strong in those seas , and well backed by the islanders , who tired out with our insatiable avarice , joined with those rebels to expel us . . the hollanders about this time having forced us thence , had possessed themselves of amboina . gaspar de melo commanded there , whom absolute necessity obliged to quit it , yet being unjustly accused and in danger of suffering with disgrace , his wife poisoned him . a strange government , where notorious criminals were not punished , and an innocent person was so persecuted , that she who loved him took away his life , least they should take away his honour , who had none of their own . the portugueses who were at tidore since the loosing of ternate , seeing the king did not deliver them up to the hollanders who demanded them , and had nine ships in the harbour , but that he was resolved to stand by them , took such courage , that they withstood the continual batteries of cannons , which played on them without intermission . . the king of ternate sends a fleet to assist the hollanders , and landing batters the fort on the other side . all we had to oppose this power , was or pieces of cannon , and but a small number of men able to bear arms. after four days battery the enemy gives the assault , our men encouraged by their captain peter alvarez de abreu , with sword in hand bravely repulse them . in the midst of their hopes that this defeat would oblige the enemy to desist , the powder by some accident taking fire , blew up the greatest part of the fort and most of the men ; so that the enemy entred it when they least expected , and our men were forced to accept of some vessels to go where they thought fit . . about four hundred persons of all sorts were shipped , and got to the philippine islands , where d peter de cunna commanded . neither was their voyage without danger , the enraged sea being ready to swallow them ; but the mercy of god brought them safe ashore , by virtue of certain reliques thrown into the water by a jesuit , which laid the storm , and after their landing were brought and laid upon the sand by a fish. . in february cunna sailed from the philippine islands towards ternate with one thousand spaniards and four hundred of the natives . he besieged the fort , in which was the king himself , and had above one hundred cannons . the hollanders and ternatenses thinking to surprize the besiegers , made a sally , and were so received by iohn rodriguez camelo , who commanded a company of portugueses , that he not only beat them back , but entred the fort along with them . so that when the spanish commander came up , fearing some mischance might be occasioned by that heat , camelo met him at the gate with the keys of the fort , and cunna to honour him for that action , put about his neck a gold chain he had upon his own . . the ternatenses in the fright abandoned the city as they had done the fort. the spanish commander losing no time , drove the hollanders out of tidore , and cut off their hopes of ever settling in those islands , which from that time forward remained subject to spain . . though the hollanders lost tidore , yet they aspired to greater conquests . to this purpose they made a league with seven of the neighbouring kings about malaca , thinking to gain that place . they gathered a fleet of one hundred and fifty sail , in which were men. there were but few above one hundred portugueses in a condition to oppose this power , but they were commanded by the great andrew furtado de mendoça . he sent out several parties to discover the enemy's designs . the first was but of four soldiers with gaspar de fonseca ; the enemy thinking they deserted , gave them free passage , but were undeceived , receiving considerable damage from only those five men. next captain ferdinand de costa de andria with forty men , some of them iaponeses , cut off a good party of them , and retired without any loss . . the enemy having taken their ground , began to batter the city ; and those within to feel the miseries of a siege , being in want of all necessaries . to this was added , that the master-gunner was a hollander , who designedly burst many pieces of cannon , having under-hand intelligence with the enemy . a moor who commanded some men acted no less treacherously , but being discovered , they were both hanged over the wall. many of our men signalized themselves by brave actions , and particularly iohn rodriguez camelo , who with great danger brought a number of men and did good service with them . the enemy lost so many men during four months the siege lasted , in which time they spent above fifty thousand cannon balls ; that despairing of success they raised the siege ; the kings returning home , and the hollanders to their ships . . the news that d. martin alfonso de castro , our viceroy , was coming with twelve galleons , four galleys , and seventy other vessels , caused the siege to be sooner raised . he set out of goa in may , on st. antony's day in iune came to anchor at achem , where he took three of the enemy's ships loaden with provisions , and resolved to take revenge on that king for receiving the hollanders into his ports , contrary to a former agreement . on the th the men landed , the enemy's opposed them in great numbers with many elephants , but after a brave resistance were forced to their works . our men mounted and planted their colours , and had they followed their victory , the city had been that day destroyed . yet the fight lasted all that and next day ; when the viceroy perceiving no benefit accrued , shipped his men , much afflicted that he had slipped such an opportunity . . after suffering much for want of water , and loosing some vessels by bad weather , the fleet came before malaca , where andrew furtado acquainted the viceroy the siege was carried on by sea and land , on the sea were eleven ships and seven galliots of the hollanders , and three hundred small vessels of the natives ; by land , eleven neighbouring kings in their persons with men. both of them , during those four months the siege lasted , had destroyed many buildings , and committed great outrages against images and other holy things . on the th of august the 〈◊〉 ships went out to receive our fleet , playing their cannon furiosly , and were answer'd in like manner with equal loss , till night parted them . . morning appearing the fight was renewed with great fury , but the damage was greater on our side , because the enemies ships exceeded us in strength , swiftness , number of cannons , and goodness of gunners . sebastian suarez boarded one and burnt it , after having killed many hollanders . alvaro de carvallo would have done the like to another , and duarte de guerra coming up to second him , they all three were consumed by fire , and none of the men saved . . d. henry de noronna boarded the admiral cornelius madclif , and being both in danger of being burnt , they parted by consent , promising if they met again they would not encounter . whereupon noronna quitted his command , telling the viceroy , he had rather serve as a private man , than be obliged to perform the promise he had made to the enemy . d. peter mascarennas succeeded him in the command , who did wonders ; for the dutch admiral coming up to salute him , supposing it had been noronna , they engaged furiously ; and after the fight , four hundred cannon shot were found in the galleon , which had done no other harm than the killing one caf●…e . the fleets were engaged eight days , and our vessels very much disabled . on the th of august the viceroy again offered the enemy battel , but they all fled . . the viceroy entred malaca , which had been ruined during the siege . andrew furtado was of opinion , the fleet should be kept together , lest the enemy might destroy it , being separated : others advised it should divide ; the worst advice was followed . d. alvaro de meneses had a squadron of seven galleons , to go meet the ships that were expected from portugal at the islands of nicobar . nunno alvarez pereyra ; another of five , to secure the ships of iava , that brought provisions to malaca , through the streight of singapura , but having met the enemy , he returned into the port. . the hollanders having refitted , and hearing our fleet was divided , came again before malaca , and finding there the five galleons , they began a desperate fight on the twenty-second of october . many men of note of our side were killed ; one of our vessels blew up , and only seven men were saved : in fine , the whole squadron was destroyed . of the hollanders about five hundred were killed . the viceroy soon after died at malaca , it was believed that of grief for this loss . . the hollanders met not with the like success in the bay of polobutum , where d. alvaro de meneses was with his squadron of seven galleons ; for after a bloody fight , they were forced to give way , having lost three ships . but since the viceroy is dead , and we must enter upon a new government , it will be fit to mention what ships sailed from lisbon for india during his life . in the year , ships . before them three galleons , which were with the fleet at malaca . after the ships , set out belchior rodriguez in a caravel with some fresh advice , who overtaking them under the line , returned to lisbon . . in the year , ships were to have gone , but were prevented by a dutch squadron that lay at the mouth of the river till the season was past . thus much of the government of d. martin alfonso de castro , who was viceroy two years and a half , the th of that number , and th governour , the second both of name and sirname . of stature somewhat tall , of complexion sallow , a good christian , a good gentleman , well beloved in india , and zealous of the kings's service , a thing now rare in the world. chap. vii . the government of the archbishop d. f. alexius de meneses , who was governour from the year , till . . don martin alfonso de castra the viceroy being dead , d. f. alexius de meneses archbishop of goa succeeded him in the government , but not in the title . about the beginning of his government failed from lisbon the three ships , which were to have set out the year before . after them followed two galleons , and two small ships , the two former were to remain in india . . the hollanders now aimed at the conquest of the island of moçambique . our fort there was commanded by d. stephen de ataide , who not long before had obtained of the emperor of monomotapa a grant of all the silver mines in his dominions , which are much richer than those of asia , to the crown of portugal . the motive of this donation was , that we might assist him to subdue his rebellious subjects , which d. stephen performed , securing him in his throne , and to us that great gift , if we had known how to make use of it . . about the end of may , paul vercaden the dutch admiral anchored in the great port of moçambique with ships well stored , and carrying men. in the fort there were but men , a few and but indifferent pieces of cannon , and that scarce fit for service . nevertheless d. stephen lost no courage , but posted his men , whilst the enemy invested the place . . the enemies cannon-balls flying very thick , kept the walls bare of men , so that a colonel of theirs boldly rode about viewing our works , till he was struck down dead with a bullet . the enemy carrying on their approaches under the shelter of their batteries that continually played , our men were forced to appear upon the walls to oppose that danger , and the hollanders being tired , offered a truce , which was accepted . while it lasted , they reproached the portugu●…ses that they had degenerated from their ancient valour , who , to convince them of the contrary , offered to fight of them with only ; which they refusing , it gave new courage to the besieged . . the truce expiring , the cannon on both sides began to play . the enemy thought to take off the use of ours , by bringing up to the walls great wooden towers equal with our pa●…apets . it was a dark stormy night when they began to advance , but our watchful centinels perceiving it , so many fireworks were heaped on them , they were forced to retire with some loss . next night , notwithstanding all opposition , they were laid close to the walls . twenty five portugueses sallied with a resolution to burn or break them , but succeeded not . . being disappointed of that design , they fall upon the hollanders , who increased to , and killing many , those retired without losing one , only some were wounded . this action seemed to have astonished the enemy , for the next day they stirred not ; nor after that for a whole week , thô they saw their castles burnt . at last the admiral sent ataide a letter , threatning to spoil all the country about , unless he redeemed it from ruin with a sum of money . . our commander refused , and the hollander burnt down all that the fire could lay hold of , so the town and other buildings perished . next they cut down all the woods , and then raised the siege which had lasted two months ; during which time , of our men were killed , and of theirs above . as they went over the bar , one of their ships was sunk by our cannon . scarce were they gone in the beginning of iune , when three of our ships from portugal , under the command of d. hierome coutino , entred the port. not long after came in peter blens , about the end of iuly , with holland ships , and men , which might have been our ruin had they come sooner . . d. hierome , having the best he could relieved the place , was under sail for india , when blens came in , imagining vercaden was by that time possess'd of the fort. the portugueses undeceived him with some cannon shot , to which he answered by landing his men , and besieging the fort as the other had done . the first day the batteries played they spent above great shot , which laid one side open ; and they might have entred , had they been as resolute to assaul●… , as furious in making the breach . the damage received by day , was repaired by night . next morning men sallying killed , and returned without losing one , bringing in arms , drums , and colours . one of these engaged with three of the enemy well armed , killed two , and put the other to flight . . a frenchman and hollanders came to the wall , begging to be protected as being ca●…olicks blens in a fury demands them of o●… commander , who refused to deliver them , and he in revenge ties portugueses taken at his entrance into the harbour , and shoots them to death . one hundred and fifty more were in the same danger , who were taken out of a galleon , which coming from portugal , and knowing nothing of what had happened there , run into the midst of the enemies ships , and was burnt by them . d. stephen chose rather to expose those men to danger , than break faith with those five he had taken into protection . but blens his passion being over , he recalled the sentence , raised the siege , and setting sail , put all the portugueses he had taken ashore in the island of st. george . the loss on both sides now , was much the same as had been given and received before by vercaden . blens sailed out of the port about the end of august . . while the archbishop was governour , two squadrons sailed from portugal for india . that of the year , shall be spoke of in the next chapter , because it carried d. iohn pereyra frojas count de feyra , who went viceroy of india , but died by the way . the other of the same year which arrived there in , and carried ruy lorenço de tavora to the same command , shall be spoken of in the chapter of andrew furtado de mendoca , who succeeded the archbishop . this religious man governed two years and a half , and was the th governour , the first of the name , and sixth of the sirname , and first church-man that had that post. he was of a middle stature , white of complexion , grey with years , of a serene countenance which moved respect , and took such care of his servants , that many got estates . chap. viii . of the viceroy d. john pereyra frojas count de feyra , in the year . . at the beginning of this year sailed from the port of lisbon for india d. iohn pereyra frojas count de feyra with the title of viceroy . he raised in all men great expectation , as well for his personal merit , as the greatness of his quality , and the preparations for his voyage were suitable , being the greatest that till then had been . his squadron consisted of ships , and galleons . . the viceroy set out on the th of march , died on the th of may ; his body was sent back , and brought to lisbon the th of iuly . the admiral noronna succeeded in the command of the fleet. the count was the second that died by the way going to govern india , and may be accounted d of the name , th viceroy , and th governour ; for the patent , not the possession , make a man so . . but since this viceroy has not afforded matter for a chapter , let us make it up with one of the greatest prodigies of the portugues fortune that asia produced . three years she was big with this monster , from , till . we shall see another iames suarez de melo , and another philip de brito & nicate , famous for their incredible rise and insolence . this was sebastian gonzalez tibao , a man of obscure extraction , as born in the village of st. antony del tojal , near lisbon , a place never yet produced any worth note , either for parentage , or worthy actions . in the year he imbarqued for india , went over to bengala , listed himself a soldier , and then fell to dealing in salt , which is a great merchandise there . by this trade he soon gained as much as purchased a ialia , that is , a sort of small vessel . in this vessel he went with salt to dianga , a great port of the king of arracam , at such time as that king slew portugueses who resided there , and suspected nothing less , living quietly as good subjects under his protection . the motive of this cruelty was , that philip de brito & nicote being possessed of siriam , thought it would be for his advantage to gain dianga . he fitted out some vessels , and sent in them his son as embassador to beg that port of the king. some portugueses perswaded the king , nicote's design in getting that port , was to deprive him of his kingdom . he orders the son with his officers to come to court , and there murders them ; the same was done in their vessels ; and afterwards that fury fell upon all the inhabitants of dianga . this was in the beginning of the year . some few escaped into the woods , and or vessels got to sea , whereof one was that of sebastian gonzales . . emanuel de mattos commander of bandel of dianga , who died not long before , had been lord of sundiva , an island leagues in compass . fatecan a resolute moor , whom he had intrusted with the island in his absence , hearing of his death , makes himself master of it , and the more to secure himself , murders all the portugueses that were in it , with their wives and children , and such of the natives as were christians . then he gathered moors and patans to his assistance , fitted out a fleet of sail , and plentifully maintained this charge with the revenue of the island , which is great . sebastian gonzalez and his companions , with those or vessels that escaped at dianga , having no head to govern them , lived by robbing in the country of arracam , carrying their booty to the king of bacala's ports , who was our friend . fatecan understanding they plyed thereabouts , went out to seek them with such assurance of success , that he had this inscription upon his colours ; fatecan , by the grace of god lord of sundiva , shedder of christian blood , and destroyer of the portugues nation . . one evening he thought to surprize them , and had effected it , but that they quarrelling about dividing some spoil they had taken ; this falling out , proved their preservation : for sebastian pinto upon that account leaving them in a river of the island xavaspur , met fatecan's fleet and gave them notice . they ingaged and fought desperately all night , the morning discovered portugueses victorious over moors and patanes , and vessels over . not one sail got off , nor a man escaped being killed or taken ; among the dead was fatecan . had they been under a commander that knew how to make use of the victory , the island must then have been their own . this obliged them to choose a head , and they pitched upon stephen palmeyro , a man of years , experience , and discretion . he gave proof hereof , by refusing ( notwithstanding their repeated instances ) to command such wicked people . however they desired him to appoint one , and they would punctually obey him . he named sebastian gonzales tibao . . as soon as the commander was named , they resolved to gain sundiva . more portugueses were gathered from bengala , and other neighbouring ports . tibao articled with the king of bacala , that he would give him half the revenue of the island , if he assisted him to conquer it . the king sent some ships , and horse . in march , , he had above sail , and portugueses . the island having had time to provide for its defence , was full of resolute men. a great number of moors , commanded by f●…tecan's brother , received them at landing , but were forced to retire into a fort. the portugueses besiege it , and lying long before it , were in danger of perishing , not being able to come at the provisions and ammunition that were aboard their vessels , gaspar de pina , a spaniard , delivered them from this danger , for he coming with his ship to that port , and resolving to assist them , landed men he was captain of , and marching by night with many lights , and great noise , made the enemy believe he brought great succour . as soon as he came up the fort was assaulted , entred , and all within that had life put to the sword. the natives of the island , who before had been subject to the portugueses , presently submitted themselves to sebastian gonzales . he received them upon condition they should deliver up to him all the strangers that were in the island . they brought him above moors , and as they came he cut off their heads ; about as many more were killed in the fort. thus sebastian gonzales became absolute master of the island , and was obeyed by the natives and portugueses as an absolute lord independent of any prince , and his orders had the force of laws . . to recompence the chief portugueses who had served him , he gave them lands in the island , and then repenting , took them away . in stead of giving the king of bacala half the revenue of the island , as had been agreed , he made war upon him . as he grew great , so he grew insolent and ungrateful , and had now at command portugueses , natives well armed , horse , and above sail with good cannon . many merchants traded thither , and he erected a custom-house . the neighbouring kings surprized at his prodigious success , sought his friendship . from the king of batecala , to whom he owed so great favours , he took the islands of xavapur and patelabauga , and other lands from others , so that on a sudden he was possessed of vast riches , equal with many princes , and sovereign of many brave men. but these monsters are like comets that last little , and threaten lasting ruin. they are like lightning , that no sooner gives the flash but it is gone . let us proceed , and we shall see this verified . . such was the fortune of sebastian gonzales in sundiva , when there happened a difference between the prince of arracam and his brother anaporam ; the occasion was , that the latter refused to give the other an elephant , to which all other elephants of that country were said to allow a sort of superiority , and durst not appear before him . the prince seeing he could not prevail by intreaties nor threats , raises a great army , and deprives his brother both of his kingdom , and that so much coveted beast . anaporam fled to sebastian gonzales for succour , who demanded his sister as a hostage . then he sets out to fight the conqueror , but to no purpose , for he had too great a power , to wit , men , and fighting elephants . king anaporam returned with sebastian gonzales to sundiva , bringing over his wife , family , treasure , and elephants . thus he remained as a subject to sebastian gonzales , who baptizing his sister , married her , and though so vile a wretch , pretended he did that prince a great favour . soon after the prince dies , not without suspition of poison , for sebastian gonzales seized upon all his treasure , elephants , and goods , without any consideration of his wife and son. to stop the mouths of the people , he would have married the queen to his brother antony tiba●… admiral of his fleet , but could not compass it , for she could never be prevailed upon to become a christian. . sebastian waged war upon the king of arracam with good success . an instance hereof may be , that his brother antony with only sail took of that king 's . this moved the king to conclude a peace with him , and thereby recovered his sister-in-law and brother's widow , whom he married to the king of chatigam . at this time the mogol undertook the conquest of the kingdom of balua , and sebastian considering it might prove of dangerous consequence , that kingdom lying opposite to him , he makes a league with the king of arracam for the defence of that country . the league concluded , the king takes the field with men , most of them musketiers , pegues that fought with sword and buckler , and elephants loaded with castles and armed men. he put to sea above sail , carrying men , which were to joyn sebastian gonzales his fleet , and to be under his command . the agreement was , that sebastian should hinder the mogol from passing to the kingdom of balua , till the king of arracam could march thither with his army ; and that the mogol being expelled , half the kingdom of balua should be given to sebastian , who gave the king , as hostages for his fleet , a nephew of his own , and the sons of some portugueses inhabitants of sundiva . . the king of arracam entring the kingdom of balua with his army , expelled the mogols . it was thought , that sebastian overcome with bribes had given them free passage , which , according to the agreement with the king of arracam , he was to obstruct . others say , he did it to revenge the death of the portugueses slain by that king in banguel of dianga . be it as it will , he was guilty of an execrable treachery , for , leaving the mouth of the river da●…gatiar , he gave them free passage . he enters a creek of the island desierta with his fleet , and calling all the king of arracam's captains aboard his ship , murders them , then falling upon the ships , killed or made slaves of all the men. having committed this infamous action , and secured that fleet , he returned to sundiva . mean while the mogols coming down again with a greater power , entred the kingdom of balua , and reduced the king of arracam to such distress , that with much difficulty he escaped by the help of an elephant , and came almost alone to the fort of chatigam . . sebastian gonzales understanding the slaughter the mogols had made of the arracam army , and that they were possess'd of the kingdom of balua , he sets out with his fleet , plundering and destroying with fire and sword all the forts of arracam that lie along the coast , and were then unprovided , and confiding in the peace that was between them . he had the impudence to go up to arracam , where as the matter was more , so was the destruction , there were burnt many merchant ships of several nations . the king was highly concerned at these losses , though not so much at those occasioned by the mogol , as those he sustained by this portugueses , as being all the effects of treachery ; but above all , he resented the loss of a ship which he kept in that port for to take his pleasure . it was of a vast bigness , and wonderful workmanship , with several apartments like a palace , all covered with gold and ivory , and yet the curiosity of the work surpassed all the rest . . the king seeing the insolence and falshood of sebastian gonzales , and that he did not , or would not , remember his nephew was in his power as a hostage , he resolved to put him in mind ; and causing a stake to be run through him , made him be set up on a high place below the port of arracam , that his uncle as he went out might see him . but he who had no honour , valued not at whose cost he advanced his own interest . nevertheless the guilt of so many villanies began to touch his conscience , and being come to sundiva , he began to apprehend some heavy punishment would fall upon him , which he had little means to a●…ert , for all men looked upon him as a traytor unworthy of any favour . the arracams , because he betrayed them to the mogol ; and the mogols , because he was so false to those that trusted him . but what he did not expect from those we call barbarians , he shall obtain of the portugues government in india which shall assist him , and both he and they that relieve him shall receive their just reward , as will appear under the government of d. hierome de azevedo . chap. ix . of the governour andrew furtado de mendoça , in the year . . most men appear fit for publick employments before they have them , and afterwards wholly incapable of them ; it was not so with andrew furtado , for every body esteemed him fitter to govern when he was placed in that power , than they had done before , and yet there was none before but wished to see him in that post. the arts by which he gained this esteem , were valour , generosity , liberality , and affability . and being now advanced to this command , he confirmed the good opinion the world had conceived of him , by being courteous to his inferiors , and not lifting himself above those who had been his equals . . when a private captain he dressed costly , now being governor plainer than a private captain . the work-houses were his rooms of state , the shore his garden . his thoughts were full of great undertakings ; but considering how small a bank there was for such designs , he gathered the council of goa , the chief gentry , and richest men of that city . being assembled , he made a speech , representing the great progress the hollanders had made in india , and exhorting them with their persons and purses to be assisting to expel them . . they all assured him there should be nothing he could propose , but they would forward to the utmost of their power . this was soon made good , for within two months and a half he had a great fleet , well manned and provided . all men were in expectation of the effect of those great preparations , when on the first of september there appeared at a great distance several sail that seemed to be of bulk . it was concluded they were hollanders . our governor hearing of it , run down to the shore , and in a few hours made ready some ships and galliots , saying , now shall they see how andrew furtado with these light vessels boards their three deck ships . the time is come . . just as he came out to order affairs , so without returning to court was he going aboard , without calling any body ; but this his resolution being known , there soon flocked to him as many men as there was occasion for . so it happened to king emanucl ( whom he now seemed to imitate ) who hearing the danger arzila was in , set out post , and without beating drum by that his speed presently raised a great army . but as the governor was spreading sail , advice was brought that they were no enemies , but ships from portugal , that brought a new viceroy . . this was ruy lorenço de tavora , who sailed from lisbon at the end of october with four galleons and a caravel , and had wintered in the island of ibo . those who came received a double satisfaction , one in their safe arrival , the other in seeing that port of goa covered with such a number of ships , as represented the past more happy times . . many were sorry furtado was so soon deprived of that government , for the great hopes they had conceived of his good fortune , and heaven seemed to favour his continuance , by the death of the count de feyra , who was going to that command . . even the viceroy that went to succeed him was troubled ; for seeing that bay full of many so ships and in such order , he asked ; who governed india ? and being told that andrew furtado , he replied , i thought so , for the greatness of this work assured me it could have no other author . i am sorry i came now to india to take this command ; because it is a hindrance to the great actions might be expected from such a governor . . since this untimely arrival of the viceroy , has cut off what might be expected from furtado's government , let us epitomize what he acted under others . at years of age he was in africk , when the unfortunate king sebastian went over thither . then passed over into india , and having performed some military exploits , had the command of ten ships , with which he relieved the fort of braçalor besieged by king sincarnoboro . he not only raised the siege , but reduced the king to become tributary to portugal ; then falling upon those that had combined with him , destroyed their countries with fire and sword , and took one of the chiefest with all his vessels , putting all the men to the sword. he took several ships of meca , defeated the great general cotimuza , destroyed another fleet at manar , taking many ships , slew the king of iafanapatan that was in rebellion , ruined a fleet of malabars that did us great harm on those seas ; raised the siege raju had laid to columbo , levelled the formidable fort of cunnale , bringing him and his nephew prisoners to goa ; drove the hollanders from amboyna and sunda , reduced the rosatelo's then in rebellion , gained many strong holds in the islands of ito , nao and veranula ; and being commander of malaca held out a siege of four months against the hollanders and neighbouring kings . . it was great to overcome so many enemies , but far greater to conquer himself . in the dead of night a woman got into his apartment , offering him her daughter , moved thereto by extream want . after a severe reprimand , he charges her to marry the daughter , and gives her a purse of money , with assurance he would make up the portion . . all these great actions he had performed at the age of , besides many more which in another had been considerable , but not of note to him . he was as to his quality of the best of portugal . having governed three months , he embarqued for portugal , died by the way of the jaundice , and lies in the church of our lady of grace in lisbon . of stature he was somewhat tall , his complexion tawny , of body lean , and was the th governor , and d of the sirname . chap. x. the government of the vice-roy ruy lorenço de tavora , from the year , till . . scarce was ruy lorrenço de tavora setled in the government , when there came in ships from portugal , which with the same number that carried him made , and consequently a great number of men that went in them . . about the beginning of the year were set out the usual squadrons , but more numerous and better manned than usual , by reason of the great preparations before spoke of , and the men that came newly . at the same time came from lisbon ships for india . . the greatest action at this time was in ceylon , where d. hierome de azevedo , who had that command , went on with the usual success that always attended him in that post. he marched with portugueses and lascarines ( that is chingala soldiers ) to assault the city candea , and finding by the way the fort of balane abandoned , left antony de costa monteyro in it with two companies . then advancing to the river of candea , and finding it well fortified , nevertheless he attempted to pass it , receiving the enemy's fire , which for some time did no execution . yet our men gave way till f. gaspar de la madalena , a franciscan , ran into the river holding up a crucifix and encouraging them , whereupon they charged and drove the enemy from their works , who fled to the mountains abandoning the city , which was burnt , and such as could be overtaken slain . . this success so thoroughly reconciled the king of candea to us , that he admitted the conversation of the franciscans , and put his two sons into their hands to be bred christians . thus the peace was concluded , and he writ to our king philip to compliment him upon his accession to the crown , testifying the great affection he bore him , and desiring to be esteemed among the princes of asia , as one that most desired his correspondence . . the moor abdala carima , tanadar of nizamaluco , who , besides his natural hatred to the portugueses , was malicious on account that he had lost half a hand by them , disturbed the peace at chaul . his pretence was receiving his prince's revenue , wherein he proceeded with much insolence ; and we on our part bore much , rather than break into open war. . our commander , d. francis rolim , complained to nizamaluco , who answered with threats , that he would fit out a fleet , and that the hollanders were already in that sea. to be as good as his word , he set out paraos , which robbed all that came in their way belonging to the portugueses . the tanadar being thus backed , hearing that george henrique was gone out to a wood , he killed him , and took his wife and two daughters . . the people of chaul pressed the commander to commence the war , he having no orders from the viceroy , and but few men ; yet sent out men with two officers one night , they found moors near the pagod of ramaçeyra , and killing half of them retired . peter cornejo with men fell upon the village of tal , killed the inhabitants , burnt the houses , and sunk two vessels that were in the port. tho' this was a sufficient revenge against the tanadar , yet knowing some men value not their honour , whilst their persons are untouched , it was thought fit to make him feel some part himself . . to this purpose d. francis rolim marched to upper chaul with men in three bodies , one commanded by him , another by michael de abreu , and the third by calleyros . abreu entred first into a narrow street which ended in a broad place where the enemy was drawn up , and with their first fire killed our captain and two soldiers . rolim coming up , they made way into the broad place , and revenged the death of those three , with the slaughter of many enemies , the rest saving themselevs by flight . thus they came to the tanadar's house , which being forsaken by him was burnt ; the same happened to a whole street , where the moors had renewed the fight , firing out of the houses . marching out of the town victorious , they killed all that had life in the fields , so that town and country were covered with dead bodies . . at the end of this year arrived at goa three ships from portugal . in october sailed from lisbon two caravels , in november one galleon , in which went antony pinto de fonseca with the title of visitor and proveditor of the forts in india , as if no viceroy had been there ; in december another galleon , in which went a patent for d. hierome de azevedo , to succeed in that government . . the war being begun at chaul , both parties encreased , and several skirmishes happened , in which the portugueses always had the best , till d. francis de sotomayor came thither with the northern fleet , and left there three vessels . being thus reinforced , our men took the field , and offered battel to the moors , who were also increased . antony furtado de mendoça advancing too far with only two men was killed , and the portugues body coming up worsted ; for though they did great execution , being drawn into an ambush , gonzalo de abreu was killed , his country-house lost , afterwards the war went on with less vigour . . whilst this happened at chaul , nuno de cunna fought the english at suratt with more valour and success . he had four galleons well manned , but ill provided with gunners , for they were ignorant and fearful . he found in that port a great english ship and a ketch , which had a short fight between the little island of iohn de nova and the bank called baxo de la india , beyond the cape of good hope , with two ships of ours , of three that this year sailed from lisbon for india , one whereof commanded by d. luis de gama making for zocotora , was drove by a violent storm between the islands called dos hermanos , whence he got late to goa , after losing four hundred men ; some by the fatigue of the sea , and others through the miseries they endured in defence of the ship , and the cruelty of that barbarous people . . when the english , whose ships were excellent sailers , discovered our heavy vessels , though they had cause to fear their number , they undervalued them by reason of that fault . they presently ingaged us in the evening , and fought till dark night parted them , having killed of our men. as soon as day appeared they fell to it again , and two of our galleons running to board the two english vessels , were stuck on the sands , there being too little water for the galleons . the pink seeing them aground , kept firing its cannon upon one till the evening tide brought it off . the great ship kept the other two galleons that were a float in play all that day . the third day all the galleons being afloat made up to board the enemy , but they who relied on their cannon and swiftness , made away to castelese , a bay of the pyrats of diu. . luis de brito who plied upon that coast with some small vessels gave advice to cunna , that the english were in that port. he sailed thither , and they fought two whole days , in which time our ships , by reason of their heaviness , could never board them ; at length the english stood away , having put up black colours in token their captain was killed ; they lost many men , and slew many of ours . they made to suratt , cunna followed ; they left the port , and cunna returned to goa , where then d. hierome de azevedo had been governor two months . . some time before galiots set our for china and two merchant ships for iapan , they all wintered at malaca , the season being unfit to sail. provisions were very scarce there , and the more now by the addition of those men. michael de sousa sent out some ships to get provisions in the neighbourhood . these met several sail bound for pam and ior , laden with spice and other goods , which they took and brought to malaca . then sailed to pam where the king of ior was with a fleet , and tho' at peace with the portugueses he went out of their way . not far from patane they took vessels richly laden , and returning with them to malaca , that city was not only relieved , but enriched . . the viceroy receiving advice from portugal , that a considerable fleet was fitting out in holland , with a design against malaca , he sent iames de mendoça furtado , with galliots to relieve it . being under sail for pulobutum they were dispersed by a storm in the golph of ceylon , but met again in that port. four of them sailed out before the admiral and the others , and meeting a ship of iava with seventy men who traded in the kingdom of quedar , with which we were at war , attacked it , and were well received , having four men killed and ten much wounded ; but being provoked by this loss , they boarded the vessel and killed all in her . . the admiral iames de mendoça continued his voyage to malaca , whence he passed not without danger of the sea to pam , to bring thence some princes of borneo who were travelling . . leaving those princes at malaca , mendoça with emannel mascarennas , commander of that city , went over to the kingdom of pera , understanding that three great ships of guzarat's richly laden were in that port , which lessened our customs . mendoça had fifteen ships , he entred the river , which is so narrow , only two ships can sail abreast . he boardest the first of the three ships , and tho' the enemy fought well , entred her , and they set fire to her , so she perished ; the second ship was easily taken ; the third escaped thro' our own fault , for being too busie about the plunder of the other ; the day was spent , and the enemy stole away by night . the ship taken was brought to malaca , it had guns and rich lading . iames de mendoça furtado returned to goa , where he found d. hierome de azevedo was then viceroy . ruy lorenço de tavora was viceroy three years , the th of that number , th governor , and second of the name and sirname . he had more inclination to peace than war , which produced concord with all the kings of india , of stature tall , his complexion fair , aged , and a good christian , a rare thing among men of quality . chap. xi . of the propagation of the christian faith in china . . though these affairs properly appertain to the ecclesiastical history , of which i design a particular volume ; yet for the satisfaction of those who desire some information herein , and having at the end of the first part said somewhat touching the first entrance of christianity in china , i will here briefly relate its progress till the year , though it be anticipating the time , that the relation may not be too much dismembred , and because that order is chiefly observed by me in martial affairs . . the four houses or residences of xancheu , nancham , nanking , and peking , being setled , f. emanuel diaz was sent as visitor of the three first , because f. matthew rivius could not be spared from the other , which was the soul of them all . the visitor-general valiniano setled crowns a year upon each residence , finding it sufficient to cloath and maintain the religious who were to live there , that they might not obstruct the advancement of the faith by the necessity of asking any thing . . the visitor sent new fathers to all the residences . in the year , cuitayso was baptized , till then he only gave ear to it , but was the cause that many were converted , and procured the foundation at nanking . he was called ignatius . in the year , died the visitor valiniano at macao ; nicholas pimenta succeeded him . . f. matthew rivius died at peking in the year ; the king appointed his place of burial , and allotted his companions a house and church . the mandarins and others celebrated his funeral with great demonstrations of esteem . he was the first buried in that country , for all that died before were carried to macao . . the year , the religious were expelled hancheu , and coming to the city nanhiun built a church there , and afterwards others . in the year , there were residences , two at peking , one of them without the walls , one at nanking , one at hancheu , one at nancham , one at caiyeu , and one at nanhiun . in them all were fathers , the converts amounted to , among them many nobles , lawyers and mandarines , and some bonzo's . . the year , the religious were expelled from all their residences , the persecution began at nanking . some escaped to quantung and macao , remained hid in china , who were afterwards called by other cities to erect new foundations . one was at kiencham , in the province of kiangsi , through the means of a lawyer who was converted , and christned stephen . another at xambay , in the country of paul the doctor . another at quartim , in the province of nanking , which city it could serve without a residence there ; but the fathers were restored to it by the assistance of doctor michael , a great admirer of them and of christianity , and afterwards one of the most famous preachers of the gospel . by degrees the persecution ceased , and the fathers were every where restored . two new residencies were erected in the cities of xansi and xensi , and some of those that had been banished returned from macao . . the year , two other residences were setled in the province of fokien , another at xansi , another at xensi , another at honan . all things went on successfully , and the year the converts came in by hundreds , afterwards by thousands . . in the year , there were in china european fathers and brothers , greatly esteemed by the mandarins and other persons of note . a prince of the province of xantung sent for some fathers to hear their doctrine , so did other provinces afterwards . . at peking there were converts , among them mandarines , lawyers , and soldiers , one eunuch , and one bonzo , which is considerable , they being a sort of priests ; he converted his father , and some relations . . at nanking , converts , and a noble eunuch of years of age. the christians here were so zealous , that when the fathers removed , a lawyer and his nephew carrying the vestments and other church-stuff on their backs , and being told by the father , the servants might do it : they replied , it was not fit any body should carry the things of the church , but they who were proud to be porters to iesus christ. . at kiamcheu and pucheu almost converts , at a time when the three greatest calamities of this world succeeded each other . the first was famine , which raged to that degree they eat one another ; two women were shot to death , being convicted of eating children . a father and mother , rather than see their child perish in their arms , cast it into a river , and themselves after it . others buried a child alive ; a christian , call'd peter , saved both the children , and brought them up . the next calamity was war ; and the third the plague . . at hancheu , in the province of chekiang , the converts amounted not to . at xamhay . at narcham only . at quiencham . in the city fokien , and many in the country . at singam not , by reason of the famine that raged ; as at quiamcheu they eat the dead , ground stones , and used the dust in stead of meal . some at hoacheu and the neighbourhood . at honan but . in the kingdom of hannam , which the portugueses call tonking , almost . . thomas , a native of thinhoa , laboured in the kingdom of the lao'●… . that people is white , good conditioned , and have no thieves among them . those of hannam undervalue them for eating of vermin . they wear narrow gowns , their feet bare , the head commonly uncovered , their hair round and short like a lay-brother , only one lock on the temples , which is run through holes made to that purpose in the ears , they adore an idol called theica , with the same ceremonies those of hannam worship their tham. they trade into this kingdom their merchandize , elephants , buda's skins , benjamin , and amber . . at dangthan converts , and many at thinhoa . at nighihan , the residence is at rumo ; there are churches , and the divine offices are celebrated with much magnificence . in bochinh , a half province next cochinchina , were baptized . in an orchard here was found a tree brought from the laos , the leaves whereof gain him that carries them the affection of all he meets , and reconcile them if enemies . being examined whether it was not superstition , it was judged to be a natural virtue . . in the year , there were not above converted among all the residences . the house at chincheo was then first founded . a church was erected in the town of yunchum , and another in the city chancheu . now there will be a greater fruit reaped , because the king protects and countenances the religious , and their doctrine ; and in the year , gave them taes or crowns to buy a house and land. he also granted them ( what was more than they could have wished ) to put over their door this inscription , i the king approve of and protect the science of heaven . . in fine , there are now in china this year . above catholicks , and among them many nobles , mandarines , some bonzos and eunuchs . of mandarines and colao's , the most admirable were or pauls , one michael , one ignatius , one leo , and one stephen , who were not only converted , but preached the faith with great elegancy , and much profit . the great colao paul herein surpassed all others . . the jesuits at this time in china have twelve principal residences in the chief provinces and capital cities ; under these above private oratories , with hundreds of christians belonging to each . they have also gained good footing about the neighbouring countries , as in tomking , cochinchina , cambodia , laos , and other kingdoms . in these last countries , between and souls are converted every year . . the king of china himself casts down idols , and orders the prince his son to fall down before the images of iesus and mary . the queen in her apartment gives ear to what the converted eunuchs say concerning our religion . mass is often celebrated in the palace , and there is great hope of the king , whose piety and zeal have inclined him to respect the divine law , insomuch that our religious have been joyed upon his conversion . . what wonderful accidents have happened , and miracles been wrought in the conversion of those christians , are set down in sundry particular relations , and in the history of china , and are not so proper for this , which is only a profane history . besides , that being miraculous to some readers , they will appear as fictions ; those who are curious , may see them in the aforesaid history and relations . having given the substance of what was writ on a stone found in china at the end of the second volume , it will be needless to repeat the whole , which is long , and is no more than the same thing in many more words . what has been said relating to china in these two volumes , may deserve the credit of all men , as being the observations of the curious , as well as learned and pious f. alvaro semmedo , who spent years , preaching and teaching , in that country . the end of the second part. the portugues asia . tom . iii. part iii. chap. i. the government of the viceroy d. hierome de azevedo , from the year , till . . at the end of last year came to india the king's orders for d. hierome de azevedo to succeed ruy lorenço de tavora as viceroy . this gentleman had purchased a great name by many years service , and chiefly by spent in ceylon , a thing rare for one who had also gathered great riches . not that riches make a man incapable of a good name , but because commonly the means of acquiring them contribute much to stain it . the fame of his substance contributed as much as that of his valour t●… his promotion to this employment , it being thought , that he who had so much , would be less guilty of those crimes that proceed from avarice ; whereas experience teaches , that those who have most covet most . but d. hierome had offered to accept of that post without the usual salary , yet afterwards he received it , making that a crime by breaking his promise , which had been none if not offered . . on christmas eve ruy lorenço de tavora delivered him the sword ; and the first thing he did , was to forbid the payment of debts contracted by his predecessor , who resolved not to depart india till the payment of them was secured , as well for his own reputation , as in respect no viceroy for the future would be able to get any money advanced upon the urgent necessities of the state , if that ill precedent was given , and his debts were all on the account of the publick . at length it was concluded , they should be paid as tavora had ordered . the next action of the viceroy was to dispatch danisbeque sedesable embassador from abas the xa or king of persia , who falsly courted the friendship of all those princes he designed to spoil , promising each great advantages , and stirring them up one against the other . thus he treated with king philip in spain , and king iames in england , which he found most suitable to his designs . thus he had taken the island baharem , and strove to possess himself of ormuz . . danisbeque was returned from spain with the answer of his embassy ; and besides , what the king had given him in return for a present of silks he carried , the viceroy had orders to add something at his discretion . he added the value of crowns in spice , which in persia was worth much more ; and having nobly entertained him , sent away with him d. f. antony de gouvea bishop of sirene , who also came from spain , and went to propogate christianity , which had but a slender beginning there . the bishop went no farther than ormuz , for the persians being already ill-affected towards him , he feared it would be worse when the embassador had delivered his answer . so it happened , for the king finding the embassador brought not the return he expected , caused him to be killed , and obliged armenians to renounce the faith. . the viceroy as well versed in the affairs of ceylon , gave the necessary orders for its preservation , recommending the putting them in execution to antony vaz feyre , surveyor of the revenue in that island . antony pinto de fonseca , who had served well in flanders , and was now visitor of the forts in india , with the viceroy's leave went to perform the duties of his employ , d. henry de noronna being confirmed in the command of the coast of malabar given him by ruy lorenço , united the kings of vanguel , sierra , and carnate , against ventapanaique , on pretence of their safety ; whereas indeed it was to secure our selves against him , in whose dominions we held braçalor and onor . . this done , d. henry steered for the coast of malabar with sail. andrew coello was sent by the late governour with ships to relieve palicate and siriam , and being now driven by stress of weather to columbo , they were beaten to pieces on that coast , but the men saved . . when d. hierome came from ceylon to be viceroy , he gave the supream command there to fran. rojo , a man of unknown birth , but noted valour , and by his courage had attained to the greatest preferments . it was since found , that he was of the family of meneses , as being son to d. iames count de ericeyra , and grandson to d. henry de meneses , who was governour of india . . this d. francis de meneses rojo being general in that island , and understanding the king of candea lay before the fort of balane , and the commander emanuel falcam was in some ●…anger , he instantly set out with a very small number , spreading his orders for all men to follow , and marched ●…o leagues afoot that day . in three he reached balane , and the king at the sight of him raised the siege . d. francis relieved the fort , and returned with glory to his quarters , destroying all the enemy's country . . the tanadar of chaul meditating revenge for the losses he had sustained by us the last year , hired some moors naytia's that lived in caranja , and were free with the portugueses to kill baltasar rabello de almeyda commander of that fort. they guided by melique balane , entred suddenly when he was at supper , and killed him and a sister-in-law of his . this done , they shut themselves in , but the portugueses forcing the gates , put them all to the sword. ferdinand de sampaio & cunna succeeded in the widow and command . about the middle of april , abascan general of the enemy led a great body of them to revenge the death of the others on caranja . he could not be prevented entring the town , but being in disorder killing and plundering , simon rangel with portugueses doing great execution , began to put the moors to flight , whilst cunna coming on another way with few men , they made a great slaughter . this was a warning to the naytia's not to return to caranja . afterwards cunna , not satisfied with what he had done , ravaged their country , and brought away above prisoners . he shewed much generosity , when two moors being brought to him for entring a place forbid them upon pain of death , he set them at liberty ; because being asked , how they durst come thither without a safe conduct ; one of them answered , that they had done it , relying on the fame of his courtesie , to ransom certain kindred of theirs . . ruy freyre de andrade , who cruized on that coast with a squadron of small ships , understanding that nizamaluco , since the war broke out at chaul , spread it as far as salsete and agacaim , he repaired thither . in a village between caranja and tana , he cut off some moors that opposed him , and put the rest to flight . higher they discovered moors , and an elephant with a castle on his back , in which were two cannons . twelve soldiers landed , a captain with horse attacking them was shot dead , our men seeing the enemy halt , stood some time , and then george marino sent to challenge their leader , but he not accepting of it they returned aboard . . from tana freyre sent some ships to relieve the town of agaçaim , which being indanger'd by the moors , run a greater hazard through the discord of the inhabitants . they were but families , yet all full of division , and ruy freyre could no way reconcile them . every one said he was able to defend all their houses , and all together could not defend one ; for moors soon forced them thence into the monastery of st. francis , shewing them how great difference there is betwixt saying and doing , between animosity and discretion . freyre carried the women and children to baçaim , and then relieved manora , passing through multitudes of enemies who expected him ashore , and sought resolutely , insomuch that one laid hold of the colours , on which was the picture of the blessed virgin , carryed by emanuel ambrosio , the moor was shot dead . he got into the fort without losing one man , having killed and wounded many , and after securing all things there , returned to the mouths of the rivers of tana , where he behaved himself well . . the affairs of agaçaim grew worse , for fresh troops of melique resorting thither , ruy freyre was obliged to return to their assistance . at his coming he saw the enemy was firing iohn de caldas his house , where he had fortified himself , and iames rodriguez caldera , a soldier well known for his valour , was let down by a rope to quench it , as he did . freyre with much difficulty brought off those that were left , and carried them to baçaim . there he landed , and joining the commander of the fort , and men of the northern and diu fleets , they pursued a body of moors , till it was thought fit to retire , for fear of an ambush . a few days after , freyre and the northern squadron being gone to convoy a fleet that lay at damam for fear of pirats , andrew pereyra de sousa with three companies was drawn into an ambush , and not a man of them escaped . . the moors at the upper chaul were drawn into the like snare by d. emanuel de azevedo , commander of that place , a man well skilled in military affairs , having gained experience by several years service in ceylon . . the necessities of damam , represented by the people and their commander nunno alvarez pereyra , obliged ruy freyre to make some stay there . the case was , that among other enemies the king of the sarcetas , who lives in intricate woods which serve him for defence , had sent out parties of horse and foot which destroyed and carried away all they found in the neighbouring villages . freyre gathering about men from damam , maim and trapor , fell upon of the enemy in their woods and works before day when they were all asleep , slew a great number of them , and retired with a considerable booty , burning all that could not be carried away . above of the enemy pursued him , but not daring come too near , he retired in good order and got into damam with honour . . d. henry de noronna had detached george de castilo with some small vessels towards cape comori to convoy the fleet of turocori . there he discovered a galliot that carried moors . francis de soufa pereyra with his little ship in which were but souldiers bore down upon her , castillo sends two more to second him , and they discovering some ships of bengala , leave him to follow them . those of the galliot seeing our small vessel forsaken , fire their cannon upon her , which killed three of the men that rowed , and the rest leaped into the sea. the moors board her , and all our men were either killed or taken . . in may , nunno de cunna sailed from goa for baçaim to succeed ruy dias de sampayo as admiral of the north sea ; his squadron consisted of ships , in which were chosen souldiers , designed to carry on the war against melique , who was grown strong . by the way he had some encounters not considerable enough to be related , and at the city galiana after entring the enemies works , taking some cannon , and killing many with the loss of one man , was forced by a storm to desist from his design of burning some small vessels . . being at baçaim he kept the enemy in great awe , notwithstanding they had horse and as many foot , whereas we had but horse and foot. several were killed in skirmishes this winter , the number of theirs not known , on our side . on all saints day the enemy came on through a plain , having to distract us made a feint of coming through the water . their horse having made antony pinto de fonseca give way , were bogged , and our men rallying upon them , killed , and took some , putting the rest to flight . francis tavares who carried lope sarmiento's colours , stripped and wrapped them about his arm , charging the enemies with the spear , till being thrown down he lay upon the colours , so that they could not be taken from him , but the portugueses coming into his assistance he rose , and tho' the blood run from him , fell in again among the moors . . during all this time the moors shewed such respect to the christian churches , as may well confound christians themselves . the portugueses made use of two churches dedicated to our b. lady , putting men into each , and tho' thence they annoyed the enemy , yet the moors never made one shot at them , because some of them had there recovered their health , making vows which they punctually paid . chap. ii. continues the government of the viceroy d. hierome de azevedo , in the year . . it was the fate of the fort of mombaça to have insolent commanders . emanuel de melo pereyra herein exceeded many of his predecessors treating the king sultan hazen with unexpressible disrespect . the chief promoter of the disagreement betwixt melo and the king was his unkle munganaje , an old man , who , pretending much zeal for our affairs , aimed at the crown . he vented his malice one day by giving out in the fort , the king designed to kill them all . . melo resolved to attack the king's house , but he being sensible how fruitless any excuses would be , fled with the christian colours to the town quolifi of the cafres seven leagues distant . that people pressed him to reinthrone himself by force , but he several times withstood their importunities . . at length not able to prevail upon him they marched without him , and entred the town of the moors , but they were all retir'd into our fort. the cafres not thinking good to assault the fort , were upon their return , when emanuel de melo , who observed them , pursuing and falling suddenly on them , cut off the best part. a few days after the king returned to his house , and having excused himself to our commander thought he was satisfied , but he only dissembled his malice , as shall appear hereafter . . our fortune in pegn now declined with the same swiftness it had rise , and it was just a wicked encrease should have a sudden detriment . the violence committed by philip de brito nicote on the king of tangn , provoked the anger of the king of ova , under whose protection he was . scarce had he heard the news , when casting on the ground his gown and veil , he vowed to the idol biay of degu , he would not enter within his gates till this quarrel was revenged . he marched with men , having put to sea vessels of considerable strength , in which were above of those moors of noted valour ( called de caperuça , or that wear caps . all that was without the walls of siriam he burnt , but met with vigorous opposition at that place , notwithstanding nicote was quite unprovided , having suffered most of his men to go for india , and being scarce of powder , as who had fired the vast quantity of it found at tangu . in this distress he sent a soldier to buy powder at bengala , and he run away with the money ; and having sent for some to the town of st. thomas , they sent him none . besides , those few portugueses that were with him committed such outrages , robberies and murders as seemed to hasten his ruine . . for want of powder there was no firing of cannon , they poured boiling pitch and oil upon the enemy . his number of men might suffice , having portugueses and pegues . nicote sends out three ships against the fleet , in one of them all the men were slain , the two retired with all theirs wounded . the enemy began to undermine the works , and the besieged laboured much , but to small purpose . after the siege had lasted days , nicote sent to beg mercy , but was not heard . he thought to prevail by the means of the king of tangu whom he had robbed of his crown , riches and liberty , but the king of ova understood , and was resolved to punish him . . the king of arraçam whom he had so grievously offended , sent sail to his assistance , which were all taken by the besiegers . the king of ova gives an assault , and they fought three days without intermission ; the end of it was , that of the besieged were slain , one banna whom nicote had always honoured having betrayed him . nicote was taken , carried to the king , and by him ordered to be impaled , and set up in an eminence above the fort , that he might the better look to it , as the king said . he lived two days in that misery . his wife de luisa de saldanna was kept days in the river to be cleansed , because the king designed her for himself , but being brought before , and exclaiming against him , he ordered her leg to be bored , and that she should be sent to ova among the other slaves . . francis-mendez and a nephew of his were treated as nicote . banna demanding a reward was soon torn to pieces , the king saying , he could never be true to him that betrayed the man who so much had honoured him . sebastian rodriguez was cooped up with a yoke about his neck . at first the king designed not to spare any of the inhabitants of that place , but growing calm , he sent many slaves to ova . then passing by martavam he obliged that king to kill his own daughter's husband , because he was nicote's son , that none of the race might remain . this was the end of that man's avarice , who being naked a few years before , was raised to be worth millions ; he had one when he went to goa , brought another from tangu , and had got at least another since by prizes and trade . the enemy confessed they lost at that siege men. . but that it may appear that seldom any great calamity happens without the help of a woman , it is necessary to show how nicote's wife was one of the principal causes of his ruin. she entertained one of his captains as her gallant , and perceiving the portugueses censured their familiarity , they perswaded nicote he had no need of them , which was the reason they were dismissed , and that the cause of his ruine . . our viceroy understanding the danger of siriam , and thinking to relieve it in time , sent thither iames de mendoça furtado with galliots . he had orders to act something by the way , and endeavour to strengthen himself by the addition of some other ships and men , which he effected not till he came to martavam , where in the river he found a fleet of sail , which after a sharp engagement fled , except that were taken with some men , from whom he heard what had happened at siriam , so that there was no need to go farther . . nor long before this set out from goa for china iohn cayado de gamboa with galleons , and was to join michael de sousa pimentel , who was there with others to secure our china trade against the hollanders , who were this year very strong in those seas . one of the galleons was cast away near sancham leagues from macao , the sea then running so high that it drowned several towns. there were above men in that vessel , whereof about portugueses and others escaped . they chose gonzalo machado a noted souldier to command them , and having the good fortune to be well treated , cloathed and fed by the chineses , came to a city where they were so nobly entertained , they had almost forgot the end of their voyage . their common food was three pullets a day each , they were feasted on the river in stately boats like palaces with several apartments , and garnished with gold. in fine , on their way thence to macao they were attended as if they had been chinese colaos , or mandarines . at the inns they were treated with a sort of food most pleasant and delicious , which afterwards they were informed was made of toads and worms . what chiefly they admired after this journey was the chastity of the chinese women ; for tho' they are beautiful , and beauty be inclined to wantonness , and though our men were long among them and familiarly entertained , yet they could never by any means prevail with any of them to yield to their desires . at macao they found the other two galleons , which had escaped the storm , having more sea room . . near the end of this year luis de brito & melo entred the port of goa from cruizing in the sea of diu , and brought with him a rich ship of the mogol's that came from meca . he took her off of suratt , after a vigorous resistance , in which he lost some men , and was forced to send to ruy freyre for aid . this provoked the mogol to besiege damam , and destroy the country about it . the king of decan did the same about chaul and bacaim , at the instigation of the mogol , who thought to drive us out of asia . . a letter writ by d. luis de gama from ormuz with more passion than discretion , moved the persians on the other side to gather barques , in order to take the port of bandel , and stop the course of the water that goes to ormuz . ferdinand de silva admiral of that sea went to quell them , and as he ingaged , his powder taking fire was blown up . d. nunno alvarez pereyra succeeded him , who drove them away with such slaughter , that the xa of persia excused himself to the viceroy , saying , that attempt was made only by the sultan of lara . . francis lopez calleyros brought into malaca a dutch pink , that had taken a rich portugues ship. the news of the hollanders taking that prize , was the occasion of his setting out in a ship of his own with soldiers . . this year expired with great dissatisfaction in india ( tho' the like had happened other times ) for the ships from portugal , which were expected with impatience , the better to oppose the english and hollanders , were forced back to lisbon , after having been five months abroad ; they were four . . d. hierome de almeyda returning to portugal with the ships of the last year , in the bay of st. helena met four mighty holland ships . they sought with much equal courage and loss . the dutch admiral was sunk , and ours beginning to take fire emanuel de prado & magallanes rowled himself upon it till he quenched it . for this action the command of the fort of mascate was given him , with the privilege of leaving it to whom he pleased in his will. we shall see him hereafter serve well , and die valiantly in fight . chap. iii. continues the government of d. hierome de azevedo , in the year . . the king of ova grown proud with his success against the portugueses at siriam , resolved to conquer all the neighbouring princes . he caused himself to be crowned at bagou , and by the conduct of his brother with men was soon master of the kingdom of tavay . this general moves to tenasarim , and besieges it by sea and land. christopher rabelo , who had fled from his house at cochim for some crimes , durst attack his fleet of sail with only portugueses and slaves in galliots , and put it to flight , after burning many vessels , and killing men. . the king of siam , to whom that town belonged , for joy of this action highly honoured the victorious portugueses , and offered them leave to build a fort in any part of his kingdom they would chuse ; to this intent sending for iames de mendoça furtado , who was in that sea with a squadron , and offering him the title of an earl with a suitable revenue ; but there being too much then on our hands these offers could not be accepted of . furtado in his way to ma●… destroyed the towns of queda and pa●… with fire and sword. . d. iames de vasconcelos sailed from gao with the squadron for the north consisting of sail , he had orders to take in d. emanuel de azevedo at chaul and carry him to diu , being appointed commander of that place . by the way landing at the river sifardam in melique's lands , he destroyed a town abandoned by the inhabitants . . azevedo being come to diu. seized on the goods of his predecessor sebastian de macedo , for the money he was indebted to the king. next he resolved to fall upon the people of por , for the damage the trade of diu sustained by their means ; gaspar de melo & sampayo was sent with a squadron to this expedition , who came before that city ( leagues distant ) with much difficulty , because our vessels could go but one at a time up a narrow creek that leads to it , and the enemy pour'd in showers of bullets and arrows from the shore , and from the bastions , killing of our men. the walls were scaled on the one side , whilst our men entred at a breach on the other , notwithstanding the vigorous opposition of resolute enemies , whereof many were slain , the rest fled , some into the fields , and others to a fort standing in the middle of the town . . those in the fort offered forty thousand crowns , if we would not batter the place . it was denied ; they attacked to no purpose , and our men forced to depart with double dissatisfaction , for refusing the offer and suffering the repulse . the city was plundered , killed , and taken ; the houses then fired being full of perfumes cast a delightful smell . . iames de vasconcelos from diu sailed with ships to the mouth of the river of agaçaim , where paraos of malabars set upon him . without the loss of one man he slew many , took several prisoners , and all the paraos . vasconcelos himself took one of them , thinking their commander porcasse had been in it , but that honour fell to michael ferran de castellobranco . . ruy freyre de andrade went from damam to chaul , to succeed in that command to d. emanuel de azevedo , who was gone to that of diu. he was ordered by the viceroy only to secure himself within the walls , and not attempt any thing abroad , because the country swarmed with enemies , and there were but few men in the fort. but he training many camponeses ; raised new works , and forced the enemy to withdraw with great loss . . gaspar de melo now commanded the northern squadron consisting of sail , he went to bacaim understanding there was most need of his assistance . the posture of our affairs was much mended by this relief , the enemy being kept more in awe , till one day fighting from sun to sun , our men without losing one man overcame a great multitude . . the fort of manora , four leagues from the mouth of the river of agaçaim , being besieged by the decariis , and bacaim in a good posture , gaspar de melo resolved to relieve it , and antony pinto to bear him company ; the chief of their strength was portugueses . gaspar one night went himself to view the enemies camp , and finding it stronger than he had imagined ; when he returned perswaded his men it was much weaker . he prepared them to fall on before day , which was done so successfully , that some fled at first with the surprize , and many being killed , the rest followed . thus that siege was raised without the loss of one man. . hence gaspar de melo went to damam again infested by the king of the sarceta's , and in sight of the enemy cut down their woods and orchards , they not daring to oppose him . the heat of the sun was then so violent , that it caused a soldier immediately to run mad , and died soon after ; this was all the loss sustained by us in that action . . then melo returned to chaul , where he found ruy freyre de andrade successful over his enemies . they marched to destroy a wood near upper chaul , in defence whereof a great multitude of the enemy met them , and there ensued an obstinate fight . here melo forgetting the duty of a captain , acted more like a private soldier , which heat of his ruy freyre did endeavour to moderate , he now gave the advice he would not afterwards take . they returned victorious , but not without losing some men. . freyre being left alone , gave orders to fall upon the enemy , captain peter gomes villano answered , they had no men. advancing still , he again orders them to fall on , and at the same time received a musket shot in his belly . his men seeing it , began to give way , but he running forward , cryed out , there is no cause to retire , i am very well ; yet for some time his life was in danger . here it was he wanted the advice he gave to melo , yet that resolution produced an honourable victory . . melo again joins pinto de fonseca at bacaim in order to relieve the fort of assarim , that high mountain that overtops the flight of birds , and is counted impregnable . tho' the country swarm'd with enemies , they conducted waggons to that mountain , and having relieved it returned in safety . . we had not the like success at diu , for francis sodre being sent against the resbutos at coche with men in ships , behaved himself so indiscreetly , that they slew many of his men , and forced him to retire to his ships in haste , but not cowardly , for he still faced them , and did all that could be expected at such a time . . our affairs at mombaça were in a very bad posture , for king sultan hazen being persecuted by his unkle munganaje , who armed at the crown , and by the commander emanuel de melo , who thirsted after his riches , was accused of treason , those being really the traytors who accused him . his feigned crimes being laid before the viceroy , he rashly orders him . to be brought to goa , directing simon de melo pereyra , who went to succeed emanuel de melo to seize him . the king understanding the design , endeavoured to avoid being taken , and the new commander attacking his house obliged him again to fly to arabaya of the cafres . our commander with money prevailed to have him killed , and cutting off his head sent it to goa , as it had been a trophy of some great conquest . then he puts the government into the hands of the traytor munganaje , joining with him melinde , brother to the deceased . but he who desired no colleague , laid crimes to his charge , as was done to his brother , and caused him to be beheaded . we shall hereafter see the benefit reaped by this tyranny and treachery . . cojenitamo , commander of suratte for the mogol , with horse and some elephants , on a sudden over-ran the country of damam , burning the villages ; and some of our men endeavouring to put a stop to him , were drawn into an ambush , and all slain . the enemy comes on again with a greater power , and was now absolute master of the field , when luis de i●…ito & melo admiral of the north-sea came into that port with his squadron , which consisted of sail , and in them souldiers . these joined of damam , and horse , and above ●… other foot. they attacked the enemy who far exceeded them in numbers , yet drove him out of those lands , killing above of them , elephants , and their commander in chief dalapute rao ; on our side only antony godinno was slain . . luis de brito pursued them to the fort of baroche , and entring the port , burnt the town , and all the vessels that lay there . as he returned victorious , discovering the city of the resbuto's , called barbute , he resolved to attack it . a great number of them met him , and after a fight which was long dubious , were defeated with the loss of . on our side died one captain , and four others . the city was burnt , and the heads of most of the dead cut off , which were cast ashore near surat , to be seen by the moors of that place . . at bacaim and chaul there were many skirmishes , which for brevity are omitted ; but many towns were burnt , much plunder taken , and the enemy on all sides kept under . . emanuel mascarennas homem succeeded d. francis de meneses rojo as general of ceylon ; he had orders to curb the insolence of the portugueses , well known to the viceroy since he commanded there , and which did us more hurt than the enemies sword. we had not grown odious to the chingala's , had we not provoked them by o●… infamous proceedings . not only the poor soldiers went out to rob , but those who were lords of villages adding rapes and adulteries , which obliged that people to seek the company of beasts on mountains , rather than be subject to the more beastly villanies of men. . the viceroy perceiving that india was not in a condition to withstand so great enemies as was the mogol , and xarife melique commander of ponda , and suspecting that ibrahim idalxa underhand supported him , sent antony monteyro corte real , embassador to the latter , with a present for the king , and another for his favourite . being come to visapor , he had the desired success , which was to obtain , that melique should be imprisoned at ponda ; that the hollanders , who laboured to settle a factory there , should be expelled . this was done by the assistance of vincent ribeyro a portugues , who lived at visapor , and had much interest with the favourite . . at baçaim , luis de brito & melo , and d. iohn de almada admiral of the diu squadron , joyned antony pinto de fonseca commander of that place , resolving to force the enemies camp. they made up men , and marched toward the enemy , who had horse and foot well intrenched . our design was to surprize them , but they had intelligence from some portugueses in the city ; nevertheless their trenches were forced with the loss of or of our men , and not above of the enemy escaped . this victory secured the inhabitants of that country , and the island of salsete , who had suffered much during the two last years . . zamori possessed himself of the kingdom of upper granganer , which was of dangerous consequence to our town of the same name , which he always coveted , having an eye upon a pagod where the ancient emperors of malabar used to be crowned . this neighbourhood became the more dangerous , for that the little king of paru , a small island , relying on his friendshop with zamori , had began the war in the rivers between cochim and paliporto . the king of cochim ( not without cause offended at the portugueses ) underhand kindled this fire . the viceroy sent d. lope de almeyda with one galley and ten ships to relieve cananor . he came upon the king of paru , who terrified thereat , concluded a peace . only the king of cochim and zamori now remained : an embassy , and presents were sent to the latter ; both which he admitted , but nothing was concluded . . at this time arrived at goa ships from portugal , five came thence , but one was lost within two leagues of melinde . of soldiers that were shipped aboard these vessels , not half the number came to india , the rest dying by the way , which was a great loss , by reason of the want of men there was there , having so many enemies upon them , and because these same ships should have come the year before , and were forced back to lisbon . three ships homeward bound had yet worse fortune , for one was cast away at the maldivy islands ; another , in which were all the men of the former at the island fayal , where above men perished ; the third arrived at lisbon . . the viceroy with that small recruit resolved to go in person to the north to meet our european enemies the english and hollanders , who were strong in these seas , he sent before d. emanuel de azevedo with sail , who at suratte joyned the two squadrons under luis de brito , and d. iohn de almada . they landed , and destroyed the lands of cifandam and diva ; the towns of baroche and goga were plundered and burnt , as were six great ships in that bay. hence they sailed to the city patane , the inhabitants whereof , terrified by the flames of goga , fled to the woods ; so the town was fired without any opposition . . mean while the viceroy set out with galleons , that in which he was so large , it carried with ease men at arms , the all gentlemen . there were besides two pinks , one galley , one caravel , and five other vessels . in all which were portugueses , and much artillery , but unskilful gunners . chap. iv. continues the government of d. hierome de azevedo . . the chief design of this squadron , which at suratte joyned those three under azevedo , brito , and almeyda , was to destroy four english ships that lay in that port. these preparations seemed too great for such an enterprize , but the event proved the contrary . being come in sight of the english , the viceroy ordered the two pinks , the caravel , and other smaller vessels , to lay aboard one of the ships which was separated from the others . having all grappled , and almost entred her , the other three coming up beat them off . the first three of our vessels having taken fire , endeavouring to burn that of the enemy , perished , and the english escaped . all this day was spent without any success on our side ; and the next nothing was done , because the ships lay in a hole , where only one of our galleons could come at them at once , and so might be one by one disabled by the enemies cannon . some said , this was only a pretence of those who had no mind to come at them . it was attempted to burn them with fireships , but without success . . the viceroy perceiving he only lost his time there , sailed to diu to send thence relief to ormuz , having received advice from d. luis de gama commander of that place , that the fort of comoran was besieged by a persian captain of xirav with men by sea and land. this siege was laid by order of abas xa of persia , on account that gama did not pay him certain duties due to the king of lara , and the persian was now possessed of that kingdom . he was glad of this pretence of taking arms , as desiring to possess himself of ormuz , towards which he thought the fort of comoron was a good step . nor did he miss his aim , for no sooner did the ancient men of ormuz hear that fort was delivered , but they concluded this lost . d. luis sent some succour which hastened the surrender , because one half of it was cut off , and the rest returned . andrew de quadros commanded at comoran , he had but few men , and less cannon , ( for always our aim was at trade , ) and was forced to surrender upon conditions , which the enemy never observed . this was done when the relief of sail , sent by the viceroy , arrived under the command of michael de sousa pimentel , who having nothing to do there , and to shun the distasts that happened between him and d. luis de gama , went away to mascate . . the viceroy returning with his fleet from diu , discovered the english ships a great way from surat making all the sail they could , and standing to the southward . he made the best of his way , and in the afternoon came up alone within cannon-shot of one of them , because his galleon was a better sailer than the rest of the fleet. his gunner offered to sink her with two pounders ; many opposed it , representing the other ships would come upon him , and the fleet being out of sight , the galleon would be lost , which would be a great discredit , besides the damage at such a time when the government was so poor . the viceroy submitted to their opinions , without obliging them to give it under their hands , thinking they would never deny it , which they did when he was accused for not doing what the gunner proposed . the english returned thanks for this kindness , firing their cannon without ball. . the ships that this year went from portugal , carried orders to the viceroy , to sell all commands and employments that would yield money , there being no other means than to supply the wants of that government . this was put in execution , and much resented , for three reasons ; one , that it had never been done before ; another , because many were debarred thereby the right to those places they had purchased by long service ; and the third , because by this means those who had money , though never so undeserving , would get those posts . . the ships that this year sailed from lisbon for india , in which the abovesaid order went , were four ▪ d. antony tello captain of one of them being ashore when they set sail , and not able to get aboard , though he followed in another vessel as far as the island madera , returned to lisbon , and taking with him captain emanuel de prado de magallanes , travelled to india by land , found his ship there , and returned in her to portugal . francis lopez carrasco , captain of another of those ships , was left behind through neglect at goa when the ships came away , and francis de magallanes came in his place . iohn pereyra cortereal , a third captain of the same ships , returned not without trouble , which he overcame like a good commander , for some of his men mutinying , he with his own hand slew one of them , and caused two to be hanged ; for which good service he was rewarded . . this year also set out from goa another ship commanded by francis de brito , which was lost off of the islands of querimba , where and at moçambique the men were saved with the fatigues usual in those shipwrecks . d. hierome manuel , who commanded the ships that came from lisbon , returned next year , when we shall speak of him . . abas xa , king of persia , desiring to settle some trade with us to vend his silks , writ to our king , telling him , he was weary of receiving friers as ambassadors , and desiring him to send some gentleman of note , for he should better know how to treat with such a one , and god and his majesty would be better served , because a religious man out of his cell was like a fish out of the water . d. garcia de silva & figuero●… a spanish gentleman , well qualified for that employment , was sent to him . he carried a rich and beautiful present , and of rare workmanship in silver and gold , set with precious stones . he went from madrid to lisbon , thence to india , where he was to receive further instructions , and crowns consigned on the custom-house of ormuz for his expence , besides what he had before received , because his equipage was very great . thus far we had an account of this embassy ; hereafter we shall see that ormuz was lost , which was what the persian coveted ; so that it seems the embassy did not divert him from that thought . . the blacks besieged the city of st. thomas , and raising a fort , they put in ammunition and men , spreading about the town , which they battered from the pagod near st. francis. captain emanuel de frias besieges the fort , which was surrendred to him for want of water . among the cannon found in it , there was one piece of spans , that is , yards and a quarter in length , that carried a ball of pounds weight . . a peace was concluded between the mogul and us through the sollicitation of hierome xaverius of the society of iesus . chap. v. continues the government of the vice-roy d. hierome de azevedo , in the year . . don iohn de silva commanded for the spaniards at manila , who demanded succors of the portugueses to defend the moluco islands against the rebellious hollanders . the viceroy sitted out galleons for this expedition under the command of francis de miranda enriquez . it was easie to foresee they would be unfortunate , because most of the souldiers were outlaws , men who have courage to commit villanies , but in dangers of honour are meer cowards , as has always been found by experience , and was at this time , for many deserted as soon as they had received their pay at goa , and many at malaca , the admiral contrary to his orders , having touched there . . between the islands of nicobar they were some time becalm●…d . not far from those of diu they met two holland ships coming from paliacate , our admiral prepared to fight , and they having made show of standing to it , after some cannon-shot exchang'd , stood away . being pursued very close they threw many goods overboard to be the lighter ; among other things they cast over some pigeons , the weight whereof could not much hinder them , but in the confusion they knew not what they did . our galleons could not make up with them , and in the morning they were not to be seen . it was afterwards known they skulked behind the island of pulopinam . . the galleons being in the road of malaca , the admiral landed d. gonçalo de silva , bishop of that city , whom he carryed to this intent , and thought to hold on his voyage , having already been out above months , and it being about the middle of iuly . going out of the streight there arose a storm , and the vice-admiral springing a leak , they were forced to put into malaca ; where they all stayed , resolving to prosecute their voyage the next year , not knowing the ill fortune that attended them there . . when they came in , iames de mendoça furtado , commander in chief by sea and land , was ready to set out with galleons and jalia's , or small vessels . they were manned by the garrison of malaca , and went to meet the ships that were expected from china , and at the same time to discover whether any fleet of achem appear'd as was reported . they discovered it about 〈◊〉 leagues from the streight ; it consisted of above sail , whereof above galleys greater than ours , and above less , yet considerable . the king came himself in this fleet with his wives , the best of his treasure , and men. he carried no colours , but globes of massy gold , as was the throne whereon he sate . he was four years in fitting out this fleet. . iames de mendoça furtado having well viewed that fleet , designed to fight , and in order thereto called all his captains to council ; it was resolved he should not fight but return to malaca , which was weak for want of those men they had drawn out . he stood thither , sending advice to the galleons to prepare to fight . the admiral fr. de miranda enriquez received the advice , and with furtado's squadron on the th day met that vast fleet , which was standing for malaca . both parties drew themselves into order of battel , and after noon miranda began to play his cannon without losing a shot , the enemy stood so thick , and they received all his fire without making any return , as it were in contempt of him . . furtado and ferdinand de costa with their two galliots attack galleys ; one they boarded and burnt , another was blown up by a ball that fell into their powder room . several of the enemymade up to the galliots , our galleons move to succour them , and then the whole enemies fleet comes on . this was towards evening when a storm rising so separated our small vessels , that they could not join the galleons till next day at noon . being joined they made towards the enemy , who not regarding them stood in for malaca . our galleons being ill manned , because many of the men were fled to the woods , it was found expedient to take those out of the galliots who were of try'd valour . thus they prepared for battel , which the enemy accepted , drawn up in the form of a half moon . this happened on a sunday in the afternoon about the middle of november . . the admiral , and d. iohn de silveyra's galleons were boarded , ant. rodrigues de gamboa with his galliot came to assist silveyra his brother-in-law , but the galliot taking fire fired the galleon , and both perished . there were men in them , of them died , and the other were taken . the admiral miranda was three times boarded , and , tho' he had but few men , still cleared the decks , killing numbers of the enemy , and sinking some of their galleys . ships were fired on both sides , and the labour to quench them was great especially on our side . the fight lasted till midnight , the flaming ships and other fires lighted of purpose by the king affording them light . . in fine , the admiral 's galleon during this time was attacked by the whole fleet times , fired , and as often quenched , men wrapped in wet blankets rowling themselves in the fire . miranda being struck down by a great splinter , a soldier cried out he was killed , but he instantly arose , saying , i am not dead , here i am alive , fight couragiously my brave lions , for heaven promises us a glorious victory . the galleons were in a line at about a musket shot distance from each other , and for want of wind the could not come up to succour the admiral , against whom the enemy bent all his force . could they have come up , the enemy had been utterly ruined , for they were so disabled , that they retired towards bancales . . day appearing , and the enemy gone , our galleons thought to pursue them but could not . their loss was computed to men , and sail of all sorts . iames de mendoça & silva being upon discovery with his small vessels , found the king had sent out his boats for water , he fell in among them and took them all , and prisoners . the king after this loss asked the prisoners he had taken , whether an embassy to treat of their liberty would be acceptable at malaca , and being by them assured it would , he writ to the admiral and commander of the town , affirming our ships had attacked him without cause , when he was going only to subdue his rebellious subjects , expressing concern for the loss of our galleon and galliot , offering to restore the prisoners without ransom , if they sent for them . this king being very subtle and false , it was not fit to give two much credit to him ; yet his ambassadors were well received , and it was answered , that the king's designs not being known , it could not but he believed he designed against malaca . they sent him all his subjects taken by iames de mendoça and a good present , thanking him for the offer of restoring the portugueses , and desiring he would deliver them to him that carried the others . the king being under sail when our messenger came to him , said he would answer after he had treated him as became a portugues ambassador . he had rather have taken his answer there , being suspicious of the king , but was forced to follow . the king being come home , received the embassy friendly , and a month after dispatched him well satisfied with the prisoners . . the reason why , as was before hinted , the galleons could not pursue the achem fleet , was because they had advice that holland ships were sailing towards malaca . mendoça was of opinion to repair to the city for the security thereof , but miranda was for pursuing the enemy , and having destroyed them they might retire to polubutum or gale ; which would have ruined the achem fleet , and saved our galleons which were destroyed afterwards by the hollanders . these drawing near , ferdinand de costa was for securing the galleons at gale ; miranda for fighting ; and furtado advised to draw the galleons close to the little island , so that the hollanders might not pass between them and the land , so they might do the more execution , bringing all their cannon over to one side . this opinion being approved of , was scarce put in execution , when the ships appeared and made at them . every ship exceeded each of our galleons in number of men and cannon , able seamen and gunners . the order of drawing under the island was so ill executed , that the hollanders took the post ours aimed at . . the battel began and continued all that day with equal loss . next day one of galleons , after losing captains , and being torn to pieces even with the superficies of the water , was quitted by those men that were left . the d day only men being left in another galleon , they fired it and got ashore . the admiral miranda would defend himself , tho' wounded in the leg , with only , but they and a jesuit by force carried him into the island , leaving the galleon on fire . about men were lost in them all . the loss of the hollanders was considerable , but being masters of the sea they sailed to the mouth of the streight , to intercept the ships that were expected from china , till understanding that d. iohn de silva , governor of malina , was coming that way with his fleet , they quitted that sea , which was no small comfort after so great a loss . . francis de miranda enriquez went to goa , where he walked upon crutches , by reason of the hurt received in his legs when he fought the hollanders . however he was brought to a tryal , for not sailing directly for manila , according to his instructions , or not retiring where they might have been secured . in the conclusion he was cleared , and having behaved himself so bravely , it was but reason he should . . d. iohn de silva being informed that the four galleons could not go to manila , did all that could be expected of a good commander to join us in order to suppress the hollanders . he sent ammunition to our fleet a●… malaca , and advice for our ships to avoid falling into the enemies hands . but all failed , the advice by the ill conduct of him that carried it ; and the ammunition , because our galleons were lost when it came . without knowing hereof he put to sea with strong galleons , the product of his great care and industry . eight days after his departure holland ships came to the bay of maribeles and were the first of that nation that passed the streights of magellan . had d. iohn set out days sooner , he had taken the ships that defeated francis de miranda , and days later those other . ships on the sea of pulatinam he found the galleon commanded by captain antony homen de azevedo and the plate ship coming from china . having passed the streight of singapura , he left the galleons with his vice-admiral and with two galleys , he had went himself and convoyed those two vessels to malaca . there he was received under a canopy with great state , and demonstrations of love and gratitude ; there also he soon fell sick in such manner , that the seventh day were buried with him the great hopes conceived of destroying the hollanders by his zeal , valour and conduct . the galleys carrying the body returned to his nephew , and the vice-admiral and he with them to manila . chap. vi. continues the government of the viceroy d. hierome de azevedo , in the year . . about this same time a peace was concluded at damam between the portugueses and king choutia . gonzalo pinto de fonseca was appointed to go to exchange the ratifications . the king would not come into our dominions to swear it , nor would we go into his ; those of the king of sarceta , tho' our enemy , and his father-in-law , were agreed upon . pinto came to a village appointed for this ceremony with foot and horse , and found the king there with of the latter , and of the former . our commissioner offer'd his tent , and the king his , urging his character . it was accepted to avoid displeasing him . the quarrel had been about certain lands the king pretended to , and now quitting his claim the peace was solemnly sworn with satisfaction of both parties . he offered to serve our king with foot and horse , and that his son should live at damam to command a fleet at sea. he added pleasantly , that he envied those who could be in damam at the publick feasts , and caused pinto with some of the chief portugueses to go to his house , saying , the queen was desirous of seeing him . she saw him , but not he her , being behind a close lettice . the king made fresh offers , and gave good proofs of real friendship . . the same gonçalo pinto concluded a peace with the mogol . the articles were , that iahanguier , king of the mogols , and the viceroy should hold no correspondence with english or hollanders . that they should harbour neither of those nations in their ports , that they should be obliged to expel them the sea of guzarate in months after any of them came thither . that if the english entred the lock of suratte , the portugueses should have leave to plant guns ashore to drive them out . that all animosities laid aside , the mogols and portugueses should trade freely in each others ports . that prisoners be restored on both sides . that the king should restore all the portugues effects in his kingdom , after repaying himself xerafines , he had received damage in a ship that came from meca . that the hulk of a ship should be given to the queen-mother for one of hers burnt at goa . that the viceroy should give leave for two ships of his once , and one every year to trade from suratte to meca , without paying any duties . that the malabars should be excluded the ports of both parties as pernicious pirats . that by this peace the king of portugal's right to the duties paid at diu , by the ships that trade in the bay of cambaya , should be no way infri●…ged . . about the middle of february , gonzalo rodriguez de sonsa came to the moluco islands with galliots of war , and two of merchants . he was sent by the viceroy with succours . d. iohn de silva , governor of manila , with his spaniards were then besieged at ternate by dutch ships , sousa in sight of them relieved the place , and the besiegers stood away to the southward . d. iohn ordered two galleys and a pink with the galliots to follow the enemy , who steered for macassa . these put the towns of arsula best , and the greater and lesser manciolas to fire and sword. they burnt ships belonging to the kings of ternate , maquien , bacham and cacoa , who favoured the holland rebels . landing in the kingdom of corane , they easily took the chief fort , the king who was in it flying for shelter to the woods . returning aboard , they discovered three great ships in which came the king's son-in-law and grandson to his aid , the latter was taken , the other killed . on the d of april they arrived at macassa , a●… such time as the admiral of the hollanders seen at ternate , was coming into that port. after half a day 's fight being upon the point of taking her , a sudden storm parted them . our men returned to ternate with booty , provisions , and more ships than they carried out . . in ceylon our gen. em ▪ mascarennas homem marched against candea with companies of portugueses of men each , and the dissava's , or chiefs of the natives ▪ near the river of candea fell so great a rain , there was no dry place to lie down , and in the morning they were all running blood , being bit by leeches . it appeared difficult to pass the river being then swelled , but there being men there they cut trees , and laying a bridge over passed . the chingalas began to skirmish , chiefly at night , taking the advantage of the woods . we lost some men. the like happened at the entrance into the kingdom of uva . . they marched to the city babule , metropolis of that kingdom , burning all that lay in their way . three thousand of the enemy , who lay in ambush near the city , fell upon simon correa who led our van , but musqueteers charging them , they fled to the woods , about being killed on both sides . the same happened in the rear . there being no plunder in the city it was burnt , and all fruit-trees cut down . our general spent months in this expedition , in march returned to sofragan , and thence to malvane , having done the enemy great harm . . in august he sent peter peixoto de silva , with companies to tumpane , another inlet into the kingdom of candea towards the north a league from balane . he spared neither sex nor age , for that the tumpanenses had endeavoured to betray us to the enemy . the lands of archiapato of candea were burnt ; but in a village they cut off of our blacks in an ambush ; of them were slain in the same manner on their way to matale . near matale more fell of that came to oppose us , which caused them to quit the field , and peixoto returned to manicravare with prisoners , and head of cattle , some of them elephants . . after this the dissava philip de oliveyra had much the same success , making a road into candea with companies . the success , continued as long as emanuel mascarennas homem commanded in that island , which was little above a year , every one wishing it had been much longer as much in respect of his valour , as fortune and affability . chap. vii . continues the government of the viceroy d. hierome de azevedo , in the year . . in the year we gave an account of the prodigious rise of sebastian gonzales tibao , who of a poor seller of salt in a small barque the year , in that of was become an absolute sovereign without dependance on any prince whatsoever . it is now time to show the end of such monsters . this base man being lifted to that height , the steps by which he ascended being treachery and ingratitude , he now found it was no longer possible to support his power without some considerable succour . . this man , who in his prosperity forgot to submit himself to the viceroy , now seeing the probability of falling , acquaints him with the danger he is in . he proposes like an absolute prince , that if the viceroy will effectually support him , he will become tributary to portugal , with the acknowledgment of a galleon loaden with rice , to be delivered yearly at goa or malaca . he urged , all had been done by him was to revenge the murder of the portugueses slaughtered by the king of arracam in banguel of dianga ; and ( to gain the viceroy by the hope of profit ) hinted , that the vast treasure of that king might be taken . this last so blinded the viceroy , that in stead of abhorring the villanies of that wretch , he resolved to assist him , contrary to all human and divine laws . . for this expedition , the viceroy fitted out of the largest galliots , one flyboat , and a pink , and gave the command of them to d. francis de meneses roxo , who had governed ceylon . he sailed from goa about the middle of september well manned and equipped , but not without much foreboding of an unfortunate event ; for as the viceroy only weighed the prospect of gain , the people considered the injustice of the enterprize . . on the d of october d. franc●… arrived at arracam , the chief port and residence of that king , he had before sent a galliot with advice of his coming to sebastian gonzales at sundi●…a . his instructions being opened before all the captains , they contained , that he should enter that kingdom without expecting sebastian gonzalez . it was more reasonable that man should have been expected , as who knew the country , and their manner of fight , besides the forces he was to bring ; but god had decreed the ruin of that vile wretch , and of that unjust succour . on the th of october , they discovered coming down the river a fleet so numerous , they could not see the end of it . the foremost was a dutch pink , and many hollanders commanded other vessels . all that could be discoverd appeared full of men , and well equipped , an ill sight for little ships that expected them ; neither were they now , for one was gone to sundiva ; the pink was in pursuit of a ship that fled , and another was gone to fetch the pink. . the dutch pink fired the first gun , and then the fight began furiously , our galliots advancing without any dread of that vast fleet. four galliots got before the others , and in an instant their captains and many soldiers were killed , yet the rest were no way dismayed , and the other eight came up , darkening the day with smoak , notwithstanding the repeated flashes of fire . many of the enemy were drowned , oversetting their vessels through haste to fly from us . the fight lasted from morning till evening , when the enemy drew off , thinking some relief was coming to us , having discovered the galliot that went to seek the pink , which they could not find . we lost men of note , besides others . . next morning the pink came up , aboard him the wounded men were carried , and such as he had fit for service taken out . d. francis resolved to lie at the mouth of the river till sebastian gonzalez came to joyn him , and then again attack the enemy . at length gonzalez came with sail well manned and equipped , and hearing what was done , railed against the viceroy for giving such orders , and against d. francis for obeying them . about the middle of november they sailed up the river , discovered the enemies vast fleet riding in a safe place , and resolved to attack it . d. francis took half gonzalez his ships , and gave him half those he brought , so they made two equal squadrons . they divided themselves and fell on on both sides , firing upon those vessels they could reach , but none of them advanced . the king from the shore encouraged his men , causing the heads of some that fled to be set upon spears for a terror to the rest . . scarce had our men time to breath , when a great part of that vast fleet came down upon them divided into squadrons . this was at noon , when the heat of the sun scorched . sebastian gonzalez put to flight those that attacked him ; our pink did as much with the hollander . d. francis received and did much harm . the advantage was visible on our side , till about sun-setting our admiral d. francis was killed by two musket-balls , one in the forehead , the other in the left eye . a signal given on board his galliot , caused sebastian gonzalez to cease ●…ollowing his good fortune , and the tide ebbing , the fleets parted ; but gaspar de abren's galeot being left among the enemy , all her men were slain , and the vessel torn in pieces ; yet abreu was brought off by antony carvallo mortally wounded , and lived some days after . . our fleet being come back to the mouth of the river , care was taken of the wounded , and above dead were buried in the sea. the body of d. francis was embalmed . d. luis de azevedo the vice-admiral succeeded in the command . they all sailed over to sundiva , and d. luis with his squadron thence to goa , notwithstanding sebastian gonzales for his own security laboured all he could to keep him there . not long after the king of arracam falling upon him in his island , took it , and reduced him to his former miserable condition ; so his sovereignty passed like a shadow , his pride was humbled , and his villanies punished . our fleet on their return burnt some ships of the moors , laden with provisions , upon the coast of paliacate and st. thomas . but iohn gomez paez fighting with others , had his galliot blown up , and few men were saved . chap. viii . continues the government of the viceroy d. hierome de azevedo this same year , and that of . . the viceroy fitted out the squadron for the north , which consisted of ships , and as many small vessels , in which were at least gentlemen of quality , whom the portugueses call fidalgos , that served as voluntiers . the admiral was ruy freyre de andrade . . this fleet set out about the end of october . ruy freyre by the way visited the northern forts . at balcar , beyond surat , he sent out the fleet for cambaya under the convoy of two ships , giving advice to the commander to send away that which was there . as soon as ruy freyre came to suratte , nababo , who commanded there for the mogol , sent him two vessels loaded ( as he said ) with fresh provisions , but they were costly curiosities and silks . ruy freyre to receive this message , called all the captains aboard his galliot , and before them viewed and commended the present . that done , he took only one piece , assuring the messenger , all must be returned , but that he should be as ready to serve his master , as if he had received the whole present . nababo much admired this proceeding , understanding it was freyre's custom rather to give than receive . . the piece freyre kept was cambolim , worth about pardao's . the value of a pardao is royals and a half . cambolim is a piece of stuff the women wear on their shoulders like a veil . the captain 's extolling this action , he said , the cambolim was due to some lady ; that they should agree whose mistress was handsomest , and it should be given to her . the price without any dispute was allowed to ●…ippolito furtado his mistress . . whilst the merchant fleet stayed at cambaya , freyre went to visit the fort of diu , and landed by the way at goga , once a proud city of the moors , but humbled by our arms the last year . at the end of december , the fleet sailed from cambaya , and was the greatest that had been seen in many years , freyre with his squadron convoyed it : near damam there arose such a storm , that it was a wonder they did not all perish . two ships were lost , with all the men ; of another , only one man was saved ; of a fourth , all the men. what caused most admiration was , that small boats escaped , which in a calm sea carried but a span above water . at length they got into bacaim ; merchant ships being drove to chaul , met there parao's of pirats , who took two of them . freyre caused the beards of the soldiers of the other six to be cut off for not following his light . at last he came safe to goa with the fleet. . d. bernard de noronna commanded the fleet on the coast of malabar . zamori had again broke the peace , and distressed granganor . noronna hasted thither , and cut off all correspondence between zamori and holland ships that came into that sea ; and in despight of all the nayres relieved granganor . mean while d. henry de sousa sent by him with sail to calicut , burnt there a great ship belonging to that emperor , loaded and ready to sail for meca . this done , d. bernard having visited the forts of malabar and canara , returned to goa . . d. nunno alvarez pereyra succeeded emanuel mascarennas homem , as general of ceylon , and made several successful roads into the kingdom of candea , bringing thence many prisoners , and much cattel . but let us relate a dangerous commotion that happened in that island , the occasion whereof , though it be not new in the world , is one of those that , though often repeated , is still admired , and was thus : . some years before this died nicapeti king of ceylon , who being converted , and having no issue , made the king of portugal his heir . at this time there lived in ceylon a poor fellow called also nicapeti : he served the portugueses , and gaining admittance to one of the queens of valgameme , heard somewhat of that prince called nicapeti . this fellow being of the same name , resolved to represent his person , and perswade the people , that he was their natural prince come to life again . he feigns himself a iogue , ( that is , the same as an hermit among us , ) and beginning to appear about mareguepore , gave out , that taking compassion on the calamities of his country , he came to free them from the portugues bondage . he found credit , and men flocking to him entred the seven corla's , when the dis●…ava philip de oliverae was absent . at matiagama he slew two fathers of the society , in or days was succoured by the king of candea with men , and declared king by most of the country . . as soon as our general had notice hereof , he sent emanuel cesar with some men to quench this fire before it grew masterless . cesar meeting him with men at gandola , a village on the river laoa , they ingaged , and ferdinand caldeyra , who led our van , going on rashly , was killed , with or soldiers , and captain gaspar de antas : . in the heat of the battle chingala's , who served under luis gomez pinto , deserted to the enemy . at this sight our men gave themselves for lost , but much more when d. constantine a chingala , but subject of portugal , and of the royal blood , stepping forward , cried aloud , whither do you fly , my friends ? if you look for your natural king , here am i , who by seven several branches am descended from them . in a moment they all turned to , and proclaimed him king , and he made use of this opportunity to reduce them that had revolted from us . after a long dispute , the enemy fled over the river . next morning our men passed over , and meeting no enemy , stayed there for further intelligence . . in the mean while philip de oliveyra returned from candea , having heard of nicapeti's attempt , but not of our victory . there was then a considerable number of chingala's who served under him ; to incite these to rebel one came , and from the top of a mountain admonished them to forsake the portugueses , and follow their natural prince . this caused much disorder among the men , and next day oliveyra marching on , came to the field of the late battle , and finding above slain , could not discover who had gained that victory . on a tree was seen an inscription , signifying that all portugueses were slain , no body of them left in ceylon , and that columbo was surrendred . this startled the portugueses , and not a little rejoyced the lascarines , ( the chingala's that serve among us are so called , ) who were in number . . as philip de oliveyra continued his march , men attacked his rear , but as soon as he faced them , fled . nyhe came upon him near the river laoa , he sent to emanuel cesar and they joyned , which made the revolters fly to the woods . they two agreed to take all the women and children of some villages , hoping by that means to reduce the chingala's that were in arms. oliveyra took above ; the same night the lascarines deserted with their arms , leaving the portugueses alone , who were not above . these marched leagues to the pagod called atanagale , near maluana , where the general resided , who sent them men , whereof were portugueses . he ordered d. emanuel de castro to take care of provisions and ammunition , having made d. constantine dissava of the corlas , ( this was the chingala , who , as was abovesaid , brought back those who fled from us , ) in stead of d. philip de oliveyra , wrongfully punishing him for the desertion of the lascarines . chap. ix . continues the government of the viceroy d. hierome de azevedo the same year . . nicapeti , like an absolute king , bestowed imployments and lands , having gathered an army of men , with which he marched towards columbo ; so vain , that half a league from that town on the banks of the river nacolega , he would be proclaimed emperor of ceylon . he sent to the king of candea to send him one of his two wives , who answered , it should be done when the portugueses were subdued . nicapeti , in a rage at this answer , threatned to use that king like the portugueses . those men , sent by him to nicapeti's assistance , hearing these threats , deserted him , and returned home . this set those two enemies of ours at variance , and was no small help to our affairs . . the two commanders , emanuel cesar and d. constantine , being joyned , they marched towards nicapeti , and found the way he was to come very clean , and strewed with flowers . a chingala carried nicapeti the news of our approach , who caused him to be impaled , saying , there were no portugueses left in ceylon . he was soon undeceived , the two vanguards coming in sight of each other . nicapeti instantly possesses himself of a hill , and intrenches with men. our van attacks and enters his works , kill of his men , and force him , laying aside the regal ornaments , to fly to the woods . we lost only an ensign . the other part of the enemies army seeing this defeated , fled over the river laoa . night coming on , our men rested there , and in the morning found themselves strengthen'd by chingala's , who had deserted from the enemy . . at this time a chingala , who had been a christian , and follower of the portugueses by the name of antony barreto , served the king of candea . though of base birth , his valour advanced him to be general of that king's forces , with the title of , prince and governour of the kingdom of uva . this man laying hold of the opportunity of nicapeti's revolt , came with a considerable power to seize our fort of sofragan . barreto counterfeiting friendship , drew our men , which were but , under two captains , faria and matoso , to a conference , and treacherously slew most of them . those that escaped retired to a church , where want of ammunition obliged them to surrender , and they were carried to the king of candea . . this misfortune was justly due to those portugueses for murdering an embassadour sent by that king to treat of an accommodation , that they might joyntly carry on the war against nicapeti . the king , who might justly have put to death faria and his men in revenge for his ambassadour , treated them courteously . he sent two of them to balane , to advise our garison there to deliver that place to him , being distressed by nicapeti ; they went , and having advised the contrary , returned into slavery . . the king being informed by these messengers , that those of balane would not s●…rrender , fell upon them with men , and many elephants . our commander emanuel falcam held out some days , but seeing portugueses had deserted , and there was no hope of relief , was forced to capitulate . the king treated him and his better than they deserved he was so desirous of peace , that he presently sent an ambassadour to treat thereof with our general d. nunno alvarez pereyra , but the success of that negotiation belongs to the next year . . an embassy came to goa from the king of siam , acknowledging the favours received of the portugueses . the heads of the message were , that he had received a letter from iames de mendoça , who stayed not for the answer , that he offered the king of portugal the port of martavam to build a fort there ; that he would maintain the garrison and a small fleet to cruize on that sea against the king of dua. the ambassadors were splendidly entertained , and f. francis of the annunciation , a dominican , sent along with them with the same character . he set out the beginning of may , with a costly present for the king. the king received the ambassador with great satisfaction , who proposed to him how ambitious the portugueses were of his friendship , that they should both join their forces to subdue the king of ava , that there should be a free trade between siam and malaca ; that he should not admit the hollanders into his country . . the king answer'd , that the portugues merchants might freely resort to his ports and be exempt from all duties , and his subjects should trade to malaca ; that the reason they had not done it of late was the ill usage they found there , whereof he gave good instances ; that he had admitted the english , dutch and malayes into his ports for the great respect they showed him , and the need he had of them ; that he had assisted the portugueses against the hollanders ; that he was no way concerned for the harm those of malaca had done the queen of patane , because she was a madwoman , but she being now dead he had placed one of more sense there , and desired there might be free trade with her as well as with siam ; that the goods of such portugueses as died in his dominions should go to their heirs ; that he had ordered all portugueses who committed any crimes , should be tried at his court , to prevent any wrong being done them by the prejudice of magistrates . thus our ambassador was answered and dispatched , and the king sent with him two siam gentlemen , to go his ambassadors into spain . . there were great complaints against the commander of moçambique ruy de melo & sampayo , for that he robbed the natives , and did not pay the soldiers , having privately strangled some of them , which caused a mutiny . francis de fonseca pinto was sent from goa to regulate these disorders . with him went salvador vaz de gama to succeed melo , in case he were found guilty . melo's conscience accusing him , he refused to admit the judge , who resolved to return to goa , but hearing that melo had left open a wicket of the fort , he rush'd in , and deposing him , gave the command to guerra , contrary to what the viceroy had ordered . he was also to victual the fort at tete , and furnish it with cloth , that fort being maintained to continue the discovery of the mines of monomatapa , which gave great hopes of profit . but before we relate what happened at this time , let us refresh the memory of what was before . . in the th chap. of the d part of the d vol. we gave some account of what was acted by some of our commanders in these parts . chunzo a powerful king rebelled against the emperor of monomotapa , and was subdued by the assistance of the portugueses ; so other rebels . to gratifie these favours he for ever gave all his mines to the king of portugal , making a resignation of them to iames simoens madera , commander of tete , who was then in his service . the substance of the instrument was , that he gave all his mines of gold , silver , copper , tin , iron , lead , to the king of portugal , upon condition he should support him in his throne ; that the king should admit of him as his brother ; that the next year he would send his son with an ambassador to goa ; that he had put two sons , and would soon two daughters , into the custody of iames simoens to be bred christians . the emperor ordered simoens to have an instrument made hereof ; and he asking how he would sign it , since in his empire none could write , the emperor made three crosses on the ground , one under the other , and said , he would sign it that way , which accordingly he did . . this done , simoens with his men accompanied the emperor who was marching towards ancone that was in rebellion . gaspar pereyra cabral being left behind wounded was carried by cafres , who run away from him . simoens understanding it , went back with one slave , and helped to carry him on his own back . an act worthy of memory ▪ from a captain to a souldier . the rebel being subdued , simoens returned to tete with the emporor's two sons . they were baptized by the names of philip and iames. the latter remained there , the other went back to his father . . the emperor thinking he could now overcome his enemies without the assistance of portugueses , marched to the kingdom of baroe , and was there defeated ; at mongas he had a son killed , and matuzianne usurped the whole empire . iames simoens restored him , and possessed himself of chicova . matuzianne raising new forces was defeated and killed by the portugueses . d. stephen de ataide raised a fort at massapa , and gave that command to iames carvallo , whom he sent to monomotapa with a present to obtain the delivery of the mines . . carvallo went and told the emperor he had a great present , but gave him none ; and he seeing the portugueses entred his lands for gold without his consent , caused all they had to be taken from them , and many to be killed . carvallo had with him some forces belonging to the emperor , with whose assistance he curbed the robbers of quizinga , and supported himself . he resolved to revenge the spoiling of the portugueses by a horrid treachery against those that served him , for joining with the quizinga's , he one night fell upon the cafres , and killing many put the rest to flight , who justly cursed the falseness of the portugueses . . carvallo fearful of his own wickedness , abandoned the fort of massapa and went to tete , leaving all the country in arms against the portugueses . all he acted was by order of d. stephen de ataide , who , in stead of appeasing the emperor , threatned him with war. he sent out from sena , and by his order carvallo raised another fort on the banks of zambeze , two days journey from tete . iames simoens madera was left to command at tete , because ataide returned to moçambique , hearing the hollanders were coming thither . d. stephen perceiving no dutch appeared in months , returned to tete . the emperor sent to offer him chicova if he would send the ordinary present , which was a debt , and no gift . d. stephen would not so much as hear the embassadors , refusing to give a present of crowns , which might have saved much greater charges , for above were already lost at massapa to no purpose . . d. stephen set forward with men , but being better advised , expected news from portugal and india . in iuly he received the king's orders to go to goa , and give the command of tete to iames simoens , and that of moçambique to d. iohn de ataide the viceroy's brother . d. stephen obeyed against his will , leaving simoens soldiers without any thing to maintain them in that dangerous conquest . however simoens made the best on 't , and resolved to proceed , beginning with chombe a powerful cafre , demanding of him what he owed as our tributary , and the restitution of the portugueses he had . some infamous portugueses advised chombe to take no notice of simoens , because he could do him no harm . this caused that king first to slight , and then to molest him in the vessels wherein he sailed for tete . simoens landing drove the cafres so , that they troubled him no more . chap. x. continues the government of the viceroy d. hierome de azevedo , in the year . . james simoens madera raising cafres , marched with them and his portugueses against chombe at the beginning of september . one night they heard a voice that said , chombe rejoyces at your coming , and desires you will make haste , for he is hungry , and expects to feast upon your bodies . simoens marched on , and fortified himself close under the enemies works , which were half a league in length , and in breadth proportionable , furnished with men. simoens attacks them twice , but to no effect . next night a cafre fled to the enemy , and from them a christian black woman to us with advice , that chombe would fall upon our men before day . simoens expected them with silence , and killing , put the rest to flight . . the enemy proposes a peace , but nothing is concluded . simoens attempts their works , but without success ; he sends to the commander of senna for succour , who sends him portugueses , and cafres . the works were again assaulted in vain ; soon after some deserters informed , the intrenchment was weakest on the side of a lake . here the assault was renewed , the works entred , chombe put to flight , and the place given to quitamho a cafre , who faithfully served us , on condition to pay what chombe had denied . . iames simoens was now bent upon the conquest of the silver mines in chicova . the emperor sent to acquaint him , he again resigned those mines to him , upon condition he should not go thither with an armed power . simoens desired , he would send one to put him in possession thereof , and to receive cloth to the value of ducats he had to present him . the emperor was satisfied , and simoens , with applause of all the cafres , took possession of chicova on the th of may , . being put into it by onanxangue a great man , nephew to the emperor . the first thing he did was to raise a fort there ; the next , to joyn friendship with a powerful cafre called sapoe , and his country borore . . the lord of chicova , now subject to the portugueses by virtue of the emperor's resignation , withdrew himself from them ; so that complaint was made thereof to the emperor , who gave leave to depose him , and put another in his place , sending a cafre called cherema to shew the mines . this man twice deceived simoens , causing him to dig in places where he had hid some ore , for which reason he was confined ; and then shewed another place , of which some hope was conceived , he excusing himself what was done had been by the emperor's order . nevertheless simoens sent him a present ; he detained the messengers , and sent word , he would have needles , pins , knives , looking-glasses , candles , soap , zafran , pepper , and some rich silks . he repented the giving of chicova , and sought occasion of disagreement , thinking that simoens could not send what he damanded . but he sending all things , the emperor seemed satisfied . . that d. philip the emperor's son , whom iames simoens caused to be baptized , attempted several times to make his escape to the portugueses , and was taken ; at length he got to the fort of chicova , and was joyfully received . hearing there that chirema was fled to avoid discovering the mines , he sent for him , pretending to be sent embassador by his father , and having rebuked and secured him , went himself to tete . the emperor hearing hereof , proffered great rewards to any would kill his son. at the same time it fell out , that a soldier gathering some fruit , the son of the owner , who was a powerful man , forbid him ; the soldier complains to his captain iames teyxera barroso , who without farther examination shot the young man. the father , in revenge of his son's death , did the portugueses much harm ; and the emperor declared war , because they entertained his son against his will. . in march , . cafres assault the fort , but were forced thence with great loss , iames simoens coming in time with succour . the country being clear , simoens sent some men with cherema to discover the mines ; after some days digging they discovered ore , whereof one half was pure metal , and some scarce wanted casting . it appeared to be no cheat , some being grown into the roots of a tree . . our commander being assured there were rich silver mines , resolved to send three great clods of ore for a proof to spain . the messengers and ore were received with great joy at madrid . gaspar bocarro was so ambitious of carrying this news , that after the others were gone , he gave ducats to purchase the employ , and offered to go by land at his own expence ; but he ended his days at moçambique . . the excessive heat caused a sickness in the fort of chicova , whereof the soldiers died in or days . next followed a famine , which gave occasion to the cafres , who served the fort and dug in the mines , to run away , so that there was no silver to buy cloth , and consequently no cloth to purchase provisions with at sape , it being the only coin that passed there . iames simoens had acquainted the viceroy , that conquest could not be maintained without relief . the chief sustenance of that garison for some days was a small fruit , so harsh they could not swallow it , unless rowled in ashes . . the supplies were sent by the viceroy to moçambique , but never reached chicova , which thereupon was abandoned . the hatred the lawyer francis de fonseca pinto , to whom the viceroy had given the whole charge of the affair , bore to iames simoens , was the cause he was not relieved , and that important place lost . . this is that francis de fonseca pinto , who ( as was said before ) took the command of moçambique from ruy de melo & sampayo , and had all necessaries for chicova , as well of provisions as tools to work in the mines . but his hatred to simoens diverted him from sending those succors ; besides , he sold all that was to relieve that place , and converted it to his own use , and seized upon ruy de melo's effects . iames simoens pressed him by letters for relief , in his last protesting with all his men , if the place were lost , the fault would lie upon him . . all the answer that insolent fellow returned , was putting simoens his nephew , sent to conduct him , in irons . then he entred his lands , and destroyed all that was there , selling his slaves ; he forbid the inhabitants on pain of death corresponding with , or relieving those of chicova , and sent word to the emperor , that he might freely kill simoens , for entring his dominions without orders from the viceroy . not satisfied to procure his ruin by those means , he marched towards chicova with intention to murder him . simoens understanding it withdrew thence , and pinto hearing of it , though so near , would not relieve the fort , not examine the mines as he had in orders , but returned hastily to tete , fearing iames simoens should meet him . but going back to the fort , caused the notary to draw an instrument , containing the causes why that fort was abandoned , to which they all signed . this done , they marched with their women and children towards tete . . weakness caused them to march very slow , and two soldiers fell dead for want . at marenga , simoens received a summons from pinto , to appear before him at tete in days to answer for himself . but knowing now he had quitted the fort , sent cafres commanded by a portugues to murder him ; they , tho' the opportunity was presented , would not do it . simoens stayed in the country of inambanzo which was his own , and all the company went to tete . there pinto inquired of them , whether there were any mines at chicova , they all unanimousl●… answered there were . but he in hatred to simoens desiring to conceal them , with threats and rewards prevailed with each of them single to swear there were none . then he gave sentence against simoens for abandoning the fort , not considering if there were no mines there ( as he endeavoured to made out ) it was no crime , and that if any fault were it was his own , since the other held it longer than could be required . . this done pinto promises the emperor a considerable present , if he would fall upon simoens at inambanzo . the emperor not only expelled simoens those lands , but so distressed tete , that they were forced to make up the present promised by pinto , to buy his absence , the emperor positively requiring it at their hands . iames simoens afterwards returned to tete , being utterly ruined by his good service , and pinto who had ruined all was enriched by his villanies and rapine . this is what happened about the mines of monomotapa . i will only add that the first commander there , francis barreto , was undone by a divine , and now iames simoens the last by a lawyer ; and the king , by employing such gownmen in things they understand not , lost the great advantages might be expected from those mines . chap. xi . continues the government of the viceroy d. hierome de azevedo the same year . . the inhabitants of the city meliapor , commonly called st. thomas , were all divided , killing one another without any regard of human or divine laws , or any shame , that even the moors and gentiles abominated their wickedness . the occasion was what they call points of honour . to appease these disorders , the viceroy sent ruy diaz de sampayo with sail , and soldiers . . ruy diaz performed all that was given in charge to him , and having reconciled the citizens of s. thomas , sent of his ships to scour the coast of carriero under the command of peter gomez de sousa , a man more couragious than discreet . at montepoli he made cruel havock , surprizing the inhabitants . as he returned with great booty , and many women and children , an ancient moor appeared upon the shore , who coming to our men told them , he was much wronged by cotamuza king of goloconda , and therefore would not only turn christian , but show them a fort ( meaning that of carriero ) they might easily surprize . this was all a fiction devised by a moor , who seeing what was done by our men , had gathered moors , and lay in ambush to see whether peter gomez would suffer himself to be deceived by this messenger . . peter gomez , though warned that all this was treachery , gave credit to the moor , followed him a league , and there fell into the ambush , where he and all his captains , save one that was left at st. thomas , with portugueses were all slain , taken , and only escaped by flight : indians were killed in the action . . ioseph pereyra de sampayo , who was left prisoner by peter gomez , carried the remainder of the men and ships to s. thomas . the moors sent the portugueses they had taken to the king of goloconda , who complained to f. bartholomew dias , sent to him by the bishop of meliapor , that the portugues should enter his country in hostil manner , at the same time they treated amicably with him . the king admitted the weak excuse , that it was not done by order of the government , and delivered the prisoners upon condition those of montepoli should be restored . . d emanuel de meneses sailed from lisbon with ships for india , one of them springing a leake was forced to put into the port again ; another arrived safe at goa , after being parted from d emanuel by a storm on the coast of guinea . d. emanuel near the island of madagascar met english ships , the commander of them sent to order our captain aboard , who refused , but sent an understanding man to view their strength , and he returning said publickly , that the enemy's admiral alone was too strong for our ship. d. emanuel taking him aside , blamed his indiscretion for disheartning the men ; then he sent word to the english , that since their kings were at peace , there was no reason the subjects should break it ; that they should bear off , and not come a head of him . nevertheless the least of the did , he fired at her , and then all the at him . . night came on , our ship held her course , and in the morning found her self among some islands near the head of that called mannoto . the enemy coming on , and the wind calming , we were forced to engage , our vessel was soon unmasted , and made the best it could for the island angagiza . the english sent to tell d. emanuel he was running to his ruine ; that if he would surrender himself , all the men should be landed at suratte , whence they might travel by land to goa ; he answered , if any more such message were sent him , he would hang him that carried it . the ship driving towards the shore with the tide , stuck between two rocks , which proved the saving of all the men , who got ashore leaping a narrow gut , into which many fell for haste . . as soon as landed , the cafres received them with showers of stones . they were appeased with some gifts , and the help of some musket balls let fly among them by ioseph alvarez torres , who ( though it was plain their safety consisted in their arms ) advised they should be cast into the sea , because the cafres would not furnish them with provisions as long as they were armed . d. emanuel consented , and scarce were they seen next day unarmed , when the cafres stripped them even of their shirts . some travelled up the country , and others along the shore ; the latter in two days found no water to drink , were consumed with the heat of the sun , and some died for want . . the d day they met other cafres , who seeing nothing to take from them , gave them milk and water with signs of compassion . sebastian prestes , the pilot of the ship , attempted to save himself with a few men in the boat , and coasting along the island , met chande a noble moor of pate , who was sailing for the island madagascar with two pangayos . he told the pilot that king was his friend , and for his sake would use them all well . the pilot sent to acquaint d. emanuel , and it appeared those cafres with whom he was , were that king's subjects . they all came to the port , and the moor gave each of them a cloath to cover his nakedness . here it appeared how little the cafres esteem what we most value , they gave many pieces of eight for a rag scarce worth a farthing , and fetching bags full of money out of the ship , scattered it about the rocks , and putting their heads into the bags were very well pleased . . it may well be doubted whether a portugues would have done with moors , as this moor did with portugueses in that miserable condition . he maintained them , gave them cloaths , which sold to the cafres had been worth much money ; justly restored them jewels of great value wherewith they entrusted him , and gave them his two pangayos to go over to mombaça . they arrived thither on the th of september , and were maintained and clothed by the charity of that little town . on the th of that month they embarqued , and arrived safe at goa . the viceroy sent presents to d. emanuel de meneses , and comforted him for his loss . d. hierome manuel , who commanded the homeward bound ships about the islands of flores fought with pirats , and put into the island tercera , whence he came to portugal with the ship that was put back the year before . . the trade of the port of soar in arabia much lessened the customs of ormuz and mascate . to remedy this the viceroy sent d. francis rolim with a galley and five other vessels , who joined d. vasco de gama admiral of that sea with five sail more at mascate . amer , head of a hord of arabs , to revenge himself upon mahomet king of soar , took part with us , and marched by land with men. our men landed , and possessed themselves of some mosques to secure themselves till the cannon was set ashore . . a fort on a hill was first attacked , but so well defended it could not be entred that day , tho' mahomet who commanded it was killed with a musket-ball . we lost a captain and men. in the morning the trenches were entred , then a mosque , and lastly a town , where many women and children were made prisoners , and much booty found . in this action we lost men more . the fort not able to hold out for want of men surrendred ; and the king's brother being taken , was put to death our men violated the articles they had made , killing and plundering many of them that marched out . and having agreed with amer , that there should ●…e no prisoners made , yet they took several girls on pretence of breeding them christians , as if that were an excuse for breach for faith. iohn de sousa was left to command that fort , and antony pimenta joined with him , as skilled in the affairs of that country . . at cananor happened an accident sad enough , and yet ridiculous . the nayres show no mercy to a thief , tho' the thing stolen be of no value . they impale the criminal , and leave him to be eaten by the birds . an indian that was turned christian stole a knife , the nayres apprehended him , and sent to acquaint the judge of the portugueses at cananor . he returned answer , they should kill him . they instantly cut off his head , thinking it was a piece of civility , being he was a christian , to kill him our way . our commander , nicholas soveral , sent some soldiers to fetch the body , and revenge his death on the nayres , as if they had not obtained leave for what they did . the soldiers killed a nayre , which provoked them in great numbers to besiege the fort with great threats , if satisfaction was not given them . our cammanders made show of hanging one of soveral's servants to appease the nayres ; and being cut down put him into a coffin , as if he were really dead . the nayres were satisfied , and our men as well pleased that this fiction had passed upon them , as if the condescention had not been equal , whether the act was faigned or real . . the king of ova , or avaa ( for both names are given him ) fearing the kings of siam and arracam , his enemies should come to an accommodation with the portugueses , sent ambassadors to settle a peace with us , excusing the killing of philip de brito nicote , offering to restore the prisoners he had taken , and to assist us against the king of arracam , of whose great treasure he desired nothing for himself , but the white elephant . the viceroy accepted of the ambassadors proposals , and sent back with them martin de costa falcam to ratifie the agreement . he spent many days in solliciting an hour's audience , at length it was appointed at midnight , and he was led in the dark to a place where they ordered him to speak , for the king heared ; he spoke and saw no king , nor heard no answer . he signified the desire he had of seeing the king , and was ordered to wait his going abroad . he went out one day upon an elephant , and knowing falcam waited in the street to see him , never so much as turned his eyes that way . such was the account he made of our embassy , so the ambassador returned to goa without concluding any thing . . let us conclude this year with an account of a monster . in september was born at chaul this monster , whose head and face were as round as a ball , the mouth of excessive bigness , the nose quite flat , the eyes very little , the ears vastly big like those of an elephant , the neck extream thick , in other respects like a pig. it died the hour it was born . chap. xii . continues the government of the viceroy d. hierome de azevedo , in the year . . the affairs of ceylon were in a dangerous condition , for we had three powerful enemies , but few men to oppose them , and lost the forts of sofragam and balane . our enemies were the king , the chingala antony de barreto and nicapeti , who though overcome still was strong . our general , d. nunno alvares pereyra , divided his men , who with much hazard put all to the fire and sword , sparing neither sex nor age ; for neither mercy obliged the chingala's , nor did cruelty terrifie them . the particulars are not worth relating , let us see what happened with nicapeti . . our forces marched after nicapeti from pelandu to catugambala , devamede and cornagal , taking some forts by the way , killing many , and carrying away prisoners . the tyrant retired to talampeti his usual refuge , our men advanced to polpeti in sight of the enemies camp , and forcing their works passed to balapane of religiam , whence they sent away the prisoners and wounded men. it was debated in counsel what was best to be done , and the worst advice prevailed , so d. constantine marched with a party towards alicur after barreto , and heard he was fortified with men at iatipara , having secured all the women of the araches and lascarines , and that nicapeti was at moratena . our men being divided did little , and had performed much more , if the best advice , which was to keep together , had been followed . the chingala's when the portugueses prevailed offer'd submission , but upon any ill success of ours recanted . at last our forces quite harassed , went into quarters at botale . . at this time laurence perez de carvallo sailed from goa for ceylon with men and ammunition in a pink , all at his own proper charge . a counsel being held before our general d. nunno alvarez at columbo , the result was , that he marched in person with a considerable force to drive barreto from sofragam and mature ; luis gomez pinto was left with his regiment to secure alicur , and oppose nicapeti , and emanuel cesar stayed at botale with men. it was about the end of march , when those who were for sofragam set out , carrying laurence lopez carvallo with them . our parties were successful on all sides , driving the enemy from their works , and slaughtering them in the woods . . in may our army advanced towards nicapeti , who was well fortified at moratena , yet fled towards candea with such speed , that our army could not keep with him . luis gomez pinto with his men and two companies more was detatched to pursue him , who was so intent upon overtaking nicapeti , that he passed by several rich booties that offered by the way . at length he overtook him in the deserts of anorojapure , and unexpectly fell in with him . nicapeti having killed one of our lascarines with an arrow , fled to the woods , his men made a small stand till were slain , and then took the same shelter of the woods . nicapeti's wives called queens , and a grandson of raju , and nephew of madune , who used to be at uva with barreto , were taken . the fame of this victory brought the inhabitants of the corlas loaded with rice to submit themselves to our general at malvana , which had been much distressed , but for this unexpected victory that happened about iuly . . the news hereof also moved anaras pandar , king of pandar , to send his ambassadors with portugueses he had prisoners to treat of peace . our general sent his letters to goa , and the viceroy read them in council . the contents were , that a perpetual peace should be settled ; that he would become tributary to portugal with the yearly acknowledgment of elephants , and a quantity of cinnamon ; that he would repair and restore the fort of balane ; that he would consent to the raising another in candea ; that his kingdom should be confirmed upon him , and his three sons . all the conditions were admitted , only in what related to setling the kingdom on him and his heirs , care should be had that nothing of the claim the portugueses have to it were diminished . yet afterwards finding us less formidable , he recanted of part of the conditions , and the peace was concluded only with the yearly tribute of two elephants . . the king of portugal had a title to the kingdom of iafanapatan , that king dying and leaving his son a child under the tuition of his brother chingali , a fair opportunity was offered of seizing that crown , but other affairs diverting our forces , the viceroy ordered chingalij should continue his possession with the title of governor . . the cities of baçaim and chaul , and lands of trapor and tana , were consumed by discord among the portugueses , and some of them were daily killed . bacaim chiefly was full of broils , occasioned by ferdinand de miranda and andrew de abreu . to suppress these disorders , the council sent thither dominick cardoso de melo judge of the criminal court , and with him d. peter de azevedo commander of the north. we shall hereafter see god's judgments on that city and the other places , to convince those men they could not escape his justice , tho' they did that of men. . ruy de melo , who was deprived of his command of moçambique by the judge fr. de fonseca pinto , went to goa , and being tryed was cleared of all the crimes laid to his charge , and ordered to be restored to his post ; iames de cunna & castellobranco judge of the criminal court , was sent to restore him . the viceroy charged melo to forget past grudges , to take care of the peace and preservation of that place , and not to offend guerra or pinto ; and the more to secure the latter , continued his former commission during his stay in those parts . the same charge he gave to the judge cunna . . melo and cunna sailed from goa in two vessels , and cunna arrived first at moçambique in may. as soon as he came he promised to reconcile him to melo , and in return desired him to secure pinto , contrary to the viceroy's orders , which made their power equal . pinto coming with above crowns he had gathered by extortion , was put into irons . being a prisoner in the fort he made use of his rhetorick , telling guerra how much he was beholden to him , and offering , if he would release him and secure cunna , to give him sufficient certificates to save his reputation , and clear him of all crimes at goa . this he said , because guerra's guilt was no less than his own . . guerra overcome with these promises , releases pinto , and sending for cunna on pretence of business detains him prisoner . he seeing himself in the power of his two greatest enemies , whose design was to stay him at moçambique , giving ducats security , got loose and escaped to mombaça , where ruy de melo was detained . they two with simon de melo pereyra , commander of that fort , and emanuel freyre de andrade gave sentence of death against guerra , as a rebel . melo and cunna embarque for moçambique ; mean while pinto to secure his gold was sailing for goa . guerra was advised not to stay the coming of his enemies , yet he did , and receiving melo at the gate deliver'd him the keys . melo , or his son ( for in this particular relations vary ) embracing guerra stabbed him , then spurning and reviling , caused him to be apprehended . a few days after he was condemned to be hanged , and tho' he offered to fit out a compleat galleon for the king's service to purchase life , was executed . . the chineses provoked by the insolencies of the portugueses at macao , were drawing together forces to expel them . the mandarines of the province of quantung , sent to them first to reproach them of their crimes , ordering that either they should for the future resolve to live honestly , or immediately withdraw from thence with their wives and children . the portugu●…ses pleaded innocence , excused their faults , and promised for the time to come to observe their laws . . d. garcia de silva ( of whom mention was made before ) was still at goa , in order to go ambassador to persia. the reason of his stay was because that king continued to commit hostilities , having taken from us bandel of comoram in arabia . yet now he resolved to send an ambassador to spain , and chose for this employ robert sherley an englishman . . the persian sending an ambassador to spain , it was thought the spaniard might safely go to him . d. garcia began to make ready , but his long stay at goa having been chargeable , he demanded ducats of the viceroy , who was forced to give him the best part of that sum ; but this being in the dead of winter , his voyage was put off till spring , and i cannot find any farther account what became of him or his embassy . . the viceroy , to gratifie the king of macassa for his kind entertainment of gonçalo rodrigues de sousa , answered his letter , and sent him a present by augustin labato , who sailed from goa on the d of october with galliots . on the way he took two vessels of achem , and being well received and dispatched by the king of macassa , he sailed then loaden with provisions for ternate . he fought two dutch vessels , landed the provisions , returned again and brought more from macassa , then going to manila winter'd there . . the portugueses sailing from malaca to manila , found there was a days difference between those two places ; that is , they who go from malaca think they arrive at manila on a sunday , and it is monday ; and the contrary from manila to malaca . the reason is , that those who sail to the eastward at every degrees have the sun rising an hour sooner , and they who to the westward an hour later . from portugal to india hours are gained , the rest from goa to manila , which added to those lost between manila and spain , make up the difference of a whole day . . our viceroy earnestly desired to hear of the many portugueses were said to be cast away on the island of madagascar since the discovery of india , as also to plant the christian faith there , and settle a friendly correspondence with the kings thereof , to the exclusion of the hollanders out of those ports . to this effect he sent thither several vessels during his government . i have thought fit not to divide the relation of those expeditions , and therefore place them together in the following chapters . chap. xiii . particular discoveries made in the island of madagascar , or st. lawrence , by order of the viceroy d. hierome de azevedo . . the viceroy , in pursuance of the king's orders for discovery of the affairs of the island madagascar , or st. lawrence , fitted out a caravel for that expedition under the command of paul rodriguez de costa , with soldiers , two jesuits , and interpreters . . they set sail from goa at the end of ianuary , and reached that island about the middle of april . the circumference of it is about leagues , the length , and lies north-north-east , and south-south-west ; the breadth , where most , is not above leagues on the south part , and less northward , for there it ends in a point which bears the name of st. ignatius , and is about ●… leagues in length from east to west . it is therefore divided into parts ; the first made by an imaginary line drawn from east to west at cape st. andrew , forms the north part : the other two are divided by a ridge o●… mountains running from the said 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the middle of the island to cape 〈◊〉 ●…omanus . . i will not name the kingdoms it contains , because they are too many , and confused . it is very populous , the inhabitants living in cities and town of different extent and grandeur , well watered , and diversified with mountains , valleys , bays , and ports . the names of madagascar and st. lawrence are given it by strangers , the natives having no general name thereof . there is no certainty of the first planting of it . the generality of the natives , called buques , have no religion , and consequently no priests , or churches . any body circumcises the children between and years of age. . they are not all of a colour , some quite black , with curled hair ; some not so dark , with lank hair ; some like mulato's ; and some up the inlands whiter , yet of both sorts of hair. of stature large , well made and strong , of a clear judgment , and apt to learn. every man has as many wives as he can or will , and turns them off at pleasure , and they find other husbands . the husband gives the portion , saying , it is a recompence for their fathers by whom they were bred for them . their funeral obsequies consist in feasting the guests . the mourning , in laying aside all marks of joy , cutting the hair , or covering the face and body with clay . . their government is monarchical , the kings are called andias , anrias , and dias , without any dependance on another . they are continually in war , the end whereof is rather plunder than slaughter . no arms were found among them , but some guns given by the moors and hollanders , which they do not use , and are fearful of them in their own hands . their merchandize is excellent amber , white sandal , tortoises , ebony , other sweet woods , and abundance of slaves . there is plenty of all sorts of cattle . their goat is as sweet as our mutton , they have abundance of sea-cows , sea-horses , monkeys , some say tigers , and snakes not very very venomous . no elephants , horses , asses , lions , bears , deer , foxes , nor hares . . this is the island of madagascar , where our discoverers now were in a large bay near masialage , in which is an island half a league round , which contains a city of inhabitants , most of them weavers of excellent stuffs made of the palm-tree , in the latitude of degrees . here the moors used to buy boys , whom they carried to arabia to serve their lust. the king of this place was called samamo , with whom friendship was established , and he granted leave to preach the gospel . they coasted almost leagues westward , discovering the mouth of the great river balue in the latitude of somewhat more than degrees . turning cape st. andrew , they saw the river and kingdom of casame in degrees of latitude , where they found little water , and had much trouble . here also amity was established with the king , called sampilla , a discreet old man , but in all this way heard no news of the portugueses sought after . about the middle of may ; on whi●…sunday , mass was said on shore , and two crosses set up , which that king seemed to be pleased at , promising to restore them if at any time they fell . . in the holy-days they discovered a small island in degrees of latitude , which they call espiritu santo ; half a degree farther banks of sand leagues in length , where they were in some danger . on trinity-sunday they landed further on , were again in danger of sands , anchored at the islands of cuerpo de dios in degrees of latitude , near the river and kingdom sadia , to which they came on the th of iune , and found scarce water enough for caravels . the kingdom is large , the city on the banks of the river has about inhabitants , great plenty of flesh , indian wheat , tar , tortoises , sandal , ebony , and sweet woods , the people black , simple , but good natured , and have no trade . the king's name was capitape , an ancient man , much respected , and very sincere . he established peace , and gave his son to guide our men , and assist them along that coast. all along this coast from massalaje to sadia , which are leagues , is used the language of the cafres . all the rest of the island uses the language called buqua , which is the native . . turning towards the south they discovered the country of the buques , a very wicked and poor people , feeding upon the spawn of fish. the inland kings , who are more powerful , oppress them . they passed by the river mane ; that of saume in degrees minutes of south latitude ; manoputa in degrees minutes , ( here they heard of portugueses ; ) isango in degrees ; terrir degrees minutes ; the islands of st. elizabeth in degrees . on the th of iuly they came into the port of st. felix in degrees , and heard somewhat of portugueses from dissamuto the king. . our men offering a silver chain here for some provisions , the natives gave it to an old woman to try whether it was right , she said , that days journey down a river there was an island inhabited long since by a white warlike people , habited like our men , that wore crosses about their necks , and lived upon rapine , that they easily took what they would , being armed with spears and guns . our men were pleased at this information , and here whilst they were at mass , the prince of loquexa with a black ran away . three portugueses catched him , and he begged they would kill him ; being brought back and better treated , he wholly submitted to their will. . passing by the bay of st. bonaventure , and the mouth of the river massimanga , they entred the port santa clara , whither diamassuto came to them , concluded a peace , and on his knees worshipped the crucifix . they were told , that white people resorted to the neighbouring port , which were supposed to be hollanders . going on they found banks of sand not set down in the charts , and entred the port in degrees of latitude . the people were affable , their king's name diacomena ; they said , that on the opposite coast there were portugueses who had been cast away , and fed cattle ; that the hollanders had been there three times , and left them four musketiers , with whose help they made war on their enemies . friendship was established here , upon condition they should not again admit the hollanders . some inscriptions were found carved on trees , one of them had these words , christophorus neoportus anglus cap. and another , dominus robertus schurleius comes , legatus regis persarum . . in the latitude of degrees , entring a port they called it of st. augustin , the name of the kingdom is vavalinta , the king 's diamacrinali a buque , who no sooner saw the portugueses but he said , are these some of the men of the other coast ? this confirmed what had been heard of the portugueses before ; and the king , being asked , said , they were days sail thence . in september our men saw cape st. mary , where they spent days in stormy weather , and on st. luke's day entred the port of the same name in the kingdom of enseroe . the natives said , that half a day's journey off there were white people with crosses , who had a great town . randumana the king came to the caravel , and sent one of his subjects with a portugues to shew him where he said those white men were , but the black left our man half way . . among others , there came thither to trade with our men a king with above fighting men , his sons almost white , their hair long , wearing gowns and breeches of cotton of several colours , with silver buttons , bracelets , and other jewels of gold , pearl , and coral . this king's name was bruto chembanga ; his kingdom , called matacassi , borders upon enseroe on the west . he shewed arabick books . he said , the portugueses were all dead , who not far from thence had built a town of stone , and worshipped a cross , on the foot whereof were unknown characters . he drew all on the sand , repeated portugues sirnames , and demanded much gold for telling his knowledge herein . some of his men wore crosses , and informed our people , there were two holland ships in port st. lucy or mangascafe . . in a small island here was found a square stone fort , and at the foot of it carved on a piece of marble the arms of portugal , with this inscription , rex portugalensis ☉ s. many judgments were made of that circle between the two last s's , but nothing of certainty can be concluded . . the king chambanga desired a portugues might be sent to his court to treat about important affairs , leaving a nephew hostage for his safe return . the master antony gonçalez , and f. peter freyre , were sent , who at leagues distance found his court , called fansaria , very populous and magnificent . he treated them well at first , then coldly ; but they making him a considerable present , they were good friends , and he delivered them his eldest son to be carried to goa , desiring as hostages for him the two jesuits , and four other portugueses , to whom he gave the island of st. cruz to live in . . these people are descended from the moors , and call themselves zelima's ; they use the alcoran in arabick , and have faquies who teach them to write and read ; they eat no bacon , are circumcised , and some marry several wives . chap. xiv . continues the discoveries in the island madagascar under the vice-roy d. hierome de azevedo . . the same king told the portugueses ▪ that in his father's time a ship of theirs was cast away on that coast ; that about of the men came ashore , some brought their wives , others married there , and left a numerous offspring . he repeated several of their names , and shewed a book writ in portugues and latin , and some maps , and concluded , saying , there were more portugueses on that coast days journey northward . . inquiring further , our men found an old man years of age , who had known the portugueses that were cast away there , and could remember still some odd words of our language . the ships that were lost , and never known where since the discovery of india , were as follows . in the year , three ships ; one in the year ; in , two were cast away on the island madagascar , and the men remained there for want of vessels to transport them ; four were lost the year , not known where ; one more in the year . the portugueses , those people spoke of , must belong to some of these ships . . our men all set their hands to work , and built a small chapel and house for the four portugueses and two religious men , who were to remain there . the work done , mass was said , and many of the natives came to learn to make the sign of the cross. the king seeing some men labour under a cross that was to be set upon a rock run half naked and bare footed , and carried it alone to the place appointed . the portugueses might say , they had found another emperor heraclius , for after this pious action he became wicked , in this manner . . our captain being ready to sail , demanded that son the king had promised to send with him ; and he not only refused to perform , but denied he had made any such promise , and offered a slave . the captain seeing this change , sent the master and pilot with some men to demand hostages , that a portugues might go to port st. lucy to sound it , and see an inscription the natives said was in that place . if the king granted this , they were to require no more ; if not ▪ to endeavour to bring away by force one of his sons . . the peace thus broke , and some attempts of getting one of the king's sons failing , some portugueses marched with their muskets . the king dreaded them , but kept his men in readiness ▪ a fray ensuing , they catched one of his sons years of age , who was his darling . the king endeavoured to rescue him , but was repulsed by our shot . the subjects of another king came to offer any thing for the boy 's ransom ; but being told , it was the viceroy's command , the king's promise , and that they should lose their heads if they did not carry him , they went away satisfied . thus ended the year . the child came to goa about the middle of the year , the viceroy caused him to be well instructed in the faith by the jesuits , and was his godfather in baptism , giving him the name of andrew because it was on that apostle's day , and the sirname of azevedo as his god-child . . the viceroy treated him with all honour and magnificence , hoping to gain him , that when he succeeded his father , he might forward the propagation of the gospel ▪ and believing he was sufficiently grounded , sent him away with four j●…s . the vessels were a pink and a caravel , commanded by peter de almeyda cabral , and iohn cardoso de pin●… , who set out on the th of september , and on the th of march they discovered the island del cisue , or the sw●…n , a most delightful place , watered with pure springs , and bearing several unknown plants and herbs , besides many known both sweet and medicinal . the religious on the barks of the trees carved the time of their arrival there , and planted some crosses . . in this island there are two mountains that overtop the clouds . the wreck of two holland ships was found there . our ships entred port st. lucas , in the island of madagascar . the king and queen came 〈◊〉 receive their son with great joy , and delivered hostages at taking him away . . with the prince went the fathers and six soldiers . he was every where till he came to the court , received with demonstrations of joy , which to us seem ridiculous , as those used by us would appear to them . this done , the king made the same agreement with our captain that had been with the former , which was , that the religious should inhabit the island of santa cruz , and thence have the liberty to go out and preach the gospel ; that there should be a league offensive and defensive between the king and portugueses . so the fathers , almeyda and costa , went to the fort of santa cruz , and d. andrew the king's son sent them workmen and provisions . . the captain peter de almeyda had orders to carry the king to goa ; or if he refused , another son , which , if not consented to , should be taken by force . a son being demanded , he answered , he had but one , who was too young for that voyage . almeyda thinking this was but an excuse , began to commit hostilities , but being informed it was true , desisted . yet he carried away anria sambo the king's nephew , who was baptized at goa by the name of hierome . . being now a christian , he was sent to his country in a pink , commanded by emanuel freyre de andrade , with soldiers , jesuits , and a present worth ducats for the king and prince . they set out in the beginning of february , and being forced to water at the island del cisne , or the swan , they saw three ships sunk at the mouth of a river . our men landing , found leagues from the shore hollanders guarding the goods they had saved . they made some opposition , but being overcome , freyre carried them to his pink , with a great quantity of clove , pepper , arms , ammunition , and provision , then fired all that was left . the hollanders said , they came from the molucco islands with a pass from their admiral lawrence ales. . freyre coming into port st. lucas , the two jesuits came to him , both sick , affirming it was impossible to live there , and that those who had been left with them were dead . the captain sent the king the letters he had for him , and a present , by his nephew d hierome's servants . the king in return sent fat oxen , much fowl , honey , and slaves , but would not come himself ; and it was found , that his son d. andrew fell off from the faith into mahometanism . the sadio's and fansayr●…'s are mahometan cafres , and love the liberty of having many wives . the king was a fansayr●… , and now designed to destroy freyre by treachery . the cause of this change was a chingala , slave to the jesuits , who running away from them , perswaded the king the portugueses would deprive him of his kingdom , and undertook to destroy them . many cafres coming to the shore , to this purpose began a fray , giving f. almeyda a cuff , then stones and darts began to fly , but our bullets also flying , some were killed , and their quarters hung upon the trees for an example , and one of their towns was burnt . . emanuel freyre carried away with him the king's nephew d. hierome , and a brother of his taken in the skirmish with the cafres , who was converted , and died at goa . all the jesuits agreed to desist from that mission , and depart with the captain , though he opposed them , and came to goa , where the viceroy not allowing their weak excuses , much condemned their remisness in that affair . . towards the end of this year arrived in india d. iohn coutinno count de redondo , who was to succeed the viceroy d. hierome de azevedo , and of whom we shall next treat . d. hierome returned to portugal in the same ship that had carried the count , and no sooner anchored at lisbon but he was made prisoner , and put into the dungeon of the castle . he was disrespectfully treated , after a long imprisonment , had a hearing , and then again was worse used . the chief crime laid to his charge , was not fighting the hollanders . . he was so rich at his entring upon the government , that nunno de cunna telling him after all his misfortunes , he was still worth or ducats ; he answered , i am worth that in cattle . notwithstanding all this riches , he died poor in prison , and the king got nothing by it . his liberality was so great , he gave the value of several thousand ducats in one present of curiosities at ceylon . he was of the ancient and noble family of azevedo , a soldier of valour , and wise commander , and zealous viceroy . . but it is not amiss to observe , that though this gentleman could not justly suffer for the crimes laid to his charge , yet these his misfortunes were a judgment from the hand of god for his extraordinary cruelty . in the height of his success in c●…ylon , he forced mothers to cast their children between mill-stones , and having seen them ground to mash , they were afterwards be●…eaded . . he caused the soldiers to take up children on the points of their pikes , and hearing them cry , bid them hark how those cocks crowed . playing upon the likeness of the names , those people being called gala's , and cocks in portugues galo's . he caused many men to be cast off the bridge of m●…vana , for the souldiers to see the crocodils devour them . and those creatures were so used to this food , that at a whistle they would lift their heads above water . . d. hierome was of a middle stature , thick and swarthy , his under lip hanging , and always moist , a certain token of cruelty . he was reduced to such extremity in prison , that the society of iesus maintained , and after his death decently buried him . he held the government almost five years , and was one of them who best deserved it . of viceroys he is the th , of governors the th , the st of the name and sirname . chap. xv. the government of the viceroy d. john coutinno count de rodendo , from the year till . . this year sailed from lisbon d. iohn coutinno count de rodondo with sour ships , one whereof was forced back from the line . during his government , which lasted not two years compleat , there happened wonderful prodigies , storms , dearths , and other judgments . i will give an account of the most remarkable , dividing that from what relates to his government , which shall be first spoke of . . the war continued at mangalor , where salvador ribeyro marinno commanded , who being assisted by d. iames coutinno , commander in chief of malabar , took the field against natives , and destroyed many with the loss of men. the little king of that banguel , or district , who was our friend , not able to maintain it against his enemy bentacanayque , made it over to us to defend it . antony de saldanna was left to command there afterwards . d. francis de meneses de bacaim was sent to his assistance with an allowance of crowns ; for now the wages were grown greater than the employments . the men landing in disorder , the moors , who lost no advantage , slew some ; but the others forming themselves put them to flight . for some time they were kept under by portugueses and indians . . soon after another skirmish happening with the canara's , the plain was covered with the dead bodies . in august the viceroy sent thither francis de miranda enriquez with sail , and by the end of the same month of the enemy were slain , with the loss of portugueses . miranda having taken a rich ship of the queen of olala coming from meca , gave her occasion to assist our enemy with a good body of men , they besieged our fort of banguel , burnt the town , and hereupon followed so sharp an engagement , that though many of the enemy were slaughtered , it was with such loss on our side we had no cause to rejoice . miranda thought to have taken the fort of olala by storm , but was repulsed . the beginning of the next year was more unfortunate ; for bentacanayque with canara's falling upon luis de brito & melo , who carried succors , and d. francis de miranda , killed them both with portugueses , and above slaves . the day after the news of this disaster came to goa , there was found a lampoon upon the viceroy , the secretary , the surveyor of the revenue , and the chancellor , laying that and other misfortunes to their charge . . it has been related how ruy de melo , and sampayo , and iames de cunna executed salvador vaz de guerra at moçambique . the news of that impudent action brought to goa so terrified the judge francis de fonseca pinto , then a prisoner , that he made his escape by bribes , and died in the country of the moors . . the viceroy sent an ambassador to the mogol , to desire he would not admit our enemies the english and dutch into his ports ; f. emanuel pineyro , a jesuit , went on this errand . the result was , that the king took off the embargo that was upon sail of ours in his ports , and forbore making war upon damam and diu , for which purpose he had already detatched horse from the army , that was ready to march against the persians who invaded his territories . his army consisted of horse , the foot innumerable , many thousand camels , elephants , yoke of oxen drawing as many carts , besides such as carry on their backs like mules ; poor people followed this multitude . . this multitude being to pass a rapid river that falls from a mountain , he laid over it a wooden bridge for the men , and broke the fury of its course with a dam for the beasts to swim over safely . a whole month was spent in passing . the camp was leagues in compass so regular , so beautified with rich tents , and so well supplied with all necessaries , that it looked like a well govern'd city . . this year sailed from lisbon for india ships , and flyboats , under the command of d. christopher de noronna . six english ships lay then about the cape of good hope , which taking one of the flyboats , understood the others were coming , and lay in wait for them . they meeting , the english admiral said , he had orders from his king to seize effects of the portugueses to the value of crowns for the damage done by the viceroy d. hierome de azevedo to the english ships in the bay of surat . this sum was immediately paid him , and ducats more to divide among his men. our admiral no sooner arrived at goa , but he was secured by the viceroy , and sent prisoner to lisbon . . the king of iorcon came into the river of malaca with sail in a miserable condition , as who was expelled his dominions by the king of achem. our officers ●…ing to visit him , he desired assistance against that enemy , which was denied him ; and yet afterwards they desired the same of the king , to oppose the power of achem which threatned that place , and was more formidable than it had been till that time . . a small squadron was sent from malaca , under the command of lope de sousa , to plunder the hollanders factory at ia●…e , where they found only or dutch men with a number of the natives , yet would not attack them for fear of exposing the son-in-law , and son of the commander of malaca , who , if not to be exposed , ought not to have gone . they lost the opportunity of taking a great sum of money that was kept there , and in stead of plundering that enemy , gained another , by destroying some towns along the coast. . the tartars having ruined part of the famous wall of china , entred like a torrent with above a million of men , bearing down cities , and whole provinces , till they drew near the court of peking in so terrible a manner , that the king was about withdrawing to nanking . but the chineses recovering of the first fright , fell upon the tartars , and made such a slaughter as obliged them to quit that province . the jesuits here gained much esteem , having been very serviceable with their intelligence . for an example to posterity , i will relate the particulars of this invasion of the tartars till the year . . when humvu , the first of the family , now reigning in china , expelled the tartars , who for years had been possessed of that crown , he not only recovered what had been lost , but conquered the frontiers of tartary , dividing them into several governments . these in time grew to such a height , that they raised themselves into kingdoms , one on the east , the other towards the west , and the third on the north. the two last immediately cast off the chinese yoke , the other continued in obedience till the chineses seeing it grow powerful , without any other occasion resolved to weaken it . but the tartars oppressed taking courage , revenged themselves , running to arms , and securing a strong hold in the province of leaotung , by which and other actions they became masters of the field . the other two kingdoms moved by the hope of gain , joyned with the former , and in the year , ( which was after humvn , ) formed a most formidable army , which coming to battel with that of china , no less numerous , gave it a total overthrow , rather to be attributed to the ill conduct of the chineses , than valour of the tartars . the king of china so much neglected his government , he seemed to be in a perfect lethargy ; and all the industry used by his ministers to awake him , was of no effect . . in fine , the tartars continued the war with such success , that they conquered the northern province of leaotung , and forced the kingdom of corea to pay them tribute , as they did till then to china . after the tartars were beaten from peking , a chinese woman headed some troops against them , and gained great fame , defeating them in several places . chap. xvi . continues the government of the viceroy d. john coutinno count de redondo . . at the time the tartar invasion appeared most formidable , gonçalo teyzeyra a portugues was at peking , having carried thither a present from the city macao to the mandarins , he in the name of the said city offered to assist them with a number of expert soldiers . they accepted the offer , and sent thither him that made it , and f. iohn rodriguez a jesuit . four hundred men were raised in the city , most of them portugueses , the rest chineses bred among them , and consequently good musketiers . every soldier had a mulato servant bought at the king's expence , and their pay was so great , they all cloathed themselves in costly apparel , bought the best arms , and yet thought themselves rich . they embarked under two captains , peter cordero in chief , and antony rodriguez del cabo . at quantung the chineses were astonished at their volleys , and exercise . they were sent in boats 〈◊〉 the ▪ river , and well treated . being come to a mountain they crossed it on ●…ck , and then 〈◊〉 ●…oats again , crossing almost all the province of kiangsi , till they came to the metropolis thereof . the people admired their presence , arms , and garb ; and because some had their cloaths slashed , said , they could not imagine why men of sense should purposely tear a stuff that was whole . . these men , who might have been so serviceable upon this occasion , were from that city sent back to macao . the principal reason is supposed to be , that the chineses of quantung ; who are factors for the portugueses , fearing this might be a means for them to be admitted into the kingdom , whereby they should lose the advantages they made of them in the way of trade , represented it to the magistrates as a thing dangerous to introduce those strangers into the kingdom , and under-hand bribing the mandarins , prevailed with those very men who had advised the king to send for the portugueses with so great expence to send them back , saying , it was not convenient to make use of them . . the king answered : it is not long since you proposed making use of these men against the tartars , now you say , it is not convenient . when you propose any thing again , consider of it better ▪ and if they are not for our service , let them return . it is remarkable , that whereas the chineses are so jealous , they suffer no strangers ( even ambassadors ) to view their towns , especially the court , these soldiers had liberty to see all things at thier pleasure without any lett . the same liberty 〈◊〉 given to the ambassadors sent by the city macao , and to the jesuits ▪ . the jesuits made at this time good progress in the propagation of the faith , and were informed of a certain people called of the cross , as being descended from ancient christians . two fathers had this intelligence from certain jews in the city caifumfir . these jews had there a synagogue as big as a large church , well adorned , and the bible in hebrew , syriack , and chaldaick . they gave some account of those people of the cross , who were then dispersed , and their church converted to a heathen pagod . the jesuits inquiring in the neighbouring towns , found some footsteps of that people , though they concealed themselves , fearing this search after them was upon some ill design . one of these had the pictures of st. peter and st. paul. . four galliots sailing from macao , w●… attacked by a holland ship , and being boarded by them , fired herself . one iaponese was saved , who said , that ship carried money to supply their forts , and that there were aboard some chineses of quality taken not long before . five portugueses were lost in the ship. . constantine de sa & noronna succeeded d. n●…o alvarez pereyra , who was gone to the conquest of the m●… of c●…ma , in the post of general of ceylon . he built the fort of sofragam , because the neigh●… ▪ hood was in arms , and left there port●… ▪ gueses and lascarines . then he ma●… ▪ ched towards madune , who was fortified at the two corla's , the ancient ●…trimony of his forefathers , a mountainous cou●… well watred , bearing much rice , and abo●… leagues in compass . noronna stayed some days at ceytavaca to get provisions , and settle portugueses in a high tower , the only part standing of that great city . after a month's march through the enemies country , where hunger began to pinch , he underderstood madune fled . he follows to his city , and finding 〈◊〉 abandoned , burns it . a budiame was here destroyed , that is , a tree those people highly esteem , saying , their god budum leaned against it ▪ whence it takes its name . on the foot of this were the images of several idols curiously carved . . noronna finding no enemy , was upon his return , when of madune's men appeared in his rear , commanded by chacatien zala . our general laid a few portugueses and lascarines in ambush , and though some of our men at first fled , he broke the enemy , killing ma●… ▪ and taking men of great note , whereof one was c●…atien . the enemy seeking revenge another day , had principal men slain , and among them the prince of uva , who called himself king. . the hollanders this year took several good prizes , the portugueses endeavouring to gather wealth , but not providing the means to defend it . the particulars are too inconsiderable to be related , i will say somewhat of the malabar pirats , whom our carelesness and presumption made bold . . whilst our admiral of the malabar sea was upon that coast , d. pedro ( a cousin of that cunnale who was beheaded at goa ) after becoming a christian fled from that city , and commanding parao's , took several of our ships , hindred the trade , and took the island de las vacas , and that of tristan golayo . our general d. co●…tine de sa from columbo sent galliots to manar , to joyn small vessels there , and destroy that pirat . they set out on the eve of the ascension , and being parted by a storm , the th met at the island of golay●… . vitorio de abreu commanded them , who being informed by two blacks , left there by the owner of the island , that the parao's were gone to some place near for ammunition , and that before they returned he might possess himself of goods to the value of ducats l●…t there by d. pedro in a house ; he made light of this intelligence , and staying for the enemy , lost of the sail , and about men besides those that were taken , whereof he was one . . mean while our squad●… convoyed the merchant fleet after such a manner , that the same pirate took a vessel without their offering to desend it . the merchants of n●…an 〈◊〉 the captains of the con●…oy to recover that ship , but they would , or d●… not . a spanish flyboat accidentally p●…g by , at the request of that city retook it . . constantine de sa , ever since he was general of 〈◊〉 , had intelligence , that c●…li c●…are king of i●…tan , and 〈◊〉 ●…ect , assisted ma●… . he offered 〈◊〉 money to wave receiving the price of the elephants due as tribute . c●…li privily armed , and constantine sent philip de olivoyra wit●… ▪ ●…o portugueses , and l●…es , 〈◊〉 demanded the value of the elephants , and 〈◊〉 answered not to the purpose , relying on men well armed , and his strong walls . oliveyr●… advanced , and the king understanding it by a treacherous portugues , sent to him not to proceed , and he would stand by the former capitulation . this was only a ●…gem to cut off our van , which was far advanced under l●… cabral de faria . . oliveyra credited the fraud , and sent orders to faria to come back , but at such time as the enemy had attacked him ; he answered , it was then too late , and breaking a body of blacks , advanced . two thousand that followed him were defeated by oliveyra , who hearing the noise , marched with all speed . changali flying over the river , was taken , and with him crowns , our men undecently treating the princesses that were in his company . the king seeing his brother in-law's ears cut off for the ear-rings , took out his own , and gave them to the next man. oliveyra ordered him at iafanapatan to make a list of the portugueses he held correspondence with . he made one , and among the many named was oliveyra himself , with the allowance of crowns , and the late general d. nunno alvarez pereyra with . the king was carried to goa , oliveyra was left to govern the kingdom . madune wanting this friend , submitted himself . . andrew botello de costa coming to iafanapatan with sail , understood there was a great danish ship at gale that had taken some prizes , he found out , and after three hours fight , took her . of the enemy , were killed , some burned , others got ashore with the captain , and were taken . on our side were slain , whereof one was the commander . . the hollanders took a portugues ship bound for brasil , and cast into the sea of the men , their hands and feet bound . the rest they carried to iacatra to serve that place ; but they run away to the english , who had a factory leagues off , and sent them to malaca . they said , one of the english had told them , they had lost a ship at sunda that carried the money given by d. christopher de noronna to save fighting , and that they had several times fought the dutch by sea and land , always worsting them ; and lastly , that the dutch had taken the governour sent from portugal for angola , and carried him to iavs . . augustin lobato sailed from malaca with two ships and a galliot . at ioatume he fought and worsted a hollander ; then hearing the dutch had a factory at bima , leagues distant , assaulted it with men , slew , took , whereof one was the factor ; he distributed crowns among the soldiers , having done damage to the value of . having burnt the factory he retired , and burnt seven towns about ende . . at solor he landed with men , and fought many thousand enemies , killing . but lost or , to the great admiration of the adversaries , who thought them to be sons of the sun , and consequently immortal . this encouraged them to press on , and it was much the escaped . lobato being ready to imbark , was killed by a iaponese . . malaca feared to be besieged by the king of achem , but he armed to defend himself against the viceroy , who , 't was said , would go thither in person . fifteen english ships at sunda fought hollanders and defeated them , killing men. at patane the dutch had better success , taking two of the victors , and killing a captain who was a portugues , and was visiting the factories of that nation . at iava they took a dutch ship , another was lost in a storm . it was reported , the governour of manila took five in one fight . at this time there were in the south ducth ships , and above english. the french had factories at macassa and iava . . the viceroy sent gaspar de melo with a squadron to succour mangalor , and destroy a fort built by the canara's . the little king coming on while he battered the fort , was twice defeated , and many of his men made prisoners . this year sailed from lisbon for india four ships , two galleons , and three flyboats . chap. xvii . several wonderful accidents during the two years government of the viceroy the count de redondo . . in may , there was a general , and doubtless diabolical storm , whereof it is convenient to give some account . on the th of that month it began at baçaim ( the portugues ninive ) so terrible , that the people hid themselves in cellars , not doubting the houses would be torn to pieces ; but an earthquake beginning at two in the morning , many houses fell . the sea , though remote from the town , was brought into it by the wind. . the noise of the waves overcame that of the ruins , notwithstanding the tops of churches were blown off , and vast stones flew a great distance . two thousand were killed in the town and adjacent parts . the fish died in the ponds , and corrupted the waters . most of the churches were laid even with the ground , as if god had shewed there was no need of them among such wicked people . a lamp remained burning before the blessed sacrament in the church of st. dominick when the wind overthrew buildings . . many vessels were lost in the port. some cattle was seen to fly , and the birds to fall . the woods were torn up by the roots . men fled to the mountains for shelter , and the wild beasts to the town . nature seemed reversed , the people rent the skies with cries for mercy , which at last obtained , the storm ceased . . there were strange prodigies before and during this storm , as giants seen in the air throwing great globes of fire one at the other . a confusion of human voices was heard there , trampling of horses , and the sound of warlike instruments . a troop of furious horsemen was seen to attack the city , and a man cloathed in skins to oppose them ; those were concluded to be devils , and he st. iohn baptist. . at bombaim the sea swallowed above sail , some men , and much riches . at agacaim a boat flew out of the sea into a house , where it killed a woman and her child . at tana , a beast taken up by the wind fell upon a tree that was torn up by the roots , and a branch struck through the body of it . a woman seeing a giant-like man carrying a pan of burning coals , asked him for one , and he blowing it , burnt her face . much of this nature happened at salsete , and other places . . d. luis de gama coming from ormuz , where he had commanded for goa , in a ship full of riches , was cast away on the coast of bombaim . a new married couple being upon a plank , the bridegroom fell off , and the bride for grief cast her self after him ; he came up again and was saved , without wife or goods . a maid that went to be a nun escaping , was ravished by the moors , and then killed . thus several ships belonging to captains who came from their commands perished , perhaps a judgment for their unjust heaping of wealth . . the city goa seeing this destruction , had recourse to heaven . all the religious orders made processions , and performed great acts of mortification . the women rent the clouds with cries of mercy . all lay down in the churches to be trampled upon . this lasted some days and nights ; the churches were continually open , the streets full , yet in all the concourse the least noise was not heard . . this example was followed at cochim . the bishop of this city had excommunicated any that should buy timber of the queen of coulam . a portugues presumed to build a ship there , when it should be launched , no force or art could move it . the portugues confesses his crime with repentance , and returning to the ship , it was launched without the least difficulty . . there reigned through all india a new distemper , which caused great pains over all the body , and contraction of sinews , so that some lost the use of their limbs . many with anguish ran mad ; whole families sickned at once . the only remedy was found to be bleeding . a chirurgeon being no way able to stanch the blood of a sick man , laid upon it a cross he had , in which was believed to be a piece of that of our saviour , and it stopped immediately . . a cafre fled from a widow , whose slave he was , to a fidalgo or nobleman's house , and afterwards returned to his mistress . the fidalgo sent to demand the slave of her , as if he had been his own . she refusing , he sent some soldiers to take him by force ; but she received them with granadoes in her hands , and they returned with shame . . n. barreto a fidalgo , years of age , killed his father , for which his head was cut off ; so justice was done where there never was any . the mercers of goa , esteemed more honorable than the goldsmiths , would not allow them to use a sort of umbrello , with an ornament on the top and middle of it . a goldsmith went abroad with such an umbrello , the mercers broke it and beat him . the other goldsmiths coming to assist their brother , there ensued a fray , in which much blood was spilt , and much plunder got , though no victory , for the algna●…es or officers robbed the shops of those who were fighting . . on the th of november appeared a comet in the east , and another on the th . they were seen at four in the morning , both under the sign scorpio . the first extended towards the south in the form of a palm , the other toward the north , and was like a flower-pot . the latter lasted till the beginning of ianuary , the other till the th of december . . the first time the king of arracam went to the city chatigam after the portugueses inhabited there , they presented him a bough thick set with figs ; he offered it to his white elephant ( so coveted by all the eastern princes ) to eat , but he would not , though the king prayed him to take it for the king of ova , the mogol , and his own sake . but scarce did he desire him to eat it for the king of portugal , when the elephant joyfully snatched it in his trunk . the king in a passion caused him to be deprived of all his ornaments , as a golden dish on which he fed , gold chain by which they led him , and the like . the beast for grief would not eat , and the king , for fear it should die , was forced to restore its furniture . . at this time died at bengala that moor so famous for his age , being above years old when nunno de cunna took diu , which was years before this time , and he seemed now but years of age. it was reported , there were others years old thereabouts , but upon enquiry none appeared . only one woman was found about years of age , and had married that same year , having before buried seven husbands . thus much for the year , now for that of , which is no less wonderful . . upon one of the three hills that overlook goa stood a large wooden cross , on which very many of the inhabitants of that city , the th day of february , saw the perfect figure of a man crucified . the archbishop having examined the truth of it , took it down , and of it made a small one two spans in length , with a crucifix of ivory upon , and a glory of gold round . the remaining pieces were distributed to the churches and persons of quality . ten days after the cross was taken down , water gushed from the hole where it had been fixed , in which cloaths being dipped wrought many miraculous cures . on the place where the cross stood was built a church . . it was debated in an assembly of the principal clergy , whether the threads the bramenes hang across their shoulders were a heathenish superstition , or only a mark of nobility ; after some time it was concluded in favour of the latter , as only a distinction of honour . the reason of examining this point was , because many of the bramenes refused to embrace the faith , only for that they were obliged as soon as christians to leave off those threads . . d. f. christopher , the archbishop , said the first mass in his cathedral at goa , which was finished this year , and is not inferior in grandure to many of the european churches of fame . it was dedicated to st. catherine , on whose day that city was taken . . there happened a great dearth and famine , which destroyed many people . in only the little island of bardes almost died . there was a wonderful eclipse of the sun most visible at moçambique , soon after noon , the day becoming quite dark the space of two hours . this caused great admiration , as did another of the moon at goa . . in the province of peking in china it rained not for a whole year . in that of xantung the famin was such , men eat one another . two women were executed for eating eleven children . in that of nanking was a plague of mice . two parts in five of the king's palace were burnt ; and five towers were blown down in the city . two suns were seen together , the one eclipsing the other . a man entred the palace to kill the prince . in the province of xangsi appeared a man cloathed in yellow with a green cap and fan of feathers , who said . vambie ( that was the king's name ) does not govern ; he has reigned long ; is always asleep ; the kingdom going to ruine , the people starves , the captains are slain . this said he vanished , and , though all means were used to find him , he could never be heard of . . that there might be somewhat extraordinary in the viceroy , he died on the th of november of a swelling upon his back as big as the crown of a hat , so black and monstrous , it frighted not only the ignorant , but the ablest physicians . . the viceroy was buried in the church of the king 's , a league down the river , the usual burial place of those who die in that command , as his father did who is there interred . he was not of a very piercing judgment , but positive ; of stature tall , well shaped , neither white nor swarthy . of viceroys he was the th ; of governors th ; the th of the name , and d of the sirname . chap. xviii . of the governour ferdinand de albuquerque , from the year , till . . the first patent of succession being opened , there was found named ferdinand de albuquerque , a gentleman years of age , whereof he had been married , and an inhabitant of goa , and consequently well versed in the affairs of india . but having lived long at ease , was become slow in business , which suited not with the pressing occasions of that time . . the king of porca always ill affected to the portugueses , this year embraced our friendship with great demonstrations of sincerity and affection . . the arache d. luis , who became a christian only to gain the better opportunity of raising new troubles , now disturbed the peace of iafanapatan . he stirred up the people to enthrone a prince at remancor , and marched with men towards our men , who were fortified in a pagod . philip de oliveyra had but men , having sent the rest to ceylon as fearing no insurrection . with those he withstood all that number of enemies , who first attacked the church of our lady , in which were other portugueses , and then the pagod where oliveyra was , and were at both places repulsed with loss . oliveyra held it out a month , till relief came from ceylon . andrew coello brought succors by water , and luis teyxeyra men by land. the latter entring the kingdom , did many actions barbarous and inhuman . he clove men with axes like trees , opened the wombs of women and put in their children snatched from their arms. these are impieties unworthy a christian , yet sometimes excused in war. . oliveyra finding himself thus strong took the field , slew a multitude of the enemies , and gave them a total overthrow . scarce had they breathed after this victory , when the prince of remancor appeared with his army , but teyxera suddenly falling upon him made such havock , he was glad to cast himself at teyxeyra's feet , who received him with great courtesie . they returned to give thanks for this victory in our lady's church , where the religious at the door , offering oliveyra a palm , he said it was due to teyxeyra , and caused it to be given to him . both deserved , but he doubly who refused , once for conquering his enemies , another for overcoming himself in not accepting it . a wonderful victory in our age. . the arache d. luis escaped , his wife and children were taken , she in despair slew her self , whilst he perswaded the nayque of tanjaor he might make himself king of iafanapatan . he raised badagaes , and gave the command of them to chem nayque , that king of the carcas who not long before assisted chingali . oliveyra was strong in our lady's church , but in november met the enemy . the fight being desperate with some loss on our side ; he advanced to encourage the men , the enemy knowing him , seven of them attack him , and one of them struck a spear through his mouth out at his throat , yet he recovering killed two of them , the others fled . . the enemy retired to their trenches , oliveyra being reinforced by men from ceylon assaults them , kills many , and took many more ; yet after all he ransomed taken by the chingalaes , and set them at liberty . the nayque still coveting that crown raised more badagaes , oliveyra sent three captains with their companies to suppress him ; they slew so many without losing one man , that being weary of killing they returned with heads . . the prince , son to the late king of iafanapatan , who had escaped the tyranny of chingali , being in the hands of the franciscans , was baptized together with his mother and many nobles and commoners , and at last making over his claim to that kingdom to the king of portugal , took the habit of that order , by the name of f. constantine of christ. . chingali , who was taken some time before , was sent to goa with his wife , there condemned to death ; and being first converted to the faith made a most happy end . his wife following the example given by him was baptized by the name of margaret of austria ; and retiring to the house of the converts in that city , led a life that may be an example to all ancient christians . . i think i have not specified the cause of these troubles , which was thus . para raja cheygra pandara , made governor and king of iafanapatan when andrew furtado slew the former king , wore that crown years , and hoping the viceroy would confirm his choice , named a son of the deceased to succeed him , who being but years of age , he ordered his brother areaquerari pandara should govern till he was of age , him changali cumara murdered to usurp the crown . after that he slew many others , whereupon the people mutinying reduced him to great streights , till being succoured by a number of badagaes , raised by the nayque of tangaor , and commanded by the king of the carcas ; they came to a battel , wherein changali being victorious , secured the crown for some time . this tyrant not content that the portugueses winked at his bad title , refused to pay them the usual tribute , which was the cause why oliveyra fell upon and took him as has been related . . abas xa king of persia being bent upon possessing himself of the island and kingdom of ormus , camberbeque cam of lara began to undertake it , on pretence an ancient tribute was not paid him , which he never had since alfonso de albuquerque entred that place he hindred the trade , and secured several portugues merchants ; and seeing we did not agree with him about the trade of his silks , he settled it with iames king of england , concluding a league with him for the taking of ormuz . ray freyre de andrade who came the year before from lisbon with galleons to cruize on that sea , sent to goa for succour but could not obtain it , tho' he only desired small vessels . . nevertheless freyre fights the english and worsts them , the arabs joining with the persians had taken iulfar and dola , which caused great scarcity of water at ormuz , where there is none but what is brought from abroad . freyre went over to forward the building a new fort at queixome , and by his absence the fleet before weak , was much impaired . then came two galleons from goa commanded by d. emanuel de azevedo and d. iohn de silveyra , an enemy to freyre ; they were ill manned , and scarce of ammunitions , and brought instructions that curbed the power of the admiral . . being now strong at quixome he scoured that coast , where were burnt sail , and the towns of boami , camir , cong●… , astan , and doçar , at niquilay he took and destroyed four ships , and above great barques . the persians assisted by the english furiously batter'd the fort at queixome , yet freyre carried on his work , and assisted the arabs that continued firm to us . when freyre was somewhat streightned , the two captains that came with the galleons to his assistance from goa left him . . this year sailed from lisbon for india ships under the command of nunno alvarez botello . there came also two pinks , one for malaca , the other for moçambiqus ; and two ships more under iacome de morales sarmiento , who was to be general at moçambique during the war about the mines of monomotapa , as if he were like to last as long as the war. . the ships that came from portugal under the command of botello , returned the next year , and with them two more built at goa , with the men and loadings of two others , one left in india as unfit for the voyage , the other lost at mombaça . in one of these two ships called the conception , was a hermit , who whilst they winter'd at st. helena stole away , and being asked why he left the company , said , he had rather stay in that desert island , than to go see the misfortune that ship would soon fall into . being come to the island tercera , they found orders there to make the lat. of deg. where they would find d. antony de ataide , admiral of portugal . they obeyed , but missing of him , one morning at the mouth of tagus they met or sail of turks . our ship was ill manned , had but few guns , and her steeridge full of bails . . the turks having powred in their broad-sides boarded the ship , killing portugueses of that were in her , most of them sick , yet the enemy receiving great damage entred with men , who were all slain save or that got off . this done our ship cast anchor in an advantageous place , but next day received orders to put to sea where she would find the fleet to defend her . she was no sooner out but the turks attack her , yet after a desperate fight again left her . but the third day the enemy coming on again burnt her , few of the men escaping death , and those remaining in captivity . . the ship called st. iohn , another of the two built in india , had no better fortune , for springing a leak she was with much labour of pumping brought as far as the cape of good hope , where three holland ships pursued her days , whereof were spent in fight . our ship being totally disabled , offered to surrender upon conditions , but whilst they treated a storm parted them , and she was drove aground full of water two leagues from the shore in the bay of lagoa , which is in the lat. of deg. the captain was forced with his own hand to kill a troublesom pilot , who to save himself and more would expose all the rest to perish inevitably . . the captain landed the ammunition and provisions with the loss of men , and marched with towards zofala , having burnt the ship , and saved the diamonds , pearls , amber and musk. they marched in sight of the sea , carrying the women on their shoulders . having set forward the beginning of september , about the end of november , being weary of carrying those things of value , they cast into a river all the musk. . those who carried the women could no longer hold out , tho' many thousand ducats were promised them . a maid not able to go a foot was left to the mercy of cafres , or fury of wild beasts . a young man her brother would have stayed with her , but was not permitted , and he soon after died for grief . . some men died with fatigue , and the strongest conspired to take all the diamonds and march faster . the captain being informed of it , slew him he thought to be the ringleader of that contrivance . about the middle of december , those who carried four women would do it no longer , ducats were offered to any to undertake it , but none accepted the offer . sixteen were left behind with their slaves who murdered them , and afterwards overtaking the company , and being examined were hanged . hunger forced them to eat these and others that died . the captain morales died , and francis vaz de almada succeeded him . there were but men left , and half of them not able to fight when the king of mocaranga assails them with cafres and robs them , killing some . those that escaped came to moçambique , having travelled leagues with unspeakable misery . . at this time ruy freyre de andrade , who had but three hundred portugueses in the fort of queixome with some of the natives and arabs that came afterwards , was besieged by the sultan of xiras with men , and the fort began to be undermined . freyre defended himself with much valour ; but the news being brought that the english succours were at hand , the defendants dismayed . chap. xix . continues the government of ferdinand de albuquerque . . freyre being besieged by sea and land , the english and persians being joined ; simon de melo came from goa with sail , rather to affront than relieve them . . the commander of ormuz , who somewhat comforted freyre in these troubles died , and simon de melo by the governor's order succeeded him ; which was another wrong done to freyre , because according to the ancient custom he being admiral of that sea ought to have succeeded . this was the ruin of ormuz , for had he been there it had not been lost . freyre nevertheless desisted not from sending advice to ormuz , which melo slighted , relying on the strength of the place , though it was in no posture of defence , the commanders of it for many years having only taken care to enrich themselves , so that there was but little cannon , and that lay on the ground without carriages , and stopped up with earth . . the english offered freyre honourable conditions if he would surrender , but he refused , thinking ships would have come that night from ormuz , to carry him off and dismantle the fort. d. gonzalo de silveyra came with only one barque carrying some ammunition , a small relief in that distress . freyre seeing this , sent fresh advice to melo how to act in his own defence ; and he taking it in ill part , writ to the governor , accusing freyre of arrogance and ignorance , for pretending from queixome to instruct and terrifie him . . freyre no longer able to withstand the english and persians , resolved to burn the fort , and die honourably in the field ; but his men crying they would not cast away their lives to no purpose , designed to deliver him up to the english ; and some leaped from the wall into the sea to save themselves . freyre was forced to capitulate to march out on the side of arabia with his colours , arms and ammunition ; the capitulation was not observed , for the portugueses were stripped , the natives delivered to the persians , who put them to the sword , freyre and four captains sent prisoners to surat . . melo at ormuz thinking the enemy would be satisfied with the taking of queixome , began to treat of peace with the persians , but to no effect . above persians came over in their barques , and the english in ships , besieging the town and furiously battering it . . luis de brito agreeing with others who loved not to expose their lives , was let down from the wall by a rope , concluded articles of surrender with the english , and returned to the town to put them in execution . simon de melo seemed to oppose the surrender , but the soldiers feigning to mutiny ( for it was supposed to be done by his direction ) the enemy entred the town , above portugueses of both sexes and all ages were sent stripped to mascate , leaving a great treasure , and the honour of their country , in the enemies hands . . mean while freyre , who was prisoner , with the four captains made his escape , and having lost one of them with the other three got to damam , thence to baçaim , and at last to mascate . constantine de sa was then there with succours for ormuz , and they were upon going thither when the people that were dispossessed of that place appeared . freyre insisted to go on , hoping to surprize the enemy , but could not prevail upon sa ; so he went away to goa , and embarqued for portugal . . at this time the mogol was highly respected by all the eastern princes , and there resided at his court several ambassadors , who carried him rich presents . one sent by the king of massanapatan was valued at two millions , consisting of elephants with costly trappings , camels and precious s●…ones . . the portugueses , who in the years ●… and ●… had escaped the destruction of the cities liampo and chincheo , lived in the island lampaçau , till the year , they then built the city macao , the greatest we have in asia next to goa . the manner was thus : they resorted to the island sanchuan on the coast of china to trade , where they lived in huts made of the boughs of trees , and covered with sails during their stay . . from this island to another called gaoxama , are leagues closer in upon the coast of china . the island being in●…icate and mountainous , was the refuge of robbers who infested the continent . the chineses , who had twice expelled the portugueses , thinking them a more tolerable evil than those outlaws , offered them the island if they could root out that generation of thieves . the portugueses undertook and performed it without losing a man. . the island being cleared , every one began to build where he liked best , there being no proprietor to sell the land , which afterwards was sold at a great rate , the trade and fame of this city increasing . this caused the hollanders to have an eye always upon it , desiring to make themselves masters thereof . . it contains about portugues inhabitants , all rich , and of the best in india , because the portions being there very considerable , many persons of quality resort thither for wives . there is besides a considerable number of christian chineses , who are cloathed and live after the manner of portugal ; and of heathens , being artificers , shopkeepers and merchants , about . they have a bishop and a judge . the duties of the ships trading thence to iapan amount to xeraphins , at per cent. a xeraphin is almost a piece of eight . the yearly expence of the city to maintain their fortifications and garrison is above ducats . at the fair of quantung is paid the like sum for duties , at six and seven per cent. the voyage of iapan , with embassies and presents for the king and tonos , costs . the house called la misericordia spends or in works of charity . the city maintains two hospitals , three parish churches , five monasteries , besides the continual alms it sends to the neighbouring necessitous christians in china , aynam , iapan , tunquim , cochinchina , cambodia and siam . . on the th of iuly , ( some say ) sail of hollanders came before this city , hoping to take the fleet that was there ready to sail for iapan , having taken several chineses and portugues ship about the philippine islands . they had aboard fighting men. their admiral cornelius regers intending to gain the city , battered the fort of st. francis the space of five days . on midsummer day in the morning he landed eight hundred men , and without much opposition made himself master of an intrenchment . . the enemy marched towards the city , thinking to meet no resistance , but iohn suarez vivas , seeing them advance to gain a considerable post , prevented them with men. after a discharge of their fire-arms , they fell to the sword , the hollanders ●…ed with precipitation to their ships , leaving dead on the shore ; seven and their colours were taken , one piece of cannon , and all their arms which they threw away when swiming to their ships . mean while the ships battered the fort , which answered so effectually some of them were sunk and men killed . this victory cost us portugueses , and some few slaves . a cafre woman a slave had share in it , who fighting in man's cloaths with a halbard killed hollanders . . the citizens seeing themselves exposed to such attempts , built a wall round the town , with six bastions . on that of st. paul , which overtops the city , they planted six large cannons ; on that of the bar fourteen , some pounders ; eight on that of our lady of good deliverance ; five on that of st. peter ; eight on that of st. francis , that looks towards the sea ; and three on that of st. iohn . and because the mountain of our lady of the guide overtops the bastion of st. paul , they fortified it , planting thereon large pieces . . this year were computed to be converted in india souls . some with such pure zeal , that five being condemned to death , and desiring first to be baptized , they were told it should not save their lives , they answered , they knew it , and only sought the salvation of their souls . they were all baptized under the gallows , and died with resolution and stedfastness in the faith , though they saw the others hanged before them . . the government of ferdinand de albuquerque , in what related to the civil administration , was inferior to none ; in the military , especially what concerned ormuz , unfortunate . it was observed how little care was had of this government in spain , for that during the whole time of his government he had not one letter from the king. he was of a middle stature , a good christian , the th governor , d of the name , and d of the sirname . chap. xx. of the viceroy d. alfonso de noronna , in the year . . in the year , d. alfonso de noronna commanded the ships that went for india , and was now chose viceroy , as well in respect of his good services , ●…s his birth and experience . he set out the th of april with four ships and six galleons , of all which only one reached india , by being a little a head of the others , which were all put back to lisbon . this makes good that notable saying of an able seaman , who being asked when was the best time for the ships to sail , answered , the last day of february is too soon , and the first of march too late . . in fine , d. alfonso was put back with all that relief whereof india stood in great want ; he , his ship , and the captain of her were used to this misfortune , having been put in the year before . some would attribute this to the ill fate of the captain or ship. . this was the last governor of india named by the pious philip iii. ( but second of portugal ) and the first that sailing from lisbon with that command was forced in again . d. alfonso de noronna was ancient and well qualified for that post ; affable and courteous , moderating the gravity of his age. as soon as the news was brought to lisbon of the shameful surrender of the city baya in brasil to the hollanders , without regarding his quality , age and commands he had bore , he listed himself a private centinel for that service . a bravery well deserving eternal fame , and an example that moved many to follow it . . as we have hitherto reckoned the viceroys and governors who were chosen , tho' they enjoyed not the command , we will account d. alfonso de noronna the th of the former , and th of the latter ; the d of the name , and th of the sirname . chap. xxi . of the propagation of the faith in japan , and aethiopia about this time. . some small hints have been already given of the progress of christianity in iapan , since their apostle st. francis xaverius began to preach there . the proceedings there are much like those in china , save that the latter has not been so much sprinkled with the blood of martyrs . i will only touch upon some martyrdoms that happened in iapan . . at firando , in the year , f. peter de zuniga , and f. luis flores of saint dominick , were burnt alive by the emperor's command , together with captain ioachim , a iaponese , who carried them in his ship from manila , and twelve seamen beheaded . . at mamgasaqui were burnt alive , and beheaded . of the first number was father charles spinola , a genoese , and father sebastian quimura born at firando the first iaponese priest , and six iaponese lay-brothers all jesuits . five franciscans , and nine dominicans . also a woman and twelve children were executed , and after that a dominican and others . . at omura , a dominican , a franciscan and twelve more were burnt alive . ten suffer'd martyrdom at iquinosima . another was burnt at firando , fourteen at namgasaqui , and others in other places , all which made up the number of , whereof burnt alive . . in the year , another persecution was raised at the court by means of a bonzo , who becoming a christian in hopes to grow rich , and being disappointed , became an informer against christians . the emperor gave him the charge of discovering them . the first apprehended were two jesuits and a franciscan , who being committed to prison where faramandondono the emperor's cousin was , baptized there forty persons : fifty in all were taken out of the prison and burnt alive . two gentlemen who were christians , but not known , being present , leaped from their horses and cast themselves into the fire , crying , they died for the faith. at night three hundred christians assembled and stole the relicks of the martyrs . this gave occasion to a new search , and almost five hundred suffered . to prevent the concealing of any religious men , all the spaniards were expelled nangasaqui ; and some married to iaponese women were parted from them . many natives who would not renounce the faith were banished , and many more , especially at ozaqua , had a cross burnt deep on their foreheads , that they might be known to be christians ; and they joyfully said , now we shall be known to be slaves of iesus . they were turned off with that mark , and almost naked in the dead of winter , with their children , and many of them died . . in the year , father marcelas francis mastrili of the society of jesus , was apprehended with his companion lazarus , and carried to namgasaqui , where he endured many tortures . on the fourteenth of october he was brought out in sight of all the people , with a paper on his back whereon were these words ; iogan sama , emperor of iapan , orders this mad man to be executed , for preaching in these kingdoms a law contrary to that of xaxa , and amida , and of the f●…toques . come all to see him , for he is to die hanging in the cave for an example . at the market-place of ten●… , where the portugues merchants resort , he saluted them three times with his head , having a gag in his mouth . . he was hanged up by the feet in the cave of the mountain , where generally martyrs suffer , and is therefore called holy. he hung four days uttering wonderful doctrine , and the blood never fell into his head , as is usual in such cases . seeing he did not die , they took him out to be beheaded , and he expected the stroke on his knees , saying twice , my father saint francis xaverius . it is believed he saw that saint , and that was the occasion of naming him . the first stroke took no effect , the second made an impression , and the third his head fell to the ground , having called upon jesus and mary . there followed an earthquake all the country about . being dead he had many wounds given him , then was burnt , and the ashes cast into the sea. thus much of iapan , let us say somewhat of ethiopia . . in the year , sultan sagued being emperor , the society of jesus had a residence at gorgora in the kingdom of dambia , and a stately church . another residence at colela in the kingdom of gogan , to which was subordinate the mission of the agaos , a large province . another at fremona in the kingdom of tigre . . the first patriarch of ethiopia was d. iohn bermudez , chosen by the emperor and confirmed by the pope , of whom we spoke in the sixth chapter of the fourth part of the second tome . the second patriarch was d. iohn nunnez barreto , a jesuit , of whose sanctity it is a sufficient testimony , that he being at tetuan serving the slaves , the bassa of that place said , the works of the holiest moor were not to compare with his . he died at goa without reaching ethiopia . the third was d. andrew de oviedo , of a very religious and austere life . he suffered much persecution , for preaching and converting many ethiopians . the fourth patriarch was d. belchior carnero , a jesuit , who died at goa . the fifth , d. alfonso mendez , of whom we shall speak hereafter . the sixth , d. apollinarius de almeyda , of whose banishment also a further account shall be given in its place . the end of the third part. the portugues asia . tom . iii. part iv. chap. i. the second government of the viceroy d. francis de gama count de vidigueyra , from the year , till . . don francis de gama count de vidigueyra having lest the government of india much hated , and affronted , always endeavoured to obtain that command again ; not to be revenged , as some said , but to satisfie the world he had not deserved that ill usage . twenty years passed before he could obtain his desire , which was upon the accession to the crown of philip the fourth of spain , and third of portugal . . he sailed from lisbon on the th of march with ships . not long before him parted thence sancho de tovar & silva with galleons and pinks . on the coast of tierra de natal a flash of lightning falling upon the count's ship , burnt the colours , and did some harm , but killed no body . under the line two of his ships left him , and arrived at goa at the end of august . the third stayed behind him ; it was thought they shunned his company designedly . . about this time dutch ships plied near the islands of angoxa , one of them perished in pursuit of a portugues . the viceroy standing for moçambique , met the other five on the d of iune . his other ships had now joyned him , and there ensued a terrible fight , which fell heaviest upon the vice-admiral , who was entirely disabled . the viceroy and d. francis lobo rescued and brought him off . but the ship being so much battered sunk , some men and money were saved , and some fell into the enemies hands . night coming on , the viceroy and lobo were drove upon the sands , and their ships lost ; they saved what goods , rigging , ammunition and cannon they could , and fired the rest , that the enemy might make no advantage os it . the viceroy shipped all the goods , and what men he could , aboard some galliots , and arrived at cochim . gonzalo de sequeyra was gone before with his galleon to relieve ormuz , but came too late . . from cochim he went to goa , and arrived there in september . his enemies seeing him in that post , were all terrified , fearing he now in power would revenge the affronts done to his person , but he carried himself with more moderation than was expected . the count thought of punishing simon de melo and luis de brito , as the most guilty of the shameful loss of ormuz . melo was fled over to the moors , and brito in prison ; this was beheaded , as was the other in effigies . . gonçalo de sequeira , who was to have relieved ormuz , stayed with his galleon at mascate , believing his assistance necessary upon a report that the persians designed against that place . hearing the enemy fortified at soar in arabia , he fitted out sail , and coming before it , expelled the persians with much slaughter , and not without loss , because they defended it with more valour than the portuguezes had ormuz . goncalo de sequeyra remained there , and again defeated the enemy endeavouring to gain mascate . . the dutch , who had lain before the bar of goa , being gone towards triquilimale , the viceroy sent constantine de sa and ruy freyre with a squadron to assist sequeyra in the sea of ormuz . they chased an english ship , which got away from them , and returning to the sea of ormuz took two ships of the moors , putting them all to the sword. . three galleots of cochin defeated some dutch and pegu ships at paleacate . d. francis mascarennas , a person of known valour and prudence , was sent to command at macao to oppose the hollanders , and quiet the disorders that were among the citizens . the divisions among the laity being made up , there began others among the clergy about the government of that cathedral for want of a bishop . . three ships , three galleons , and two pinks , sailed from lisbon for india . one of the ships returning home , was lost at the mouth of lisbon river , the men and some goods saved ; another perished at moçambique ; the third on the island st. helena , part of her loading being taken into the other ships , the rest fetched away from brasil . two of the galleons were also cast away at moçambique ; and a pink , through the unskilfulness of the pilot , on the coast of arabia . in these vessels were men , whereof many died of sickness , besides what perished by shipwrack . . now begins the year , famous for the sufferings of gativanda queen of dopoli at xiras in persia , and cruelty of the king xa abas . but this having relation to the religious of st. augustin , who laboured much in the conversion of asia , i will relate some particulars of what they did in those parts . they resided at ormuz , where , among many others , the heir of that crown was converted , and took their habit by the name of f. hierome iaete , and afterwards preached with much zeal . with him was baptized d. alfonso nordim of the blood royal , and his sister da. philippa morada . . the fathers preached also with success along the skirts of arabia petrea . when ormuz was lost , they went over to baçora , a city subject to the turk , below babylon , on the borders of arabia felix , with orders from the archbishop of goa to endeavour chiefly the reduction of the armenian schismaticks called christians of st. iohn , in the kingdom of bombareca , where f. francis of the presentation , and f. matthias an englishman , who died at ormuz with a general opinion of sanctity , had been before , but with no success . after them f. nicholas de la vega , with the consent of the turkish bassa , erected there a house and chapel . . f. iohn de los santos , and f. ioseph of the presentation , built a church and convent , and many schismaticks were reconciled to the church . the bassa gave them power over all the christians , chaldeans , nestorians , and jews , and many chaldeans were baptized . many infidels , arabs , turks and persians , resorted to the convent , and some were converted . in the city and the neighbourhood there are about inhabitants , whereof about christians of st. iohn , so called , because they have a tradition , that their forefathers were baptized in the river iordan by the baptist. . the portugueses , after the loss of ormuz , setled their trade in this city , and founded a seminary for learning . the bassa very much countenanced the religious , and seeing a christian soldier in love with a moorish woman , secured and delivered him up to them . they sent him to mascate , she followed , was baptized , and married him . he consented that a girl should be taken from her mother , who seeing her go , followed , and both were reconciled to the church . . the first time vespers were sung , a drum going about to gather the christians , all the moors flocked thither , in so much that the cacizes said , this was some particular act of divine providence , and cried , the world must be at an end . . these religious first entred the court of ispahan in the time of king sebastian , afterwards armenian bishops , many priests , and a multitude of people , submitted to the see of rome . the king offered the fathers ducats a year , which they refused , lest it should be thought they went to enrich themselves , not to plant religion . they were afterwards imprisoned by the moors , ill treated , and sent to xiras , leagues distant . the governour of that place sent them to the convent with fetters on their feet , and yoaks on their necks . the governour pretended the cause of their imprisonment was , that ruy freyre had secured three moors at ormuz , and said , they should be set at liberty if those were restored . brother peter carried advice hereof to goa , and the moors were released . . the labours of these fathers have been very succesful in gorgistan or georgia . the first that undertook that mission was f. william of st. augustin , who was well received by the georgians , but put to death by the sultan of fabris , and was buried by the armenian religious of the order of st. dominick . . the king of persia invading one of the georgian princes , he sent his mother called gativanda to treat with him , who , after giving an ambiguous answer , caused her on the way home to be apprehended , and carried prisoner to xiras . this lady was kept in prison years , living always a most godly life in fasting and penance ; her greatest grief was , to hear that some of the captives of her country wavered in the faith. . the religious coming at that time to xiras , greatly comforted her . the king of persia being solicited to release gativanda , sent to advise her to turn mahometan , otherwise she must expect to endure the cruelest of tortures . she desiring a little time to recollect herself , spent it in prayer , and that ended , resolutely told the officers , they might fulfill their orders . they taking compassion , endeavoured to perswade , telling her , the torments would be insupportable , and she replied , the delay was the most grievous torture . . her hands being tied , the executioners put on her head a copper vessel made red hot , and tore her cheeks and breasts with burning pinchers . not a sigh came from her till she was stripped to the waste to have her breasts cut off , looking upon it more grievous to be naked , than to endure such unsupportable pains . her feet were torn , and she then fainting , they cast all the fire upon her . seeing she neither died nor complained , the executioners strangled her , after having suffered alone enough to purchase many the glory of martyrdom . . tamarascan , the queen's son , understanding the death of his mother , entred persia in a rage , and obtained several victories , in years slew above persians . at length a peace was concluded , and he restored to all he had lost . . two of the religious of st. augustin travelled towards georgia suffered great extremities in vast desarts , in some places near perishing in snow . at emanenga in armenia they were entertained by the religious of the order of st. dominick , who reside there . . at ervan , the metropolis of armenia , they were courteously received by the patriarch in a convent of religious of st. basil , whose office is long , being the whole psalter every day , and matins at midnight . that prelate was a man of a very austere life , gave great alms , redeemed captives , repaired churches , was a great reformer of manners , and suppressed married priests . he was almost adored by the armenians , and hearkened to the proposal of submiting to the see of rome . our religious found him preaching in a church , but as soon as he saw them , he took leave of the auditory , and went to receive them , washed and kissed their feet , telling the people . those were the true apostles of christ. . at length our religious entred georgia , were honourably received by the king , who refused to let them kiss his hand , but made them sit ; and knowing they carried the greatest part of his mother's body , declared himself pleased above measure . . that day they dined with the king , the next with the queen ; she and her ladies went to receive the body , and heard mass with great attention . the king caused his mother to be buried among the ancient kings of georgia . speaking of the pope , he said , he owned him as chief prelate , and had always declared him such . being presented with two images of our saviour and blessed lady , he said , he worshipped them not because they were idols , and only honoured pictures . one of the fathers reprehended him , and was going away , but he held by his habit , kissed him , and begged pardon , affirming , he knew not what he said . . next day the king and queen excused themselves to the father , praying him not to depart , but to choose any place in the kingdom to build a church and monastery . he pitched upon the city gori , which is seated in a plain watered by two great rivers well stored with fish. the patriarch an ancient and venerable person , with the bishops and other clergy , thought they could never sufficiently encourage the new foundation . this happened about the end of the year . . to conclude , with these religious they laboured as much as any in china , india , persia , and arabia . on the th of may , , after noon , at bassora was seen a cloud rising in the east in the form of a half-moon , the horns whereof seemed to inclose that city . it appeared like smoke and ashes , and moved with a noise that seemed to threaten destruction . all the country about for the space of half an hour was quite dark , then for two hours followed such a storm of wind and thunder , as terrified all those people . the turks and persians fled to the christian church , believing that the only safe place , and crying aloud , the former , codá , codá ; the latter , ala , ala ; that is , god , god , without remembring mahomet . . in the year , the enemy surprized a ship of ours there , and killed all the men but three , who being carried before hazen governour of humo , he offered them their lives if they would become mahometans . they answered , they were ready to die rather than do so . he caused them to be beheaded on the st of december , . . in africk these religious baptized the prince of melinde , who afterwards coming to the crown acknowledged the pope , writing a letter to him in the year , which he signed by the name of d. hierome chingalia . this was the first king that received the faith in those parts , which might have spread more , had not the portugueses by their enormities obliged this prince to fall off from them and the faith , as shall be seen hereafter . chap. ii. continues the government of the viceroy d. francis de gama count de vidigueyra . . this year sailed from lisbon two ships and six galleons under the command of nunno alvarez botello , and arrived all safe at goa . mean while ruy freyre de andrade with his squadron was successful in the sea of ormuz , cutting off provisions from that town , sinking some vessels , and chasing others . he had done more if better supported . . some english and dutch ships having relieved ormuz distressed by that gentleman , the viceroy strengthened by those ships come from portugal , would not suffer them to depart without being visited . he sent nunno alvarez botello admiral against them with galleons . they sailed at the beginning of the year , and were separated by a storm ; but six meeting botello , appeared in the sea of ormuz , and was received by twelve of those two nations . the fight was very terrible , and the enemy having the wind , our admiral could not come to board as he desired . the dutch admiral and vice-admiral being disabled , were forced to draw off . at the same time ruy freyre having heard the noise of the cannon came up with three galliots , and the enemy drew off to the bay of comoram . we had many men killed and wounded , among the latter our admiral botello . . about the middle of february they met again . nunno fearing he should not be able to come to board them , sent a challenge to their admiral ; but he not accepting of it , the fight began , and was continued with great fury till the enemy again drew into comoran , having lost many men , and we captains and soldiers . botello went to water at the island lare●…a opposite to them , and hearing a cannon fired , answered with another , supposing it had been a signal of battel , but the enemy stirred not then , though our vessels were almost unmasted since the last engagement . at last they thinking it time to depart drew out , and being pursued , there ensued another fight . the enemy fled , having lost in those three encounters men , and ships which were sunk ; some of them carried guns . . our admiral gave chase , but soon lost sight of them , and went to winter at mascate , whence he set out in september with sail , whereof he lost three in a storm , the men saved . he came to an anchor with the rest at soveral , where he took a rich ship of meca that sailed with a dutch pass . understanding by the prisoners some of the enemies ships were at surat , he hasted thither , and found they were the same that escaped after the fights of ormuz and comoran . it being impossible to come at them , he provoked them by signs , and set up a challenge on the city gates ; but seeing they did not stir , sailed away . not far from damam he discovers three english ships , and coming up with them found they were strong , and carried two tire of guns . they fought three days , at last the enemy made away . . there were great tumults at macao , the inhabitants of that city forcing their commander d. francis mascarennas to shut himself up in the fort , but being defeated , were pardoned by him . the chineses growing jealous on account of the wall built by him , it was found absolutely necessary to throw down part of it . . the patriarch d. alfonso mendez now set out from diu for ethiopia with fathers , and other retinue in vessels . he landed at bailur , a town subject to a little king , and travelled over the field called of salt , because that is found there which passes in stead of money being like small bars . next is the mountain , where is another sort of reddish salt , good against some diseases . travelling by night , by reason of the heat of the day , they saw an exhalation so bright , it enlightned all the country about . this was held as a good omen . at fremona they understood the same light had been seen there . they travelled with greater labour to the court , and were received with great joy by the emperor , who soon after acknowledged the pope's supremacy ; but this happiness was not lasting , as shall appear hereafter . . about this same time was discovered the famous kingdom of tibet , extending to the springs of ganges . the natives are well inclined , and docible , zealous of their salvation , and value things of devotion given them by their priests called lama's , who profess poverty and chastity , and are much given to prayer . they have strange customs and ceremonies , churches like the most curious of ours , and some knowledge of the christian religion , but mixed with many errors ; they abhor the mahometans and gentiles . it plainly appears , that in former ages they had the true light of the gospel . they are easie to be converted . the country produces some fruit like that of europe , rice and wheat , and breeds cattle , but there is much barren . it is fit to say somewhat of their religion and lama's . their habit is a red cassock without sleeves , for the arms are naked ; it is girt with a piece of cloth of the same colour , the ends whereof hang down to the feet ; on their shoulders a striped cloth , which they say is the habit of the son of god ; at their waste hangs a little bottle of water . they keep two fasts , in the greatest they eat but once a day , and speak not a word ; necessary affairs are expressed by signs : in the second it is allowed to eat as often as every one pleases , but flesh only once . they call to prayers with trumpets , some made with dead men's bones ; the skulls serve to drink out of : of other bones beads are made , which they say is to put them in mind of death . the churches are opened only twice a year , those who resort to them walk round three times , then enter and do reverence to the images . among which are some of angels , called by them lat. the greatest is he that intercedes before god for the souls . it being painted armed , with the devil under its feet , make it supposed to be st. michael . it is not unworthy consideration , that lamas , the name of their priests , begins with la , which signifies an angel. the young lama's go about the towns dancing regular and modestly with crowns , bells and other noisy instruments . they say , it is in imitation of the angels , as they are painted among us , singing in choirs . the beginning of every month they make a procession with black flags , figures of devils , drums and musick , and believe this chases the evil spirits . holy water is made with many prayers , and putting into it gold , coral , and rice , and is used against devils that haunt houses . the country people bring to the towns black horses , cows , and sheep , over which the lama's say many prayers , saying , the devils endeavour to get into black cattle . they cure the sick by blowing on the part afflicted . three sorts of funerals are used , according to the star rules the time of death . one is after our manner ; and there are tombs adorned with gilded pyramids . another is burning the body , and of the ashes mixed with clay they make images , by which they swear . another is casting the bodies to certain white birds like cranes , and this is reckoned the happiest burial . these three forms are used with such as are esteemed to have lived well , for others being cut in pieces are thrown to dogs . they believe the good dying go directly to heaven , the bad to hell ; but such as are indifferent between both , their souls instantly return into noble or base creatures , according to their deserts . they advise fathers to give their children the names of filthy beasts , that the devil may be loth to meddle with them . they use divination after a ridiculous manner . in fine , they acknowledge one god in trinity ; that his son becoming man died , and is in heaven ; that he is god as well as his father , and man at the same time ; that his mother was a woman , and gone to heaven ; that from the death of the son till that time , were about years . they know there is a hell , in the same manner as we do . they burn lamps , that god may light them in the way of the other world. . f. anthony de andrade , and andrew marquez , both jesuits , set out for this kingdom from delhi in the mogol's country with a caravan , that conducted pilgrims to a famous pagod . they passed the kingdom of laor , and came to the vast mountains , whence the ganges falls into the deep valleys . on the way they saw many stately temples full of idols . the great fatigue lessened the pleasure of seeing the variety of beautiful trees , and smelling those odoriferous flowers , on the scent whereof the ancients said those people lived . at the kingdom of siranagar they saw the ganges running over snow , the whiteness whereof almost blinds such as travel that way . . at the end of days they came to the pagod on the borders of the kingdom of siranagar , whither multitudes resort to wash in a spring so hot it is scarce tolerable , which they imagine cleanses them from sin. there food here is raw flesh , and are very healthy eating much snow . the women there do what is the work of men among us , and the contrary ; the women plow , and the men spin. hence the fathers came to the town of mana , and having rested , continued their journey , almost blind with the continual travelling among snow , till they saw the springs of ganges , which runs out of a great lake . soon after they entred the kingdom of tibet , and were honourably received by officers sent to that purpose from the king's court at chaparague . the king and queen heard them with much satisfaction , and admitted their doctrine without any dispute . . the time being come they must return to siranagar , the king would not permit them to depart till they swore they would return , and then he promised they should have liberty to preach , and he would build them a church , being much pleased with a picture they left him of our lady with our saviour sleeping in her arms. the fathers returned acccording to promise , and the king in pursuance of his built the church with great joy , and was afterwards baptized with the queen , notwithstanding the lama's for their private ends did all they could to oppose it . the fathers understood by merchants who came from china , that it was days journey distant from that court , travelling through the kingdom of usangu●… , days journey from the same court , and thence to china : that there were two great kingdoms where the cross was much used . that cathay is not a kingdom , but a great city and metropolis of a province subject to the grand sopo , very near china . hence perhaps some gave china the name of cathay . perhaps this empire of tibet is that of prester iohn , so much spoken of , and not ethiopia , as was believed . but let us return to india . . in april . malabar parao's took a portugues ship , carrying the men into slavery under arcolo , a king of the country opposite to the place where the famous fort of cunnale once stood . among the prisoners were two franciscans , one whereof proved so acceptable to the king , that he was the cause of settling a firm peace between him and the viceroy . . two ships arrived from lisbon , which returning home the next year were lost , with the whole portugues fleet upon the coast of france in a terrible storm , and was the greatest loss portugal sustained since the time of king sebastian . . there being nothing remarkable this year in india , let us see what the carmelites did in persia , where they got footing in the year . they soon erected several convents , and confirmed the armenians who were in danger of falling from the faith , terrified with the persecution raised by the king of persia. f. basil of st. francis was very successful among those called of saint iohn about bassora . in the short space of six months he preached in the difficult persian , arabian and turkish languages , as if he had part of the gift of languages peculiar to the apostles , and gained such reputation , that many neighbouring princes permitted him to preach and build churches in their dominions . . f. iohn thadeus and f. peter of saint thomas went to the city xiras , being sent for by the sultan thereof , where they converted some mahometans ; others gave them their doubts in writing to be sent to rome , assuring if they were satisfied in those points , there would be no need of preaching to convert them . ve●…taviet moses an armenian bishop , acknowledged his error in denying the supremacy of the church of rome , and promised to perswade all her diocess to acknowledge it . in fine , these fathers have laboured with great profit and success . . three ships sailed this year from lisbon to india , one of them at his return , on this side the cape good hope , fought twice with three dutch ships , and came off with honour . . nunno alvarez botello sailing with his galleons for mascate , there arose such a terrible storm , that it parted all his company from him , and he had much difficulty to perswade his men in despair to work : the tempest ceasing their provisions fell snort ; there was but one pipe of water for men , and no land near where they might be supplied . some died with thirst , others running mad leaped over-board . after a fortnight spent in this miserable condition , they discovered the land of rozalgat●… always fatal to the portugueses . the men cried to go ashore , but nunno with fair words and kindness disswaded them , and coming to teve they were relieved without danger . . off surat nunno discovered six dutch ships , he gave them c●…ace , but lost them . he sailed to bombaim to refit a galleon , and thence to the bar of diu. an english and dutch squadron , both consisting of sail , sailed to bombaim thinking to find him there . they battered the fort , and m●…ting no opposition burnt the poor towns along the coast. a dutch captain entring the church of our lady of hope , with his sword cut to pieces a great crucifix , and burnt part of it . he had soon after the reward of this barbarity , his ship being burnt by ruy freyre , and he with all the men slain . nunno hearing of this action begged the crucifix of the rector , vowing to carry it always with him , till he had revenged the wrong , or died in the execution of it . so it fell out , as will be seen hereafter . . the king of achem fitted out a fleet of galleys against malaca , d. francis coutinno with . sail burnt of them killing or taking men , and bringing off pieces of cannon . . on the th of iune dutch ships came before the port of macao , designing to fall upon the fleet was ready to sail for iapan . the king's revenue being low , our commander could act nothing against them , some rich men undertook it in merchant ships . they fitted out five , and boarding the enemy's admiral burnt her , killing men , taking , pieces of cannon , a quantity of ball , some money and much provisions . the other fled . . ferdinand de sousa commanded at angola , and after defending it against two dutch squadrons , fortified the coast the space of half a league , raising works planted with cannon , and cast up a trench at the bar of corimba , which secured it against any attempt . zinga queen of angola went with a great power to besiege the garrison of ambaça , but iohn carreyro sending a company of portugueses to assist that lord who was our friend , the queen was defeated . a body of men marching to her aid was met by nine portugueses with a number of blacks , who fled at first sight ; the nine portugueses fought till their pouder was spent , and two being killed , the other seven were taken , which was no small satisfaction to the queen , and many of the blacks who before were our friends , hereupon became neuters . . soon after the queen was defeated and deposed , and her brother airiquibange crowned king , being become a christian , as did many persons of note by his means . at congo the city salvador was taken by the prince of sunne , who killing the king , placed in his stead d. ambrose of the same blood royal. he proved a wise and religious prince . . the beginning of this year went from portugal for india but one ship , and a pink. the latter as it return'd was burnt by the dutch , and the men made prisoners . but in november ships more set sail . the viceroy returned to portugal in the first ship , having resigned the government to d. f. luis de brito bishop of cochim , by reason d. francis mascarennas , appointed to succeed him , was gone to spain . the count this second time govern'd above years . he was the th viceroy , and th governor ; the th of the name , and th of the sirname . chap. iii. the government d. f. luis de brito , bishop of cochim , from the year , till . . the king having ordered the count de vidigueyra to resign the government to d. francis mascarennas then gone to spain , he committed it to d. f. luis de brito , bishop of cochim . there being no account of any thing memorable in this first year of his government , we will go on to next . the first that occurs is what happened at ceylon . . our general constantine de sa having declared war against candea , f. francis negram sent him advice to attack that city immediately , and he might take the king , as being wholly unprovided ; he lost the opportunity by only a short delay about other affairs . nevertheless the city was destroyed with fire and sword. . the king of achem imflamed with the desire of recovering malaca , contrary to the laws of nations , imprisoned our ambassador then residing at his co●…t , and made extraordinary preparations for a siege , as designing to undertake it in person . laçamane his great general who had conquered many kings for him , opposed this resolution , for which he lost his prince's favour . . marraja ambitious by flattery to gain his prince's esteem , promised the king to make him soon master of that so much coveted town ; and hereupon had the command of the sea given him , as laçamane that of the land. the king set out with a fleet of near sail in which he carried men , and a great train of artillery . in this number of vessels were fortyseven galleys of extraordinary strength , beauty and value , all near one hundred foot in length , and of a proportionable breadth . the king went aboard with his treasure , wife and children ; but upon some ill omen the fleet sailed without him , and came before malaca at the beginning of iuly . . as they landed they marched towards the castle that is between the city and pangor . antony pinto de fonseca with men , charges them , and kills above without losing a man. iohn suarez vivas , who commanded portugueses at iller , after doing great execution among the enemy on several occasions , overpower'd by their numbers was forced to abandon that post. . the enemy having gained mount st. iohn , thence battered the fort furiously , which answered with no less liberality . the capuchin convent of the mother of god was of importance to the defence of the fort , iames lopez de fonseca having defended it days , made a sally with men defeating of the enemy . lopez falling sick , francis carvallo de maya took that post and defended it so well , that the enemy was provoked to batter it with such fury , that the monastery was abandoned , being levelled with the ground . out of those ruins the enemy raised good works , where laçamane held his quarter with men. maraja had another large fort upon mount st. iohn ; there was another towards iller ; another at st. laurence , and so in other places with lines of communication . they provided boats to run up the river , and straiten the town on all sides . . our general fonseca desiring to disturb laçamane , sent vivas with portugueses to attack his works . he killing and the rest flying , possessed himself of the work by night , and retired with some of the cannon . the king of pam our allye understanding the posture of our affairs , sent a fleet with men to the assistance of the town . next came michael pereyra borallo with five sail from st. thomas , but all was too little to remove so powerful an enemy , though they had lost above men , having killed but of ours . this was the condition of the town at the end of october when nunno alvarez botello arriv'd there . . the bishop then governor was informed of this design upon malaca in iune , and of the weakness of the place , which required a speedy relief . it was then the dead of winter , and the bishop was not very forward ; so the business was put off till september . the bishop falling sick minded the recovery of his health , more than the town , and was put in mind by the principal men of goa ( moved thereto by nunno alvarez botello ) of the great danger that place would be exposed to , if not speedily relieved . they desired him to appoint some person who might forward that business since sickness hindred him . he , after seeming to approve of what they said , could never be prevailed with to name any , fearing perhaps he so named would wrest the government from him sooner than death . . but death took him away about the end of iuly , that those who were ambitious to relieve malaca might put their designs in execution . that bishop governed nineteen or twenty months , was the forty-seventh governor , second of the name , first of the sirname , and the second prelate that had that command . chap. iv. of the viceroy d. francis mascarennas in the year , with sundry occurrences at pegu , martavam , prom , siam , and other places . . don francis mascarennas had served so well in india , that without solliciting he was appointed viceroy there , at the same time he was coming for spain . being arrived here , he was sent back this year with the same title , and sailed from lisbon with three ships , only one of them reached india , the other two with the viceroy were put back to lisbon . . in the viceroy's ship a gentleman was taken actually committing an abominable crime , whom the viceroy caused to be shot in pieces at the mouth of a cannon . he he was accused of this action , as not having power of life and death , being at that time upon his return , yet he was well received at court , and sworn of the council of state of portugal . he may be reckoned the th viceroy , and th governor , the th of the name , and th of the sirname . . since this gentleman not passing to india has deprived us of the worthy actions might be expected from him , let that want be supplied with an account of exploits of the black king of siam , in whom appeared a strange mixture of virtues and vices . much has been said of him already , whereof some hints shall be given here , and all that was before omitted added . . in the year , the king of the brama's by sea and land besieged the city martavam , metropolis of the great and flourishing kingdom of that name , whose yearly revenue was millions of gold , chaubainaa being then king , and nhay ca●…otoo queen thereof , who from the height of fortune fell to the depth of misery . the brama fleet consisted of sail , of them great galleys . in them were portugueses commanded by one iohn caeyro , reputed a man of valour and conduct . . after a siege of months and assaults , wherein the brama's lost men ; chaubainaa found it was impossible to withstand that power , provision being already so scarce , they had eaten elephants . he offered to capitulate , but no conditions were allowed by the besieger ; and therefore resolved to make use of the portugueses , to whom he had always been very just and serviceable . but man never remembers favours received in prosperity of those he sees in adversity . . the disconsolate king sent one seixas to cayero to offer , if he would receive him , his family and treasure into the four ships under his command , he would give half the treasure to the king of portugal , become his vassal , and pay such tribute as should be agreed upon , not doubting with the assistance of portugueses , who should be maintained at his own expence , to recover his kingdom . caeyro consulted the principal portugueses , and in their presence asked of seixas what the treasure of martavans was ; who affirmed , he had not seen all , but that of what he had two of our ships might be loaded with jewels and gold , and or of silver . the portugueses envious of the great fortune cayero might make by accepting that offer , threatned to discover him to the king of brama if he consented . . the king of martavam surprized at this refusal , and seeing seixas took his leave to fly the danger that threatned the city , gave him a pair of bracelets , excusing the smallness of the gift , and they were afterwards sold to the governour of narsinga for ducats . then he resolved to fire the city and , sallying with those few men he had left , die honourably among his enemies . but that night an officer with men dedeserted to the enemy , and discovered the design . the king thus betrayed , capitulated with the enemy for his own and the lives of his wife and children , and leave to end his days in retirement . this and more was granted easily , because the conquerour designed to perform no part of the promise . . from the city gate to the king of brama's tent was a league distance , all which way was a lane of many thousand musketiers of sundry nations , and next the gate were posted the portugueses . the first came out was the queen in a chair , her two daughters and two sons in two others . about them beautiful ladies led by as many ancient ones encompassed with talegrepos , ( a sort of religious men among them habited like our capuchins ) who prayed and comforted them . then came the king guarded by his enemies , seated on a small she-elephant , cloathed in black velvet ; his head , beard , and eye-brows shaved , and a rope about his neck , which moved even the enemy to compassion . . the unfortunate king seeing the portugueses would not stir one foot till they were removed from that post , and that done went on . being come before the king of brama , he cast himself at his feet ; but not being able to speak for grief , the raolim of mounay talaypor , chief priest of those gentiles , and esteemed a saint , made an harangue in his behalf , of force to have moved to compassion any other but that obdurate king. the miserable king , his queen , children , and ladies , were secured . the two following days were spent in removing the treasure , at which men laboured , and it amounted to millions of gold. the third day the army had liberty to plunder , which lasted four days , and was valued millions . next the city was burnt , wherein perished by fire and sword above souls , besides as many made slaves ; temples , and houses , were laid even with the ground . there were in the town pieces of cannon , quintals of pepper , and as much of other spices . . the morning that followed this destruction , there appeared on a hill called beydao gibbets , with a strong guard of horse . thither was led the queen , with her children and ladies , in all making , and were all hanged up by the feet . the king and men of great quality were cast into the sea with stones about their necks . the army seeing this barbarity , mutinied , and the king was in great danger . . he leaving people to rebuild the ruined city , returned to pegu with the rest of his army , and among them iohn caeyro and his portugueses . of these , four stayed at martavam ; one of them was iohn falcam , who , in stead of assisting fernan mendez pinto , sent by peter de faria commander of malaca to confirm the peace with the murdered king , accused him to the governour of the town as an enemy to the king of brama . the governour seized pinto's vessel , and in it goods to the value of ducats , killed the master and some others , and sent the rest prisoners to pegu. this false dealing was not new in falcam , for he had before forsaken the murdered king after being much honoured by him . . the king of brama , who thought now to reap the fruit of his victories in peace , was alarmed by him of siam , who attempted to recover the kingdom of tangu , which had been wrested from him . in march , he embarked men on vessels upon the river ansedaa , and passing out of it into that called pichau malacon in april , came before the city pro●… . the king hereof was dead , and had left a son to inherit but years of age , married to the king of avaa's daughter , from whom he expected men would come to his assistance . this moved the king to press the siege , hoping to gain the city before that succour could come . after days , the queen offered to hold the crown of him , and pay what tribute he should impose , provided he would draw off from the city . . the king insisted , that the queen should put herself into his hands with all her treasure , but she knowing how perfidious he was , resolved to defend herself . he gave several assaults , and by the sword in them , and a plague that raged in the army , lost men , among which were portugueses . . this way of assault proving so pernicious , he raised a mount , which overlooking the town , and being full of cannon , left no place of safety to the besieged ; but of them sallying , destroyed the mount , killed of their enemies , carried off cannons , and wounded the king , who in a rage slew portugueses that were upon the guard , as negligent of their duty . . about the end of august , xemin melatay , one of the four principal men that commanded in the city , treacherously gave him entrance , and the place was utterly subverted with fire and sword. two thousand children cut in pieces were served as food for the elephants . the queen was publickly whipped , and delivered up to the lust of the soldiers till she died . the young king was tied to her dead body , and cast into the river ; the same was done with gentlemen , after stakes were drove through their bodies . . the prince of avaa marching to the relief of his sister , understood what had happened , and meeting the traytor xemin that had betrayed her leading a great power , they came to a battel , in which all the avaa's were slain to , having made an incredible slaughter of their enemies . the king coming up , fell upon those and slew them all , with the loss of of his army , and then beheaded the traytor xemin . . after this victory he went up the river queytor with men in boats , and coming to the port of avaa about the middle of october , burnt above vessels and some villages with the loss of men , and among them portugueses . he understood the city was defended by moors , of which people had at meleytay slain of his army ; and that the king of siam was preparing to come to their relief . upon this news he returned with speed to prom and fortified himself , whilst an ambassador went to purchase succours from the emperor of calaminam with rich presents , and the offer of certain lands . . the empire of calaminam is said to be leagues in length , and as much in breadth , formerly divided into kingdoms , all using the same language , beautified with many cities and great towns , and very fruitful . in it is to be found all that asia produces . the metropolis is called timpham , seated on the river pitui , which is covered with multitudes of boats. it is girt by two strong and beautiful walls , contains inhabitants , the buildings good , especially some stately palaces with fine gardens ; in and about it are temples belonging to several sects . some use bloody sacrifices , and some of the priests abstain from women , but satisfie their lust by such ways , it were better they did not abstain . the women are well shaped , fair and beautiful ; though beautiful , they are chast , two qualifications seldom go together . their habit suitable to their quality , not the purse . the great ones are served in gold. in their law suits , ( o happy country ! ) they use no attorneys , sollicitors , not pr●…ctors ; all things are decided at one hearing . the kingdom maintains soldiers , of them horse : elephants , whereof the emperor styles himself lord by reason of their numerousness ; his revenue is above millions . there remain some footsteps of christianity from ancient times among them ; as , that they believe the blessed trinity , and make the sign of the cross when they sneeze . . this was the empire of calaminnam , whither the king of brama sent his ambassador . he being returned , the king sent men in boats against the city sebadii , leagues distant towards the north-east . the general chaunigrem having lost many men in several assaults , raised two mounts , whence he did great harm in the city ; but the besieged sallying , killed at once , another time of his men. let us a while leave the king of brama's affairs in this condition to see what was done at siam , in order to treat of them both together . . the king of cheammay , after destroying men that guarded the frontiers , besieged the city of guitirvam , belonging to the king of siam , who immediately gathered men , among which were portugueses much honoured by him . this multitude was conveyed along the river in boats , and by land marched elephants , and pieces of cannon . he found the enemy had about men , and boats. the siammite gave the command of his army to three generals , two turks , and one portugues called dominick seixas . at first the siammite was worsted , but recovering , defeated his enemy , killing men , whereof almost were good horse . this victory cost him , but of the worst of his army . . this done , he marched against the queen of guibem , who had given the enemy passage through her country , and entring the city fumbacor , spared neither sex nor age. the queen being besieged in her court of guiror , agreed to pay a tribute of ducats , and gave her son as hostage . then he advanced towards the city taysiram , ( whither he thought the king of chiammay was fled ) putting all to fire and sword , only sparing the women ; then winter coming on , returned home . . being come to his court of oiaa , or odiaz , he was poisoned by the queen , then big with child by one of her servants ; but before he died , caused his eldest son , then young , to be declared king. he left ducats to the portugueses that served him , and ordered they should pay no duties in any of his ports for years to come . . the adulterous queen , being near the time of her delivery , poisoned her lawful son , married her servant , and caused him to be proclaimed king. but they enjoyed not the crown long , being both slain at a feast on the second of february by the king of cambodia and oya pansiloco , with all their adherents . chap. v. continues the affairs of the kings of siam and pegu. . there being no lawful heir to the kingdom of siam , pretiel a religious talagrepo , bastard brother to the poisoned king , was by common consent received as such , in the beginning of the year . the king of brama or pegu ( for it is the same ) seeing the affairs of siam in consusion , resolved to conquer that kingdom . he raised an army of men , among which were portugueses , horse , musqueteers , elephants , cannon drawn by as many yoke of oxen and abadas , and waggons of ammunition drawn by bufaloes . the portugueses were commanded by iames suarez de melo called the gallego , who came to india in the year , in was pyrating about moçambique , in was at the relief of malaca , and in being in the service of this king was worth four millions in jewels and other things of value , had a pension of ducats yearly , and the title of the king's-brother , was supream governour of all his dominions , and general of his army . . the king marched with that prodigious multitude , and after one repulse took the fort of tapuram defended by siammites , putting all to the sword , with the loss of of men. by the way the city iuvopisam surrendred , and he sate down before odiaa , the capital of siam , which seemed to make no account of that great power . iames suarez who commanded in chief surprized hereat , gave an assault and lost men. another attempt was made with elephants , but with no better success . . the king offered ducats to have a gate of the city delivered to him ; oya pasiloco who commanded in the town understanding it , opened a gate , and sent to tell him he might bring the money , for he was ready to receive it . the tyrant had no answer to make , but continuing the siege with vigour , was forced to flacken upon the coming of the new king. five months being spent with the loss of men ▪ news was brought that xemindoo , a man of great parts , had rebelled at pegu , and killed men that opposed him . as soon as this was known in the camp , pegues deserted in hatred to that foreign ring that oppressed , and to the insolence of iames suarez who commanded them . . xemindoo was of the ancient blood royal of pegu , a great preacher , and esteemed a saint . he made a sermon so efficacious against the tyranny of princes and oppression of that kingdom ; that he was taken out of the pulpit and proclaimed king. whereupon he slew brama's in the palace , seizing all the treasure , and in a few days all the strong holds in the kingdom submitted to him . . the armies of the two kings met within two leagues of the city pegu ; that of brama consisted of men , xeminboos of ; of the latter about were slain , and of the former . the victorious king entred pegu , and contrary to agreement slew many , and seized great treasures . . mean while the city martavam declares for xemindoo , killing bramaes . xemim of zatam did the same in the city of that name . the king marched towards him , but he contrived to have him murdered by the way . this was the end of that tyrant . . xemim was proclaimed king by his party , and in nine days gathered above men. chaumigrem , brother to the dead king , plundered the city and palace and fled to tangu where he was born . xemim de zatan became so odious by his ill government , that in four months many of his subjects fled , and some joined with xemind●…o , who made an army of men. let us leave him a while to relate the end of iames suarez de melo , after the wonderful rise already mentioned . . iames suarez passing by a rich merchant's house , on the day of his daughter's wedding , and seeing the great beauty of the bride , attempted to carry her away by force , killing the bridegroom and others who came to her rescue . mean while the bride strangled her self . . the father expecting no justice whilst that king reigned , shut himself up , and never stirred abroad till xemim de zatan coming to the crown , he so lamented his wrong about the town , that above of the people gathered about him crying out for justice . the new king searing some worse consequence caused suarez to be apprehended and delivered up to that rabble . . this was accordingly performed , and and the multitude stoning him he was in a minute buried under a heap of rubbish . no sooner was that done , but they took the body from under that pile , and tearing it in pieces delivered it to the boys to drag about the streets , they giving them alms for so doing . his house was plundered , and the treasure found being much less than what was expected , it was believed he had buried the rest . . the new king xemim de zatan soon followed iames suarez , for his subjects no longer able to bear his cruelty and avarice , fled in great numbers to xemimdoo , who was now master of some considerable towns. he marched to the city pegu with men , and elephants . zatan met him with , and the fight was long doubtful , till gonçalo neto who with portugueses followed xemimdoo , killed zatam with a musket shot , which opened the way for zemimdoo into the city , where he was crowned on the d of february . gonzalo neto had crowns for that fortunate shot , and his companions . . chaumigrem , who the year before retired to pegu , hearing afterwards that xemindoo was unprovided , marched against him , and obtaining the victory brought that crown again under the subjection of the bramaes . xemindoo taken some time after , was publickly beheaded . . the war began again between chaumigrem king of pegu and him of siam . the army of pegu consisted of men , among which were many portugueses , and elephants . all this army came to ruin , and the kingdom of pegu was made subject to that of arracam , as was related in the d chapter of the d part of this tome . the kingdom of siam , though much harassed with these invasions , held out , and in the year , whereof we now treat , was possessed by the black king , so called because he really was so , whereas all that people is white and fair . . this king in the year , sent an embassy to goa , desiring some franciscans would come to preach in his kingdom . f. andrew of the holy ghost went , and was much honoured by him at his court of odiaa . he not only gave him leave to erect a church , but was himself a●… the whole ●…xpence , and offered the father great riches , which he constantly refused to the great admiration of that king. . this prince was of stature small , of an ill presence , and of temper in part most wicked , and in part generous . tho' cruel men be generally cowards , he was most cruel and valiant ; and whereas tyrants for the most part are covetous , he was most liberal . as much barbarity as he practised in some things , he shewed as much goodness in others . . he was not content to put thieves and robbers to common deaths , but caused them to be torn to pieces in his presence , and for his pastime by tigers and crocodiles . understanding that a king his vassal was about to rebel , he shut him up in a cage , and fed him with morsels of his own flesh torn from his body , and then had him fryed in a pan. with his own hand he cut court-ladies off at the waste , only because he said they walked too fast . he cut off the legs of others because they staid long , being sent for money he was to give to certain portugueses : the first suffered for going too fast , these for being too slow . . this severity extended to brute beasts . he cut off the paw of a monkey he much valued , because the silly beast put it into a box wherein were some curiosities . a horse no less esteemed had his head cut off in the stable before the rest , because he stopt not when he checked him . some crows making a noise over the palace , he caused of them to be catched , some were kill'd , others shut up , and others turned loose with yokes about their necks . a tiger that did not immediately seize a criminal cast to him , was by his command beheaded as a coward . thus much of the wicked part of this prince , now to speak of his vertues . he kept his word inviolably , was rigorous in the execution of justice , liberal above measure , and very merciful to those that committed pardonable faults . he sent a portugues with much money to malaca to buy several goods , he after buying them lost all at play , and yet had the boldness to return to the king's presence , who received him kindly , saying , he valued the consifidence reposed in his generosity , more than all the goods he could have brought . he shewed great respect to our religious men , and encouraged the planting of christianity in his dominions . his valour was unspeakable . . let us conclude this chapter with a short description of this kingdom . it s proper name is sornau . the extent along the coast is about leagues , and the breadth up the inland . most of the country consists of fruitful plains , being watered by many rivers : it is plentiful of all sorts of provisions . the hills are covered with variety of trees , particularly abundance of ebony , brasil and angelin . there are many mines of sulphur , salt-petre , tin , iron , silver , gold , zaphirs and rubies ; much sweetwood , benjamin , wax , cinnamon , pepper , ginger and cardamum , sugar , honey , silk and cotton . the king's revenue is about millions . in his dominions are almost cities and towns , besides innumerable villages . all the towns are walled , the people for the most part timorous , weak and unarmed . the coast reaches to both seas ; on that of india are iunzalam and tanauzarim ; on that of china , mompolocota , cey , lugor , chinbu and perdio . chap. vi. of the governor nunno alvarez botello , in the year . . the bishop late governor being deceased , and the next patent of succession opened , there appeared two named ; d. laurence de cunna commander of goa for the civil government , and nunno alvarez pereyra for the military . of this last name there were two in india , or none ; for if d. nunno alvarez pereyra , a gentleman well known , was meant , there wanted the title of don ; and if nunno alvarez botello , the sirname was wrong . . it was thought unlikely the title of don could be omitted through a mistake , because in portugal it is peculiar to some families only , and therefore could not be forgot . the mistake as to nunno alvarez botello was more probable , because he had long gone by the name of pereyra , in memory of his grandfather alvarez pereyra , and changed pereyra for botello when he inherited the estate of his father botello ; yet some called him by the one , and some by the other name . for this reason , and because the counsel of goa , and the count de linnares when he came to india allowed nunno alvarez botello as such , i have given him this place among the governors of india . . nunno alvarez botello zealous of the honor of his country , and considering how dangerous delays might prove to malaca then in distress , undertook the relief of that place , saying , he would refer the decision of the debate about his or the others right to the government till his return . nevertheless by general consent he went with the title of governor . afterwards it was concluded by the counsel of goa , that gonçalo pinto de fonseca the high chancellor , should have the charge of the administration of justice . thus the whole government was divided between cunna , fonseca , and nunno . . nunno now admitted as governor , left the palace to go live upon the shore , to be the more at hand to forward the preparations for his design , wherein he used such diligence , that having that charge committed to him on the d of august , by the beginning of september he had gathered portugueses , a good train of artillery , store of arms and ammunition , and had sail ready to put to sea , if the weather had permitted . . he set sail the th of september , and was in storms ; of them so terrible , they all gave themselves for lost . in this manner he sailed to pulubutum , and sent vessels to give notice of his coming at malaca , but came himself before the advice , and understood that michael pereyra botello sent by the bishop late governor was there before him . at pulubutum he found a vessel of cochim , and two of negapatan , which was some addition to his fleet. on the th of october after noon , the fleet arrived at malaca divided into squadrons , nunno commanded one , the vice-admiral coello and d. hierome de silveyra the other two . laçamane was strangely surprized , because his fleet was then in the river pongor , a league from the fort , whence they could not escape ours . . our general landed and gave the necessary orders , then imbarquing again entred the river through showers of bullets , which he repaid so effectually , that the enemy the same night abandoned their advanced works , retiring to those of the capuchin monastery . there was not water enough in the river pongor for our ships , therefore our general put what men he could aboard balones or balames , lighter vessels , and with them went in person to view the enemy's strength . . the enemy in care for their galleys , quit their works at madre de dios and st. iohn , and with wonderful expedition cast up others . nunno attacks them , and gained so much advantage , he proposed to the enemy to surrender , marraja returned a civil and resolute answer . . his case being desperate , he attempted to escape by night in the lesser vessels , leaving the main fleet to our disposal , but was discovered and prevented by the vigilance and bravery of beltasar mendez vasquez de evora , who cut off many of his men , not without some loss , whereof was no small part that of his own arm. our governor understanding the enemy resolved to make use of their formidable galleys prepared to receive them , and perceiving that called the terror of the world move , sent francis lopez admiral of our galleys to attack her : he pierced through clouds of smoke , and millions of bullets , boards , and after two hours fight makes himself master of her , killing of moors she carried , with the loss of seven of his own men. . on the th of november the enemy firing a galley that was full of women brought to people malaca , and now sent to people hell , again attempted to break through our fleet , but without success , many of them were taken , and many leaping into the water fled to the woods , where they were devoured by wild beasts . laçamane hanging out a white flag , sent commissioners to treat with nunno , who answered , no treaty could be allowed , till they delivered our ambassador peter de abreu , whom they kept prisoner . but they delaying , our cannon began again to play furiously . . the last day of november our governor understood marraja was killed , and at the same time , that our allye the king of pam was coming with sail to his assistance . nunno went to visit him , and his mother who came with him , and was received with the greatest ceremonies used by those eastern princes to our governors . presents were sent reciprocally , and nunno returned to his post. the enemy played their cannon so desperately , it made our men abate of their confidence , but on the th of december sent our ambassador abreu with proposals , only desiring galleys of all their fleet to carry off men that were left of that came before the town . . it was answered , they must immediately surrender upon promise of life . whilst laçamane doubted , nunno assaults him , and forcing all his works puts many to the sword ; some flying to the river are drowned , others in the woods become food to the wild beasts . in fine , nunno obtain'd the most glorious victory the portugueses ever had in india ; for of all that fleet not one vessel got off , and of that great army not a man escaped being killed , or taken . the booty was such , all our men were enriched , and nunno reserved for himself nothing but a parrot much valued by laçamane . . he distributed the cannon that was taken among the forts of india , the galleys and slaves among the religious , and so the rest to others . this done , he entred the city in triumph , not that he desired it , having begged they would suffer him to go alone and barefoot , to prostrate himself before the lord of hosts , and acknowledge this victory was wholly his , and not of the portugueses , but he was forced to submit to the will and intreaties of the city . . the streets were thronged with men , the windows and tops of houses with women , sprinkling sweet waters , and strewing flowers upon our hero. the musick could not be heard for the noise of cannon , and all the city was filled with joy. the like demonstrations were afterwards in all our other eastern conquests . . this done , the governor returned aboard , having other designs in hand . then came an embassy from the king of pera tributary to him of achem now defeated , he offered to pay our crown the tribute , he had till then paid the other , and to deliver up great riches left in his custody belonging to that king and the general laçamane . d. dierome de silveyra was sent with ships to receive the treasure , and established the peace , which he performed , and returned with all that had been promised . it was applied to pay the men , and refit the fleet. . the king of pam came to congratulate the victory , and nunno set out to meet him . great civilities and presents passed between them , and the king desired leave to see the city , which was granted , and whilst he was there nobly entertained , the magistrates and officers went to visit his mother , a wise woman , and great lover of the portugueses . these ceremonies performed , nunno resolved to sail towards the streight of cingapura , to secure the ships that were expected from china against the hollanders . the king kept him company a little way , and they parted on the th of december , nunno earnestly recommending to him the taking of laçamane , who was fled into the woods , and the king promising his utmost endeavours , after which they steered several courses . chap. vii . continues the exploits of the governor and general nunno alvarez botello . . about the middle of ianuary nunno alvarez botello being about romania , there were brought prisoners to him laçamane , and two other officers , one of them the first lord of achem. such was the diligence used by the king of pam. our governor received them honourably , and laçamane being before him nothing daunted , said , behold here laçamane the first time overcome and prisoner ; but two things concur to make my misfortune more tolerable , one , that i am overcome by you ; another , that obedience to my king contrary to my own advice , has brought me into this condition . nunno replied , malaca is beholding to you for the advice you gave your prince , and i for your obedience to him . . nunno alvarez , by reason of the contrary winds , could not come up with five holland ships that were about pulolaor , and took one of our galliots coming from china , the men getting ashore . he returned to malaca to refit his ships , and resolved to attempt the fort of iacatara , the best those rebels possest in asia . but first he sent antony de sousa coutinno with laçamane's admiral galley , called the terror of the world , in which he was prisoner in order to be sent to spain , the galley went of a present to the city goa . this galley carried one gun of tambaca , a precious sort of metal , which was valued at above ducats , another much more for its curious workmanship . laçamane died before he could be brought to portugal . . nunno understanding the new viceroy , the count de linnares , was arrived at goa in october , gave him an account of what had been done , and desired assistance and his approbation to continue in those parts , in order to carry on his designs against the english and dutch. about the end of april the viceroy sent all he desired and much more , which was a full power to act as governour , without being obliged to expect any orders from goa . . mean while nunno sailed with ●… ships towards the streight of cingapura . putting in at iambe , a place abounding in pepper , and therefore much resorted to by our european enemies , after a stout opposition he took two large ships , the least whereof , with the prisoners , was sent to malaca . then sailing up the river , he discovered another ship so large and beautiful , he designed it to make his entrance into goa , but a bullet falling into the powder , blew her up . passing farther up , several of the men seeing the water cool and clear , and not knowing its venomous quality , drank of it and died . . they spent days going up the river with much trouble . about two leagues from them was the town where the hollanders had two ships under shelter , and our admiral was desirous to take them . he manned light vessels to go view the place and works ; sail of the natives and dutch met him , and were put to flight . . having viewed the works , and found it not practicable to attempt the two ships by reason of the shelter they were under , he destroyed all the neighbouring places with fire and sword , then sailed down the river designing for iacatara . by the way he discovered a dutch ship of guns laden with powder for their forts . our vessels beset and boarded her , and she took fire . . nunno understanding the danger , ordered his ships to draw off , lest the enemy's blowing up some of them might be lost with it . finding d. antony mascarennas did not bear away from her , he made to him with his galliot to bring him off ; but coming about the poop of the enemies ship , she blew up , and sunk his galliot downright . all our vessels made to that place , and of all that was in the galliot , they found nothing above water but the body of nunno alvarez , as yet with some life , which soon fled . . every body was astonished at this unfortunate accident , the body was opened to be embalmed , and his heart was found to be of an extraordinary bigness . at malaca the body was received with a general lamentation of the whole city , and honourably buried in the church of the jesuits . . nunno alvarez was well shaped , of a clear complexion , his hair yellow , somewhat tall , and limbed proportionably , his srength and valour equal , his countenance pleasing and grave . he was virtuously inclined , addicted to learning , chiefly poetry , very liberal , and not known to be addicted to any vice. . the news of his exploits and death being brought together to king philip the fourth , he writ with his own hand as follows . considering the two pinks that were fitting for india may be gone without an account of my concern for the death of nunno alvarez botello , an express shall immediately be sent by land with advice , that if i were not now in mourning for my aunt the queen of poland , i would wear it for him . i create his son an earl , and allow his wife the honours of a countess , and the profits of the fort of mocambique to pay her debts , and whatever she has belonging to the crown for ever , the revenues of military orders she is possessed of for four lives after her with ducats pension from others , and more during her life . and if the kingdom were in a better condition , i would bestow a great estate on her . nunno alvarez was the th governour , and d. laurence de cunna may be reckoned the th . chap. viii . the government of the viceroy d. michael de noronna count de linnares , from the year , till . . this year sailed from lisbon d. michael de noronna count de linnares , viceroy of india , with three ships and six galleons . one of them was cast away near the cape of good hope , and not a man of that were aboard saved . . when the count arrived at goa , nunno alvarez botello was gone for malaca , and all men promised themselves good success , when about the beginning of the year came the news of the victory by him obtained . the viceroy returned thanks to the king of pam for the succours he carried to malaca , and sent him presents . in the same manner he endeavoured to oblige the neighbouring kings , and honoured the admiral antony pinto de fonseca for his good service . . constantine de sa , who commanded in ceylon , puffed up with the honour of having destroyed the city candea , and relying too much upon the fidelity of the christian chingala's , who underhand held correspondence with that king for our destruction , gave too much credit to theodosius their captain , by whom his head was promised to the king , at the same time he promised d. constantin to deliver the king into his hands . d. constantin had more faith in that traytor than in the franciscan , who being among the enemy sent him intelligence , or in his own officers who foresaw his ruin , which soon followed . . he marched from columbo , leaving that fort with almost no garison , entred the kingdom of uva with portugueses , and destroyed the capital city . as he returned after this victory , the king of candea , who had left that town as a bait to draw him on , meets him with a great power . d. theodosius and his chingala's no sooner discovered the king's forces , but they went over to him and faced the portugueses , whom they served the moment before . . the portugueses and natives that remained with them fought three days with incredible bravery . the general d. constantin having done more than man , was slain , and then his men being broke , many were put to the sword , and many made prisoners . the king of candea understanding how weak the garison of columbo was , sate down before it with men , and a number of elephants , believing the natives had ( as was agreed ) murdered those few portugueses left there . but they seeing farther than their general , had destroyed those were to kill them , and so the king was disappointed . the death of d. constantin being known , lancelot de seixas succeeded him in the command , and being in that distress , did more than could have been expected from so small a force . . he distributed men , which was his whole strength , including the religious , among the most important posts , who behaved themselves so well , the king found he had a harder task in hand than at first he had imagined . but hunger was a more dangerous enemy within the walls , than the other without . this was much increased by the useless multitude of women and children , notwithstanding d. philip mascarennas commander of cochin sent a ship loaden with provision and ammunition to their relief , d. blas de castro five from st. thomas , and the viceroy one . yet all their hope was in nunno alvarez botello , not knowing , as yet , of his unfortunate end. . the inhabitants of cambolim à peninsula , leagues from goa , and in sight of cananor , offered the viceroy leave to build a fort there upon certain conditions . iames de fonseca , commander of zofala , was sent to carry on that work. being begun , it was interrupted by virabadar hayque , the usurper of the kingdom of canara . after much opposition , finding it could not be obstructed , he made a virtue of necessity , and seemed to be well satisfied it should go on . the principal article of the cambolims was , that no religious , but those of st. francis , should be sent thither . at this time arrived at goa two ships from portugal , one of them returning , was lost upon the bar of lisbon . . it is , doubtless , those who are destined to perish unfortunately , meet their fate even where they thought to find their safety ; this will appear by the loss of the ship st. gonzalo , some of the men whereof being taken up by that mentioned in the last paragraph , were cast away in her ; i will therefore give some account of the loss of the said ship st. gonzalo , in relation to the other . this vessel having set out from goa with two others , finding , after being parted from her company , that she could not be kept above water , they made the shore , and came to an anchor in the bay called formosa , for its largeness being leagues over , exposed to no winds but the east , north-east , and south-east , and lies near the cape of good hope . . being come to anchor , they ought whilst the weather favoured to have landed the men and goods that were not before cast overboard ; but in stead of that , at the persuasion of some officers , they attempted to suck the ship dry in order to sail again . three men were let down one after another to clear the pump , and returned not ; then a fourth being put down with a rope about him , and brought up almost dead , it appeared the steam of the pepper which had taken wet killed them . . in order to refit the ship , men landed , and remained aboard , who after days perished together with the ship , by a sudden storm being beaten to pieces upon the coast. the men left ashore built huts , because it would be long before they could find the means of going to sea , which were only by building two small vessels out of the wreck and the trees on the mountain . the captain being old and sick , gave the men leave to choose another , and they pitched upon rocque borges , who behaved himself well ; but one simon de figueyredo , in that misery ambitious of command , endeavouring to kill him missed his design , yet grievously wounded him , but borges recovering , stabbed him , and all was quiet again . . they sowed some seeds , and reaped the fruit ; mean while they lived upon rice that had been saved , some fish taken , and cows and sheep they bought of the natives for iron . the language of these natives could not be understood , therefore they had recourse to signs . they are not quite black , go naked , cover their privy parts with a skin , in winter wear cloaks of the same , about their necks hang bulls pizles , their bodies anointed with the dung of those beasts , they make sudden stops in their speech , carry fox tails in their hands to make signs with ; have no towns , but wander with their cattle like the hords of arabs ; some carry stakes and mats to make a sort of tents ; they use no tillage , and offered our men a cake that seemed to be made of meal of roots mixed with cow-dung ; they eat flesh , but almost raw , just shewed to the fire , which is made by rubbing sticks together ; their choicest food is the guts and tripes , the filth only squeezed out ; their weapons are darts and bows , no sign of religion was discovered among them . but it was observed , that on midsummer or st. iohn baptist's day they appeared crowned with garlands of sweet herbs and flowers . . the soil is fruitful , free from stones , produces all sorts of herbs , plants , sweet flowers , and variety of trees . it is watered by great rivers , and many springs . the spring begins in november . summer and winter in these parts , as also in india , are not caused by the sun coming near or going from the zenith as in europe , but by the winds . it is winter when it rains , and then the sun is in his greatest altitude ; when in his greatest declination it rains not , and then it is summer . winter begins about the end of may , when the west wind reigns , which brings great rain , and lasts till september , during which time all navigation ceases . from september till may the north east winds blow , which keep a serene sky , and this is the summer when all put to sea. let us return to the description of that country , and our men there . . there is an infinite number of wild beasts , and those very large , as deer , wolves , sea-horses , bufaloes , wild boars , monkeys , tigers , and elephants , and some rabbets not unlike our ferrets . they have abundance of wild turkeys , geese , pigeons , turtles , and partridges , which last build their nests hanging on branches of trees . thus much of the people and country about the cape of good hope . there lived our shipwreck'd portugueses , and had erected a sort of church where mass was said , and there were frequent sermons , five priests being in that company . . the ships being built , in stead of tar they made use of benjamin and frankincense ; and wanting oyl to dissolve them , supplied it with that of sea-wolves . before their departure they erected a cross on the top of a mountain , with an inscription signifying their misfortune . the vessels were launched , the men and goods shipped , one party designing for portugal , the other for india . the former , after some days fruitless labour , were almost in the same place they set out from , and in that condition were taken up by antony de sousa & carvallo in that ship which , as was before said , afterwards perished . . d. nunno alvarez pereyra was commander of moçambique , and died this year . d. philipa christian was emperor of monomotapa , with whom we were in league . a cafre , called capranzirle , rebelled against him , who falling upon a body of our men as they marched to tete , slew portugueses , the chief cause whereof was a dispute between our captains about superiority . all had been lost but for christopher de brito & vasconelos , who put a stop to the current of the victorious enemy . iames de sousa & meneses commanded moçambique at that time in the place of pereyra . soon after it was known the cafre died of a musket shot he had received , and a brother of the emperor but years of age , and a christian , baptized by the dominicans by the name of dominick , was proclaimed king. . about the end of this year a great danish ship entred the port of coulam . emanuel de camara & noronna admiral of the canara coast went to meet her with a galley and eight other vessels , she fled , he gave her chace , and coming up after a sharp dispute , fired and then took her ; what remained of her was carried to coulam . . in april , d. blas de castro , who commanded sail at negapatam , took a dutch ship , and soon after in a storm lost half his ships , and about portugueses , who got ashore , were left in slavery . the excessive covetousness of the portugueses keeping the prices of spice so high , moved our european enemies to seek it at a cheaper rate in india , and their insolencies inclined the indians to receive those holland rebels into their ports . covetousness couched under the pretence of religion , carried the portugueses to conquer those remote countries ; and the insatiable avarice of some expels and makes them esteemed less than rebels and pyrats . . two ships that sailed from lisbon for india , after five months voyage were put back into the same river , having lost many men by sickness . in november sailed two pinks . the viceroy desiring to recover ormuz , sent dominick de toral and valdez a a spaniard , to view the place , and confer with ruy freyre then at mascate about it , but it came to nothing . however a fort was built at iulfar , a fishery of pearl leagues distant from mascate . . this year our european enemies ranging the seas without any opposition took many of our ships , and ruined our trade . besides they incensed the indian princes against us , we having no body at those courts to disappoint their designs . the ruine of our affairs proceeds from the little regard the great ones have for the lesser sort ; and the covetousness of the small ones , which made them forget their country and their honour . . the portugueses dispersed in ceylon since the defeat of d. constantine , gathering again considerably annoyed the enemy . hence it appears our own disorders are our ruine . the portugueses can recover what is lost , but know not how to preserve what they gain , which is the most glorious part , it being the work of fortune to gain , and that of prudence to preserve . chap. ix . of the affairs of ethiopia , during the government of the viceroy d. michael de noronna count de linnares . . this being the last time we shall treat of ethiopia , it will not be amiss to relate some farther particulars of the reception of the patriarch d. alfonso mendez , though somewhat has been already said concerning it . he sailed from goa on the th of november , and at chaul received a letter from the emperor , congratulating his arrival in india . . all the way he travelled in ethiopia , he was entertained by the governors and principal men , was met by the sons of those portugueses who went thither with d. christopher de gama , to the assistance of the emperor then reigning , and came to fremona , the chief residence of catholicks on the th of iune , . the emperor much rejoyced at the news of his arrival , and sent two men of great quality to conduct him , but could not then see him , being in the field with his army against certain rebels . on the th of february , he was sent for by the emperor to the army . the prince accompanied by the viceroys and nobility , went out to meet and conduct him through a lane of men to a tent provided for his reception . there he put on his pontifical robes , and being mounted on a horse led by the emperor's high-steward sarta christos , and under a canopy held up by viceroys and lords , went to the church , where the emperor sitting in a rich chair , with a crown of gold on his head , and rich cushions at his feet , expected him . the emperor rising embraced him , and then all the cannon was fired . . the emperor went to his palace , the patriarch to the habitation of his religious , and having put off his pontifical ornaments returned to court. the emperor made him sit , expressed much joy for his coming , and appointed a day for all the nobility to meet and make their publick submission to the sea of rome . wednesday the th of ianuary being the day prefixed , the emperor and patriarch were equally seated , and there appeared before them all the princes , viceroys , lords , commanders , priests , religious , masters and lawyers . the patriarch made an harangue to them , which was answered in the emperor's name by his nephew and high-steward viceroy of semen melcam christos . . the speeches ended , the emperor turning to the patriarch said , i would not have your lordship believe the thing i am going about is newly thought of , for it is long since i made my submission to to his holiness by the means of father superior , who is here present . then the patriarch opening a missal , or mass-book , the emperor knelt and swore in these words . we sultan segued , emperor of ethiopia , do believe and confess , that st. peter , prince of the apostles , was by our lord jesus christ constituted head of all the christian church throughout the world , when he said to him , tu es petrus & super hanc petram edificabo ecclesiam meam , & tibi dabo claves regni coelorum ; and again , pasce oves meas . we believe and confess that the pope of rome , duly elected , is the true successor of st. peter the apostle , and has the same power , dignity , and supremacy over all the catholick church . and we do promise and swear to give true obedience to , and humbly submit our selves and our empire at the feet of the holy father urban , by the grace of god the eighth , and our lord : so help us god and the holy evangelists . . all there present swore in the same manner , and that done they took an oath to the prince as heir apparent . the emperor allotted the patriarch more and better lands than his predecessors had enjoyed , and sent him a present of crowns . there was a great resort of ethiopians to be instructed in the true catholick doctrine , their greatest difficulty was to be satisfied with one wife , and fast lent ; nevertheless the number of converts in a few days amounted to . . the emperor after this taking the field against the rebels , subdued them , killing above . still the empress continued obstinate , and was a great favourer of the schismaticks . in the years and , above were converted . there were nine residencies of the jesuits , and in them above communicants . . who would imagine this same emperor sultan segued , who had given such evident signs of a real conversion , should endeavour to root out the faith in his dominions . the same emperor on the th of iune , by publick proclamation banished the catholicks , and gave free liberty to all his subjects , to return to their antient ceremonies and errors . . the chief motives of this great change , were the natural inconstancy of the ethiopians , and their inclination to judaism . immediately after the proclamation for banishment , portuguezes suffered martyrdom ; nor were there wanting ethiopians who remained constant , notwithstanding the severity of the edicts . thus ended the great hope of reducing the emperor to the church . chap. x. continues the government of the viceroy d. michael de noronna , count de linnares . . in its proper place we said the portugueses would one day pay for the insolence wherewith they treated the kings of mombaça , and now the day is come , which was the th of august . peter leytam de gamboa was commander of that fort , who using that king as if he had been his slave , provoked him to revolt , and deliver himself from the tyranny he was under . the king was d. hierome chingulis , who being bred a catholick at goa under the religious of st. augustin , had submitted to the see of rome , as was related in the year . the memory of his father's death , who was cruelly murdered by the commander simon de melo pereyra , was no small incentive to stir up the king. . he used often to visit his father's tomb , and was once observed by a portugues , who seeing him weep , and use some ceremonies he thought savoured of mahometanism , gave an account thereof to the commander gamboa , who told him privately , he would the next day secure and send the king to goa . as soon as that man heard it , he acquainted the king by whose order he was slain in a wood by the cafres . . the king having dispatched that portugues , gathered cafres , and entring the fort as it were to visit the captain , slew him and all the guards , making himself absolute master of the place . the wife and daughter of the commander were killed with a priest , for refusing to renounce the faith. . this done , the king in his fury put all the portugueses to the sword , and fired their town . some few escaping to the convent of the augustins , held out days , when for want of provision they surrendred upon promise of their lives , but were all with their wives and children shot to death . then the king declared himself a mahom●…tan , affirming he had long hated the name of a christian. this was the effect of the portugues villanies ; for could he have lived among them , he had never proceeded to commit all these murders . . after gathering the plunder of the dead , the king came out a horseback to view the bodies of the slain , which were with their families . some of the converts died among the portugueses , the rest being assembled in the church the king made a speech , advising them to return to their old religion , which some of the auditory did ; such as refused were sent to meca with merchandize to be sold in order to bring some turks to his assistance . all was sent in a good ship , which returned with a flag ; the cazices or priests of theirs said , would defend them against all enemies , being set upon the fort. . the king putting to death all that would not renounce the faith , only spared his queen who was a native of india , and that at the request of his aunt , but treated her as a slave , and it was said afterwards , when he fled to arabia , he prevailed with her to turn mahometan . in fine , all that belonged to the church was profaned , and then the king applied himself to carry his revenge farther , advertising the neighbouring kings of what he had done , and advising them to kill all the portugueses in their dominions . those of montangante , tanga and motone put it in execution ; others sent him succors . manazonga king of the mozungoes , came in person to his assistance . . the news of the loss of mombaça being brought to goa , all men of sense rather admired it had been kept so long , than that it was now lost , being sensible of the reason there was to expect it : however immediate care was taken for the recovery of it . the viceroy fitted out a galley , a pink , galliots , and other vessels , carrying portugueses and his son , who being too young for that command , it was given to d. francis de moura , a man well versed in the affairs of india . he sailed from goa about the middle of december , came to ampaza on the d of ianuary , and was there informed of the posture of those affairs by certain portugueses . on the th he arrived at mombaça , and was joined by small vessels sent from mascate by ruy freyre with men ; adam barbosa and martin lorenco brought men at their own charge . the cities of chaul and baçaim sent each a vessel , in which were soldiers ; so the number of sea and landmen was made up to . it soon appeared this fleet would not be very successful ; for whereas they might have taken or burnt some ships of the enemy that were in the harbour , they did neither , every-captain striving to execute it , it was omitted by all . . d. francis began to land some men with difficulty , because the sea ran high , and on the th of ianuary went in his boat with the viceroy's son to view the channel of marepa , leaving five vessels there to hinder any resort from the continent to the island . five men deserted to us from mombaça . gaspar pacheco was ordered to land all necessaries for a siege under the fort upon the continent . two boats that were under the fort were taken , and d. francis sent an express to our king by the way of moçambique , promising speedily to make himself master of that place , but the event depending upon fortune , he was not so good as his word . the major dominick de toral & valdez , who went over with the viceroy from madrid , was sent to view the ground about the fort , which he found would be dangerous to be supplied with provisions from the sea , because being in the middle of the island , provisions and ammunition must be conveyed thither with a strong guard. . andrew vello took of the enemies boats , and had seamen and a soldier killed and others wounded . on the th toral went again to view the fort with men in a boat , had killed , and the ensign carvallo who dying confessed great crimes aloud . andrew vello attempting to burn the cops near the city lost one man had wounded , and failed of his design . on the th d. francis with the viceroy's son went to view the fort on the side of the sea. toral and others going up a creek observed that side . on the th d. francis and toral viewed the city of the moors , and bastion of the turks . it was resolved in council to land at the place called our lady . . d. francisco was ashore on the side of tuaca preparing gabions and necessaries to land , he made a review of his men , and found above portugueses and many blacks . on the th he ordered andrew vello what was to be done on the side of the moors city to divert the enemy , that they might not hinder our landing . this day of our seamen deserting to the enemy discovered our designs ; which caused them to move their cannon to a place whence they could annoy us . on the th the men attempting to land , could not perform it in the place appointed , because the sea was rough , but did at the place where two of the enemies ships lay . . they marched in good order with their cannon , through difficult ways to a wood where they halted and entrenched , to find out a fit place for a battery . three hundred blacks opposed the landing , but were repulsed with loss ; of our men were killed . those who were to return to the ships did it in a great consternation , some throwing away their arms at the first sight of the blacks . on the th the enemy appeared , shewing the heads of portugueses they had killed the day before . in order to make our approaches , a house defended by some blacks was taken , but found of no use to us . three battalions of blacks beset the house , and pressed those within so vigorously , that we lost men , besides many wounded , among which was d. francis hurt with arrows ; of which were mortal , as being poisoned , if the limb be not cut off , or the blood-sucked . a servant sucked those wounds and died , but saved the life of d. francis. . the no●…se of the fight brought d. ferdinand the viceroy's son thither with some men , which saved those that were left in the house , for the blacks presently retired to a wood , whence they annoyed us , till the cannon being brought they fled . d. francis being unfit to command by reason of his wounds , was carried aboard his galley , and gonçalo barros de silva was appointed to command in his stead , but the men refusing to obey him , peter rodriguez botello the vice-admiral , who had before refused that post , was obliged now to accept of it . it was now the beginning of february , and our men were more attentive to commit villanies , than prosecute on the war ; d. francis understanding it , caused himself to be carried ashore in a chair , and put some remedy to it . two large vessels were built to batter the fort , and they began to execute it successfully , and promised a good event . a battery was also raised upon the turks bastion . on the d of march the enemy began to play a twelve pounder from the moors town , which did much harm aboard our battering vessels , killing men and wounding . . on the turks bastion were planted ten pounders , and began to play . the moors of the continent attacked it by night , killed of our men , and wounded . at last that battery was found to be useless , so all was shipped again ; and it was agreed , there was no staying there longer , for winter came on , and it was necessary to return to goa . winter begins there at the end of may , and march was not yet over ; there was time enough to take the place , because it could not hold out four days . in fine , d. francis returned to goa , leaving three ships to guard the coast , and hinder any provisions from being carried to the enemy . two of them had orders as soon as winter began to retire to patij and zanzibar , which they did before their time , leaving their vessels behind . a seaman deserting before the fleet set sail , gave intelligence to the enemy of our designs ; and they planting a gun on the top of the mosque did much harm , chiefly among those that were watering to return to goa . the fleet sailed on the th of march , and arrived at goa the last day of may. . as soon as the king of mombaça saw the coast clear , he made use of his own and our two ships left there , to get away . he imbarqued all the artillery , razed the fort and city , destroyed all fruit-trees , and then sailed with his treasure , some moors , and some native christians to the coast of arabia . that place lay months desolate before any of our people knew it , and might have been so much longer , had not some moors advertised peter rodriguez botello who was at zanzibar , and immediately went over to mombaça , where beginning to build he found or servants of portugueses that had lain hid in the woods when that destruction happened . . mean while at goa the viceroy was accused for sending d. francis de mour●… upon that expedition , and he for want of conduct , and coming away too soon . the viceroy excused himself , and put the other upon his tryal , desiring toral to take the guilt upon himself , by saying he had voted for coming away , which he refused , and was months in prison without any cause shown . at last he was released to accompany d. roderick de costa , who towards the end of this year was going to discover certain islands , but meeting two dutch ships about damam had his head struck off by a cannon ball the first charge ; so the fleet returned without doing any thing . d. francis de moura was cleared of that impeachment , being honoured at madrid . . the hollanders lying at pulolaor intercepted most of our china fleet , which enabled them to relieve all their forts and factories . this great booty cost them no blood , because we had no fighting ships on that sea , all being imployed at mombaça and ceylon . . the persecution of the christians continued at iapan , but there were hopes it would cease , the emperor lying very ill . in china they were alarmed by the tartars . nababo azafacan father-in-law to king corran with the army of the mogol besieged visapor , and some time after drew off with great loss sustained by want and sickness . the mogol so highly resented this misfortune , that he removed nababo , though his favourite , and preferred to that place mobatecan his enemy , a man of great repute among the soldiers . thus ended this year , much dreaded in india , without any known reason , every body saying before it came ; ob that the year were past . chap. xi . of the recovery of ceylon , during the government of the viceroy the count de linnares . . after the natives had left but a small part of the island , ceylon in our possession , the kings of matale , uva and candea with men came to besiege columbo , the chief place then in our hands . the besieged were reduced to that extremity , it is said they eat the dead , and some mothers their own children . then came in five ships sent by the viceroy , rather to take up the cinnamon was to be sent to portugal , than relieve the place . but the besiegers thinking it was relief raised the siege . d. philip de mascarennas went over from cochin to ceylon with a pink loaden with provisions and well manned at his own expence , which was a great help to that place . . the viceroy gave the command of general of ceylon to d. george de almeyda , who set out on the th of february , in the great galley taken by nunno alvarez botello , when he destroyed the fleet of achem . this vessel tho' large being not sound enough to endure any storm might rise , a flyboat that went loaded with provisions , was ordered to keep close always with d. george , which soon left him , and was the cause that many perished . . the galley having coasted as far as cape comori , and then striking over to ceylon , a storm arose , and it appeared impossible to save her . d. george perceiving she must perish , launched the boat and got into it with persons , whereof were religious . this was done so late and with such precipitation , that there was not in the boat provision for one meal . the night was spent in lading out the water the sea and rain brought into the boat. in the morning discovering a sail at a distance , tho' d. george assured them in or days he would bring them to maldivia , they made towards it , and coming near found it was their own galley then sinking . . with much trouble on the th day they reached one of the maldivia islands about evening . this was at a time that the natives keep a fast of days , during which time they eat nothing between sun and sun , and do nothing but gormandise all the night . here d. george stayed days , spending what he had got to maintain his men , and got some shipping to go over to the coast of india . the men made a sort of habitation , but d. george lay in his boat to be always the readier against the moors , who kept them always upon their guard. there was a vast number of mosquitoes or gnats , that made the blood run where they stung ; next followed a sickness which none were free from , and was cured by bleeding ; two died of it , one a franciscan . the king of the islands writ to d. george , condoling his misfortunes , and sending him a parcel of rice . . being provided with all necessaries they sailed to cochim , where d. george lay sick a long time . when he was somewhat recovered , there came to that port pinks sent by the viceroy to the relief of ceylon with cafres , canaraes , some portugueses , xerasins , which are worth about a piece of eight each , provisions and ammunition . d. george emba●…qued with them , having raised some more men ; sailed from cochim on the th of october , and arrived at columbo the th . he marched not presently towards the enemy ( though censured upon that account ) by reason the season being wet , that country , which is for the most part plain , is boggy and overflowed . besides the trees are full of leeches , which drop down upon men as they pass , and bleed them to death . . the season being somewhat more favourable , d. george marched on the th day of ianuary , and passed the river calane towards the north. six ships were ordered to go up the river with several pieces of cannon , but only two could perform it . the first day they could march but one league , and quartered at calane . next morning having heard mass , they marched with great difficulty , by reason of the bogs and waters , through which they waded up to the breast . besides the enemies musketiers endeavoured to hinder our passage about the fort called tranqueyragrande , but many of them were slain , our general giving or pistols for every head that was brought him . this pass being cleared they advanced to another , where the enemy appeared again . our general went himself to view it , and returning disposed his men to attack those works , in which were almost men. it was done with such fury , that many of the enemy being killed , the rest fled , firing all they left behind . our army advanced to maluana , where they found only old men , who said the prince of candea hearing the approach of our men , had the day before abandoned that place . all the houses were burnt by d. george his order . . the fame of these actions made many come in and submit , whom our general treated with kindness and rewarded ; but fear and malice being equally prevalent in them , they hid themselves , thinking to get away to their own people again , which d. george understanding caused them to be apprehended , gave some as slaves to the captains , and delivering one to the cafres , they in sight of his wife and children immediately cut him in pieces , which they divided among themselves to eat . . the army marched to cardevola , where were forts , whence showers of bullets flew . the general having viewed them , drew out battalions to give the assault . these advanced , and the whole army ambitious of sharing the honour , followed of their own accord , and d. george had much difficulty to stop them . on a sudden the bodies crying st. iames applied the scaling ladders , mounted , and planted our colours upon the walls of both forts . we lost two officers and four private men , and had some few wounded . as our general entred one of these forts , a chingala came and told him that of tanqueyra grande was abandoned by the enemy ; he sent thither a body of men , and found it was true , and that they had left in that fort good brass and iron cannon , many muskets and ammunition . those of cardevola which were presently demolished were no worse provided , one piece of cannon was found with the royal arms of portugal upon it . . in several parts of the river bodies were afterwards found with cymeters , which showed many in confusion were drowned for haste . the enemy had strowed crows-feet about the fort to gall our men , which did them the greatest harm as they fled . our army pursued the enemy , but could not come to any action , till they met at the foor of the mountains of candea , where they were defeated , and we remained masters of the forts of manicravate , sofragan , maluana , and caliture . about maturé , where d. theodosius lived as a king , was the like success . . the same at chilao , a sea-port , which our general assaulted by sea and land , and took there a great booty , part whereof were vessels . the king of candea sent ambassadors to sue for peace , the general was against it , but being importuned by the religious , in consideration of the misery the country was reduced to by those troubles , he granted the ambassadors should go to goa , to treat with the viceroy . in fine , d. george not only recovered our lost reputation , but encreased it . . d. george found the inhabitants of columbo , that ought to have worshipped him for delivering them from a deplorable condition , more dangerous enemies than the natives . he endeavoured to put in execution the king's orders , to prevent the frauds committed by the officers of the revenue ; they arming made several shots at him , by one of which he lost a finger . this mutiny being looked into , those concerned were put out of their places and the island ; and it was declared in the council of state , that d. george had acted better then any before him ; and it was requisite for the king's service , he should be continued in that post. peter de silva , who was viceroy after the count de linnares , removed him , only because it is a custom for the new viceroy to undo what his predecessor has done . but no sooner did d. george leave the command of the island ceylon , than all that he had gained was lost . returning to goa poor and full of merit ; he died in a low condition , rather ( as was believed ) through grief than age. chap. xii . of several occurrences till the end of the government of the viceroy the count de linnares . . an indian woman married to a portugues was delivered at bardes of a monster with two heads and teeth , the ears like a monkey , on the forehead an excrescency of flesh like a horn , the legs so joyned they looked like one , leaping out of the midwife's hands ; it seized a black , and bit out a piece of her flesh. the wife of a heathen barber brought forth much such another creature , and a cow a third , all successively one after the other . these prodigies were general through most of the world this year . . the year . was not quite unlike it ; the beginning of this year we lost the town of golin in bengala in this manner . the mogol having lost above horse the last year in several engagements he had with hidalcan , attributed it to the assistance the latter received from the portugueses . in revenge thereof he now besieges golin with almost men by land , and a vast fleet sent down the river ganges . in the place were portugueses and their slaves , who defended themselves several days without out any fortifications , killing mogols . being no longer able to hold out , they attempted to escape in four vessels , two whereof full of women and children , and vast riches , fell into the enemies hands . the women , rather than remain in slavery , fired the vessels , and were burnt with their children and treasure . the other two ships with the men were also taken ; and the mogol offering their liberty to such as were not inhabitants of cambolim , they refused , saying , they would all share the same fortune . it is not known whether they were killed or made slaves . . the war continued in ceylon with the king of candea . the false d. theodosius had returned to our friendship but with a design to deceive us , but was at last killed . the king sued for peace , and submitted to our conditions , but then again refused to ratifle it , and iames de melo & castro offering him battel if he persisted in the denial , he signed the treaty . thus we were again restored to all that had been lost in ceylon . . last year three ships were ready at lisbon to sail for india at the usual time , which is about march , but the weather proved so bad , they were disappointed . in iuly three others set out , and two of them had the good fortune to make the voyage without seeing land till they came to goa . this year we now treat of sailed the three ships that were disappointed the last . one of these coming back , was cast away beyond the cape of good hope , but lost not one man , and very few of them died ashore . of the wreck , and some wood cut in the mountains , they built two small vessels that carried them off , though not without difficulty , the greatest to make the men agree to this only means of saving themselves . . on the th of february , antony tellez de silva sailed from goa towards the north with galleons , in search of the like number of dutch ships that came from persia . about trapor he discovered them , and giving chase they fled , throwing overboard many goods to lighten . . the viceroy was not so wholly taken up with the military affairs , but he could attend adorning and beautifying the city . he built a church dedicated to st. laurence near the bar , and gave it to the franciscans . then he founded and endowed an hospital for the poor in the field of st. lazarus , which made four hospitals at goa . he rebuilt the council-house of the inquisition , and palace of the viceroys , which were going to ruin . . for military works , at panelim he finished that called the powder-house , where are daily made quintals of powder . repaired the fortifications of mascate , and others . these works seem sufficient to have made him beloved , but either some humours made him odious , or else it was impossible to please the portugueses . some discontented persons , when the viceroy was about to depart , set up several scandalous libels against him in publick places , and hanged his effigies on the publick gibbet . yet after all it was voted , that an honourable statue should be erected to him in the same place where the other had been hang'd , but it succeeded not , for when the pedestal was set up , there arrived a new viceroy , and the arrival of such always reverses whatsoever was done before . . now died the famous commander ruy freyre de andrade full of merit unrewarded ; we have already spoke of his actions , his qualities were a mixture of good and bad , more politick than conscientious . he was prudent and generous . gave all his orders in doubtful terms , to reserve a meaning to justifie himself by in case of ill success . was familiar with no body , choosing rather to be feared than beloved . he heard all soldiers standing , or made them sit . any breach of orders he never pardoned , but beheaded a captain for saving a beautiful young woman , being commanded to put all to the sword. it is needless to repeat more extravagancies of this kind . . two ships sailed from lisbon , carrying a new viceroy to india . the count de linarez returned with them , one whereof was cast away near lisbon ; the other , in which he was , went to malaga , where many of the men died , much of the loading was wasted , and the ship was broke up . . the count went to court , and was the first that presented his prince with part of what he had gained . to the king he gave a hatband , to the queen a pair of pendants , both valued by some , by others crowns . he was at first received with hononr , and after imprisoned . the count was of a beautiful presence , and comely aspect , discreet and well inclined , of viceroys the th , of governours the st , and th of the sirname . . this year was remarkable in cochinchina for a dearth , which caused such a famine as had not been known in the memory of man , and for repeated treasons . about the beginning of the year a bastard son of the king , but adopted by the queen , went to govern the provinces between cacham and chapa ; he had before his departure conspired with eight principal men to bring the government of the kingdom into his and his brothers hands , which then was managed by the sons of another woman . as soon as he came to his government he began to make warlike preparations ; the king understanding it sent for him , and he kept off till the kind died , and the princes possessed themselves of the palace . the conspirators came to celebrate the funeral rites . an uncle of those young princes was present , who understanding those traitors design to murder his nephews , called up the guards that were ready to execute his orders , but he thought it enough to terrifie those conspirators . the funeral ended , the prince having with difficulty got the royal seal from the queen , tendred it to his uncle , offering to acknowledge him as king ; but the old man unwilling to be out-done by the youth , refused the offer , only desiring him to remember his children . . the news of the king's death being brought to the bastard at the city cacham , he ordered the deepest mourning according to the custom of that country , which was to cut their hair short . this to them is a great affliction , for they wear their hair at length like women , and think it makes them beautiful , whereas they are very ugly . this done , he raised men , and fortified himself at turam . the young king's two brothers soon came upon him , and were masters of all . he fled , and being taken , attempted to kill himself with a knife ; but failing , was committed to prison , where he poisoned himself . after his death many persons of great note , being accomplices in the treason , were put to death . chap. xiii . the government of the viceroy peter de silva , from the year , till . . about the end of this year , the count de linarez resigned the government of india to peter de silva . the same people that accused the count for being so rigid , accused silva of being too easie . perhaps they blamed the extreams , but what man can overcome his inclinations ? every man's qualifications ought to be looked into before an employment is given him . i know not whether sylva were naturally easie , but he had gained the nickname of mole , which in portugues signifies soft . neither did he like the government , being often heard to say , god forgive them that named me for this imploy , for i am not fit for it . . in march , antony tellez set out again with his galleons , after sail of dutch he expected to meet at surat . a storm forced him to bombaim , and the enemy to shun him put into dabul . tellez returned to goa , and being there at anchor , four great holland ships appeared before the port , he went out , and having fought two days , forced them to lighten their loading , the better to escape . this done , he enters the port again , and a squadron of sail of the enemy was seen at his heels , the disadvantage being too great , it was not thought expedient to fight them . . this year was signalized with a miracle that happen'd with a crucifix . there is a monastery of nuns at goa , in the arch of their choir facing the nuns was placed a crucifix , the workmanship whereof was not liked because the eyes were quite shut , and the knees too high . on the first friday of lent , after the usual procession , some nuns being at prayers in the choir , distinctly saw the image open its eyes ; the women frighted cried out , and all the other religious with the father confessor resorted thither , and before midnight all of them saw the eyes open times , and sometimes the body and cross seemed to move , the mouth opened as if it spoke , and blood ran from the temples and wounds . some part of these wonders were seen several days , till on a tuesday , the church being full of people , they all saw what the nuns had seen , for the body of the image turned to one side . the bishop and inquisitors were witnesses of much of this motion , and the whole was confirmed by the asseveration of all the citizens . the eyes remained half open , the knees stretched lower , the feet falling and dragging the nail after them , and the whole body of the image appeared more beautiful . . only two ships sailed from portugal this year for india , whereof one was put into lisbon again . d. hierome chingala , who now called himself sufo , that had lost the kingdom of mombaça , as has been related , appeared about this time in the island madagascar . when he fled he carried with him above christians , and sold them on the coast of arabia , obliging many to turn mabometans . after wandering on that coast he returned towards africk , and landed at madagascar , where the king of massalaye and moors of pate favoured him . the news hereof being brought to moçambique , the inhabitants of that town resolved to attack him . they fitted out ships and some other small vessels , in which were about portugueses and cafres , commanded by andrew borges and antony de oliveyra , who were to obey rocque borges that was about that coast. . on the th of may the cafres landed to discover sufo's works , where they slew some men , and brought the heads of three , losing one man. borges resolved to assault the works next day , leaving the care of the vessels to iohn gomez suarez , a secure man , that he might have a retreat in case of any misfortune . the men marched half a league through bogs up to the knees , at the foot of a mountain sufo met them with a multitude of blacks . after a resolute fight , sufo retired so orderly , that borges suspected it was to draw him into some ambush ; wherefore after hours engageme●…t finding it impossible to overcome by reason of the multitude of enemies and disadvantage of ground , he withdrew to the ships , having killed many of the blacks without losing one man. suarez had not been idle there , for blacks and moors of pate had assaulted the ships , but were repulsed with considerable loss . our commander carried the war along the coast , burning some towns and large vessels , besides the small , whereof he saved much rigging , ammunition , and cannon . . on the st of ianuary , antony tellez obtained leave to set out to fight the hollanders , who upbraided us with cowardice . after hours dispute the enemy gave way . our admiral meeting them again about the middle of february in the northern sea , had the like success . . at malaca the feuds were so great between the commander of the town and admiral of the coast , that the latter shot an uncle of the other . this encouraged the king of achem to break with us , imprisoning francis de sousa & castro , who resided there as ambassador , and killing all the portugueses about his court. malaca being much distressed for want of provisions , and the viceroy endeavouring to relieve it , news came that our commander at damama was dead , whereupon it was found necessary to divide that relief . four galleons were sent to malaca , and antony tellez the hero of these times with men , half of them soldiers , to damam . tellez went no farther than bacaim , understanding there that the peace offered by the mogol was concluded . . two ships sailed from lisbon for india . about the end of iune died the viceroy peter de silva . an inventary being made of what he was worth , it was censured to be too much for the little time he had to get it . he held the government almost four years , was the th viceroy , and d governour , the third of the name , and first of the sirname . chap. xiv . the government of antony tellez de silva , from the year , till . . antony tellez de silva served in india with much valour , and had been successful against the hollanders , as has been related . he was named to succeed in the government in one of the royal patents , which were opened upon the death of the viceroy peter de silva ; others also were appointed , whose names were not known to the military men , they might perhaps be singular for sanctity , which , when real , is very private . but because antony tellez was then absent , d. f. francis of the martyrs archbishop of goa , who was one of those before-mentioned , took upon him to govern in his name . he sent tellez advice of his election , and the mean while employed himself in fitting out men of war , and some victuallers , to relieve malaca . . at the same time holland ships entring the river of goa , fired three of our galleons that were at murmugam without the least opposition , because the fort was quite destitute of men and ammunition . then arrived the governour antony tellez storming at this unlucky accident , not so much for the greatness of the loss , as for shame that the enemy should compass their ends in our harbour , without sustaining the least harm . . after this misfortune , news was brought , that two enemies united were in sight of malaca , the dutch with men of war , and king of achem with galleys . the governour was taken up , making greater preparations to remedy these disasters , than the low condition of india seemed to promise , when one came to succeed him in the government , which he held not long , because it would have been for the advantage of india . he was the d governour , third of the name , and second of the sirname . chap. xv. of the viceroy john de silva tello , who went for india in the year . . john de silva tello , who had commanded the famous place of mazagam , on the coast of africk , and done good service there , was now made viceroy of india , and sailed from lisbon with two ships and two pinks . he received the sword from antony tellez de silva then governing , who presently imbarqued for portugal , and so india lost him , he not thinking it proper to serve as admiral where he had been governour . other authors will write the actions of the viceroy iohn de silva tello , for he begins his task where i end mine , which is at the end of the fatal year , the period of my labours . i will only reckon him the th viceroy , th governour , the fifth of the name , and third of the sirname . the end of the fourth part. a short account of what the portugueses are possest of between the cape of good hope and china ; of the several dignities , commands and revenues in the said possessions , and of the religious houses in those parts . . the portugues empire to the eastward , extends from the cape of good hope in africk , to cape liampo in china , distant from one another leagues along the sea-coasts , without including the shores of the red sea and persian golph , which make about leagues . between this space lies half africk , and all asia with innumerable islands adjoining to those two vast parts of the world. these leagues are divided into seven parts : the st is bounded by the cape of good hope and the mouth of the red sea ; the d by the mouth of the red sea and persian golph ; the d by that golph and the river indus ; the th by that river and cape comorij ; the th by that cape and the river ganges ; the th by ganges and cape singapura ; the th by cape singapura and that of liampo . . the first division between the famous cape of good hope and mouth of the red sea , contains along the coast many kingdoms of the cafres , as the vast one of monomotapa , who is lord of all the gold mines in africk ; those of zofala , moçambique , quiloa , pemba , melinde pate , brava , magadoxa , and many other sovereigns . here the crown of portugal is possest of the forts of zofala and mombaça , and the city and fort of moçambique . . the second division between the mouth of the red sea and persian golph , contains the coast of arabia ; where we have the impregnable fortress of mascate . . the third division between bazora or the persian golph and indies , contains the kingdoms of ormuz , guadel and sinde , part of those of persia and cambaya ; here we hold the fort of bandel , and that of diu. . the fourth division between indus and cape comorij , contains what is properly called india , that is part of cambaya , decan , canara , and malabar , subject to several princes . here we have the forts of damam , assarim , danu , st. gens , agaçaim , maim , manora , trapor , baçaim with the city , tana , caranja , the city chaul and opposite fort called morro . the most noble city goa , large , strong , and populous , the metropolis of our eastern dominions ; an archbishoprick , whose prelate is primate of all the east : this is the residence of the viceroys , and here are the courts of the inquisition , exchequer and chancery , a custom-house , arsenal and magazines well provided . the city is seated in an island girt with a strong wall and six mighty castles called of dauguim , st. blas of bassoleco , santiago , agaçaim , panguim and nuestra sennora del cabo . on the other side to secure the bar is that of bardes . opposite to the castle dauguim is the fort of norva , with a good town . on one side of this island lies that of salsete , where is the fort of ●…achol . then going along the coast we have the forts of onor , barcelor , mangalor , cananor , granganor , and then cochim , which is a bishoprick ; behind it angamale another bishoprick , and near cape comorij the town and fort of coulam . . the fifth division between cape comorii and ganges , contains coromandel and orixa , where we have the fort of negapatam , that of meliapor with the city which is a bishoprick of late called st. thomas , and masulapatam . . the sixth division between ganges and cape singapura , contains the vast kingdoms of bengala , pegu , tanazarim , and others of less note . here we have the city malaca , a bishop's seat , and the last place we possess in the eastern continent . . the seventh division between the capes singapura and liampo , contains the kingdoms of pam , lugor , siam , cambodia , tsiompa , cocbinchina , and vast empire of china . here we have no place but the city macao , yet trade all along those coasts . . in the island ceylon we possess the city and fort of columbo , those of manar gale and others . beyond malaca a fort in the island timor . the number of our forts in all this great tract is above fifty , and twenty cities and towns , besides many villages depending on the others . . as to the revenue ; the customs of diu are worth above crowns ; those of goa ; those of malaca ; the tribute paid by several places amounts to , all which with prizes and other profits uncertain , will make above a million . if the officers had any honesty , it might amount to two millions ; for there is no doubt but they cheat the king of half his income , as may appear by what follows . . the forts of zofala and mocambique are worth to their commanders ducats each ; mombaca , mascate , bandel , diu , a fort at the mouth of that river , the pass of brancavara , assarim , danu , s. gens , agaçaim , maim , manora , trapor , baçaim , tana , two forts upon that river , chaul , goa , the fort of dauguim , st. blas , agacaim bardes , noroa , rachol , onor , , barcelor , mangalor , cananor , granganor , cochim , coulam , negapatam , musalapatam , meliapor or st. thomas , malaca , columbo , manar , gale , solor : , besides others of lesser value . . all together are worth to their commanders yearly half a million . the value above is computed for three years . there are other emloyments no less profitable than the command of forts , as are the several voyages . that from goa to china and iapan is worth to him that commands it crowns . from coromandel to malaca . from goa to moçambique . to ceylon . this arise only of the freight of goods carried , and the captain makes as much more by way of trade . . the viceroy's salary is crowns , besides the disposing of places , which are all sold ; but the chief thing which they all look upon is trade , for whereas the king gets nothing out of india ; some viceroy●… have cleared , some , and some duc●… . all other officers have great salaries , besides their lawful profits , and their more considerable frauds . the salaries are considerable enough to have made men honest , but avarice knows no bounds . thus much of the temporal power , let us come to the spiritual . . the archbishop of goa is metropolitan and primate of all asia . cochim was made a bishoprick in the year ; malaca the same year ; meliapor . the bishops of china were instituted by pope pius quintus . there is also a bishop of iapan , and one of the mountain near st. thomas meliapor . there were bishops of persia , as also patriarchs of ethiopia . the city angamale is a bishoprick , as is that of macao . . we will set down the houses , churches , or monasteries of religious , according to the time of their first going into india . the franciscans have ; the dominicans ; the augustins ; the jesuits about monasteries , colleges and seminaries , besides a vast number of residencies , so called by them where there are only or fathers . this may suffice to show the great progress made there in propagating the faith , which has been more particularly spoke of in many places of this history . an account of all the ships that sailed from lisbon to the discovery of the coasts of africk and asia , and the annual trading ships , from the time prince henry first attempted the discovery , till the year . . one ship sent by prince henry , who began these discoveries about the year , and reached as far as cape bojador , none till then having passed beyond cape nam , which in portugues , according to their way of pronouncing , signifies no , as who should say , there was no going farther . year . two ships having lost their account in storm , accidentally discovered the island called puerto santo . the same two going out again with another , found the island madera . . two ships passed leagues beyond cape bojador , where they landed and returned home . . next year set out two ships which advanced leagues farther , fought with some of the natives , and brought home skins of sea-wolves . . two ships touched at the place where the former killed the sea-wolves , fought with the natives , and brought some prisoners to portugal . . anthony gonzalez with one ship discovered the river he called del oro , or of gold , because he found somethere , and brought the first blacks to portugal . year . nunno tristan discovered the islands of arguim , and that of garcas . . a company being erected to carry on these discoveries , one lancelote sailed with ships discovered the island nar , and others . . gonzalo de sintra with one ship passed leagues beyond rio del oro . antony gonzalez went with ships to trade at rio del oro. . nunno tristan with one ship went to rio del oro. . dinis fernandez with one ship reached to the river sanaga , and discovered the islands of cabo verde . . antony gonzalez with ships sailed as far as the islands of arguim . . the same year set out first ships , which went no farther than the islands of arguim . then sail , after them more . then another squadron , the number of vessels not known , but they carried men to conquer the canary islands . after this another squadron ; no number of ships known . then nunno tristan with one ship , who went as far as rio grande , and was there killed . and last , alvaro fernandez , who passed leagues beyond rio grande to the river tabite . all these set out in one year . . giles yan●…z with caravels went no further than what was before discovered . iames gil homem with one ship passed beyond cape gue , and brought the first lion from those parts to lisbon . ferdinand alonso with one ship went ambassador to the king of cabo verde . gonzalo vello with one ship discovered the islands azores . all these the same year . year . suero mendez with one ship went to build a fort at arguim , which was the first erected in those conquests . . antony de nole with ships discovered the islands mayo , and st. philip and st. iacob . . peter de sintra with ships sailed as far as sierra leona . . iohn de santar●…m with two ships went as far as cape st. catherine . ferdinand po with one ship discovered the island hermosa ; there were also other discoveries , but the discoverers are not known . . iames de azambuja with sail and men built a fort in guinea , from which time the king styled himself lord of guinea . . iames cam with one ship discovered the river of congo , or zayre . . iames cam setting out again with one ship , ran leagues farther , discovering the kingdom of beni , and empire of ogane . . bartholomew dias with ships discovered the bay called angra de los vaqueros , the island de la cruz , the river del infante , and cape he called tormentoso , but king iohn the second named it cape of good hope . year . gonçalo coello went to assist the prince of ialof , the number of his ships not known . peter vaz de cuna sent to the river zanaga with sail. . gonzalo de sousa sailed with ships to congo . . vasco de gama with sail discovered india . . peter alvarez cabral sailed for india with vessels , whereof were cast away , one put back to lisbon , and another accidentally discovered brasil , being drove thither by a storm . . iohn de nova with ships , one of them discovered the islands conceiçam , and st. helena . . d. vasco de gama , the first discoverer , returns again to india with sail. . vincent sodre commanded sail bound for india , as are all that follow , so that it will be needless to repeat it ; two of these were lost . stephen de gama with sail. after him alfonso de albuquerque with three , then francis de albuquerque with three , antony de saldana with three ; two of this number were lost , one found the island zocotora . . lope soarez de albergaria with sail. . d. francis de almeyda , first viceroy of india , with sail ; one was cast away . peter de anaya with sail , two of them perished . sebastian bar●…uda , or cyd barbosa , with sail. year . tristan de cunna with sail , who discovered the islands to which he gave his own name ; one of these ships was cast away . alfonso de albu●…erque with . . george de melo with sail. ferdinand suarez with . vasco gomez de abreu with . . iames lopez de sequeyra with four sail. . george de aguiar with sail , three of them were cast away . d. francis coutinno with . . iames mendez de vasconcelos with sail. gonçalo de sequeyra with , one of them was lost . iohn serram with . . d. garcia de noronna with sail. . george de melo with sail , one cast away . garcia de sousa with . iohn chanoca with one ship. . iohn de sousa & lima with sail , two of them cast away . . george or christopher de brito with sail , one cast away . luis figueyra with two . . lope suarez de albergaria with sail. fernan perez de andrade with . . iohn de silva , or silveyra , with sail , two of them cast away . iames de unnos , or unes , with only one . . antony de saldanna with sail. . iames lopez de sequeyra with sail. . george de albuguerque with sail ; one of them cast away , the captain ran away with another . raphael castano with . year . george de brito with sail. . d. duarte de meneses with sail. sebastian de sousa with . . d. peter de castro with sail , one of them lost . . iames de silveyra with sail , one cast away . . d. vasco de gama with sail , cast away . . d. lope de almeyda with sail. . christopher de vega with sail. . emanuel de lacerda with sail , two were lost . . nunno de cunna with sail , three lost . . iames de silveyra with sail. . francis de sousa tavarez with sail. . achilles godinno with sail. . peter vaz with sail. . d. iohn pereyra with sail , one cast away . d. peter de castellobranco with sail. . martin alfonso de sousa with sail. . fernan perez de andrade with sail. . george de lima with sail. . george cabral with sail. d. laurence de silva with . . iames lopez de sousa with sail. year . d. garcia de noronna with sail , one lost . . iames o●… peter lopez with sail , one lost . . francis de sousa tavarez with sail. . martin alonso de sousa with sail. . henry de macedo with sail , one was lost . . iames de silveyra with sail. . fernan perez de andrade with sail , one cast away . . d. iohn de castro with sail. . laurence perez de tavora with sail. lionel de sousa with one . . d. francis de lima with sail. martin correa de silva with . . francis barreto with sail. . emanuel de mendoça with sail. iohn de mendoça with . d. iohn enriques with . . d. alvaro de noronna with sail , one lost . . d. alfonso de noronna with sail , two lost . . iames lopez de sousa with sail. . fernan suarez de albergaria with sail , one cast away . . fernan alvarez cabral with sail , one burnt , one cast away . . d. peter mascarennas with sail , one lost . . d. iohn de meneses & sequeyra with sail , one cast away . year . d. leonardo de sousa with sail , one lost . . d. luis fernandez de vasconelos with sail , two cast away . . d. constantin de bragança with sail. . peter or lope vaz de sequeira with sail. . d. george de sousa with sail , one lost . . d. francis coutino count de redondo with sail. . d. george manuel with sail. . d. george de sousa with sail. . d. antony de noronna with sail. . d. francis de sa with sail , one lost . . luis or ruy gomez de cuna with sail. . iohn gomez de silva with sail. . d. luis de ataide with sail. . philip carnero de alcaçova with sail. . george de mendoça with sail. emanuel de mesquita with one galleon , francis barreto with three . . d. antony de noronna with sail. . duarte de melo with sail , one lost . bartholomew de vasconcelos & cuna with one ship. . d. francis de sousa with sail , one lost . . ambrose de aguiar continno with sail. year . d. iohn de castellobranco with sail. . ruy lorenço de tavora with sail. . panta●…on de sa with sail , one cast away . . matthias de albuquerque with sail , one lost . d. luis de ataide count de atouguea with sail. . george de silva with sail. . d. stephen de meneses baroche , and iohn de melo , with caravels . . iohn de saldanna with sail. . emanuel de melo de cuna with sail. . d. francis mascarennas count de santa cruz with sail , one lost . . antony de melo & castro with sail , one lost . . antony de melo & castro with sail. . d. duarte de meneses with sail , one lost . . ferdinand mendoça with sail , one lost . . d. hierome coutinno with sail , two cast away , one taken by sir fr. drake . . fr. de melo with sail , one lost . . iohn de tovar camina with sail , one lost . . bernardin ribcro pacheco with sail , one lost . . matthias de albuquerque with sail , one lost . . the commander not known three sail. year . ferdinand de mendoça with sail , one cast away , another burnt , and a third taken by the english. . francis de melo with sail , one cast away . . d. luis coutinno with sail , lost . . ayres de miranda enriquez with sail , one lost . . iohn de saldana with sail , lost . . d. francis de gama count de vidigueyra with sail , one burnt , one run ashore . . d. alonso de noronna with sail. . d. hierome coutinno with sail was ready , but went not from lisbon , the english lying before the harbour . . the last year's commander with four of the same ships , and simon de mendoça with three others . . ayrez de saldanna with sail , one cast away , another taken . . d. francis tello de meneses with sail , all forced back to lisbon . antony de melo & castro with galleons , he taken by the dutch. . d. francis tello de meneses with sail. . peter hurtado de mendoça with sail. . d. martin alonso de castro with sail , one lost . more caravels . . blas tellez de meneses with sail , two lost . alvaro de carvallo with galleons . belchior rodrigues with one caravel . . d. hierome coutinno with sail , set not out the dutch lying at the mouth of the river . year . d. hier coutinno with the last year's ships . iohn correa de sousa with sail. . d. iohn pereyra count de feyra with sail , cast away . d. christopher de noronna with galleons , one lost . ruy lorenço de tav●…re with sail. . d. em. de meneses with sail. . luis mendez de vasconcelos with sail , one lost . . d. antony de atayde with sail. . andrew coello with caravels . antony pinto de fonseca one galleon . iohn corres de mendoça one galleon . . d. hier. de almeyda with sail. . d. em. de meneses with sail , all put back by stress of weather . belchior rodriguez one ship. . d. e. coutinno with sail , lost . . d. hierome manuel with sail. . d. em. de meneses with sail. . d. iohn coutinno count de redondo with sail. afterward sail more . . d. cbr. de noronna with sail. . d. fr. de lima with sail. ruy freyre de andrade with galleons . . nunno alvarez botello with sail , one lost . iacome de morales sarmiento with two . after them two more . . d. alonso de noronna with sail , were all put back by stress of weather . d. alonso de noronna again with galleons , all put back again but one . . d. francis de gama count de vidigueyra with sail , two were lost . sancho de tovar y silva with galleons . year . d. antony tello & meneses with sail , all lost . d. philip mascarennas with galleons , three lost . . nunno alvarez botello with sail. sebastian de costa valente with galleons . . vincent de brito & meneses with sail , both cast away . . d. emanuel pereyra coutinno , with sail. . iohn sequeyra varejam with sail. dominick de camara with . . d. fr. mascarennas with sail. . d. michael de noronna count de linarez with sail , two lost . . d. george de almeyda with sail , one lost . . antony de saldana with ships , both put back by weather . fr. vas de almada with sail. . ios. pinto pereyra with sail. . antony de saldana with sail. . hier. de saldana with sail. . peter de silva with sail , one lost . gonzalo de barros & silva with two . iohn de melo with sail. . iohn suarez vivas with sail. . i. de sequeyra varejam with sail. these are all the ships there is any account of that sailed from lisbon to discover , and after for india , since the year , when prince henry first attempted finding the way to india by sea. the viceroy and governors of india , from the first discovery till the year . . don francis de almeyda , first viceroy and governor year . alfonso de albuquerque , second governor . lope soarez de albergaria , third governor . iames lopez de sequeyra , th governor . . d. duarte de meneses , th governor . . d. vasco de gama count de vidigueyra , d viceroy and th governor . . d. henry de meneses , th governor . . peter mascarennas , th governor . . lope vaz de sampayo , th governor . . nuno de cunna , th governor . . d. garcia de noronna , d viceroy and th governor . . d. stephen de gama , th governor . . martin alfonso de sousa , th governor . . d. iohn de castro , th viceroy and th governor . . garcia de sa , th governor . george cabral , th governor ●… . d. alonso de noronna , th viceroy and th governor . . d. peter mascarennas , th viceroy and th governor . year . francis barreto , governor . d. constantin de bragança , th viceroy and th governor . . d. francis coutinno count de redondo , th viceroy and th governor . . iohn de mendoça , governor . . d. antony de noronna , th viceroy and d governor . . d. luis de ataide , th viceroy and th governor . . d. antony de noronna , th viceroy and th governor . . antony monez barreto , gov. . d. laurence de tavora , th viceroy and th governor . . d. iames de meneses , gover. . d. luis de ataide count de atouguia the second time , vicer . and gov. . ferdinand tellez de meneses , th governor . . d. francis mascarennas count de santa cruz , viceroy and governor . . d. duarte de meneses , th viceroy and th governor . . emanuel de sousa coutinno , gov. . mathias de albuquerque , th viceroy and th governor . . d. francis de gama count de vidigueyra , th viceroy and th governor . . ayres de saldanna , th viceroy and governor . . martin alfonso de castro , th viceroy and th governor . . d. f. alexius de meneses archbishop of goa , th governor . . d. iohn pereyra count de feyra , th viceroy and th governor . . andrew furtado de mendoça , th governor . . ruy lorenco de tavora , th viceroy and st governor . . d. hierome de azevedo , th viceroy and th governor . . d. iohn coutinno count de redondo , th viceroy and th governor . . ferdinand de albuquerque , gov. . d. alfonso de noronna , th viceroy and th governor . . d. francis de gama count de vidigueyra the d time , viceroy , governor . . d. luis de brito bishop of cochim , th governor . . d. francis mascarennas , viceroy , governor . . nunno alvarez botello , gov. d. michael de noronna count de linnares , viceroy , governor . . peter de silva , th viceroy , th governor . . antony tellez de silva , gov. . iohn de silva tello , viceroy , governor . books in print and manuscripts out of which the portugues asia was collected . books in print . . eight volumes of the affairs of india , by ferdinand lopez de castanneda , who went into india only to examine into he truth of what he writ . his stile nor geography are not commendable , but he has many curious , though tedious remarks . it has been translated into french and italian , and i suppose some other languages . . four decades of the great iohn de barros , who though posterior to castanneda as to time , is preferable to all for judgment , and is particularly esteemed for his geography . . four other decades of iames de couto , historiographer of india , from the th to the th ; for he began at the th , for then that of iohn de barros was not publick . . commentaries of the actions of the great alfonso de albuquerque , writ by his son of the same name . . antony pinto pereyra his chronicle of d luis de atayde , the famous viceroy and supporter of india , writ in the days of king sebastian . . ferdinand mendez pinto his indian history , writ at the same time as the last : many make a doubt of truth of what he writes ; and as many who have travelled those parts affirm he might with truth have writ much more no less incredible to our apprehension . i look upon him as a very true historian , for many reasons . yet supposing he is not , it is in things wholly omitted by me . . the bishop d. hierome osorio , wrote the history of india in latin , which beyond dispute is the best work of that nature , next to titus livius . as to his latin , all men grant him to be the best ciaeronian . his method is singular , his judgment piercing , his reflections sharp , his ornament majestick . in fine , he is accomplished in all points . . mafeus is well known and very pleasant ; he did little but epitomizing the decades of iohn de barros , as to the substance of the history . . f. antony de s. roman , did little more than translate mafeus , but not with elegancy equal to him ; the translation there is of him in italian is better . . iohn de lucena a jesuit , in the life of s. francis xaverius brings in many particulars of the indian history . he sticks not to the rules of history ▪ but in his way of writing deserves esteem for his judgment , elegancy , and way of reasoning . . antony galvam who was commander of ternate , writ much concerning india , and particularly of the affairs of those islands , which has not been printed , or is extant , at least it has not come to my hands . i only saw the books he calls of discoveries , which is only short hints of things . . dr. garcia dorta , of the drugs and medicinal plants of asia . . a collection of several small books by several authors , giving an account of many shipwrecks that happen'd , whereof we make mention in their places . . several relations , particularly of the jesuits . . my own book of the empire of china , collected from the memories and observations of f. alvaro semedo , of the society of jesus . . bartholomew de argensola of the molucoes , who in many particulars errs as much as f. urreta . . manuel xaverius a jesuit , of the victories obtained by nunno alvarez botello . . two poems of hierome de cortereal . . francis alvarez a priest of the affairs of abassia . . f. iohn de los santos a dominican , of the affairs of ethiopia . . f. luis de urreta . manuscripts . . one volume of the portugues voyages , found among the papers of the bishop d. hierome osorio . emanuel fernandez villareal helped me to the sight of it . and from me it went to d. hierome mascarennas of the council of orders in castile . . five decades of iames de couto historiographer of india , from the th to the th , the last but half compleat . . the history of the actions of d. paul de lima , a great man in india , by the same couto . . the th decade of antony bocarro , historiographer of india , yet not divided into books , as the title implies . . military affairs of india , a book of great learning written by francis rodriguez silveyra , who served there some years , and gained reputation . . the spiritual conquest in asia , by f. paul of the trinity a franciscan in the year . i saw it upon occasion of its being designed to be printed at madrid in the year , when the ordinary sent it to me for my approbation . it is a good work , and treats of what relates to that order . . a translation of that which among the malabars is held in the same account as the bible among us . it treats of their gods and ceremonies ; it is strange , and resembles ovid's metamorphoses . the heads of it are in the th part of the d tome of my asia . . one volume of several relations of the affairs of asia , and of some shipwrecks . a relation of the government of the viceroy the count de linnares , given by his order to a spaniard , who promised to write his actions . another of the same by captain dominick de toraly valdez , who served under him in india . . a copy of several other relations communicated to me by emanuel de severim , as also the book of the malabars , that of the military affairs , and that of bocarro above mentioned . . loose papers and annual letters of the jesuits , imparted to me by f. alvaro semmedo of the same order , out of which i afterwards collected the history intituled , the empire of china . . the chronicles of king alfonso the th , and the earl d. duarte de meneses commander in africk , by gomez yanez de azurara , historiographer to king alfonso the th . . one volume of divers relations of occurrences in africk , during the reigns of king iohn ii. emanuel , iohn iii. and sebastian . . a description of ethiopia , by f. emanuel barradas a jesuit , who having seen the country himself , truly and zealously discovers the many and remarkable errors set down in his ethiopia by the learned and elegant f. luis de urreta . emanuel severim de faria imparted it to me . besides the books above mentioned , there is much relating to asia in the chronicles of king iohn ii. king emanuel , king iohn iii. and king sebastian , as well in those which are still in manuscripts , as those printed . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . notes for div a -e . . . notes for div a -e ▪ . . . ▪ . . . notes for div a -e . . . . . notes for div a -e . . . . . . . . . . . . . notes for div a -e . . . . . . . . notes for div a -e . . . . . . . . notes for div a -e . . . notes for div a -e . . notes for div a -e . . . . . . an account of the court of portugal, under the reign of the present king, dom pedro ii with some discourses on the interests of portugal, with regard to other sovereigns : containing a relation of the most considerable transactions that have pass'd of late between that court, and those of rome, spain, france, vienna, england, &c. colbatch, john, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing c estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) an account of the court of portugal, under the reign of the present king, dom pedro ii with some discourses on the interests of portugal, with regard to other sovereigns : containing a relation of the most considerable transactions that have pass'd of late between that court, and those of rome, spain, france, vienna, england, &c. colbatch, john, - . [ ], viii, , p. printed for thomas bennet ..., london : . written by j. colbatch. cf. halkett & laing ( nd ed.). reproduction of original in huntington library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng portugal -- history -- peter ii, - . portugal -- foreign relations. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - john pas sampled and proofread - john pas text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion an account of the court of portugal , under the reign of the present king dom pedro ii. with some discourses on the interests of portvgal , with regard to other sovereigns ; containing a relation of the most considerable transactions that have pass'd of late between that court , and those of rome , spain , france , vienna , england , &c. london , printed for thomas bennet , at the half-moon in st. paul's church-yard , . the contents . part i. of the king of portugal . page of the publick revenues , and the forces of the crown , both by land and sea. of his majesty's first queen . of the late queen . of the queen dowager of england . of the late infanta . of the king's issue by his second marriage . of his natural daughter . of the ministry . of the marquess of alegrete . of the duke of cadaval . of the archbishop of lisbon . of the marquess of aronches . of the secretary of state. part . ii. of the interests of portugal with relation to rome . page to spain . france . the emperor , holland , the northern crowns , &c. england . the preface the contents of the following papers , were intended to fill some few chapters , in a general account of portugal ; but the author in digesting his materials , found them like to swell into almost as great a volume as he design'd for the whole , which made him resolve to venture them out by themselves , as despairing of being read , should the bulk become so great , as the taking in of the other parts of his subject wou'd make it . this is the true reason why the court of portugal appears thus unaccompanied with such other matters as shou'd have been plac'd before and after it ; which is what the author was far from designing , when he first began to write ; it was then , for many reasons , the least in his intention , to single out the court , from that great variety of subjects which portugal affords to one that is not altogether an idle spectator in it . it is true , that he thought it convenient in describing the state of that kingdom , to be more full in this part of his account , than they usually are , who write of foreign countries : for to understand the affairs of any nation , it is absolutely necessary to have some competent knowledge of the court ; that is to say , of such as preside themselves at the helm , or have any great influence upon those that do ; the court , in this sense , being to a politick body , what the mind is to the natural , communicating life and motion to all the members ; and as that vital principle appears to be disposed , or affected , one may soonest discover the symptoms of a vigorous , or a weakly constitution : and one who is well acquainted with the state of that , may be enabled to give a good account of the publick proceedings , by tracing them to their original causes and motives ; and may , withal , make some probable conjecture , what they are like to be in any suppos'd case , for the time to come . it was likewise thought necessary , in order to understand the true state of portugal , to know in what terms that kingdom stands with its several neighbours ; those more especially , in whose will or power it is to do any great good or harm . now the best way to know , how far portugal is to expect either the one or the other from them , is by considering what it hath receiv'd already ; former experience being the surest evidence in this case . it is therefore the design of those discourses , that make the second part of this piece , to shew how portugal hath been served by its real or pretended friends , as often as they have been put to the trial , or had any occasion to discover themselves ; and it is conceiv'd , that the transactions that have pass'd between this , and other crowns , since the house of bragança came to be in possession of the throne , are set in a just light , so far at least , as that the reader may easily perceive , what the true interests of portugal are ; and whether , or no , they have been duly cultivated , by such as have the management of affairs in that kingdom . but the chief business of this preface , is to justifie the author's credit with the reader ; which may possibly be called in question , in regard to several particulars , in the following account . he is far from the folly of thinking himself exempt from mistakes ; it is very likely , that he may have been guilty of many , in that great variety of matters which he hath had occasion to mention . he does not remember , that he ever saw any relation of our english affairs , made by strangers , that had not many palpable errors in it ; which makes him the less confident of his own performance : and he expects the like allowances , that are usually made to those that write of foreign countries . however , he must acknowledge at the same time , that those grosser faults that are commonly observ'd in ordinary travellers , wou'd be much more inexcusable in him ; he having liv'd for some years in the country he writes of , his acquaintance was amongst intelligent persons , who had lived there much longer ; he hath been somewhat conversant with the portuguese authors , and hath brought away with him a collection of such of them as are most esteem'd ; and out of these last , he is ready to produce his evidence , for such passages in this piece , as are most likely to be call'd in question . in relating that great transaction , wherein his present majesty's first queen had so large a share , he hath taken the principal matters of fact , from the catastrophe de portugal , written in defence of the party which got the vpper-hand ; the substance whereof , as the writer pretends , was read before the three estates of the kingdom . it is true , that reflections very different from his , are frequently made here upon the very same facts ; the author , on many occasions , as little approving of that writers sentiments , as he does of his stile throughout the book ; which is that of a most passionate and furious declaimer , rather than a just historian . in speaking of the portuguese affairs ; with relation to rome , he hath likewise made great use of the publick acts of the king , and the estates , as also of the conde da eryceiras portugal restaurado . he hath also followed the same noble author , in what he relates concerning the negotiations with the court of france . the conde had opportunities to inform himself of these matters at the best hand ; that is , from the reports and letters of publick ministers : his lordship hath indeed given us in england great occasion to complain of him ; but that may have been for reasons , which will never make him suspected of being much prejudiced against either rome , or france . cardinal mazarine's conduct , in the cause of portugal , at the pirenees , is describ'd from his own letters . the information received by the author , concerning the great part which the english had , in the victories obtain'd over the spaniards , and in concluding the peace , and consequently in establishing the portuguese throne , was such , that he could desire no better . he hath taken some particulars about the intended match between the late infanta , and the duke of savoy , as it was transacted at turin , from the famous gregorio leti : but he hath spoken dubiously of them ; tho' if that writer be of any credit , he may be believed , as to things done at turin , he having lived so long as he did in the neighbourhood . there are some things likewise in the chapter of spain , borrowed from him , leti pretending to a personal acquaintance with the duke of giovinazzo . in the chapter concerning the ministry , and elsewhere , he hath made some use , and but little , of a memoir in french , which was handed about in manuscript , at lisbon , written , as 't was said , by a german , that was secretary to the late queen ; but he is too severe in his censures , to be much follow'd by one that would not be thought satyrical . he hath cause to fear , that his account of the customs and taxes , is neither so exact , nor so full , as he could wish , he being little acquainted with those matters ; however , he shew'd it to one whose business it was to know them better , who did not discover to him any error in it . some may think , that the portuguese money , is set against our english , at too low a rate , the exchange , of late years , having run much higher on the portuguese side ; but he is assured by those that are more skilful than himself , that he hath justly reckon'd it , according to the intrinsick value . there is nothing material said , concerning the croisade bull , that is not taken out of the bull it self , and the papers publish'd by the commissary , by authority from the pope ; this , and another bull , with some more authentick papers , should have been placed at the end of the book , had there been room for them : but they shall be forth-coming , whenever it is thought convenient . the transactions between xavier , and her late majesty , have been related upon the credit of the authors mention'd on that occasion . the jesuits address is faithfully translated only it was forgot to give necessary directions to the compositor , to put breaches in several places , the orator making a great many more flourishes , to the like purpose with those set down , but they are past over , lest he should appear tedious ; however , this omission hath occasion'd little or no alteration in the sense ; great care was taken in the translation , not to pervert his meaning , by the least turn of expression , tho' in one passage it cost some pains to make him speak english in modest terms . the relation of the deceased prince's investiture in the vniversal monarchy , is wholly padre vieira's own : it is indeed very much contracted ; but 't is hoped , that his sense is not much obscured ; and it is given , for the most part , in a literal translation of his own words . the reader may wonder to see this father brought in upon the stage so often as he is ; which , in truth , is so very often , that his name is sometimes suppressed : and some may think it unfair , to insist so much upon the whimsies of one man , since from relations of this kind , people commonly form their notions of the general character and genius of a whole nation . but the author is far from being conscious to himself of any disingenuous dealing in this respect ; one great reason why he thought fit to single out padre vieira , from amongst several other of the famous preachers in portugal , whose works are now by him , was , because he wou'd give for a specimen , the very best of the kind , as padre vieira is generally acknowledg'd to be by his country-men ; insomuch , that perhaps there never was a preacher so universally , or so highly approv'd of in portugal , by all orders and degrees of men ; and the reason commonly given for his being so much esteem'd is , because he was one of the least guilty of those prodigious extravagancies which strangers are so much astonish'd at in the sermons of other preachers ; tho' the truth is , one wou'd take that particular instance now mention'd , to be both an original , and a nonsuch . an account of the court of portvgal , under the reign of the present king , dom pedro ii. this present account of the portuguese court , is confin'd to the royal family , and such of the ministers as are suppos'd to have a more than ordinary share in the direction of affairs : other matters being reserv'd for a more general account of the kingdom and government . the subject of this , is commonly the most taken notice of , in relations from foreign countries ; and will therefore be more enlarg'd upon than hath been usual in works of a like nature : for which , as it is hoped , the dignity of the persons to be spoken of , and the importance , or at least the novelty of the matters to be related , may serve for an excuse . there will perhaps be occasion for some such apology , in several of the following chapters ; but if it be any where needless , it is certainly in the first . the king , since his being setled in the government , having obtain'd a character in the world , that is so fair in it self , and stands in so little need of shading , that none can with reason think amiss of an endeavour to draw it at full length , and to set it in a just light. of the king . his title is , the high and mighty prince , dom pedro the second , by the grace of god , king of portugal , and of the algarves , on this , and on the other side of the sea , in africa ; lord of guinè , and of the conquest , navigation , commerce , of aethiopia , arabia , persia ; and of india , with an &c. he was born the th of april , . he took upon him the government , with the title of prince-regent , the d of november , ; when king dom alfonso the sixth , his elder brother , was dethron'd ; and he succeeded to the crown at the death of that king , which hapned on the th of december , . he is of a robust and vigorous constitution , tall of person , somewhat above the ordinary size , and proportionably big ; of wonderful strength , and great activity of body , as appears still by the proof he makes of both , at his ordinary exercises and diversions . he is of a grave and comely aspect , hath nothing of haughtiness in his looks ; but on the contrary , such an air of modesty , as may be thought unusual in persons of his rank : he appears somewhat uneasie , when gaz'd upon by a multitude ; and one may discern a little disorder in his countenance , when he is speaking in publick , to such as he is not used to . he wears a long black perruque ; and when he appears in publick , is always habited in black , with a cloak , and long lace-band , which is the common wear , among people of any fashion , about the town . at other times he goes without a cloak , and in colour'd cloaths , made after the french mode ; unless it be whilst a pragmatica , prescribing the fashion , is in force , ( as he hath several times published edicts to that purpose ) ; for then the king's cloaths are made after the pattern he would have follow'd by his subjects . 'till english black cloth was allow'd of , his majesty usually wore colchester-bays . this prince is of a quick apprehension , and a piercing judgment , sensible , thoughtful , and inclinable to melancholy , which of late years hath grown much upon him ; upon what occasion , i cannot pretend to determine . he is a very religious prince , being constantly observant of the set-times and seasons of devotion : is often heard , by those that are near him , saying over his ave-maries , and pater-nosters , to himself . he shews a great zeal for the conversion of infidels to christianity , and is at great charges in sending out missionaries , and sometimes ships on purpose for that end . nor doth he think it below him , to concern himself in bringing over to the romish religion , such as he hath been taught to call hereticks , be the persons never so mean. but above all , he is exceeding charitable ; and , as i have it from good hands , expends large sums that way . he is very temperate in his diet , eats commonly alone , and sometimes ( as they say ) sitting on the floor , according to the ancient custom of the country ; ( which the women observe to this day ) with a flat piece of cork under him , seldom more than one attendant waiting on him while he eats . his meals are extreamly moderate , and provided as for a single person . his constant drink is water ; for he never uses any strong liquors . he hath so great an aversion to wine , that he doth not only refrain from it himself but obliges all about him to a like abstinence . such of the nobility , or others , that have drunk wine , must keep from court that day : for his majesty would discover them by the smell , and not fail to signifie his displeasure . nor doth he find it difficult to make himself obey'd in this point ; people of this country , persons of quality more especially , and , indeed , all that have the least regard to their credit , being very shy of drinking wine : and , i believe , there is no people in europe , less addicted , to that most inexcusable vice of drunkenness , than they are . i can say nothing in commendation of this king's temperance of another sort ; there being certain forbidden pleasures , that are too much allow'd of in portugal : in which , if common report , among his subjects , be to be credited , he hath indulg'd himself very much : and they say , he has not been wholly free from the inconveniences consequent to such a practice . i never heard , that he hath had any declared favourite of the sex , unless it were one french-woman ; who had that title , for some time , at least , among the people : but those he hath had this commerce with , are said to be of the lowest rank ( the french-woman excepted ) , and very many , and not all of the same colour . he hath not , as yet , acknowledg'd any unlawful issue , save one daughter , whose mother was a mean person . he hath not been brought up to letters ; some say , we may use the term in the strictest sense : but 't is certain , the publick dispatches are neatly sign'd with his own hand . however , considering the manner of his education , he can have but little of what we generally call learning , yet he speaks spanish very well ; and uses that language as often as he is address'd to in it by foreigners . and as for his native tongue , it is said , that there is scarce a person in the kingdom that speaks it more properly , or with greater elegance : and he hath so well improved himself by practice , that foreign ministers do much admire his great capacity for business . they find in their addresses to him ; which , in this court , they have frequent occasion to make ; that he comprehends with much ease , the matter they propose , whatsoever it be ; and will , upon the spot , discourse with them readily about it : he speaks always to the purpose , and answers to the point ; and if need be , will manage the matter with as great dexterity as any of them . among other inconveniences that attend his being unacquainted with books , this is none of the least ; that instead of those more pleasant amusements , that delight and recreate the mind , his diversions consist most in bodily exercises ; or if the time does not serve for them , when the business of the day is over , he , instead of such conversation as may be thought more fit to entertain a prince , admits into his presence , not only the younger nobility , but persons of a much inferiour rank , who divert his majesty with the news and intrigues of the town : and they say , that when any thing remarkable happens , or is talk'd of among the people , of any sort , or nation , his majesty is sure to have the story brought him at night . but at times of more leisure , his ordinary recreations are hunting , shooting , riding , and this last commonly at the bull. going a hunting , or shooting , he hath used to take his queen along with him , to partake of the sport ; and the time between christmas and lent , is always set-apart for these diversions ; to which end , the court removes , at that season , to salvaterra , a country-house in alemtejo , about ten leagues from lisbon . but above all other recreations , the king takes a singular delight in riding ; he manages a horse so well , that there is scarce a master in his kingdom better skill'd in the art ; tho' here almost every body that is able to keep a horse , learns to ride . his majesty hath a court on purpose for this exercise , belonging to his palace at lisbon ; but he indulges himself most at alcantara , a house of pleasure , a little way out of town ; where he often enjoys himself at his beloved exercise of riding with his lance at the bull , performing with admirable dexterity and conduct . nor is he content to deal with that fierce animal on horseback , but he frequently engages him a foot ; to this end he hath a small piece of ground , enclos'd with void spaces in the wall on every side , big enough for his majesty to escape through , when the bull proves too hard for him , as he sometimes does , to the endangering of his person ; tho' upon the least appearance of a discomposure , the company is ready to come in to his rescue : and on such occasions , one shall see the main body of the nobility engag'd about the bull , every one seizing him by that part he can first lay hold on , whether it be by the horns , the neck , or the tail. 't is true , the king of late hath not used this exercise so frequently as formerly ; not that he finds any failure of his former strength or vigour , but because of the queen 's great tenderness for his person : for her majesty would sometimes , when she heard the king was thus employ'd , take coach presently , and drive to alcantara ; and upon her arrival the sport was at an end . the king never fails to be present at the publick bull-runnings all the three days , which is the time this feast usually lasts : perhaps his compliance in this , as that of augustus was on the like occasions , may be as much to please the people as himself : for the portugueses , from the highest to the lowest , are strangely fond of the sport. it hath been an ancient custom , which is still kept up , for the chamber of lisbon to entertain the people with this sight , in honour to st. anthony , the son and patron of the city ; and , in gratitude , for the birth of an infante , a pretence which the king of late hath furnished them with almost every year : tho' it is thought one reason may be the raising of a considerable sum of money , which they make by the scaffolds that are built about a very large square , before the palace , which are all sure to be fill'd ; for at the news of a bull-running , the people come flocking in from all parts of the country round about . the king has a fine balcony built for him out of one of the palace-windows , where he sits all the time with his queen , and the young princes , attended by a nobleman ; who receives his orders , and delivers them out at another window , for the conduct of the cavalier , and the management of the bulls . his majesty , tho' he sits compos'd all the while , yet is so intent upon the sport , that he is sometimes heard by those in the seats under him , applauding the cavalier , when he hath given a lucky stroke ; and one that comes off with credit , shall the next day be received by him in the most kind and obliging manner , and may depend afterwards on his favour . but there lies a great complaint against his majesty on this occasion : that he , for his own private diversion , abates much of the satisfaction the people would otherwise take : for before the bulls appear in publick , the king , on pretence of trying what metal they are made of , will have them to alcantara , where they are commonly so harrass'd out , that very few of them will make head against the cavalier ; and when a sprightly bull appears , that is likely to make them sport , and do mischief , the king will sometimes order him to be taken in again , and reserved for his own use : this sets the people a murmuring . a happy people , were this the greatest grievance they had to complain of ! and , in truth , it seems to be one of the greatest they can lay to their king's charge , or that appears to him to be in his power to redress . for tho' the opinions of men are various concerning the cause and manner of his first taking upon him the government , yet it is generally agreed , that in the administration thereof , he hath all along shewn himself to be most tenderly careful of his peoples welfare , and in his whole conduct , to have highly deserved the character that is giv'n him , of a truly just and good prince . i confess , it would be somewhat difficult , to reconcile to this character , some former transactions , wherein his name was much made use of ; but then it must be considered , that while those things , which are most liable to censure , were transacted , he was very young , and in the hands of others . but in what relates to the administration of the government , i find , upon the exactest enquiry i could make , people of all parties to be generally agreed in their opinions concerning him ; and in portugal they take as great a liberty in speaking their minds of their superiours , as in any other country whatsoever : but they have here so high an esteem for their king , that if they blame any thing in his conduct , it is his not making use of his great power , so often as they could wish ; they think he pays too great a deference to his counsellors , and to these they impute all the hardships they suffer . the same thing is taken notice of by foreigners , and reckon'd to be the cause of any false steps this court may have taken , inconsistent with the honour and true interests of the crown . but it is a fault the wisest men are guilty of , to have too great a distrust of themselves . and this king , they say , is perswaded to do nothing of importance , without the advice and concurrence of his ministers , as thinking it the safest course he can take for the discharge of his conscience . he is a religious observer of justice , and has thereby delivered his kingdom from many great disorders , that it before labour'd under . robberies on the high-way are now seldom , or never heard of , notwithstanding the universal poverty that appears throughout the country ; and 't is said , that before this reign , 't was unsafe for any to be abroad in the evening , about , and within the city it self . murders are not near so frequent now as formerly , the king growing every day more and more severe against the guilty : and in truth , there was great occasion for it , crimes of this nature being very lightly made of in this country , if committed in a fray , or upon the slightest provocation : a former grudge , tho' of old standing , was used to be taken for a justifiable excuse , even when the murder was committed in the most cowardly and treacherous manner ; the criminal was acquitted , or sued out his pardon of course , or fled to sanctuary ; and being once there , procur'd a carta de seguro , which is a protection given by the government , for one that hath the priviledge of sanctuary , to appear abroad and sollicit his cause ; whereby he has an opportunity given him to compound with his prosecutors , or by other means to take off , or elude the pursuit of justice . but now cartas de seguro are more rarely granted , and criminals are oftentimes forc'd from sanctuary . such order is taken for preserving the peace , that a man may pass through the city at any time of night , without meeting with the least affront or disturbance : formerly the city was much infested , and great disorders committed by night-walkers of all ranks and orders , from those of the first quality , down to the very fryars . it is reported of an old porter , belonging to a certain convent , that he uses to tell with regret , how mightily the time are altered , from what they were in his days ; when a dozen , or more , fryars , of his convent , would sally out in a night upon adventures : and there must be something in it , that there goes a common saying among the people , that it is equally dangerous to deal with a fryar by night , as with a fidalgo by day . the reason usually given for it is : that in a night-scuffle the fryar will be sure to stand as stoutly to it , because he is not known , as a fidalgo wou'd in the day-time because he is . but now all things are still and quiet , the clatterings of swords and targets , which formerly used to be ever and anon disturbing peoples rest , are seldom heard ; except it be on such nights , when people of all sorts and sexes , are let loose to visit the churches ; but those are times of indulgence , and they take a liberty then to commit all manner of wickedness . the fidalgo's ( a title common to such as are of noble families ) who us'd to look upon themselves as above the law , or beyond its reach , are now in a great measure reduc'd to order , justice has its course among them , as well as the meanest subjects . elderly people represent them as a sort of petty tyrants , exercising with great barbarity , a kind of despotick power , over the lives , and all that belong'd to those about them . but if there were any grounds for such a character , this king's government can never sufficiently be commended , who hath wrought so great a reformation among them , that there may be found , at this day , as noble instances of humanity , and courtesie , in portugal , as in any part of europe . three times a week the king gives audience to his subjects , tuesdays and thursdays to all in general , that desire it ; saturdays to his nobility , and officers of state in particular : and this is the morning's-work of each day . on the days of general audience , the meanest subject may have free access to the king , whether it be to acquaint him of their grievances , to beg his charity , or requerer serviços , as they call it ; that is , to petition for a pension on pretence of service ; and service is pretended , not only by those that have done any thing for the advantage of the publick , or the crown ; but likewise by such as have been for any time in employment ; which they think entitles them to a pension , or a better place . his majesty hears all with great attention and patience , will let the petitioner perceive he understands his case , and will remember him when he comes again , and few part from his presence dissatisfied . the currant money of this kingdom was so miserably clipt , that it was diminished to near half the value ; as appears by an order made by the government , that no pieces of eight should pass , that weighed less than four rials and a half : but now it is all reduc'd to a just standard ; to which end , it being found necessary to re-coin all the money , both gold and silver , the king , for the ease of the poorer sort , took the loss of the silver upon himself . the publick revenues are managed to the best advantage : the accounts , which were formerly all in confusion , are said to be reduc'd into an exact order , and kept with great regularity . the customs , and imposts , are let out to farm to merchants ; the contracter is he that will bid most , native , or foreigner : the king , it seems , thinking , that merchants , who know best how to deal with one another , can afford to give him more than he could make of them himself ; and his customs are said to be much improv'd by this method : for the king takes care to make his advantage of the farmer 's diligence . the contract never exceeds the term of three years ; which expir'd , an exact account is taken from the entries in the custom-house , of the gains that have been made , and regard had thereto at the next auction ; and the price , through the emulation of the bidders , is often rais'd much higher than was look'd for . a course not unlike this is taken , when the king has occasion to furnish his magazines with stores , or wants any foreign commodities ; of which publick notice is given to the merchants , and the bargain is made with him that will take care to procure them at the lowest rate . the king is so punctual and speedy in his payments , that the merchants are encouraged to deal with him for little profit ; so that they are never wanting to under-bid each other : and i have been told , that sometimes the king has generously put a stop to them , when in the heat of contention they have been descending below a just price ; his majesty , it seems , thinking it uncoming him , to take advantage at other mens follies . by this means he has his stores always at the best hand , and no under-officers being employ'd in buying them in , he never suffers by their knavery , nor can he be cheated by the merchant who delivers them into his magazines ; for it is always a condition in the bargain , that a fair trial shall be made of the goods , and no more paid for , than will bear the proof . the revenues of the kingdom are so very great , that did they all come into the king's hands , he would be one of the richest princes in europe , as will appear by the following chapter . but so many assignments are made upon almost every branch of them , ( the king 's private patrimony , as duke of bragança , not excepted ) so many pensions paid to particular persons and families , that they seem almost wholly diverted from the publick treasury . this extravagant alienation of the revenues , was set on foot , 't is thought , by the spanish kings ; and that in prosecution of their design , to reduce portugal into the form of a province ; they supposing , that if the rents of the crown were dissipated , portugal could no longer subsist as an independant kingdom ; as not having wherewithal to support the government , or encourage any great men to head them , in case the people were dispos'd to a revolt , while the royal revenues being divided among private families , might oblige all that shar'd in the spoils , to adhere to the castilian interest . it hath been often laid to the charge of the three philips , that they did their utmost to weaken the crown of portugal , while they had it in possession ; they are accus'd of little less , than consenting to the hollanders seizing upon the portuguese conquests in the east and west-indies ; and all in pursuance of that maxim of philip the second , that it is much better to be master of a ruin'd and quiet kingdom , than one that is rich , powerful , and turbulent . john the fourth , this king's father , when from duke of bragança , he was made king of portugal , by the nobility and people , thought fit to accept of the crown with all its incumbrances , and it was not for his interest to make himself so many enemies as must have been impoverish'd , had he re-united the alienated revenues to the crown : so that he was fain to maintain his government , and carry on the war , by extraordinary imposts upon the people ; these have been since increas'd , and the assignments multiply'd . and this king , tho' perhaps there never was a more frugal prince in his domestick management ; ( for , they say , he knows what every part of his wearing apparel costs him , and will strive as hard as the poorest customer to beat down the price ) ; yet by giving way to his generous inclinations to do good to others , he has so impoverish'd himself , that he is hard put to it to bear the charges of the government ; which , as 't is thought , could scarce subsist , were any other but himself at the helm , especially at this juncture , when he is at such extraordinary expences in making new levies , and equipping out his fleet. the people are already so charg'd with imposts , that nothing further can be expected from them : for tho' they have had great advantages by a free trade , during the late war ; yet the money being convey'd out of the kingdom , by such ways as shall be mention'd in another place , their condition is not much mended thereby . that this is the present case of the kingdom , will appear from two instances of a very fresh date : the king is , as all the world knows , at this time , putting his kingdom in a posture of defence ; to this end , among other things , it was thought convenient to secure st. julian's castle , which stands upon the bar of the tagus , and guards the entrance into the river , and is , in effect , the main bulwark of lisbon ; or rather , the key to the whole kingdom . it is strongly built after the modern way , and well fortified with guns ; but hath this disadvantage , that it may be commanded on one side from a rising ground that is near it . it was therefore debated in council , whether it were cheapest to level that ground , or to raise a small fort upon it ? but after the place had been survey'd , it was at last concluded , that both ways were too chargeable , either of them requiring a greater expence than the state could well bear , and so neither way was taken . from this instance , which came from a good hand , it appears , that the exchequer must run very low at this time . and that the people can afford but small supplies , will appear from hence : the king , to enable himself to augment and maintain his army , summon'd the cortes , or parliament , to meet at lisbon , the first of december , : all that he demanded of them , was an additional revenue of crowns ; a crown in portugal , is scarce worth half a crown english . the parliament considering the occasion , could not but acknowledge the request to be reasonable ; but then , how to raise the money , was a matter of insuperable difficulty : in short , they sat down , as hath been said , the first of december , and were sitting in july , and were considering all the while , of ways and means , and had made no progress in the affair ; but , at last , they referr'd it to the king , to lay the tax as he should judge convenient : for their parts , tho' none could be insensible of the king 's great want of a supply , yet they found the people so burden'd already , that they knew not how to lay on them any further weight , without danger of their sinking under it . the king , as hath been reported since , has laid the tax upon tobacco ; which , the merchant thinks , is the ready way to destroy that trade , and consequently the best and clearest part of the revenue . the most considerable transactions of this reign , will fall under some of the following heads , and therefore i have nothing further to add in this chapter ; but that the king of portugal is an absolute prince , having the legislative , as well as the executive power in his hands : for the royal edicts have the force of laws , and a collection of these , is much the same thing there , as our satute-book is in england ; when these fail , the civil law takes place . there are indeed certain constitutions chiefly relating to the succession , called the laws of lamego , made by the cortes at the first institution of the government , which cannot be dispens'd with , but by consent of the three estates . it belongs likewise to the cortes , to lay taxes upon the people , tho' certain imposts that are now upon flesh and wine , and were given for a limited time , have been continued , by the king's authority , and the pope's together ; the manner in which this was done , shall be told in the following chapter . of the publick revenues , and the forces of the crown , by land and sea. before i speak of the revenues , &c. it is requisite to give an account of the money currant in this kingdom . all considerable sums are here reckoned by millreis , i. e. thousand of reis ; sometimes by crusado's , or crowns , which consist of reis a piece . tho' great payments are commonly made in spanish pieces of eight , which are reckon'd at reis . there is no such piece as a millrei , nor indeed a crown at present ; for that which was last coyn'd for a crown-piece , is now rais'd to reis . lesser coyns in silver , are a teston , reis ; a half teston , reis ; a vintain , reis . the gold coyn called the moeda de ouro , contains reis , of which there are likewise half and quarter-pieces . the portuguese money , according to the intrinsick value , answers to our english money thus :   s. d. q. a millrei , i. e. reis , to a crown , reis , a teston , reis , a half teston , reis , a vintain , reis , ⅗ the moeda of gold , reis , makes s.       the revenues arise chiefly from customs , taxes , monopolies , rents belonging to the orders of knighthood , and moneys raised purely by the pope's bulls . the customs paid here , are excessively great ; all foreign commodities , excepting some few sorts of small bulk , and easie conveyance , pay no less than per cent , for the ordinary custom , and for a certain duty call'd the consulado ; which last is likewise paid for all goods exported , whether by natives , or foreigners . they are indeed set at a favourable valuation , except fish from newfoundland , which pays per cent in specie . goods brought hither , in order only to be transported to other countries , pay per cent. but it is believed , that nothing of all this comes to the king , or indeed to the publick , the consulado excepted , which is appropriated to the building of ships , and buying in of stores . the taxes are reis per pound , upon all flesh brought into the market , and as much per canada upon wine , sold in by retail ( few people here keep any in their houses ) : a canada holds something less than three pints . fresh fish , which is caught here in great abundance in the river , and on the sea-coasts , and is the best part of the peoples food , pays no less than per cent ; and that exacted with great rigor , and paid commonly in specie . at the sale of lands , houses , cattle of all sorts , and indeed of almost every thing that is known to be bought and sold , per cent of the price goes to the king. a great part of these taxes were granted by the three estates in cortes , to king john the fourth , in , and at other times , towards the charges of the war with spain ; but after the peace was made ; the cortes , in the year , rais'd them to what they are at present , by giving the prince a supply of a million of crowns per annum ; one half whereof was to be rais'd by an additional impost upon flesh and wine : but this was then given only for six years ; yet it hath been paid ever since . the court , in the year , thought convenient to procure the pope's consent to this last impost , that the clergy might have leave to pay their share ; because ( as it was given for a reason ) the last lateran council , and other canons of their church , had made it unlawful for any prince to receive tribute from the clergy , without the pope's leave , even tho' it were voluntarily offer'd by themselves ; as this had been by the ecclesiastical , as well as the two other estates in cortes . and since that time , at the end of every sixth year , a breve hath been procured from rome , for continuing the taxes for six years longer ; therein the pope impowers the nuncio residing at lisbon , to use his apostolical authority , in obliging the clergy to pay them . this breve is of course published in portugal ; and tho' it chiefly regards the clergy , yet it is not unlikely but it may be design'd to induce the people likewise to pay their taxes quietly , without putting the king , and the three estates of the realm , to the trouble of meeting together in cortes : for it must needs be a great argument among them , that the thing is but just and reasonable , since the holy father consents to , and approves of it ; and it weighs much with them , no doubt , when they consider why his holiness grants the breve ; which , as 't is declared in the narrative of it , is , the exchequers being exhausted by the vast expences that the crown hath been continually at , for the maintenance and propagation of the catholick faith , in the dominions abroad , especially in brazil , and the east-indies , where the dutch hereticks , and other infidels , were endeavouring to extirpate it : which reason is said to continue still , or rather , to become more strongly urgent every time there is occasion for a new breve . the pope gives commission to his nuncio , to enquire into the truth of this , and other allegations ; as that the three estates , the clergy more especially , have given their consent ; the nuncio cites the king's procurator before him , and puts him upon the proof : he shews , that the nobility and people have agreed to the continuance of the taxes , because they still pay them ; and that the whole body of the clergy are likewise willing , because the bishops have given their consent ; which ( as he pretends to prove withal ) comprehends that of all the rest . but it does not appear how he makes good the main point , viz. the danger that the catholick faith is in from the dutch hereticks , and other infidels . as for the dutch , they renew'd their peace with portugal in the year , and have kept it ever since . however , the nuncio is entirely satisfied with the proofs , whatever they be ; and thereupon gives order for the execution of the breve , requiring obedience thereto from all persons , secular as well as ecclesiastical , upon pain of the greater excommunication , and crowns , applicable to the reverend chamber apostolick , as the words of the order run . under the title of monopolies , we may reduce the other part of the supply granted at the same time ; which was an impost upon tobacco , made into snuff ; by which , crowns per annum , were design'd to be rais'd . in order to make this sum , the king had the whole trade of snuff put into his own hands ; and it became almost as great a crime in portugal , for any to make snuff for themselves , as 't is with us in england to coin money , tho' people almost universally take it here . this monopoly was let out to farm to the duke of cadaval , the principal person in the kingdom , next his majesty ; and it was so managed , that 't is said the king receiv'd much more than double the value of what it was given for : the tobacco , as it come from brazil , was bought up for the king , at a teston and half , or less , per pound ; and sold out in snuff for or , and sometimes more , the best , and the more ordinary sort . but 't is said , that this trade is now laid aside , and an equivalent , with the advantage of , tax'd upon tobacco in rolls . the king hath likewise in his hands , a great part of the trade from foreign plantations ; as that of elephants teeth , from africa ; of wood , from brazil : besides , great duties upon sugar ; and of all goods coming from the east-indies . this last trade is indeed but of little worth ; for he hath several times offered to make it over to a company of merchants , but could never get a sufficient number of subscribers . the king is likewise grand master of the orders of knighthood , in his kingdom , and has the disposal of all the commenda's belonging to them , viz. of the order of christ ; which , in portugal , succeeded to that of the knights-templers , and is still in possession of their lands , and hath commenda's belonging to it . dly , the order of st. jago , which hath commenda's , and those of considerable profit . dly , of avis , which hath , and these esteem'd very rich . besides , the king hath the disposal of the commenda's in his kingdom , that belong to the knights of st. john of jerusalem , commonly called , the knights of malta ; the chief of which , viz. the priory of crato , accounted one of the richest in the world , is at present bestowed upon dom francisco , the king 's second son. i reckon these among the king's revenues , because they are put to the same use , as the greatest part , by much , of his other incomes are , viz. given away in pensions , or rewards , for services . but the kings of portugal , have , for this last century , made use of one extraordinary way to raise money ; which , among all ways and means , perhaps , hath never been thought of by any other temporal prince , the kings of spain excepted , who first brought it up in this kingdom ; and this is , by selling indulgences to the people , for the pardon of their sins , and the deliverance of their own , or their relations , souls , out of purgatory . the popes having been , for some time , shamed out of this trade , by the noise that luther made in the world , the kings of spain thought fit to take it up ; and have made more money of it , with less scandal . to this end , philip the second , after he had got possession of the crown of portugal , obtained bulls of pope gregory the th , in the year ; which , since that time , have been publish'd almost every year in portugal : and the profits arising from them , are become a part of the standing revenues of the crown : and , indeed , they may well be accounted a very considerable part of them . the substance of these three bulls , are all contain'd in one , which carries for title , the bull of the holy croisade : but they are retailed out to the people , under the names of , the bull for the living : the bull of composition : and , the bull for the dead . they have their general name from the croisade , as if they were granted for carrying on the holy war ; and were we to judge of the levies , i mean of money , that are here made , one would think that war was still prosecuted , with as great vigour , as it was years ago . it 's true indeed , that the kings of portugal , even since that expeditions to the holy land were no more talk'd of , have , for several ages , been engaged in continual wars with the infidels : they had the mores , for some time , in the bowels of the kingdom ; and having driven them out , follow'd them into barbary , and conquered a great part of that country , and have some footing there still ; and the popes would , sometimes , to help them out in the charges of the war , allow 'em the like indulgences as were granted in the famous croisades . yet , in those times , this was done very sparingly , and as an extraordinary favour . but since the portugueses have had little or nothing to do with the mores , and have now only the single fortress of mazagam , to maintain in barbary , the popes are become more profuse of their graces . the croisade is publish'd every year , and pardons , and indulgences , more ample , by far , than were ever granted before , are now offer'd to all that shall contribute towards the defence of the places , which the king is suppos'd to hold in africa . it would be a tedious task , and not proper for this place , to give an account of all the priviledges granted to the purchasers of these bulls ; i shall only therefore mention some few , that seem most conducive to the end for which the bulls were obtain'd . the bull for the living , grants to the purchaser , a most plenary ( the word is plenissima ) indulgence , and a complete remission of all his sins , and of the pains which he should have suffered for them in purgatory . these are the words of the absolution to be pronounced upon him after confession ; and this pardon is , in all respects , as full as if he had gone to rome for it , in the year of jubilee : and one that hath bought this bull , may , if he pleases , after six months , for a single vintain , have all renewed to him over again ; so that as the commissary deputed by his holiness , to inform the people of these matters , saith , here are two jubilees granted in one year . by virtue of this bull , any man in portugal , may have all the benefits of the stations at rome , the visiting a certain church out of devotion , at a set-time , is what they call a station there . stations are made at several churches of that city , within , and without the walls in their turns , almost all the year about ; but chiefly in the time of lent , a plenary indulgence is gain'd at every one of them ; and there are eight days in the year , on every one of which a soul is to be drawn out of purgatory . now one that hath this bull , if he will but visit any five churches , where-ever they are ; or if there are not so many in the place where he is , but five altars ; or for want of them , the same altar five times , shall gain the same indulgence , as if he had made the stations at rome : or , if he please , he may , per modum suffragii , apply the benefit of them to souls in purgatory . and the commissary saith , that regularly this bull is of more benefit than a mass said at a priviledg'd altar : and yet , they say , that shall draw a soul out of purgatory at once . another great conveniency gain'd by this bull , is , that a man by virtue thereof may commute for any vows that he shall make , except only the vows of chastity , of religious orders , or pilgrimage to jerusalem . as for all other vows , let them be never so solemnly made , tho' they are confirmed with oaths ; and even with additional vows , that the party will never commute , nor seek a dispensation for them , one that hath the benefit of this bull , may , for a small sum of money , given towards maintaining the garrisons in africa , free himself from the obligation ; nay , he may commute for what they call an imperfect vow of chastity , such as not to marry ; not to sin with a single woman , or another man's wife , or any particular person , and some other things which the commissary hath set down likewise , too long , or not fit to be repeated . he may also commute for a previous vow that he may have made to take that vow of religious orders , and the circumstances of a vow of going to jerusalem , may be commuted for likewise ; such as making the journey on foot , begging all the way , or going without much company . but these excepted , there is hardly any case to be imagin'd , wherein a man hath occasion to make a solemn promise ; but if he will consult an epitome of the priviledges gain'd by the bull , which the commissary hath set forth by authority apostolick , he may know what he is to pay in commutation of his vow . to mention some few instances , as they are set down in that piece : suppose a person should vow , that he would hear two masses in a day , or maintain a poor man for a day , remain chaste for a day , or observe conjugal chastity for six days ; not to play , take snuff , or drink wine for a month , or not speak to any body for two days . or , if a young woman shall make a vow to for bear eating chalk , earth , or red clay ( such as the portuguese earthen ware is made of ) for a week . in every one of these cases , the rich are to pay six vintains , the middle-sort four , the poorer two , the poorest one : and this rate is to be observ'd for the time the vow was to last . as , put the case , a man had bound himself to fast every saturday in a year ; if he be taxed at the lowest rate , his commutation-money will come to reis . but if he be unable to pay the whole sum , he may be admitted to compound after this manner : suppose the person makes his vow at fifteen years of age , this vow , according to some doctors , would oblige him till he came to be of sixty , some say 'till seventy . the commissary takes the middle number , viz. , whence take , and there remains years of obligation to fast , and the commutation-money would come to millreis ; for all which , according to the rule of composition , of which i shall speak anon , he is to pay but mill , reis : and if he cannot afford this , he may compound but for years ; and then he will be obliged to pay but three testons : but it is the securest way , saith the commissary , to pay the whole sum , if the person can afford it ; at least , to pay for ten years : but if he cannot do that , his composition will secure him in all cases , wherein he cannot conveniently fast . one that hath made a vow of chastity ( supposing it to be commutable ) if he would be freed from the obligation , is to pay a vintaine a day at the lowest rate , which will amount to mill reis , if the vow be for life , according to the rate of years purchase , it will amount to millreis . if he be unable to pay this sum , he must compound : now , since people live sometimes to fourscore , he ( supposing the vow made at ) has years to account for , the commutation of which amounts to mill reis . according to the rule of composition ( to be explain'd presently ) , for the first millreis , he may compound for mill , and for the remainder at per cent , which makes mill , reis ; and in all it comes to mill : but in case the man be poor , and unable to pay , he may compound for years only , and come off for fifteen testons : but this easie composition is allow'd only in case of conditional vows , and that before the condition be fulfilled ; as for instance : suppose one in a fit of sickness shall make a vow , that if he recovers , he will turn fryar : if he compounds before his recovery , he shall be admitted to this easie composition ; but if he delays 'till the condition be fulfill'd , that is , 'till after his recovery , his commutation-money shall be doubled . all that is required of the party , in this business of commutation , is , for him to come and put his money into a certain cash chest , which is called the vow-box ; but he must be sure to put it in with his own hands , or take care that it be done by some other person , his confessor excepted ; for the confessor is not to finger the money upon pain of excommunication , tho' it be in order to put it into the vow-box . all that he has to do in the case , is to instruct his penitent , when , and how he is to make his commutation ; and he becomes guilty of mortal sin , saith the commissary , if he sets the commutation at an under-rate . these are some of the priviledges granted by this bull ; and , as if they were not enough to oblige people to buy it , it suspends and derogates from all other indulgences and priviledges whatsoever , making them of no validity to those that shall neglect to take out this : and to make it more necessary , and which may be a great cause , why every body buys it , it grants a license to eat eggs , butter , cheese , and all other lacticinia , in time of lent. there are some diocesses in portugal , where , by ancient custom , it was before lawful to eat those things in lent ; but the bull is nevertheless necessary there , than elsewhere : for it suspends , as i have said , all such priviledges ; so that the custom becomes unlawful , when the bull is published . it likewise gives leave to eat flesh upon fast-days , all the year about ; in case the spiritual and bodily physician shall think it convenient . the spiritual physician is any licensed confessor , tho' he gives his judgment out of confession ; and for the other , the opinion of an experienced old woman , may , by virtue of this bull , be taken in the case . but it is to be observed , that the bull holds good only 'till the next publication , when another must be taken out ; and it is published every year . the price of it , to those that are worth millreis a year , which way soever it arises , is three testons : such as are worth per ann. pay two testons ; the wife paying always as much as the husband : all those that are above seven years old , pay vintains , excepting these that follow , who pay but two vintains : young people that are maintain'd by their parents , labourers , and journey-men , that live only on their wages , beggars , common soldiers , widows , and single women that live on alms ; priests , that have nothing but their masses to maintain them ; or such of them as are foreigners , or go begging about the kingdom , all these pay but two vintains . under the same class are reckon'd such as have houses of their own , yet live miserably ; coblers , or botchers , that cannot set up a stall , but go about for work ; jesuits profest , begging fryars , unless they have somewhat allow'd them by their friends , pilgrims , and prisoners : but then all journey-men that can get two testons a day ; priests that live with their parents , servants to persons of quality , whose wages come to millreis , must pay vintains . so that the tax we see is universal , and being constant , must amount to a considerable revenue ; and the two other bulls must mightily increase the king's profits : supposing the people believe any thing of popery , as certainly they do in portugal , as much , or more , than in any country in the world the bull , for the dead is sold to all people alike , at the same price , viz. for half 〈◊〉 teston : but then it is of no benefit , but to such as have taken out the former . by this a man may apply all the indulgences and remissions contain'd in the other to any soul in purgatory , let him choose which he will ; and shall , per modum suffragii , obtain a relaxation of the pains , to which that soul stands expos'd by the divine justice , ( they are the commissary's words ) . more than this , he may make a conditional application of the bull to any soul , with a reserve , that if that soul shall have no occasion for it , the benefit shall go to another ; and if that be got out already , to another , and so on as far as he pleases ; as for instance : i take out a single bull , for the soul of my friend francisco , with this condition , that if he be gone to heaven , i take it then for pedro ; and , in case he does not want it , for diego , &c. but he must always determine the application to some certain person ; or he may say , it shall go to him that stands most , or to him that stands least in need of it that is , to him whose turn it would be to go first or last out of purgatory . but if he shall give it indefinitively to whomsoever god pleases , the bull loses its virtue , for want of a determinate application . and the commissary declares , that one and the same person , may deliver as many souls as he pleases , at the rate of half a teston per soul ; for each of them he is to receive an extract of the bull , with this following certificate at the end of it , subscribed by the commissary : for asmuch as you n. n. have given half a teston , the soul for which your intention was to give the said alms , remains free from the pains of purgatory . lourenço pires caravalho . but then the said n. n. must see that the money be good : for if he , through mistake , should think it so , and it proves naught , the bull , as the commissary declares , and the casuists agree , will be good for nothing . this bull may be taken out several times for one and the same person ; which , in my opinion , should make a body question its efficacy , and doubt of the infallibility of that determination of pope leo the tenth , concerning indulgences , that tantum valent quantum sonant . but however , if it be renewed often , it will increase the king's incomes ; and therefore the commissary thinks it advisable that a fresh one should be taken out once every year for the same soul , and there can be no great loss in so doing , by reason of the conditional application ; and by this means the king comes to have a constant revenue from the dead , as well as from the living , which goes increasing every year . it is wholsome advice , saith the commissary , for a person on his death-bed to recommend to his friends , the taking of it out for him , and the best time is as soon as the breath is gone out of his body ; however , says he and the casuists , it will have the same effect at one time as another ; and i believe they speak their minds in this . it is customary to give the bull to the dead corps to carry it with him to the grave ; and i have frequently seen it tuck'd under his girdle ( for the dead are buried here in the habit of st. francis , without coffins . ) but the learned i must own , do not think this to be at all necessary , but rather condemn it as an abuse . the bull of composition seems to be no less profitable to the exchequer , than either of the former . by virtue of this , such as have made certain unlawful gains , upon paying down a small part of them , may , with a safe conscience , keep the rest to themselves . by it ecclesiasticks may compound for the profits of their benefices , which they receive when they have fallen from their rights to them , either by neglect to say their offices , or by lying under censures : and this bull is so accommodated to all sorts of people , that it is of singular use to traders of what kind soever they be , usurers , lawyers , officers of justice , trustees , gamesters , rooks , thieves , prostitutes : these are all of them , in express , or equivalent terms , admitted to composition in the commissary's explication of the bull , as in a word , are all such in general that have occasion to make unlawful gains ; the merchant who puts off dammaged goods , without discovering the fault to the buyer , or to enhance the price pretends they are of one country , when they come frem another ; one that mixes good and bad wares together , as corn , for instance , that hath been putrified , with that which is sound , or that puts his corn into a moist place to make it swell ; such as sell by false weights and measures , gold and silver-smiths that put too much alloy into their works ; apothecaries , who , that they may not be known to want any druggs that are called for , put others in their stead ; extortioners , whether by way of usury , or that taking advantage from their neighbours necessity , use to buy things for less than a just price . all these are admitted to composition for their ill-gotten gains , in case they are incertain as to the particular persons to whom restitution ought to be made ; the same is to be said concerning officers of justice , advocates , witnesses , notaries , who take more than their just fees , or who appear in bad causes . there is a very commendable practice among trading-people in portugal , to set aside some part of their estates for pious uses , by way of reparation for wrongs they may have done , through inadvertency in the hurry of business . but that which is given this way , being commonly left by will , the executors may , by virtue of this bull , compound for one moiety of all such legacies , in case the legatees shall neglect to come and claim them within a year : executors may likewise compound for all manner of legacies , in case the persons concerned cannot be found after a due enquiry . they also that keep gaming-houses , where cheats are practis'd , such as rook others at play , or win money from boys , women , fryers , slaves ; they that have lost at play and have no mind to pay , publick-women that exact , or by their artifices gain more from their customers than their lawful hire ( for their hire , according to the casuists , is their due , if it be moderate , or no more than is customary , or than as it is rated by the magistrates . ) private women that practice the same trade are likewise compounders , and that ( as some will have it ) for all the money they take ; for some casuists reckon all their gains unlawful , for that they do in a manner practice without a licence . men are likewise to compound for the money or jewels they take on such accounts from married women , supposing that what they give be at their own disposal , or of their bona paraphernalia , as the lawyers term it , otherwise it is to be restored to the husband . such as have gotten ship-wreck'd goods into their hands , or goods taken out of houses in a fire , if the owner be not known , may compound for them : composition may likewise be made for a deposite left by one gone into a far country , in case he or his heirs be not heard of in some time ; as also , for the surplusage of the value of a pawn , that 's sold when the party that hath taken money upon it , is not found , upon due enquiry . but it is a question , what diligence is required in seeking out the party to whom restitution should be made in any of these cases ? the commissary for his part , is very reasonable , tho he speaks by apostolical authority , and declares that diligence to be sufficient which a prudent man , ( the quantity and quality of the thing , the time and the place , &c. considered , ) would use in his own concerns , and it is a receiv'd maxim amongst the spanish casuists , that in this case , no es necessario hazer lo ultimo de potencia ; which is as much as to say , a man need not do his utmost : but i have met with a single portuguese , who very honestly declares against them all , that since it is commonly for goods stolen or unjustly detained , that people compound , the most exact diligence is requir'd . composition once made , let the owner then appear as soon as he will , the compounder is absolv'd from the debt , and is no longer bound to restitution , either in foro conscientiae , or in foro externo , so saith the commissary , whose declaration is a law in these matters , and my portuguese casuist , who was so honest just now , seems to be of the same opinion . another question is , whether a man may be admitted to compound , who makes his unlawful gains in confidence of having the benefit of the bull ? the commissary declares in express terms that he cannot ; however he mollifies the matter not a little , by declaring , that one who hath such a confidence , may compound for what he hath unjustly got through frailty , and that at the worst , he may apply himself to him ( the commissary ) and make such a composition as he shall think fit ; for in this case , he says , there is no rate set : he says the same thing concerning such , as shall take that which is another mans , knowing whose it is at the same time , but hoping they shall forget him afterwards , that by this means they may have the benefit of the bull , and of such as will not pay legacies , till the time be expired , in hopes of compounding ; in all these cases , they must come to the commissary , and compound with him at his own terms . the ordinary rate of composition is a teston per bull , for every millreis ie one in of the aforesaid unlawful gains ; and at this rate one may compound for millreis , but when the sum exceeds an hundred millreis , he must pay for the excess testons out of every five millreis , till he comes to , but after that there is no composition , till he applies himself to the commissary , or his deputy , and he commonly exacts per cent , but does not so ty himself up , but will require more or less , according to the circumstances of the case . the purchaser of this bull must receive a printed copy of it , or else the commissary saith it will do him no good ; however , he saith , it may be presently torn in pieces ( as that for the dead may too ) and be of as much benefit as before , but such as will keep it by them , must have their names subscrib'd , or if they are shy to do this , as being tender of their credit , they must themselves subscribe foam , that is , some-body . none can have the benefit of these two later bulls , unless he has taken out the former , they may be all three had by any that reside in portugal , whether natives or strangers , and by portugueses residing in foreign countrys , in case they design to return home in any time ; many other matters , of as great importance as any thing yet mentioned , might be related concerning these bulls : the reader , perhaps , will think i have trifled too long about them already , but he may depend upon it , that nothing hath been said on the subject , but upon sufficient authority . the money rais'd by all these contributions , goes i suppose , for the most part , the same way as the rest of the publick revenues do . the pope indeed has his share out of it , but if it be no more than is pretended , it is but a very inconsiderable one , since the king stands so much oblig'd to him for the whole ; for it is said to have been no more at first than crowns a year , as i remember , i have been told that it is now ; but it has been of late , one part of the nuncio's business at lisbon , to get it rais'd higher . however , if his holiness fails in this , he knows how to make it up out of the kingdom of portugal by other ways . another small part of these incomes goes to maintain the portuguese garison in mazagam , consisting of about men. mazagam is a rock in the atlantick ocean in the coast of barbary , so contiguous to the shoar , that at low-water it seems to be join'd to the firm land , and serves sometimes as a refuge to christian slaves from mequenes , i know not what other use it may be of , unless it be to keep them in countenance that are employed in preaching up the croisade ; but they fearing belike , that the pretence may not be sufficient to bear them out , take care to inform the people , that were there no such place in being , and not a souldier paid in barbary , they shall have every thing made made good to them to a tittle that is promis'd in the bulls , for whatever becomes of the money their merit is the same ; and that , they say , by the help of the indulgences , will be sure to carry them directly to heaven ; i have the sermon of one of these preachers now before me , and he , among other prodigious extravagances , is proving , that the croisade bull is of greater benefit to his auditors than their baptism it self , or than martyrdom would be : i shall not repeat his profane arguments ; but the conclusion he pretends to make out is , that these indulgences are able to purifie them from the guilt of all their sins , and free them from the punishment due to them either in hell or purgatory . the king of portugal's land-forces , used in times of peace , to amount to about or men , horse and foot , but they have been encreas'd of late years , and with the new levies rais'd above a year ago , they made men , and new commissions are still giving out . but the king's pay is so poor a subsistence , that tho' there be lazy beggars enough in this kingdom , and people live as hardly here as in any part of europe , yet it would be impossible , even in times of peace , to get souldiers to supply the garrisons , were not compulsion us'd . the pay of those that serve about lisbon , which , as i have been told , is double to what they receive in other parts of the kingdom , is half a teston per diem , out of which such deductions are made , that besides a small ammunition-loaf , there comes , scarce a vintain to the souldier ; for which reason , the officers , whose business it is to raise souldiers , are dreaded and courted by the people in their several districts , as men in whose power it is to do the greatest mischief in the world to their neighbours ; and when any person is pitch'd upon for the king's service , lest he should run his country , his father or his nearest relations , are made responsible for his forth-coming , and this in time of peace . but it is commonly reported , that during the war with the spaniards , it was a customary thing among the poor people , to blind their children when they were young , lest when they grew up they should be taken from them for soldiers ; and this is usually given for the reason why there are so many blind beggars about the city , that gain their livelihood by singing prayers at the doors of the poorer sort , who contract with them for their attendance , each customer allowing them a pension of about ten reis or vintain per month ; and there are many who think the parents of these miserable creatures have well provided for them . the king hath about ships of war , great and small , most of them well built , and they say after the best . english models , according to his majesties immediate directions , who is said to have great skill in these matters , and to delight much therein . it is thought that about seventeen may be fitted out for service . nor hath this king been less careful to provide himself with seamen , to which end he hath taken care to have a certain number enroll'd and ready always upon occasion ; and for their encouragement , he has bestowed several considerable priviledges and immunities , upon such as being found duly qualified , shall enter their names in the list . but the number required is so very small , as shews that there is a great want of seamen in the kingdom ; for they are no more than , at least they were no more at their first institution in , and i have not heard that they have been encreas'd since : whence it appears , that the portugueses , who were once so famous for navigation all over the world , are now much fallen from what they were years ago . another proof of this great change is this , tho' they have every summer , a small squadron out a cruising upon the algerines and sallee-men , they have never been able to take a prize , at least in the memory of the oldest men of my acquaintance , who have known the country for these many years . we had indeed a story in the english gazette , i think it was in , of their burning the admiral of sallee , but at last it proved to be but a small boat that was run ashoar . it might be expected that they should in some measure recover themselves during the late war , in which other seafaring nations were embroil'd , whilst they enjoy'd the benefit of a free-trade , as in effect they did , almost to the doubling of their trading vessels . but it does not appear that they made any great improvement in the art of navigation ; for there was hardly skill enough among them to carry a ship into the english channel , very few , if any of them , daring to venture upon that voyage without an english pilot : i suppose it is for want of seamen that the king's ships are so much crowded with land-souldiers ; for these make the greatest part of the complement , that of the biggest ships , as i have been told , consisting of mariners , others not yet qualified for able seamen , and land-souldiers . of his majesties first queen . marie françoise elizabeth de savoie , youngest daughter to charles amadee de savoie , duke of nemours , by elizabeth the daughter of caesar de bourbon , duke of vendome , natural son of henry the fourth , king of france , by gabriele d' estrees dutchess of beaufort , commonly called la belle gabriele . she was born the th of june , contracted to dom alfonso the vi. king of portugal , the th of june , arrived at lisbon the second of august following , and having cohabited with that king for the space of near sixteen months , was divorced from him , and married afterwards , viz. the d of april to his brother the infante dom pedro , now king of portugal . this lady , who before her marriage , went by the title of the mademoiselle d' aumalle , was at first designed for the infante , whilst a match was in treaty between the king his brother , and her elder sister mademoiselle de nemours , the present dutchess dowager of savoy ; but that match not taking effect , she was contracted , as i have said , to the king , and another marriage was concluded between the infante and mademoiselle de bouvillon , daughter to the prince of turenne , and niece to the mareschal of that name : but this was broke off , because the infante could not be prevail'd with by any perswasions or menaces , the king his brother could use , or the entreaties of the ministers and his own servants to stand to what had been agreed upon in his name and by his order : the reasons for his refusal i could never learn. soon after the new queens arrival at lisbon , king alfonso began to express an extraordinary coldness towards her , and in a short time he estranged himself very much from her company , his indifferency growing into an utter aversion , insomuch that he forbore not openly to exclaim against the authors of this match , who , as he hath been heard to say , had advised him to that which he should have cause to repent of all his life-time ; all this was said ( by such as were ill-affected to that prince ) to proceed from a certain un-fitness for marriage , which the queen afterwards laid to his charge . others are still of opinion , that it was occasioned by some secret cause of dislike that rendred her person disagreeable to him . they that accuse the king of inability , impute the cause of that , and of his incapacity for government , which they accuse him of likewise , to his sickness in the time of his infancy ; for at three years old he had been seiz'd with a malignant fever , and that was succeeded by a palsie , whereby , as it is said , all his right side became withered , from head to foot , insomuch that he remain'd lame ever after , on that side ; but they that tell this , accuse him likewise of delighting to ride the most fierce and un-manageable horses , and to encounter with wild bulls , and other violent exercises , which one wou'd think should suppose a vigorous habit of body ; they represent him also as guilty of many extravagancies on the account of lewd women , as in truth , his vicious inclinations to them were apparently the cause of most of those disorders they lay to his charge . and this may make one suspect their sincerity likewise , when they tell us , that the same distemper had so affected his brain , that he was never in his right mind . it may , no doubt , with reason enough , be said of this king , that some have taken the liberty ( upon what grounds i know not ) to say of his father before him , that he was none of the wisest kings that ever reign'd in portugal , but then , the faults he was guilty of , may be as well imputed to his want of education , as to any natural or accidental defect in his understanding : for perhaps , there never was one designed for a crown more neglected in his youth than this prince had been : he had been suffered to abandon himself to all the extravagancies his childish inclinations led him to , and not only his own , but those of his companions ; these were ( not the sons of the nobility but ) such as himself had pickt up out of the streets , from among the boys that he us'd to behold from the palace windows , dividing themselves into parties , and pelting one another with stones , the usual pastime of portuguese children . they that were of the party favoured by the king , and signaliz'd themselves most at this exercise , had the largest share in his affections , and some of them , as they grew up with him , became his principal favourites ; these , from the very beginning of his reign , found entrance into the court , and would , at times , entice the king down into the stable-yard of the palace , and there , together with a lewd rabble of grooms , blacks , and moorish slaves , entertain his majesty with wrestling , boxing , throwing the bar , darting knives , setting dogs to fight , the young king making one amongst them , and what he learnt from the conversation of this vile crew , he afterwards , on some occasions , put in practice . such education was not , we may be sure , very likely to qualifie him for the affairs of state. 't is true , the chiefest of his companions had been put from him immediately before his taking the government upon himself ; and he having had the happiness to fall into better hands , a great alteration was observed in his conduct ; yet he was not so changed , but that he found himself obliged to leave affairs of importance to the care and management of others . this the new queen soon perceiv'd ; and as 't is very likely she was encouraged to make her advantage of the king's unfitness for business , and to endeavour to get the government of him , and his kingdom , into her own hands . this is certain , that notwithstanding the king 's neglect of her , she was not wanting to her self ; but took all occasions to make her self considerable ; she not only procured from him a grant for the augmentation of the revenue settled on her in marriage , but began to talk of calling to account such as were possest of any lands belonging to former queens , and more than this , to interpose in affairs of state , and matters of government , giving the ministers to understand , that she expected to know how things went , and she made her self to be obey'd so far , that nothing of moment was transacted in the king's council , but her majesty was consulted about it . not content with all this , she seemed to have a further aim still , and to design no less than a total change of the ministry , in order to engross the whole power to her self , or impart it to such as she should engage in her interests . the great men of the kingdom were at this time divided into two irreconcileable parties , neither of which could be safe , but by a total overthrow of the other ; the one consisting of those that had been in the government in the late queen mother's time , or had done their utmost to continue her regency , and were at this time wholly broken , driven from court , or deprived of their charges , and the principal of them banish'd into several remote parts of the kingdom . the other was of them that were then in the ministry , or had been instrumental in placing king alfonso on the throne , in opposition to the queen his mother , and obliging her to retire into a monastery . the new queen , presently after her arrival publickly declar'd for the vanquish'd party , at least , did that which in effect was the same thing ; for she openly sollicited the return of the duke of cadaval , and his re-establishment at court. this duke was the chief person of the whole party , and had shewn himself the most active of them all in the queen mothers service , and thereby had drawn upon himself the largest share of the king's displeasure . besides , the conde de castelmelhor , who was then the prime minister , and the principal man , next the king , at court , had reason to look upon the duke as his most formidable antagonist ; and to apprehend his return as a step towards the ruine of himself and his whole party , especially if it were obtained by the queens sollicitation , which would have engaged that great man to her service ; and it might prove impossible for him to hold out against their united interests . there had that passed between the duke and the conde , that the court could not well hold them both , as it cannot to this day ; for they are both still alive ; the duke is now in the ministry , and for that reason ( some give it for the only reason ) the court , for this last reign , hath remain'd shut to the conde . but to put things in their due light , i find it will be necessary to look back to the time of the late queens regency , and give a brief account of some former transactions , particularly those wherein either of these two great men were concern'd . donna luisa francisca de gusman , who by her courage had animated duke john of bragança , her husband , to take upon him the crown , which she is said to have preserved likewise upon his head by her counsels ; was left by that king at his death , which happened the sixth of november , regent of the kingdom , and tutress or guardian to the princes their children ; but her regency was not like to continue long , should the young king , her son , be reckoned to be of age at the usual time of majority , it having been customary , for kings of this , as well as of other nations , to be declared majors at fourteen , and dom alfonso was near the end of his thirteenth year at the king his father's death , for he was born the st of august , so that should former presidents be observed in the present case , she was like , in a short time , to be forced to let go the power out of her hands , and see a kingdom which she had contributed so much to procure and preserve for the family , committed to the discretion of a child ; or entrusted by him to she knew not whom , for he once declared , major would be at liberty to chuse his own ministers . the best-established governments in such a case must necessarily be exposed to many great inconveniencies ; but that of portugal , which was then new and unsettled , and struggling as it were , for life , in a war with the spanish monarchy , would be in danger of utter ruine : for these considerations , as we may well suppose , the queen resolv'd to prolong her regency for some years beyond the ordinary time ; to this end she conferred all offices of trust upon creatures of her own , or such as she could conside in , and took such ways to engage those in power , as should make them more apprehensive of a change than her self ; and in effect , she so manag'd matters , as to remain possest of the government till the king was within a month of nineteen ; and had not the conde de castelmelhor , by an unexpected surprize , broken all her measures , she might , in all likelihood , have kept it in her hands as long as she pleas'd ; and her enemies used to say , that by her good will she had never parted with it while she lived . and in truth , her conduct in regard to the king her son may have given some colour to this aspersion ; the education of that prince in his tender age was such as has been now described . it s true , the queen mother took notice , with what scandalous companions he associated himself , and made grievous complaints of it ; but still they had access to him , even while he was of those years when one would think his governours should be responsible for his carriage . as the king grew bigger he became guilty of such excesses as might be expected from a youth so bred , and left to his own liberty , without a curb ; he took great pleasure in walking the streets a nights in company of his braves , to haunt the houses of leud women , and sometimes he would order the prostitutes to be brought to him to the palace ; he is reported likewise to have committed several outrages upon those he met with in his night-walks ; nor did he wholly abstain from those pranks in the day-time ; several instances of this nature are reckoned up by those that have made a strict enquiry into his faults ; but i do not find , that he ever did any great mischief ; he often endangered his person indeed , and began to loose himself much in the peoples opinion . the queen mother made loud complaints of these disorders ; but then she took such a course , as might make her enemies suspect , she desired that the people rather than her son might become sensible of his faults ; she exposing them in as publick manner as was possible , in order , as some imagine , to make her self thought more necessary , and him less capable of the government . one time she contriv'd it so , that all the counsellors of state should wait upon him in a body , and let him understand how his person and the kingdom were in danger by the courses he took ; the young duke of cadaval , dom nuno alvarez pereira , upon the account of his quality ( he being then , as he is still , the only duke in the kingdom ) was chosen spokesman , and he , at the head of the rest , in the name of the queen , the king's brother and sister , the court , and the whole kingdom , admonish'd his majesty to change the whole course of his life , and not to expose , as he did , himself and the nation to ruine . another time she assembled together the officers of the crown , the courts of justice , the nobility and gentlemen about the court , and the magistrates of lisbon ; the design of this great assembly was to make a more solemn remonstrance to the king , and withal to remove one antonio conti from about his person ; this conti had been one of those boys that had had the good hap to get into the king's favour , by distinguishing himself at the exercises aforementioned ; and by this means , from serving in a pedling shop in the capella ( a small cloyster within the palace ) he grew to be a considerable person at court , becoming the king 's constant companion in his extravagancies ; and he was thought to contribute more to the corrupting of him than any other person whatsoever . the seizing of this conti was the first thing to be put in execution , and therefore whilst the queen mother entertain'd the king in private , the duke of cadaval , with some other lords , took him violently out of the palace it self , where he had shut himself up in the king 's own apartment , which the duke was ready to force , and had done it , had not conti opened to him , he having caus'd instruments to be brought in order to break down the doors , resolving to kill conti upon the place , in case he refus'd to surrender himself . conti taken , and with some others of the like stamp , convey'd on board a ship then under sail for brazil , the whole company came and presented themselves before the king , and in the name of them all , the secretary of state read a remonstrance to him that had been drawn up by general consent ; it contain'd an account of the queens complaints , the grievances of the nation , the king 's ill conduct , and the exorbitancies of his favourites . the king was mightily surpriz'd , to see himself thus unexpectedly attack'd , by so great a crowd of people ; for he had not the least warning given him of their coming ; was so little prepared to receive and answer their address , that it was some time after the company was gone before he knew what business brought them thither ; and this makes it look as if there was some further design in hand than barely the king's amendment . 't is plain , that in case the queen had a design to create a mutual distrust between her son and all the most considerable persons in the kingdom , in order to keep him out , and secure her self in the government , she could not have taken a more effectual course to gain her ends. she might be sure , that those she employ'd in such ungrateful offices , would be very unwilling to see alfonso in a condition to call them to account ; the portuguese nation is as little addicted to forgiveness as any perhaps in europe ; and such as are apt to revenge injuries themselves , do of course expect the like returns from those they have offended . alfonso was a prince , violent of his nature , had not been bred to restrain or dissemble his resentments ; so that these , who had thus violated the palace of their king , and had laid open his infirmities to the world in so publick and solemn a manner , as they had , wounded him in his most sensible part , could never think themselves seeure while it was in his power to revenge the affronts . and this seems to me to have been the rise of that powerful party which the new queen found so ready to stand by her , to prosecute her quarrels , and which enabled her at last to finish what the queen mother , contrary to her intentions , no doubt , had begun , that is the ruine of the unfortunate alfonso . this great assembly dissolv'd , the king coming to understand upon what account they had been with him , and what they had been doing about his palace , after he had given way to the first transports of his passion , began to think it was high time for him to assert his authority , and to secure himself from the like insults ; or rather to beware of a third admonition . his mother , by using him so like a minor at the end of five years that had past since the time of his majority , did not a little confirm him in his suspicions , that he was never like to come of age while she liv'd ; nor perhaps , enjoy the crown at her death ; for he had been for some time perswaded , that her intention was to set up the infante , his brother , in his place , wherefore he resolv'd , once for all , to withdraw himself from under her jurisdiction , by wresting , if it were possible , the power out of her hands ; 't is hard to tell whether these and the like thoughts were suggested to him , or confirm'd by dom luis de vascomcellos & sousa conde de castelmelhor ; but 't is not doubted that the project of putting them in execution , was form'd presently after the queen mother and her party were withdrawn ; when the king shut himself up for some time with the conde . this nobleman was of the first quality , and one of the best families in portugal , but of fortunes not equal to his birth , or at least , not to his aspiring mind ; for tho' he was then but young , yet he had , for some time , been entertaining great designs in his head , which an occasion now offering it self , he made appear , that he wanted neither courage nor abilities to go through with : he had improved his natural endowments by travel , an advantage not common to those of his rank in portugal , and he himself had been obliged to it by necessity , rather than choice , he having had the misfortune to be engag'd with several other noble-men in a quarrel , wherein one of them was kill'd . it is reported of him , that while he was in italy , in the time of his flight . he took occasion to declare , that he must needs go home , for his mind gave him , that it would be his fortune one day to become the greatest man in portugal . the late king having granted him his pardon , and upon his death-bed reconciled the parties , he came again to court , and when alfonso's houshold was settled , he by means of his countesses relations , got in to be a gentleman of the bed-chamber . 't was his week when this great stir was made about the court ; but the queen had not thought fit to make him of the party ; and his enemies give the world to understand , that it was for this , and no other reason , that he dis-approv'd of the action . but he appear'd a little too warm while the business was transacting , to let one think he was so very indifferent ; for meeting with the duke in a gallery , while he was in pursuit of conti , he took occasion to reproach him for having lost his respect to the king , by using this violence in a place that ought to be accounted sacred ; upon which , such hard words pass'd between them , that had not the queen mother made up the quarrel afterwards , 't was fear'd that they would have come to blows ; this discourse happen'd while he was endeavouring to get in to the king to acquaint him of what they were doing about his court , and had he not found all the passages guarded , he might have spoil'd the design . but in the conference he had , presently afterwards with the king , 't is said , he laid the project of that entire defeat which in a few days he gave the whole party . for the present , he prevail'd with the king to dissemble his resentments , which , contrary to his custom , he did , and carried it fair with his mother and her creatures , so that all things seem'd to be well again . the queen was highly applauded by the courtiers for her prudent resolution and conduct , and those vile creatures that conti had rais'd , took it extreamly ill that they were not thought fit to be employ'd in the action . but some wiser than the rest , were a little startled at the king 's ordering the conde to wait another week ; tho' others were of opinion that the conde did not think himself safe , unless about the king's person : but the alarm was more general on the monday after this transaction ( which had pass'd on saturday the th of june ) when the king , taking occasion , according to his custom , to go to alcantara , but in greater state than ordinary , the conde from thence wrote to the secretary of state in an imperious stile , that it was the king's pleasure to know what they had done with conti , whether any order had been given to put him to death ; and whether manoel antunes ( one of his associates ) had been arrested , but at evening the king return'd , visited and caress'd his mother , and on tuesday all things were quiet again . on wednesday , about twelve a clock the plot broke out ; for the king , at that unseasonable hour ( when people in this country , at this time of the year are going to sleep ) taking the conde with him in his litter , withdraws privately to alcantara , and thence sends to the court for his guards , and afterwards for necessaries to fit up his lodgings , summons the nobility to come and attend his person , first those that he thought best affected to him , and afterwards all in general , dispatches away expresses to the commanders of his army and garrisons , to give them notice , that he had taken the government into his own hands . by this hardy enterprize , the conde in a few hours time entirely defeated the queens most numerous and powerful party , and broke all the measures which that princess , the most accomplisht of her sex in the arts of policy , had been concerting for several years . not that her accustomed prudence fail'd her on this occasion , for she did all that could be expected from one of her character , to preserve her authority ; and the conde , who got the better of the day , was not a little oblig'd for his success to his good fortune : for at first news of what was doing at alcantara , the queen plac'd a guard at the passage from the city to that place , called her confidents about her , and assembl'd the council , giving out orders at the same time , that none should go near the king , 'till they had been first with her : and she was so well obey'd , that the fortune of the day was for some time in ballance ; and it was towards evening , when the conde found his design had taken so little effect , that he was thinking to secure the king and himself in st. julian's castle : for notwithstanding his sending out the summons with such an air of authority , there were no more than two noblemen of the secret , and it grew late before a man besides them appear'd at alcantara . but this was not known at lisbon , nor had the adverse party so much time to recollect themselves , as to consult one another's sentiments , or be inform'd how people stood affected ; it was hard for them to think such summons could have been sent , unless some under-hand assurance had been given , that they would be obey'd ; and no man could know , how far others were engaged , or might comply ; but every one might be assured , that his own fortunes were spoil'd , should he be found among the last that came in . while things were thus in suspence at the court , and at alcantara , two persons gave the turn to the king's side ; the one was antonio de sousa de macedo , a faithful servant of the king , and a true friend of the conde's , of whom i shall afterwards have occasion to speak ; but he being not so considerable for his birth or quality , his example was the less likely to draw others after him . the other was a great lord , who proved afterwards the most bitter enemy the king had in the world ; but at this time , contrary to his intentions , did him a most important piece of service : this was the marquess of cascaes , would needs be going to alcantara , contrary to the queen's order , that he might see what they were doing there , and return to give her majesty an account : but other people could not see upon what design he went ; so that he having thus broke the ice , several followed his example , who drew many after 'em that were not sent for , as well as of those that were . the king's party growing apparently the stronger , the highway to alcantara was fill'd with herds of such as think the strongest must surely be in the right , all men striving to get foremost , to assure his majesty of the great zeal , which they , for their parts , always had for his service . 't is not my business to give the particulars of this revolution : in short , the queen , after fome struggle , found her self obliged to make a formal surrender of the government into the king's hands , the following friday . the conde having thus gotten possession of the government , tho' he had discovered much of the young man in the attempt ; yet , in the management of affairs , he proceeded with all the flegm and prudence of an old experienc'd states-man . it 's true , that in the beginning he found it necessary for the king's safety , and his own , to use some rigor , in making great alterations at court. the leading men of the queen's party , as they had more or less incurr'd the king's displeasure , were either banish'd into remote parts of the kingdom , removed from their places , forbid the court , or excused their attendance ; but notwithstanding the murmurs of the interessed persons , and their dependants , he managed things so well , that in a short time he became exceeding popular : he found the state at the brink of ruin , being in all appearance reduced to the last extremity , by a war of two and twenty years standing . the spaniards , after they had made peace with the french , falling in upon portugal , with the choice of their forces drawn from all parts of their dominions ; and don john of austria was about that very time in the bowels of the kingdom , and expected every day at lisbon , at the head of a more numerous army than had been on foot since the beginning of the war : but , upon the conde's coming to the government , a sudden check was given to the enemy , and victory declared it self so frequently in favour of the portugueses , that this king , notwithstanding his deposition , is still , and perhaps ever will be , distinguish'd by the title of , alfonso the victorious . the people were much eas'd of their taxes , and the soldiers better paid than before ; pretenders at court , who us'd to be put off with delays , had all reasonable satisfaction given them , and many worthy persons preferr'd to employments ; in a word , the conde's administration during the five years of his government , gave so general a satisfaction , that such as converse with the portugueses , will find , that tho' they have all the veneration for his present majesty , that he justly deserves , yet they seldom speak of the conde's times , without regretting the want of him in the ministry at present , they accounting him the only person able to support the declining state. but of all other alterations , none was more taken notice of than that which people saw , or thought at least they saw , in the king ; as they did not look on him now with the same eyes as formerly , so without doubt his change of condition and company , must have had a like effect upon him , as it has on all other men. he was now attended and respected by his nobility , and had men of sense and honour about him , whose business it was to inform , and help him out , upon occasions , and to raise him in the peoples esteem ; and so he must needs make a very different figure , from what he did in that vile company he before conversed with , and while he was kept under and discouraged by his mother , whose creatures holding their places by the opinion people had of the king's incapacity , were ready enough , we may be sure , to catch at any thing that might serve to expose his weakness . but it was observ'd , that such of these as still kept in at court , and were us'd to be the most ready to cry out upon him , for want of common sense , were generally the most forward to admire the vast improvements he had made in so short a time , which were such , that they could hardly take him for the same person ; at least , they could think nothing less , than that he was alter'd to a miracle ; they now thought he spoke sentences like one inspir'd , and they were seldom without some of his sayings in their mouths : and that which astonish'd them the most , was , how it should enter into their thoughts , that this prince was unfit to govern portugal ; for now they discover'd him to be of so exalted a genius , as qualified him for the greatest empire in the universe . and i make no question , but they that talk'd at this rate , were the first to trample upon that poor prince at his fall. but there were still about the court some ill-natur'd people , that had been unhappily engag'd in the same party , who could never be brought over by the turn of the times to change their sentiments , but affected rather the contrary extream to these fawning parasites , as thinking it perhaps scandalous , to be so much as in the right , with such company . they had so often talk'd of the king's lameness in his right-side , that notwithstanding all demonstrations to the contrary , they were resolv'd to believe it still , and to hold , that it must have weaken'd him to that degree , as to make him unfit for government : they agreed with the compliers so far , that in case the king of himself did , or said , any of those fine things that were told of him , it must needs have been by virtue of some very miraculous change indeed ; but they could not be perswaded that he acted of his own head : they thought indeed , that he was inspired ; but that it was by the conde , and his creatures , whom they make the authors of every thing that was well said , or done by him . and the reason was , that tho' he began a discourse well enough , and spoke to the purpose , when any address'd themselves to him , in case he was inform'd of their business before-hand ; yet if they answer'd him again , these malecontents pretended , that he was at a loss for a reply , or faultered , or grew mute . when instances were given of his discreet behaviour on occasions , when he could have no instructions given him , they would say , he might perhaps have his lucid intervals : or they would put it off with a cold jest , then current among them , that they allow'd one half of the king to be still hale and sound ; and when he spoke a good thing , they us'd to say , it came from his majesty's left-side ; but generally speaking , they thought all that he did , or said , came from the right . the jesuit might think himself more witty , when having occasion some years since to mention alfonso's victories , he told the people in his sermon , that one half of a portuguese king , was able to beat the great monarch of spain . but as great as this change in the king really was , it was no thorough reformation : for tho' in the beginning he seem'd to take up and apply himself to the business of state , being constantly present at councils , dispatches , audiences , &c. yet he was under some constraint all the while ; and notwithstanding all that the conde could do , he would have his sallies , and sometimes break out into as great , or greater extravagances than before : and that he might act with greater freedom , he long'd to have his conti near him again . he had been advised , for vindication of his authority , to order this man back from brazil ; but withal , to save his credit with the people , by the conde's perswasion , he forbad him coming near the court. his inclinations towards his old favourite , were soon discovered by the adverse party ; who ready to serve themselves of any instruments , engag'd conti in their interest ; and a plot was laid to supplant the conde , and restore the queen ; in order to which , conti was to perswade the king , to recal the exiles . he had his correspondents at court , who waiting their opportunity when the conde was out of the way , contriv'd it so , that the king had two interviews with conti , near alcantara : but the conde , who had his spies abroad , soon div'd into the bottom of the plot , and laid it open to the king ; who was so incensed thereat , that conti was banish'd to o porto , and the conde had no further trouble with so unequal a rival . one of those two noblemen who had been of the party at the acclamation , ( as it was call'd ) of alcantara , was found to be in the conspiracy , and was banish'd likewise from court : the other was dead , and had been in disgrace some time before , upon pretence that he had drawn his sword in the palace , and given a challenge , which is a capital crime by the laws : these three , had , in the beginning of this government , constituted a kind of triumvirate among themselves , tho' the conde always bore the greatest sway ; but he is accus'd of having us'd those under arts , that are so much practis'd at courts , to work the other two out of favour . and i have not heard what is said in his defence , in regard to the former ; but as for this whom he found tampering with conti , i cannot see why he should be blam'd for disarming an enemy , whom he caught contriving his own destruction . the conde having now clear'd the court of his enemies , both publick , and secret , saw his prediction fully accomplish'd , and himself without a rival , in a manner sole governour of portugal ; and he might have continued so , had he not unhappily laid a train for his master's ruin and his own , in the way that he took more firmly to establish the throne of that unfortunate prince . alfonso had now no longer cause to apprehend any designs of his mother , she had before been obliged to retire into a monastery ; and the plot to restore her , by so contemptible an instrument as conti , seem'd to be the last struggle of the party . however , she died soon afterwards , and by the conde's prudent management , and good fortune , there seem'd to be such an union between the royal brothers , that there was no cause to fear any thing from the infante , the only person that could give umbrage to the king ; so that had it not been for his unhappy marriage , he might have dy'd with his scepter in his hand . but no sooner was this fatal marriage contracted , than all things seem'd to go backward , and tend directly to the ruin of them both ; the conde had been the contriver of the match , as the king , when in an ill humour , us'd to reproach him , and he was the first that suffer'd by it . he had been perswaded , that there was nothing wanting to the king's security , but his marriage , which might possibly take him off from his wild courses ; but he thought it a sure way to silence a report , concerning a certain weakness in him ; which was whisper'd about , in order to make people believe , that the infante was alone capable of securing the succession , the conde being himself fully satisfy'd , that this report was groundless ; at least , he solemnly protested , that he look'd upon it as an imposture , when ask'd about it by the marquess de sande , as he was going to france to conclude the marriage , he assuring the marquess , that he had a natural daughter of the king 's , at that time in his own house . but the match concluded on , he soon found cause to repent of his diligence ; for the faction began to revive , and re-assume new vigour , and to prosecute the same designs under the infante's name , which they had before been carrying on in the queen-mothers . the queen-mother is reported by her friends , as well as others , to have endeavoured what she could , to set up this young prince in his brother's place : she had settled his court , when he was but fourteen years old , in almost as great splendor as the king 's , who was sixteen before he had so much as a separate apartment in the palace . this look'd as if she was providing a future head for the party , for their encouragement to stick the closer by her for the present : but after her retreat , the ministers with great prudence and success , endeavour'd to endear the two brothers to each other , having them often together at the palace , at alcantara , and salva terra , the infante partaking with the king in all his ordinary recreations , and sometimes in his less innocent diversions . the ministers did not a little value themselves on this , to the great regret of their adversaries , thinking that they had brought them to a perfect agreement , and put an end to all those little jealousies and animosities that had been between them . but no sooner was the princess d'aumalle design'd for the king , but a breach began that never could be clos'd : the infante's refusal to approve of the match that was made at the same time , by his own consent , between him and mademoiselle de bouillon , reviv'd the king's jealousies ; insomuch , that he began to accuse him of having still his mother's design in his head , to make himself king , and threatned to clap him into a tower ; but all in vain , for the infante persisted in his refusal . i know not , but it may be about this time , that he was highly exasperated by an expression the infante had let fall , that he was sure , the king could have no children by his marriage . when the new queen's arrival was expected , the infante found himself destitute of persons of quality to attend him ; the queen-mother , when she settled his houshold , had plac'd about him several lords of her party , not much inferiour , either in rank or number , to those in the king's service ; but these being employ'd elsewhere , he had others given him , that were in the king , and the conde's interest ; and it fell out luckily , as it was then thought , for the conde , that the infante took such a liking to his brother , simon de vasconcellos , that of his own accord he took him into his service ; and this favourite seem'd to have no less share in his good graces , than the conde had in the king 's : but the preference of vasconcellos , so disoblig'd the rest , that they withdrew from the infante's service ; they return'd indeed again , at the king's request , but upon the infante's making his favourite governour of his houshold , they retired a second time , and the king thought it too great a condescension , to recal them . the infante demanded to have others in their room ; the king gave him the nomination of such he should think fit ; he named those that were disagreeable to the king , who refus'd to confirm them , and offer'd to restore the old ones : but the infante would not accept of them ; and so he was fain to be attended by the king's servants , when he gave audience to the marquess de rouvigni , who conducted the queen to lisbon . after her arrival , he desir'd leave of the king to retire from court , since he could not continue there in a state agreeable to his quality : the king told him , he might go if he pleas'd ; but should have no order from him : yet he thinking fit to stay 'till the queen had made her publick entry , the king would several times ask him in raillery , why he was not gone ? but otherwise treating him with great kindness . upon which the infante took occasion to declare , before vasconcellos , that he perceived some malicious persons had done him ill offices with the king , and that the conde de castelmelhor , was not free from suspicion ; but in case he prov'd guilty , he would find a way to chastise him according to his demerits . vasconcellos offended to hear his brother so ill treated , would stay no longer in the infante's service . the conde finding all the great men that were disaffected at the court , gathering about the infante , and encouraging him in his design to retire , did his utmost with the king , to perswade him to satisfie his brother's demands , but could not prevail : he waited himself upon the infante , to signifie his readiness to serve him ; but receiv'd from him a very harsh answer . the infante at last retires to a country-house , about two leagues from lisbon , orders another to be provided for him against winter , at almada , on the other side of the water : and it was given out , that he withdrew , because the court could not hold him and the conde together . during the separation of the two brothers , their common enemies hoped they would become irreconcilable , and that all things tended towards a civil war. the infante never came to court , unless it were to wait on the queen ; and she being taken with a slight indisposition , prevail'd with him to stay in town during her illness , to avoid the trouble of coming to visit her in the night , and returning at undue hours . the ministers laid hold on this opportunity to make up the business so , that the infante should choose what gentleman he pleas'd , those only excepted , whom he had before named . yet this difference was not so made up , but the two brothers continued disgusted at each other , especially the king ; and he had so little command of himself , that he took all occasions to treat the infante with the harshest language , and to threaten him with worse usage ; he grew every day in a worse humour , as those about the infante gave him occasions to suspect they had designs upon his crown : as when despairing to get him sworn prince , as they once design'd , they advis'd him to request of the king , that he might command the armies with the title of constable of the kingdom ; which , as the king was perswaded , was sought for only in order to take the sword , and by that means the scepter out of his hand . his jealousie thus increasing , his anger against his brother became more violent ; and upon pretence of other employments , he took occasions to remove from about him , those he suspected to have put these designs in his head. while these things passed between the king , and the infante , the queen , on her part , was acting within the court , in concert , as it were , with those without , in order to bring about the conde's ruin. he soon perceiv'd by her pretensions , that this must be her design ; and , that if her demands were satisfy'd , his power was not like to be long-liv'd ; and therefore , he either found , or made them so very difficult to be comply'd with , that her majesty grew highly dissatisfy'd , and resolv'd entirely to break with him , taking a solemn oath , that she would never speak to him more about business . and it was not long before she had occasion , to make known her resentments to the whole court and kingdom . it happen'd that a certain french-man was murder'd by a carrier in the unfrequented roads of alemtejo . the murderer had fled to a church , and tho' he were forc'd from thence , yet before justice could be done , it was first to be determined , whether he had any right to sanctuary ? for which cause , and for want of sufficient proof , the trial was delay'd . about the same time a difference arose between the high-steward of the queen's houshold , a french-man , and her secretary , a portuguese , about matters relating to their several places , and the queen gave orders to the secretary of state , that this business should be referr'd to two of the judges ; but the secretary thought convenient to lay it before all the judges , and to communicate it likewise to the council of state : he waiting upon the queen , about other busisiness , she took occasion to enquire , what had been done in these two cases ? the secretary gave the reason , why the criminal was not yet try'd ; and told her , that the other business lay before the council , and that it was necessary the conde de castelmelhor should be spoken to about it . the queen , at naming of the conde , flew into a violent passion ; and after having severely reprimanded the secretary of state , for not having done his duty , by punctually observing her orders ; she told him , that she wonder'd he should tell her of the conde , since she had sworn , never to have more to do with him ; who , by thwarting her in every thing , had reduced her to a state of beggary ; he always wanting power , when her occasions requir'd it , tho' at no time else : that for these eight months , she had not so much as an alms to give , by reason of his obstructing the consignment of crowns granted her by the king : that a great deal of artifice was used in concealing matters from her ; as if she , next the king , was not the most concern'd in all affairs . and knowing how much she laid to heart , the duke of cadaval's return , they had not given her any account of that business , notwithstanding her having so often interceeded for him , as intercede she would , let them blame her for it as much as they pleas'd ; that it was enough to set them against any person , to see her appear in his favour , even when she had reason for it ; and when she desir'd any thing , were it never so feasible , it became impossible ; and that for no other reason , but because she desir'd it that , it seems , they affected to let the world know , that she had no share in the government ; and for her part , she was glad of it , as having no share in the blame . that she desired not to have matters submitted to her determination ; however , she thought it was but manners in them , to make her acquainted with what they did : but they had no regard to decency . and some people took a pleasure in crossing her , and were so proud , that , it seems , they thought she came to portugal , not to be their queen , but their slave . these , and other passionate expressions of her majesty , put the poor secretary into a passion too ; he , after having excused himself about the manner of his executing her orders , in answer to her complaints , told her : that the conde , and his friends , had made it their business to serve , and please her majesty . that it was none of his fault , if she was in any straits , that being no part of his business . that her majesty had her revenues ; and it was hoped , she would proportion her expences according to them . that the consignment of crowns was a new thing , and not easily settled . that she had been made acquainted with all matters of importance ; and nothing of any consequence had been kept from her knowledge , that the court was full of unreasonable pretenders ; who , if favoured by her majesty , might engage her in the prosecution of their unjust demands . that he could give her no account concerning the duke's return to court , the king having himself come to a resolution in that matter , that for their parts , they did not know how to please her , since she was not satisfy'd , after they had done all they could to serve her , she having been treated with so much respect , that no queen ever had so great an authority . but coming to that part of her complaint , wherein she said , she had been treated like a slave , he chang'd his note , and in portuguese ( for he had spoken french before ) , he boldly told her , that her majesty was abus'd by some about her , who deserv'd to be chastis'd ; had no reason to complain of the portugueses , since the respect they paid her , came little short of adoration . the queen , after a warm reply , wherein she said , she knew how to distinguish between the good and the bad portugueses : there being not above three or four that she complain'd of ; and signifying what she would do to those that had enrich'd themselves with the rents belonging to the queens of portugal ; commanded the secretary not to speak so loud . he told her , that if he spake loud , it was , that all the world might hear what he said . the queen bad him hold his peace , and be gone . he not departing presently , she rose from her seat , and was going away ; the secretary imprudently laid his hand upon her gown , either to kiss it , according to custom , at her departure , to signifie his desire , that she would hear him out ; but seeing her resolv'd to be gone , he cry'd out to the noblemen and ladies present , that he was unworthily us'd , no king having ever treated a vassal in this manner . the person who had this dispute with her majesty , was antonio de souza de macedo , before mention'd , as one of the first that came in to the king at alcantara : i cannot tell what he was by birth ; but in himself he was a person of noble qualities , as appear'd afterwards by his constancy in the service of his master , and his friend ; he was a man of letters , and a doctor in the laws . after the revolt from the spaniards , he had written with great zeal and eloquence in defence of his country's cause , and went secretary to the solemn embassy , which king john sent to our king charles the first , to acquaint him , of his having assum'd the crown of portugal , and , upon king charles's demand , to know on what right his master's claim was founded ; he drew up a paper , which entirely satisfy'd his majesty . in england he continued resident for several years , and was very serviceable to the king , in the time of his troubles . from hence he went ambassador to holland , and in a very difficult negotiation , he acquitted himself much to his master's satisfaction , and his own credit ; and at his return , he was highly esteem'd at court : and the conde could not do a more grateful thing to the nobility , than prefer him , as he did , to the place of secretary of state , tho' perhaps he might have some regard to himself , as well as to the publick , in advancing this man : the conde was young , and antonio de sousa well practis'd in business , and by his counsels may have been of as great use to the conde , as the conde was to the king. it is certain , that he drew up instructions for him to observe , in the administration of the government ; and as the conde was to be destroy'd , before the king could be depos'd , so it is very probable , that this quarrel was pick'd on purpose with antonio de sousa , in order to make way for the conde's ruin. the king coming to understand what had passed between the queen and him , did his endeavour to pacifie her majesty , promising , that the secretary should be severely punish'd ; but the queen would not be appeas'd . it unluckily fell out , that this broil happen'd at the time of bull-feast : the first day was over , and her majesty could not be prevail'd upon to appear the second day : so that to conceal the matter from the people , the bull-running was put off for that day , upon pretence , that the king was indispos'd ; and she continuing out of humour still , the king was fain to be indispos'd the next , and the following days ; and by that time things were brought to such a pass , that an end was put to all sports and pastimes for this king's reign . the queen took so little care to conceal her anger , that the people soon came to know the cause , why the bull-running was put off , and began to murmur loudly against the court , that their new queen should be so much abus'd ; and , perhaps , their disappointment did not a little serve to raise their clamours . the queen would be satisfy'd with nothing less , than the secretary's being turn'd out of his place , and banish'd from the court ; which the conde was very unwilling to consent to , as thinking , that should he give way to her in this case , he was like to be the next man that should fall a sacrifice to her resentments ; however , the court perceiving a storm ready to break upon them from another quarter , it was resolv'd in council , that the secretary should absent himself from court for ten or twelve days ; and that the king should communicate this order to the queen , and acquaint her , that it was made only to content her majesty ; and that it was hoped , she would engage her self no more in such matters for the future , to prevent the ill consequences that might ensue to the state. pursuant to this order , the secretary , to please the queen , departs from court ; but the king forbore to communicate the order to her , for fear of exasperating her further , at a time when he had his hands full of another more troublesome business . while these things were done above-board , a secret plot was carrying on , among the heads of the discontented party , to seize upon the conde , and carry him off in the same manner , as conti had been serv'd before . the conde having information of their design , may be supposed to have made the more hast to satisfie the queen's complaints : for the very next day , he ordered the guards about the palace to be doubled , the cavalry to be mounted , and the centinels plac'd at the avenues ; and , as 't is said , command was given to the soldiers , to fall upon certain noblemen , in case they endeavoured to get into the court , it being suppos'd that they were coming to execute the design . hereupon several messages past between the infante , and the court ; the infante complaining , that the conde , by arming the palace , had insinuated , as if he was designing to violate it ; for which he requires reparation of honour ; accusing the conde withal , of attempting upon his life by poison ; and therefore desires , that he might be removed from about the king's person , in order to his punishment . the king takes upon himself the doubling of the guards , and offers to send the conde to throw himself at the infante's feet : the infante refuses to take this for satisfaction , and insists upon the conde's removal . the king offers to do him all justice , and desires him to name the conde's accusers , in order to his tryal : but this the infante would not yield to , unless the conde left the court first ; threatning , that if he continued there , he himself would depart the kingdom . the king orders the case to be drawn up , and laid before a consult of the counsellors of state , the chancellor , judges , &c. and it was concluded among them , by the majority of votes , that the infante not being a sovereign prince , his bare affirmation was not to be taken for proof ; that the suspension and removal of the conde , was in it self a punishment , as it reflected dishonour upon him and his family ; but that he ought not to be punish'd , 'till some proof was made of his crime . the infante would not yield , that the case had been fairly stated , or the votes free ; and signifies the same in a letter to the king , wherein he expresses his resentments of the whole proceeding with some heat . while the business was thus agitated by way of letters and messages , each side was seeking by other ways to make his party good , the infante had written to the courts of justice , the chamber and council of lisbon , to acquaint them with his case , sending them copies of his letters to the king. he afterwards called together at his palace , the counsellors of state , and the nobility , to inform them of what had past ; among whom , besides those that had been all along devoted to the cause , the conde had gain'd himself many new enemies , by his advancement , and his over-haughty carriage , ( as it seem'd to them ) in the time of his greatness : and the party was so strong against him , that 't was now evident his ruin was at hand : for many of those fawning wretches , on whom , by a fault common , as 't is said , to great men , he had misplac'd his favours , having rais'd them by his bounty , were now not only ready to abandon him , but they would needs be employ'd in avenging the infante's quarrel upon their benefactor . the infante , at the beginning of this broil , was made to remonstrate in his letters , that if the king refus'd to do him justice , he should be forc'd to leave the kingdom , and end his days in a foreign country . but was now put upon another resolution , which was to retire to the province tras os montes , and join that part of the army , which was commanded by the conde de st. john , one of his principal confidents , many of the disaffected nobility proffering themselves to follow him , and share in his fortunes . the conde , upon the infante's first complaint , petition'd the king for leave to retire ; but it appearing , that the contrivers of all this bustle , aim'd not so much at the conde's removal from the government , as the king 's , who was not like to stand long after the fall of his minister , he was oblig , d to continue at court ; and they were not wanting about the king , that were putting him upon vigorous resolutions , which might , if followed , have recovered his expiring authority : some advised him to go in person to corte real ( the infante's palace ) attended with his counsellors of state , the nobility and officers of the army , and arrest the infante , together with the camarists ( those he had named for gentlemen of his bed-chamber , supposed to be the managers of all this disturbance ) ; but this counsel never took effect ; some think , because it was delay'd so long , that the infante being inform'd of the design , had time enough to put himself in a posture of defence ; it is certain , that he immediately after declared , he would run the same fortune with his gentlemen , and never suffer them to be arrested . it is reported of a certain person , and , as i remember , i have been shewn the man , that he came and offered to the king , and conde , that with his majesty's leave , he would go to corte real , and give a good account of the camarists ; but this proposal was rejected , as it well deserved to be . the great courage the king us'd to shew on other occasions , to the loss of his credit , now fail'd him when he had so much need of it , his authority and his honour lying as they did , at stake . he seems to have been so much sunk at this time , as to become incapable of conceiving , or entertaining a resolution befitting a king in his circumstances . the conde , when he saw that he cou'd do no good any other way , wou'd have had him retire to alemtejo , and there put himself at the head of his army , there being reason to believe , that the main body would prove faithful to him , after having gain'd so many signal victories under his short reign . both sides were endeavouring about this time , to make a party among the soldiery ; the infante had wholly gaind the conde de st. john ; but he had receiv'd orders from court , that neither himself , nor any person under his command , shou'd stir out of his province 'till further order ; and it could not be in his power to do any great harm , supposing the rest continued in their duty . the commanders had been made acquainted with the differences at court by the king's order , who had signified to them his resolution to protect the conde , representing the infante's complaints as groundless . the fleet likewise , which had been cruising on the coasts , was commanded into the river , and order given , that none belonging to it should come ashore without leave . it does not appear , that they who were for setting up the infante , durst as yet openly solicit the army . it 's true , the queen had a very strong party in it , as appears by the strict guard that was kept on the frontiers this year , to prevent the coming of any overtures of peace from castille ; which the french faction , that was headed by the queen , labour'd all they could to hinder ; but it was not as yet pretended , that the king and queen had separate interests . however , her majesty was working under-hand to promote the grand design , sounding the inclinations of those in command , against the time when it should be ripe for execution . count schomberg , who was general of the strangers , and had , in effect , at this time , the direction of the whole army , was oblig'd by orders from france , to hold correspondence with the queen , and to support her interest . the queen took occasion to acquaint him , by letters , how that all things were like to run to ruin through alfonso's extravagances , should he continue in the government , desiring to know of the count , what reckoning might be made of the officers in the army , in case the differences at court came to an open rupture ? it is not probable , for reasons to be mention'd anon , that the count gave her any great encouragement to proceed in the design ; however , he did as he was order'd , and inform'd her majesty , how the principal commanders stood affected , and what might be expected from each of them severally in rhe case propos'd ; he was so very particular in his account , that it took up about four sheets of paper ; and this pacquet had like to have preserv'd the king , and ruin'd the adverse party ; for it narrowly escap'd falling into his majesty's hands : had he been master of it , it might not only have given him great light into the plot , but directed him whom to secure , and whom he might trust in : the story is very remarkable , even in its minutest circumstances , which shew how all things conspired to the destruction of this unhappy prince ; and it will be no digression from our subject to tell it ; which i shall the rather do , because i am assured , that the substance of what follows , came from the late duke schomberg's own mouth . it being somewhat late when this pacquet was convey'd to the queen , her majesty ordered those that attended to retire , after having set up a light at her bed's-head , for that she had some particular devotions to perform that night . she took the papers with her to bed , and there they remain'd , when she fell asleep . the next morning before the queen was up , news came , that the king was gone to chapel ; and it being the custom for them both to hear mass , in the tribunal together , the queen was oblig'd to get ready in all haste , and her haste was so great , that she never minded her papers ; yet she could not get so soon into the chapel , but the elevation , which is the essential part of the mass , was over before she came ; so she was fain to stay for another mass , the king retiring when the first was ended . when the king was gone , the queen bethought her self of her papers , and sent de ville , the jesuit , her confessor , ( who was in the secret , and is suppos'd to have instigated her majesty to what she was acting against her husband ) to secure them : de ville coming to the chamber-door , found that the king was got there before him , and he having no priviledge to enter , while the queen was absent , stood there for some time , and heard the king walking about the room , and talking aloud , as if he were in some heat , to the condeça de castelmelhor , the conde's mother , and chief lady of the bed-chamber to the queen : with these doleful tidings , the jesuit returns to the queen . her majesty upon this , sends one of her ladies to see , whether there were any hopes of retrieving the papers . the lady , upon her coming , found that the king had thrown himself upon the bed. this being told her majesty , she found it absolutely necessary for her to go her self ; but mass was not near done : and what pretence could she have to leave it ? or how should she hinder people from enquiring into the cause of this sudden motion ? de ville was at her elbow ; he suggested to her , that she should be suddenly taken with a fainting-fit : his counsel was put in practice , her majesty swooning away immediately ; and in this condition she was carried from the tribunal into her chamber . the king surpriz'd , and concern'd at his queen's illness , would have had the bed set in order for her to be put into it ; had he been obey'd , her majesty might have had a fit in earnest ; for the papers lay under some cloaths that were upon the bed : the fright brought her majesty to her self so far , as that she desired them without more ado , to lay her upon the bed immediately ; this done , she felt about for the papers , found they were safe ; and , in a little time , all was well again . but whatever were the contents of these papers , it seems , the queen did not think it advisable for the infante to put himself upon the army : for , in truth , those that she had greatest reason to depend upon , who were the french , were like to give him but a cold reception ; it was not for their interest , at that time , to have the portugueses embroil'd in a civil war , while they should be finding work for the spaniards , in order to facilitate the french king's conquests in flanders . as for the english , who together with the french , made a good part of the army , they had been sent into portugal to serve king alfonso ; and it was not to be thought , that they wou'd , upon any account , draw their swords against him ; nor is it credible , but the conde , who had the disposal of all places for above five years together , must have bad friends enough among the portugueses themselves , to make the king's party good ; so that of the two , it was doubtless the best way for the king to betake himself to the army : the conde , who was the best judge in the case , thought , that as things stood , it was the safest , if not the only course he cou'd take , to secure himself ; and he had once brought in the mind to follow this advice , which was when he was just upon leaving the court himself ; it being then resolv'd , that the king should pass into alemtejo in disguise , attended by the conde : but when this project was to be put in execution , the king fell off , and all the conde's remonstrances cou'd not prevail with him to move from lisbon . his enemies say , that he was so much in love with his divertisements , that he cou'd not bear the thoughts of discontinuing them : and , in order to keep his brother at home too , he wrote him a most loving letter , inviting him to court , and disswading him from his resolution to retire , telling him , that he shou'd choose rather to come to him , who was ready to receive him with open arms , and with all the love that was due to a friend , a brother , a son , and ( should he fail of issue ) the successor to his kingdoms . but as these kind words were not believ'd to come from his heart , they rendred him the more contemptible to his enemies . while these things were transacting , the rabble of lisbon was up , and in a fury against those that should occasion the infante's departure ; but resolv'd withal to put a stop to his journey , for fear of seeing themselves involv'd in a civil war : for the poor people had been strangely confounded at a certain prophecy , which was then buzzed among them : that a day was coming on , when the rua nova ( the chief street in lisbon ) was to be overflown with humane blood , so that the horses should be bemired in gore . and they were under terrible apprehensions , that their eyes were now to see the sad day . but however , the infante's party had made so much noise of his retiring , that he could not handsomely draw back , without giving up the cause ; for now all that could be done against the court , next to offering downright violence , had been done already ; and all would have been to no purpose , should this design be laid aside : for the court , when let alone , might in a little time recover its authority . on the other side , should they persist to send away the infante , the rage of the multitude might have been turn'd upon themselves , ( for the court had been tampring with the ringleaders ) ; and in case they got safe to the army , they were like , for the reasons now mentioned , to find but little welcome . and now it was high time for the queen to appear again : her majesty therefore sends de ville to the infante , to know , whether her mediation might be acceptable to him ? and if so , to desire he would defer his journey , while she endeavoured to make up the business . no sooner was the queen nam'd , but the infante , according to the portuguese gallantry , was ready to prostrate himself at her feet , and commit his cause and all to her disposal . it does not appear by what means the king was brought to agree to this arbitration ; but agree to it he did , tho' the conde's removal , without any mention made of his return , was a kind of preliminary article ; whereas the infante had all along desir'd no more , than that he should be suspended from his charges for a limited time . while the treaty was on foot , the conde was urgent with the king to betake himself to his army ; but not prevailing , he desir'd of the queen , that his life and honour might be secured to him under the infante's hand : and this being presently granted , he , at the head of the king's horse-guards , retired to the arabida , a convent of capucins , seven leagues from lisbon , leaving the court prepared for ruin , which he had hitherto supported , and might , as 't was thought , have preserv'd still , had his counsels prevail'd . 't is reported , that coming from the king , after his last conference , his indignation burst forth so far , that he should say : he was going off ; but it was for want of a king to stand by him . this storm was scarce blown over , the king being yet disabled by it , when the queen , without giving him time to recollect himself , rais'd another more violent upon him , by which he was overwhelm'd at last ; his majesty now wanting one on whose counsels he might rely on in so difficult a juncture , resolv'd to call antonio de sousa de macedo , to court again , the time of his banishment being out , and made it his request to the queen , that by her favour he might have leave to return ; but tho' he frequently renewed his intreaties , she would not hear him ; and when he began to grow importunate , she flatly told him , that he might restore him by his absolute power , if he thought fit ; but for her part , he should never have her consent . the king , in hopes to prevail , by shewing that he desired nothing but what was reasonable , sent her a copy of the forementioned order of council ; but this , instead of satisfying her , put her majesty into such a passion , that after having express'd her anger in a very strange manner , by letter to the king , she lock'd her self up , and would speak to no body . the king no less offended at her carriage , is said to have expressed his sentiments of it in very blunt terms : upon this the secretary , who is suppos'd to have lain conceal'd at court all the while , appear'd there publickly again , but came withal well armed , and well attended , to defend himself from any assault that should be made upon his person ; yet he was not like to stand out long against them that had destroyed his patron . he was soon made a more dangerous person about the king , than the conde himself had been ; and the people were not a little confirm'd in this opinion of him , by rumors spread among them , that the king was at last determined to leave the court , at the head of his guards , and to summon the fidalgo's about the infante , to attend him ; and if they refus'd , to enter the city with his troops , and put all things to fire and sword ; and that a list was making of such whose heads were to be chop'd off on this occasion . the truth is , antonio de sousa , upon his coming into the ministry ( for he was designed to supply the conde's place ) had given the alarm to the camarists . by his advice care was taken to keep the three regiments that were about the city well affected to the king , and an officer was appointed to command them , that should be ready on occasion to execute the king's orders : it was observed likewise , that this officer , together with the three colonels , were sometimes call'd for to court ; and 't is said , as they were made acquainted with a design , that de sousa was putting the king upon , which was to seize upon the leading men of the faction ; and that they did not only approve of it , but engag'd themselves by a solemn promise , to put it in execution : but 't is said withal , that this project , as well as another , to secure the general of the army , then attending at court , to serve the infante , as 't was thought , rather than the king , came to nothing ; the king being unwilling to come to a resolution , 'till he had imparted the matter to the conde de val de reys , who being a timerous man himself , was all for using fair means . however , the appearance of those officers about the court , put the cabal into a fright ; they easily perswaded themselves , that no good was meant towards them , and therefore they thought themselves concern'd , as they valued their own safety , to get this evil counsellor , antonio de sousa , remov'd out of the way . in order to bring this about , it was first thought convenient to render him odious to the people ; and to effect that , was no hard matter , he being a person of such a character , that his enemies could not wish for a fitter man to set the mob upon . he was indeed a man of nice honour , and unbiass'd integrity , a passionate lover of his country , and for his insight into affairs , and capacity for business , throughly qualified for the post he was in ; and at his return into his country , had been esteem'd accordingly by such as were in a higher sphere , that had opportunities to know the man : but his merit was not like to gain him the good-will of his equals , it must almost necessarily have enraged them against him , considering how unpardonable a crime it appears to most peoples eyes , for one that hath been of their rank , to advance himself above their level . it is certain , that all his good qualifications were not of themselves sufficient to make him popular ; on the contrary , they were attended in him , as they sometimes may be , with certain little weaknesses , that rendred him disagreeable to the many ; these were obvious to the common view , whereas it was not every one that could understand his worth ; there was something in his carriage , that made him appear morose , sour , and peevish , whereby he became uneasie to such as had business with him , especially those of the meaner sort , who are always the most apt to interpret every seeming neglect , for a sign of contempt ; and here all manner of people are continually addressing themselves to the secretary of state , so that it is almost impossible for any person in that place , to avoid disgusting great numbers of pretenders , especially in such turbulent and factious times as these were , when the fate of the great ones depends upon the good pleasure of the people , and they expect to be caress'd and courted accordingly . but antonio de sousa , whether it was , that having his head fill'd with other business , he cou'd the less bear with the many impertinences that one in his station must be perpetually plagued with ; or that being strictly honest himself , he could have no complaisance for such ill-meaning and ill-designing persons of all sorts , as he must have had to deal with ; either had not , or he did not make much use of the art of managing a multitude . he was so unhappy in this respect , that even when he yielded to the demands of those that applied themselves to him , he did it with so ill a grace , that he could hardly please them . this rough behaviour was no doubt the worse taken in him , for that the people had been accustom'd to other usage , and that by the conde de castelmelhor , whose greater quality might have made the same thing seem tolerable in him , which wou'd have appear'd unsufferable in antonio de sousa . but the conde us'd to carry himself after quite another manner ; for having the advantage of a more court-like education , he had such easie and engaging ways with him , that he cou'd dismiss a disappointed pretender not dissatisfied . it is the observation of a gentleman , that was a publick minister at lisbon about this time , and who in other respects gives de sousa his just character : that people would sometimes go away much better satisfied with the conde ' s graceful denial , than the untoward grant of antonio de sousa . one so little in favour with the people already , might easily be traduc'd to them , and made to pass for as ill a man as enemies were pleas'd to make him : accordingly , those dismal stories , concerning his murderous intentions against the nobility , and good people of the city that wished well to the infante , were greedily swallow'd by the prepossest multitude . and besides the havock he was to make amongst them , it was found , that he , and his servants , had their pistols , and their carbines with them in the secretary's office , which was call'd fortifying the palace ; and that cou'd be done with no other intent , but to kill the infante , tho' he now seldom or never came there , and to destroy all that should come to take his part . these discoveries wrought so effectually in the peoples heads , that they dispos'd them for another mutiny , and brought 'em flocking to corte real , fully resolv'd to stand by the infante , against all the wicked plots of antonio de sousa . things being thus in a readiness , the infante was carried to the palace , attended by a confus'd multitude of disaffected nobility and rabble , and all to demand justice against the secretary of state ; and that , not so much for his cut-throat designs , for those may be suppos'd to have been contriv'd only to bring the people together , as for his want of respect to the queen , and the horrid outrage committed by him on her majesty's person , when he laid his hand upon her gown . this was on the fifth of october in the morning , while the king was yet in his chamber ; the infante staid at the door for some of the counsellors of state to go in with him ; when they entred the chamber , the king was so surpriz'd at their appearance , that while the infante was telling his story , he in a great rage call'd for his sword. the infante presenting him with the guard of his own , said , as 't is reported : sir , if you want a sword against me , make use of mine ; if against any other , this shall defend you . the noise brought the queen into the chamber ; who presently fell a beseeching his majesty , not to be in such a passion . the king wou'd hearken to none of them , being perswaded , as he said ; that they had murdered the secretary amongst them . they assured him , that he was alive : but the king wou'd not believe them 'till he saw him ; whereupon the duke of cadaval went and fetch'd him from a private room , where the poor man had lock'd himself up , promising him life if he wou'd go with him ; and he very honourably kept his word , tho' it was not without some difficulty ; for the passage was crowded with rabble , whose fingers itch'd to be at the secretary ; and had certainly fall'n upon him , and torn him in pieces , had not the duke turn'd about , and with an air of authority said , antonio de sousa goes along with me . the king was somewhat satisfied at the sight of him , but not appeas'd ; hereupon the queen retired , and the infante after her , into the anti-chamber . the secretary being left alone with the king , gave him such advice as preserv'd him for that time , and defeated the design of some that were ringleaders in the tumult . had the violence of the king's passion continued , it had in all likelihood provoked the rabble to some further outrage ; but he became calm and easie , and thereby still'd the fury of the people , who when their first heat was over , on a sudden began to relent . while the king and the secretary were yet together , a voice was heard crying , all 's well , all 's well ; which whether it began in the king's chamber , or was rais'd by some friend of his in the crowd , the people fell a repeating . the queen was retired into her apartment , but the noise brought her out again ; possibly she was surpriz'd , and not well pleas'd with it . the king coming out , found her and the infante together , in the anti-chamber ; and , by the secretary's advice , took them with him to one of the windows that looks into the terreiro do paco , a large square before the palace , shewing himself in their company to the people below ; who seeing them all three together , thought that all quarrels were now at an end , and saluted the king with their loud viva's , as the king was retiring , either himself , or some about him cry'd out , the king pardons every body ; the mob took the cry again . a certain lord , vex'd perhaps that the great bustle they had been making , was like to end in this , call'd one to the king , and with an heroical boldness , as those engag'd in the same cause term it ; the indifferent perhaps will give it another name , told him , that they wou'd have none of his pardon , but thanks . the poor king answered , that he gave them his pardon and his thanks too . the surly man reply'd , they wou'd have nothing but thanks . but some were still for deposing the king out of hand : one near the infante crying out , let 's e'en clap him up at once , and make an end of the business : which shews what they had been aiming at all the while ; but the infante turning quick upon the person that spoke this , put him to silence with so stern a look , as shew'd that he himself had been abus'd by them , as well as the king his brother ; and 't is reported , that some of the king's party should confess , that the king had let fall the crown this day , which the infante took up , and put again upon his head. but the faction had engag'd that prince so far , that it was now too late to think of a retreat , and something was to be done at this time , or all they had been acting hitherto , was like to end in their own ruine . the king had still his trusty officers , with the three regiments , at command , who were they to receive orders from antonio de sousa , might after all , enable him to call them to account . as for the mob , this day 's transaction shew'd , that they were not much to be depended on , their rage dying away as it did , when the business came just to a crisis , even whilst all those horrid stories that had been spread amongst them , with so much indrustry , were fresh upon their minds ; and shou'd they now disperse , when nothing had been done , the same artifice was not like to serve again ; they might cool and come to themselves , and possibly , in time , be entirely disabus'd , and then it wou'd be a hard matter to bring them together , when there shou'd be further occasion for them . such , and the like considerations , went , no doubt , a great way to fix them in the resolution they then took ; which was , to keep possession of the palace , 'till they had gain'd the point that had been the pretence of their coming thither , which was the removal of antonio de sousa ; this they knew the king wou'd never content to : he was by this time sensible of his error , in parting so easily as he did , with the conde , and fully resolv'd to keep antonio de sousa near him , who was now the only support he had left . he had shewn in the morning , how great a value he had for the man ; when thinking he was kill'd , he cou'd not forbear to repeat his meanaces to the company that came to him in his chamber , as well attended as they were , that he wou'd see them severely punish'd whoever they shou'd be that had a hand in the murder ; and while he was passing to and fro through the rabble , he wou'd always have him by his side , and not suffer him to be out of his sight ; as if he thought , that whatever mischief was done to the secretary , was much the same as if it had befall'n his own person . but the faction , on the other side , were satisfi'd , that they cou'd never be safe whilst this man was suffer'd to be at court ; and therefore , it was concluded amongst them , to keep the infante in the palace 'till the secretary was gone ; they making him declare , that now he was there , he wou'd never stir 'till he had effected the business he come about ; and orders were given , that necessaries shou'd be got ready for his lodging . the secretary being given to understand , that in case he remain'd there that night , he was like to sleep his last . this was the best course they could take , to hinder the rabble from dispersing ; who either in expectation of some great mischief to ensue , or for fear lest the infante's person should be in danger , would be sure to keep about the palace . in effect , this resolution did their business , and ruin'd the king : for the secretary , tho' he was not to be frightned with either threats or dangers , while there was any hopes left of his being serviceable to his distressed master , as he shew'd by his embarking himself in an almost desperate cause ; yet seeing now , that should he persist any longer , all he could do was to get himself murdered ; which probably would but make the faction the more desperate , and hasten their design upon the king ; he promis'd to be gone as soon as 't was dark , it not being safe for him to appear in the street before ; and two persons of quality undertaking , that he should keep his word , the infante return'd in triumph to his own palace , attended as before . the next morning the king finding the secretary gone , as also manoel antunes , who had made the same conditions for himself , sends all about to look for them , ordering all the convents to be search'd . antunes was found in alemtejo ; but the infante took care he should come no more to court. the infante , before this business , had been very seldom at court , ever since the conde's departure ; the queen , as it is like , afraid of a reconciliation between the two brothers , which would defeat her designs , sending him word , that it would be dangerous for him to appear there ; and now when all were gone , that they had any pretence of complaint against , he had the same messages sent to him as before , which kept him still at a distance from the king ; who , as i have been assured by one that had good reason to know , how things pass'd at court in those days , had , during all these broils , some remains of love or tenderness rather for his brother ; believing , that the young prince was only made the instrument of other peoples malice . this , i confess , seem'd to me somewhat unlikely , considering what had past between them , 'till the same person told me ; that alfonso , afterwards , when a prisoner , hearing the noise of the guns , and ringing of bells , for the infante's marriage with the queen , when he was told the cause of this joy , instead of expressing his resentments of his own hard usage , fell a lamenting the misfortunes of his poor brother pedro ; who , as he said , would , in a short time , have enough of the french - woman , and as much cause as himself to repent , that he ever had any thing to do with her . but to return : alfonso having now none near him that he could advise with , being himself young , and unacquainted with business , was for the short time that remain'd of his reign , on all occasions , at a loss how to comport himself ; the conde , for some time after his removal , us'd to be ever and anon sending him instructions , but he had now none with him to carry on the correspondence , and therefore was wholly to seek what measures he should take ; sometimes he would refuse to be present at the council , as when he was there , to confirm their decrees . the chamber of lisbon was set on to petition him for calling the cortes , and he being sensible that this was in order to lay him aside , sometimes would refuse to hear them ; or when they were admitted , to return them any answer : some there were , and those perhaps none of his greatest enemies , for having him to allow the queen , and the infante , a joint-share with him in the government ; but he would hear no talk of it : the council , at last , after many denials , obtain'd his consent for calling the cortes ; but when they had got the writs ready , they could not prevail with him to sign them . whether he shew'd so much irresolution and inconstancy out of weakness or design , is uncertain ; his enemies would have the world believe , it proceeded from the former , and had the barbarity to publish several weak things , which they report him to have said , during the time of these broils ; when , perhaps , a wiser man in his circumstances , might have found himself at his wit's-end . but it appear'd , that he was preparing for an escape into alemtejo , and that his horses , as also several barks , to transport them over the river , had been getting ready for that purpose ; so 't is not unlikely , but that he behav'd himself in the manner he did , to keep his enemies in suspence , and from coming to a resolution , 'till he could get out of their hands , and be at liberty to call his friends about him ; but they that were then strongest , prevented this design . while things were thus at a stand , the queen , who us'd frequently to visit the nunneries , especially that of the esperança , ( of the franciscan order , where several ladies of honour were profest ) took occasion , nov. st , in the evening , to go thither in her coach with her usual attendance ; as soon as she was within the nunnery , she sent a letter to the king to this purpose , that she had left her country , her relations , and friends , and sold her estate , to come and accompany his majesty , in hopes that what she did , might be to his satisfaction ; and was inconsolable , that she had not been able to attain to what she so much desired ; that , as obliged in conscience , she was now resolv'd to return into france , in the ships that were then in the river , for which end she desired his majesty's consent ; and hoped , that he would order her dower to be return'd her , since his majesty knew very well that she was none of his wife , &c. the king , when this letter was brought him , was making ready to ride out into the fields ; but he no sooner understood the contents of it , than enraged at this the most sensible affront he had ever yet receiv'd , he put himself immediately into his coach , and with great fury drove to the esperança , resolving to force the nunnery ; and for that end , assoon as he got thither , was calling for axes to hew down the doors , when the infante came to the place so well attended , that he oblig'd him to return to the palace . the next day the queen sent for the infante , and afterwards for the counsellors of state , and the nobility about the court. the business that she had in common with the one and the others , was to acquaint them of her resolution to return into france , and to desire that they would assist her in it . and much about the same time , she dispatch'd away for france , monsieur verjus , who serv'd her majesty in place of a secretary , but bore the character of agent for the house of vendome ; and his business was to procure a dispensation , for her to marry with the infante . the queen gave commission likewise to the infante , to signifie to the king , in a more formal manner , her delcaration concerning the nullity of their marriage , and to desire his permission , for her return into her own country . when the infante delivered his message , the king , in answer to the first part of it , pretended to refute the charge , and that , as his enemies say , in very broad terms : to the rest he return'd him but a slight reply . however , he gave others that were about him to understand , that as sensibly touch'd as he was at this , above all the misfortunes that had befall'n him , his trouble did not proceed from his regret for the loss of the queen's person ; he was so far from having any great fondness for her majesty , that he declar'd , that instead of putting a stop to her journey , he was ready , on condition she wou'd but be gone , to present her with a much better ship than that she came upon , and to double the money that she had brought along with her into the bargain . the queen the same day having made the duke of cadaval her proctor , sent a letter to the chapter of lisbon , to acquaint the canons , that she had withdrawn her self from the king's company , the marriage they had agreed upon , not having taken effect ; and because the scruples of her conscience , would not suffer her to endure any longer , what her love to the portuguese nation had hitherto made her dissemble ; she hoped the king , who was a better witness in her cause , would declare the same , that she might not be hindred from returning into france as soon as possible : and for the chapter of the holy see of this city , to whom it belonged to judge of the cause by their ministers , she earnestly desir'd them to take order , that it may be dispatch'd with all speed ; and to allow all just favour to a stranger , afflicted with the misfortune of not being able to live in a country , which she had come from a far to seek , with so much pleasure ; and they might assure themselves , that wheresoever she was , she should gratefully acknowledge the kindness they did her . the chapter , which consists most of young gentlemen that never were in orders , and seldom design it , return'd answer to her majesty , that they had read her letter , and were grieved at her resolution of abandoning portugal ; telling her withal , that what justice allow'd to particular persons , could never be denied to her majesty ; but there being many circumstances in the case that required deliberation , they desired her majesty to allow them convenient time to consider of it . the king , as much concern'd as he was in what the queen was doing , had something else to do than to sollicit his cause with the chapter ; for the same day that she brought her case before them , it was resolv'd upon , that he should be depos'd without more ado ; in order to which , the magistrates of lisbon went to petition the infante , that they might , the day following , wait upon him to the palace , and that he would then take the government into his own hands : and that , if this could not be done by fair means , they might use violence . the infante ordered them to be ready on the morrow , to accompany him , if it should be thought convenient ; and it was agreed , that the council of state should , before they proceeded any further , endeavour to prevail with the king , to resign up the crown . early the next morning , the marquess of cascaes got to the palace before the other counsellors , and coming into the king's anti-chamber , told those that waited , that he had a mind to speak with the king. they answering , that he was yet a bed. he knock'd at the door with so much noise , that he wakened him , and coming to his bed-side , told his majesty , that this was not a time for him to sleep ; that if he did not awake , and shake off the lethargy in which he had lived , he must in a few hours be deprived of the kingdom , which he had already ruin'd ; and since he was unfit to govern , and useless in marriage , he advised him to do that freely , and in a way consistent with his honour , which otherwise he must be forc'd to do with disgrace ; that is , to send for the infante , his brother , and deliver up the government to him ; for by that means he might secure his crown , and preserve his kingdom . the council came afterwards in a body , and endeavoured to perswade the king to resign ; but neither menaces , nor arguments , could bring him to comply . he continuing resolute , the duke of cadaval was sent to give the infante an account how things stood ; and nothing was further done till towards the evening , which , as it is pretended , was to give the king time to change his mind ; but , as 't is more likely , to perswade the infante to finish what they had begun ; he , at last , night drawing on , accompanied by the magistrates of lisbon , the nobility of the party , and a great concourse of the people , went to the palace , where he was received by the council of state ; and at the head of this company , went and lock'd up the king in his chamber , securing all the passages through which he might escape . a form of resignation was then drawn up , read and approved of by the council , which before they broke up , was sent to the king for him to sign , and accordingly it was brought back sign'd by him ; but it is not known by what means he was prevailed upon to do it : the prince takes up his lodgings that night in the palace ; he had no sooner thrown himself upon the bed , it being very late , but a message came to him from alfonso , to desire that john the dog-keeper might be sent to keep him company ; the message drew tears from the prince's eyes , 't is pretended , that he wept in commiseration of his brothers weakness , and little sense of his condition ; tho' 't is not improbable , but the dethroned king took this way to make his brother sensible of the ill usage he had met with , perhaps from their hands , that had been sent to make him sign the resignation , which , but the same morning , as hath been shown , the most brutal menaces could not extort from him . the king being thus deposed , the prince signs the writs that had been prepared for summoning the cortes , before they assembled , it was debated , whether it might be convenient for him to take the title of king , but it pass'd in the negative in a committee of judges , and other ministers , to whom the matter was referred , and it was carried , that he should content himself with the title he then used , viz. that of curator of the king's person , and governor of the kingdom ; the same question was afterwards long debated in the cortes , which met on the th of january , , but in the end it was concluded , that he should have the kingly power , with the title of prince regent . in the mean time , the queen having commenc'd her process against alfonso the day before he was deposed , upon his confinement was at liberty to prosecute the same with the utmost vigour . there being no bishops at this time in portugal , the cause , as hath been said , was brought before the chapter of lisbon : i shall , for many reasons , forbear giving a particular account of the proceedings , tho' there be no want of materials ; but in short , alfonso after a few days confinement , was , as 't is pretended , brought to sign an acknowledgment of what the queen had declared , concerning the nullity of their marriage , contrary to what he had asserted to the infante , when he signify'd her declaration to him the day after her retreat , while he was yet at liberty . it fell out happily for the queen , as she thought at least , that her uncle the duke of vendome , lately made a cardinal-deacon , was at this very time commissioned by the pope , to represent the person of his holiness , as godfather to the dauphin , then seven years old , at that formality of a christning , which is used for the children of france : for this end the cardinal-duke had the title and patent given him of legat a latere . to him , as invested with the plenitude of the pope's power , monsieur verjus , ( who was sent as hath been said , into france , upon the queen's first leaving her husband ) applied himself for a dispensation , that the queen might marry with the infante . the cardinal was , no doubt , willing enough to oblige his niece , and to do for her whatever was in his power ; but then he question'd much , whether it was in his power to help her out in this case ; as well he might : for who cou'd think , that a proxy to be godfather to a child in france , should enable him to make it lawful for a woman in portugal to marry with her living husband's brother ? but monsieur verjus having satisfied the french king about what the queen of portugal had been doing , the dispensation was obtain'd without much difficulty ; for he and monsieur de lionne reading the cardinal's bull of legate , found out that it contain'd some clauses , that did , as it were , point to the very case in hand , and to give the cardinal as ample powers as they could wish ; and so the dispensation was granted without more a-do : and in truth , they in france were a little too hasty in this business , for the dispensation was obtain'd there , before they were ready for it in portugal , it bears date the calends of april , i. e. the th day of march , and in it 't is supposed and affirmed , that the former marriage had been declared null by course of law. but the chapter of lisbon were not so very hasty , for they did not pronounce sentence 'till the th of march , tho' considering how long causes of divorce between royal persons used to depend , which we in england have good cause to remember , none will accuse them of dilatory proceedings . they at last by their delegates appointed to examine and determine the matter , pronounc'd the former marriage to be null , by reason of alfonso's incurable inability to consummate it , occasion'd by his sickness during the time of his childhood ; of which inability , as 't is affirm'd in the sentence , there was more than sufficient proof , and at least a moral certainty ; so that as they said , there was no need of inspection of trial for years , or any other limited time . the queen was now talking of nothing but returning into france by the fleet that lay in the river , to carry off the french troops that had been in the portuguese service ; with this design she made the three estates of the kingdom acquainted , desiring , that the portion which she had brought with her , might be return'd her . the doleful news of her intended departure , ( saith the writer , employ'd to give the world an account of these transactions ) was with great grief heard by the states , and they entring into politick considerations in the midst of their affliction , find that this princess , on account of all the conveniencies of state , all the endowments of mind , and all the perfections of nature , was the most ready , most convenient , most worthy , and most lovely spouse that a prince could wish for ; went all in a body to the nunnery , ( saith another writer of the same stamp ) to supplicate her majesty with tears in their eyes , that she would not abandon them , but stay and marry with the prince , because they were neither able nor willing to return her portion . but the queen would give them no positive answer ; then they went in a body to the prince , begging of him to save the kingdom , by marrying the queen ; protesting , they would never suffer him to marry any body else , ( for there was a match about the same time propos'd between him and the princess of austria , with great advantages to the state ) ; the prince told them , that he for his part was willing , provided they could but gain the queen's consent . then they return'd again in a body to the queen , and with repeated entreaties beseeched her to consent : her majesty at last preferring the welfare of the kingdom ( saith my author ) to her own satisfaction , put off her return to her own country , and by a heavenly inspiration gave consent , that they should treat of the marriage . the match was soon made up ; for the sentence of divorce pass'd but on saturday the eve of palm-sunday , and on wednesday in the passion-week , the duke of cadaval , her proxy , was married in a private oratory of the palace to the marquess of marralva , who represented the prince . on easter-monday , the prince , with a numerous attendance fetched the bride from the nunnery , and carried her to alcantara , where the marriage was consummated : poor alfonso sending his complements upon it , to wish joy , as 't is said , to the new-married couple . they will have it likewise , that he acquiesced all along to the proceedings in the cause of his divorce ; and that by the advice of two dominicans , and a jesuit , he confess'd the inability objected to him by the queen , and at last submitted to the sentence , declaring , that he would not appeal : but he was a prisoner all the while . this dethroned prince , after he had been confined some time in the palace , was sent to the terceira island , one of the azores ; but having been kept there for some years , he was for greater security brought back to portugal , and shut up in the castle of cintra , formerly a royal palace , where he ended his days the th of december . after consummation of this marriage between the infante and the queen , the pope was applied to to dispense with it ; which he did by a breve , dated the th of december , , directed to the chief inquisitor , and others , impowring them in case they found the allegations of the petitioners true , to annul the former marriage , and confirm the second ; which was done accordingly the th of feb. following . this bull hath some very extraordinary clauses in it , inserted , i suppose , ex abundanti cautelâ ; which yet it will not be amiss to mention here , if for no other reason , than to see how far the plenitude of the pope's power reaches in such cases . by it the commissioners are impowred and commanded , to cancel , dissolve , and annul alphonso's marriage , even without his consent ; or in case the said marriage did appear , or should be found to have been valid ; and commands them to dispense with the second marriage , notwithstanding the impediment , publicae honestatis , or any other impediment of what nature soever , that may arise or appear ; decreeing , that altho' the said king alfonso , or any other persons concern'd , have neither given their consent , appear'd , been cited , or heard ; and altho' the causes for which these letters were granted , be neither sufficiently proved nor justified ; that all this , notwithstanding the said letters , and the contents of the same , shall never be call'd in question , retracted , or violated for any lawful cause , or any defect , how great or substantial soever ; that no person shall obtain relief against them , upon any plea of right , fact , or favour ; and in case relief be obtain'd , it shall be of no benefit , tho' granted de motu proprio , with full power and apostolical authority ; but that they shall be for ever valid , in all respects , without limitation to the said prince , &c. so that the pope had a great deal of reason to tell the prince , as he did afterwards in his letter , that in this cause he had certainly shewn him all the favour that the sacred canons would permit , of this marriage was born within the first year , the late infanta , of whom i shall speak anon , but never any other child , tho' the queen liv'd with the prince for above years . she departed this life the th day of decem , , after having languish'd in great misery , for the space of six months together , under the distemper that occasion'd her death . after having mention'd so many particulars , which seem to bear hard upon the memory of this princess , common equity requires , that i should enlarge a little upon what is said in her commendation : she was much celebrated for her great understanding and insight into affairs , of which i think there can be no better proof than this ; the prince her husband ( for he had not the title of king 'till a little before she died ) had so high an opinion of her judgment , as to consult her upon all occasions of moment , and never came to a resolution in any business of importance , before he had first taken her advice ; which may perhaps be one reason , why he regretted her loss so much , as that he remain'd inconsolable for some time ; and , as it 's said , could not be perswaded to think of a second marriage , 'till pope innocent xi . by his paternal admonitions , in a manner , oblig'd him to it : they are not wanting , who make large encomiums upon her other vertues ; i have two sermons now before me , preach'd in her commendation , by two of the most famous for eloquence in portugal , the one a little after her second marriage , and the other upon her death ; and i have consulted both these , in order to give her character to the best advantage . the former speaks in general terms of many wonderful things that might be said in her praise ; but when he comes to particulars , he falls a trifling : he highly magnifies her noble birth , chiefly because she was descended from a bastard-son of henry iv. and reckons up the titles that were related to the family , and among others , the prinpalities of anet , and martignes , the duchies of pontievre , and tampis , the marquisats of sansorlem , and sasors . he tells her majesty , ( for he preached before her ) , that she was a very great beauty ; and he hoped , would be as handsome when she came to be years old , as she was at . he thinks it was discreetly done of her parents , to christen her with three names , since one was not enough to express her merit : for astrologers call the finest star in the firmament venus , lucifer , and vesper . speaking of her forsaking her husband , which he calls leaving a crown , to keep her conscience unblemished ; he profanely compares it to moses's refusing to be call'd the son of pharaoh ' s daughter , chusing rather to suffer affliction with the people of god , than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season . and hence he infers , that this princess ought to be excepted from that general maxim of tacitus , which represents the female sex , as ambitious and greedy of power . the other is no less copious in her praises , but speaks a little more to the purpose , he highly extols her great prudence , speaks much in commendation of her magnanimity and patience , in bearing the disgrace when the match was broken off between the infanta , her daughter , and the duke of savoy , which she had set her heart very much upon ; and for her other vertues , he would have her pass for no less than a saint ; but he intimates , that her piety was best known to her confessor , and compares it to the sanctum sanctorum , which was visible only to the high-priest ; and , indeed , i do not find , that it was much known to the people , it being very little talk'd of amongst them : certainly , if it was so very great as this orator represents it , her majesty's confessor had a great deal of reason when he us'd to tell those he convers'd with , that the portugueses did not know how good a queen god had sent them . of the late qveen . maria sophia elizabeth , daughter of philip william late duke of nicubourg , and elector palatine of the rhine by elizabeth amelia , daughter of george lantgrave of hesse d'armstadt , was born the th of august , and married to dom pedro the ii. king of portugal , the th of august , the day of her arrival at lisbon , to which place she was conducted by a squadron of english men of war , under the command of the late duke of grafton . this princess was of a middle stature , exceeding fair , and a graceful person . i do not know whether they that are judges in these matters , will allow her to have been a perfect beauty ; but no doubt , all strangers will agree , that she appeared with great advantage among her ladies , one cause of this , perhaps may be , her neglect of those arts which they have recourse to to set themselves off , for the portuguese women of all ranks , do so discolour their faces with red paint , that it renders them a very disagreeable spectacle in the eyes of strangers . it was observed , that her majesty did seldom or never concern her self with the affairs of state , contrary to the practice of the former queen . it is said , that her confessor , father leopold fuess , a jesuit , who came along with her from germany , advis'd her not to meddle with the government . they tell indeed , of one design of hers , which i may speak of in another place , which she was put upon by the same jesuit , her confessor , it being a matter , wherein , as 't is said , the whole society have concern'd themselves for some time , and that was to bring the conde de castelmelhor into the ministry again ; but if her majesty ever had any such design , it is certain that nothing came of it , for the conde keeps from court still , and the duke of cadaval is since more firmly establish'd there than before . but the principal parts of her majesties character , are her great piety , and singular devotion , according to the religion in which she had been educated ; she was a constant hearer of the fathers of the cratory , an order of men , who some years ago were famous for preaching of true christian morality , whereby they became , and were it not for some very mean compliances their prevailing adversaries have extorted from them , they had continued still the glory of the roman church ; nor are they yet so far degenerated , but people still take notice , that their sermons are the least stuft with those fooleries wherewith preachers of other orders affect to raise mirth in the audience . it is , i suppose , for this cause , that notwithstanding the large share the jesuits have in her majesties favour , she honour'd them so often with her presence ; and that the street where their church stands , was every sunday in lent , crowded with coaches , for her majesties example seems to have had a mighty influence over the whole court , especially among those of her own sex. it is a usual thing to see ladys of quality with their prayer-books open in their hands , as they are carried along the streets in their litters , and i have observed some of the younger sort as they were going to a wedding of one of their companious , very hard at their devotion in the midst all their gayety . i need not , i suppose , tell that her majesty is zealously addicted to what is now so commonly called the catholick religion ; it is enough to make the reader sensible of that , to say , she is of the house of nicubourg , the princes of that family , by the very extraordinary methods they take to promote their religion , have made their zeal sufficiently remarkable to the world. but as well instructed in catholicism as she was in germany , her majesty seemed to be much improved since her coming into portugal , especially in those smaller devotions , as the french call them , of which good catholicks are so very shy in countrys where hereticks are in sight , and so mightily addicted to , where they are at their own liberty . but it would be very difficult for one that is of another religion , to give an account of these matters , without being suspected of misrepresentation , or in the present case of disregard to majesty . i shall therefore give but one instance of the queens devotion ; and concerning that i shall say nothing but what i have from the jesuits , who were her majesties directors , and are at this day reckon'd among the most refin'd courtiers in europe , and therefore may be supposed to understand best what is most fit for the world to know . from these good fathers then , i learn , that above all the saints in the roman calendar , the queen had a singular and most devout affection for the famous st. francis xavier , i need not , i suppose , at this time , tell who this saint is , since his life has been written by the elegant pen of pere bouhours , and translated into english by our famous laureat , or 't is enough to let the ordinary reader know that he was one of the first set of jesuits that appear'd in the world ; and that he is frequently address'd to by such as want heirs to their familys , and is believed by his devotes frequently to procure relief in such cases . the first occasion taken notice of by my authors , of the great friendship between this saint and her majesty , was this ; soon after her marriage , the viceroy that came from goa , brought along with him a certain cap , that had formerly belong'd to xavier , the greatest treasure ( saith the famous jesuit vieira ) that ever came from the indies , since the arm of the same saint , that 's now at rome , was brought from thence : this cap her majesty , possibly prevail'd upon to comply with the bigotry of those about her , put upon her head on the st of nevember , which in the roman calendar is the day of the presentation of the virgin , and she happening to be with child soon afterwards , they would needs have it that she received great benefit by the cap ; but the jesuits have made strange work of the matter , on which day ( saith the jesuit duarte ) her majesty amidst the sweetest transports of her heart , received for the first time the sacred cap upon her royal head , when suddenly ( saith vieira another jesuit ) the tears flowed from her eyes in a copious manner , her countenance being all of a flame , and changed to that degree , that her confessor ( a third jesuit ) being present , was astonished at the sight ; and he afterwards asking the cause of this alteration ; the queen , ( as he pretended ) reveal'd to him , how that she was certified at the very instant , that the saint would obtain a son for her , of which she hoped , through the saint's intercession , she should never make the least doubt . the confessor's words ( saith vieira ) are , vt nihil amplius haesitaret de impetrando quod petebat . the jesuits , after this , brought the saint's image from their church at st. roque , upon a visit to the queen at the palace ; and tell the world , that her majesty had learn'd so much portuguese , as to say , meu santo daime hum filho se deos quizer . my saint , give me a son , if god pleases . her request was granted , ( saith vieira ) ; and he very profanely applies these words , visitavit dominus annam & concepit , to this visit that the image made to her majesty . after this , she was made to believe , as the jesuit's pretend at least , that the child she had conceived would infallibly prove a son. vieira proves , that it must necessarily be a son by this instance : a certain indian , upon the coasts of comorin , prayed to st. francis xavier , that he would please to bestow upon him a son : and not many days after , the wife came to understand , that the saint had heard her husband's prayers ; however , it was yet doubtful , what the saint was sending her ; but when the time of her reckoning was up , behold she was brought to bed of a girl . the father seeing it was a girl , in a rage takes the little creature , and away he goes with it to the saint's altar , and there laying it before him , here , says he , my saint , here 's what you gave me ; but it is not what i asked for : had it been a boy , i intended it should have been mine ; but since it is a girl , e'en take it for your self . the great miracle-worker ( saith vieira ) was now much in the same case , with a poor trades-man , that hath his work turn'd upon his hands : and what , saith he , should the saint do in the case ? as for the indian , he was resolv'd never to own the girl , but to carry her away presently to the hospital : but he going to take her off the altar , he saw , to his astonishment , that she was become a boy , a boy ! upon this the people came thronging about the altar , to be witness to the miracle , and the church was presently fill'd with a confus'd noise of thanks and praise to the saint , and much joy to the indian ; so that , saith the padre , if the indian was father of the girl , the saint was father of the boy . from this story he infers , ( how well i shall not examine ) that the queen , since she had conceiv'd through the intercession of st. xavier , must needs bring forth a son. but to secure her hopes , and return the saint's civility , she entred , they say , into a new course of devotion , which was to visit the saint at the jesuits church , ten fridays in the year . the confessor kept a kind of journal of the accidents befalling the queen , during her big-belly ; and pretends , that in all dangers she had so much confidence in her saint , who had given her this son , that she was sure of a safe delivery ; as in effect , she was delivered much about the time of their reckoning of a prince , who dy'd about seventeen days after his birth . but they pretend , that this was not the only child that her majesty was indebted to st. xavier for ; they will have it , that all her children have francis , or xavier , among their names , because she thought her self oblig'd for them all to the saint ; and that among other marks of her gratitude , she wore the saint's colours for some time ; and in token of her affection , sent him a new suit of cloaths for his body at goa ; of which they believe , ( if we 'll believe them ) the saint was not a little proud , but made his braggs in the court of heaven of her majesty's favours . they that have been in countries where pure popery in still practis'd ; that is , such as hath not been blended with heretical doctrines , as 't is in france and germany , would not perhaps think strange at all this , or any thing of the like sort , had my authors to deal only with the people : for where-ever genuine popery is retain'd , it is a common thing for the priests to amuse the gaping herd with such stuff , as my authors tell of their saint ; but it may deserve one's wonder , to see men so securely impudent , as to abuse their sovereigns at this rate ; as if they thought it not enough to have them at their devotion , but out of meer wantonness they must needs let the world see , how they can divert themselves at the expence of crown'd heads : and certainly , if there be any thing of truth in their reports , it must move any man's indignation , to see what use they make of the pious inclinations of a well-dispos'd , but misguided princess . but by this time , i fear , the reader may suspect me of misrepresenting them as much , as , 't is to be hoped , they have their queen ; wherefore to vindicate my credit , i shall here translate some parts of an address made to the queen by padre balthesar duarte , procurator-general at the court of lisbon , for the jesuits of brazil , when he presented her majesty with the life of xavier , compos'd at her request , by the famous jesuit , antonio vieira , one of the greatest men , by the confession of all , that ever the society produc'd in portugal . such of the foregoing particulars as are not mentioned in this address , were taken from the writings of vieira himself . may it please your majesty then to accept of your xavier , always wholly yours , because your majesty is always wholly his ; by such a new and admirable transmigration of xavier ' s soul into your majesty , and your majesty's soul into xavier , that your very names are confounded ; insomuch , that at the name of xavier , people are in doubt , who is meant , whether it be the apostle of the east , or the queen of portugal ; this is certain , that the same species do mutually excite the memory of both names with such a never-failing connexion , that none can think of your majesty , but must remember xavier : hence it was , that some months ago , a publick notary being to write the most august name of your majesty , by a happy and pleasing mistake , instead of isabel , put xavier . the credit of that publick instrument , would certainly be called in question in after-ages , were not all the world acquainted of your majesty's amorous transmigration into xavier , which at all times will put it out of doubt , that maria sophia isabel , and maria sophia xavier , stand for one and the same person : and so your majesty was pleas'd to have the name settled upon you by a publick deed , which you were before possess'd of , and lawfully entitled to by right of prescription , and that not without consent of its former owner . but your majesty contents not your self with the glory of so illustrious a name , you equal it by the resemblance and condignity of your actions ; witness the image of xavier , which among the rest ( all sacred ones ) like the sun among the planets , guilds and enamels your bracelets ; for not satisfied to have him engraven in your heart , in imitation of a spouse , you have his impression in your arm , where it is as a signature , or love-mark , or as an indelible character , whence is deriv'd a coelestial and superiour force into all your majesty's actions . what shall i say to the great variety and multiplicity of honours , that your majesty bestows on xavier ? your love never shews it self so ingenious , as in contriving for him some new methods of veneration . the vast distance of sea and land , will not permit that you present your self as a royal pilgrim at his sepulcher , tho' your heart is so much set upon it , that you would do it , if 't were possible , were it with the peril of your life . but your royal bounty has reach'd where your person cannot come , your majesty having sent your xavier , as a token of your love , a most costly suit of sacerdotal vestments ; wherewith , he being still alive after death , may cloath himself in such a glorious manner , as becomes one that triumphs over mortality ; sacerdotal vestments , i say , as to one , that is free from corruption , white , as to a confessor , embroidered with red , as to a martyr of love ; and that there should not want symbols of your fervour , and pure affection , shining with the fire of gold , and snow of pearls ; i believe , xavier , on that day when dress'd up in all his finery , shew'd himself to the whole court of heaven , telling every saint with a holy vanity : his me vestibus cliens mea lusitaniae regina contexit . nor were you content to cloath your saint in divers colours , but you wore your self the colours of your saint : for we know that you made a vow , that for the space of a year you would wear no silks of any other colour , but that wherewith the sun of the east , ( xavier ) while he suffer'd the eclipse of a mortal body , mortified and conceal'd the rays of his vertue , to accommodate himself to the miseries of this life ; only you would admit a mixture of while , as a signal of the virginal soul of xavier , and your majesty . let lisbon reckon up , if it can , the holy pilgrimages , by which your majesty , in the course , and return of the year , humbly and devoutly venerates the temples and altars of your saint ; to adorn whose image you cons●orate all your jewels , offering the best eastern spoils , to the apostle of the east , the jewels themselves having the advantage to be plac'd and dispos'd by the hands of your royal majesty : i pass by the ten fridays which your majesty's devotion dedicates every year to xavier . and what shall i say of that most tender and most amorous affection which all discover in your majesty , every time you speak of xavier ? all know , that have the sovereign favour to be admitted to your more intimate conversation , how often , and with what sweetness and dexterity you have hook'd in the discourse of your xavier ; at the naming of him , not only your tongue by your speech , but your face by the colour in your cheeks , your eyes by their sparkling , your breast by its commotion , your heart by its leaping , speak with so much warmth , that they seem to lay your majesty open to the eyes , as well as to the ears of them that hear ; whom , by an admirable simpathy , and reciprocal communication of affections , you often melt into copious tears . at one of those conferences , wherein two religious bore a part , xavier being of course the subject , your majesty just having done reading the prodigious cure that a few years ago was wrought in a moment , by the hand of this wonder-worker of the east , upon anna maria zambrina , a roman matron , your majesty full of interiour delight and consolation , being desirous to communicate the matter , began the story again , and read it over from beginning to end , tho' it took up a full hour ; and that not only without being cloy'd and tired , but without so much as pausing , unless it was when your majesty from time to time was interrupted by your amorous sighs ; and by these you enkindled the like flame in your hearers , insomuch , that they could scarce refrain from weeping . i believe that this was the first time , that the humble xavier was pleas'd with his own praises ; and that he was pleas'd with them now , because they came from the mouth of your majesty . your majesty , like a most pious mother , hath by the imposition of so beloved a name , instilled the same love into each of your sons , our most serene princes , who both of them imitate you so happily therein , that scarce any voice came from them before they could lisp out their mothers saint , meaning xavier , and even then they could distinguish his image from among the rest , accustoming themselves to the veneration of it by a thousand innocent kisses . i pass by the concern of the rest of your house and family , who find that their emulation and imitatioc of this your royal piety , is the only way to please their mistress , and gain her favour ; and indeed , it is commonly reported about the court and city , that in order to succeed in any business with your majesty , there is no intercessor like xavier . a love so great could not well be contained in one city : it has already pass'd the tagus , your majesty having chosen beja for the theatre of your liberality , where mov'd partly by your zeal , partly by the pious desires of the inhabitants , you have rais'd a magnificent house to the honour of your saint , built and endow'd at your own charges . but why should i say , that one city is too narrow for your love to xavier , when it cannot be confin'd within the limits of a whole kingdom ? what court is there among the greatest of christendom , wherein your majesty ( i speak your own words ) hath not introduc'd the sweet and powerful patronage of this lovely saint ? witness vienna in austria , madrid in spain , warsaw in poland , parma in italy ; and lastly , all germany , a country that 's proud that it can boast of your majesty's cradle , and is enrich'd with the numerous offspring of your most serene house ; in all which places your majesty hath enkindled the love of xavier , into such a flame , that few letters come from thence but are full of his encomiums , written by such as gratefully recount the favours received from his beneficent hand . your majesty is the first , by your own confession , that is able and bound after repeated tryals , to bear witness that xavier's love for your majesty is no less than your majesties love for xavier ; and if benefits are a sure proof of love , xavier hath conferred so many upon you , that to reckon them all , would take up a volume ; but your majesty , no less grateful than devout , will not permit me to pass them all over in silence , especially since it is for the glory of xavier to have it known , that he shews himself to be the benefactor of them that serve him , and recompences the regards they have for him with reciprocal kindnesses . it is then , through the kindness of xavier that your majesty has most happily brought forth three sons one after another : this is acknowledg'd , not by me only , and the whole kingdom , but by your majesty likewise . for you remember mighty well , what your prophetick mind foresaw , when full of faith , amidst the sweetest joys of your heart , you first receiv'd upon your royal head the sacred cap of xavier , brought a little before from goa ; for according to the exactest reckoning , just nine months after your masty brought to light the first and wish'd for heir of the crown , the infallibility of the success confirming the truth of the prediction . it s true , heav'n did of right take to it self the first fruit of your majesties royal blood , but it was in order to recompence that tender plant , cut off in the flower , with new fruits . so it was ; there succeeded a second son given by xavier , there followed a third , whom you owe likewise to xavier , upon several accounts ; a saying of your majesty makes us believe that your saint had made you a promise of him , and had given you his word upon it in private ; for a great while before , you had affirmed without the least sign of doubt , that e'er the ten weeks were ended , the fridays whereof you had consecrated to xavier , you should conceive a son the third time , the event prov'd the truth of this prediction likewise . but the reader , i suppose , may by this time , be as weary as my self , of this high-flown courtier , i shall therefore pass over a great many of his compliments , and come to his conclusion . to conclude , for it is now time , i shall end where i began . may your majesty receive your xavier , wholly yours , because as your majesty has entirely devoted your self to the service of xavier , so he makes it his whole business to become serviceable to your majesty . there is an amorous combat between xavier and your majesty . your majesty strives to overcome him by your obsequiousness , and he fights with your majesty by his kindnesses ; but the event is always to the advantage both of the one and the other party ; the conquering as well as the conquered ; for love is always triumphant on both sides . that laureat combatant doth foment the war in such sort , and alternate the battels between xavier and your majesty , that he fastens your majesty to xavier , and xavier to your majesty , like fortunate prisoners by indissoluble bonds in the centre of divine love. i think i have translated this period right , and so it is the reader 's business to make sense of it . this panegyrick ends with a small request , as the orator calls it , that her majesty would please to continue her favours to the jesuits of the province of brazil , and take them into her maternal care and protection , for the obtaining of which request he thinks no solicitation can prove so effectual as that of the same xavier . the world hath been so much prejudic'd in favour of the jesuits , on account of the great parts and learning for which some leading men among them have always been eminent since the foundation of the society , that people will hardly be perswaded , that all these fooleries can come naturally and innocently from them . yet it may be said in their favour on the other side , that they are not observ'd to smile in one anothers faces when they meet in the streets ; were all this design'd for meer banter , one wou'd think it were impossible for them to hold their countenances : but were we to judge of them by their looks , which are the most demure that i ever saw , they must be thought to be in earnest . but whatever it be that puts them upon treating their queen in so extravagant a manner , whether it be their folly or their knavery , or perhaps a mixture of both ; for these two go frequently in conjunction ; this is certain , that their libels have fail'd of the effect which they might have had in regard to any other person ; for the great esteem which this princess had gain'd by her many signal vertues , is so deeply rooted in peoples minds , that it is not in the power of any jesuit to lessen it . this appear'd by the great consternation her subjects were in upon her sickness , and the general lamentation that was every where heard among them at her death . and these testimonies of the great value that all had for her , were no where so remarkable as in the palace where her majesty was best known . letters come lately from lisbon say , that one of her ladies died in two or three days after her for meer grief ; that the queen dowager of england was inconsolable ; that the king never went to bed during the time of her sickness , but lay on a piece of cork in the same chamber ; that his majesty , while the corps was carried away , expressed his passion in such a manner , as is not to be described , it being so violent , that neither the nuncio , nor any other person could pacific him . it is said likewise , that the cardinal archbishop did many penances in her majesties behalf , but none surely so severe as those perform'd by the king himself : the publick hath had an account already , how that his majesty went one night bare-foot quite up to nossra senhora da graça , which stands upon a steep hill at the furthest end of the town ; but these letters add , that he went in the same manner no less than nine times to the cathedral church , that is at a considerable distance from the palace , and some part of the way very rugged ; and that all the little princes were carried in a coach , without their shoes and stockins to st. roques the jesuits church where xavier stands , and when they came near the church , went a little way upon their bare feet ; and having said their prayers for their mother , return'd upon their bare feet to the coach again . some of these passages may perhaps , seem a little odd to such as are unacquainted with the portuguese customs ; but then all must acknowledge that they set forth the praises of the deceased princess , in a manner , by much , more affecting and lively than the jesuites could have done by all their forced strains of eloquence , supposing they had set themselves in earnest to make her panegyrick ; for this so great and universal a concern for her , so variously express'd , as it was , demonstrates how well she had acquitted her self towards all people , according to the several relations she had to them ; it shews how good a queen , a friend and mistress she was , and proves her to have been a most endearing wife , and a tender mother . of the queen dowager of england . her majesty being now , to the great regret of our nation , become a most considerable part of the portuguese court , this account wou'd appear but lame , and be more defective than it is , should i forbear to mention her : i have great reason to believe , that my country-men wou'd think the omission unpardonable , finding them so very inquisitive as they are , concerning her ; the first question they put to such as come from portugal , and to which satisfaction is most earnestly desired , being commonly concerning their queen-dowager . but her majesty's character is so well known to the world already , that i shall not attempt it here . to tell of her most exemplary piety , wou'd be no news in any part of europe , much less in england ; and it is needless to say , that it is now the most distinguishing part of her character : for it was so , while she reign'd in one of the first courts of christendom ; and none will suppose her majesty to be alter'd in this respect now , in the time of her retirement . it did then , as it does still , give forth so bright a lustre , as to out-shine , by far , all the rest of her great perfections ; which yet , as those who are competent judges , and have the honour to be near her person , affirm , are such as would be highly admired in any other person . but tho' her majesty be her self the same , her outward circumstances are somewhat alter'd , since her leaving england ; her court is lessen'd almost to a private family , those few persons that waited on her from hence , being , for the most part , either dismiss'd with their salaries continued to them , or excus'd their attendance ; there is now no noise , nor ostentation of grandeur about her house , but all things are quiet and still , except it be on days of ceremony , when persons of quality will be coming to express the great veneration they have for her ; then , indeed , her court is as great , and full , as the nobility of the country can make it . at all other times she convinces the world , that the formalities of pomp and state are not inseparable from majesty ; and that true greatness , instead of being set off by such helps , appears to the best advantage without them . but the queen had , doubtless , a nobler end still , in getting rid of those incumbrances ; there being great cause to believe , that it has been all along the chief desire of her heart , to be at ease and liberty , that nothing might divert her from enjoying her self , as she now does , at her devotions . some speak of it as a considerable alteration about her majesty , that the jesuits are become her directors ; whereas before , she conferr'd that trust on those of the franciscan order : but her majesty is not of a character to be used by those fathers , as others may have been . 't is said , indeed , that they have tasted of her liberality in a most plentiful manner ; but as great as their profits are , the credit they have got , by being favour'd by so discerning a princess , is certainly much greater , since she cannot be suppos'd to have any worldly designs to employ them in : for my part , i take this honour to be the greatest that ever was conferr'd on the society ; and that by this mention of it , i have more than made amends for any thing i have said , or may say , to their disadvantage . of the late infanta . dona isabel luisa , infanta of portugal , was born the sixth of january , ; sworn princess , or heiress to the crown , in ; died the twenty-first of october , . this princess was accounted one of the most beautiful and accomplish'd persons , of her sex and rank , in christendom ; and that not only by the portugueses , who admired her almost to adoration , but by more impartial strangers , such especially as bore a publick character , who had frequent opportunities to satisfie themselves , that the favourable esteem the world had for her , was not without ground : for which reason , and for the prospect there was of her succeeding to the crown ( 'till after the king's second marriage ) she was sought for in marriage by most of the princes , and among the rest , by some of the most considerable monarchs in europe ; as indeed there is none so great , but might have accounted it a very advantageous match . the first that pretended to this princess , at least with any success , was victor amedee , the present duke of savoy , cousin-german to the infanta madame royale his mother ; marie jeane baptist de savoie , princess of nemours , being sister to the queen of portugal : his pretensions succeeded so well , that in the year , a marriage was treated , and soon agreed upon , and nothing seem'd wanting to the final conclusion , but the coming of the duke to lisbon , according to agreement . it will not be amiss to give what account i can of this match , as how it came on , and was unexpectedly broke off , it being no inconsiderable part of the history of this age. it may easily be supposed , that it was at first contrived between the two mothers ; for howsoever it might have proved to others , it afforded a very advantageous prospect to each of them . madame royale had been left sole regent of savoy , during her son's minority , by her husband charles emanuel , at his death in : but the young duke entring at this time upon his th year , had a little before been declared major ; and therefore , should he have taken upon himself the government , her authority was like to suffer no small diminution ; nor was there any so likely an expedient to continue the power in her hands , as the duke's being sent away into portugal ; the desire of rule , together with the ambition of becoming mother of a king , might make this princess give a listning ear to her sister's proposals . the queen of portugal , for her part , as she had a great hand in the setting up of his present majesty , so she had a great share with him in the government ; but her power was not like to continue so great , should a strange prince be admitted into court , especially in case any thing should befal the king ; but by this marriage between her nephew and her daughter , she secured her authority , and took the best measures to establish it , both for the present , and against the time to come . these may be supposed to have been sufficient inducements on both sides , for the two princesses to desire a match between their children ; and considering the great power that each of them were possess'd of in their respective dominions , one would think there was no need of the intervention of any others to bring the same about : but some will needs bring the french in upon the stage ; for in this latter age , there must nothing of moment be done in any court of christendom , but what they have a hand in . the match , indeed , was for the interest of france , and that seems to be a great argument why they should not be wholly unconcern'd in the matter . 't is pretended , that it was concerted by the cardinal d'estrees , who passed the mountains that year , on pretence of accommodating differences between the courts of rome and france ; but in reality , to negotiate the affairs of his king with the italian princes , having a particular command to call at turin , in order , as'tis said , to propose this marriage , he being thought the fittest person to serve his master in this affair , as he was a relation to the parties , and highly esteem'd by the duchess of savoy , and obliged for the purple to the queen of portugal ; so that whatever came from him , might be look'd upon as design'd only for the good of the family . to make the proposal more acceptable to the duchess , 't is said he was commissioned , to assure her of the protection of france , to maintain her in the regency . 't is pretended , that the french had before laboured all they could , to get the infanta for the dauphin ; the crown of portugal , which they expected with her , being considerable in it self , and might be a means to promote their further designs ; for ever since their king's marriage , they have all along had an eye to the now somuch talk'd of , succession of spain ; but being frustrated of their first design , by the prevailing interests of other princes , that were concern'd to obstruct them in it , thair next business was to defeat the hopes which the spaniards might entertain in favour of their king , or the pretensions of any other prince , in dependance on that crown : to bring this about , they thought it the best way to set up one , that should either be dependant on themselves , or whom they might easily deal with as they pleased ; and none was found so fit for their purpose , as his royal highness of savoy . it is said likewise , that there was a further reason for their setting up the duke , he having pretensions next to the german branch , to the succession of spain , both as being descended from donna catharina , daughter to philip the second ; and also , by virtue of philip the fourth's last will. if the duke were once settled in portugal , they thought they might serve themselves of him , to hinder the crown of spain from falling to the austrians , hoping to get him preferred before them , partly by their intrigues at madrid , and partly by force of arms ; and the duke , on this condition , might easily be brought to put france again in possession of navarre ; and , perhaps , be outed of spain it self , whenever king louis should please to dispossess him ; or , at least , be obliged by some treaty , to yield up savoy and piedmont . but these designs seem to have been somewhat remote ; there are others ascrib'd to the french on this occasion , that had a nearer regard to their present interest . it was thought , that the sending away of the duke would cause such discontent among his subjects , that the duchess-regent must necessarily seek protection from france , and consequently her country lie exposed to their discretion . the french , during the preceding war , had found it much to their prejudice , that none of their artifices could prevail with her to declare for their party ; or in any point to recede from that exact neutrality , which from her first coming to the government she had firmly resolv'd to observe ; by this means the duke's dominions became a kind of barrier to the state of milan , which otherwise had lain continually exposed to their insults ; and that which nettled them the more , was , the princess-regent was born their subject , and as they had flattered themselves , was french , as well by inclination as birth ; but notwithstanding all this , by her constant adherence to the true interests of the duke her son , and by the admirable dexterity and conduct of the duke of giovinazzo , the spanish ambassador , residing at turin , they found all their attempts to be vain , and their measures broken . but the difficulties they had met with , seem'd to animate them more in the prosecution of their design ; wherefore at the conclusion of the peace , they were resolved at any rate , to secure to themselves an inroad into italy , against the next war , to get , if it were possible , the possession of casai , and bring savoy into their dependency . how they succeeded in the former attempt , it is not my business to enquire ; but it seems , they found at last the true forible of the parties they had to deal with ; the love of money being that poor prince , the duke of mantua's reigning passion , as desire of rule was madame royale's . for after all other attempts had proved ineffectual , the continuance of her regency seem'd an irresistable temptation ; tho' at the same time , there was little likelihood of her being able to maintain her self therein , without the protection of france ; and it is supposed , that both these were offer'd her , when cardinal d'estrees came to propose to her the marriage . but whosoever were the contrivers of this match , or whatsoever were the motives it was made on , it was once in that great forwardness , that none doubted of its taking effect ; great preparations were made at lisbon and turin , against the time when it was to be celebrated , and all things were in readiness ; the cortes of portugal were called , to acknowledge the infanta heiress of the crown , and to dispense with the laws of lamego in her favour ; these laws are the fundamental constitutions of the government , and have the same force in portugal , as the pretended salique laws have in france ; by one of them a daughter of portugal is deprived of all right of succeeding to the crown , in case she marries with a foreigner . the duke had sent his equipage to lisbon , to be ready for him against his arrival ; where a squadron of men of war were equipp'd out , on purpose to fetch his royal highness ; the ships were the most finely rigg'd , and adorn'd , of any perhaps that have appear'd in the ocean for some ages : the admiral , on which his royal highness was to imbark , besides the immense treasures that were laid out on the in-side , was , above water , all over doubly guilt on the out-side , and from thence had the name given her of the monte de ouro . i am afraid to tell how vast a sum was said to have been expended in the bare guilding ; but i know , that after the ship had lain rotting in the river for many years , a certain chymist had the assurance to engage himself to the court , to make a very considerable quantity of gold of the very out-side scrapings ; and the court was perswaded to employ him when the ship was broken up ; for she never made but that one voyage . the portuguese nobility were , or seem'd at least to be , so over-joy'd at the match , and impatient to be making their court to their new prince , that most of them would needs be of the voyage . the duke of cadaval , at their head , was declared admiral of the fleet , all of them striving who should be most profuse in enriching the several ships they went upon ; insomuch , that as i have heard , some have scarce recovered their estates to this day . while these preparations were making at lisbon , and the fleet ready to set sail , things began to have another face at turin : for the nobility of savoy , and piedmont , were not so well satisfied as those of portugal ; they saw , or thought at least they saw more clearly into the french designs : for presently upon declaration of the marriage , there arose a vehement presumption among them , that this sending away of the duke out of the country , accompany'd , as he was to be , by his principal ministers , was meerly a contrivance of france ; partly , to impoverish them , by the vast expences they should be at on this occasion ; but chiefly to take their advantage from the absence of the prince and his council , in order to get his dominions into their power . upon this they began to cabal among themselves , and give the duchess to understand , how prejudicial they thought this marriage , made without their knowledge , might prove to their prince , and the state ; the duke , as they pretended , being to be convey'd away on design only , that they should be expos'd to the mercy of the french. the duchess was a princess of that penetration , that she foresaw well enough , that this would in some measure be the consequence of the match ; but then should it be broken off , her reign was in all likelihood drawing towards an end ; and this melancholy consideration , made her give a listning ear to the french offers of assistance ; for they seem'd to be no less alarm'd than her highness , at this commotion of the nobility ; whereupon their troops were set a marching towards the frontiers ; the duchess in the mean time getting together what forces she could , on pretence of preventing any design they might have upon casal ; for the duke of mantua had by this time , strook up an under-hand bargain , tho' it was some time after , that the french were put in possession . but at lisbon all things went smoothly on , where a publick procession was made about the city , by way of thanksgiving , for the conclusion of the marriage , and to obtain a good voyage of the fleet : but an unlucky accident fell out at this procession , that put some of the wiser heads a considering , for they did not well know what to think on 't , in these festival solemnities , our english st. george makes a very considerable figure , being a fat burly image , dress'd up , as i take it , in the habit worn by the english at the time of the saint's first coming into the country . he was brought into request here , as some think , by john of gaunt ; others are of opinion , that edmund de langley , then earl of cambridge , brought him in a little before ; but about their time it was , that the portuguese began to call upon st. george in their battles , instead of st. jago ; and ever since he has been the patron of the kingdom , and hath had his place in the processions accordingly ; wherein he , whilst other saints are carried upon pageants , rides on a horse that is kept on purpose for him , a boy for his page following on another horse to carry his lance : as the procession was entring the rocio , the largest square in the city , st. george's horse chanc'd to stumble , and down fell the saint in the presence of all the people ; a disaster , which as the inquisitive into these matters have since found , had never happened before that day . upon the fall of the saint , an observing person made this remark , and for it stands recorded by a very grave and learned author : this procession is no procession , but a funeral pomp rather ; the mistaken portugueses , with festivity and dancings , going to bury the male-line of our native kings . and when our fleet ( says my author ) so bedaub'd with gold without , and loaden with diamonds and jewels within , was ready to sail , the same person declared , that tho' it went so rich over the bar of lisbon , it would come home richer at its return : and being ask'd the reason , he reply'd , because it will never bring hither what it goes to fetch . it has been since demonstrated likewise from certain prophecies , which i may speak something of in their due place , that 't was impossible this marriage should ever take effect . but these were then the private sentiments of contemplative persons , who were not much heeded at that time , when nothing else was minded but publick rejoicings , and preparations for the bridegroom's reception , and congratulatory complements to the bride . but at turin , a little before the portuguese fleet arrived at nizza , the savoyard nobility , instead of being frighted into a compliance by the motions of the french troops on the frontiers , were but made thereby more sensible of their danger , and therefore they impatiently waited for an opportunity to impart their minds to the duke himself ; and this , by good fortune , the duchess gave 'em , by her retiring to a country-house near the town ; they taking the advantage of her absence , represent to his royal highness , how much it imported him to consider , that he was little better than a prisoner , whilst his dominions were surrounded with the french troops on every side : that the duchess had so concerted matters with king louis , that his highness's best places were to be put in that king's hands , as soon as he should embark for portugal : that she was sending him to lisbon , not that he might reign there , but that she might reign in savoy : that he must not think to act as a sovereign in portugal , whilst the prince and the queen liv'd ; and consequently , it was not for his interest , to be kept in subjection there , when he might stay at home and command them , as his most dutiful subjects : that the portugueses bore a mortal hatred to strangers , and had not consented to this marriage but by compulsion ; and would shew themselves to be of another mind , at the death of the prince-regent , and might serve him as they had done the king of spain ; that is , deprive him of the crown ; in which case he was like to be turn'd out of all : for the french , during his absence , would be sure to make themselves masters of savoy ; and it would be a hard matter to get them into the humour to restore it . this language we may be sure sounded very harsh in the ears of the young duke , who had hitherto been bred up among the women , whose grand concern it was , to take care that nothing should put him out of humour . when his fright was a little over , he began to ask them , what help there was to prevent all these mischiefs ? they told him roundly , that there was no other remedy , but to sign an order to arrest his mother . this proposal went to the very heart of him ; but they assuring him , that he must resolve upon it , and that presently , if he ever hoped to live happily , or prevent his own ruin ; he at last , tho' with tears in his eyes , sign'd the order they desired . while they were getting all things ready for putting the same in execution , the duchess , who as yet had heard nothing of the matter , returns from the country ; but it was not long before she discovered the whole intrigue : for as soon as she alighted from her coach , she went directly to the duke's apartment , where she found the poor prince pensive and melancholy , and scarce able to look his mother in the face ; she , surpriz'd at this alteration , began to caress the child , and enquire what the matter was : he , for some time , instead of answering her , fell a crying ; but she , resolv'd to know the business , caressed him so long , 'till she got it out of him ; so , at last , he told her all , both what he had done , and who they were that had put him upon it . the duchess , tho' in no small astonishment at this news , had yet her wits about her , and with an extraordinary presence of mind , ordered the guards about the court to be doubled , got the principal of them that had plotted her imprisonment to be arrested , and to bring over the people on her side , gave out , that the prisoners , and their accomplices , had conspired to seize upon the duke's person , in order to deliver him up to the spaniards . in the mean while , the portuguese fleet , under command of the duke of cadaval , arrives at nizza ; but it seems , the duchess , tho' she had provided for her present security , began to gather from this mutiny of the nobility , that she was like to have but an uneasie government of it ; and that she should be forced to a greater dependance upon france , and be more at their discretion , than she had at first imagined ; which might render her authority much more precarious , than if the duke her son remain'd in the country ; wherefore she found it necessary , that his highness should be very much indispos'd , during the stay of the portugueses , and not in a condition to go on board : so that the duke of cadaval , with the rest of the fidalgo's , were forced to return as they came ; how well pleas'd at their disappointment , let the reader imagine . presently upon their departure , the duke recovered of his indisposition , and the prisoners were never prosecuted for their pretended plot ; which makes some people to be of opinion , that this commotion of the nobility was from the very beginning contriv'd by the duchess her self , who presently after the conclusion of the match , might begin to consider the ill consequences likely to ensue upon it , which may have made her resolve to break it ; but wanting a plausible excuse to stop the mouths of the portugueses , and french , by her secret intrigues caus'd all this bustle , in order only to cast dust in their eyes . but howsoever this was , the portugueses , when they came to themselves , especially after their king's second marriage , were as well satisfied with the breaking off of the match , as the savoyards could be , so that in conclusion the french remain'd the only duppes , who thought to have imposed upon them both . this is the most tolerable account that is given of this mysterious affair ; for such it is still confess'd to be , by those that have penetrated the deepest into it . the world , tho' most of the foregoing particulars were publickly discoursed of at the time , continuing still to wonder , how it came to pass , that the court of savoy should thus unexpectedly depart from a most solemn engagement ; for his royal highness was then so very young , that he did nothing of his own head , he was meerly passive all the while ; indeed had this affair been of a later date , and transacted some years after the duke came of age , and had appear'd upon the publick stage to act for himself , the wonder in all probability would not have been so great . dly , louis the fourteenth , king of france , his pretensions to the infanta , were the publick talk , and not without some grounds , after the death of his queen , donna maria theresa de austria , who departed this life in . this match must have been very advantageous to that king , if for no other reason than that it would give him footing in portugal ; by which means it would be more easie for him to seize upon the rest of spain , upon the catholick king 's decease ; and 't is not doubted , but there were some overtures made by the french ministers at lisbon , tho' not in so vigorous a manner as to give occasion to the report that went current amongst the portugueses , it being commonly believ'd by that people , that his most christian majesty had so violent a passion for their infanta , that he was coming to fetch her away by force of arms : for , on the contrary , it was observed at the court of lisbon , that the french were not so warm in this negotiation , as to oblige them to come to a resolution , or give any positive answer ; which perhaps proceeded from that king 's prudent consideration , that this was an affair wherein he was like to be oppos'd , either openly or under-hand , by all princes in europe , and perhaps most of all by the portugueses themselves , who do not seem over-desirous to come under the french government ; this might make him loth to run the hazard of being deny'd : for which reason perhaps it was , that his ministers and partisans at lisbon , seem'd to do little more than feel the pulse of that court , without directly putting the question ; or if they went so far , they suffered themselves to be put off with very slender excuses ; if it be true , as 't is reported , that the court of portugal desired time to consider , 'till france had fully concluded the peace with germany and spain , and deferr'd giving their answer , on account of the death of king of alfonso , hapning about the same time : but the death of that poor prisoner , made little or no alteration in the publick affairs , especially in what related to the infanta ; so that these excuses only shew'd , that the court of portugal was wholly averse to the match , and the negotiation , as it was but coldly carried on , so in a short time it came to nothing . dly , the prince of tuscany was another pretender , and the match with him seem'd once to be in great forwardness ; but it was broke off at last , as it is said , by the grand duke's insisting , that in case his eldest son had issue by the infanta of portugal , the children of this marriage should succeeed only to that crown , and his estates in italy should be settled upon his second son , prince john gaston ; but this the portuguese court could not be brought to agree to . thly , charles the second king of spain ; presently after that king became a widdower , the princess of portugal had a great party in his council , who were for having her to supply the place of the deceased queen ; and for some time there appeared but one rival in competition with her , viz. the princess of tuscany , against whom she carried it clearly : for spain could propose to it self no greater advantage from the marriage of that princess , than a small sum of money ; small , i mean , in respect to the necessities of that crown ; which are such , that all the great duke , rich as he is , could give with his daughter , would go but a little way to supply them : whereas the infanta of portugal , besides the hopes that a marriage with her might prove an engagement upon the king her father to enter into the alliance , that was then forming against the french , was like to bring along with her a further prospect of re-uniting portugal to the spanish monarchy : for tho' the king her father was now married again , and the queen big with child a second-time ; yet it was the general opinion then , that none of king peter's future issue would be long-liv'd . but the great concern at madrid , being to procure for his catholick majesty , a princess that might secure the succession , and so prevent the dissipation of the whole monarchy ; and there being none in europe so promising in that respect , as the house of nieuburg , the princess mariana was for that reason preferred to the infanta of portugal . thly , the electoral prince palatine of the rhine , who succeeded so well in his pretensions , that a marriage was in a manner concluded on ; insomuch , that it was once thought , the same fleet which carried his sister to spain , would return with his intended spouse . but this match likewise was broken off on a sudden , i know not how ; but the blame is laid wholly on the portuguese ministers : and such as pretend to be well acquainted with the affairs of this court , reckon the miscarriage among the greatest bevues they are charged with . thly , the dauphin of france : this prince is said to have been the first that was proposed to the infanta ; and that france did its utmost in his behalf , before either his marriage with the princess of bavaria , or the infanta's with the duke of savoy was ever thought on ; that is to say , before the infanta was yet marriageable : so that it seems , they resolv'd to secure her , if possible , to themselves , she being at that time look'd upon by all , as the undoubted heiress of the crown , her mother being then living , and in no hopes of any other issue : but for the same reason , there was such opposition made to all overtures in the dauphin's behalf , that it was impossible their pretensions should take effect ; but howsoever this was , 't is agreed , that he was the last pretender ; and as his pretensions were prosecuted with more warmth , so they were more readily hearken'd to than the king his father's : for now the case was altered in portugal , as well as in france ; the portugueses began to conceive great hopes of the king's issue by his second marriage , as knowing perhaps the sinister opinion of the world in that respect to be without ground . nor was the dauphin's having three sons at this time , any exception against him , for he was still an advantageous match for an infanta of portugal , that was now losing all hopes of succeeding in the throne , and much to be preferr'd to an elector of the empire , especially one outed of his dominions , and reduced to so low an estate as the palatine was at that time ; wherefore this match was said to be in as great a forwardness as any of the former . i have been credibly inform'd , that the king us'd to console the infanta , during her illness , with the hopes of its happy conclusion . but it was then too late , this princess having been so often frustrated in her expectations , was not , as we may well suppose , over forward to entertain hopes of this kind ; this match could not be more sincerely design'd than some of the former had been , and therefore was as liable to be broken off as the rest were ; but what the success of it would have been is uncertain , death preventing the infanta's being ever disappointed again . she departed this life october the st , , just a year after the birth of prince john , the surviving eldest son of the late queen ; the promising hopes of whose life , together with the queen's being great of another , put an end to her expectations of ever ascending to the portuguese throne ; and consequently , she who had for several years been the idol of that nation , must of course have had the mortification to see their zeal cool'd on a sudden , and their devotion directed another way , and her self , no doubt , forc'd to go along with the stream , and bear a part in the publick rejoicings , and congratulations , for the cause of her exclusion . portugal , which from her very infancy she had been taught to call her own , being now become another's , was but an uneasie place for her ; and the rather , because she began to think herself confin'd to it , and to lose all hopes of reigning elsewhere , there being now scarce one throne left vacant for her , who had been so much contended for by almost all the unmarried sovereigns in christendom ; so that at last she began to think of taking up with a cell , expressing her apprehensions to those that freely convers'd with her , of her being like to end her days in a monastery , thinking , perhaps , that after so many miscarriages , the treaty then on foot was not much to be depended on . these things may be supposed to have gone to the heart of this princess , so as to add to that grief and melancholy , which , as 't is believed , contributed to the hastning of her end . there were malicious reports spread throughout europe , soon after her death , which would needs have it , that she was hurried out of the world in a more violent manner . i shall not relate them , being well satisfy'd of their untruth , after the exactest enquiry i could make concerning them , they are supposed to have been first rais'd by the partisans of france , who are not wanting in their turn , to lay hold on all occasions to blacken their enemies : it was for the austrian interest , say they , that the succession should be secured to the king's children by his second marriage ; and therefore , as they will needs have it , some extraordinary means must have been used to remove the infanta out of the way ; as if the sister could upon any pretence dispute the succession with her brother : but fearing belike , that this was not ground sufficient to support their calumny , they have themselves endeavour'd to give a mortal wound to the honour of the deceased princess , and thereby far exceeded the cruelty they suppose to have been shewn her by others . but it is a sufficient answer to all their slanders , that such impartial persons as are well acquainted at the court of lisbon , do affirm , that they never heard any call the vertue of that princess in question ; that his majesty had ever shewn himself a most tender father , but more especially as she drew towards the latter end ; that the extreme unction was administred to her on the day of her death , in the presence of cardinal dom verissimo de alemcastro , one had in great veneration by the portugueses , for his great probity and innocency of life , by that great and noble prelate , dom lewis de sousa ( now cardinal ) , arch-bishop of lisbon . the hardest thing that had any probability in it , was reported by the french people , that had been in the service of her mother ; who pretended , that a coffin was brought into her chamber , some days before she expired : which , supposing the thing to be true , might be done only to put the princess in mind of her approaching death , and therefore well design'd , among people that are religious in good earnest . as for the conde de atouguia , whose death , perhaps , was the cause why these reports were entertain'd in the world , he was advanc'd in years , and was a married man , and so that formal story of a marriage , of conscience , must necessarily be false . it is not deny'd , but that he was found dead one morning in the court of the palace ; but the government did not think fit to make any strict enquiry by what hand , or for what reason this nobleman fell , and therefore it becomes not private persons to take that liberty . of the king's issue , by his second marriage . dom john , &c. i have not seen a list of the rest of his names , if he had any more than one : but father leopold fuess , the queen's confessor , in a letter to padre vieira , assured this later , that her majesty , while she was big of him , promis'd to give this son of hers , ( she not doubting but it would be a son ) the sur-name of xavier . he was born in the year , on the th day of august ; whence vieira proves him to be the gift of xavier : for counting backwards from the day of his birth , he finds , that he must have been conceiv'd upon the eve , or the day of st. francis xavier , which is the first or second of december ; so that it seems there was a double reckoning among the jesuits : for padre balthesar duarte , counts from the twenty-first of november , which was the day when her majesty first made use of xavier's cap. one would think , that so short-liv'd a prince ( for he liv'd not above seventeen days ) should give no further trouble to a writer , than barely to tell of his coming into the world , and going out again ; and doubtless we should have heard no more of him , had not the great vieira design'd him for the universal empire , and resolv'd that he might not lose the many good things he had written on that subject , to continue him in the government in spite of death it self . but as the case stands , whiles that father shall have credit with posterity , as if any regard be to be had to the judgment of the present age , his authority will go on increasing , while portugal is a nation , this prince will have a fair chance , to make a greater figure in the chronicles than any of his predecessors . if i should undertake his history , according to the account this father gives of him , i must be forced to go back for years ; and to continue his reign , i must look i know not how many ages forward . i should not give my self that trouble , were this the rêvery of one single writer ; but he grounds his doctrine upon a certain revelation , that for this last age hath been receiv'd almost for gospel , by the whole nation , but more especially among the learned ; there having been scarce a writer , whether historian or divine , that hath appear'd of late years , but hath either spoken of it at large , or referr'd to it as an unquestionable truth ; and since it contains a prediction that must , if ever , be accomplish'd in our time , some account of it is necessary to them that would be acquainted with the present state of portugal . this revelation is pretended to have been made to alfonso henriquez , the first king , the evening before he receiv'd that title , upon the vigil of st. james , in the year ; this prince being then encamped in the plains of ourique , at the head of a handful of portugueses , against five kings , commanding an army of mores , according to them that speak modestly , most writers make the number to be much greater ; as he was musing on the business of the next day , when the battle was to be given , he chanced to fall into a slumber , and dreamed he saw an old man coming to him , and bidding him , be of good courage , for that he should obtain an entire victory over the infidels . and while he was yet in his dream , one awakening him , told him , that there was an old man without the tent to speak with him : who being introduc'd , was known by the prince for the same he had just before seen in his sleep ; and proved to be a hermit that liv'd in a cell hard by . the hermit gave him the same encouragement as before ; but told him withal , that god had fixed the eyes of his mercy upon him , and his seed , until the sixteenth generation , wherein his off-spring should be diminished , ( in quâ attenuabitur proles tua ) ; but when it was so diminished , he would have regard and see to it , ( in quâ attenuatâ ipse respiciet & videbit ) . ordered him , when he heard the hermitage-bell that night , to come without the camp , and alone . alfonso doing as he was bid , saw a shining ray towards the east , increasing more and more ; and while he was attentively looking on it , he saw within it a cross more resplendent than the sun , with our saviour upon it , attended by a multitude of young men in white , whom he took to be angels . alfonso expostulated with our lord , for appearing to him rather than to the infidels , as if he came to increase the faith of one that believ'd already . christ told him , that he did not come to increase his faith , but to encourage him against the battle ; commanding him , to accept the title of king , which his people should give him next day : and continued , for i am he that build up , and scatter empires and kingdoms ; and i will establish to my self an empire in thee , and thy seed after thee , that my name may be made known to nations that are afar off , &c. this account , tho' more at large , and with other particulars in it , that are not to our present purpose , is contain'd in a paper with alfonso henriquez's name to it , and those of several lords and prelates for witnesses : it is said to have been sworn to by alfonso , thirteen years after he had seen the vision ; but it lay hid , and no mention was made of it for above years , tho' it hath since been pretended , that some obscure intimations of the story are to be found in old writers , particularly the famous poet camoens ; who indeed hath something like it , with almost the very words of alfonso's expostulation ; and it seems , that he either took it from the paper , or the composer of the paper took it from him . it was found out at last in the year , in the cartorium of the famous monastery of alcobaça , founded by this king , and a copy of it was sent to the court at madrid ; for philip the second was then possess'd of portugal . it was received by the spaniards with great satisfaction , for in truth it seem'd to give them a divine right to the crown of portugal : for who could think otherwise , but that philip was the person design'd in the promise , that it was he who had been pitch'd upon by providence so many ages before , to supply the default of alfonso henriquez's off-spring , which in his time had suffered so great a diminution , that sebastian the th was the last of the male-line ; he was surviv'd indeed , and succeeded by his old decrepid great uncle , henry the cardinal , who was the th king , excluding alfonso henriquez ; but he did nothing else in his short reign , than secure the crown to philip. and this diminution of the royal family was the more remarkable , for that of the nine sons of king emanuel , whereof six lived to be men , there was no lawful issue of the male-line remaining at henry's death : so that this paper made so much for philip's purpose , that none question'd its authority among the spaniards , their writers , whereof a considerable number might be cited , look'd upon it as unquestionable , and great use was made of it , in the great controversie about precedency between the catholick and the french kings ; insomuch , that valdes , who by command from the former , wrote the treatise , de dignitate regum , which was presented to the pope , lays a mighty stress upon his master's being king of portugal , which in his opinion ought to give him the right of precedency , since that kingdom was , as he asserts , of a divine foundation ; proving his assertion from the authority of this paper , whereof he produces a copy . but when the portugueses , in the year , revolted from the spaniards , and began to turn the prediction against them , finding that john duke of bragança was the person design'd by it , they then changed their note , and question'd the authority of the piece ; yet having so often allowed of its antiquity , they did not flatly deny , but it might be as ancient as the date ; but thought it was a device of alfonso henriquez , upon whose bare word , or oath , the credit of the vision relies , ( for it is not pretended that any saw it but himself , ) and that this prince might feign the story to establish his authority , and make himself more reverenc'd by the people . should i pursue this matter ae far as it would go , it would engage me in a long history of the sebastianists , and fifth monarchists of portugal , for which i have now neither time nor room . but my present business is with the great vieira . upon the revolution in , the portugueses , almost to a man , the sebastianists excepted , saw clearly , that the duke of bragança was the person , in whom the new empire should have its rise : for tho' sebastian was the th king , yet this duke was of the th generation , and therefore his pretensions were more agreeable to the letter of the prediction ; but yet to make him of the th generation , they were fain to include alfonso henriquez for one ; which the spaniards thought a very material objection . however , vieira shews , how that it was ordain'd by providence , that the dukes of bragança should supply the defect of the male line : for he proves , that a like method was follow'd in the kingdom of judah , the only kingdom of divine foundation besides that of portugal ; his argument is drawn from these words of jacob , non auferetur sceptrum de judah , & dux de femore ejus , donec veniat qui mittendus est . here he would have us mark well , that the word sceptrum signifies kings , and the word dux dukes , and so the text declares , that there should be no failure of kings and dukes of the descendants of judah ; and accordingly , after the kings had fail'd in the time of the captivity , the dukes succeeded ; such were zerubbabel , and the maccabees : and in the same manner , when the direct line of portugal fail'd , the kingdom was to be supply'd by the dukes , viz. the dukes of bragança . but he thinks , that what was said concerning the diminution , or attenuation of the royal off-spring , was to be accomplish'd in the sons of john the fourth . as first , by the death of dom theodosio the eldest , and next in alfonso ; and that partly by the sickness he had in his childhood , ( for the father had been a great stickler for the party , which held alfonso to be lame and maim'd all over his right-side ; and was one of the first that were banished at that prince's taking upon him the government , being suspected to have drawn up the remonstrance read to him by the secretaty of state ) and yet he tells his auditors by the way , that one half of a portuguese king , should be able to beat the greatest monarch in the world. but the diminution was compleated at alfonso's death , for then the royal family was reduced to one single male , viz. his present majesty , dom pedro , whom he makes to be the proles attenuata , of the th generation , upon whom the words , ipse respiciet & videbit , were to be fulfilled . now he asserts , that respicere & videre , in the prediction , signifies to give a son ; because hannah saith , reg. cap. si respiciens videris afflictionem famulae tuae dederisque sexum virilem : adding , that it is not to give one , but many male-children : for we read in the same chapter , donec sterilis peperit plurimos . but during the time of the king's marriage with his first queen , this prophecy was like to come to nothing , since in all that time he had but one daughter ; whereas respicere & videre , plainly signifies , to give a great many sons ; and the king's want of male-issue , could not be supply'd by the infanta's marriage with the duke of savoy : for the king being the off-spring of the th generation , was himself the th generation , and the infanta the th ; so that the promise could not reach to her issue : and if the crown had been settled , as 't was intended , upon her , the prophecy could never be fulfilled . hence , as the father thinks it was , that the match with savoy was broken off in so surprizing a manner ; and that his majesty's first queen died to make way for his second marriage , by which he had this son , to whom we are now to return : upon the birth of this child , the father mounts the chair , and takes for his text these words , respexit & vidit , proves by arguments not worth repeating , that xavier was the shining ray that was seen by alfonso henriquez , before the crucifix appear'd to him , shews how xavier procured the kingdom for john the fourth , and this son for the present king. he demonstrates , that since king peter is the diminish'd off-spring of the th generation , this must be the child promised by ipse respiciet & videbit . he then goes on to shew , how that the child was to be an emperor ; because the crucifix , in the beginning of his discourse , spoke only of a kingdom , and the title of a king ; but after mention made of the th generation , he changes his language , and speaks of empires , ego enim aeidficator sum regnorum & imperiorum ; and volo in te & in semine tuo imperium mihi stabilire . now this empire , he says , is not to be the empire of germany , but one greater than any that hath been before , and universal , over all the world ; that is to say , it must be the fifth monarchy . that there shall be such an universal monarchy , he brings the common-place proofs : he allows that this fifth monarchy is to be the kingdom of christ ; but shews , that it shall be this young prince's nevertheless : for it is said , i will establish to my self an empire in thee , and in thy seed , volo enim in te & in semine tuo imperium mihi stabilire : so that the empire was to belong to christ , and the prince of portugal , at the same time . he thinks this promise is much alike to that made to st. peter , tu es petrus & super hanc petrum aedificabo ecclesiam meam : and that as the universal church , tho' it be christ's , is yet st. peter's too ; and by being st. peter's , is nevertheless the church of christ : in the like manner this empire shall be of christ , and of the prince of portugal at the same time ; and in effect , the jesuit had so ordered it , that this young prince was to be christ's vicar , and have a sovereign power over the whole world , in temporals , in the same manner as the pope , christ's vicar in spirituals , hath an universal jurisdiction over the church ; this monarch being the person spoken of in that place of daniel , ecce quasi filius hominis veniebat & ad antiquum dierum pervenit , & dedit ei potestatem & honorem & regnum , & omnes populi , tribus , & linguae , ipsi servient : for since christ is called , filius hominis , this quasi filius hominis , must be quasi christus , i. e. christ's vicar , his vicar in temporals , as the pope is in spirituals . that this emperor must be a king of portugal , is plain , because hannah concludes her song with these words , dominus judicabit fines terrae , & dabit imperium regi suo , i. e. to the king of portugal : for tho' all kings may in some sense be said to be from god , yet other kings are made by men , whereas he of portugal is made immediately by god himself , and so is more properly called his king , et dabit imperium regi suo ; and he makes it plain , that his imperial majesty must be the new-born infant ; for that he was given to the diminish'd off-spring of the th generation from alfonso henriquez . when the father had thus provided for the young prince , he soon after received an account of his death , which doubtless would have put any other teller of fortunes into no small confusion ; but it had no such effect upon padre vieira , for he was a jesuit , and was so little apprehensive of the raillery of his auditors , that he published his sermon , joyning thereto an apology ; wherein he proves , after his manner , that this quasi filius hominis , or christ's vicar in temporals , was to die , as the prince did , in order to take possession of the universal monarchy , which he could not do any where else but in heaven : for doth not the text expresly say , ecce cum nubibus coeli quasi filius hominis veniebat , & usque ad antiquum dierum pervenit , & in conspectu ejus obtulerunt eum , & dedit ei potestatem & honorem , &c. he supposes , that christ's first vicar in temporals , should go to heaven , in order to take possession of his government over the earth , for the same reason that the first vicar in spirituals had the keys of heaven delivered to him here on earth : for when st. peter had the keys of the church given him on earth , christ was himself then on earth ; but he being now in heaven , it was convenient that his vicar in temporals should go to heaven , in order to be instated in the government of the earth , and this after the example of vice-roys , and governors , who when they pay homage for the kingdoms and provinces , where they are to exercise the power , and represent the person of the king , do not perform this ceremony within the kingdoms and provinces committed to their charge , but in the place where the king then is , whether he be at court , or whether he be absent from it : now heaven is christ's court , and because he was in the world , and absent from court , when his first vicar did homage for the first universal empire , which is that of his church . it was done on earth in like manner , when this his second vicar was to pay homage for the second empire , which is that of the world , he was to do it in heaven , because christ is now at his court in heaven : and this he concludes to be the reason , why the prince was to die so soon after he was born . but since the prince is gone to heaven to take possession of the universal empire , who shall have the administration of the government here on earth ? shall the prince , who hath taken his leave of us with so much haste , return again to take it upon himself ? no , he hath taken possession , and the prince that is to be born after him , shall have the benefit of primogeniture , and succeed him in the empire ; insomuch , that the same empire shall be common to both the brothers ; the eldest , that is dead , is gone to take possession of it in heaven ; and the second , who is to live , shall administer it on earth . i confess , saith the father , this looks new and admirable , to make one only heir of two brothers ; that the first brother shall take possession , and the other come after him , and be the possessor : but to him , altho' it was wonderful , yet it was no novelty ; he thinks he hath a like instance at the birth of pharez and zarah , sons of judah , the father and founder of the royal tribe : zarah put forth his arm , and when he had a purple thread tied thereto , he drew it in again , and let pharez be born before him , and so yielded to him the right of primogeniture ; by which means zarah took possession of the purple , that pharez afterwards put on and enjoy'd . thus , saith the father , was the succession to the kingdom of judah founded , and thus was the first foundation laid of the empire of portugal : the prince that was born , and presently after withdrew into heaven , was like zarah , who only took possession of the purple , and then drew back his arm ; the prince that is to be born , shall be like pharez , and succeeding in the place yielded to him by his brother , shall enjoy the same possession , cloath himself with the same royal purple , and stretch forth his arm to grasp the scepter . he bestows some other thoughts upon the parallel , to make it more exact , which i do not think convenient to translate . dom joaon francisco antonio bento bernardo , the king 's eldest son living , born the d of october , ; and sworn heir to the crown by the three estates of the kingdom , assembled in cortes held at lishon , decemb. . ; a prince , as they who frequent the court report , of a sweet and mild disposition , and likely to inherit the king his father's vertues , as well as his throne . dom francisco — , born the th of may , ; a prince of great vivacity and spirit , as appears by many pretty stories of him , which the portugueses entertain themselves withal . he is designed for a knight of malta , at least to hold the grand priory of crato , the richest commenda in portugal , or perhaps in all spain , of which he is at present in possession . dom antonio — , born the th of march , : he was cloath'd in a jesuit's habit upon his first coming into the world , which he still wears , or did , at least , not long ago ; her majesty having devoted him to her st. xavier ; and , if the jesuits are to be believ'd , he is design'd to be of their order . dona theresa francisca josepha , born the th of feb. . dom emanuel — , born the of . another princess , born in the beginning of this year . if i remember a-right , her name is dona maria xavier josepha . besides these , his majesty hath acknowledg'd one natural daughter , whose mother is reported to have been imploy'd about the palace , to sweep the lower rooms . this young lady hath been bred up in a monastery , 'till the year , when the king bestow'd her in marriage , upon the eldest son of the duke of cadaval , to the great dissatisfaction of the nobility ; insomuch , that few or none of them would appear at the publick reception of the bride . i never heard that their discontent proceeded from an opinion , that this marriage of the principal person among them , was a disgrace to the fidalguia : in other countries , perhaps , and in former times , so illustrious a body might think their blood debased by such a match : but their dissatisfaction was said to proceed from another cause , they thought the honour was too great for any subject , the duke of cadaval not excepted ; and that he was raised thereby too much above their level ; tho' it be confess'd by all at the same time , that next his majesty , his excellency hath the greatest authority , and the greatest estate , and is of the noblest blood in the kingdom . yet he is not of equal quality , to them on whom the french king hath bestowed his bastards ; for they to whom his most christian majesty hath done so very great an honour , are such princes as are the nearest to his blood , much nearer than the duke is to the king of portugal ; no wonder then , if so great a value is put upon the like honour in smaller courts ; the authority of the french being , in this age , sufficient to alter , if not the nature , at least the appearance of things , and make things look glorious in our days , which in former times had another aspect . in one particular the portuguese court seems to have out-done the french on this occasion ; that is , in the title given to this lady , upon her being first own'd : for as i was inform'd , at the time it was ordered , that she shou'd be treated with altesa real ; whereas , i do not find , that the french king 's natural children , have , as yet , got above altesse serenissime ; and this may possibly be the reason , why monsieur l'abbe d'estrees , the french ambassador , forbore to visit her , 'till he had express orders for it from france . for his master having been for some time used to prescribe rules for the ceremonial , he might , perhaps , think it a kind of usurpation , for any others to take upon them to alter it : but the portugueses did not altogether innovate on this occasion , for they had a precedent at the court of madrid , where the late don john of austria took royal highness upon him ; which , perhaps , may have been the cause why the court of portugal , which is resolved , in all things , to swell up to the grandeur of spain , gave the same title to this lady . it is now commonly said in portugal , that the king 's natural children have a right to succeed him in the throne , in default of his lawful issue : but i believe this opinion to be as ill grounded , as 't is derogatory to the honour of that nation . had royal bastards a right to the succession , john the second , who ruled with a more absolute power than any king of this nation , either before , or since , would doubtless have left the crown to his natural son , dom jorge , duke of coimbra , progenitor of the dukes of aveiro , ( now in spain ) he having laboured all he could , to obtain the succession for him ; but all in vain : for he was forc'd , before his death , to acknowledge for his successor , dom emanuel , then duke of beja , whose brother that king had slain with his own hands . when dom antonio pretended to the crown , after the death of henry the cardinal , he had put an end to the great controversie at that time on foot , about the succession , had bastards a right thereto : but he himself was far from thinking they had , and therefore he grounded his claim upon a supposed marriage between dom luis , son of emanuel , with his mother : it was a prejudice to him indeed , that some suspected judaism to lie lurking in his mother's blood : however , the judges constituted by henry to determine this controversie , alledged his illegitimacy as a sufficient , and the only cause of his exclusion . the only bastard that ever reign'd in this kingdom , was john the first ; yet he never pretended a right of succession to the crown , but came in by election of the estates assembled in cortes , at a time when the throne was declared vacant , the other pretenders being at that time prisoners in castille ; and what is more , declared illegitimate by the cortes , ( whether justly , or not , is another question ) , so that bastard for bastard , it was thought fit in this case of necessity , to elect dom john before any other . of the ministry . all publick affairs of importance , and such as immediately concern the king , are here managed by a sett of ministers , as many , or as few as the king pleases to appoint , who together are called the council of state ; and as members of this body , they are all treated with excellency : the reason , i suppose , is , because that title is given to the counsellors of state at madrid ; tho' another reason was given by one of their number , who said , it was their due , because they had all of them been ambassadors . to this council the king refers all matters of moment , seldom , or never , resolving upon any thing before the affair has been considered and debated among them . 't is said , the reason why the king pays so great a deference to this council , is , partly because it consists of those who had a great hand in advancing him to his brother's throne ; he , for this cause , thinking it but reasonable , that they should share in the power they had given him ; partly moved thereto , by the frequent remonstrances of the jesuits , who are in great credit with his majesty , and as some ill-natur'd people give out , are set on by the ministers , to be ever and anon suggesting to him , that he is oblig'd in conscience to take this course . but most people are so well satisfied of his majesty's prudence , and justice , as to think that things would go much better than they do , if he would take a greater part of the government upon himself . this council , as it imitates that of madrid in other things , so it is seldom guilty of any great precipitation in its proceedings ; but people complain rather of its slowness , and want of dispatch ; and some , who love to make the worst of things , say , that when a business is brought before them , they shall sit upon it four or five times , each session lasting five or six hours , and after all , the matter be oftentimes more perplex'd and intricate than before ; and the king , who loses all this time , waiting for their resolution , be as much to seek as ever . but such as talk after this rate , seem to have that opinion of the chapter , which is very different from what the world has entertain'd of the canons ; as will appear from the characters of some of those excellent persons that compose this council : as first of , dom manoel telles de silva , conde de villar mayor , & marchese de alegrete . i name him first , not because of his quality , ( for tho' he be most nobly descended , yet he gives place to others , whom i shall mention afterwards ) , but because he is in effect the prime minister of state , affairs of the greatest concern being chiefly intrusted to his management . this lord having born arms , for some time , in his youth , apply'd himself afterwards with extraordinary diligence to the study of letters , and made a very considerable progress therein ; insomuch , that he is esteem'd for one of the most learned men in the nation . it is said , that he was much admir'd in germany , for his readiness in speaking latin ; and , i suppose , it was to exercise himself in the same tongue , that in the time of his embassy into that country , he set himself to write in elegant latin , the life of john the second , sir-nam'd , the perfect prince , which hath been publish'd since . in this piece , the noble author hath attempted to follow the stile and method of the ancients : how far he hath attain'd to either , i will not pretend to judge ; but , i believe , most candid readers will think , he hath succeeded to admiration , considering at how low an ebb learning hath been in portugal for this last age ; but by this application to his studies , he qualify'd himself for much greater , and more honourable employments , than that of an author . at twenty-four years of age , he was made one of the infante's camarists , and is supposed to have had a great hand in the last revolution , and he hath been ever since one of the nearest to the person of that prince . after some overtures had been made of a marriage between the king his master , and the princess of nieubourg , this lord was pitch'd upon as the fittest person to carry on so important a negotiation ; which he brought to a happy conclusion , and conducted the royal bride with him into portugal . nor was that the only service the conde did on this occasion , he gain'd an honour for his master , which ( the emperor excepted ) no crown'd head in christendom had ever attain'd to before : for before he made his publick entry into heidelberg , he so adjusted matters in a preliminary treaty , that he was to have the precedency of the elector , and the place of honour on all occasions . this , say the portugueses , had never before been granted by an elector , the ambassador extraordinary of any king , tho' some of the greatest had been seeking it with much earnestness . but the reputation of his majesty's grandeur , say they , so worthily represented by this great minister , together with his excellency's great prudence and dexterity , gain'd for this crown that singular prerogative . when his excellency made his publick entry , the two princes , frederick and philip , waited to receive him in the court of the castle , and the elector himself went down some of the steps that are open to the court , to meet the ambassador , as he came out of his coach ; his electoral highness desiring his excellency to be covered , gave him the right-hand , let his excellency go before him through every door ; and when he had conducted him to the place of audience , gave him the most honourable seat. this was so very great an honour , that it had been deny'd , not only to ambassadors , but to a king in person : for when henry , elect of poland , afterwards the third of that name in france , call'd at heidelberg , in his way to his new kingdom , there was not a man to be seen in this very court , where the conde de villar mayor , had princes to wait upon him at his portiere ; and the poor king was so out of countenance , that he was fain to step aside , on pretence of making water , 'till some body might come to shew him up stairs ; at last , the rhinegrave , accompanied with two gentlemen that had escaped from the butchery of saint barthlemi , met him half way on the steps , excusing the elector his father , frederick the third , that he came not to do this office , by reason of a certain pain that he had in his leg ; but the old elector invited king henry , the next morning , to take a walk with him , and by no less than thirty turns in his great hall , like that at westminster ; he so breath'd the young king , as fully to convince him , that what his son had said , was but a meer excuse . but henry came then just reeking from shedding the blood of innocents ; and the old elector , who otherwise entertain'd him like a royal guest , had a mind to let the young king see how much a prince falls from his dignity , by becoming guilty of such barbarities . so that , i confess , this precedent ought not to be much insisted upon , in the case of our ambassador extraordinary . as for the late elector , philip william , he , it seems , was resolv'd not to stand upon ceremonies with his excellency ; he not only gave him the upper-hand at his first reception , but likewise at meals : the lord ambassador always wash'd first , sat in the best place , was serv'd first ; nay , the very electoress her self , and the princesses her daughters , would needs have his excellency take the precedency of them too ; but he was more a gentleman than to insist upon his punctilio's with ladies : and so it was contriv'd , that at conferences with them , there should be no canopy in the room , and consequently no distinction between the right , and the left-hand ; and that of two rows of chairs , opposite to each other , the ambassador should take the uppermost on the one side , and the electoress on the other , with the princesses her daughters after her in their order ; his excellency satisfying himself with this equality with her highness , thinking that he had gain'd his point , while he kept the elector below him . the old elector , for his part , contented himself with having got a good match for his daughter , while the portugueses had all the advantage in the ceremonial on their side , and were not a little elevated with the honour their ambassador gain'd to the crown , though it was no more than was lost by the father of their queen . nor need we wonder , that this court should be so highly pleas'd with his excellency's dexterity and success herein , since the ceremonial is become the grand concern of europe , and the subject of the most important negotiations now on foot : for what is there that doth perplex , and embroil most courts in christendom , so much as the additional sound of two or three syllables in some princes titles ? have we not lately seen the force of blood it self suspended in the most endearing relations ? and is not infallibility it self at a stand , and all for want of one to determine the several degrees that are between an arm'd chair , and a folding stool ? this nobleman , at his return , had the title of marquess de alegrete bestow'd upon him , as a mark of honour , in reward for his service . but his dexterity in negotiations of this sort , make but a small part of his character : he is represented by all that pretend to know him , as a most accomplish'd states-man , even by those who are so ill-natur'd as to allow that title to no other minister about the court. he is suppos'd to be well acquainted with the present posture of affairs in europe , and throughly to understand his master's interest ; and above all , is accounted a person of unbiass'd integrity ; his country-men generally esteem him a true portuguese , disinteressed in his counsels , and espousing no party ; as having no other designs in view , but such as he thinks may make for his master's service , and his country's good. this is the character that 's commonly given of the marquess ; the worst that is said of him , that i could ever hear , is , that his tenderness for a numerous family , and care in providing for them , may have a little slackned his vigor , in opposing the counsels of such as are thought to have something else in view , than the good of the state. he is said to be very zealously addicted to the religion of his country : he ascribed the happy issue of his negotiation at heidelberg , to the prayers of two sisters , and a daughter of his , that are nuns in the convent of madre de deos , a little without the city : at least the king was of this opinion , when cardinal de alemcastro was commending him for his prudent management , his majesty reply'd , that this lord had no part in the success , but that all was done to his hand by the madre de deos. i have been told of another remarkable instance of his lordship's devotion , but know not what credit it deserves , having no other ground for it than the common talk of the people , among whom it was reported , that when st. antoninho , ( a small diminutive image of st. antonio , that hath been in great credit for these three last years at lisbon ) was hired out to go sargente mor , to the fleet that went last year ( ) , with the vice-roy to the east-indies , among other perquisites promis'd to the saint , over and above his standing-wages of millr . per month , the marquess de algrete bargain'd to give him a fine new chappel , in case he conducted a relation of his lordship's safe home from goa . dom nuno alvarez pereira , duke of cadaval , marquess of ferreira , earl of tentugal , &c. mentioned on several occasions before , descended of the house of bragança , from ferdinand the second duke of that title , and consequently the king's kinsman . this noble person , notwithstanding his high birth , and vast riches , hath qualify'd himself for all manner of employments , having commanded both by sea and land , and all along made a most considerable figure in the state , wherein he has at present the greatest power and authority next the king , having a hand in all affairs relating to his majesty , his domestick concerns not excepted . if any part of the publick business be more than other his peculiar province , i take it to be the revenue of the crown , whereof he is a great farmer , as the foreign affairs seems to be that of the marquess de alegrete . it is agreed , that the authority of the council of state , doth in a manner wholly reside in these two great men. it is said , they have been formerly in competition about the king's ear , and favour ; wherein the marquess was upheld by the opinion his majesty hath of his prudence and integrity . the king , no doubt , hath a like opinion concerning the duke too ; but he , they say , by the pleasantness of his conversation , contributes likewise to his majesty's diversion , the marquess consulting only his country's good , and his master's service ; the duke , as 't is suppos'd , doth not wholly neglect his own interest . some will have it , that he is biass'd in favour of france ; but , perhaps , the only reason may be , because both his wives have been french-women , the present duchess being daughter of the marquess of harcourt . the duke being , as i have said , the greatest subject in the kingdom , takes a particular method to make people sensible of his grandeur ; he is not of opinion , that he stands in any need of a pompous equipage , or a numerous attendance , to make himself appear considerable ; but like those famous states-men , that have made the greatest figures in the modern , as well as the ancient common-wealths , thinks the authority of his person sufficient to command those respects that are due to his quality . when his excellency appears abroad in his litter , which certainly is not made for show , he is followed only by a trooper ; and by him , because he is general of the cavalry . dukes in portugal had formerly their guards allowed them ; but i have not heard , that his excellency chuses to be attended by a soldier , to keep up his pretensions to that priviledge . he is a familiar of the inquisition , as , i suppose , all other noble-men are , it being a mark of honour in this county ; but at an auto da fe , other noblemen serve as guards to those poor wretches that come out to hear their sentence , whereas his excellency supplies the place of a door-keeper . many other things are told of his excellency , by such as pretend to give his character ; but they are matters which the publick is not concern'd to know . dom luis ( now cardinal ) de sousa , arch-bishop of lisbon , and capellaon mor to the king ; which , i suppose , i may translate , dean of his majesties chappel ; a prelate , who as he is of a noble extraction , seems to have a mind suitable to his birth and quality , and a capacity sufficient to carry on his designs , which have been always great , and always successful at long run , notwithstanding the mighty opposition he hath met with ; he having been heard to say , soon after his having receiv'd the cap from rome , that he never set his heart upon any thing , but in the end he found ways to accomplish his desire : and in effect , he hath rais'd himself to the highest dignities that either portugal or rome cou'd bestow upon him ; for his being a national cardinal , excludes him from all pretensions to the pontificate . in alphonso's reign he became suspected to the court , by his associating himself with the disaffected party , and was therefore order'd by the king to his residence at o porto , of which place he was dean : when bishops were restored to portugal , he was advanc'd to that see ; and from thence he was afterwards translated to the arch-bishoprick of lisbon ; and at last , viz. in , received the cardinal's cap from rome . tho' the two fore-mention'd ministers have the principal management of state-affairs , yet they say , this great prelate will take care , that his vote shall have its due weight in the council , especially when he hath occasion to promote the grandeur of his brother's house . i cannot pretend to tell how far he is concern'd in foreign affairs ; but we may suppose , considering his profession , that those relating to rome , may , if any , be his province : but notwithstanding the great favours he has received from thence , his publick conduct hath not made him suspected of any mean compliance with that court ; on the contrary , he has endeavoured , so far as the genius of his country will permit , to reform many of those abuses it hath introduced ; particularly , he hath on several occasions shewn himself a great enemy to exemptions , by which that court hath establish'd its tyranny in the world , and ruin'd the discipline of the church . he hath had many clashings with the nuncio's , whose legantine courts , he thinks , incroach too much upon his episcopal jurisdiction . in short , he seems to have much of the same spirit and character with the late arch-bishop harlai of paris ; nor has he , any more than that other great prelate , escaped the lash of malicious tongues . i have never heard , that he hath shewn so little complaisance to the court of rome , in order to gain the purple , tho' as all agree , he hath been aiming at it for these many years , and considering the servile temper of those at rome , no way seems more likely to succeed ; but dom verissimo de alemcastro , the late inquisitor-general , had put more signal affronts upon the holy see , than ever the arch-bishop either did , or could ; and was ( possibly for that reason ) promoted before him : when the pope attempted , as several of his predecessors had done before him , to break the present constitution of the holy office , whereof the holy see bears all the scandal , and reaps none of the profit : the inquisitor , supported , i suppose , by the court , ( whose creature the inquisition was ) set them of rome at defiance , stood all the fire of the vatican , and remain'd unmov'd at their censures , tho' they proceeded so far as to interdict him , ab ingressu ecclesiae ; insomuch , that his holiness was oblig'd at last , upon a slight composition , to desist from the enterprize ; and at the next promotion , the rebel-inquisitor was rewarded with the cap ; the same cap , which as the arch-bishop pretended , had been promised to himself . had this been under any other pontificate than that of innocent the eleventh , the world would not have been to seek for the reason of the inquisitor's promotion ; but there being something more generous in this pope's nature , than in theirs that usually fill the holy chair , 't is not unlikely , but he had some regard to the merit of the man ; for all give dom verissimo the character of an extraordinary good man ; tho' they say withal , that he was none of the wisest ; and he may therefore be supposed to have been but an instrument in the hands of others , when that vigorous opposition was made to the pope's design of reforming the inquisition . it is said , that this promotion of the inquisitor did not a little disgust the arch-bishop ; and that he spared not to make most grievous complaints against those that had deceived him ; and that it was not on the court of rome only that he laid the blame of his disappointment . by this promotion , the court of rome gain'd some very considerable advantages ; for thereby they took off one great adversary , gain'd him over to their side , and by his means disarm'd another , putting it out of his power to do them any great harm : for after this , the cardinal , and the arch-bishop were never in good terms together ; and the nuncio's found the cardinal the fittest man on all occasions to make head against the other , whensoever he was about to give them any trouble : for tho' there was no comparison between the abilities of the one and the other , yet the cardinal was so highly esteem'd for his innocence and probity , by the king , nobility , and people , that as weak as he was , he was able to make his party good against the arch-bishop ; who is far from being so much , or so generally beloved . but the nuncio's have not been wanting on other occasions , to raise up enemies against this adversary of theirs , monsignor nicolini was so happy in the time of his residence , as to set the main body of the fidalgo's upon him : the manner in which he effected it , does not indeed make much for the honour of the holy see ; however , he did not a little gratifie a certain passion , which they of rome are no less ready to indulge , when a fair opportunity offers , than they are to court an enemy that 's too mighty for them . the fidalgo's were much set upon it , to have leave for a company of spanish strolers to act in the town , and were as much opposed by the arch-bishop ; who , perhaps , might think , that the licensing of a publick stage , was , in effect , to authorize the corruption of manners , that it is apt to cause : not that his lordship was apprehensive , least the players should expose religion , or turn it into ridicule , to make sport for the hair-brain'd unthinking youth of the town : for , possibly , there may not be two nations in the world , where the audience it self , to say nothing of the government , wou'd be very patient at so horrible an abuse ; should any thing like it be seen upon the stage at lisbon by these very fidalgo's , who were so earnest for a play-house , their religion would put 'em upon chastising the offenders upon the spot , in such a manner as ours will not justifie . it is not long since they gave a terrible instance of their zeal upon a servant of the french ambassadors , who being but a french papist , could not be perswaded to pay the like reverence as others did , to an image brought upon the stage ; which made the people fall upon him with so much fury , that he was carried off the place for dead . and there is this to be said in behalf of the spanish poets , that their plays have very little of that leudness in them , which abounds in so scandalous a manner in those of another country . but though crimes of this sort are not taught in the play-house there , yet it is much suspected , that they are practised amongst them , the women that tread the stage , having no better character there than in other places . and this , i presume , might be the reason why their admittance into lisbon was so vigorously opposed by the arch-bishop , who to put a stop to all importunities in their behalf , published an excommunication against the players , in case they should act , and against all that went to see them . it was in vain for the fidalgo's to desire his lordship to recall the sentence ; but at last they apply'd themselves to nicolini , the nuncio , who had now a fair opportunity presented him to engage a powerful party against the arch-bishop ; nor did he let slip his advantage : it is true , religion and vertue were like to suffer by what he was about ; but those of rome think these are things to be minded , when they prove subservient to their designs ; he , therefore , without more ado , takes off the excommunication by virtue of his legantine power . the play-house hereupon opens , and fills ; the fidalgo's flocking to it like so many school-boys , let loose from under the discipline of their master ; and , perhaps , the more eagerly , that they might a little mortifie the rigid arch-bishop . his lordship withdraws for a time to his country-house , that he might not be a witness to so great a slur put upon him , and to suppress his just indignation against the nuncio . but this was only a short mortification , which considering the occasion , must doubtless have turn'd to his lordship's credit , even among those that were pleas'd with it at that time . the court of rome hath since thought convenient to present him with a cap , viz. in the year , at a promotion wherein his lordship , and monsignor cornaro , the then nuncio at lisbon , were the only persons advanced to the purple . dom anrique de sousa de tavares da silva , conde de miranda , & marquis de aronches , brother to the arch-bishop , and acting in concert with him ; a minister of great sufficiency , but too much , as 't is thought , addicted to his pleasures : he hath served in several embassies , as to england , spain , holland , and remains well affected to the people among whom he has resided : insomuch , that during the late war , such as would needs have the ministers of state to take parties , have always given the marquess of aronches , together with his family , to the allies ; and we may suppose them to be much in the right , if we judge how the noble families stand affected to other nations , from the alliances they contract with foreigners : this lord having given his daughter to the prince of ligne , a fleming , subject of spain , and prince of the empire , who succeeds him in his estate and title ; the same person , who , by procurement of the family , was sent ambassador extraordinary from his portuguese majesty to the emperor , and made that splendid entry into vienna ; of which the publick had so large an account in the gazettes , &c. if i do not mention the rest that are of this honourable body , it is because i am not so well instructed , as to be able to give a particular account of them : but i must not omit to mention the secretary of state ; who , tho' he hath neither a deliberative , nor a decisive voice in any of the councils , is yet , as some term him , the primum mobile of the whole kingdom : his office is compounded of that of clerk of the council , and another long since abolished , but revived for a small time by the conde de castelmelhor ; he that executed it , was called the escrivam de puridade : puridade , in old portuguese , signifies secrecy , or privacy ; but is now out of use in that sense : the office seems to have been much the same as that of privado in spain , or prime minister in france ; but nothing remains of it , now , at least in the secretary of state , but what is purely ministerial . the office of secretary , at present , as 't is a place of great trust , so it is in a manner a place of infinite business ; he gives an account to the king , of whatsoever is done in the council of state ; he is address'd to by all sorts of people that have any thing to do at court , of what nature soever their business is , he proposes the matter to the king , and returns his answer ; and is apyly'd to by foreign ministers on all occasions . this place is at present executed by mendo foyos pereira , one rais'd by the house of aronches , and , as some say , greatly devoted to the family : he is a person not so considerable for his birth , as for his indefatigable diligence in his employment ; of which he acquits himself so well , that it seems to be without reason , that some represent him of a narrow capacity . foreign ministers find it to be much for their convenience , to manage the secretary , and hold a good understanding with him , if they desire to have quick dispatches ; or when matters relating to the ceremonial are in question : for if he be ill us'd , they may chance to meet with more rubs in their way , than they look'd for . the nuncio's that have been on ill terms with him , have not been insensible of his resentments : however , it is thought advisable by those that have to deal with this minister , that in the measures they keep with him , they beware , lest he perceives they are in any awe of him ; since an over-great complaisance , may be of worse consequence , than a conduct that is quite contrary . finis . books printed for tho. bennet . folio . thucydides , greek and latin , collated with five entire manuscript copies , and all the editions extant : also illustrated with maps , large annotations and indexes . by j. hudson , m. a. and fellow of vniversity-college , oxon. to which is added , an exact chronology , by the learned henry dodwell ; never before publish'd . printed at the theater , oxon. athenae oxoniensis : or , an exact history of all the writers and bishops , who have had their education in the university of oxford , from , to the end of the year ; giving an account of the birth , fortune , preferment , and death of all those authors and prelates ; the great accidents of their lives , with the fate and character of their writings . the work so compleat , that no writer of note of this nation , for two hundred years , is omitted . in two volumes . a new historical relation of the kingdom of siam . by monsieur de la loubiere , envoy extraordinary from the french king to the king of siam , in , and ; wherein a full and exact account is given of their natural history ; as also of their musick , arithmetick , and other mathematick learning : illustrated with sculptures . done out of french by dr. p. fellow of the royal society . father malbranch's treatise concerning the search after truth . the whole work compleat ; to which is added , his treatise of nature and grace , being a consequence of the author's principles contained in the search ; together with f. malbranch's defence against mr. de la ville , and several other adversaries . all english'd by j. taylor , m. a. of magdalen-college , oxon , and printed there . the second edition , with some additions , communicated by the author . qvarto . a critical history of the texts and versions of the new testament . in two parts . by father simon , of the oratory . a discourse sent to the late king james , to perswade him to embrace the protestant religion . by sam. parker , late bishop of oxon. to which are prefixed two letters , the first from sir lionel jenkins , on the same subject ; the second from the bishop , sent with the discourse . all printed from the original manuscripts . a short defence of the orders of the church of england . by mr. milbourn . sermons and discourses upon several occasions . in three vol. by robert south , d. d. sermons and discourses upon several occasions . by g. strading , d. d. and late dean of chichester . sermons and discourses upon several occasions . by r. meggot , d. d. of the reverence due to god in his publick worship . in a sermon before the king and queen , at white-hall . by the right reverend father in god , nicholas , lord bishop of chester . three sermons upon several occasions . by the right reverend father in god , william , lord bishop of oxford . two sermons , one before the house of commons , the other before the queen . by w. jane , d. d. and dean of gloucester . three sermons before the queen . by nath. resbury , d. d. five sermons upon several occasions . by mr. francis atterbury . two visitation-sermons , and one before the societies for the reformation of manners . by mr. william whitfield . the certainty and necessity of religion in general , or the first grounds and principles of humane duty established . in eight sermons , preached at st. martins in the field . at the lecture for the year . founded by the honourable robert boyl , esq ; the certainty of the christian revelation , and the necessity of believing it , establish'd in opposition to all the cavils , and insinuations , of such as pretend to allow natural religion , and reject the gospel . both by francis gastril , b. d. preacher to the honourable society of lincolns-inn . a conference with a theist . in four parts compleat . by w. nichols , d. d. mr. luzancy , against the socinians . in two parts . a discourse of religious assemblies , for the use of the members of the church of england . by g. burghorpe , rector of little gaddesden , in hertford-shire . a discourse of schism , address'd to those dissenters who conform'd before the toleration , and have since withdrawn themselves from the communion of the church of england . by r. burscough , m. a. the inspiration of the new testament , asserted and explained ; in answer to mr. le clerc , and other modern writers . by g. lamothe . the lives of all the princes of orange , from william the great , founder of the commonwealth of the united provinces . translated from the french , by mr. tho. brown. monsieur bossu's treatise of the epick poem , containing many curious reflections , very useful and necessary for the right understanding of the excellency of homer and virgil. the meditations of marcus aurelius antoninus , the roman emperor , concerning himself ; treating of a natural man's happiness , wherein it consisteth , and of the means to attain it . translated out of the original greek , with notes , by m. casabon , d. d. to which is added , the life of antoninus , with some select reflections upon the whole . by monsieur and madam daceir . never before in english . the art of glass : shewing how to make all sorts of glass , crystal , and enamel ; likewise the making of pearls , precious stones , china , and looking glasses . to which is added , the method of painting on glass and enameling ; also how to extract the colours from minerals , metals , herbs , and flowers . a work containing many secrets and curiosities never before discovered : illustrated with sculptures . written originally in french , by mr. h. blancourt ; and now translated into english : with an appendix , contaning exact instructions for making glass eyes of all colours . jacobi patriarchae de shiloh vaticinium , a depravatione johannis clerici , in pentateuchum commentatoris , assertum opera & studio sebastini edzardi . accedit ejudem dissertatio de nomine elohim , aurocti judicii de r. simonii historia v. test . critica opposita . an essay concerning self , murther : wherein is endeavour'd to prove , that it is unlawful , according to natural principles . with some considerations upon what is pretended from the said principles , by the author of a treatise , intituled , biathaenatos ; and others . by j. adams , rector of st. alban's wood street , and chaplain in ordinary to his majesty . the pretensions of the several candidates for the crown of spain , discuss'd ; and the necessity of the king of portugal's being declared successor to his catholick majesty , prov'd : in a letter from a spanish nobleman to a counsellor of state at madrid . of the interests of portugal , with relation to other sovereigns : containing , an account of the most considerable transactions that have pass'd of late between that court , and those of rome , spain , france , vienna , england , &c. part . ii. of the interests of portugal , with relation to rome . of all the courts with which this of portugal hath any intercourse , that of rome challenges the pre-eminence , and not without reason , considering what great interest and power the pope has within the kingdom ; for however , he may be slighted in other countries , accounted catholick , he hath hitherto made shift to maintain his authority in this , by virtue of the extraordinary devotion of the portuguese kings towards the holy see , which his present majesty has inherited from his ancestors , together with the title of the most obedient son of the church . it is well known what power popes have had in former ages in other parts of christendom , and by what means they procured and maintained it ; notwithstanding the opposition they almost every where met with , from princes who were perpetually strugling to preserve or recover their liberty . but the case of portugal seems peculiar in this respect ; that as it hath brought its self into a greater subjection to the see of rome , than any other kingdom , so it can plead the merit of a voluntary obedience . other nations have shown that they were in a state of violence , while the soveraign pontiffs were exercising the plenitude of their power over them , since all of them have in some measure , more or less , eased themselves of the oppression ; while the portugueses , who doubtless might have gone as far as any towards the recovery of their liberty , do to this day bear the yoke : it is indeed with some impatience , for they are not insensible of its weight and smart , and see plainly that its like to lie heavier upon them still . alfonso henriquez , their first king , refused to accept of the crown till it was made tributary to his holiness ; john the d . who in other cases , knew as well as ever any prince did , how to assert the royal authority , exceeded his first predecessor in his respect and deference to the holy see ; for he gave the pope an uncontroulable kind of soveraignty within his dominions , granting that his bulls should be publish'd for the future , without being examin'd by the chancellor , or any other of the king's ministers , which was the former practice of this , and is still observed with great exactness in other kingdoms , to prevent incroachments upon the civil power . when that magnanimous prince , john the d. had been treated with the utmost indignities by those of rome , and they conscious to themselves of their offences , were apprehensive of his resentments ; inigo loyola founder of the jesuits could assure them , that he knew the king of portugal to be so good a catholick , that he would suffer his very beard to be trampled under feet by his holiness , without showing the least sign of disobedience . the brave sebastian , when the pope to flatter his desire of glory , bid him choose what title he pleased , answered , that he was ambitious of no other , but that which his ancestors had so well deserved , viz. that of the most obedient son of the church . this great devotion of the portuguese kings toward the romish see , hath given the pope the advantage to establish an absolute dominion within their kingdom . it s true , his holiness hath the title of soveraign only in spirituals , but he so manages the matter , that temporals fall in of course in ordine ad spiritualia ; he is not indeed at the trouble nor the charge of maintaining the civil government , but then he has the power and the emoluments of a temporal soveraignty . he has his nuncio always residing at lisbon with a legantine power , and wanting only the title of vice-roy , exercising his jurisdiction in his own courts , whence there is no appeal but to rome , over the whole body of the clergy , who with their dependents may well be reckon'd one half of the kingdom . they are commonly supposed to have much above two thirds of the wealth ; the secular clergy who are more exempt than the rest from his dominion , are yet his tributarys , great summs are extorted from them for collations , to benefices and bulls for bishops : there goes to rome , as i have been informed , no less than thousand crowns before an archbishop of evora can be setled in his chair , and all the rest may be supposed to pay in their proportion . as for the regulars , they are his more immediate vassals or soldiers rather , its true they are not in his pay , for they live upon free quarter , and keep the country under contribution , and his holiness comes in for a share of the spoils , by continually draining them of what they scrape from the people , every monastery having always some business or other depending before the nuncio ; or their agents at rome to procure privileges or indulgencies , or composition for unsaid masses that have been paid for , ( of which they will sometimes be behind hand for many thousands , but upon composition made at rome , one high mass said at a privileged altar will serve for all ) or to make the ministers of that court acquainted with their squabbles among themselves . and on all these occasions , the money of the kingdom is carried to rome , to be dispos'd of there by underhand conveyances , as well as open practices ; for when a fryar is to pass the mountains , he is furnished with bills for secret , as well as publick service , and it is not impossible that the holy see , may by this means undergo greater scandal than it deserves , for the fryars account is allowed of upon his own word ; so that should he convert a considerable summ to his own use , he cannot be discovered unless it be by a very rare accident indeed , and yet it is no unheard of thing at lisbon , for one to be found out in reckoning some thousands of crowns for bribes , which never were expended in the service . but these are not the only ways by which the riches of portugal are drawn to rome ; his holiness hath his apostolical collectors ( for so they are called ) to raise tribute from the king's subjects as well as his own , and to receive his share of the taxes which the king levys in his own dominions by his holiness's permission . dispensations for marriages , must necessarily bring him in a very considerable and constant revenue , the forbidden degrees being so very many in the roman church , whether upon the account of consanguinity , or spiritual relation , that one would think there could scarce be a wedding among neighbours or people , that have for any time been acquainted , without a dispensation , and it rarely , if ever happens , that a match is broken off for want of one , supposing the parties will come up to the price of it ; if they apprehend any difficulty in it , it is but beginning the marriage at the wrong end , and then the dispensation is granted of course ; and the price being rais'd according to the quality of the persons , and nearness of the relation , great summs are continually drawn from families of the better sort , who commonly marry within themselves , and some of them intrench so far upon the laws of nature , that the house of austria in the last age , was not more confounded by the various relations of its several branches to each other , than some noble families in portugal are at this day . in fine , portugal is so beneficial a province to his holiness , that could a just computation be made , there is no doubt but his revenues from thence would be found to exceed the kings by far , the necessary charges of the government deducted . they are so great , that if some sudden stop be not put to them , the kingdom is like to be exhausted in a very short time , which gives thinking people here a sad prospect of the approaching ruin of their country ; this may appear strange to the rest of europe , considering the vast advantages that must necessarily have accrued to this kingdom , from an undisturbed peace of above thirty years continuance , during which time , all other parts of christendom have been more than once engaged in expensive wars ; one would think that during the last war at least , which among many other advantages , brought hither so great and gainful a trade with england , as took off all the commodities the country could vent , and that too , at prodigious rates : i believe , i may safely say , above double to what they formerly sold for ; one would think , i say , by this time that riches and plenty should have abounded every where . but they that have travelled the country of late , beheld another face of things , and at the late assembly of the cortes , the mouths of the deputies were full of complaints of an universal desolation and poverty , and i have been told , that some of them were sensible enough of the cause of their misery , but i have not heard that any motion was made in their publick meetings for a redress to this their greatest grievance . having given some account of the state of portugal , with respect to rome , it may be expected that i should say something of the reciprocal benefits , derived from the holy see , upon a people that hath done , and suffers so much for its sake , or at least , of that fatherly tenderness which the pope must needs have for a king of portugal , who purchases the favour of his holiness by so constant and meritorious an obedience . his holiness must by some very distinguishing marks of affection , put a difference between this his benjamin , from whom he hath received so much comfort , and those other sons of his , who by their untoward behaviour , have been always a crossing and tormenting him , he that hath been so often worried by the head-strong emperors in former ages , braved in italy by the spaniards in the last age , and more than once in his own capital by the french in our days , and received so many mortifications from the italian princes , from whom he might expect , that they should upon the account of their natural , as well as their spiritual relation , behave themselves more as becomes the children of the holy see , he one would think should have reserved the greatest and best of his blessings for this his most obedient son. but the holy father seems to be affected with quite contrary passions to other men , to have cast away his most endearing favours where the utmost rigour should be expected , and where a blessing was most lookt for to have entail'd his curse . the royal house of portugal hath certainly had great cause for complaints of this kind , as often as it hath been in distress , and stood in need of his protection . when philip the d . while the question concerning the succession to henry the cardinal was depending , was preparing by force of arms , to deprive the true heiress of her birthright ; pope gregory the th . did his utmost indeed to divert him from the enterprize , but it was to the end , that he might seize upon the crown for his own use , as a chattel of the cardinals , alledging that his spoils ( among which he reckon'd the kingdom ) were forfeitable to the holy see ; and least this ridiculous claim should be thought insufficient , he added another ; alphonso henriquez , the first king as hath been said , would needs make his kingdom tributary to st. peter , and charged with the annual payment of four ounces of gold , and this was made a pretence by pope gregory , for depriving the posterity of that king of their inheritance , he pretending that portugal was by this means become a feif to st. peter's chair , and as such , by default of the male-line , was devolved to himself ; but his pretensions meeting with that contempt they deserved , he still resolved to deprive the right heiress at any rate , and of all the pretenders made interest for him that had the worst title , that is , for dom antonio the bastard , as if he had a mind to embroil a kingdom that had deserved so well at his hands in perpetual wars . but it was for his convenience that king philip should be diverted from troubling him in italy , and convenience at rome is a just excuse for the worst actions . however , when philip by force of arms had baffled his holiness , as well as all the other pretenders , and had reduced the kingdom to his obedience , the pope made no scruple to acknowledge his title , and treat him as rightful king of portugal . nor did he in this deviate from the practice of those that went before him , the popes having on many occasions found it turn to account to approve the titles of the most illegal usurpers , ever since the extraordinary complaisance of boniface the d. to the emperour phocas , which gave rise to the present grandeur of the holy see. but john the th . the present king's father , who had an undoubted right to the crown , met with other usage at rome , of which i shall here give a short account , it being a most signal proof of the portuguese devotion to the holy see ; but withal it has so far opened the eyes of this court , that the ministers seem to be convinced at last of this truth , that none are so hardly used by those of rome , as they that deserve best at their hands : this is certain , that the memory of it is still fresh in their minds , as the nuncio's to their great regret are frequently given to understand , and is supposed to be in a great measure the cause why their conduct in regard to rome , begins to vary so much as it does from that of their predecessors . after king john had been settled in the throne of his ancestors , by the universal acclamation of his people , and was possessed of all the dominions belonging to the crown , the little town of ceuta excepted , he began to think of sending a solemn embassy to pay his obedience to the pope , which is a custom observ'd by all princes of that communion , and was thought necessary by this king , as well to satisfie his own devotion , as to establish his authority among the people ; and he thought he had great reason to expect , that this embassy would be very kindly received ; for to say nothing of the merits of his ancestors , he relied much upon the pope's great partiality to the french , who out of enmity to the spaniards , had espoused the portuguese interest , and solicited their cause at rome . to render this embassy the more acceptable , he made choice of a person that was of the first quality , and withal a bishop dom miguel de portugal , brother to the conde de vimioso . but this ambassador arriving at rome , found that he had been sent upon a fruitless errand . for the pope as little as he cared for the spaniards on all other occasions , had so much respect for them at this time , that for fear of displeasing them , he was content to put the greatest indignity in the world upon a king of portugal . this was urban the th . from whom better things might been expected than from those that usually fill the holy chair . but his holiness without having the least regard to the ambassador's character or quality , or the obliging message he came upon , refused to admit him into his presence , or suffer his ministers to acknowledge him for an ambassador , so that after a whole years solicitation for audience , he was fain to return as he came . this the portugueses thought to be an indignity that could not have been put upon the representative of any idolatrous or mahometan prince , without violating the laws of nations . all the favour that could be obtain'd at that time , was , that a congregation should be appoinned on pretence of consulting what was fit to be done in the case . the congregation consisted of the two barbarini cayetan , and pamphilio ; cardinal francisco , the elder of the barbarini was made chair-man , to take care that the result should be according to his uncle's mind . he obliged the secretary of the embassy to give him an account of the king his master's title , and when nothing could be objected against that , he began to pick quarrels upon pretence that the ecclesiastical immunities had been violated in portugal , and some very great affront given to the apostolical collector ; and when reparation was offered to these grievances , his eminence gave the secretary to understand , that he grew troublesome : but pamphilio , who it seems , was not of the secret , was clearly of opinion , that that the ambassadors of king john ought to be admitted , at least after he had been four years in possession ( supposing him to be an usurper ) and to justifie his opinion , he wrote , as 't is said , a large and learned discourse , but when cardinal pamphilio came to be pope innocent the th . he was quite of another mind , and would not be persuaded that fourteen years possession were sufficient to qualifie this king , to send an ambassador to rome . upon the exaltation of this cardinal to the papacy , king john resolves to make another tender of his obedience to the holy see , but for fear of meeting with the like affront as before , he signifi'd his intention by the french minister then residing at rome , and received for answer , that his ambassador , in case he sent any thither , should not be suffered to come within the gates of the city . however , his holiness either prick'd with remorse for his barbarous usage of this prince , or perhaps willing to make his injustice known to the world , in order to inhance his merit with the spaniards , appointed another congregation to consider of the matter . in this congregation the case was again examined and debated , and it plainly appear'd , that according to the civil and canon-laws , the portuguese ambassador ought to be admitted , even supposing his master's title were disputable , so that it were granted with the reserve , sine praejudicio tertij . this result , as little favourable as it was , to one whom they at rome could not but know to be a rightful king , instead of being notified to the party most concern'd , was sent to madrid to be communicated by the nuncio , there to the ministers of that court , his holiness not having the courage to do any thing that had the least appearance of justice , without leave first had from them . it was indeed for his interest to keep in if it were possible with both parties , but if that could not be done , the weaker was to be sacrifi'd to him that could do his holiness most mischief . however , before so beneficial a province as portugal was utterly abandon'd , the nuncio at a conference with the spanish ministers , made use of all his cunning to draw them in to consent , that his master might act in this case according as justice , and what is more as his interest obliged him , and to make the thing go down the more easie with them , he avoided as much as was possible coming to the merits of the cause , or giving the least intimation that his master approved of the king of portugal's right to the crown . he allowed that prince to deserve all the ill names that the spaniards were pleas'd to give him , and after all , show'd that his master thought himself obliged in conscience to admit of his ambassador , stating the case in these most obliging terms : that the pope as christ's vicar is under an indispensable obligation , to use all means for preserving the purity of the catholick faith throughout the world ; the first foundation whereof is obedience paid by a publick act to the apostolick see , and sworn by princes in their own , and their subjects behalf ; and since the habit of faith is consistent with sinful acts in the same subject , the pope might , and was bound to receive from a robber and a perjur'd person , a solemn promise of perseverance in the catholick faith ; so that though the castillians held the duke of bragança for a robber that had usurped the crown of portugal , and for a perjur'd person that had violated his oath of fealty to king philip , yet the vicar of christ was nevertheless under an indispensable obligation to receive him as a faithful son of the church , by that solmn act which his ambassador should perform in his name , at the feet of his holiness . the spanish ministers , who by their frequent practice with those of rome , were as ready at their quirks , as the nuncio himself answered him in his own way : that his holiness might as in duty bound , receive the duke of braganza as a private person , but it would be a manifest justice to admit of him as king of portugal besides , it had never been customary for those dukes to send publick embassys to the soveraign pontiffs , nor did they ever in that manner pay their obedience to the apostolick see. this being a duty incumbent only upon true and lawful kings , and obedience having been already paid by king philip , as rightful king of portugal , no embassy could be received from the duke of bragança . that a robbery , as the law teaches , did not deprive the owner of the possession of a thing stolen ; for though in fact he be no longer in possession , yet he retains it still in his mind , and for that reason , all contracts made with the thief are invalid for want of a lawful possession , from whence it follow'd that the duke of bragança , having no lawful possession , could not do any act that supposes it . ; the nuncio replies , that a person may be said to be master of a thing two ways , first , by possession , secondly , by detention , that allowing the duke of bragança had not the possession of portugal , king philip still possessing it in his mind , as his own by right , yet it could not be denied , but that the duke of bragança did detain the kingdom , by reason of which detention , the pope was obliged , not only to receive , but encourage his devotion to the apostolick see , least during this detention , the respect due to the holy see might be lost , and a whole kingdom be in danger of wavering in the faith : the castilians return , that these were metaphysical speculations , that the law saith , an unjust pretension cannot be a ground for any act of justice , especially in this case when the acceptance of obedience in the form proposed , was to the end , that the pope should give all princes to understand , that a wrongful detention was lawful possession of a kingdom that had been so unjustly seiz'd upon ; since the publick actions of the popes were taken for authentick and drawn into precedent . wherefore his holiness should take care , least by this action he authoriz'd injustice , and made contumacy and rebellion a pattern of christian virtue . the nuncio would by no means admit that these inconveniencies were to be charged upon the most holy mind of the pope ; for , first , the clause , sine praejudicio tertij , left all claims of right good and valid ; secondly , his holiness was ready to receive the obedience of philip himself as king of portugal , whenever he should be in actual possession ; whereby his holiness would manifest to the world , that he intended only edification in spirituals , and not the destruction of temporals . but the castillians told him , that the pope might as he was bound , both edify in spirituals , and preserve the kingdom of portugal to its lawful soveraign at the same time . that in the present state of things , there were three sorts of people of the portuguese nation , and that the receiving of an ambassador from portugal , would manifestly turn to the prejudice of them all ; first , the rebellious and obstinate , who would believe him to be their lawful king , whom christ's vicar should declare for such , and thereby be confirm'd in their rebellion ; secondly , the timorous and wavering , who would go over to their sentiments , whom before they took for rebels , arguing that a king receiv'd and approv'd of by the pope , ought not to be rejected by any christian ; thirdly , the constant and loyal that were now at king philip's court , who either drawn by their love to their country , or wearied out by the inconvenicies they were under , might come to some desperate resolution , so that by this action of his holiness , the kingdom of portugal might be put out of a possibility of being conquered by king philip wherefore to obviate these inconveniencies , they thought it to be the duty of his holiness , to thunder out his censures against the duke of bragança , to the end that the rebels might be reclaim'd , the timorous take courage , and the good subjects confirm'd in their duty . ; the nuncio thought , that censures in this case would do no good , but turn to the prejudice both of the pope and the king of spain of the pope , because his apostolical authority might be slighted , for the duke of bregança took himself to be either the lawful king , or the usurper of portugal if the former , he could never value an unjust excommunication , for what he had justify'd to his own conscience , and it would have less effect upon him in case he took himself for an usurper , it being plain that he would never renounce the kingdom to the loss of his life , and the ruin of his family . than an excommunication would be of no benefit to the king of spain , for if the duke , and the people of portugal should despise and take no notice of it , as it was likely they would , the probable and almost necessary consequence , would be the introduction of calvinism , or of some other heresie , by reason of the neighbourhood and correspondence of that kingdom with the northern nations , in which case the conquest of portugal would become the most difficult , for all sectaries being to be chastised not with ordinary punishments , but according to the rigor of the canons , the portutugueses seeing themselves branded with a perpetual mark of ignominy , would grow desperate , and choose rather to die than in any case put themselves into the power of king philip. ; ; but here the spanish ministers took him up short , and told him , that these were sophistical subtilities , and not fair arguments , without vouchsafeing them any further answer . the nuncio seeing that this way of arguing would not serve the turn , betook himself to another , quoting precedents from the proceedings of former popes in the cases of princes , whose titles were disputable , and thereby demonstrated it to have been constant practice of the holy see , to acknowledge such as were kings de facto without any regard to right ; alledging to this purpose a saying of pope pius the d . moris est sedis apostolicae eum regem appellare qui regnum tenet , and the practice of the same pope , both in the case of matthias corvinus , and the emperor frederick the d. contending about the kingdom of hungary , and of ferdinand and renè , about the kingdom of sicily , to which renè pretending while ferdinand was in possession , was put off by the pope with this answer ; siquid juris competit ablatum est ferdinando regni principes , duces comites , & populares omnes obediunt , eumque sibi regem constitui expetiverunt . but the nuncio not content with one example , brings in that of pope zachary , who being consulted what account was to be made of the kings of france ( the later kings of the merovignian race ) they having the name and dignity , but others ( the mayres of the palace ) the power ; determined the question with this answer ; that he ought to be stiled king , and held for such who was found reigning , and who as king had the supreme authority of the common-wealth in his hands . of john the d . who received the ambassadors of robert bruce , he being in possession of the kingdom of scotland . of innocent the th . who received in publick consistory the ambassadors of richard the d. of england , as he did likewise those of henry the th . when they came to pay obedience to the holy see ; he show'd likewise that the same thing had been done , for alfonso henriquez and john the st . kings of portugal , notwithstanding the great opposition and power of the kings of leon and castille , for henry of castille the murtherer of his king and brother don pedro , against the consent and right of constança pedro's daughter , and for ferdinand and isabella to the prejudice of d. joanna the only daughter of henry the th . these instances were all home to the point , supposing the king of portugal's title to be as bad as his enemies would have it ; for let him be a traytor , usurper , tyrant , or what the spaniards pleased , there had been as bad or worse acknowledged for lawful kings , and highly caressed by the holy see. but the spaniards had another way to deal with the nuncio than disputing ; they offered indeed at something of an answer to all these instances , affirming without the least grounds , that the greatest part of the princes now mentioned , sent their ambassadors , not to pay their obedience , but to plead their cause , and justify their pretensions , and in that case granted it to be lawful for the popes to receive them . but to admit of an ambassador from dom john , as king of portugal , after that the kings of castille have been in possession of that kingdom for the space of years , and sworn to as lawful sovereigns was , they said , a manifest injury to their cause . they thought that there was no account to be made of any thing done or said by pius the d . because that pope was guided only by his interest , and varied in his sentiments every day ; and as for the kings of france that were acknowledged by pope zachary , they must needs , say the spaniards have been rightful and lawful kings , since the oracle of the holy see had pronounced them for such , for otherwise this grand absurdity would follow , that popes were no better than incendiaries , instigators of rebellion and usurpation , and instead of promoting equity and virtue , gave encouragment to the most abominable practises ; and in conclusion , they told the nuncio that the pope had best consider well what was just and convenient , for otherwise they should take such resolutions as might not be well pleasing to his holiness , but to sweeten the menace a little ; they added that however , they should always retain that most humble devotion , which the catholick kings above all other princes have ever born in mind , and testify'd by their actions towards the apostolical see. their meaning was understood well enough at rome , and this intimation of what they should do , gave a strange force to their arguments , and so confirm'd the wavering pope , that he remained ever after steady to their interest . the portugueses had apparently all the right on their side , but the spaniards were masters of milan , naples and sicily . from this time forward pope innocent turned a deaf ear to all that could be said in favour of king john of portugal , and could never be brought to grant him that which was never deny'd to an usurper . that prince had his agents continually soliciting for him at rome , in his own name , and in behalf of the clergy , and of the three estates of the kingdom , but all to no purpose : the french made the most pressing instances in his behalf , but the pope did not mind them at that time ; for france being embroil'd with intestine dissentions , he was sure they could do him no harm . great court and application was made to donna olympia , as we are told by the conde da ericeyra , who observes that she seldom used to fail in any temporal business that she undertook , alluding i suppose to a saying to that purpose , which was current at that time in the courts of popish princes , where upon any disappointment of their affairs at rome , the nuncio's were sure to be told , that , if the business had been solicited by donna olympia , it had never miscarried : but on this occasion , donna olympia her self could do no good , for either she did not heartily espouse the king of portugal's cause , or if she did , all her artifices were ineffectual upon the obdurate pontiff . all the answer that could be got from this and the former pope , besides those frivolous complaints before mention'd , ( for which satisfaction was still offered ) was , that the pope as the common father of christendom , thought himself bound to carry it equally between castille and portugal , and not acknowledge or oblige one son when it could not be done without offence to the other ; but the portugueses could not perswade themselves that in this case , he in any sort acted the part of a common father , whilst to gratify the unreasonable ambition of the one , he did not stick wholly to cast off the other , and to use him in a more barbarous manner than he could have done an infidel . but in short the spaniards were very rugged in their threats , and that stood them in stead of right and merit ; the portugueses valuing themselves upon their blind obedience to the holy see kept within the terms of respect , which instead of gaining ought upon those of rome , gave encouragement to their insolence . had king john but follow'd the spaniards example , or come to any vigorous resolution , he had doubtless soon brought his holiness to a compliance , or he might have had a fair opportunity to vindicate his country's liberty , in a yet more glorious manner , than he had done already by shaking off the spanish yoke . for we must know , that all these applications to the court of rome , were not made to the end only that his title might be acknowledged there , but in order to have the vacant sees in his dominions supplied with bishops ; for in a few years after the revolution , there was but one bishop remaining in portugal , and he not resident upon his diocess , being obliged to attend the court , and there was a like want of them in the east and west-indies , in the madera and cap verde islands , and upon the coasts of africa ; the portugueses therefore laboured all they could to make his holiness sensible of the miserable state of their churches thus destitute of pastors , petitioning for a supply , the king according to the practice of his ancestors , proposing the persons for that end , and to remove all objections , he agreed that his nomination of the bishops should be admitted with the clause , sine praejudicio tertij ; notwithstanding its being a clear maxim in the rota , and confirmed by the practice of the roman church , that the simple possession of an inheritance , city or territory , that has jus patronatus annext to it , gives the right of presentation to the possessor ; but neither the reason of the thing , nor the desolate condition of the orphan churches , could have any weight upon the obstinate pope : he was more apprehensive of the spanish threats , than the loss of millions of souls , all that could be got from him was , that he would appoint bishops for portugal , on condition , that he might name them de motu proprio ; he offered indeed another very strange concession , which was , that the bishops he chose of his own mere motion , should be the very same persons that the king had named . but the portugueses could not agree to this proposal , for this among other reasons , that the popes might make it a precedent , for assuming to themselves a right of nominating bishops in after times , which would prove a great grievance to the nation , since the benefices that were already at his disposal , were generally the worst supply'd . things being thus at a stand , the gallicane church undertook the cause of her sister of portugal , and took the liberty to mind the holy father of his duty in a letter , written by the prelates assembled in a synod , which was presented in their name by cardinal francisco barbarini , but the pope at that time had as little regard to the french church , as he had to the french coutt : the clergy of that kingdom sent their agent to rome , to take care of the concerns of the portuguese church as well as their own ; the bishops whom king john had nominated , sent their humble petition to his holiness , that they might be admitted to the exercise of their charge , and their petition was rejected with scorn ; the cardinals of the french faction did all the good offices they could , but to no purpose : este signalized himself in a very particular manner on this occasion , the pope taking notice that he loytered about the city more than became him , ordered him one day to his diocess , saying , that it went against his conscience to see him absent from it so long , the cardinal who was young and resolute answered , that his holiness had a great deal of reason to be thus scrupulous , but being so much concerned as he was for one single church , he ought not wholly to neglect so many as there were in portugal unprovided of bishops , and therefore he conjur'd him before god , and in the name of the king of france , from whom he had commission so to do , that he would speedily grant bishops to that kingdom . the pope not a little surpriz'd at so brisk an attack , was going away without making any other reply than , saying , i shall pluck the cap from off that boy 's head ; este turns to him again , and crys , if you do , i shall put on another of iron , and thereupon retires to his house , fills it with armed men , plants guns at the windows . but this being the act of a young man , was of no consequence . but had the portugueses been so resolute in their own cause , there is no doubt but they had soon put an end to this trouble ; nor did they want being set in a way to free themselves from all fear of ever having the like again . for seeing themselves cast off by the pope in so unworthy a manner , they had recourse ( as 't is affirm'd in a letter , or remonstrance of the three estates to the pope ) to the most celebrated universities and doctors in europe , to know their opinions concerning that course which was fittest for them to take in this case , the answers they received as they are set down in that letter , are as follow . some were of opinion , that the best way to bring the pope to reason , was to take care that no money should go out of the kingdom to rome upon any account whatsoever , whether for matrimonial dispensations , or renunciations of benefices ; that all beneficed portugueses abroad , should be called home upon pain of having their profits sequestred ; that no pensions be paid to any persons residing at rome , whether subjects or strangers , with other things which the estates out of their great respect to the holy see conceal . of this advice , as they say , were some belonging to the court of rome it self . others would have had the king call a national council , wherein the clergy might elect a patriarch , who should govern the kingdom in spirituals , with the power to institute and consecrate bishops , which belonged to patriarchs according to the ancient canons . others thought that the bishops nominated by the king , and proposed to the pope , who had not rejected them by any express act of denial , might immediately enter upon their charge , and exercise the same , since the pope neglected to confirm them in the ordinary way , and yet had no objection against them , for he had offered to confirm them de motu proprio . a fourth was the opinion of a learned fryar , who thought that in this case of necessity , they were obliged to have recourse to the way of choosing bishops anciently practised and approved of by the canons , and used in the church as he asserted for a much longer time than any other method , viz. for the chapter of each diocess to choose their own bishop , and that the elect being approved of by the clergy , people and king , and consecrated by other bishops , the most ancient of the order , in case of want supplying the place of a metropolitan , might immediately enter upon his charge without waiting for the pope's confirmation , which in this case was not necessary , it being , saith the author of this advice , the truest and most certain opinion , and follow'd by most authors , that bishops upon their consecration receive their authority immediately from god. this he affirm'd to be grounded upon the words of st. paul in the st . gal. where the apostle saith , that he had receiv'd his apostleship from god alone , and not from the other apostles , no not from st. peter the chief of them : paulus apostolus non ab hominibus neque per hominem , sed per jesum christum , and in the chap. mihi nihil contulerunt unt aliquid esse , nihil i. e. nullam jurisdictionem , nullam dignitatem , nullam potestatem . they that were of this opinion said further , that it is clearly proved from christ's words to the apostles , sicut me misit pater in mundum & ego vos mitto in illum ; whence say they , st. cyprian and st. cyril , gather that our lord gave as much power and authority to his apostles , when he sent them into the world to preach , as he did to st. peter when he said , quodcunque ligaveris super terram erit ligatum & in caelis , & quodcunque solveris super terram erit solutum & in caelis ( it should be ligaveritis & solveritis , the words being spoken to all the apostles in the plural 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , mat. . . ) the reason is because the words are absolute , and will admit of no interpretation : from whence it was infer'd , that bishops succeeding the apostles in their ordinary office , succeed them likewise in the ordinary jurisdiction annext to that office ; and since it cannot be denied , but that the apostles received their authority immediately from christ , it must be acknowledged that bishops upon their consecration do so receive it likewise , and therefore have no need that any other should invest them with the authority they are possess'd of already . two other opinions were printed and sent into portugal upon this occasion , both concurring in one conclusion , though different ways were taken to it ; that which both agreed in was , that portugal might and was in duty bound , to proceed to the consecration of the bishops nominated by the king. one of the authors of this conclusion asserted , that according to the divine appointment , the right of election was in the clergy and people , after the same manner as it was practised in the primitive church , and a long time after ; which right , he said , was afterwards transferred to the emperors and princes , who had authority in ecclesiastical affairs , in order to the good government of the common-wealth , ecclesiastical and civil matters , having that mutual dependence upon each other , that they are inseparable : that the popes have acquired the right of naming bishops , by the tacit consent and liberality of princes , and this was permitted the rather , because , ecclesiastical discipline was much slack'ned , partly by the remisness of seculars , partly by their being taken up in military affairs . but in case the pope should become guilty of the like failure , the same right devolved again to the princes , as given up and abandoned by the pope . it was affirm'd likewise , that this right had actually been put in practice on some occasions , even in these later times , particularly in castille , where in the year . bishops were chosen and consecrated without any confirmation from the pope ; king henry the d. during the great schism , having renounced the authority of benedict the th . and committed the administration of ecclesiastical affairs to the archbishops and bishops , willing them to make the same provisions as had been used to come from the pope . others who were for the same things in effect , asserted , that according to the ancient canons , it belonged to the prelates of each kingdom to institute and consecrate bishops , before the popes had reserv'd that power to themselves , and undertook to prove that the same thing ought de jure divino , to be done in the present case : to have bishops in the church was , they said , de jure divino & naturali , since they are shepherds of the souls which cannot all be taken care of by the pope , but their being to be confirm'd by the pope before their consecration , is only de jure humano , the obligation whereof ceases , not only in cases of extreme necessity , but in that which is called gravissima . that it could not be denied , but the necessity of the churches of portugal for bishops at that time was gravissima , and that of the dominions thereof in other parts of the world extreme . this grand arcanum of the papal empire , that bishops may be made out of rome , and without the pope's concurrence , being thus happily discovered , the portugueses were now put in a fair way to restore the ancient discipline to their church , and with it prosperity to their nation , it being evident that the miseries they labour under , as well as the horrible corruptions in their religion , are no other than the necessary effects of the papal usurpation and tyranny ; and it appears that king john did for some time , approve of the good advice that had been given him , at least that he would have it thought so at rome , for he ordered his agent there , to get a remonstrance to be put into the pope's hands , wherein among other things he declares ; that he had been assured by very learned men , that when access and recourse to the holy see could not be had , it belonged to the chapters to choose their bishops upon his nomination , according as it had formerly been practised in spain , and was still observed in some places , that his holiness had no reason to be dissatisfi'd , if he took up with this resolution , after he had suffered himself to be so much slighted , while he had the remedy in his own hands ; that if his holiness were finally resolved to prefer the interests of castille to his just rights , he for his part would justifie himself before all christian princes , so that the blame of what followed should never be laid on him . had the king proceeded so far as to convince the pope that he was in earnest , he had brought him no doubt to his own terms , or else might have done that , for which his posterity and country would have the greatest cause to bless his memory , that is , have shaken off that intolerable yoke , under which they are now sinking . the very mention of having bishops chosen by the chapters upon the king's nomination , put innocent into a terrible fright ; he had nothing to say against the practice , or the necessity of it in the present case . but here the inquisition of portugal interpos'd its authority , and delivered the pope from the agony he was in , by condemning the two last opinions , and that for a reason which comprehends the rest ; they declaring the pope as universal head of the roman church , to have all monarchical power , and to be the fountain of all spiritual jurisdiction , which cannot be derived to ecclesiastical ministers without his express concession and will. this peremptory sentence of the inquisition , put a stop to all further proceedings in this affair : the pope reassumed new courage , and continued as insolent as ever , after the king's declaration had brought him to his wits-end ; for as the conde da ericeyra in his portugal restaurado tells the world , his holiness did not stick to declare , that the holy office had delivered him out of the greatest perplexity , by cutting a knot , which of himself he durst not meddle with : the same noble author tell us , that the king desisted from his resolution , for no other reason , but because the inquisition did not approve of it , while there were , as he saith , a great number of learned men , both within and without the kingdom , ready to justifie and maintain it ; so that according to the conde , it is to the inquisitors , that the portugueses owe the continuance of their bondage , and there is no question , but they did their utmost to obstruct the king's design ( supposing that he had a real intention to shake off the roman yoke ; ) for should the church of portugal recover her liberty , and have her bishops restored to their just authority , the holy office must fall of course , were the design of that office no other than is pretended , it is at best but an encroachment upon the episcopal jurisdiction ; for to the bishops it belongs of right to give judgment in matters of religion , and superintend the discipline of the church , and they all along exercised this jurisdiction which they derive through the apostles from christ with that gentleness , tenderness and charity , as became the true fathers of the church , till the popes began to usurp the whole power to themselves , or impart it to creatures of their own ; and among the rest , to these wolves of inquisitors , whom in the heighth of their tyranny , they let loose upon the church to dispossess the shepherds and ravage the flock ; but should an end be put to the papal usurpations , there would be no further occasion for inquisitors , and therefore it had been no wonder , if of their own heads they made this desperate effort to preserve their master and themselves . but in truth , had king john been fully bent to break with rome , it is much to be question'd , whether all the power of the inquisition , as great as it is suppos'd to be , could have frustrated his design ; for in reality , this tribunal since its last establishment in portugal , hath had its chief support from the kings , who on several occasions have maintain'd it in spight of the court of rome it self . had the king withdrawn his protection , it is not unlikely but the bishops of themselves , might have made their party good : for the people doubtless would prefer their government to that of the inquisitors , as chusing rather to be under the discipline of a father , than in the hands of those barbarous executioners . besides it was an easie matter for the king to hinder the inquisitors from giving him any trouble , some of the chief of them ow'd their lives to his mercy ; the inquisitor general for one , who stood convicted as a principal of the most horrible treason that ever traitor was charg'd with , it was for no less a crime , than a design to murther the king , fire the city , and betray his country to the spaniards . it is said , that in order to the execution of this treason , the holy house had been fill'd with arms , and that which made the plot the more remarkable , the undermanagers of it were some of the leading men among the new christians , against whom the inquisition was erected , and upon whom the inquisitors for the most part exercise their barbarities , and thereby gain what favour they have with the people ; for the rest of the portuguses bear a mortal hatred against those among them that go by the name of new christians , whom these impostors represent as jews in their hearts , pretending that their jewish blood makes them such whether they will or no. but on this occasion it was observed , that the inquisition and the synagogue were of accord together to destroy their country , and it is very likely that the king , had he pleased , might have rendered the one as odious to the people as the other was . but he took other measures , and though several noble men of the first quality were executed for this plot , yet the inquisitor general was spared for fear of violating the ecclesiastical immunities ; yet it was as much as his majesty could do to preserve him , and some others of the conspirators from being torn to pieces by the rabble . for these reasons i am perswaded ; that some other considerations might concur with the authority of the inquisition , to with hold the king from with drawing his obedience from the pope , what they were i shall not pretend to guess at . it is certain that this prince was so ill advised , that neglecting the counsels of wise and learned men , he would never make use of any other remedy but supplications , and most humble submissions to his holiness , and he was ever after despised and slighted at rome accordingly . for this great deference of his to the holy see , made those he had to deal with there , presume the more upon his patience , and reject with the greater contempt all the petitions that were offered up in his behalf . the portugueses do not use to grow tame under indignities , one would think therefore that nation should begin to resent this barbarous usage , of their king and themselves : and its true , they shew'd themselves to be not altogether insensible on this occasion ; for in the year . six years after the king's remonstrance had been given to the pope , the three estates of the realm publish a kind of manifest , entituled , the bleatings [ balidos ] of the churches of portugal , after the sovereign pastor the pope ; wherein they give a most lamentable account of their grievances , and how rigorously the holy father had dealt with them , and to make their patience appear the more meritorious , they let his holiness understand , that they might have remedied themselves if they had a mind to it , setting forth at large the opinions of the learned on their case , and the reasons they were grounded on , which yet instead of making a right use of them , they set themselves after their manner to confute , and afterwards enter'd a solemn protest , which since it contains the substance of their answers to the advice their friends had given them ; i shall here set down , that the world may see , upon what solid grounds the three estates of a kingdom thought fit to intail the most intolerable yoke of bondage upon themselves and their posterity . they declare , that they hold it for an infallible truth , that the pope as he is christ's vicar on earth , universal pastor of the church , and the lawful successor of st. peter , is the sovereign monarch of the church ; all the authority and power of other ministers being derived wholly from him , which he may suspend and limit in what form and manner he thinks convenient , it being unlawful for any other potentate to intermeddle with his government , secular princes having nothing to do in the affairs belonging to the church , any further than contributing to her defence and prosperity . that though various methods have been used for the election and confirmation of bishops , yet it is an undoubted truth , that it hath always been with the express , or at least the tacit approbation of the pope , who has appointed and consented to those several ways , according to the different circumstances of the times , nor hath it been ever proved , say they , that there were bishops at any time without this confirmation . particularly they confess , and hold for certain , that in the primitive church , after the apostles times , this power returned to and remained in the pope : that if bishops were afterwards chosen by the clergy and people , it was by the pope's permission ; if secular princes in those times intermeddled in these elections , either by concession from the pope , or by their own authority with an usurpative right ; yet they had never any true right of their own to do it , and for this reason , the apostles in the very beginning of the church , forbad them to concern themselves in these matters , and if any princes pretended to it , the popes severely censured and checked them for it , and they coming to understand from whence they had this right , were brought at last to lay it aside , and by this means it came to pass that no respect was had to princes , or the consent of the people , but the power of elections remained by the pope's authority in the clergy and fryars of the diocess , and at last in the chapters alone : and thus it continued to the pontificate of boniface the th . and clement the th . who began to reserve the power of instituting bishops to themselves in some cases , and after that , innocent the th . by a rule in chancery reserved it wholly to the apostolical see. so that , say they , this prerogative and right to create bishops was always in the pope as 't is at present ; they acknowledge indeed that even after the rule in chancery came to be in force , many princes continued to nominate bishops for their own kingdoms and dominions ; but this was by concession from the pope , or upon presumption of a privilege arising by custom approv'd of by the apostolical see. but that it was in the pope's breast to receive or reject their nomination , which did no more than capacitate the person named to procure the pope's confirmation , and sue out the apostolical bulls . it is likewise , say they , an undoubted truth , that the power of election which hath formerly been in the chapter , is now wholly extinguished by means of the reservation made by the rule in chancery ; so that at this time , the pope's creation or institution of bishops , cannot properly be called a confirmation , because confirmation supposeth a preceding election , but elections are now wholly abolished , by reason and virtue of the aforesaid rule in chancery ; and lastly , they hold for certain , that notwithstanding there was a time when patriarchs , metropolitans , and national councils had power to confirm bishops , they have now no such power , nor can they exercise it in any case , since they enjoy'd it only by the pope's permission , and while there was place for confirmation , before elections were abolished , when the power to appoint bishops had not been yet reserved by the pope to himself , viz. by the aforesaid rule in chancery . had an agent from rome , or an inquisitor argued after this manner , it had been no wonder , since daily experience shows how far interest and passion will blind a man's reason , and what silly arguments shall serve the turn for want of better , when one is prepossest with hopes of some vast advantage by gaining the cause ; but for the three estates of a nation , after what had been demonstrated to them from scripture and fathers , from the constant tradition and uniform practice of the catholick church , thus to renounce their sense and reason , in order only to enslave themselves when liberty was offer'd them , is such a prodigy , that i believe no history can furnish us with a like instance . here we have people exposing their church and nation to ruin , because a negative was never proved , it having never been demonstrated to them , that popes did not tacitly consent to the election of bishops , in which for so many ages together , they had nothing at all to do , no more than a king of france has to do in the choice of a king of poland ; and would the poles think we be content to abandon their country to the mischiefs of an interregnum , and submit their necks to the yoke of a foreign tyrant , because it can never be made out , that their kings have not been made by his tacit consent , but when i see people laying so much stress upon the tacit consent of the popes , for my part , i do not at all wonder that they ascribe so much virtue to a rule in the pope's chancery , that it shall be able to destroy the whole hierarchy , and turn into an arbitrary lawless tyranny , that most regular and beautiful frame of government , which hath obtain'd in the church ever since the apostles days . however , these reasons , such as they were , satisfi'd the three estates of portugal , so that instead of helping themselves as they might and ought , they took up with a resolution to throw themselves wholly at the holy father's mercy , and in conclusion of their bleatings , declar'd , that they would wrestle with christ's vicar , the roman angel , the figure of god on earth , exerting all the vigour that their love and necessity inspired them with , till they got from him his blessing , and would never let go their hold till his apostolical hand was upon them , and till he offered his most holy feet to their mouths . the pope finding them to be thus resolv'd , thought he was sure enough of them , and therefore let 'em bleat and bray too as they pleased for him ; for his part he would trouble his head no more about them , all his concern was how to oblige and humour the boisterous spaniards , who by their rugged behaviour , were ever and anon , threatning him into a compliance , with their unjust and unreasonable pretensions , he knew not what mischief they might do him . while the portugueses took care to satisfie him that he had nothing to fear from them , and i do not find , but that they sent in their money in the usual course , so that he lost but little excepting what was to be got by the bishop's bulls , which yet as the spaniards would perswade him , was like to come speedily in all in a lump , they feeding him all along with hopes , that they should make a quick dispatch of the war. in this state did the affairs of portugal at rome , continue for part of urban the th's pontificat , all innocent the th's , and alexander the th's , and till the latter end of clement the th's , and during the whole reigns of this king's father and brother ; but upon dom pedro's coming to the government , the spaniards having made peace with portugal , and acknowledg'd the king's title , left his holiness at liberty to do so likewise . and now portugal having no such need as before of the pope's protection or favour , and being more at liberty to make returns of the ill usage it had receiv'd ; the blessings of rome began to shour down upon that favourite kingdom without measure . clement the th . had a happy opportunity before he died , to signalize his fatherly tenderness , or rather indulgence towards his present majesty , and make full amends for all the rigour used by former popes towards his father and brother ; for a little before the conclusion of the peace , alfonso was deposed in the manner as hath been related , and dom pedro possest of his throne , and a little after of his bed , by marrying the queen , the king his brother still living , and here was a large field for the apostolical graces : for now it was not only the king's title that was to be acknowledged , but the prince his right to his brother's wife and kingdom , and his highness found in the pope all the easiness he could desire . this prince did but mention in a letter written on another occasion , his design of sending an ambassador to pay his obedience , and his holiness returns answer , that his ambassador upon his coming to rome , should as he thought , but just meet with a kind and honourable reception ; no scruple was made about the prince's right of sending one , no enquiry into the manner of his taking upon him the government , nor so much as mention made of the clause , sine praejudicio tertij : how different was this usage from what his father met with ? king john had an undoubted right to the crown , and the same was manifest to the world ; yet his ministers were called to account at rome , to show the grounds of their master's title , whereas the reasons for deposing king alfonso , and placing dom pedro in the throne , whatever they were , were not as yet well known to the publick ; and yet after all , king john was treated like a traitor and a robber , and it was but just , that dom pedro's ambassador upon the first intimation of his coming , should meet with a kind and honourable reception at rome . the world is not to be informed now , what work they used to make at rome , in causes of divorce , especially , between royal parties ; and one would think his holiness might have taken some time to consider of it , before he gave way to a marriage , which i believe never had a precedent in the christian world. but here we have an instance of a queens casting off her husband without the least difficulty , and both that , and her marriage , with her living husband's brother , confirm'd by his holiness , with as much facility , as if these were things done every day of course ; so that it cannot be denied , but the submissive compliance of this pope , with the will and pleasure of the portuguese court now in the time of its prosperity , did equal at least , if not exceed the insolence of his predecessors towards that nation in its distress . it is certain , that clement did not a little value himself upon his having thus far stretch'd the plenitude of his power in dom pedro's favour , he thought he had done enough to atone for all offences , and to inspire this prince with as great devotion towards the holy see , as any of his predecessors have had before him , certainly ( saith he to him in his letter on this occasion ) certainly we have labour'd to do you all the favour in the present cause that the sacred canons will permit , and we receive the greatest content upon finding you so well pleased with this pontificial kindness . but in truth , the thanks you give with so much piety and affection , are no more than are due , the thing it self consider'd ; so that we with justice , require that you acknowledge your self indebted for it to the goodness of the holy see , and you will perfectly comply with this obligation , if you go on to show ( as truly you do ) on all occasions a greater concern and affection for whatsoever hath relation to the holy see , and the catholick religion , imitating herein the ancient devotion of the portuguese princes , who placed their glory in their obedience to the same see. but clement the th's pontificate lasted not long enough to give him time to bestow all the favors that were designed for portugal , the confirmation of the bishops being reserved for his successor clement the th . for that was not done till . in . to oblige the new princess ( before queen ) of portugal , the purple was bestowed upon the bishop of laon her kinsman , better known since by the title of cardinal d'estrees , he being advanced at the nomination of the crown of portugal , and to enhance the favour by making it particular ; the great sobieski had the like denied him , when he interceded for the bishop of marseilles , though he pretended to the disposal of a cap , as a right enjoyed by his predecessors upon their coming to the crown , but he was denied upon pretence , that the person named was none of his subject , so that cardinal d'estrees owed his promotion purely to his being a kinsman to the princess of portugal . innocent the th . successor to clement the th . after having been baffled in the business of the inquisition , at his grand promotion could not forget the merits of the portuguese court , and a cap was bestowed upon dom verissimo de alemcastro , the person that had been set on by the court to put his holiness at defiance ; and after that cardinal's death , another was sent by innocent the th . to the archbishop of lisbon , in consideration , i suppose , of the many contrasts he hath had with the nuncio's ; so that his portuguese majesty seems now to be in possession of a right to dispose of a cap , as well as his catholick or his most christian majesty , and the ministers here having resented it , that the nunciature at this court hath not been an immediate step to the cardinalat , as it is in those of france and spain ; his present holiness has equal'd the king of portugal to them in this particular , likewise by advancing the late nuncio cornaro to the purple at the same time , as he did the archbishop at the promotion which was made for them two only . so that by this time the court of portugal seems to have discovered the secret of gaining favours at rome , and indeed they appear to be somewhat sensible , that it must be a quite different method from that formerly used , that will procure the holy fathers esteem , and work him into a compliance : they begin to tast and relish much the french maxims , thinking belike that there can be no better pattern for the most obedient son of the church to follow , than that of his eldest brother ; insomuch , that i find it in a memoir said to have been drawn up for the instruction of a nuncio , laid down as not the least necessary , if not one of the hardest parts of his task to beat out of the ministers heads , their fond admiration of the french king , and the opinion they have taken up of his infallible maxims with respect to rome . but the ministers at present do not content themselves with admiring that great monarch , they have made several attempts to copy after him ; its true , they follow him as yet at a very great distance , but they may mend their pace in time . i have not heard that they have formally annulled the grant of john the d . by which the pope's bulls are free from a revision in portugal , and which seems to be the very basis of his absolute power in the kingdom , yet by what the marquess of alegrete saith in his history of that king , it appears that they are not wanting who call in question the validity of the grant , though his lordship speaking there in quality of an historian , leaves the matter to be disputed by the lawyers ; but as a minister of state , he does that which in effect amounts almost to as much , for upon a nuncio's arrival , his patent of legat is call'd for in order to be examined by the king's council , and it hath been detain'd for above six weeks to gether , and at the restoring of it , the nuncio hath been told with an air of authority , that the king is not well pleased with the ample powers contained in that patent , and expects that the nuncio do not exercise it to the full , but keep himself within bounds , and the nuncio's under this reign have had the discretion not to exert the utmost of their authority , but it mortifies them that the court would have it thought , that they oblige them to this moderation , whereas they would fain seem to use it of themselves . but there is one thing in difference between the two courts , which his holiness lays much to heart , and by his good-will is never like to desist from his pretentions , it being an affair which , as all the world agrees by this time , is of the last importance at rome , for in truth it is a money business : his majesty hath at several times thought fit to raise the value of the coin , so that the same pieces are now reckon'd at a third , more than they were at the beginning of his reign . now his holiness thinks it but reasonable , that the summs payable to his bankers at lisbon , should be augmented in the same proportion , but the ministers of this court are of another opinion , and seem resolved never to be convinced of their error ; the nuncio's for some years have been labouring with all their might to undeceive them . cardinal cornaro when he was just upon his departure , press'd the matter home to them , but all to no purpose ; he left them as obstinate to conviction as he found them , and it seems they will not be brought to understand otherwise , but that the same piece that before went but for two testons , is now worth three in the payments made to his holiness . now since it is not imaginable , that the court of rome can be easily brought to desist from a pretension of this kind , this business may its feared sometime or other , disconcert the good harmony that is between the two courts . but there are other instances to show , that the portuguese ministers do not make it their business to manage his holiness ; they are grown so hardy of late years , that they will not stick upon occasion to break in upon the ecclesiastical immunities , insomuch , that in this reign , a convent is not near so safe a shelter for villains as it was formerly ; the civil powers assuming to themselves a liberty to judge what crimes have the benefit of sanctuary , and in case they think the crimes to be very heinous indeed , the king's officers shall make nothing to break into a monastery and fetch the criminal out by force , in order to the execution of justice . i confess they are still somewhat tender in this point , and if it shall be made appear , that they are mistaken in the nature of the offence , the offender shall be returned again . being once at a certain place that hath the privilege of an asylum , one of my acquaintance there coming home told me , that he had been to wait on the late cardinal de alemcastro , to engage him as protector of the society , to solicit the restoring of a person whom the officers had violently taken out of the house , i asked what the man's crime was , and he told me , it was only for killing his wife , and upon further enquiry , i was informed that he had not done it out of jealousy , for in that case he had been acquitted of course ; but having married an old woman , he grew weary of her , and enticing her one day to a country house , he took occasion to cut her throat , and going about his business , he heard a servant , who by chance found the woman weltring in her blood , crying out that her mistress was a dying , he hearing that she was only a dying , whom he had left for dead , return'd and dispatcht her out-right , and then betook himself to sanctuary , and it was found upon second thoughts , that his crime was not of so deep a dye , as to deprive him of the benefit thereof , and so he was return'd again , and after some time , he sued out his carta de seguro . but the violation of their sanctuary is not the only grievance that the fryars , and consequently the nuncio have to complain of , their immunities have been attempted in a yet more sensible part , it being pretended that their estates shall be liable to the king's duties ; several advances have been made towards bringing this about , and great violence used as 't is pretended in the now mention'd memoir , where i find this reckon'd among other things , wherein the court is resolved to copy after his most christian majesty . this change of conduct has as experience demonstrates , contributed not a little to raise the credit of portugal with the court of rome ; but the treasure of the nation is still flowing thither in so many currents , that it will be soon exhausted , if a speedy stop be not put thereto , so that the king must of necessity come to a more vigorous resolution , than has been yet taken ; there is no doubt but that whensoever he shall attempt to save his country , he will meet with all the opposition that rome and its creatures can raise against him . but he may turn a deaf ear to their clamours , the nation by this time is sufficiently sensible of its approaching ruin , and begins to see from what quarter it is coming upon them , and there is all reason to hope that his majesty , if he be not wanting to himself may carry his point , and in the end , see himself as much respected and rever'd at rome , as any crown'd head in christendom . of the interests of portugal , with relation to spain . next to the court of rome , that of madrid seems at present to be in greatest consideration at lisbon , on account both of the near neighbourhood of the two kingdoms , and of his portuguese majesty's pretentions to the succession of spain . all former animosities seem now to be utterly forgotten , and a sincere friendship and close correspondence is maintain'd between the two courts , which as we may well suppose , the sister queens have not been wanting to preserve and cultivate ; the king of portugal no doubt leaves nothing unattempted on his part , to procure the good-will of the spanish court , considering the melancholy prospect he hath before him in the manifest ruin of his numerous family , should the succession be dispos'd of to his disadvantage , and possibly there may not be wanting among the spanish grandees , who think is to be for their countrys interests and their own that his pretensions should succeed . but the good correspondence that is now between the two courts , seems to be of a latter date than the conclusion of the peace in . they who then laboured all they could to hinder them from coming to an agreement , have not been wanting in their endeavours to embroil them since ; and it was certainly none of their fault , that these two kings have never come to a rupture , their artifices having so far prevail'd , that in the year . a day was fixed on the portuguese side for the declaration of a war , the difference arose upon this occasion . the governour of the rio de janeiro in brazil , had in the year . peopled and fortified a colony of portugueses on the north-side of the rio da prata , over against the isle of st. gabriel , supposing it to be within the bounds of the portuguese dominions , according to the famous repartition of the whole world made by pope alexander the th . and his successors between the two crowns ; but the governour of buenos aires not liking the neighbourhood of the portugueses , and pretending that both sides of the river , with the isles therein , and parts adjacent , had fall'n to the share of the spanish crown ; got together a body of indians , as well as spaniards , and upon the th . of august the same year , fell upon the new planters , killing several of them , and taking prisoners the governour with all that were in arms , seizing likewise upon the artillery , ammunitions , &c. when the news of this action came to europe , they whose interest it was to have the two nations go together by the ears , made their advantage of it , and blew the coals into such a flame , that the prince regent of portugal ordered home his ambassador from madrid , commanding him to make this protest at his departure ; that if within the space of twenty days reckoning , that for one on which the protest was made , the spaniards did not make full reparation for this insult , it should be understood that a war was declared , without any other formality . such language as this having been unusual till of late years between crown'd heads , and not heard of even in our times , but from one single court , we may well guess from whence it came , and that the prince regent did not of himself put it into his ambassador's mouth ; for portugal being at that time as little perhaps in a condition to bear the expences of a war as spain its self , it is not likely that the prince would talk at that rate , unless he were made believe that he had some other power besides his own to back his threats withal . they at madrid at least seem'd to be of this opinion , for they presently took the alarm , insomuch , that in stead of losing time in consultation , according to their ordinary custom , they with all the hast imaginable , sent the duke of giovinazzo away post to lisbon , with full power to give the regent satisfaction . but had they spent never so much time in deliberation , they could not have pitch'd upon a fitter person , either for spoiling a french design , or managing the portuguese court , for matters of this sort had been the dukes business for many years ; he had served the crown of spain with great dexterity , and success in affairs of the greatest importance , while he was ambassador resident at turin , where he broke all the measures the french had taken to engage madam royal then regent of savoy in their interests , and by his secret practices so countermined their designs upon casal ; that he kept the place from being delivered up to them for some years , after the bargain had been made with the duke of mantua , the preservation of which place was so entirely ascribed to him , that when he left turin , it became the common talk of europe , that casal was infallibly lost : his conduct at turin made him esteem'd at madrid for the ablest person to deal with the french ministers , and for that reason he was in the beginning of the year . sent ambassador into france , but for the same reason , king louis thought him the most improper for that court ; his ministers had it seems such a dread of the man , that they put their master upon an action that will not be reckon'd among the glories of his reign ; for after the duke had arrived at paris , and continued there for five months , he was obliged to return as he came , without having been admitted to audience , the king declaring , that if he did not leave the kingdom , he would force him away by violence , an indignity never before put upon the representative of a crown'd head ; yet such as spain in its low condition was forced to digest , but the duke had now a fair opportunity to mortify the french in his turn , by defeating their defign upon spain and portugal . upon his arrival at lisbon , prince peter more generous than to insult over an yielding adversary , show'd by his proceedings , that his own inclinations had not prompted him to make his advantage of his neighbour's weakness ; for instead of prescribing laws to the spaniards , who 't is thought would at this juncture have submitted to any terms of accommodation , he was content to treat with them upon the square , and appointed the duke of cadaval , and other commissioners , to confer with the duke of giovinazzo , who soon brought them to his own terms by an address peculiar to himself , which was by turning things into ridicule and rallying them into an agreement ; the prince though sufficiently sensible that what they had concluded upon was much to his disadvantage , yet suffer'd himself to be perswaded by the duke to confirm the treaty ; it may be supposed that he began by this time to relent , and that he show'd himself more easy to make some amends to the spaniards for their hard usage . it is said indeed that the duke had a particular talent to accommodate himself to the humours of those he had to deal with , and by that means to gain upon the affections of this prince , who was not to be imposed upon as his ministers were , for the duke's jests were not like to take with him , and therefore in his addresses to his highness , he gave another turn to his discourse , haranguing him on all occasions upon his admirable prudence , and greatness of mind , and praises , having this common with reproaches , that they seldom fail of their effect when there is ground for them ; the prince regent is reported to have told those about him , after an audience given to the duke , that he knew very well that the fine things this man had said , tended only to deceive him , who however had got the secret to please him , and therefore he did know how to deny him any thing . the agreement made at this time , had the title of a provisional treaty , because it did not determine the right on either side , for that was to be done at a more convenient season . it was so contriv'd , that by the articles one would think it was design'd , to give the portugueses some satisfaction in appearance , and all the real advantage to the spaniards . it was agreed , that by order from the king of spain , the governour of buenos aires should be punished according as the manner of his proceedings had deserved ; which order the duke of giovinazzo delivered afterwards to the prince regent , who sent it to his minister at madrid , with a command to intercede in his name with the catholick king , that the execution of it might be suspended . all arms , artillery , &c. with whatever else had been taken from the colony were to be restor'd , and the planters suffer'd to return , and if any were wanting , as many others to settle there in their room . but then they were not to fortifie themselves , nor so much as build houses of any durable matter , nor were they to be supplied with fresh men , though in never so small a number , nor have any sort of intercourse or commerce with the indians , under obedience to the spaniards . whereas the spaniards were to have the same use of the river , the isles thereof , and territories adjacent as they had before , so that had this provisional treaty continued in force , the portuguese colony must necessarily in a very short time have fall'n away to nothing , and the spaniards remain confirm'd in the possession of a country , to which their title was at best but dubious . it was indeed agreed at the same time , that commissioners on both sides should meet finally to determine this affair , and that in case matters could not be adjusted by them , it should be referr'd to the pope's arbitration ; but considering how seldom conferences of this kind come to any issue , and how easy it is for the spaniards to make proceedings at rome to go heavily on , one would think they had small cause to fear that any thing in this article should deprive them of the advantage they had got by the rest ; and if things succeeded not afterwards to their minds , it was perhaps , because , they could not have a duke of giovinazzo always at lisbon . the composure of this difference made way for a more solid and lasting friendship then hath been usual between these , or perhaps any other bordering nations ; that hostile disposition which in former ages , was always observ'd in these towards each other , and had been exasperated by a late war of years continuance , seem'd now to be worn away on a suddain , and they began to familiarise themselves with each other ; for the duke of giovinazzo , while he so happily acquitted himself to his master's satisfaction in a negotiation , that was thought to be attended with insuperable difficulties , manag'd matters , so that he was no less pleasing to the portuguese court , then to that of madrid , rendring himself acceptable to all , and gaining the universal esteem of the prince , nobility and people ; and as he was highly carress'd during his stay at lisbon , he was as much regretted at his departure . there is no doubt but the marriage of the q. of portugal's sister to the king of spain , contributed not a little to perfect the harmony that is at present between the two crowns , and perhaps her want of children much more , for it being now apparent to the world , that king peter hath enter'd his name among the candidates for the spanish crown , it is natural to suppose that his endeavours are not wanting to keep up the good correspondence ; yet were we to judge of the inclinations of the spanish court , from the most obliging carriage of the marquis de castel dos rios , their late minister at lisbon , one would think that spain expected to reap all the advantage from the good amity ; little would one guess from the conduct of this minister , that the king of portugal was not many years ago lookt upon as his master's rebel , there being scarce a gentleman in portugal more intent than he in making his court , or more careful to render himself acceptable . he to gain their majesties favour , hath during the whole time of his residence , that is , for about seven years together on every birth-night of the eldest prince , entertained the nobility and foreign ministers with a new opera of his own composure , and acted by his own family , and all to celebrate the future glorys of his highness . it would perhaps seem trifling in any other times but ours , to draw consequences from any thing of this kind , but in our age , persons of his excellencies character do every thing by prescription , and the lightest matters of ceremony are exactly weighed . it does not yet appear what advances the king of portugal hath made at madrid , towards the making good his pretensions to the succession , the publick relations of the proceedings at that court , do as yet give but a slender account of his success ; however , the frequent couriers that pass , and repass , between the two courts upon every alarm of the king of spain's indisposition , show that his agents there are busy in carrying on his interests , and his late levies raised and maintained at an expence which his kingdom is so little in a condition to bear , are an argument that he is resolved to make one among the competitors , as indeed it concerns him much to be , considering the apparent danger of his own crown , in case he miscarries in his design upon that of spain ; for whether a prince of the house of austria , or of france , shall inherit that crown , he 'll be heir at the same time to philip the d's title to portugal , which as unjust as it was , was strengthen'd by sixty years possession , and the approbation of several popes ; and whosoever reflects upon the conduct of the house of austria in the last age , or of the french king in this , will find that very slender pretences have served the turn , when either of them hath had a fair opportunity to invade his neighbour , and see cause enough to be afraid ; for the house of bragança , should it ever have the misfortune to ly at their mercy , as it almost infallibly will do , when either of them shall be in quiet possession of the spanish monarchy ; for spain upon any change of government , will almost necessarily recover so much of its ancient vigor , as to be overmatch for portugal . this small kingdom may perhaps have some cause to hope , that its destruction will come on more slowly , in case it hath to deal with an austrian prince , but whether it will be therefore the less , sure is a question soon decided , when we consider what a close union there hath always been between the two branches of that house , each espousing the interest and quarrels of the other , and making them its own ; how great a part the spaniards had in the german usurpations , in the business of the palatinate , and the catholick league ; and how far the german line interessed it self in behalf of the spaniards upon the revolt of portugal ; when to revenge their quarrel , the imperialists contrary to all faith , and honour , the right of nations , and the laws of hospitality seiz'd upon prince duarte , the king of portugal's brother , and made him end his days in a prison . now when a prince of the same house , less religious than his present imperial majesty ( and one of his character does not arise in every age ) shall come to have portugal in his power , can we think it likely , that he will so far forget the maxims of his ancestors , as to cherish a race , that hath occasion'd so many disgraces to a family ? but if the king of portugal hath little cause to expect security from that house , he would have less reason to think himself safe , should he fall under the power of france ; 't is true indeed , if words of friendship could insure him , he would be freest from danger , while the french are putting themselves in a condition to destroy him , who till they are ready to give the blow , are always lavish of their kind promises , which such as have trusted in them , have found to be the forerunners or the means rather of their ruin. should a french prince become possess'd of the spanish monarchy , if philip the d's title will not do , there are a great many others now dormant , that will quickly be started up , the kingdom of portugal will soon be found to have been a dependance of castille , and it is but erecting a chamber of re-union to annex it thereto again , or a right of devolution may be pretended by the forfeitures which the kings have incurr'd , they having been formerly feudatorys to those of leon , or the great monarch may think it will be for his glory or his convenience , to order his generals to take possession of this small kingdom , and that , as appears from some presidents , may be thought right sufficient . it is not to be imagined , that the court of portugal is at this time of the day insensible of the dangers they are threatned with , the agonies that the ministers were in not long ago during his catholick majesty's sickness , could scarce be thought to proceed from any other cause , and a paper lately published in english , shows that they have been setting their wits at work to find out means for their preservation , that is , to make good their master's claim to the succession ( which as they seem to be perswaded , is ) the only visible way to secure themselves at this juncture . the author of that paper seems to have left nothing unsaid that may make for his master's cause , and he hath gone a great way to prove him to have a much better right than any other pretender , if it be true , as he intimates , that there is such a fundamental law in spain , as excludes forreigners from the succession , and i believe there can be no instance given of any such , that have succeeded in a regular way , except it be charles the th , who was yet son to the immmediate heiress , and possess'd of the crown in his mother's life-time : as for his son philip the d . and the rest that came after him , they were all natural born spaniards , which privilege must be granted to the kings of portugal , while portugal is allowed to be a part of spain , and it is certain that they are descended from donna maria , daughter to ferdinand and isabella , and sister to her who brought the crown into the austrian family ; so that if there be any such law , as the aforesaid author hints at , the king of portugal may have a very fair title , the dauphin as 't is asserted by his competitors , being excluded by virtue of the renunciation which was the necessary condition of his mothers marriage , and the german line with the house of savoy for their being forreigners . this appears to be the best title the king of portugal can pretend to by descent ; 't is true , the forementioned writer sets up another , which he saith , his master derives from his predecessor dom ferdinand king of portugal , but upon what grounds i shall not examine . it were much to be wished for the sake , both of the common repose of europe , and the preservation of the spanish monarchy in particular ; that his majesty's right was unquestionable since spain by the re-union of portugal , might be enabled even at present to do something towards its own defence , and in time gather strength , so as to subsist of it self , and ease its allys of the great charge and trouble they are at , in keeping it from falling into ruin. there is one advantage on the king of portugal's side , that must not be omitted , which is , that it will be very difficult for any other prince to gain this crown without his consent , he being ready upon the place to oppose any other pretender ; his forces indeed are but very small , when compared to those of other princes , yet they are such , as with a little assistance from his allies , may be able to make head against an invader , and perhaps prove more numerous than any army that can march into the heart of spain , though furnish'd out by the great monarch himself : spain having this advantage from her present desolation and misery , that though she can make little resistance against any powerful enemies , yet she 'll go near starve them , if they come upon her in any considerable numbers . an army that passes the pirenees , must not look for such entertainment as is to be met with in other parts of europe ; it was no difficult matter for the french king , possess'd as he was of the strong holds on both sides him , to maintain his hundreds of thousands in the fruitful countrys of flanders , and on the banks of the rhine , but he may find it a harder task to subsist a third part of that number in spain , than it was for him to do the same in piedmont during the last war. a traveller that passes through such parts of this country , as nature hath been most indulgent to , is like to fare but ill , unless he carries provision with him , and that for beast as well as man ; but whether an army like any of those that have been on foot of late years , can come thus provided for so long a march as 't is over the pirenees into the midst of spain , let others more skillful in these matters judge , but if it brings not along with it all things necessary for life , it is like to be ill suppli'd , and that not only in those bare and cragged mountains , over which it must climb , but in the flat country likewise ; ill water'd for the most part , dispeopled , and uncultivated , and so parcht up , that scarce any thing green appears in the season , when armies usually take the field . in effect , the impossibility for a more numerous army than their own to subsist in spain , is generally what the portugueses answer , when they are told of the great forces which his most christian majesty hath in readiness , and it is very probable , that in case they be assisted with a competent number of well disciplin'd troops from abroad , their being beforehand with him upon the place , and having their magazins on the frontiers , will give them a great advantage , especially if they can but bring the spaniards heartily to join with them in defence of their common liberty ; and one would think they should readily accept the party , at least in opposition to the french , whose government they must necessarily have in greater abhorrence , than the portugueses themselves , considering the antipathy that hath been always between them and the french , which has been kept alive by the continual wars they have had with them , and of late years seems to have been heightened to the utmost extremity of hatred by the many intolerable and ungenerous insults they have received from them , with which the french have on all occasions been very careful to refresh their memories ; so that there is all reason to believe , they will be much sooner inclin'd to forget their former animosities with their portuguese neighbours . their enmity to these never was so great as to make them banish all thoughts of uniting under one head , a thing often declar'd impracticable in regard to the french , in several publick and solemn treaties ; whereas in the very heat of the last war with portugal , there was a negotiation carrying on , and some advances made on both sides , to have a portuguese prince plac'd on the throne of spain . for in the year . when philip the th . having no other child to inherit his crown but the infanta donna teresa maria , the great men in spain were all for having that princess married within the kingdom , it being a common saying among them at that time , that it was a very hard thing that they could never have a king with black whiskers ; upon this , the king of portugal was encouraged by the secret intelligence he had at that court , to think of a marriage between the infanta and his eldest son dom theodosio , and thereupon sent antonio vieira the jesuit to rome upon other pretences , but with instructions and powers to propose the match to the spanish ministers there , and he pretends that he wrought so effectually with some of the principal persons of that nation and faction , that he brought them to a great liking of his proposal , insomuch that they seem'd desirous it should take effect , though the match could not be approv'd of by the court of madrid . the arguments by which vieira prevail'd with the ministers at rome , were drawn from the high birth of the prince , his being descended from the same ancestors with the infanta , and his extraordinary qualifications , all which were such that had things continued in the same state they had been in before the war ; there was no question but that dom theodosio would have been the only person pitcht upon , but the jesuit urged , that as the case then stood , there were much stronger arguments in his favour ; he being to bring along with him the kingdom of portugal , with all the dominions belonging thereto in the one half of the world ; that portugal it self was a part and member of spain , and by its re-union would make the monarchy entire again , which would thereby become more powerful and flourishing , than before the separation : for the several armies which at that time were employed on both sides upon the frontiers , might then be all united together in one body under the same head , and spain be so strengthened thereby , as to be able to give protection to their friends , be rever'd by neutrals , and become a terror to their enemies . these arguments if we can believe vieira , were well tasted by those of the spanish party at rome , at a time when the enmity between the two nations was at the highest ; but now all animosities being laid aside , perhaps the same , or others of a like nature may be hearkned to at madrid , and incline those of that court to distinguish the king of portugal from among the rest that are candidates for the succession . there was one scruple that the portugueses made themselves at that time , they were unwilling to consent to a re-union , unless lisbon was to be the capital of the spanish monarchy ; but certainly the spaniards , if they knew their own interests , in case they agreed in other things , would readily gratify them in this point . lisbon by its scituation so near the sea , and upon the noblest river in the world , seems designed by nature for the great emporium of europe , and were it in the hands of a people that knew how to improve their advantage , it would go near to draw to it self the trade and riches of the world. philip the d . was sensible of this , and therefore when he came to take possession of the kingdom , he promised , and as it was thought , designed , that instead of keeping his court at madrid , a leagues within the land , lisbon should be thence forward the place of his residence , and in order thereto , he began the structure of a most magnificent palace , but it was well for christendom that he continued not in this resolution , and that his son philip the d. took it not up after him , for perhaps nothing could have contributed more to bring about the design they had laid of an universal monarchy . i shall conclude this chapter with this one remark , that it seems fatal to the spanish monarchy to owe her preservation from utter ruin , to those who have brought her to a condition , in which she is unable to help her self ; they were the english that first humbled the spaniards , when in the very heighth of their pride , and from them do they now expect relief in this their extremity . by that expensive war in the low countrys , carried on successively by the three philips , this monarchy was brought into a languishing state , and the dutch have since stood in the gap between it and destruction ; the portugueses at last gave that monarchy its mortal . wound , since which it hath never been able to hold up its head ; the french indeed had endeavour'd to do the the same in that long war which preceded the peace of the pirenees , but did not effect it , for the spaniards stood upon the level with them at that treaty ; it is true , some thought their ruin might have been then compleated , had that war according to mr. turenne's advice been continued a little longer , and don luis de haro , if it be true what is reported of him , was much of the same opinion , but cardinal mazarin was ambitious to have that spanish minister , and all the world sensible of the superiority of his genius , and so interrupted the course of turenne's victories , and would needs meet don luis on the frontiers , that they might have a publick tryal of each others politicks ; don luis met the cardinal , and gave his eminence occasion to make as great a flourish as he pleased of all his rare talents , but when the peace came to be sign'd , he could hold out no longer , nor forbear crying to his friends , spain was lost , but is now safe . so that the french left to their abandon'd friends of portugal , the honour of working out the destruction of the spanish monarchy , which by the help of their allies , they did effectually , at the two decisive battles of ameixial and montesclaros , the spaniards having never after been able to stand upon their own legs , but as they were crutch'd up by the english and dutch , who ever since have had them lying on their hands , as a punishment for what they did towards bringing them into this deplorable condition ; and now it seems that the portuguses have their turn come , to contribute on their parts to the relief of this distressed nation , and who knows but the spanish monarchy may at last receive its cure from the hand that gave it the last and deepest wound , and recover new life and vigour by means of the portugueses , who have been the immediate occasion of its fall . of the interests of portugal , with relation to france . since the revolt of portugal from the spaniards , there hath been till now of late , an appearance of a very close union between this and the crown of france , which seemed to be so well cemented , as if nothing were able to separate them ; and indeed , were the common opinion of the world true , concerning the obligations of the portuguese nation to the french , it would be no wonder if their friendship was in effect so great as it appeared . for they would then stand engaged to each other by the most endearing tyes in the world , france would have cause to account of portugal as a creature of its own raising , and the house of bragança would owe its establishment upon the throne to his most christian majesty . what greater testimony of a sincere and cordial affection can there be expected from one ally to another , than that which france gave to portugal in the preamble to the th . article in the pirenean treaty , that very article whereby portugal was abandoned to the mercy of the spaniards , for therein his most christian majesty declares himself to be so passionately concerned for the good of this kingdom , that on condition he could but procure for it the benefits of peace , he was willing among other things to yield up all the conquests he had gain'd in the course of a tedious war of twenty five years continuance , and all this out of pure generosity . he being as 't is there declared , under no other sort of engagement , than that of his own good-will . but upon a review of the transactions that have pass'd between the two crowns , it will perhaps be found that the obligations of portugal to france , have not been so very great as the world is apt to imagine . it cannot be denied , but that the french have all along exceeded other people by far in their professions of kindness to this nation , but it will appear that those professions , have not always been accompanied with suitable effects , and it must have been some other means besides real acts of friendship , whereby they have supported their interest and party in this kingdom . i shall in conclusion of this chapter , show as well as i am able what those means were . when the portuguses had shaken off the spanish yoke , they found the french ingaged in a war against the same nation , and they look'd for mighty assistance from them , considering the diversion they were like to give to the common enemy , and in effect , the ambassadors sent by king john to that court , were received by cardinal richelieu , with all the demonstrations of kindness imaginable , his promises out running all that they could desire or wish for , insomuch , that the messineses in our days did not think themselves more happy in the french friendship at the first engagement , than the portugueses did at that time . a perpetual peace was presently concluded between the two crowns , each obliging himself to distress the common enemy by all possible means ; to this end , the king of france was to send twenty men of war to join so many of the king of portugals . but i do not find that any great matter came of this agreement , unless it were the taking of port longone for the french in . when they perswaded the portugueses to join them with a squadron of their ships , for it does not appear , that the portugueses , for the space of almost twenty years , received the least assistance from france , but they were left to shift for themselves unexperienced as they were , and unprovided of all military preparations . they were all that time exposed to the first fury of the spaniards at their own home , while in all other parts of their dominions , the french were possessing themselves of their frontier towns : 't is true , the portugueses were encouraged all along with very large promises of intended succours , but these promises were turn'd into excuses , as often as they had occasion to make tryal of what their friends would do for them ; when they desired a supply of money towards the charges of the war , the french were in want themselves ; when they asked for auxiliary troops , the french on their part would have money for them , and required such excessive summs , that the portugueses , though they were brought in their necessity to bid high , could never come up to their price . once indeed , mazarin was for sending them a far greater supply of men than they desired , for when the treaty of munster was on foot , while the french were thinking of making their peace , the cardinal was very desirous to have the war transferred into portugal , and to discharge into that kingdom the soldiery that might prove burthensom to france . but the portugueses had no mind to have more french among them , than they knew how to deal with , and gave his eminence to understand , that they were afraid in case they should accept his offer , of being more oppressed by their friends , than they were already by their enemies ; so that after almost twenty years spent in negotiations , i do not find that there was so much as one company of french soldiers in the portuguese service . being thus left to themselves to bear the brunt of the war , they were still encouraged with hopes , that their allies whensoever they made peace , would not fail to procure very advantageous terms for them , who contributed so much as they did to divert and weaken the enemy . at their first making an alliance with france , they found the ministers of that court so extreamly obliging , and ready to do more for them than they demanded , that they did not then think it necessary to press them upon this point . but coming afterwards to perceive their error , they obtained a promise of louis the th . to make with them a league offensive and defensive ; and in order thereto , a treaty was entered upon with richelieu , but when they were in a fair way to bring it to a conclusion , that cardinal died to their great misfortune . for he being of a far more generous temper than his successor , they had doubtless received better usage from him , than they afterwards met with at the french court. mazarin indeed who succeded him in the ministry , was used on all occasions to go beyond him in fair promises , but to come very short in performances : he when the portugueses proposed the league to him , finding them already embarkt so far , that there was no drawing back for them , would by no means hearken to their proposal , telling them , that the alliance already made was sufficient ; to enter into new engagements , would argue a distrust between the two kings , whereas his most christian majesty had so tender a concern for his friends , that nothing should be wanting on his part for their preservation ; however , he did not put them out of hopes , but that such a league as they desired , should be concluded some time or other , but when they afterwards grew urgent with him , he fed them still with promises , or put them off with delays , and sometimes he would keep them in play , by amusing them with all the formalities of a treaty which went forwards , or was broken off according to the several occasions he had for them . while there was any prospect of concluding a peace or truce between the french and spaniards at munster , the cardinal was thinking to dispose the french troops in the manner now mentioned , for which , and other reasons , he judged it convenient to have portugal excluded out of the peace . but the portugueses at the same time were the more importunate with him to get themselves comprehended , and to that end solicited with greater earnestness than ever the ratification of the so long promised league , and they pressed so very hard upon him , that his eminence was at a loss how to put by their importunities ; his excuses were now spent , or by being often used had lost their force , and he was reduced to his last shifts for a new one . the king of portugal at last furnished him with one , it was indeed such a one as a body would think was very remote and odd , however it served the cardinal's turn for that time . there stands at villa viçosa the ancient seat of the dukes of bragança , an old lady of the conception , the most ancient of all the ladies bearing that title throughout spain ; to whom the dukes have all along had a most singular devotion , and as they thought not without reason , she having serv'd them in place of a lar to the family . for as i remember , i have been told by one that had reason to know the concerns of that house , there have no considerable alterations happened in the family , but this image , as it hath been believed since , hath some way or other given them notice of it before hand . king john after he had been pretty well settled in the throne , began to remember his old penates , and thought he could do no less in gratitude for the favours received from this lady , than devote himself and all his dominions to the immaculate conception ; declaring the lady of that appellation protectress and guardian of the kingdom , obliging himself and his successors to pay her at her house at villa viçosa , the annual tribute of fifty crowns of gold , as an acknowledgment of their homage ; and withal according to the custom of ancient chivalry , he made a solemn . vow to defend her immaculate conception with his arms. not content to do this himself , he obliged the three estates of the kingdom assembled in cortes to enter into an association to the same purpose , every member engaging himself by oath to hold and maintain that important article . at the same time it was declared and enacted by his majesty , that whosoever should attempt any thing against it in case he were a subject , he should be unnaturalized , and cast out of the kingdom ; if he were a king , he desired that god's curse and his own might light upon him , that he might not be reckoned among his descendents , hoping through the divine favour , that he would be thrown down from the throne and dispoiled of the royal dignity . this act passed the th . of march in the year . hitherto all things went smoothly on , there being nothing in the association , but what the generality of the portugueses were willing to assent to , and maintain with their lives and fortunes . but the king would needs have the dominican fryars swear to it , men that are thomists upon oath , and whose order had all along asserted a contrary doctrine to that which the king would now force upon them . this business was in agitation while the portugueses were adjusting all things in order to conclude the league with france . but mazarin had now what he look'd for , a pretext to break off the treaty ; for his eminence sent the king word , that he thought it a very strange thing for him to put such a hardship upon the dominicans . but the king continued in his resolution , which the cardinal took very ill at his hands ; but the king in this case made no account of his anger , for as the conde da ericeyra saith , his devotion to our lady was such , that no politick consideration could make him desist from his purpose , and doubtless the cardinal foresaw as much , or else he had put his invention to the rack to find out some other occasion for a quarrel . but the congress at munster being upon the point to break up , and things remaining in the same state as before between france and spain ; the cardinal was for bringing on again the treaty of a league with portugal , but still he insisted upon unreasonable conditions , and among others would have cautionary towns put into the french hands , with two harbours that were capable of the greatest fleets . he was encouraged to make this demand by the famous jesuit antonio vieira , who had been sent to paris to assist at the conferences with the french ministers , with power to make what proposals he in his own discretion thought fit , and the father was so very forward in making large promises , that the cardinal thought he could not be too exorbitant in his demands , and they made such a bargin of it between them , that the ambassador was fain to interpose and put a stop to their proceedings , by declaring that he would sooner have his hands cut off , than sign what the jesuit was agreeing to . after this manner did his eminence play fast and loose with his friends till the year . when the spaniards had like to have done their enemies of portugal a kindness , which they found it impossible to do for themselves ; for if the portugueses had made use of the advantage which the spaniards had put into their hands , they might have managed the cardinal as they pleased , and brought him to terms of their own prescribing . the spaniards in order to make mischief in portugal , and incense the people against the court , gave out that they had made an offer of peace to the king , and found him of himself willing enough to hearken thereto , but that he was imposed upon by his ministers , who for their own interests were still putting him upon continuing the war. this report coming to the cardinal's ears gave him the alarm , and raised a suspicion in him , that there might be some under-hand negotiation carrying on between spain and portugal , which , if such a thing there was , might spoil all his designs : he therefore dispatches away the chevalier de sainte foy , to adjust the league , on condition , that the king of portugal would engage himself to a vigorous prosecution of the war , to which end he should be furnished with money for the expense of the next campagne , but withall the envoy was ordered to complain how little portugal minded the interests of france , and of the several infractions of the capitulations already made between the two crowns ; and to let fall some hints of the king 's being suspected of having an understanding with the common enemy . the good king took care to vindicate himself from this unjust aspersion , which the castillians by their calumnies had cast upon him , and clear'd himself so well , that st. foy began to perceive that there was no occasion for a league , and so found out pretences to defer the conclusion of it . hereupon king john dispatches away an irish fryar with the character of his envoy , i suppose to satisfie the court of france of his innocence , but with express orders to hasten the conclusion of the league ; and it seems the irish polititian acquitted himself of the first part of his commission so much to the cardinal's satisfaction , that his eminence would hear no talk of what he had to say further , and so frey domingos do rosario ( for that was his fryars name , i think his true one was o dally ) was sent back again , and ordered to tell his master , that he should make his peace with spain himself if he would , and think no more of a league with france . this was the last negotiation between france and portugal , in the reign of king john the th . the first king of the house of bragança , and let the reader judge how far he was obliged to france for his establimment upon the throne . after his death , there was little entercourse between the two courts , the french leaving the widdow and the orphan to shift for themselves , till the treaty of the pirenees was drawing on , and then the cardinal had a further occasion for portugal . during the course of this long war , spain had lost several important places to the french , which they expected to have restored to them at the peace , or some compensation for them at least : for the spaniards had not yet been accustomed to make peace on such terms as they have since been used to ; they stood likewise obliged by treaty made with the prince of conde at his first putting himself into their service , never to lay down their arms till he was restored to all the places and governments possest by him in france , when he first came over to them . the french on the other side were as unwilling to part with the places in question , as the spaniards were to yield them up ; and as for the prince of conde , neither the king , nor the cardinal could be prevailed with to put him in a condition to give them the like trouble again , as he had done formerly ; for they were not without some jealousy , that he had a mind to be playing over his old game again ; and should he come off so well after all the bustle he had made in the kingdom , others might in after times be tempted to follow his example : so that unless some expedient could be found out to satisfy both parties , here were insuperable difficulties to obstruct the peace , and a peace the cardinal was resolved to have as well for his own private conveniencies , as to settle the state of the nation , that was then as he thought or pretended , breaking out into new disorders . the spaniards on their side were as willing to end the war as the french could be , so as it might be done with their honour safe ; they were sensible enough of their own feeble condition ; they saw that two or three campagnes more were like to prove the total ruin of their monarchy . besides , they were impatiently eager to be turning the whole force of their arms against portugal , which they made sure of over running with ease , could they be once at liberty from the french , and they were the more hasty to come to an accomodation with them , for that the pope began to be troublesome . the ears of alexander the th . were a little more open than those of his predecessors to the bleatings of portugal , and he gave notice to the cardinals of the spanish faction , that something must be done to end the dispute , or he should be forc'd to acknowledge that king , who succeeding a father that had reign'd sixteen years , could not be made to pass with the world for an usurper . thus were the minds of both parties disposed for a peace , but how should they come by it ? who could remove the obstacles that lay in the way , and satisfy those irreconcileable pretensions , from which neither party would recede ? to bring all this about , the cardinal had his wits at work ; he now began on a sudden to be mighty zealous for the poor king of portugal , whose ruin was thought infallible , should the french forsake him , and therefore his eminence would seem for some time to be as earnest for his preservation as the spaniards were bent upon his destruction ; both parties agreeing in this , that should portugal be excluded from the peace , it would of course fall into the hands of the spaniards , so that in effect this orphan prince , and all that belong'd to him seem'd to be now wholly at the cardinal's disposal , since to exclude them from the peace , was then thought to be the same thing in effect , as to give them up to the spaniards , and these he had to set against the prince of conde , and the places demanded by the spaniards , and he made his advantage of them : for in all the negotiations in order to a peace , when the spaniards thought much of yielding up their towns and provinces , the french sometimes would mind them of a whole kingdom , and the dominions thereunto belonging , which they were ready to give in exchange for their conquests . when the spaniards interceded for the prince of conde , the french when other arguments fail'd , would speak for the king of portugal : but there was this difference between them , the spaniards always began with the prince of conde , the french answered portugal in their own defence , the spaniards got conditions for the prince , not such as they pretended to , but very honourable , considering how ill the prince had deserv'd at the hands of his king. the cardinal engaged his master's word , his faith , and his honour that portugal should be utterly abandon'd for him . the spaniards to the very last were passionately urgent to get something more still for their friend , the french surrendred us theirs at the first overtures of a treaty ; the spaniards were in earnest , the french had only a turn of their own to serve . the first advance that appears to have been made to any purpose on either side towards a peace , was in . when the marquis de lionne was sent to madrid , to treat with the ministers of that court ; what monsieur de lionne's instructions were , mazarin best knew , who in a letter to the pope concerning this affair , told his holiness , that if spain by his authority could be brought to abate of their pretensions in favour of the prince of conde , the peace was upon concluding ; since all other points were adjusted , monsieur de lionne having orders to abandon portugal , in case spain would not be so obstinate in behalf of the prince : but spain could not not be prevail'd upon , and so that treaty was broke off . i have seen no particular account how this business was manag'd at the treaty of madrid , perhaps it was then that the offer was made by the french to restore their conquests , and re-establish the prince in his governments , on condition that the king of portugal should remain in peaceable possession of his dominions , for that such an offer was made some time or other we must believe , because it is so affirm'd in the th . article of the pirenean treaty ; but whenever it was made , the french were assur'd it would not be accepted , as i believe i shall presently make appear . the treaty of madrid broken off by the spaniards , persisting to espouse the prince of conde's interests , the french on their side were for sticking close to their allies , and gave out that they were resolved never to abandon them . for the marquis de lionne , a little after declar'd publickly at the diet of francfort , that the king of france neither could nor would make any peace without the intervention of his allies , viz. of england , portugal , savoy , and modena , and in effect , they were about renewing their league with the rump parliament of england , then restored to their seats after cromwell's death . they were likewise treating about a match between their king and madam margaret prince 〈…〉 and seem'd to be so much in earnest , 〈…〉 an interview between the two cou 〈…〉 the king appeared to be so much taken with the lady , that many thought a marriage was like to ensue . about the same time the count de cominges ambassador extraordinary from france , at lisbon was negotiating another match between the same king , and the infanta of portugal , and that was likewise in such great forwardness , that preparations were making for the wedding , and several things got ready , which served afterwards when that princess was married into another country ; and all this to bring on a third match between the same king and the infanta of spain , which had been in . treaty ever since the first overtures of peace were made , and both these treaties with spain , viz. of marriage and peace , had such a mutual dependance on each other , that they were necessarily to proceed or break off together . the advances that the french made towards a conclusion of the match with savoy , startled the court of madrid , for should they go on , there could be no hopes of a peace ; and france in all probability would in that case enter into new engagements with portugal , wherefore don antonio pimentel was sent post to lions , whose presence there presently broke off all other treaties , and revived those with spain . the spaniards yielding at last to the necessity of their affairs , and accepting of the french proposals in relation to the prince of conde , which were , that he should be permitted to return into france , and be restor'd to the king's favour , but remain depriv'd of his governments : the court hereupon removing to paris , the principal articles were there adjusted , that were afterwards confirm'd by the two great ministers at the pirenees . but the allies of france seem to have been quite forgot at this treaty of paris , as it was called , at least no mention made of portugal , unless it were in that article whereby the french oblig'd themselves to abandon it ; but that article had then none of the fine preamble before it , which now sets it off so much to advantage , in the printed copys of the pirenean treaty . while these things were transacted , the conde de soure was coming ambassador extraordinary from portugal , with such instructions as show'd , that the queen regent was intirely satisfied of the sincere affection of her intended son-in-law , for he was ordered to demand no less then foot , form'd into six regiments and horse , and all to be paid by his most christian majesty , even while they were in the portuguese service ; or if france could not spare so much money , he was at least to raise the men in that kingdom . he was likewise to choose out two general officers , and engage them in his master's service , cardinal mazarin undertaking for their fidelity and ability ; he was also to put the last hand to the league that had been so long in agitation , there being little cause to doubt but that it would now be soon brought to happy conclusion . but the ambassador upon his arrival at havre de grace was surprized with the news , that a truce had been proclaim'd between the crowns of france and spain , and a day fixt for a conferences between the cardinal , and don luis de haro , in order to conclude the peace . when he was got to roan , he receiv'd a message from the portuguese agent , more mortifying than what he had heard before ; for the agent having acquainted the cardinal of the ambassador's arrival , was bid to advise him to come incognito to paris , his eminence doubting whether it was convenient to receive a publick embassy from portugal , whose interests france was obliged to abandon by the peace to be made with spain . upon his coming to paris , the cardinal entirely disabus'd him , and put an end to all the hopes they had hitherto been feeding themselves with in portugal ; for now there was no more talk of the league with france , nor of any conditions to be made with spain , but such as the cardinal might be assured that the portugueses would never be brought to accept of ; so far was the ambassador from obtaining the men he came to demand , that he could not prevail to have two general officers of that nation : the cardinal having so much honour left as to tell the ambassador , that should he recommend french men to him , in case the peace with spain ensued , the portugueses might well question their fidelity , and the spaniards his sincerity . however , he named to him two that were of other nations , whom he advis'd him to treat with , they being persons of known valour and conduct , and in all respects qualified to command in the posts they were design'd for . the ambassador took his advise after having consulted with marsh . turenne , who knew the men , and highly approv'd of the choice ; the first , that the ambassador treated with , was the earl of inchiquin , who presently embark'd for portugal , but had the misfortune to be taken in his passage by the algerines , and after having regain'd his liberty , he had been but a little while at lisbon , when the news came of king charles his restoration , which occasion'd his return home . he was design'd afterwards to command the forces which that king sent to the assistance of portugal , but he did not continue long there . the other was the famous count , afterwards marshal and late duke of schonberg , who when he came to have the command of men that were worthy of such a leader , soon chang'd the face of things in portugal , and restored the most desperate affairs of that nation to such a state , that the spaniards who now made sure of over running it , were glad to sue for a peace , and the french who at this time were casting off the portugueses with so much contempt , thought fit to court their alliance : but those by whom the count effected all this , were not french men , and the cardinal was no prophet . at present he had so little consideration for portugal , that when he was presented with a memorial containing twenty seven reasons why france ought not to make peace with spain without including portugal , his eminence having now gain'd his ends could not find so much as one reason among all the seven and twenty that was conclusive , though the portugueses pretended to a promise under the hand and seal of king louis th . after this came on the conferences between the cardinal and don luis de haro , at the pirenees ; there indeed the cardinal would sometimes put in a word for the king of portugal , but it was only in order to keep don luis quiet , when he had nothing else to defend himself withal from the persecutions of that minister , who notwithstanding what had been agreed upon at paris , and consented to in spain , could not help making some motion or other in almost every conference for the prince of conde ; and sometimes he would do it with so much vehemence , that the treaty was several times like to be broken off purely on this account , even when all other matters were adjusted . for don luis was so very tender of his master's honour , which seem'd to him to ly at stake on this single point , that he thought he could never do enough to retrieve it ; one would think were we to judge of the conduct of these two great men , as 't is represented in mazarin's letters , that on this occasion he had changed characters with the cardinal ; don luis is represented at other times , as having all the distinguishing qualities of a spaniard , and the cardinal on all other occasions complains of him for being stiff , slow , and cold , but when he makes him pleading for the prince of conde , he represents him as transform'd into another man. he would then become supple on a sudden , using all the most insinuating and engaging ways of address , to gain upon the cardinal , he would caress , court and flatter him , enduring his repulses without the least resentment , as long as he thought it possible to bring him to a compliance , and as he found all would not do , he would then begin to take fire , grow impatient , and break out into the most passionate complaints , as unable to bear the reproach that his master must be forc'd to abandon his allie . the cardinal did not show himself so very passionate for the honour of his master , or the safety of his allie , had the affair of portugal gone as much to his heart , it is not unlikely but the italian would have fawn'd and cringed as much , and winded himself into as many shapes to gain his ends as the spaniard . they that know any thing of cardinal mazarin's former conduct , would surely have expected a great deal more of this from him , than from a person of don luis de haro's character and quality . it s true , his eminence was at this time at the very heighth of his greatness and glory , and might think it beneath him to be playing over his old tricks , he would now be thought to have put off the italian , and pretended much to the promptitude and vivacity of a frenchman ; but then had he any concern for his allie , he would surely have receiv'd some warmth from all that heat he observed in don luis , at least that natural vanity of his , which was at this time encreased to as great a height , as the station he was in could raise it , should have put him upon doing something for a prince , who had no other dependence but upon him ; and what could there have been more glorious for this proud great man , who had a crown'd head for his client , being so sensible as he was , that the eyes of all christendom were upon him , princes and nations expecting their fate in the issue of his proceedings , than instead of wrangling and squabbling about the exchange of every little bicocque , to be pleading the cause of a distressed and orphan king ? but alas ! he did not lay the cause of portugal to heart at all , nor concern himself for its preservation . he had used that people before so basely , that he seem'd to desire their destruction no less than the spaniards themselves ; he contented himself sometimes to repell the most lively instances of don luis for the prince of conde , by telling with all the coldness and phleme imaginable , that his master was so desirous of peace , that he had no such considerations for the king of portugal , as he expressed for the prince , and that his master might in justice use the prince of conde in the same manner as the spaniards intended to serve the king of portugal . it s true , that in one of the first conferences , when he had no other way to put by the importunities of don luis , he told him , ( knowing very well as he saith himself in his letter to mr. le tellier , that he should not be taken at his word ) that since he was so very passionate for the interests of the prince , he himself had one proposal to make , and would desire the king his master's consent , which should be more advantageous to the prince , than any thing don luis had yet desired : the spaniard over joy'd at this news , was impatient to know what the proposal might be ; the cardinal told him , he would desire the king of france to restore the prince and his son the duke of anguien , to all their charges and governments , on condition that the catholick king would leave portugal in the state it was then in . the offer was rejected with all the indignation that the cardinal look'd for , and had he not thought as much , it never had been made ; for as his eminence saith to mr. le tellier , when he made this bold or hardy proposal , as he calls it , he knew it would not be accepted . now if the french did not think it worth their while to rescue the kingdom of portugal from apparent ruin at so small an expence , as giving the prince of conde his employments again , it is more unlikely still that they should be wiling both to do that , and yield up the many strong towns and some entire provinces , that they had possess'd themselves of in a five and twenty years war ; and this it is that tempts me to believe , that the proposal mention'd in the th . article of this treaty , was never made in earnest ; the cardinal in the same letter gives a little more light into this mystery ; he saith there , that he made these offers to let don luis see what vast advances his master had made towards a peace , and of what consequence his yielding in the point of portugal was ; since rather than do that , he would be content to restore the prince to his governments , and give up all his conquests , and it is a great ease to me , continues he , that when don luis is reckoning up the great advantages the king gets by this peace , counting the places and provinces that remain to his majesty , that i can answer him again , that all he said was nothing in comparison to the concession we make in the article of portugal , though he gives a hint to mr. le tellier by the by , that for certain reasons unknown to the spaniards , all this was no such great matter neither , as he endeavour'd to make them believe . i do not find by his letters that he made this hardy proposal as he calls it , any more during the whole time of the treaty , but i find him afterwards directing mr. de lionne to word the preamble of the article in the same manner as it now stands ; the body it seems was adjusted before at the treaties of madrid and paris , so that possibly the preamble had no better grounds for it than the occasional discourse of which i have now given an account , let the reader then judge what we are to make of this formal declaration , ( vid. the th . article of the treaty of the pirenees . ) that his most christian majesty desiring with an extreme passion , to see the kingdom of portugal enjoy the same repose that other christian states acquire by this present treaty , had to that end propos'd a good number of ways and expedients , which he thought might be to the satisfaction of his catholick majesty , among which notwithstanding , as hath been said , that he is under no sort of engagement in this affair , he hath gone so far as to be willing to deprive himself of the principal fruit of that happy success which his arms have had during the course of a long war , offering besides the places which he restores by this present treaty to his catholick majesty , to surrender up all the conquests in general that his said arms have made in this war , and to re-establish entirely monsieur the prince of conde , provided and on condition that the affairs of the kingdom of portugal might be left in the state they are in at present , &c. i cannot pretend to tell what the many ways and expedients here mention'd were , finding little or nothing said of them in the accounts of the treaty that are yet extant , or in the cardinal's letters , who seems to have given an account of all the most material passages , and yet he mentions but one expedient as propos'd by himself , and he saith too , that he offered that rather to divert don luis from pressing him , in behalf of the prince than out of hopes that it would be accepted . he made it on this occasion : don luis had been very urgent with him , that since the prince could not be restored to his charges and governments in france , he might be allow'd to accept of a compensation elsewhere , and that the catholick king might bestow upon him either the two calabrias , with the kingdom of sardinia , or the government of the low countries , with the same authorithy and emoluments as it was possess'd by the cardinal infante , and some places for himself on the frontiers ; but the cardinal would consent to nothing of all this , saying , that the prince must resolve to be wholly french or wholly spanish , that is , have no dependence upon the king of spain , or have nothing to do in france : yet since the king of spain was so willing to part with these countries , he desired that the kingdom of sardinia might be given to the king of portugal , and he would desire his master to agree to it , so as that the portugueses should have cause to be satisfy'd . this saith he to don luis , is the finest expedient in the world , both to content the king , and let the world see that my master seeks to get a handsome retreat for his ally ; for if the king of portugal shall embrace this expedient , the catholick king will be put in possession of several kingdoms , the least of which is more considerable than that of sardinia . i do not find that the cardinal propos'd any other expedient besides this , and this is enough to show what an extream passion he had to serve his master's ally ; he would have him surrender up all his dominions for that poor and little kingdom of sardinia , which the spaniards on several such occasions have offered to give away , but could never get any one to accept of it , and yet it seems the cardinal thought this was too much for the king of portugal , for he propos'd it as he saith himself , without any hopes of succeeding . there was indeed another expedient offer'd at , but it came from don luis , which was , that on condition the prince might have some place of surety given him , such as havre de grace , the duke of bragança should have olivença bestow'd on him , be re-establish'd in his estate and honour , and have over and above the office of constable of castille . but this expedient was laught at by the cardinal , he thought that what don luis offer'd , was too dear at the price of havre de grace , and therefore he would bid nothing at all : when he was brought to consent at last , that the prince of conde should have the government of burgundy with the castle of dijon , and the duke of anguien his son , the place of grand maitre , he did not so much as pretend to an equivalent for his ally of portugal , but screw'd from the spaniards avesness for his master , and the restitution of juliers for the duke of nieubourg . as for the king of portugal , he was to surrender up all his kingdoms and dominions , and content himself with his paternal estate , and a pardon for what was past , which as the article saith , was all that his most christian majesty by his powerful offices could procure for him ; but in case that he did not accept of the same within three months after the ratification of the present treaty , his said majesty promis'd , engag'd , and oblig'd himself upon his honour , in the faith and word of a king , for himself and his successors , not to give to the said kingdom of portugal in common , or to any person or persons therein in particular , of what dignity , estate , quality or condition soever , any aid or assistance , publick or secret , directly or indirectly of men , arms , ammunitions , provisions , ships or money , nor any thing else either by land or by sea , or in any other manner ; and that he would not suffer levies to be made in any parts of his kingdoms or estates , nor grant passage to such as might come from other states to the assistance of the said kingdom of portugal , so that hitherto the house of bragança hath not been very much obliged to france . but before i proceed further , i find my self obliged to justify the cardinal's memory from a most horrible crime , which the french men themselves do not stick to charge him with ; for they among others pretend , that at the making of this solemn promise , he had already resolv'd to violate his faith , and that he was intending to send those succors into portugal , which afterwards arriv'd there from france , at the very time when he was obliging his master , who was then but a young man and under his direction , to swear the contrary ; but i think there is cause to believe , that so detestable a perfidy had not as yet enter'd into his thoughts . it s true , what he saith to mr. le tellier , that for some reasons unknown to the spaniards , his yielding in the point of portugal , was not so advantageous to them as he made them believe ; would look very suspicious , were it not a usual thing with him on all other occasions to affect being thought a greater fourbe than he really was ; for we find him bragging in most of his letters , how he cheated the spaniards , in making them think more highly of almost every one of his concessions than they deserved , whereas they took his eminence for the duppe all the while . but i do not in the least question , but that he really did design to abandon portugal to the spaniards at this time , according as he was now obliged by all that is sacred among men ; i will not urge for a reason that he all along most solemnly protested to don luis , that in case the portugueses submitted not to the conditions offer'd them by this peace , he would perswade his master to hold them for his enemies , for i believe few will give much heed to protestations made by his eminence on these occasions ; but he spoke his mind without doubt in another letter , sent by him to mr. le tillier , to be communicated to the king , wherein he represents the affairs of portugal to be in so deplorable a state , that the queen regent was neither in a condition to defend her self , nor in any terms of accommodation with the spaniards , so that as things stood , both she and her son , were in great danger , not only of their crown , but of their persons . but notwithstanding all this , he doth not advise the king , that the troops should be ready for a voyage to portugal , against the signing of the treaty , in order to preserve that crown , and save the persons of the distressed queen and her children , had he any such design in his head at that time , we should in all probability find him giving some hints of it in these letters . but to put this matter out of doubt , he talks of sending to that princess , to let her know , that he thought it most expedient for her to submit her self to the king of spain , from whom he was perswaded she might obtain an equivalent to advantage elsewhere , for what estate she and her son were possess'd of in portugal , since he had been often told by don luis , that his master in order to compleat the peace , would not stick to bestow on her son the charge of constable of castille with other such like honours . this surely is not the language of one who was designing to send forces to her assistance , to animate her to carry on the war , so that it seems to be an unjust aspersion upon his memory , to say that he made this peace with a purpose to violate it as soon as it was sign'd ; there is indeed cause enough to suspect that he was not so passionately concern'd for the well-fare of his master's allie , as is pretended in the article , or rather he may be justly accused of the greatest inhumanity to say no worse ; who when he thought this family was in so deplorable a condition , as he describes , and the castillians so disposed to an accommodation , procured no better terms for them , as he certainly might have done while the treaty lasted , and the business of the prince of conde was in agitation . but still he clears himself of that which would have rendered him more infamous to posterity ; of engaging his master in so black a crime , as is a premeditated willful perjury . but by whose fault soever it was , this is certain , that the peace was no sooner ratified on both sides , confirm'd by the marriage between the french king , and the infanta of spain , and sworn to at the high altar before the sacrament , which was exposed on this occasion ; but while the people were every where making publick demonstrations of their joy , for so happy a conclusion of a long and calamitous war , great numbers of the most expert officers in the kingdom , gentlemen , soldiers , engineers , miners were marching towards havre de grace , in order to embark for portugal : these were afterwards follow'd by the choice of the king's troops , till at last the french auxiliaries in portugal amounted to near effective men. but this was none of the cardinal 's doing , for as little as he kept his faith with the portugueses , he dealt more sincerely with the spaniards , for he sent the marquis de choup upon the message mention'd in his letters , to perswade the queen regent to surrender up the kingdom , in hopes that the dukes of brogança should hereafter be made perpetual governors , or vice roys of portugal ; and these were all the instructions he gave the marquis , as the marquis declar'd when he arrived at lisbon , where he met with such a cold reception as his message deserv'd ; so far was he from giving any underhand encouragement to the portugueses to carry on the war , as some writers affirm he did with great injustice to the cardinal . it s true , that while his eminence was disabusing the portuguese ambassador , as to all his former promises , he entertain'd him in hopes that ways might be found out for the french troops to pass into portugal , after the peace was made with spain ; but when the count de harcourt offer'd the same ambassador , to put himself with two regiments into the portuguese service , in case he could but have the tacit consent of france , he was not only denied by the cardinal , but told that if he persisted in the design , he should forfeit the place of grand ecuyer , which had been granted to his son , the count d' armagnac ; so that the cardinal seems to be pretty clear of this so great and direct a violation of the new made treaty . nor is it to be thought that his master could have any hand in it ; for his most christian majesty to manifest to the world , how disposed he was to observe the oath he had so religiously taken , when it appeared that the portuguese ambassador was listing men in france , sent him repeated orders to depart the kingdom , and some time afterwards commanded the agent of the same nation to be turn'd out likewise , and publish'd his edicts to recal home such officers and soldiers as were in the portuguese service , confiscating the estates of the disobedient . 't is true , the ambassador after he had been order'd to be gone , continued sometime at havre de grace , with no less then officers , gentlemen , &c. about him , that he had raised for the service , and they did not lie concealed all the while , for the inhabitants of the town rose in a mutiny against them , for eating up their provisions ; and when they and others after them arrived in portugal , they were under military discipline , so that should they offer to obey their king's edicts , count schonberg who was their leader , might have hang'd them for desertion ; and the count for his part when he return'd into france , was rewarded with a marshals bâton : levies were afterwards publickly made indeed for the same service , but then it was done in marshal turenne's name , who took the portuguese affairs upon his account ; and when the spaniards made loud complaints of it , as a manifest infraction of the treaty , their ambassador was put off with a cold and contemptuous answer , that it was but the act of a private person , and that the court did not concern it self in the business . the same thing its true was at last done openly , and without disguise , but it does not appear where the fault lay then . as the french succors arrived in portugal , the affairs of that kingdom began to change face , for if they were before , as the cardinal supposed them to be , in a bad state , they now fell from bad to worse : the portugueses while they were left to stand on their own leggs , had as meanly as the cardinal thought of their condition , bravely defended themselves , and gain'd several very considerable advantages over their enemies , particularly at the two famous battles of montijo in . and elvas in . this last victory was the more considerable , for that it gave a check to the fury of the spaniards when spur'd on by the pope , who pretended he must be forc'd to acknowledge that king's title , they made their utmost efforts to quiet his holiness , and destroy them out of hand ; and had the year before taken olivença , the most important place for strength next to elvas , that the portugueses had ; and that year don luis de haro , himself at the head of all the forces he could muster together , had obliged them to rise from the siege of badajoz , at the very time when the place was reduc'd to extremity , but at the last they entirely routed don luis , when he laid siege to elvas , which defeat so disheartned the spaniards , that for the two following years , they gave the portugueses little trouble ; it seems they thought fit to defer their revenge till the peace was made with the french , and then they took it to some purpose , on the portugueses and the french together . for in the years and . don john of austria , at the head of a small army , in all not amounting to , but consisting of veteran troops drawn from italy and flanders , entred portugal , ravaging , spoiling and burning all before him ; 't is true , he never gain'd any set battle , for by all the havock he made , he never could provoke the enemy to fight , though he several times sent them the defiance , and insulted them in their very trenches , so he contented himself with taking a vast number of their towns , many of them rich , populous and strong . the first year he took arronches and alconchel , and fortified and put garrisons into both places , in the former near men ; the next year he was early in the field , and in the heart of portugal , putting all things to fire and sword ; and lisbon it self was in such a horrible consternation , that had he marched directly thither , 't is thought he might have taken the city without resistance . but continuing to destroy the country , he sent a detatchment to take villa boim , a strong and rich place , but presently surrendered by a french governour . after this , he braved the portuguese army in their camp , under the walls of estremos , but in vain , for it was impossible to draw them to a battle ; he then took borba , a place of small strength indeed , but desperately defended , for it had a portuguese governor . next he laid siege to geromenha , a place strongly situated and fortified after the modern way , with a garrison of men , and provided with all things necessary for a stout defense , but surrendered in a months time after the portuguese army had in vain attempted to relieve it ; this done , don john would have fought the portugueses , but found they had alter'd their mind , and having strongly intrench'd themselves near villa viçosa , patiently beheld him ravaging the country round about them , he seeing he could do no good upon them , took veyros and blew up the castle , enter'd monforte , and put a garrison in it ; destroy'd alter-chaon , cabeça de vide , and alter poderoso , and all the country round about . he then took crato , and in it the portugueses stores and provisions , ordering the governor to be shot to death for making resistance , upon that , assumar was presently surrendered to him ; he would have taken possession likewise of alegrete , but that place , as it must be acknowledg'd , was preserv'd by a french governor . for when don john sent him a menacing summons , he was answer'd with a present of two bottles of wine , the governor desiring his highness to tast what excellent liquor the place afforded , sending him word with all , that he was resolv'd to defend the town to the last drop . the jest took , and don john without giving the man any further trouble , continued his march , and entered ouguella without resistance , a small place but of great importance ; and having left two regiments in it the summer heats coming on , retired into quarters . the next year he took the field again with an army much stronger and better provided then before . he had no sooner past the frontiers , but he was expected at lisbon ; however , he thought fit to make himself master first of evora , the second city of portugal , as he did after nine days siege ; the garrison which was numerous , being made prisoners of war for that summer , and sent away into castille ; by this success don john became in a manner master of all alemtejo , or the country on the other side of the tagus . he sent a detachment of horse and foot down as far as alcacere do sal , a town situated upon the river sado ; not far from setuval , the most considerable sea-port town next to lisbon , and but at a small distance from it . this was done with design to encrease the consternation at lisbon , in order to don john's marching thither , to put an end to the war. the people of that city when they heard of his laying siege to evora , expecting that their turn should be next , were all in an uproar ; but when the news came that evora was taken , such a fury possess'd the city , that the better sort through rage and dispair joyn'd the rabble , and all in a common mob , fell a committing such outrages , that they seem'd resolv'd to prevent the spaniards , and finish their own ruin themselves . their violence was not a little increas'd by antonio de sousa , a man never good at dealing with a multitude . he thinking to amuse them and divert their fury upon the common enemy , would needs have a line drawn a cross the terreiro do paço , causing it to be published , that all those brave men that would pass the line , and come over to the side next the palace , should be chosen out to help the army in defence of their countrys liberty . the novelty of the thing drew an innumerable concourse of people together , who when their passions were up , forgot the enemy , and leaving the terreiro do paço , fell foul upon the houses of the ministers of state , such more especially , as had manag'd the military affairs , and after they had been ransacking , plundring and burning , whatever came to hand they return'd again , and it may have been through weariness , rather then want of will , that they spared the palace it self . these terrible convulsions seizing upon the kingdom , at a time when the enemy was raging in its bowels with so much violence , look'd like the symptoms of an approaching end ; but the english were now arriv'd and ready for action , and they by the quick and happy turn , which they gave to the portuguese affairs , recovered the expiring state to life again , and enabled that people to expel the enemy , and follow him into his own country , and to humble him to the condition in which he hath remained ever since ; but of this in its due place . as soon as the affairs of portugal were by the help of these their friends brought ( to a flourishing condition ) they could be in their circumstances considered , and the war in all appearance drawing towards a happy conclusion on their side , his most christian majesty began to have a particular esteem for the king of portugal , and to own him publickly for his allie ; and his affection for that prince was now so very great , that notwithstanding the engagements he was under to spain , not to concern himself with him : he was now resolved to stand by him , and take his part against all opposers , the spaniards more especially ; and to become ( as his majesty was pleased himself to express it ) his companion in arms ; he telling the portuguse ambassador at a secret audience in . that he was ready , not only to bear a share with him in the expences of the war , but likewise to accompany him into the field ; offering withal , of his own accord , to enter into the league which the portugueses had for so many years together implored in vain , during the time of their distress ; and more than that , was very urgent in pressing their consent to it . it s true , indeed the portugueses had never less occasion for his assistance , then at the time when he was so earnest with them to accept of it , but his most christian majesty had great occasion for theirs . for that king being then in his full vigour , and the very flour of his age , he out of his extreme thirst after glory , was meditating a suddain irruption into the spanish netherlands , several of which countries lying convenient for france ; he laid claim to them in his queen 's right , who being a child of the first venter , ought as 't was said , according to the laws of those countries , to have inherited them from her father , who died the last year , in exclusion to the male issue by a second marriage . 't is true , that princess had at her marriage made a formal renunciation of any right or title that might accrue to her , to her father's dominions , either in whole or in part : but in all other respects , the french king found himself in a condition to make good his claim ; his armies after a long breathing time had now recovered new vigour . his brother-in-law the king of spain was then but an infant under government of his mother , and the widow and the orphan were like to make but a feeble resistance ; for their best troops had been drawn from flanders , and consumed in this fatal war with portugal ; but however , for fear lest the spaniards were not yet humbled enough to be securely trampled upon , or if there were none else to fall upon them at the same time , might make some dying efforts to repell so unjust an assailant as they no doubt would take his most christian majesty to be . it was judged convenient , that while he was engaging himself in this hazardous enterprize , the portugueses should be set on to keep the spaniards in play , and animated to follow those deadly blows they had already given them , with a more vigorous prosecution of the war. and therefore it was , that france proposed the league offensive and defensive to this court. but to perswade the portugueses to imbrace the proposal , was thought and with a great deal of reason , to be no easy matter ; for as much pleas'd and elevated with their victories as they were , they had as great cause as ever to wish for a peace . that poor people had been in arms for these five and twenty years , and were now harass'd out , and almost spent in defending their country ; a small country indeed , yet but thinly peopled and stretched out in length , with a frontier of a hundred leagues , which must be continually guarded or lie exposed to the enemies incursions . in this long war their youth had been destroyed , their lands laid wast , their stocks consumed , and their moneys brought to an end ; so that should the war continue , let their victories be never so many , it must necessarily in a short time compleat their ruin. to a people in such a case , all talk of prolonging the war must sound so harsh , that it could not be imagin'd they should hear of it with any patience ; and that which gave the french greater cause still to despair of gaining their ends on the portugueses , these had now for some time been flattering themselves with hopes , that they should see a speedy end of their miseries . the stomachs of the spaniards were by this time come down , and they desired a peace as much as the portugueses ; sir richard fanshaw the english ambassador at madrid , had wrought so effectually upon them , that the articles were drawing up , and all things making ready for a treaty ; sir richard's secretary had been in portugal to give notice to that court of what he was doing for them at madrid , and he had signified by letters , that he was preparing for his journey to lisbon , in order to set the last hand to the treaty . these tidings had been received in portugal with the welcome they deserv'd , and the blessed messenger of peace , as sir richard was then call'd , was look'd for with impatience : they thought their condition upon his coming would be a kind of heaven , to what it then was , he being , as one of the great ministers express'd it , to let them in to the beatifick vision . the portugueses being thus disposed , the french saw plainly that it would be to no purpose to make any direct motion to them , for carrying on the war ; so that in order to bring the design about , it was thought convenient to take a compass , and all their talk was of peace while they were preparing themselves and inciting their friends to war ; or if war was mention'd , it was only by the bye , and as a last reserve in order to procure for portugal a more firm , lasting , and honourable peace . but to secure this , 't was pretended that a league with france was absolutely necessary for portugal , france being alone able , as they said , to procure good conditions from the spaniards , and to see they should be well observ'd . to this purpose had messieurs , turenne and colbert been several times discoursing with the portuguese minister at paris . and that the portugueses might be sensible that nothing but their good was aimed at , the french ambassador at madrid , who was there making the most solemn protestations that the pirenean treaty should be kept inviolable , had orders likewise to interpose his master's good offices , and make a tender of his mediation to compose all differences with portugal , and put an end to the war : this offer being hearkned to as 't was pretended , the marquess de sande ( then at paris adjusting king alfonso's marriage , and having the character of an ambassador for that business only ) was sent for to the secret audience before mention'd , and told that the queen regent of spain had accepted of the mediation , and that in case such proposals were made by that court as were fit to be accepted , the french ambassador there had orders to make a journey to lisbon and conclude the peace ; or if any thing should detain him , he was to communicate the proposals to the abbè de s. romain at lisbon , who should impart them to the portuguese ministers ; there being no doubt but that the peace would be soon adjusted , considering to what a miserable condition the portugueses had reduced the spanish monarchy . but then his majesty did not think it adviseable for them to take up with any doubtful or fallacious truce , and in conclusion , bid the marquess assure the king of portugal , that in case a peace ensued , he himself would be the guarant ; if a war , he would both bear a share in the expences , and become the king of portugal's companion in the field . monsieur de s. romain had the good fortune to arrive in portugal , and got audience at the court which was then at salva terra , before sir richard fanshaw came there , and he displayed all his eloquence , in setting forth that the king his master had so sincere an affection for portugal , that understanding the spaniards were coming to an accommodation , he was very desirous to see the peace adjusted , on condition that the proposals made by spain were advantageous and honourable ; but in case they should prove otherwise , he was ready to assist the portugueses with his troops , fleets and money at their choice , and as their occasions should require . these fine words as they were not wholly lost , yet had not that effect upon the court , as to dispose them for a league with france ; they were wishing still for sir richard fanshaw's coming , and testified their satisfaction at his arrival , by giving him the most splendid reception that was possible at that distance from lisbon , but all the hopes conceiv'd on both sides from this treaty soon vanish'd ; for sir richard had so order'd matters , that the treaty was to be enter'd upon as between kingdom and kingdom , by which means the spaniards would have been excus'd from making any formal acknowledgment of the king of portugal's title . this so disgusted the portugueses , whose spirits had been mightily rais'd by their late successes , and perhaps not a little by these large promises from france , that they return'd back the proposals without looking further then the inscription , with a short answer , that they never would have peace with spain , unless it were made between king and king. the english ambassador returning to madrid , found the spaniards become as high on their side , and utterly averse from renewing the treaty ; those fears which had been a great motive to them in advancing so far as they had gone already , were over for the present . they had been all along guessing at the true design of those great levies that the french were making , which notwithstanding all the french protestations and offers of mediation , had given them terrible apprehensions , and therefore that they might put themselves into some posture of defence against so powerful an agressor , they had been prevail'd with to enter upon a treaty with portugal . but now they were of another mind , for a war was broken out of a suddain between england and france , which secured them for that time from any attempt of the french upon flanders ; and should this war continue , the english having the dutch and french to deal with at the same time , might not be in a condition to send supplies to portugal , and in case that kingdom were once abandon'd by them , there might be hopes of reducing it again to the same state in which the english found it . but notwithstanding this backwardness of the spaniards , and the occasion of it , the portugueses could not yet be brought to consent to the french league ; for as great as their danger was from the enemy , they thought it seems they should run a greater risk by this engagement with their pretended friends . all monsieur de s romain's rhetorick could not prevail with them to sign it this year , though the french interest had been much increased by the king of portugal's marriage , and the arrival of fresh supplies from france ; and their fortune in the war instead of making any progress , seem'd to be at a stand , or rather had receiv'd some very considerable checks this year . but then they were unprovided with moneys to bear the expenses of the next campagne , and at a loss where to seek for a supply ; the french indeed continued to make their large offers , but their kindness was look'd upon as the last remedy , and to be accepted of only in a desperate case ; and when they thought that they must at last have recourse to it , yet to show that they would try all expedients first before they would come to an agreement with mr. de s. romain , they made their application for money to the court of england , as little in a condition , as they knew that court to be , to furnish them after an expensive war with two most powerful nations , and such great calamities as befel us at home this and the foregoing year , but no money coming from england , they at last , viz. in the beginning of the year . yielded to the french importunities , and agreed to the league . the principal conditions of this league were , ; that both parties should have the same friends and the same enemies , england only excepted . that france should find as many men as were necessary to carry on an offensive war against spain , and all sea-port towns taken from the spaniards , were to be delivered up to the french. france was to contribute by way of loan one half of the pay due to the auxiliary troops , and give withal , by way of loan likewise , the summ of crowns per annum . neither party was to treat of a peace or a truce without the consent of the other . and it was agreed that this league should last for the term of ten years . had this league continued in force , it would have been to little purpose that the portugueses withdrew their necks from the spanish yoak , and so bravely defended their liberty as they had done in so long and tedious a war ; for they had now in a manner chang'd masters , and from being subjects to spain , had surrendered themselves up to the discretion of the french , instead of seeing an end of their miseries ; they had now in all appearance ten years of war behind still , and that not only a-against the spaniards , but almost all the world besides , that is , all the enemies that france should make , whose designs upon the universal monarchy , were then breaking out , and had they been suffer'd to go on , england would not have been long excepted out of the number . it may justly deserve ones wonder , that so able and clear sighted a minister , as all parties allow the conde de castelmelhor to have been , should upon any account whatsoever be prevail'd with , thus to sacrifice the repose of his country to the ambition of strangers ; possibly monsieur de s. romain might make his advantage of the disorders that the court was in at that time , and the conde see that the faction which had been formerly against him , was grown to such a head , that the fury of the people when diverted from a foreign enemy , was like to turn upon himself and his master , and might therefore think of securing to himself a place of retreat , when the storm that was a gathering should break upon his head. but if these were his thoughts he found himself afterwards much out in his measures , for whatsoever promises france might have made him when in power , yet after his fall , tho' he betook himself to that kingdom , he staid not long there , but found himself oblig'd to seek for refuge in another country ; and so far was he from securing himself at home by this unhappy league , that 't is thought it did but hasten his master's ruin and his own , by increasing the peoples murmurs against them . this is certain , his enemies pretended that it was made in an undue manner , without either the advice or consent of the council , or the three estates , to the violation , as they said , of the rights and liberties of the kingdom . the french king having thus found work for the spaniards at home , while his ambassador was assuring the court of madrid , that if there were any faith in his master , the pirenean treaty should be kept inviolable , began the so much celebrated expeditions into flanders , and the franche compte conquering all before him . the success of his arms was so astonishing to those that did not consider how he had laid his designs , that the english and dutch who were but lately come out of the destructive war , that they had been prosecuting against each other , took the alarm , and together with the swede , made the famous triple alliance , in order to oblige his most christian majesty to lay down his arms. this made that king begin to show some deference to pope clement the th's . solicitation for a peace , and it was agreed upon by the parties concern'd , that a congress of their ministers should be held in order to adjust all differences ; of this agreement the french king gives notice to his ally the prince regent of portugal , to the end that he should send thither his plenipotentiary to act in concert with the french minister . and now to all appearance were the portugueses in much the same condition as they had been at the pirenean treaty , having no other hopes of a pea 〈…〉 e but what the french should procure for them ; and what reason could they have to think otherwise , but that they should be sacrificed in the same manner as they were then , and sold for some of the controverted places in flanders ? philipville and marienburg were their price then , as such of their writers that are most partial to france have declar'd to the world , possibly the spaniards might bid higher for them now ; and how could the portugueses be sure that they would not be taken at their word ? they had the french faith indeed for their security , and that engaged to them by the late league in a more solemn manner then formerly , but not in so solemn a manner as it had been given before to the spaniards , when it was sworn in the manner before related , that france would wholly cast them off , and not afford them the least succors . they were promis'd its true , that if they would but put themselves wholly upon the french , and leave them to make their peace , they should have such conditions got for them , as were both advantagious and honourable ; but then if france should think her self oblig'd to have greater regard to her own interest and conveniency , then to all other engagements , ( and that such a thing was possible some former transactions had sufficiently proved . ) in that case , why might the little kingdom of sardinia be once more thought to be a pretty convenient retreat for a king of portugal , or the office of constable of castille an honourable employment for a duke of bragança ? but in case france should think it convenient , to continue her self , or keep portugal embroil'd in the war ; then all that the spaniards could give , or the portugueses ask , might not be thought to be either honourable or safe , it was not thought so upon tryal as shall be made appear anon . but however , the portugueses had now their hands tied up , and could do nothing towards their own relief . to the french they had given themselves , and for any thing they saw , to the french they must trust . the prince was consulting about the choice of a minister , whom he should send as his plenipotentiary to aix la chapelle , when on a sudden they receiv'd an unexpected deliverance from these their pretended friends , brought them by the same hand that had rescued them , from their victorious , though perhaps less dangerous enemies ; but this likewise must be spoken of in another chapter . these are the most memorable transactions that have passed between the two crowns since that of portugal hath been in the house of bragança , and they afford us one single instance of the so much talkt of french friendship , viz. the sending of their troops into that kingdom upon conclusion of the pirenean treaty ; an action which the french or all people in the world should be the last to remember ; they were ashamed as they had a great deal of reason , to own it at the time , and the success that attended their auxiliaries , hath given them little cause to glory in it since ; but this kindness , if it was meant for such , has been more than out balanc'd by the hard usage which the portugueses have met with at their hands , for certainly never were people so trick'd , abus'd and trifled withal , as the portugueses were during the whole course of mazarin's ministry ; never were allies so dishonourably sacrific'd , as they were to an enrag'd enemy at the pirenean treaty , for i think i have made it plain , that they were then design'd to be utterly abandon'd ; and as for this last business of the league and treaty of peace , the french could have no other regard to portugal , than to make that kingdom to its own great prejudice subservient to all their designs . so that it must have been by other means than offices of true friendship , that the french have all along supported their interest in portugal , and many are of opinion , that their money hath had as free a course into this kingdom , as into any other part of europe . but other instruments are likewise made use of , and those of two very different kinds from each other ; but considering the genius of the portuguese nation , it is very hard to determine which of them are the most likely to succeed . these are st . the ladies that are continually sent hither to marry with persons of quality , who when they match out of their own families , do usually supply themselves with wives from france ; and to say the truth , they have been furnish'd out of some of the best houses in that kingdom , and 't is reported , that the french king , to encourage these alliances between the two courts , allows every lady a portion , which perhaps contributes not a little to render them acceptable to the portuguese nobility , who for the most part are not very easy in their fortunes , and when they marry among themselves , have seldom any money with their wives , for in portugal blood serves instead of a portion . it is hard to give a particular account , what services these ladies do for the crown of france , but the portuguese writer that sets forth his king's pretensions to spain , gives a broad hint of what may be expected from them ; for he says , that of the several methods used by the french , to gain their ends upon those they have to deal with , that of sending french wives to govern them is the most infallible , and that they have found this a surer way to succeed , than all inveigling perswasions or specious appearances of advantage , and that it excels the force even of secret bribes ; for as he saith , they in consequence of their having married french women , shall be so bewitched , that seeing and knowing they shall seek their own ruin , as if led thereto by a fatal kind of necessity . it is true , this portuguese speaks in the person of a spanish noble man , and lays the scene in that court , where i believe there are as yet but very few if any such marriages , so that there is cause to suspect , that he speaks so feelingly from the experience of his own country . however by his leave , one that looks upon things at some distance , may be tempted to question whether the force of these syren's charms be altogether so irresistible as he makes it ; for portugal it self where they are more numerous than in any other country , stands yet undestroyed since their first coming in , which is now more than thrice ten years ; and indeed should we suppose the sex to have never so ardent a zeal for the grandeur of their monarch , one would think it should be not a little cool'd in such as are thus sacrific'd to his interests , and sent in perpetual banishment to so hideous a country as portugal must needs appear to them that have been accustomed to the gallantrys of a french court. but granting that the great monarch by procuring husbands for these ladies , doth most strongly engage them to his service , he by the same means disobliges a great many others , and renders them highly disaffected to his majesty , viz. the ladies of the country , who as 't is said , do not spare to make most bitter complaints of the wrong done them , by this intrusion of foreigners ; and jealousie , together with those other passions that usually accompany it , have no doubt as great an influence upon them , as loyalty and gratitude have upon the others : and the portuguese women , if they do not belie their character , are as subtle and intriguing , as the french can be : should they in revenge once take to politicks , why may they not cabal together , and form their faction too ? did they once set about it , there is no doubt but they have power enough left , to make a party of their own amongst the fidalgo's that shall be able to make head against that of their rivals . together with the ladies the jesuits are reckon'd most zealous promoters of the french cause ; these fathers as the world knows very well , have been always men of intrigue , since their very first appearance , and the greatest monarchs have thought fit to make use of them , in carrying on their desins . in the last age , the spaniards had them wholly at their devotion , and philip the d . was much obliged to the society on many accounts , and more particularly for their clearing his way to the throne of portugal ; had it not been for them , it is thought that k. henry the cardinal had according to justice and his own inclinations , settled the crown in the house of bragança , but king philip was then more in favour with the society , and therefore was the crown reserved for him . but as the whole order hath sometimes since chang'd sides , and come over to the french , these in portugal have not been behind the rest , and are now supposed to serve that party in this court , with as much zeal as any of their order do elsewhere ; some may perhaps be apt to accuse the society of inconstancy on this occasion , but if any do so , it is certainly without reason , for these fathers are still what they were from the very beginning . the fortunes of spain and france are alter'd , but not the jesuits , they continue firm to their principles ; it was for the interests of the society in the last age , as it is in this , to gain the favour of such as had the greatest power , the spaniards had it then , and the french have it now ; and therefore louis the th . is to them what philip the d . was . since the spanish monarchy hath been falling to ruin , it was time for them to make their court elsewhere , for it is not to be thought that they have less sagacity than those animals who are ready to quit a decay'd building when its fall is at hand . but that which is most to be admired in the conduct of these fathers is , that notwithstanding their being look'd upon as little better than spys to those aspiring princes that have bid fairest for the universal monarchy , they have yet manag'd their affairs with that dexterity , as to maintain their ground as long as they thought convenient in all other courts , even those not excepted that were like to suffer first , when ever the design should take effect ; several instances might be given of this admirable address of theirs in keeping in with all parties , both in the last and the present age , were i not to confine my self to portugal . in this court , they have enjoyed an uninterrupted reign from the time of simon rodriguez , one of the first companions of loyola , and the first jesuit that enter'd portugal . he getting into favour with john the d. laid the foundations of their greatness in this kingdom ; in sebastian's time the jesuits govern'd all , and the blame is laid at their doors i know not how justly , of the lamentable destruction wherein that ill advis'd prince involv'd both himself and his kingdom ; yet notwithstanding this , king henry the cardinal was wholly at their devotion . when the spaniards got possession of this crown , none were more zealous in their cause than the jesuits : yet when fortune began to frown upon them , and the present king's father regain'd his right , the jesuits were ready immediately to assert his title , and that not only to this crown , but to all the world besides ( by way of prophecy i mean , for in effect they are doing what they can to procure their so much talk'd of fifth monarchy for another prince ) and in all the revolutions and turns of state that have happened since , it was sure to be their side , which soever it was , that chanc'd to come uppermost . in the present court , their power is certainly very great , they having all along had the direction of the kings and both the queens consciences , so that considering how religiously disposed his portuguese majesty is , and his misfortune in having been so educated , that his improvements in knowledge have not kept pace with his other great accomplishments , their advice must necessarily go a great way with him , i find in a memoire written by one , who seems well acquainted with the secrets of this court , that the jesuits have a great influence , not only over his majesty , but over the ministers likewise , who are said to be obliged to these fathers for the great share they have in the government , and that one who hath the address to get into favour with their reverences , which is done by enlarging on the praises of the society , may makc a very good use of them in any business depending at court , provided that it doth not clash with the interest of france ; for it seems they have always an eye to that which is now the grand concern of the society . my author gives one signal instance of their zeal and affection to the french party , which shows them to be capable of any thing in order to promote that , even to the sacrificing of all other interests , it being of a design , which had it taken effect , must have outed the present ministers from court , or at least abated much of their power ; for it was to bring the conde de castelmelhor into business again , and that because they know him , saith my author , to be well affected to france . i cannot tell upon what grounds the conde is thought to be so inclin'd , he was indeed a kind of a martyr for the french cause ; for the league before mention'd is thought to have been in part the occasion of his fall. but his being obliged after all that he had suffer'd for them to take sanctuary in england , where he was honourably entertain'd , and had a noble pension assign'd him , should as one would think have inclin'd him another way ; its true , his eldest son the conde de calbeta hath married a french lady , but that was since the design i am speaking of was set on foot . but however this be , the jesuits no doubt hop'd for some extraordinary advantage from his re-admission into court , since they durst venture to offend the conde's great rival the duke of cavadal , from whom they were to look for a most powerful opposition . but as the attempt was great , the way they took to effect it , was somewhat surprizing , for the queen by the advice of father fuess her confessor , was to use her endeavours with the king to bring it about . it is no wonder that father fuess , being a jesuit , though a german , should desire the advancement of one engag'd in the french interest ; yet it is somewhat strange , that a daughter of the palatine family should so far forget her father's house , as to concern her self in such a cause . but they that are acquainted with the intrigues of the society , will not wonder to see those carrying on their designs , who in appearance should have the greatest reason to oppose them . my author who seems to be a very intelligent person , and who as i had it from a good hand , was both a countryman and a servant to her majesty , saith , that the business was brought so far to a head , that the queen waited only for the time , when her confessor should think it proper for her to break it to the king. how it came to miscarry i know not , but it seems to be now wholly laid aside , for the conde has not yet appear'd at court , and it was about . that this business was in agitation , since which time the duke of cadaval hath by the marriage of his son , to the king 's natural daughter , establish'd himself at court more firmly than ever . the french then having such powerful agents at the court of portugal as are the ladies and the jesuits , tho' their interest there be very consideraable , yet it is some wonder that it is not much greater , as without doubt it would be , were there not so wise a prince on the throne , as his present majesty . it cannot be denied , but that the french artifices in representing the late war , as rais'd and carried on upon a religious account , have prevail'd much , and that not only among the common people , but with them likewise that are in a much higher station , and have had in a great measure their design'd effect , in byassing peoples minds to the prejudice of the allies . it is reported of a certain very great lady , that when the news came to lisbon of a great disaster likely to befal some of the allies upon the coasts of portugal , she could not forbear expressing her satisfaction in a most unusual manner , that the hereticks were confounded . but there are not wanting among them some so much wiser than the rest , as to see through the french artifices , and perceive that all this trouble that they give world , hath some other end in it , than the advancement of their religion , and there are those that will not stick to give our king his just titles , of europes deliverer , and the restorer of liberty to mankind . as for the king himself , he is certainly not insensible of his own true interest , i have good grounds to believe that the levies he was making in . were design'd to help forward the common cause , and had actually march'd towards catalonia , had he not been assur'd from his ministers abroad , that the french were earnestly soliciting for a peace , and that the fortune of the war had not turned so much to the disadvantage of the allies , as to make them want his assistance . and few i believe doubt , but that the forces now on foot have been rais'd , upon a like design , should there be occasion for them ; this court being by this convinc'd what little account is to be made of french protestations of friendship , and where they are like to end , of these they have had as great or a greater share than any other people , and they find themselves now to be first mark'd out for destruction , for while they are caress'd by the french ministers at versailles and lisbon , those of the same nation are again making a sacrifice of them at madrid , at least if the author of the paper concerning the king's pretensions to spain , supposed to have been written by order of this court be rightly inform'd ; for there we find among other conditions offer'd to the spaniards in behalf of the duke of anjou , the re-union of portugal to the crown of spain , proposed for one ; so that the portugueses find it high time for them to look to themselves , and in all appearance , they will leave nothing unattempted to bring about that re-union , though in a different manner than is propos'd by france . of the interests of portugal , with relation to the emperor , holland , the northern crowns , &c. till of late years there hath been little or no intercourse between portugal and the court of vienna ; the reason of this strangeness was the cruel treatment of dom duarte , prince of braganca , and uncle to the present king : this prince at the acclamation of his brother king john the th . had been eight years in the emperor's service , and was in the post of a major general , under piccolomeni , and as it is said , he had signaliz'd himself with great courage , in the war against the swedes ; but he having no notice given him of his brother's design , the spanish ministers at vienna assoon as the news of the revolt came thither , procured a secret order from the emperor ferdinand the d. to have him arrested by way of reprizal , for what his brother had taken from them , and to please them , this innocent prince was by a manifest violation of the liberties of the empire , and the honour of the german nation , kept prisoner for sometime at grats , and afterwards sold to the spaniards for the summ of forty thousand crowns , and was by them carried away to the castle of milan , where he was shut up for the remainder of his life , he ending his days there after eight years of confinement . this dishonourable act of the emperor begat such a coldness between the two courts of vienna and lisbon , that there had been no communication between them till of late years ; the first advance towards a correspondence by all that i can learn , was not made till the year . when at the pope's instance , king peter contributed a large supply of money towards the expences of the war against the turks . but his marriage afterwards with one so nearly related to the house of austria , as her late majesty was , laid the foundation of a solid friendship , and it was generally expected , that this match would have brought the king wholly over to the austrian interest ; it was thought that there was something of a negotiation on foot , to engage him on that side in the beginning of the last war , viz. in . when the count de mansfield employed in the business of the king of spain's second marriage , took lisbon in his way from madrid to nieubourg , and the french ambassador seem'd to have smelt out some such thing , and thereupon by way of revenge , found means to mortify both the king and the count. for the king having ordered one of his ships to be got ready for the count to embark upon , the ambassador took occasion to acquaint his majesty , that the count de mansfield , being a minister of the emperor , and one of his generals , there was cause to fear that the ship which carried him would be attack'd by french men of war , which might occasion some distast between his most christian and his portuguese majesty ; the king was fain to hearken to the admonition , and digest the menace rather than expose himself to a greater insult , perceiving i suppose , that the ambassador saw plain enough that he was not in a condition to resent it . wherefore the count was left to provide a ship for himself , however the king order'd two of his frigats to convoy him to the mouth of the channel . as the war was drawing towards a conclusion , the king sent a most splendid embassy to vienna , at the same time when he sent another to the french court , as it was thought to interpose his good offices towards the drawing on of the peace . nor did the disgrace which befel the portuguese ambassador to his imperial majesty , break off the correspondence between the two courts , the emperor seeming now resolved to have his ministers constantly resident at lisbon , having never before had any such since the house of bragança was possess'd of the crown ; it is much for the interest of both parties to have a good understanding together , whilst the cause of the succession of spain is depending , for though in regard to that affair , they have different ends in view , yet they are both alike concern'd to act in concert , till the greatest and most difficult point be gain'd which is the exclusion of france . with the dutch this court hath had a fair and amicable correspondence ever since the year . when all differences were made up that had broken ●ut since the peace with that nation in . of which i shall say nothing here , since it would oblige me to give an account of the preceding war , which would take up more room then can be now spared . there seems to be little or no communication between this and the two northern crowns ; the great distance between them being the cause that they have seldom any thing to do with one another , all the business the danes and swedes have here , being about the trade for salt , which they load yearly at setubal , but this is easily managed by the consuls . the deserved esteem this king had for the great sobieski , and the marriage of prince james his son with the queen's sister , afforded matter for some reciprocal compliments between them ; but there was a difficulty in the ceremonial which would not permit them to have this little intercourse together . the king of poland in his letter , named himself first , which this court could not bear , and therefore refused to receive the letter , because that king is only the head of a republick , whereas his majesty of portugal is an absolute sovereign . the present king of poland's envoy , when he came to lisbon to notify his master's advancement to that crown , could not be received nor admitted to audience for the same reason , and not as some thought , for that this king refus'd to acknowledge his master or disapprov'd of his election . the princes of germany and italy can have very little to do here , and therefore little notice is taken of them ; the elector palatine himself having no minister residing at court. the elector of brandenbourg indeed hath his resident , but that is more for the honour and security of the person , than on account of any business , he being a considerable french merchant of the religion . i have not heard that since the business of the infanta's marriage , any thing hath past between this court and those of savoy and florence . the duke of parma hath had his envoy here upon offices of ceremony , i suppose upon account of his relation to the royal family , he being descended from a daughter of dom emanuel , that was eldest sister to her , in whose right the house of bragança lays claim to the crown , and consequently he would have an undoubted right thereto , were he not excluded by the laws of lamego of the interests of portugal , with relation to england . i believe there are no people in the world that have valued themselves less upon their friendship to the portugueses , or deserved more at their hands then the english , i should have placed them first , had i rank'd the rest according as they merit in the esteem of this nation ; for they well deserve to be reckon'd , and that in the chief place among the founders , the protectors , and the restorers of the kingdom . they have certainly been the surest and most dis-interess'd friends to it , almost from the time when portugal first became a nation , to the establishment of the now reigning family upon the throne . and in truth , the ancient portugueses have shown so much gratitude , that there remain in this country several memorials of the english generosity and valour , that have been forgotten by our selves , and are over look'd by our own writers ; but of late we have not had the like reason to commend their justice , though our nation in the present age , as great as the merits of our ancestors were , hath deserv'd no less at their hands . their ancient writers set forth at large , how great a share the english had in the first raising of their kingdom , and how they have since more then once rescued it from destruction , and there are those yet alive among them , that know very well how their deliverance from utter ruin , and that liberty and peace which they now enjoy , is owing to the bravery of our soldiers , and the prudence of our ministers ; but their late writers have not been so ingenuous as to deliver what they knew to posterity . it will not be expected that in so short a space as is left me , i should give a particular account of these transactions ; however , i shall briefly touch upon some of those that have pass'd in former ages , as they are related by the portuguese historians , hoping that it will not be altogether ungrateful to the english reader , to hear news from foreigners , as old as it is concerning his own country men : and some mention must be made of what the english have done of late years for portugal , and that both in justice to those , who by their wisdom or their courage , have contributed its present establishment ; and to excite such as are more able , or may have better opportunities to do it , to retrieve the memory of many signal actions perform'd here by our country men , which as great and important as they were ; they that enjoy the benefit of them , seem now resolv'd to bury in silence . it is agreed by the portuguese writers , the modern as well as the ancient , that the english had a great hand in the conquest of lisbon from the mores , whereby portugal came to deserve the name of a kingdom . they say indeed , that alfonso henriquez chang'd his title of count or prince for that of king , immediately after the vision of ourique before mention'd , but possibly the story of that vision may not be true ; and this is certain , that the three estates of the kingdom in their remonstrance to innocent the th . affirm from their chronicles , that this prince would not accept of the crown , till it was made tributary to the see of rome , which was not done till many years after the taking of lisbon , viz. not before . when pope alexander the d. by his bull still extant , conferr'd upon him the title and dignity of king. in their account of the conquest of this city , the portuguese authors tell us , that in the year . a great fleet from england , compos'd of several nations , and bound for the holy land , under the command of william longspè , passing by the rock of sintra . alfonso henriquez so dealt with the leaders , that they agreed to stand in to the tagus , and joyn with him in laying siege to lisbon , on condition that one half of the city when gain'd , should be given up to them : accordingly the city was taken after a siege of five months , and the slaughter of mores . alfonso offer'd to make good the agreement , and put them in possession of their part of the city , and to make an equal division with them of all that was taken , both within and without it , which they generously refus'd to accept of ; since as they said , they had not left their country to get riches , but were engaged in a more glorious design , and withall they did not think it becoming them to enjoy a sovereignty within another prince's dominions ; and so having accepted of a small share of the spoils , they proceeded on in their voyage . i will not undertake for the several circumstances of this story , for i believe some of them are not true ; i believe there will be no account found among those that have written of the holy war of any such expedition made this year , and the famous earl of salisbury , if he be the person meant by guilbelme de longa espada was not yet born ; and for many reasons we cannot allow the account of the slain , one is , because lisbon was then scarce big enough to hold so many . the present inhabitants cannot be suppos'd to exceed much that number , but the walls that are now standing , and were not built till . though they contain but a part of the city , are of a much larger compass then those that stood at the time of the siege . the strangers had then their camp upon the hill , where the monastry of st. francesco , and the church of the martyrs stand , which are now in the very heart of the city , and the portuguese camp on the other side was , where the church of san vincente is now , which is within the present walls , though it hath still the name of san vincente de fora , because it was formerly without the city . in effect , the ancient city of lisbon was not of a much larger compass then that of the hill on which the castle of st. george now stands , so that they that know any thing of the place , will never think that people could be killed at the taking of it , supposing every soul to have been put to the sword. however , that lisbon was taken this year , and that by the assistance of the english and other strangers , is agreed upon by the spanish , as well as the portuguese historians ; i suppose they were soldiers of fortune , as mariana seems to intimate , whom alfonso henriquez had invited thither with hopes of booty and a share of the conqusts . and it is not likely that they refused the reward promis'd them whatever it was , on account of their being engag'd in the holy war , for there remain'd so many of them in the country , that the want of them would doubtless have broke that voyage ; for those that stayed had the towns of almada , povos , villa franca , villa verde , azambuja , arruda lourinham , and several other places assign'd them , which according to the portuguese historians were all peopled by these strangers . almada which is a small town with a castle on a hill , formerly very strong , situated on the other side of the river over against lisbon , took its name as these authors will have it , from an english expression which they write vimad-el qu. we made [ ye ] all : but if the word must needs be of an english original , one should rather think it came from a more modest expression , viz. we are all made . they tell likewise , that the lords of the place who took their name from thence , pretended always to be of english extraction ; and that for this reason , those of the family have on several occasions receiv'd great honours in that kingdom . povos which is a town situated upon the river about four leagues above lisbon , was as they say , anciently called cornovalha , from its being peopled by cornish men , and afterwards corruptly cornaga , by which last name , i find the place called above years afterwards , possibly the reason of its being left off , may be the great abhorrence which the portugueses have for the first syllable of it , which a well bred man amongst them will never pronounce upon any account . the name it hath now is the common word for villages . in fine , it seems to be almost as usual in portugal , for such as would become of better families then ordinary , to derive their pedigree from these strangers that were at the taking of lisbon , as it is with us to have our ancestors come in with william the conqueror . such of them as continued at lisbon , had very great priviledges and immunities allowed them , as well they might , if one half of the city was their own by compact , and the best part of the kingdom , as the termo of lisbon certainly is , was owning to their valour . the licentiate duarte nunes de liam , who was a judge , and consequently must be suppos'd to understand the constitutions of his country , reports that these privileges were continued , not only to the descendants , from the first conquerors , but to the persons and merchandizes of such of their country men , as should resort thither ; and he saith likewise , that the succeeding kings confirm'd and observ'd them to his time , he wrote in the year . i have seen a large collection of priviledges granted by the several kings of portugal to the english , beyond those enjoy'd by the portuguese subjects , i know not whether i may call them charters . these were copied from the archives of the kingdom , in the torre de tumbo , but the most ancient was of king ferdinand , whose reign began not till . there are several of john the st . his successor , some of which refer to others granted by his predecessors . by this it appears that the english had a great hand in setting up the kingdom of portugal , and if the historians of this country deceive us not , they had as great a share in protecting and securing it , as often as it hath been brought into danger by a foreign enemy . twice it was like to be wholly over-run by the castillians , who had possed themselves of the greatest part of the kingdom , and gain'd a numerous party of the nobility over to their side , and had been very near taking lisbon it self ; the first time in the reign of ferdinand , the last of the lawful descendants from alfonso henriquez , the other time while john the st . from whom all that have succeeded him derived their titles , was strugling for the crown ; and they have been as often reliev'd by the english , and enabled to carry the war into the enemies country , our princes of the blood condescending to go in person to their assistance ; first edmund de langley then earl of cambridge , and afterwards john of gaunt duke of lancaster . and if after the several flourishing reigns that succeeded , they were at last reduc'd under the spanish yoke , it was because they were wanting to themselves , the english having sent out a gallant fleet , and army to their rescue , under dom antonio , whom they had made their king , but they would not accept deliverance , and so they remain'd under the power of their enemies . in the last war after the french had given them up , or assisted them in such a manner as they should not own without confusion , when all europe looked upon their ruin as inevitable , some of the most considerable persons in the kingdom , being so far of the same opinion , that they thought it now high time for them to save themselves , and make their peace with the spaniards , as the duke of aveiro and their ambassador in holland who went over to them ; cardinal mazarin making himself merry with our locker at the folly of all the rest , for not doing the same , and for thinking it possible for them to hold out longer ; don luis de haro , who was not accounted sanguin , making nothing of the little expedition that his master was about against the duke of bragança , for after this rate he is reported to have talk'd to king charles the d . at the pirences : those small forces sent by king charles after his restoration , by their unparallel'd valour , soon put an end to the quarrel , and the victories obtain'd by their means , being seconded as they were by the vigilence dexterity and conduct of the same king's ministers , recover'd portugal and restor'd it to the condition in which it now remains . these forces consisted of about men , formed into three regiments , two of foot which made near , and one of horse of about . they were at first commanded by the earl of inchiquin , but his lordship returning to england before they took the field , they were by commission from the king of england , put under the conduct of count schomberg , who had himself the immediate command of one of the foot regiments . they arriv'd in portugal soon after don john had made an end of that successful campagne , before mention'd in . and were dispos'd of into quarters till the following spring , when they joyn'd the portuguese army in order to relieve evora , but in their march towards that city , they were met with the news of its being surrender'd without resistance in a manner , and upon very dishonourable terms , though it had in it a garrison of foot and horse , and was provided with all things necessary for a stout defense , till such time as the army should come up and attempt to raise the siege . the news of this loss so struck the commanders of the army , that 't is no wonder it should put the people into that consternation before described . the conde de villa flor the gen. was so discouraged , that his concern appear'd to the very soldiers in his looks , which our men who had been used to see their commanders so dejected observ'd with indignation . a council of war being called , it appear'd that the army was in no condition to fight the enemy , and it was resolv'd not to attempt it as bad as their case was . something might have been done had evora held out , they relying upon the garrisons , fallying at the same time , when they should attack the besiegers : but the garrison was now made prisoners of war , so it was resolv'd that they should encamp themselves at a place call'd landroal , which lay so between the enemies frontier places , that they might cut off any convoys of provisions coming from thence . don john in the mean while having possess'd himself of so great and populous a city in the very heart of alemtejo , became thereby master in a manner of the whole province , and was providing for his army at his enemies cost , by putting all the country under contribution , for which end and to gave the greater alarm to lisbon , whereby to increase the tumult there , he sent that large detachment before mention'd , as far as alcacere do sal. the court at this time apprehending no less danger from the multitude then the enemy , and seeing the affairs of portugal to be in all respects desperate , was continually sending orders to the commanders to fight at any rate ; the army at last being reinforc'd with what troops other parts of the kingdom could send , or the garrisons spare , march'd towards the spaniards , hoping to find them divided , but not being able to hinder their detachments from joyning the main body , they were for retiring again . don john follow'd at their heels to give them battle , but they had pass'd a small river , call'd degebe , before he came up with them , and they had posted themselves so advantageously , that there were but two passes through which he could come to attack them . that where the portugueses thought the greatest danger was , it being in its self the easiest to be forc'd , was defended by one of the english regiments . don john made his greatest efforts to gain it , and there ensued a very hot dispute , for at several times he sent in fresh troops to renew the charge , which were as often repulsed with loss , so that he was oblig'd at last to desist from the attempt , don john found now that he had other enemies to deal with then those he had hitherto been used to . being frustrated of his design , he put a garrison into evora , and began to march towards the frontiers , where he expected to be re-inforced with fresh supplies , in order to return and both secure and enlarge his conquests . the portugueses began now to take courage , and perceiving don john's design , being press'd withal by repeated orders from court to fight , directed their march the same way in order to wheel about and get before him , which they might easily do , having secur'd their heavy baggage at estremos , whereas the spanish army was much incumber'd with carriages . however , the march of the portuguese army was so hasty , that as the conde da ericeyra saith , the english bore both , that and the heat of the sun with impatience . it s true , the toil which our country men under went at that time was very great , but least any should gather from that expression , that they show'd any great backwardness in the service , i shall tell the occasion of it , which his lordship is pleas'd to omit . the two armies were at a small distance over against each other , both making what hast they could to pass a river ( tera ) before the night that preceded the battle of amexial . the english being in the rear of the portuguese army , i suppose , because that was to become the front when they got before the enemy ; as evening drew on , the alarm was taken in the front , that the enemy was at hand , but then the english were at a great distance from that part where the action was like to be , and without them it seems nothing was to be done ; orders were thereupon given for them to advance with all speed , which they did as fast as 't was possible for them to run throughout the whole length of the army . their eagerness to engage with the enemy , and their pride no doubt to see so many thousands of armed men look upon them as their guardians , spurring them on beyond their strength , insomuch that several of them thro' heat and want of breath , fell by the way and some were lost ; but by that time they came up , the alarm ceas'd , and there was nothing for them to do , as 't was well there was not , for as some of the officers have assur'd me , the men were so faint , and weary , as to become altogether unfit for action ; such was the occasion of the impatience taken notice of by the noble author in his account of this days march. the next day the spaniards by reason of their slow march occasion'd by their heavy luggage , put it in the power of the portugueses to oblige them to fight . as the armies came in sight of each other , the english horse with a party of portugueses were commanded to dislodge several battallions of the enemy , that had possessed themselves of a rising ground , which the portugueses thought necessary for them , in case they should come to a battle . they did not only do as they were ordered , by driving those batallions from the hill , but they followed them into the plain on the other side , and found themselves insensibly ingag'd in a hot skirmish with the whole body of the spanish cavalry , that was conducting the carriages towards another hill a league off , where their foot had already posted themselves ; but they were so surprised and disorder'd by this sudden attack , that had our men been seconded as 't was expected they should be from the army , 't was thought they might have put them intirely to the rout. count schomberg saw what advantage was to be made of the confusion he perceived them in , and was marching towards them in all hast with such of the cavalry as were near at hand ; but giving notice of what he was doing to the conde de villa flor , he in all hast sent positive orders to command him back , possibly for no other reason but to keep up the custom of thwarting the count , who had hitherto been opposed in almost every motion he made . the portuguese commanders seeming resolv'd to spare the enemy , or give him any advantage over them , rather then suffer the count to know more of their trade then themselves , which without question was one reason of their former losses , as the deference they paid him afterwards was of the success that follow'd . the count obey'd the general 's orders , though with some reluctancy , but it was not long before he took the liberty to act more of his own head , and thereby saved portugal . the portugueses possessed themselves of the rising ground , from whence the spaniards had been beaten ; they on the other side retir'd to two opposite hills , drawing up the horse in a large plain , at the bottom of that on the right hand , and their foot on the tops of both , planting a battery of four guns on each . till three a clock in the afternoon , they spent the time on both sides in canonading each other , and some light skirmishes , without doing any considerable dammage on either side ; but by this time it was observ'd , that the spaniards fired more slowly then before , and played but four guns of eight that they began with , which made the portugueses suspect them to be designing ( as they were ) to draw off and continue their march ; hereupon it was debated in a council of war , what was to be done in the case : they had positive orders from the king and the conde de castlemelhor , to fight upon the first occasion , which they had great cause to dispair of ever being able to do , should don john give them the slip at this time , and be re-inforc'd with the troops that were ready for him on the frontiers . on the other side , the spaniards had so placed themselves , that there was no fighting with them , but at great disadvantage ; their horse which were double in number to the portuguese , being six thousand to three , had a large plain before them , and in regard to the foot , their advantage was much greater , yet not on account of their number indeed , for the portugueses had eleven thousand to ten of theirs . but they had so fortified themselves upon one of the hills , or rather nature had done it for them , that don john thought he could not have found a better , or more secure place of arms , as he told the king his father , in a letter after the battle , in which he compar'd it to the castle of milan , adding , that he thought himself so safe there , that he was almost asham'd of his over great precaution , and that the enemy in mounting it , came scrambling up like so many cats [ como gateando . ] but the truth is , his highness did a little exaggerate the matter , as two of the officers who commanded the party that did this feat , most ingenuously acknowledg'd , and thereby undeceiv'd me of an error , who could think little otherwise of it then as a direct precipice . each of them severally affirming , that neither they nor their men , made use of their hands in mounting it ; they said indeed , that it was very steep , but according to their discription , it could not be near so inaccessible as the spaniards themselves have made it . however , these difficulties weighed so much with the portuguese commanders , that the council broke up without coming to any resolution ; but for all this count schomberg was never the less attentive in observing the countenance and motions of the enemy , and carefully seeking about , where and how he might be attacked , when those that had been for fighting in the council , came about him , simon vasconcellos , more especially , who urged to him the repeated orders of the king and his brother the conde de castelmelbor , and it was agreed at last amongst them , even in the absence of the general ( one of them undertaking for him ) to bring it to a battle ; and as they were ranging the cavalry in order , the count took occasion to acquaint the general of what they resolv'd on , who now seem'd well enough satisfied , declaring that he for his part had been always for it . the fight began between the horse on both sides , the portuguese left charging the spaniards right wing ; i cannot give any exact account of the part which the english horse had in this action , not having had the opportunity to speak with any eye-witnesses of their conduct . however , those officers from whom i received my information concerning the foot , have assured me , that the horse on this occasion behaved themselves with the like gallantry , as their country men did in the other part of the battle , to be spoken of presently : though they had not the like success , they were commanded to begin the charge , and renew it several times together , which they did with their accustomed bravery , though they were oblig'd every time to leap a wide ditch , wherein several of their horses stuck , and the french who were to have sustained them , fired their pistols at a distance , and then marched off and sheltered themselves under a wall. but it seems our horse met with their match at this time , having to deal with a body of old german troops , who had learnt the trade as well as themselves ; for as 't is said , they kept their bullets till the english came close up to them , and were not to be easily broken by so small a number . while the horse on both sides were engag'd in a fierce , and for sometime doubtful fight , our foot were facing the foremention'd inaccessible hill , as the spaniards thought it ; the portugueses firing their muskets at the enemy , who was at so great a distance , that it was impossible to do any execution . the spaniards in the mean time playing with their battery from the hill , which did some damage to the english , who were to the left of the whole army , killing four or five men among their pikes . count schomberg who as being the author of this battle , had a more than ordinary concern upon him for its success , was now every where giving orders and encouragement to the officers and soldiers ; he coming to the left to animate his country men , as he then called the english , to behave themselves as became them , found that notwithstanding their yesterdays fatigue , the sight of the enemy had made them wanton , a thing as it must be confess'd usually observed in our soldiers and sea-men , when they are in hopes of an engagement . these were become proud before hand of their buff-coats , which as they thought they saw on the backs of the spaniards , don john's guards being cloathed in yellow . the count hearing some of them bragging how fine they should be , gave them a gentle reproof , by telling them , that the time to boast was when the armour was put off ; but seeing that the enemies cannon was like to prove troublesome to them where they stood , he ordered lieutenant colonel hunt , who commanded them at that time to advance nearer the hill to certain broken houses , by which means the great guns might shoot over them , and the houses be a shelter to them from the small shot . when the count left them , they marched as they were directed , the enemy as they advanced nearer , firing most furiously upon them , though they received but little hurt , even after they were come within reach of the small shot ; the officers suppos'd that the reason was , because the spaniards firing so fast as they did , neglected to ram their muskets , and that the bullets tumbled out as they were aiming downwards , before they could give fire ; they were confirm'd in this opinion , when they observ'd afterwards , that such as were wounded , had been shot in their upper parts . when they came up to the houses , it was found that they did not afford covert for half their men , and here the soldiers began to grow impatient indeed ; the place seem'd hot , and the enemy was near , and they thought it hard that they must stand there to be pelted at , whilst they might be in action , wherefore they were all for having their commander lead them on , and show'd so much egarness to be up with the enemy , that he resolv'd to gratify them , though he had no orders for it ; and so forward they marched through all the fire and smoak , that the spaniards on the hill could make . the lieutenant colonel commanding upon pain of death , that none of his men should fire till he gave the word ; when they were got up to the brink , the three foremost ranks were ordered to give fire at once , the first kneeling , the second stooping : the soldiers took their aim so well , that this discharge was answered with a dismal hideous groan from the dying spaniards , but being seconded by another , the rear half-files presently advancing and firing in the same manner , the enemy began to give way in disorder , our men perceiving their business to be in a manner done , gave as load a shout as 't was possible for them to make , and then fell in with the but-ends of their muskets , and presently put them into confusion , and in a short time entirely routed them beyond all possibility of rallying , continuing the pursuit for about a mile , having made themselves masters of the four pieces of cannon , don john's tent and rich baggage , and many of our men look'd upon their work as so far done , that they thought it high time to go to dinner ; for among other things , they had seiz'd upon don john's provisions , which they found just ready dressed , and were falling to , but count schomberg soon found employment for them elsewhere . this resolute action of the english foot occasion'd the famous victory of amexial , canal or evora , for the battle goes by all three of those names ; but the author of the second part of portugal , restaurado now lately publish'd , so orders the matter , as to communicate the honour of it to his own country men , and not content with that , he will scarce suffer the english to have any the least share in it . in his account of this battle , he without taking notice of any preceding action among the foot , sets himself and another general officer at the head of four regiments , in order to march up the hill , one of these he allows indeed to be english , commanded by lieutenant colonel thomas hunt , but then he takes care to drop them by the way . before they begin their march , the conde de villa flor is brought in to make a florid speech , which works so much upon them , that at the last words they are in motion ; but the english being to the left of all , and nearest the plain where the cavalry on both sides were ingag'd , are attack'd by four hundred horse with great bravery . but they forming themselves into a close body , the fire-locks keeping within the pikes , make such resistance by their repeated discharges , that the three regiments led on by the two commanders , continue their march unmolested . in ascending the hill they think fit that they might make sure work of it , to send a single officer to see whether the enemy might not have some horse there to oppose them . the officer does as he is ordered , making his way through clouds of bullets , as the author expresses it , takes a full view of the place , and sees no horse there ; with this answer he encourages them to make up to the top , and then the three regiments act over again the very same things which ( as it hath hitherto been believ'd ) the english had done before . this account publish'd , as it is , under the name of dom luis de menezes , who was himself in the battle as general of the artillery , and doubtless acquitted himself therein with honour , and afterwards had the title conde da ericeyra , must at first sight infallibly shake the credit of the foregoing relation , if not intirely destroy it ; and so put our country men out of possession of an honour , which till the latter end of last year , they had enjoy'd as their undoubted right . however , there are some further passages to be told relating to this battle , which may possibly keep the former account from being thought altogether incredible . but before any thing be said in defence of the one , or answer to the other , there are certain reports that have been current about lisbon for some years , which the publick ought to be inform'd of , and that in consideration of the respect due to one of the conde's quality . these reports are such , as if there be any grounds for them , may make one suspect that the conde hath been much injur'd in the edition of his works . it was the common talk in portugal for several years after the publication of the first volumn , that some other person besides his lordship , had a hand in composing and digesting his papers ; but then its true , that people differ'd much in their opinions concerning the person suppos'd to be thus employ'd , some would have it , that it was a person of quality indeed , but one of the other sex : others were for a certain priest whom the conde , as they pretend , kept in his house for that purpose . i will not undertake for the credit of either the one , or the other of these reports , as being altogether ignorant on what gounds they were rais'd ; but the truth is , there is great cause why they that wish well to the conde's memory , should be glad they were believ'd , and some passages in the book it self makes one think that there may be something in them ; the language bestow'd by the author on those he calls hereticks . our king charles the first for one , when he reflects on the behaviour of that blessed martyr in his last agony , is not common among men of the conde's rank , but seems to come rather from the indiscreet zeal of a bigotted lady , which is the only excuse its capable of . and as for the account now under consideration , the reader will soon perceive , that it savours strongly of something that i shall not name , but of which above all men in the world , one would soonest suspect a romish priest . but to our purpose . king charles the second being informed of the wonderful bravery of his soldiers shown at this battle of amexial , was pleased out of his pure liberality , to order forty thousand crowns-to be distributed amongst them . all that know any thing of the character of that prince , know that he was not to be easily imposed upon by sham relations of this kind , and it was as apparent to the world , that his exchequer did not overflow with money , and consequently it must be some very important action , that his majesty thought fit to reward with so large donative . but was it possible for so understanding a prince as king charles , to think it an extraordinary thing for above foot to make resistance against a body of horse ? yet this is all the part that our author allows them in the victory , only in conclusion he saith , that between horse and foot they iost about men , and that they and the french together behav'd themselves valiantly . our horse lost many more , the greatest part of them being cut to pieces by their renewing the charge so often as they did , while they were abandon'd by the french. but if the english foot did any thing to deserve the notice of their king , it was on the hill , against which they were at first posted , and upon which the main business of the battle was transacted ; for there by confession of all , the spaniards were strongest and were first routed , and unless it were up thither , our foot scarce moved from their first station . that they did something worthy of admiration , and upon this place we may appeal to the memories of all people of any curiosity in portugal ; for the fighting over of this and some other of their battles , was observed to be the main subject of conversation amongst them for many years afterwards , and their own officers in the army did not stick to acknowledge that the crown of portugal was preserv'd by what the english did in this ; but i am writing in england , and shall content my self with such evidence as is at hand . there are two gentlemen in london , who commanded in this very action , from whence the author of portugal restaurado hath excluded our country men ; the one hath a command in my lord of oxford's regiment , the other is one of the old gentlemen in the charter-house , who are so far from magnifying the performance , that they contradict some circumstances in the publick accounts , that made it appear more hazardous and daring then it really was . they know very well that they were not only engaged on the foremention'd hill , but that till the action was over , there were none besides them ; the former of these gives a very demonstrative proof , that they could have no assistants to accompany them at the beginning ; for where they ascended the hill , the nature of the ground was such , that it would not admit of the whole regiment ( the party consisted but of one ) for which reason , two companies that were to the left , were forc'd to return and joyn the other english regiment that was drawn up in the second line , and was commanded by colonel person . it s true , the three regiments might get up afterwards by other ways , but that they gave the english time enough to do their business for them , will appear from what follows . the conde villa flor general of the portuguese army , when the english were first in motion , was standing on the rising ground , which he had possessed himself of in the morning , that was opposite to , and a league distant from the hill , we are speaking of . he seeing the english making up to the enemy , and observing that contrary to the custom of the portugueses , they did not so much as once fire all the way , was perswaded that they were running over to the enemy , and instead of making speeches , to animate his own soldiers to follow them , was most bitterly exclaiming against the hereticks , declaring , that he wash'd his hands from having any thing to do in the destruction of portugal , or giving this occasion to the hereticks to betray them ; he was so fully satisfied , that this and no other was their design , that all they did whilst in sight confirm'd him in his opinion . mr. john cargill who was chaplain to the regiment , which the gen. was crying out against , being near him at that time , and understanding what he meant , but not having portuguese enough to speak to him , enquired for some body that could speak latin , and having found one , desired him to acquaint his excellency , that the english instead of being guilty of so vile a treachery , as he was laying to their charge , were doing him a most important piece of service ; but the gen. was not to be perswaded out of his senses , his eyes and his ears convincing him , that the hereticks were a doing that which , as he said , he had all along expected from them . he had seen them running up to the enemy , till they come so near , that they might shake hands , without doing the least act of hostility ; he presently afterwards heard a shout too loud , as he thought for so small a company to give , and he could think no otherwise , but that they , and the spaniards were congratulating each other upon their conjunction ; as for their general discharge it could be nothing else but a salvo , they doubtless shooting their bullets into the air. such were the speeches that the conde de villa flor made while our soldiers were beating the spaniards for him ; he chang'd his note indeed when he came afterwards to understand the matter , if it be true as 't is reported , that he said , aquelles herejes sam mel hores que os nossos santos ; these hereticks are better to us then our own saints . but for that time , all the chaplain could do in order to his conviction , was to prevail , that a messenger should be sent along with him , to see what the english were adoing upon the hill : in their way they met count schomberg , whom mr. cargill acquainted with the consternation in which he had left the general . the count upon hearing this , gallop'd towards the general , and as we may suppose , disabus'd him of his error . the count was then just come down from the hill , for he having the concern of the whole battle upon him , found occasions for his presence in every part , and thought it necessary at this time among the english , lest their heat should carry them on too far in the pursuit , whilst their service was requir'd elsewhere . he had got up with them by that time they had follow'd the enemy about a mile ; and though he discovered by his words , and much more in his countenance , how well pleas'd a man of his character must be with so gallant an action ; yet they were his own regiment , and he check'd them for their too great eagerness , telling them that the enemies horse were making towards their country men below , and commanding the officers to rally their men that were then all in disorder in the pursuit and plunder . while his orders were putting in execution , he return'd to the plain , and when he heard mr. cargil's story , he rode up to quiet the general . after the conference between the count and the general , we suppose it was that the three portuguese regiments , headed by the two commanders , had the speech made to them , and were ordered to march up the hill , for it was just at this time that the enemies horse attack'd an english regiment in the manner describ'd by our author , only he gives a wrong name to it , for it was colonel persons ; and this was just as lieutenant colonel hunt's men , who had nothing to do with any horse , at all , were leaving the hill : for they having spent some time in getting into rank and file , were making what hast they could to joyn their country men , seeing four squadrons of cuirassiers charging them , who were so warmly receiv'd , that they soon wheel'd off , leaving behind them several of their men and horses upon the ground . that the portugueses did not ascend this hill before our men had been there and done their work for them , will appear likewise from hence : the author , saith that they began their march at the same time when seven other regiments of foot on the right , assisted by five squadrons of horse , went to attack the spaniards on the other hill , whom after some resistance they routed , taking at the same time the other four pieces of cannon ; but this was not attempted till after the english had been upon the steep hill , and as a great officer declared presently after , had not been done at all , were it not that the portugueses were provok'd to it by what the english had done before . however , while these seven regiments assisted as they were with five squadrons , notwithstanding the advantage they had in number and in the place , by much more accessible then the other , as appears by their making use of horse , were for some time put to it by the dispirited spaniards . our author assirms , that the three regiments knowing nothing of what the english had been doing ( for he mentions not a word of it , and has done his utmost to keep the reader from suspecting any such thing ) mounted the most inaccessible hill ; two of them directly fronting it , the third wheeling about to the right , all keeping their fire as the english had done , till they gain'd the top , which they all did at the same time when they make a general discharge , and presently put the spaniards into disorder , take their guns which dom luis de menezes turns upon them at the same instant , and put them intirely to the rout. but where these things to do then , the conde de villa flor must have been more in his wits then to make such an unequal division of his forces , at least he would have dispos'd of them in another manner ; he would have order'd the seven regiments to wheel about , in order to get up to this place , where the enemies chief strength lay , and had sent the three where there was less danger . count scomberg as least , who as brave a soldier as he was , was so prudent a general as to be always for making sure work ; when he came up to the english , would never have taken them off from the pursuit , could he have suspected that there would so sudden an occasion for doing over again all that they had done already . but the truth is , there is so great an agreement in some of the most material passages in this account , with what the english had been doing before , as 't is related by our officers , who never saw or heard of the d . volum of portugal restaurado , that they all seem to speak of one and the same action , so that there is cause to suspect that the conde had given an account of the part , which our country men had in the battle , and that the revisors of his papers , or which is more probable , the inquisitors when the book passed through their hands , out of their great kindness to the hereticks , resolv'd to make a portuguese action of it , by changing the names and time : there are more reasons for this conjecture , then are necessary to be told at present . it is not denied but that the portugueses might come upon the place where the action was perform'd , but it appears from what hath been said , that it could not be till the business was in a manner done , and till the english were about leaving it , so that they might have spared the officers pains whom they sent to view it , there being neither horse nor foot in any condition to withstand them . all the work that they had to do was , that usually done , a broken scatter'd and confounded enemy , and which a brave man will never by his good-will set his hand to , which is down-right killing . the english being drawn off upon a business that became them better , had not been long there after the enemies horse were repuls'd , but a gentleman came riding up to them from count schomberg with orders to halt , adding that the portugueses on the right had attack'd and put to the rout the spaniards on the other hill ; sometime afterwards count schomberg himself came to them , and order'd them to joyn the army that was going to incamp , it them growing duskish . the count staid with them part of the night , telling the officers many diverting passages , and we may guess at whose expence he diverted himself . were that great man alive now , he had no doubt before this time receiv'd from portugal a further occasion for his mirth . it is very likely that a person unskill'd in military affairs must be guilty of many errors in his manner of relating this transaction , but as to the substance of what hath told , he hath deliver'd it with that assurance which is natural to one who himself believes what he saith , he having receiv'd the most material passages from several competent witnesses , at several places and times , all agreeing with each other , and with what our author himselves relates , where he does not plainly do that which 't would be a great indecency to name . however , since many cannot have the like opportunities to inform themselves , he shall insist only upon this notorious truth : that at the battle of amexial , part of the english foot without the assistance of portugueses or others , attack'd a great body of spaniards , posted upon a hill by themselves thought inaccessible , defeated and routed them , taking their great guns , their general 's tent and baggage , and by this means occasion'd the victory , which preserv'd portugal from imminent destruction . this he believes to be so evident a truth , that there 's scarce a person of any considerable rank in the several nations , that were concern'd in the transaction , but either is or may be convinc'd of it by eye-witnesses , those that have convers'd with them , letters from publick ministers , or the like . and since on account of the suppos'd author's quality , the history of portugal restaurado is likely to be communicated to those that are in the highest stations , they who have prefix'd to it the name of dom luis de menezes , have done a great discredit to their cause , and a most irreparable injury to the memory of that great man. for while such as have a true sense of honour , shall think that lord could be author of a peace , wherein so little gratitude is express'd to the savers of his country , so much artifice used to defraud them of the honour got while they were exposing their lives , to rescue a distress'd people from destruction , and all for no other apparent reason , but our difference in opinions : for there appears throughout the work as great partiality in favour of the french , as prejudice against the english ; how vile a thing must they take this ancient popery to be , and how mischievous amongst the people , that can have so maligant an influence upon a noble mind ! certainty should dom luis de menezes prove guilty of so disingenuous a work. the general of the artillery did not gain more honour by his sword , when he fought at the battle of amexial , then the conde de ericeyra , forfeited by his pen when he discribed it . in this battle , the spaniards , as 't is said , of thousand , had kill'd , and taken prisoners , among whom were wounded . the loss on the victors side was inconsiderable ; for among all the companies that were ingag'd on the hill , there were but private soldiers , and an ensign kill'd . the portugueses indeed while they were killing the spanish foot ; and fighting with the horse , lost a thousand of their men , and had wounded . the king of portugal being very sensible of the great services done him by our men , resolv'd to bestow a largess upon them as a mark of his esteem . his gift was very extraordinary in its kind : for it was three pounds of snuff to each company ; and not despicable for its value , considering into how low a state portugal had been reduced . but our foot soldiers had not such consideration in them ; for when the present was made in his majesty's name , they took it and toss'd it up into the air out of contempt and disdain , and as they grew angry , they began to remember , not their own services , but the loss of their valiant country men of the horse regiment , and to vent their indignation that such men that had been so often commanded on to the slaughter , should be so basely abandon'd as they were . however , their passions cool'd , and they came to themselves again upon the first occasion for action ; and though they were to fight for portugueses , yet they behav'd themselves like english men still , insomuch that the remainder of the present campagne , and the two that follow'd , seem'd just the reverse of those made by don john the two foregoing years , and the beginning of this . soon after the battle evora was besieged and taken , and the next year valença in estremadura , at both which sieges the english signaliz'd themselves in their usual manner , of which several remarkable instances might be given . in . the spaniards made shift to bring another army into portugal , under the marquess de caracena , to be serv'd at montes-claros , in the same manner as don john's had been at amexial . in this battle while a whole regiment of french fairly ran away , some particular persons excepted , who came and fought by our country men , the english , as 't is said , contributed no less to the victory then they did in the former . but an account of these and some other very considerable transactions would come with a much better grace , from a portuguese then an english hand ; to commemorate benefits , being an office properly belonging to the receivers , wherefore it is to be hoped that some person of that generous nation will save us the trouble . if any such shall undertake to write a supplement to portugal restaurado , the portuguese mercury of july . will furnish him with a precedent in one particular instance , that 's not unworthy of his imitation , which since it proves the portugueses to be not altogether insensible of kindnesses done them , and shows that they may be ready to make amends for such omissions as we now complain of , i shall here set down , after having given a short account of the occasion of it . at the siege of valença , when the portuguese batteries had made a breach in the wall , wide enough for an assault as 't was judg'd by the general officers . the governor of the place refusing to capitulate , but on such conditions , as the besiegers thought unreasonable , it was resolv'd to attempt the town by storm ; accordingly the two english regiments were order'd to be in a readiness to mount the breach , they being to begin the assault at the firing of guns all at once . at the same time false attacks were to be made in other places , to divert the besieged , and two hundred french with scaling ladders , were to endeavour to enter the town where they found least resistance . when the english were upon beginning the assault , amidst vast quantities of artificial fires , which the besieged who were upon their guard poured down upon them : these fires happen'd to put the fascines that were in the besiegers works below into a flame , which the marquess de merialva then general , thought none so fit to extinguish as those that were to make the diversion , and therefore gave command that the french should lay aside their scaling ladders , and together with the rest that were to make the false attacks , be employed in quenching the fire . this being done , there was no body to renew their former orders ; the marquess indeed had call'd them off from what they were about , but 't was pretended that to command them on again , was none of his business , but count scomberg's , against whom the marquess at that time had a great pegue ; the count was then taken up in giving necessary directions for the assault ; in the mean time the signal was given , the english mounted the breach with great resolution , as many of them as could stand in it , maintaining a very unequal combat against the whole force of the town , while those that were below to support them , were gall'd by the enemies shot on all sides , insomuch that when they retired at last , it was with the loss of about three hundred of their companions . the place capitulating soon after the next news-book gave an account of the siege , and just made mention of this action , but in such a manner as to make people believe , that about ten or a dozen english men , and two portugueses had through their own rashness got themselves knock'd on the head ; for it was said that the information which had been given concerning the breach , proved a mistake , and so only the foresaid number went very bravely up and were kill'd , and that many were wounded although they did not come near the breach . this account coming out while the army was in quarters , there being some of our officers at that time at lisbon , they resolved to wait upon the secretary of state to demand reparation for this slurr put upon them , and the memory of their deceased friends . they had all along observ'd the portugueses to be free indeed of their verbal acknowledgements , but very backward in trusting them to writing , and they were now at last so far incensed , that some of them did not spare to give antonio de sousa the secretary very heard names , even when they came within his hearing . the secretary to their surprize told them in their own language , that some of them spoke broad english ; however they insisting in their demand of satisfaction for the wrong that had been done them , he promised them they should have it ; accordingly in the next mercury appear'd this additional account , which though it wants much of supplying the defects of the former , yet as it must be acknowledg'd , abounds with very honourable testimonies of gratitude . if mercury were a spaniard , he would make relations of things that never were done , but being portuguese , he does not mention those that were , unless it be upon exact information . since the last was printed , he hath receiv'd advice of certain actions , worthy to be remembred , perform'd on our side at the enterprize of valença , and it is but just that they should be related , that they be not deprived of that glorious precomum which consecrates them to eternity ; and to such honourable guests as the english are , the first place in this relation is due . four regiments were commanded to the breach , two portuguese and two english , one of these was count schombergs , the general of the strangers , commanded by his lieutenant colonel thomas hunt , the other was colonel henry persons . they went to the assanlt with the greatest valour , twenty with an ensign that carried the coulors mounting the breach , there not being room for more ( but some of the gentlemen under named will tell that they had much more company . ) for as 't was said in the last , the breach was not yet compleated , it being a mistaken information that was given concerning it . the twenty seeing themselves unaccompanied , were not discouraged , but they all fought till they died , the combat was so furious , that the coulors were burnt within the breach . the two regiments disparing now of being able to enter , might have made their retreat , but their great courage would not suffer them ; so they drew up at the foot of the wall , and though they stood with their breasts exposed , yet they fought to admiration with those within , as if they had been on the level in open field ; so of them were kill'd , falling in the same order in which they stood . among these were the said lieutenant colonel hunt , and his major john whitmore , and john fitz patrick one of his captains . of colonel person ' s regiment , william more , gregory noland and h. traverse , captains ; there were killed besides these three lieutenants , four ensigns , and seven sergeants , all worthy to live eternally in our memory and our gratitude , who with so much , constancy expos'd their lives for us . there were wounded , among these were captain francis stanly , and captain nathaniel hill of the foresaid first regiment , and captain thomas bonser , and captain john roch of the other , and without doubt they had all died , for they had no covert , were it not that the general commanded them to retreat , which they did in so gallant a manner , as rais'd a noble emulation in the whole army . and since they that were neither kill'd nor wounded deserved no less honour , by what they did , 't is fit it should be known who they were . of the first regiment were captains francis more , william love , henry boad and andrew maynard ; af the second besides , colonel person were lieutenant colonel john bellasise , major john rumsey , and captains richard heafield , and charles langley . certainly the english have behaved themselves with extraordinary valour , and to great satisfaction since their coming to assist us in this war , and that which they are particularly esteem'd for , is their orderly carriage towards the portuguese peasants in their quarters . on the second of this instant july , enter'd the port of lisbon foot soldiers arrived from england , which may in some measure repaire the number of those that died in valença , but not satisfie our regret for the loss of such companions . while the king of englands soldiers were fighting the battles of portugal , his ministers were no less busy in securing the effects of their victories , by negotiating the happy peace , which that nation now enjoys . king charles had so great commiseration for the portugueses when in their most deplorable condition , that sir richard fanshaw his ambassador at lisbon , had instructions from him in the beginning of the year . to interpose his good offices , and use all possible means in order to make their peace with the spaniard ; but the spaniard was then triumphant , and could think of nothing but making a quick dispatch of the war. when the condition of portugal began to mend , sir richard was sent upon the same errand to madrid , where 't is true , he did not meet with that success as was expected in his embassy ; for though upon notice of his arrival , such preparations were made for his reception , that the like had scarce ever been done for any ambassador at that court , yet upon his coming near madrid , he found the ministers mightily alter'd all of a sudden , insomuch that it was six weeks before he made his publick entry ; and the court prov'd so untractable and unwilling to accommodate their minds to their fortunes , that it was two years before he could gain any thing upon them , and when he had brought them to consent to a treaty at last , his negotiations did not keep pace with the victories obtain'd in portugal , as appeared by the great disappointment he met with at salvaterra , in the beginning of the year . about the same time when our ambassador was preparing for his journey from madrid to portugal , sir robert southwel was sent as envoy from king charles to this latter court , to assist at the adjusting of the peace between the two crowns . upon his arrival in portugal , he heard that mr. de s. romain had just got before him , which made him hasten to salvaterra , where the court then was . his instructions were of a fresher date then the ambassadors , and consequently more accommodated to the state of the portuguese affairs at that time ; but the ambassador being not yet come , he found the ministers unwilling to enter upon any business before his arrival , they expecting from him such conditions as should give them intire satisfaction . the ambassador not answering their expectation , but on the contrary highly disgusting them with the title of his project of peace , while mr. de s. romain was most profuse in his promises of the mighty things that his master would do for them , the treaty was wholly broke off for that time . however , sir robert southwell applying himself to the conde de castelmelhor , the next morning after the council had sent that hasty answer formerly mention'd , though he found him in a very great heat , yet had the address to pacifie him , and were it not that the case was soon alter'd at madrid , he might have brought the treaty on again . the conde expressed himself highly dissatisfied , that it should be thought that they would ever treat with spain , but upon equal terms , saying , that the spaniards might perhaps conquer portugal , but should never conquer the portugueses , who for their parts would first leap into the sea before they would come to any accommodation , unless it were made between king and king. but the envoy soon brought him to a temper , by representing that what the ambassador had offer'd , was only the first and rude draught , or the embrio as it were of a treaty , so that there was little reason for him to be offended at the inscription , which was a thing of no consequence , it signifying nothing what name or title was given it now , since no body ever christen'd a child before it was born. the conde as he was pleased with the conceit , so he would not deny but that it was apposite to the case in hand , and the envoy having assur'd him , that his instructions were ample enough to procure for portugal all reasonable satisfaction ; it was agreed that a new project of a treaty should be drawn up , which was done accordingly , by the ambassador and the envoy together . it contain'd the very same articles which with some small alterations are now in force , between the crowns of spain and portugal . with this they both took a journey to madrid , but the war newly broke out between england and france , made that court believe there was no such necessity as before of a peace with portugal , and so nothing could be done then for that year . by the beginning of the next year , the portugueses had concluded and sign'd their league with france . it s true , the conde de castelmelhor the supposed author of that league on the portuguese side , was the same year removed from the ministry and the court , but this together with the other changes that succeeded , was brought about by the queen and her party , who were more strongly ingaged in the interests of france ; the queen was so ingag'd both by birth and inclination , and perhaps much more strongly , yet as she hoped to be countenanc'd by the french court in what she had done , and was doing against her husband , and in her further design of marrying with the prince ; so that the french faction became now more predominent at court then ever , and they seem'd there not only averse to all thoughts of a peace , but afraid least any overtures should come from castille , to put the people in mind of it , wherefore the frontiers were strictly guarded to hinder all communication between the subjects on both kingdoms . the precaution perhaps was needless , for the spaniads whether it was that their thoughts were wholy taken up with the war they had then with france , or that they hoped when a peace was made with that crown by the intervention of other princes , that they should be able after all to deal with portugal , made no advances towards a treaty . this backwardness of the parties concern'd was enough to make a mediator out of love with his office , and might have given any other person then the gentleman that then executed it , just cause to despair of doing any good upon them . however , the english envoy was not idle , to bring two nations to a peace , and make them happy though against their wills , after they had been destroying one another for seven and twenty years together , was an enterprize so glorious for a young minister to effect , that one of sir robert southwell's character was not to be deter'd from the attempt by any difficulties ; but in order to accomplish his design , he was forc'd to go a great way about , it was in vain to think of succeeding by any direct application to either court , he was therefore fain to choose other instruments to work with , and his choice was so good , and he manag'd them so well , that he wrought out his ends by them , by disposing both courts for that peace which was concluded in the beginning of the year . to the unspeakable satisfaction of the two nations . at the battles of amexial and montescloros , several great persons of the most illustrious houses in spain were taken prisoners , in the former don gaspar de haro marquess de eliche , five times grande of spain , and heir to the two great favourites , the conde duque de olivares and don luis de haro , he being son to the latter . don anielo de gusman , eldest son of the duke de medina de las torres , and don juan henriques conde de escalante ; at montescleros , don diego correa general of the cavallery , and several other persons of the first quality . these noblemen had ever since their misfortune been confined to the castle of lisbon , where they were frequently visited by the english envoy . they had all along express'd a great esteem for our nation , and would sometimes treat our officers amongst them , acknowledging them for their conquerors , for they would by no means allow that title to the portugueses . the envoy having contracted a more particular acquaintance and familiarity with them , thought they might be of great use to him in prevailing upon the court of madrid to renew the treaty ; he saw that their prison was very uneasie to them , and that they were impatient to be at liberty , of which they could have little hopes till the peace was made , and the knew their nearest relations to be men of the greatest power in spain , who might by their solicitation be prevail'd upon to think of a peace . coming once amongst them , he began to upbraid them in a familiar way , for their remisness in not endeavouring to free themselves from their wretched confinement , telling them that they seem'd to have a worse opinion of their own condition , then some of the fathers had concerning the state of those in hell ; from whence as they thought there was some redemption . but he found them desparing of being ever able to regain their liberty ; so far were they from entertaining any hopes of it , that they told him , if origen had been a spaniard , he had never been so favourable in his opinion ; however , the envoy to show that he did not advise them to impossibilities , undertook to overcome the greatest difficulty , and make way for a free intercourse between them and their friends . this offer incourag'd them to write their minds to their relations in spain , in order to set them at work to bring on the treaty of peace again . they delivered their letters to the envoy , who so manag'd the matter , that the governour of elvas , one of his particular acquaintance , though wholly ignorant of the design , conveyed the pacquet to a servant of one of these noblemen , who was employed on the frontiers to provide him with necessaries . but to get answers to their letters , which they could not well expect by the same way , the envoy took another course . he had at that time an english frigat watching for him in the river , but he finding his negotiations to be now in a fair way towards a happy conclusion , instead of imbarking for england , order'd the captain to make a voyage to cadiz , sending on board him a servant of his , who had been frequently employed in messages of a like nature , with another pacquet from the spanish noblemen , who arriving at cadiz rode post to madrid , where the letters he brought with him soon produc'd their desired effect . whilst the english envoy was thus contriving ways to bring the court of spain to sue for a peace , he had a harder game to play still , which was to dispose that of portugal to a compliance , it was to no purpose for him to motion the matter to that court , at a time when it was become wholly french. as for the nobility that were then uppermost , they were either ingaged in the queen's party , or had commands in the army , which made it to be for their interest to have the war continue . but then there was at the same time in portugal a power superior to both these , and he thought fit in this case of necessity to serve himself of that , for the common good of all . the people ever since the revolt from spain , had been in possession of an absolute kind of sovereignty , and had on several occasions exercised the same over those in authority without exception ; as all the late turns and changes in the state had been brought about by their means , they pulling down and setting up as they pleased , so they kept those they placed in the government in subjection to their wills. their power was never more uncontroulable , then whilst they were deposing king alfonso , and placing prince pedero in his room , but had not yet fixt him in the government . they were at that time in a great ferment , and according as their motions were directed by such as had the art to manage them , they were like to bear down all before them : now while the greatest men in the kingdom were tampering with them , that by their means they might destroy one another , the envoy did not think it beneath him to be dealing with them too , in order to preserve the whole nation ; to this end he thought the fittest instrment he could make use of , was the juis do povo , and therefore he took acquaintance with him , and to keep him well affected , gave orders that the juis should have such work as there was occasion for in the house , that was proper for one of his calling , and he would sometimes condescend himself to discourse the man , incouraging him to contribute on his part by that great authority which belong'd to his office towards settling the nation , by an advantagious and honourable peace . the juis do povo is accounted the chief magistrate of lisbon , his office somewhat resembling that of a mayor ; he is not indeed of equal dignity with my lord mayor of london , which perhaps may be the reason why he hath a much greater power ; for he must be of one of the meanest hardicraft trades , whereby he is more fitly qualified to become the peoples head , and he does not think himself too good to become the ring-leader in popular commotions , acting as it were the part of a massaniello by law. great things are told concerning those that bore this office during the war ; king john the th . being observed to be a little remiss in the affairs of government , and too intent . upon his sports ; 't is reported that he once going to ride out into the country to hunt , the juis do povo laid hands on the reigns of his horses bridle , and oblig'd his majesty to stay at home and mind his business ; nor will this seem strange if his power were so great as they say it is to this day , that he could at a words speaking raise the whole posse of the commonalty . the envoy found the person that was then in place to be an honest well meaning man , and ready to concurr with him in his design , on which , as one of a moderate capacity might easily be made to understand , the happiness of his country depended ; and this man showed himself so very zealous and industrious to promote it , that his picture is to be seen at this day amongst theirs who were more immediately concern'd in making the peace . the envoy took care likewise to have his party amongst the peoples representatives in cortes , which were assembled some time after alfonso had been deposed ; his table was open for the members , and he had his cabals with them , the effects whereof appear'd as soon as the business came under debate . the letters of the spanish noblemen were answer'd with powers from the queen regent to the marquess de eliche , to enter upon a treaty with the prince of portugal , to the intire satisfaction of that kingdom . letters to this purpose were no sooner come , but care was taken to have the contents of them publish'd every where both in city and country ; the news was welcomed by the people , who now hoped to see a speedy end of their miseries , with such publick demonstrations of joys as it deserv'd , which the court in vain laboured to suppress . mr. de s. romain had now great occasion to bestir himself , but he found the people so prepossessed already , that all his artifices were like to have no effect upon them ; he therefore sets forth a memorial directed to the prince , the ministers , and the cortesoens , or members of cortes , wherein he declares : that the prince could not break the league with france , and consequently not make peace with spain both , because in taking the government into his hands , he took upon himself the obligations of the crown to maintain the treaty made between his brother and the king of spain , and in consideration of the great benefits confer'd on portugal , by his most christian majesty , who had given innumerable demonstrations of his friendship to that kingdom , having spent his treasures and the blood of his subjects in its defenec ; and likewise because it was impossible for an advantageous peace with spain , to be made with security in the form proposed , since the intervention of the king of france was wanting , wherein alone consisted the certainty , that the promises and conditions of the treaty should be kept ; that the castillians whilst they dreaded the armies of france and portugal , would indeed to free themselves from the danger they were in , submit to any terms that the prince as a conqueror should impose . but a few days of delay could be no loss in this conjuncture , and since france was not far off , he advised the prince to send thither a copy of the spanish proposals , and when he had received an answer from thence , he might then consult what was most conducive to his subject's good. as for the spaniards , they minded nothing but their own interests , and as they had shown upon several occasions , would never stand to the treaty , but while they were under an impossibility to carry on the war. that their ancient and inbred hatred was now mightily increased by the miseries which the valient portugueses had brought upon them , and therefore they in all future ages , would be indeavouring either by force , or art , or alliances , to reunite the crown of portugal to castille , and all this in order to take their revenge in so cruel a manner , as to destory the very memory of the nobility , by scattering over the face of the earth , such of them as should escape their tortures and poisons , and to impoverish the people to that degree , that they should have nothing left to enable them any more , to shake off their heavy and tyrannical yoke . the marquess de eliche who had his agents abroad , was one of the first that got a sight of this memorial , and he immediately drew up an answer to it , which he took care to have dispers'd throughout the kingdom . in it he sets forth , that the french artifices to augment their own power by weakning their neighbours were notorious to the world , of which there was no need to go far for a proof , none doubting but that they had succour'd portugal in this last war , to the end only that by other mens hands they might beat down the formidable power of castille , in order to become themselves too strong for both parties . that this and no other was their design , was demonstrated by their proceedings after the peace made at the pirenees , where the king of france in person gave his word to king philip the th . and confirm'd the same in the capitulations of marriage between him and that king's daughter , that he would give no succours to portugal against castille , and at the same time assisted that kingdom with money , generals , officers and soldiers ; that having obtain'd an advantagious match with the princess of spain under an obligation , containing the most binding clauses the law could afford , and confirm'd with the most dreadful oaths , that neither he nor his successors would make any claim of inheritance to the kingdoms or dominions of castille , he was now contrary to his promise , and the treaty making war against that monarchy . that he laboured to obstruct the peace with portugal , in order to divide the forces of spain , that he might the more easily seize upon that crown , in case the succession should fail ; that he might with the same injustice attempt the conquest of portugal , under the same pretext that he used in breaking with spain , viz. it s not being in his power to defraude his successors of their right . that though he now oppos'd king philip's right to that crown , he would doubtless make use of it hereafter as a colour for his unjust invasion . that the prince did not make the league with france , which as 't was notorious , was clapt up upon some secret designs without the peoples consent . that if the king of france could make war upon castille , on pretence of his want of power to deprive his heirs of the succession belonging to them , with how much greater reason was the prince oblig'd not to deny his people the blessings of an advantageous and honourable peace , after a cruel war of seven and twenty years , which had hitherto been carried on for that end only ? that if self-defence made the war be hitherto accounted just , yet when it could be continued upon no other pretence , then the conquest of other kingdoms , to which neither portugal nor france had any right , it would become unjust , displeasing to god , and consequently unprosperous . in conclusion , he declared that his powers were restrained to a limited time , for that spring coming on , the queen regent was about disposing of her forces as she should judge convenient , wherefore he desired that the prince would appoint persons to confer with him , about the treaty of peace , or else he should look upon himself as disingag'd from his commission , leaving upon the prince's conscience , all the mischiefs of the war , with the damages and inconveniencies sustain'd by the prisoners , who filled the gaols at that time . in this paper combat the spaniards had all the advantage they could desire , unless it were among such as either out of interest or for some secret reasons , were for having the war continue . the officers of the army would fain have had it prosecuted with vigour , that portugal by the conquest of the neighbouring kingdoms , might re-imbourse it self for the damages it had sustained in the sixty years of the spanish usurpation . the ecclesiasticks , the cortesoens , and the people were more loud and clamourous for a peace , as thinking the war would become unjust if it continued any longer , it being the common voice to be heard at that time , from the pulpits , and in the streets , that castille might have some pretensions upon portugal , but portugal could have none upon castille . but the court held out still , as being or seeming at least to be , utterly against the peace , and that possibly because the prince thought himself oblig'd by the french league ; perhaps the queen might be afraid to disoblige france by consenting to the peace , while the cause of her divorce and of her intended second marriage was depending before that court ; for should that court be dissatisfied with her conduct , who could tell , but that monsieur de lionne might never have found out the clause in the pope's bull , which at last inabled cardinal vendome to grant the dispensation ? this business was hotly debated on both sides , when the earl of sandwich unexpectedly arrived at lisbon from madrid , with full power from the king of england , and the queen regent of spain to conclude the peace . his excellency by his presence and authority , soon put an end to the dispute , for by this time , they that were for the treaty , had made their party so strong , that nothing could withstand them ; the cortes plyed the prince with three several addresses for a peace , and upon his demurring , to give his answer . the juis do povo came and peremptorily demanded his consent . the juis waited likewise on the earl , and upon his knees assured his excellency of the favour and protection of the people , in all his proceedings , and as 't is said , he went to the french ambassador likewise , to assure him , that in case he did any thing to obstruct the peace , he must expect to have his house pulled down about his ears . in short , the earl of sandwich by his prudent management , so order'd the matter , that in a very few daies all things were adjusted ; for his powers given him at madrid , bear date the fifth of january , . and the peace was concluded and sign'd the thirteenth of february following , to the unspeakable joy of the parties concern'd . by this peace the portugueses became an independant people , and were restored to the same condition with respect to spain , as they had been in under the most flourishing reigns of their former kings ; at the same time when their deliverance from the spanish yoke was compleated , they were set at liberty likewise from the french league , which might have proved the more intolerable bondage of the two , and all this without being brought under any engagements to their deliverers , the obligations of gratitude excepted : those indeed are the strongest of all other tyes upon generous minds , but then they are often complied with by a bare acknowledgment of the benefits receiv'd . having mention'd the benefits conferr'd on the portuguese nation by ours , it may be expected that an account should be given of those receiv'd from them . it must be acknowledg'd to their honour , that on several occasions they show'd a generous concern for our kings charles the first and second in their distress , doing them many good offices by their ministers , both in england and elsewhere , and that they gave a hospitable reception to the princes robert and maurice in their port of lisbon , though they were like to suffer no small damage thereby themselves ; the remembrance of which things proved no doubt a great motive to king charles the second , to take them into his protection . but as to returns in kind , thanks be to god , our nation was never in a condition to need them , and the forces of portugal are so limited , that little can be expected from thence , upon any the most urgent occasion . their concurrence indeed might have serv'd to a good purpose , in the leagues that have been made of late against the common enemy , if on no other account , but the conveniency of their habours , which in a war by sea , must have been of a mighty advantage to the side they adhered to : but they thought it was for their interest all along to continue neuters , and our princes have not thought fit to oblige them to declare , though in defence of the common liberty , in which they had as great a concern as others . we suffered them to enjoy the benefit of trade , which we lost our selves , while we were engaged in their defence ; we did not make the least offer to compel them to take party while they were wholly at our discretion , we being lords of all the seas about them , the ocean and the mediterranean , as well as our own channel . such a compulsion would have been to destroy our own gift , and take from them that independency we had maintain'd them in . it is the property of another monarch to treat as his vassals such sovereigns as he takes into his his protection ; to get them into his power , by assisting them , and then to serve himself of them in working out the ruin of their neighbours , and their own among the rest , whereas our princes have taken another course , and far from making their benefits uneasy to the receivers , or snares to entrap them withal , have treated them as sovereigns whom they raised to their own level ; and therefore notwithstanding their advantage of so much greater power , they have abstain'd from every thing that carried the least appearance of constraint , as thinking it beneath themselves to require such a submission even to their just demands , as might lessen the majesty of a crown'd head. such a generous proceeding must needs have wrought very much upon a prince of so great a soul , as his portuguese majesty is known to have , and laid stronger obligations upon him than all other considerations could have done ; and consequently if the english have not met with a suitable treatment in his kingdom , the fault ought to be laid wholly on his ministers and inferior officers . if the priviledges of our countrymen residing in portugal , granted and confirmed by so many of his royal ancestors , and ratified by solemn treaties , have of late years been either manifestly violated , or eluded by all the little arts of chicane , if during the last war his maritime towns that were almost the only ports in christendom left free and exempt from our dominion , became nests for french privateers , and irish pyrates , if by reason of our religious observation of the peace with portugal , these corsairs found a safer retreat at lisbon , o porto , and faro , than at merseilles , st. maloes , or dunkirk , and our merchant fleets were more infested upon the portuguese coasts than those of france , or in the straights , if our ships taken under their castles , and in their rivers , were carried up and dispos'd of in sight of the king's palace ; whereas by an express article in our capitulations , all english ships by whomsoever taken , when brought into any of the portuguese dominions , were to be restored to the right owners , and lastly , if on these and all other occasions , a greater regard was had to the french menaces , when they could do nothing else but threaten , than to our complaints , while we had the remedy in our own hands ; if any of these things were so , the blame ought surely to be laid wholly upon the ministers , to whom the king as hath been said , defers so much in the management of affairs , a prince of his portuguese majesties honour , justice and prudence , cannot be supposed to have had any part in such unaccountable proceedings ; but whether any of these things were so , it belongs to the persons more nearly concern'd to make out . in matters which fall more immediately under the common observation our english traders residing in that kingdom , have great cause to be satisfy'd with the portuguese nation , where they are treated with all the respect and civility they can look for , by a people who cannot be insensible of the great advantage that our trade brings to their conntry ; for we furnish them with necessaries of life , in exchange for supplies to our luxury : we cloath them with our woollen manufactures , and feed them in a great measure with our fish from newfoundland , and in exchange for these commodities , we rid the country of their wines ( and that at excessive rates ) which all of the wiser and better sort among them think much better parted with at any rate , than kept at home , nature having provided them a more wholsome and agreeable liquor . but it is not only the benefit of trade that recommends our countrymen to the portugueses , their fair and generous dealing in their commerce , used to gain them such credit , that palavra de bum ingrez , the word of an english man hath been taken for the best security ; its true , that in the inland parts , the horrid ideas the people had of hereticks , as they take us to be , made them look upon our countrymen as a strange sort of monsters , insomuch that when our little army first march'd into the country , the peasants instead of blessing them as their deliverers , would watch for opportunities to do a mischief to the straglers ; but the first campagne ended , they found them to be quite another sort of creatures than they had imagined , and began not only to take them for men , but for something more , finding them to be as peaceable and gentle in their quarters , as they had been fierce in the field ; for instead of domineering over their landlords , and playing the tyrants as the french men did , our soldiers spent their time in serving the people they were quarter'd upon , and doing any work that was needful in the family ; such an obliging carriage in men , whose bravery they had so much cause to admire , so alter'd their sentiments concerning these hereticks , that should an english man travel in the most unfrequented parts of the country , where the english name hath been scarce heard of , either before or since the war , he shall be received and caress'd with all the welcome the poor people can make , when a french man shall run the risque of being knock'd o' the head. i have mention'd this matter the rather , because the manners of our countrymen seem to be so much changed of late years , that perhaps it will be as great news to them , as any thing i have related , for possibly the people of ireland and flanders may differ much from the portugueses in their opinion concerning our english soldiery . the common people about the city are not observed to be guilty of any rudeness towards the english , on account of their religion ; such as have had cause to think themselves most exposed to affronts on this occasion , having never met with any , which in my opinion , ought in justice to be ascribed to the humanity of the portuguese nation , after they have been a little conversant with us , as well as to the prudence of the government . it is true , that opprobrious language to strangers is so severely prohibited , that upon complaint made against any that shall call an english man heretick , no punishment short of death , or the galleys , will be thought too great for the offence . we had like to have seen the last year an example of the king's justice upon an offender of this sort ; a certain lawyer in his pleadings , was pleased to bestow upon the english , the titles of hereticks , lutherans , schismaticks , excommunicated persons , &c. complaint hereof being made to his majesty , he gave command that the lawyer should be imprisoned , in order to his further chastisement ; the man took sanctuary in the church , but it was resolved in council , that his crime was of that nature , that the church could not protect him , and an order was given out to force him thence , but the criminal as i have been told since died soon after , and so put a stop to further proceedings . and this makes me almost astonished at the hardiness of the inquisitors , who in the preceding year , viz. . took an occasion to publish an edict in all churches , which is to be seen at this day on most of the church doors . ( i am sure it was not long ago , and is like to remain for many years as other orders of the inquisition that stand by it have done , it being excommunication to take them down ) wherein the english in general are stigmatized , not only for hereticks , but for usurpers likewise ; but this is an offence of too heinous a nature for a private person to animadvert upon , and therefore i shall content my self with having only mention'd it . finis . the portugal history, or, a relation of the troubles that happened in the court of portugal in the years and in which is to be seen that great transaction of the renunciation of the crown by alphonso the sixth, the dissolution of his marriage with the princess maria frances isabella of savoy : the marriage of the same princess to the prince don pedro, regent of the realm of portugal, and the reasons alledged at rome for the dispensation thereof / by s.p., esq. pepys, samuel, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing p estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the portugal history, or, a relation of the troubles that happened in the court of portugal in the years and in which is to be seen that great transaction of the renunciation of the crown by alphonso the sixth, the dissolution of his marriage with the princess maria frances isabella of savoy : the marriage of the same princess to the prince don pedro, regent of the realm of portugal, and the reasons alledged at rome for the dispensation thereof / by s.p., esq. pepys, samuel, - . [ ], p. printed for richard tonson, london : . running title: the history of alphonso, king of portugual. attributed to samuel pepys. cf. bm. irregular pagination. advertisement: p. . reproduction of original in british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and 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quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng portugal -- history -- alfonso vi, - . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion imprimatur , hic liber cui titulus , the portugal history , &c. ab. campion , reverendissimo domino gilb. arch. cant. à sac. domest . ex aedibus lambeth . nov. . . the portugal history : or , a relation of the troubles that happened in the court of portugal . in the years and . in which is to be seen that great transaction of the renunciation of the crown by alphonso the sixth , the dissolution of his marriage with the princess maria frances isabella of savoy : the marriage of the same princess to the prince don pedro regent of the realm of portugal , and the reasons alledged at rome for the dispensation thereof . by s. p. esq london : printed for richard tonson at his shop under grays-inn-gate , next grays-inn-lane . . the introduction to the ensuing history . history , or the true relation of the actions of publick persons , the great business and affaires of kingdoms , cities & commonwealths hath been evermore accounted not only delightfull but profitable , and indeed to be preferred before all other humane learning , it giving men a true knowledge of themselves . among the many remarkable stories , revolutions and tr●nsactions which this age or former hath produced in the world , i think this which sh●●l be related to you in the following pages , to be none of the least notable and remarkable , and worthy your note and observation , and the more being of so late a date , and among those whom we may call our neighbours . the fame of it no doubt hath formerly come to your eares , if you are not a recluse , and quite banished from converse in the world , you cannot but have heard something of the story from reports or publick gazets , but here is more amply and ruly made known th● whole transaction of it , even to the least circumstances , wherein is seen a great part of the wisdome and policy of the portugal nation . but for the sake of those who are not well acquainted with the history of the portuguise , i thought it not amiss , as an introduction to the following history to give you some little description of that country , and also a short cronicle of their kings from their original , to king john the th , the father of alphonso the th . the subject of this present history , and that with all the brevity that can be , being only to prepare the way for the history of king alphonso's resignation of his crown , and the advancement of the prince don pedro to the regency of the kingdom ; being never till now published , or made known among our country men . portugal then is part of the continent of europe , being the most westerly part of it , wash'd with the atlantick or western-ocean : the atmost bounds of the known world till the famous discoveries of the west indies . it was formerly accounted a third part of spain , and called lusitania , as the ancients would have it , from luso and lysa , the fabulous companions of bacchus : now called portugal , from portus gallorum , a great fishing place of the gauls , called cale , now caja , being scituate at the mouth of the river durius . it is in length , from north to south , four hundred miles : the breadth , from east to west , is , in the broadest place , not exceeding one hundred miles , and in the narrowest about eighty . the whole circumference about eight hundred seventy nine miles ; conteining about fourteen hundred and sixty odd parishes . it is bounded on the north with the rivers antinio and avia , which part it from galicia : on the south with the kingdom of algarve : on the west with the atlantick ocean , and on the east , with the two castiles , and estramadura . as for the country it self , it is hilly and not very fruitful , yet what corn and other things of the growth thereof they have , are very excellent and good , especially fruits , which they have in abundance , and those very delicious . it hath enough to maintain it self , and to supply others with hony , salt , wine , oyl , alumn , fish , fruits , marble . it hath also several mines . the air is wholsome , subject to heats , yet tollerable , especially to the natives , who are of a plain and simple behaviour to the rest of the spaniards , and have a great antipathy to them for their oppression , but have of late years bore up bravely . they have been and still are great navigators by reason of their vicinity to the sea , and have thereby encreased the dominion and riches of the nation by conquest and traffick abroad exceeding much ; being famous for their discoveries and acquists in the east and west indies . it s chief rivers are the tagus , famous for its golden sands . minius full of red-lead , whence it had the name of minium , lethes or lavada , muliadas or mundego : the duero and anas . none of them navigable but for a little space , being generally swift and narrow . the chief cities are lisbon , the kings chamber , a great mart , of old called osisippo , or ulisippo ; built , as they then held , by ulysses in his peregrinations . it is in degrees of longitude , latitude north , about seven miles compass , and contains about houses , divided into odd parishes . santaren or sancta irene , scituate also on the tagus . conimbra , seated on the river mondeso , a bishops see and university . braga , an archbishops see. porto , or portaport , at the mouth of the duero . miranda , a bishops sea. braganza , whose dukes are now kings of portugal . eubora , an archbishops see. portolegre , a bishops see. olivenza , a city seated on the guadiana . beja , anciently paxtulia now mean , an ancient colony of the romans . as for the language 't is a subdialect of the latine mixed with morisco ; the moores having setled in spain , years : a time sufficient to implant their language : but more immediately a dialect of the spanish tongue : being spanish more curtly and quicker pronounced : the castilians affecting long trained words , agreeing with their superb gravity . but besides this dominion , there belongs to the kings of portugal many other large territories , won to the crown by warlike and renowned princes of that nation , both in asia , africa , and america . but south of portugal lyes the kingdom of algarve , won from the moores , and annexed to the crown by alphonso the third . this regnum algarbiorum had its name as its supposed from its westerly scituation ; for so algarve signifies in the arabick . it reaches as far as st. vincents cape , or the southern cape , as the mariners call it . the chiefest places in it are niebla , once the seat of their kings . sylvia , an in-land city , a bishops seat. villa maona , scituate beyond the cape . tavila , faro , lagos , all haven towns. besides this there belongs to the dominions of the kings of portugal certain islands called the azores , seated in the atlantick ocean , directly opposite to portugal and distant from the land about leagues , found out and subdued by prince henry , son of king john the first from hence they reckon the first longitude , as formerly from the canaries , being accounted more exact . they are called azores , from the multitude of gosh-hawks found in them when they were first discovered : azor signifying a gosh hawk in the spanish tongue they are nine in number , the chief of them is the tercera , the place of residence of alphonso the sixth , since his resignation of the crown . the rest are st. maries , st. michaels , fayal . gratiosa , st. georges , duo , flores , corvo , from the abundance of crows therein . in asia the kings of portugal have very large possessions , with many forts and places of strength . the chief and richest is the city of goa in the kingdom of decan , one of the keys of the east-indies . here the portugals have their arsenals , with an harbour for their fleet. then they have diu a peninsula in the province of guzarate in the kingdom of cambaia ; here they have an impregnable cittadel . over against this place , upon the sea-side they are possessed of daman , a beautiful and a pleasant town . also chial a sea-town . solsette with a peninsula of twenty miles in compass containing about thirty villages , and inhabitants , with many other considerable places . in africa they have many large possessions in the kingdoms of gongo and angola till dispossessed thereof by the hollandar . but they are still in the possession of the islands of cape verd , so called because scituated opposite to that promontory , of which there are nine of them , the chief of which is st. jago . in the west indies , they are possessed of brazile , from whence we have plenty of wood and sugars , at least every year arrobes , every arrobe containing bushels of our measure . they have here thirteen captainships or governments , the chief of which is st. vincents . the rest are rio de janeiro , del spiritu sancto , or of the holy ghost ; porto sepurio , des ileos , or the isles ; todos les sanctos , or all saints ; penambuccio ; tamaraca ; paraiba ; riogrande siarra ; maragnon and para. having thus given you an account of the dominion of the kings of portugal , i shall succinctly give you a relation of their kings even to alphonso the sixth , the subject of the following discourse , but little more than naming them , it being not my intention to write their history , but only as a preparative to what i shall more fully relate , that you may not be altogether in the dark as to the succession of that kingdom . lusitan a being under the empire of the romans followed the fortune of the rest of spain , and was subject to the various turns and changes which often hapned in those days till the declining of the roman greatness , when the alans were the first that preyed upon it , and endeavoured to plant it , but they were soon driven out by the swemans , and sent to seek for other places of habitation : these made braga their imperial city , and enjoyed it for so he time till the great inundation of the goths and vandals , who overrunning the whole continent of spain , made all become vassals to them , and put this under their power and dominion . these continued here for a lorg time , and at last embrac't the christian religion , till the moors again like an irresistable flood coming out of africa , fell in upon them and possessed themselves both of it and the greatest part of spain . but at last after much strugling , many battels , and much bloodshed , this kingdom was in part recovered from them by the kings of castile , and by them enjoyed till they got a king of their own . henry the second , duke of lorraine , whom some affirm to be nephew to godfry duke of bolloigne , flying from the fu●●y of the emperor henry the fifth , came into spain ; where moved by the generous emulation of his uncle godfry , who was gon to the conquest of jerusalem , be offered his service against the moores , and by his many valourous atchievements against the enemies of the christian religion , he in a short time arrived at so great and consider able repute with alphonso the sixth king of castile , that he gave him his base daughter teresa to wife , with all those lands he had conquered from the moores in lusitania for her dower , the chief of which being the country about portus gallorum , mentioned in the description before , called then porto ; he gave him the the title of count or earl of portugal . and so he called the lands he had conquered from the moores in lusitania , by that name , as did also his successors and from thence proceeded the name portugal . this henry earl of portugal , having been a terror to the moores , and having enlarged his territories , being years old , lied , leaving behind him , by his wife teresa a son , who was born in the year ● , being years old at the death of ●is father , and succeeded him in his earl●om , and came to be . the frst king of portugal , called alphonso the first , after his grandfathers name . for being bred up in military discipline by his father , he prosecuted his 〈◊〉 against the moors , and all the kings his neighbours . the count of trastamarense despising his youth , married his mother teresia , upon which there fell wars between them , but alphonso behaved himself so well that he forced the count to give him his sister uracca to wife , with an addition of lands for her dower . he then made war with his grandfather alphonso the sixth , king of castile , and took him prisoner , but upon his release he had conferred on him the title of duke of portugal . after that he turned his forces against the saracens , and took from them leirida and torre da ova , and several other places . whereupon ismaurus king of the moores , with four other kings ●●s neighbours , invaded duke alphonso with men , but were by him utterly overthrown and discomfited , up on which memorable battel , he placed the five escutchions which are now born in the arms of portugal , in remembrance of the overthorow of those five moorish kings . his souldiers grown proud with this success , thinking the title of duke too low for his great merit , saluted him by the name of king , which he accepting of , the estates of the people , and all the nobility and gentry being convocated in the city of lamego , and in the church of saint almacave , they conferred on him the grown and scepter , and other ensigns of royalty by the hands of the archbishop of braga , and confirmed by the popes letters , they with joynt consent made him then king. and at the same time they made several fundamental laws , as a mutual obligation between the king and his people . among the rest were . that alphonso should be their king and his children and childrens children after him , for ever . . that the eldest son should succeed , but if he dye before his father , the next brother should succeed . . that if the king should dye without issue , having a brother , he should succeed , but not his sons , without the consent of the estates . . that if the king should have only daughters , the eldest should succeed after her father , upon condition she be married to a native of the kingdom , and that he be a nobleman , who should not have the power to take the name of king , till he had a son born , nor should wear a crown on his head , nor take the right-hand of his wife . . that it should be a binding law for ever among the portugals , that the crown might not descend to forreigners , if the kings eldest daughter should marry a forreign prince , she should be be excluded from her right of succession , for that they would not have the kingdom which they had obtained by their own valour , go out of the race of the portugals . first , thus alphonso the first obtained the crown of the kingdom of porugal , and within a while he added to his rown by conquest after a five months iege , the rich and populous city of lisbon , which ever since became the capital city of his kingdom , and place of residence for him and his successors . he made divers other acquists to the enlargment of his dominions , and being years of age in the year he died , leaving behind him sancho his son , who succeeded in his kingdom , and two daughters ; uracca married to ferdinand king of leon , and therasia , by some called matiida , married to philip the first earl of flanders . these he had ( with henry , who dyed young ) by a second wife ( for he had no issue by uracca the daughter of count trastamarense ) mafalda , sister to amadeo earl of morenna . secondly , sancho the first , and second king of portugal , son of alphonso , ( his only legitimate son that he had living ) born at conimbra , the th of november , succeeded his father , being crowned the th of december , , three dayes after his fathers death . he applyed himself much to the setling of his kingdom , and to tillage , and planting his country , therefore called the king of husbandmen . he by help of some christian souldiers put into lisbon , in their voyage to the holy land , invaded algarve , and took the chief city sylva ; although he did not very long enjoy his conquest , but was driven thence by the moors and had like to have lost his kingdom of portugal , being furiously assaulted by the moores . he took to wife the daughter of raymond berengurio , count of brachinona called aldonsa , by her he had children , sons and daughters . the sons were alphonso , who succeeded in his kingdom ; ferdinand , a man of great virtue and parts , married to joanna countess of flanders , and pietro count of irgelense . the daughters were therasia , married to alphonso king of leon ; mafalda , to henry the first king of castile , both after their marriages turning nuns . sancha became a nun of the order of saint francis , who lived about this time . biancha and beringilla , who dyed young . this king at years of age , and in the th of his reign dyed , being accounted for his virtue and goodness among the best of the portugal kings . thirdly , his son alphonso the second succeeded , born at conimbra , , was about years old when crowned king ; between whom and his brothers and sisters there were great jarrs . he was a man of an high and very willful spirit , and in his latter dayes grew so unweldy and fat that he could not prosecute the wars . he married uracca the daughter of alphonso the eighth king of castile and elenor daughter of henry king of england , by her he had divers children . first sancho , who succe●ed him in his kingdom . alphonso by right of his wife duke of bologna , afterward also king of portugal . ferdin and count of serpia . vincenzo dyed young . leonora a daughter , married to the king of dacia . alphonso in the year of his age , and th of his reign dyed , anno . fourthly , sancho the second succeeded his father , and was born in conimbra the first of september , being very sickly and unlikely to live , but came to the crown at twenty six years of age , spending most of his time in baths and hot-houses for the recovery of his health . he married with messa lopez , the widdow of alvaro de castro : she was accounted but an inferiour match , tho of blood royal , being made by his favourites , who with the assistance of the queen by reason of the kings weakness and indisposition made a prey of the people , and mightily oppressed them , so that they were enforced to call to their assistance alphonsus , the kings brother , who coming from bologna , possest himself of the kingdom ; sancho being forced to retire to toledo ; where addicting himself wholly to devotion , he dyed in the year , , at years of his age , having reigned years . fifthly , alphonso the third , who succeeded his brother , was born in conimbra , may . , educated with great care and diligence by his father , because of his brothers sickness . he married matilda , countess of bologne , widow of philipo crispo , and daughter of philipo augustino . he was a man of great parts , but they were over shadowed by his lusts ; for after he was setled in the kingdom , he repudiated his wife , and contracted a wicked marriage with beatrice , the illegitimate daughter of alphonso , the king of castile , and his concubine maria villenia . and notwithstanding the threats of the pope alexander the th . at the tears and complaints of the dutchess of bologne , he caused her to be crowned queen ; and confirmed his succession by the birth of three children , dionysio his eldest son succeeded in the kingdom ; alphonso , who married the daughter of prince emanuel , son of ferdinand , king of castile ; and ferdinand , who dyed young . he very much infested the moors , increasing his kingdom with the full conquest of algarve , with much glory and reputation . he died at lisbon , anno , at years of age , and of his reign , accompting from his brothers death . sixthly , dionysius or dennys his son succeeded his father . he was born on the day of the great areopagite , for whose sake they imposed that name , anno . he was a great and famous poet. he was about years of age , when he came to the crown , and would by no means admit his mother to the administration of the government . he never oppressed his subjects , neither with tribute or taxes ; yet left to his heir a full exchequer . he made many good laws , which are to this day observed . the order of the templers was extinct in his time , and he first instituted the university at conimbra . he took to wife elizabeth , daughter to peter king of arragon , who was most remarkable for her sanctity ; by her he had alphonso , who succeeded him , and constance , who was married to ferdinand king of castile . after he had reigned years , he dyed at the age of years , anno . seventhly , alphonso the fourth , and the seventh king of portugal , succeeded his father , and was born in conimbria , anno . he married with beatrice , daughter to sancho the fourth king of castile . a man given to hunting , and disports , to the neglect of his people , but being at last made sensible of it , he took the reins into his hands , and proved a good king. about the year , alboacen , the potent miramamolin of morocco , and granada , set himself against all spain , with an army of men , but 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 years , departed this life , anno , 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 , and was a-about 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 ●● 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 d of his age , anno , 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 , the onely son of constance the daughter of d. emanuel ; he came to the crown at the age of years , in the year . 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 years , and lived , being seised by a violent sickness gave up the ghost , anno , 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 , and entered into the government in the year of his age , in the year , 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 , also the islands of the madera ; and sailing along the coasts of africa found the way to guiana . king john reigned years , being made knight of the garter , as also his sons , the infants edward and henry ; and dyed in the year , 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 , and came to the crown about the age of 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 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 , and came to the crown at the one and twentieth year of his age , in the year . 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 year of his reign , and of his life , in the year . thirteenthly , john tho second , and thirteenth king of portugal , succeeded his father : he was born about the year , and entred into the government of the kingdom at the age of about 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 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 , and took possession of the crown about the age of years : he was bred up in all sorts ●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 ; 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 year of his life , and of his reign , in the year , 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 , 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 . years , and having made many excellent laws for the increasing and incouragement of traffick and navigation , he dyed in the th year of his age , anno dom. , 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 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 ●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 , , 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 thr●● scarce a year and a half ; he left behind his no issue . there went a report , that he esc●ped from the bat●el , and was found a● known in venice , ●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 age● years , and a church-man , they had n● hopes of issue , and his reign not likely to be long , there were many pretenders to th● crown , and it was all the discourse , wh● 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 children ; . john king of portugal , who had issue , john prince of portugal , who had issue , sebastian king of portugal . . lewes , infant , who had issue , don alphonso bastard , who had issue , christopher , and others . . d. alphonso , who died without issue . . henry cardinal , king of portugal , died without issue . . ferdinand , who died without issue . . the infant edward , who had issue , . mary , wedded to alexan. farnest prince of parma , a forreigner , had issue , reinuce prince of parma . . katherine , married to john duke of bragance . . mary , married to charles , the king of castile , and emperor , had issue , philip the d . king of spain . . beatrix , married to charles duke of savoy , who had issue , philibert duke of savoy . there were 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 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 the nation . but however upon the death of henry , which was in the year , and in whom ended the male line of the house of lorrain . eighteenthly , philip the d , 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 d , k. of spain , succeeded his father to that crown , and also to this of portugal , being the th 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 th , his son , k. of spain succeeded , and was the th 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 of feb. an. , 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 th 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 d 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 , , and . 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 family with the infante don alphonso . five years after it was further augmented by the birth of infante don pedro. the birth of these two infants filled the whole court and all the realm with joy ; but this joy was soon troubled , for the infant don alphonso , who had been taken at the age of three years with a malignant feaver , and with a palsie , which had caused a weakness on his right side , in spite of all remedies , even that of the baths themselves , having made use of them twice at obidos , had hardly attained to the age of years , but they perceived his malady had not only taken away the vigour of his body , but also of his mind : the king who was sensibly touched with this accident , believing that there was no remedy better than that of a good education , gave him to the tutelage of nicholas monteyro , a person endued with all the qualities requisite for that employment . a little time after the prince theodosius falling sick dies : his good inclinations made him be lamented by all the portugals , don alphonso was the only person , who was not touched with this loss , which was the less wondred at , because he was heard to say the first day of his brothers falling sick , that he should not be much troubled for his death , if it should happen , since he should thereby get a crown ; ambition having already filled his young heart with sentiments of that nature . having , according to the laws of the realm , called together the states general , to declare the infante don alphonso prince , some of them had thoughts of preferring to him don pedro , but that motion was not followed , either because they feared lest they might fall into the like disorders as happened in the time of the infante's don alphonso and don dennis , or else that the custom of the realm carryed it against all other reason . don alphonso was no sooner declared prince , and presumptive heir to the realm of the king his father , but he began to regard no more the advice of his tutor , nor the remonstrances of the king and the queen . the death of theodosius was followed a little time after with that of of the infanta jane . those tears which they had poured out for them were not yet dry , when there happened a new occasion to shed them , through the sickness of the king ; who dyed in november , a month fatal to the house of bragansa . as in the minority of the alphonso's they had always had troubles in portugal , this happening augmented the publick consternation . in this conjuncture they reflect on the death of theodosius with regret , as one capable to have filled the throne : they consider that the prince don alphonso was without experience , without understanding , and uncapable to govern the state. but the king in these last moments of his life , made appear his piety by his religious thoughts , and his wisdom , by the good order which he took in the affairs of the realm , in choosing the queen tutoress of her children , and regent of the state ; for he perswaded himself with very much reason , that she who had excited him with so much courage to take the scepter , would be capable to maintain it , during the minority of the prince . the ceremonies of the funeral being over , and the royal escutchions being broken in a thousand publick places , according to the ancient custom ; the prince don alphonso was shown to the people , and declared king in the ordinary forms . the same day the queen took the quality of regent . she had no sooner ordered the affairs of the state ( which she did with so much prudence , as if she had all her life time governed kingdoms ) but she named ( according to the will of the late king ) for governour of alphonso , don francisco de faro , count of odemira . but this prince , abusing the authority which the crown gave him , quickly scorn'd the advice of his governour , as he had also before that of his tutor ; since when no remonstrance , no address was able to restrain the impetuosity of his desires . the king having always the most liberty in the time of the * siesta , used to pass his time in the galleries , whose windows looked into the court of the chappel , where according to the custom certain little boys assembled to fight together with boughs : he took a very great pleasure in seeing this exercise , especially when the party he favoured had the better . among these petty merchants , who were lodged in the porches , there was one whose name was antony de conti vintimiglia , a native of lisbon , and originally of vintimiglia , a town in the country of gennes : the king perceiving this youth ordinarily to take the party for which he had the most inclination , he let him know how much it pleased him , so that oftentimes he came down to the door to entertain him ; this favour rendred conti hardy enough to make presents to the king of silken slings , gilded knives , and other toys proportionable to his age. the queen seeing that this familiarity passed too far , and that there might follow some trouble therefrom , ordered conti to come no more to the palace ; however he did not obey , but did it more cautiously . the king vexed at this , endeavoured to see conti with more earnestness than ever , so that they were fain to permit him to see him , thinking that their endeavours to hinder it did but the more provoke him to desire it , and that this permission would weaken his desire . but this condescention cost the realm of portugal very dear , and was a spark which afterwards produced a great flame . the king being now of age to ride the great horse , the weakness of his arm not being so much , as to hinder him from managing the bridle , nor that of his leg but that he could stay himself in his stirrops ; they resolved then to put the reins into his hands , which they did with the aid of don francisco de sousa , count de prado , master of the horse , and of antony galvao d' andrade , the chief querry ; but this exercise instead of putting him off from conti , did but tye him closer to him . there was in the court of lion , which they had chosen for him to ride the great horse in , a gate in a low gallery , through which they brought the horses for him to ride . the king was accustomed that way to let in at those extraordinary hours not only antony de conti , but also john de conti his brother , with other young boys , both moors and negroes , who in his presence used all sorts of violent exercises . he was not content with this , but he mingled himself among them , sometimes among those who flung the bar , and sometimes among those who flung dirt , and sometimes among those who fell to fisty cuffs , without considering that princes ought not to receive for companions in their sports any , but such persons , who are illustrious either by their birth , or by their merit . these testimonies which the king gave of a mean spirit , and of a violent nature , gave to the queen an excessive trouble . the count d' odemira was sensibly touched , knowing that they ordinarily impute the faults of princes to their governours , as it happened to don john alphonso d' albuquerque , who was charged with the cruel actions of don pedro , king of castile ; the count resolved then to withdraw the king , at what price soever he did it , from this shameful conversation . having one day found in the court of lion , the king environ'd by conti , and all that gang , he chased them away , he forbad entrance to conti , with menaces to chastise him if ever he durst return thither again : the king more troubled than conti at this prohibition and menace , retired himself into his appartment with excessive trouble . some of those who were about him had no sooner known that he was discontented with his governour , and that he had an affection for conti , but they let him understand , that to subject his own inclinations to the sentiments of another , was to consent to the ruine of his authority . this had such power on the mind of the king , that after this he rejected whatever advice they would give him ; he grew obstinate , even to rage , that he would learn no lesson , nor eat , nor drink , till they had brought back conti to him , so that they were obliged to bring him to him . in the court of lyon , they oftentimes for his diversion had dog-fighting , which combats were at first private , but at last they became publick . these mastiffs were kept in the great court of the palace , where being all sorts of dogs , and unty'd , they very often fell upon those they found in their way . the diversion of bough-fighting was brought also from the court of the chappel to the same place , and at last became so common in the suburbs , that what was formerly the sport only of little children , became in a short space to be a bloody combat . in all these diversions , those wherein the most blood was shed , pleased the kingmost . these disorders being come to that excess , his governour thought that it was best for him to find out diversions conformable to his humour , but that they might not be so publick , so that if any thing should happen that might be any blemish , it might be the less taken notice of . they resolved then to teach him the use of weapons , and they gave him for his master therein diego gomes de figueredo ; but they found it impossible to make him follow any method ; for he would not learn to do any thing skilfully , as he should do , but was all for downright blows . this exercise , handsom and innocent enough , became however very deadly and criminal , through the ill use that he made of it . that they might cause an emulation in the king , they permitted to enter the palace certain young men , who under pretext of making a flourish in his presence , brought with them all sorts of weapons , every one having a design to let him see his force and skill . but in these exercises there happened almost every day one or other ill accident , especially when they darted certain knives purposely made , which many times slipping from their hands , wounded some or other in the throng of spectators . john ●e conti was in all these exercises , and though his skill was not very great , he was still recompensed by the king , so that he became his favourite , insomuch that whatever violences he committed in the palace , were suffered unpunished . this example was the cause that those crimes , from which they had abstained before for fear of justice , were now committed with assurance ; so that the king hereby drew upon himself the ill-will of all the people , not only by his own actions , but also by those of others . they had lodged the infante don pedro in the queens apartment , that his union with the king might thereby become the more strong , and easy to be compassed , and therefore they had given to them both one tutor , that they might likewise learn together : but this did no good to the king , and was a notable prejudice to the infante ; for when they should have followed their books , the king would disturb them , and often interrupt his tutor , in reciting his shameful divertisements . the king and the infante had oftentimes differences between them , which being grounded but on slight matters quickly ceased : however the malice of his favourites fomented these petty misunderstandings , in such sort that the king put himself to oppose the infante on every occasion . it was at this time , that the favour of conti with the king , who was now sixteen , began to spread abroad ; certain courtiers perswading themselves that he had perfectly established himself in the heart of the prince , for that he had wholly destroy'd his governour , they grew so shameless , as to make him the object of their respects . after which he had the boldness to vaunt himself to be descended from a branch of vintimiglia , an illustrious family in the realm of sicily , and this was maintained by the testimony of some flatterers . for the most part the persons that came near the king were debauch'd in their speeches , and it was no wonder to hear him speak dishonest words even before the ladies . some of his councellors offended thereat , advis'd the queen that he might be removed into the new apartment , called the fort , where those persons who corrupted his manners , should not have so much liberty to come . to this end , the queen ordered he should be served there by don john de silva , marquess de govea , grand master of the house , garcia de mello , grand chamberlain , the count de padro , , master of the horse , don john de almeida , master of the wardrobe , and by lewis de mello , captain of his guards . the count de padro , being gone to command the army ; in his absence , the charge of first gentleman of his chamber , and that of master of the horse , were given to don diego de lima , vicount de villanova de cerveira ; they gave also the charge of chief gentleman of the chamber , to lewis de vasconcelos , and sousa count de castlemelhor . all these officers were to serve weekly , and to lie in the palace , and to the end that some of them might always be about the king ; those before mentioned , were to be relieved in the day-time by don vasco mascarenhas , count of obidos , nuno de mendosa , count de valdereis , lewis de silva tello , count de aveiras , and francisco de sonsa coutinho , councellor of state. all these lords having keys , to enter in at all times when they pleased . the queen ordered this project to be kept secret , and that they should keep open the door , which gave way for a communication between her apartment , and that of the king 's . but he soon frustrated all these designs . the count de odemira , his governour , having told him , that the quarter through which he should go out , was made up : he answered him briskly , that he would then go thorow the hall of the almane guards . the count having told him that there was a great many people in that hall : he replied , it was no matter , since it could be no better . by these answers of the king , they judg'd , that all things would be well , and they councelled him to pass by the antichamber of the queen , to shew himself to the nobles , and by the hall of the almane guards , to be seen by the people . this unusual thing made them believe , that he would soon have the government ; and every one conceived either hope or fear , according to the state of their fortunes . and now , since there were none near the king but those persons , whose merits begat them respect , he for some time abstained from seeing conti , and those of his cabal ; but this did not last long , for he quickly found ways to bring them to him . the king continued his exercises , but without any progress , because he neglected the lessons of his masters . he used his weapons with so much fury , as if he had been in combat , and he forced his horse in such a manner , as if he would kill him , or make him break his neck ; choosing always the most furious , and that which had the hardest mouth . one day when he was at alcantara , a place which he had chosen for his debauches , believing that they would be there less in view than in the city of lisbon , whilst the gentlemen who waited on him were at dinner , he went to go to azeytaon , followed by a small company of officers . he encountred upon the way a bull , which he irritated in such sort , that his horse having been wounded by that animal , fell into that fury and violence , that he flung him to the ground without sense . his servants running to his succour , found him cold . he was five times let blood for that fall . they made him divers remonstrances upon that accident , but it was with very much modesty , because those they had formerly made him were received with importment . those who had the most zeal for the service of the king , contented themselves not to approve of those disorders which they had not power to hinder . he did not only let beasts feel his fury , but he also would essay it upon men. one night as he was returning from palhavam , where he had been , he got loose from those who followed him , to take up his stand . and having perceived two men of a good presence , he put on his horse with might and main to ride over them , but his stirrop being entangled in the belt of one of them , he could not bring about his design . being vext he was not known , he turned about and drew his sword to kill him . when this man saw his sword in his hand , he also drew his , so that he was ready to repulse the king ; when the grand master of the game came in , and putting himself between them , he told the king it was not reasonable that his majesty should kill his subjects . at the word majesty , this man understanding he had drawn his sword against his king , with a respect mingled with confusion and fear , withdrew himself behind a wall , whither the king had pursued him , if that obstacle had not hindred him . after this , he stopp'd in the middle of the field to recount this action , which he praised as one most heroick . this adventure was followed with another , much more dangerous . the king passing before the noviciat of the jesuites , they put him in mind that over against it there were some lusty brave coursers , which he presently alighted to see . in the mean time while he waited for some torches , some-body told him that there were great mastiffs in the close of the noviciate ; upon this , forgetting the horses , he commanded they should open the gate . but when he saw it was not very readily done , he fell into a passion , and gave order that they should break it open . but as they began to do it , they opened it ; and the king negligently entring , got from those that followed him with one foot-man , only on foot. he had not gone many paces , but he encountered with three men , and he very briskly took his sword into his hand , they did the like . the king who was booted , had entangled himself in such a manner , that at the first thrust he fell backwards with a blow he received at the same time . his gentlemen being come in at the clashing of swords , and at the cry of the king , who at first , cry'd out , i am kill'd ; and a little after , i am wounded . he was presently carried to his palace in a coach , but his wound was not very dangerous . two of the men fled , the third was taken , but the master of the game hindered them from killing him . when the king had recovered it , and was something better , the councel of state ordered ( with the queens consent ) that they should go in a body together , to make him a remonstrance for the preservation of his person . don nuno alvares pereira , duke de cadaval , speaking for the rest , told him : that the councel of state , who were all there present , to satisfie their zeal , and the order that they had received from the queen his mother , from the infante his brother , and from the infanta his sister , and generally from the whole realm ; they were come to supplicate his majesty , that he would change that manner of living , which every day exposed his life to danger , and put the state into hazard of a deplorable ruine . that it was not reasonable that his majesty should be so careless of his life , nor just , that without cause he should take away the life of his subjects , which would alienate the love they have for him , in which principally consists the art of reigning . that his majesty would be pleased now to think of himself , and of all his subjects , who were ready to pour forth their blood for his service . that this was the only way to establish tranquility in the realm . the king was diverted from this remonstrance , by those who foresaw that the face of their fortune would be changed , if he should change his life . they had so well confirm'd him in the opinion , that there was nothing like the liberty of doing what one would ; that the counsel of these great and illustrious ministers , was unprofitable . his favourites were not contented to have rendred his humour violent , but would further , that he should give himself to naughty women , hoping that that passion would render him the more capable to resist stoutly all those who should go about to condemn his licentiousness . and indeed , they had ti'd him to it in such sort , that he observed no measure , insomuch that he would not so much as be thought chast . he had a gentleman that always lay in his anti-chamber , who never went to supper until he was in bed. in the mean time this gentleman was absent , the king often times arose , and arming himself as if to fight a battle , he went out of his chamber by a ladder of ropes , followed by antony , and john de conti , and some other braves , all armed as well as he , who seemed to breath nothing but blood , and slaughter . these braves , the king named the one fixos , the other porradas , words invented in favour of this new militia . with these people he ran thorow the streets , and entered those scandalous places , where they did a thousand violences to women . there was never a night that they went out thus , but on the morning were recounted a hundred tragick stories : in fine , he was feared every where , as a wild beast . although he saw these prostitute women at their houses , yet they did not forbear to bring them into the palace to him . he vaunted himself to have to do with them in such excess , that as it was above all likelihood , so , no body believed any thing of it . one day being put in mind , that he was to meet with a certain fair gossip , in the church of our lady de rocher ; about one a clock he went into his litter , with john de conti , and francis de sequeira , the groom of his wardrobe , to see for her there , but missing of her , she being gone to the church of our saviour , he commanded them to carry him thither ; passing through the narrow street of st. peter de alfama , they met the coach of martin correa de sa vicout de asseca . the king being in great hast , the conductors of his litter cried out to the vicounts people , to get out of the way with such injurious words , that they not being able to take it , drew , the others doing the like ; and the combat grew so hot , that the vicount was forced to leave his coach to help his people , also francis de sequeira did the like from that of the kings , to help the others . the king might with one word , have made all this disorder have ceased , but however he would not ; but on the contrary , being himself come forth of his litter with john conti , he set a pistol to the throat of the vicount , who was already wounded , and had certainly kill'd him , if the pistol had taken fire . so soon as the vicount knew the king , he kiss'd his sword , and falling upon his knees demanded pardon ; but neither this submission , nor the innocency of this gentleman , could hinder the king from giving him many outragious speeches . all the people were surprised to see the king was come abroad with so small a company , and that he would have kill'd one of his subjects without any cause , and a gentleman brought up with him in the palace , at noon-day , and in a publick place , so that they perceived he took pleasure to intermingle with these quarrels , and to foment them ; which made every body to fear the danger to be general , and every one to begin to be afraid for himself . as the king increased in age , the more he was corrupted , and the disorder came to that pass , that by his example the more vertuous began to grow loose , they began to quit virtue , to embrace vice , by example and emulation . the queen was obliged to have recourse to the protection of heaven , having no other remedy , she was capable of , for these misfortunes with which the realm was threatned : however she would try one human way more , perswading her self , if she could bring the king to the publick audiences , which she gave twice a week to the subjects , to the councel , and to business , he might be brought to be capable of governing the realm ; but all was in vain , for he was not able to apply himself to it for his pleasures . they had perswaded him , that he was not truly a king , who parted with the government to another , and so long as the queen hindred his liberalities to those he loved , the people believed that it was she who reigned and not he ; that he was now of age enough to govern the state himself , for king dennis had done it at the age of sixteen years , and the kings , alphonso at fifteen , and sebastian at fourteen ; and that it was insupportable they should refuse the king a thing that he had power to take himself . by such discourses they filled the mind of the king with troublesom suspitions against the queen . the king was no sooner out of the apartment they had given him , but he let them know , by what he did , the kindness he had for conti ; for he was not contented to have given him a command , a house in the country , and a right of peerage , but he also made him gentleman of his house , knight of christ , and groom of the wardrobe , honours that were never granted but to persons that were illustrious , by birth , and merit . he added at the same time to all these favours , an apartment in the palace , that he might have communication with himself , and the arch-deaconry de sobredello , for john de conti his brother . after this , the courtiers ran in heaps to render homage to conti , as a new favourite ; and every one began to seek his protection , and to commend their most important affairs to him . the queen her self was obliged to have recourse to his credit in some businesses , which she was not able to effect of her self , which was the only way to maintain him in that height , to which fortune had exalted him , for this way he was able to manage the mind of that person , who gave him most jealousy . as the king was every day sensible of those infirmities , which his sicknesses had caused , the physicians were of opinion that he should go again to the baths of obidus ; but he instead of bathing himself there , did nothing but divert himself , causing so much trouble and damage to all the country about , and committing himself such cruel actions , that the people were fain to shut themselves up in their houses , or else to fly and leave them , that they might shun meeting him ; so much horror had they for him . in the mean time the queen falling sick , and the favorites and the king by some discourses having caused a suspition that he would take the government , they were afraid that this sickness would serve for a pretext to that design ; but instead of that he applyed himself to combat a lion against a bull , but the lion being so obstinate as not to be forced out of his cage , he made them bring so much wood and fire , that they choak'd him with the smoak . in the beginning of the year , the count of odemira , his governour dyed , who was very much bewailed by all the people , for the king after his death abandoned himself to all manner of evil inclinations more than before ; although he was not master of the kings spirit , yet his merit , and his address made those to stand in aw of him , who had the most power over him . they had about this time begun to treat of the marriage of the most serene infanta catherine , with his majesty , charles the second , king of england , not long before established in the throne of his ancestors . francisco de mello de torres , embassadour extraordinary in england , was charged with this negotiation , which the spaniards endeavoured to hinder what they could . the queen desired ardently to see this marriage accomplished , the infante declared prince , and the government of the state in the hands of the king , to the end , that she might loose her self from all affairs of the world , and to retire her self to a covent , that she might there be at leisure to give her self up to prayer and contemplation . for this end she wrote with her own hand in her natural language , the reasons which made her take this resolution . this she shewed to one of her ministers , to know his opinion of her design . and for that , this writing refutes the calumnies which the enemies of that princess made use of to sullie her reputation , in publishing she would have taken away the crown from the king , to have given it to the infante ; i have judged it necessary to report it here . by reason of the uncertainty of life , every one being obliged to endeavour his health , i have wished i might be able to find out a way to overcome the great difficulties , which have hindred me from acquitting my self of that duty , and have filled my mind with trouble . there is nothing more troublesome , nor hard , than this life of mine , in which i may say there is something extraordinary , since contrary to the order and nature of monarchy , we are two that reign . but to say better , i do not reign but in appearance , whilst the king reigns in effect ; for i am obliged to consent to all his desires , because he is more than an infant , and the kingdom is his . besides this , i am perswaded , he would loose the respects which he owes to me , if ● should contradict his desires . so though i would have justice rendred to every one , it is not done because the king doth oppose it , or they who govern him . after this , what can i do to defend my self from such an unhappiness , but to withdraw my self from his presence , and demand that after having made a serious reflection on my design , they would give me such councel as is most proper in the condition i am in ? my inclination carrys me to enter into a religious house , not out of design ( because i can bear it no longer ) to free my self from a slavery , so long and troublesome as my regency hath been . i would have nothing to do , and while i should be there , i would not desire many attendants , only some few necessary , and i would the abbess should take care of my revenue , and she her self should sign all things for me , though i have no design to dismiss my officers , nor my domesticks . the reason that makes me desire that the abbess should have the administration of my revenue without my officers intermedling , proceeds from the great desire that i have to live in great retiredness . if i would not at first become a religious , it is because i fear to be engaged to follow the rules of a superiour in all obedience , though they are more sweet than those i have prescribed to my self . and if it happen that the king would write to me , or desire to see me , though it would combat the resolution of my retreat , what should i then do that i might not offend on this occasion against decency ? i well know the inclination that i have for a covent of the order of st. teresa , but donna maria is an obstacle to my entering into that of carnide : it is not that i could not live in the house where she is , without any repugnancy , but as the manner of life i would choose , will not suffer me to have communication with any body ; if i should be in the house where she is , i could not civily dispence with my self from answering the respects which she would pay me . if by chance i should be melancholy , as it may very well happen , she might be perswaded she was the cause of it , at least i should do to my self some violence to dissemble it , which would render me unhappy . so that it is easie to judg by this , i should not live in this house with all the freedom i would . as to that of the carmelites of st. albert , i there find this difficulty , the fewness of the lodgings which they have ; for it seems to me , to make a good choice of a retreat in which one intends to end their days , or wholly to shut themselves up within the walls of the palace , according to the custome of the country , one should make election of a spacious and pleasant place , and one that had a prospect towards the sea , would please me extreamly . if instead of st. teresa , i should have recourse to st. dominie , whom i revere as an unfortunate relation , i find the covent of good success of that order ; which is most commodious , both because of its fair situation , and large extent . nevertheless it hath an inconvenience , for as it stands at the mouth of a river , it will be the first covent , that will be exposed to the violences of war. all things well considered , i think , that i had better be at lisborn , than in any other place , because it is a city in which there is no want of any commodity , without speaking of the great number of the religious , virtuous , and learned men , which are there to be found for the ease of ones conscience . in the lands of my apanage , there is no place proper for my design : and as for my building a covent , i have not patience enough for such an enterprise ; besides , as i hope that my retreat will be happy , and finding my strength decaying , i would very suddenly execute my resolution . having therefore no further care , than about the manner of executing my design : i ask not counsel about it , because i am assured that it will not be approved , and that very many will desire me not to abandon the state and the king ; though the most part of them will wish the contrary in their souls . being certain that they are capable of such disguisements , i may fear every day lest they should order me to withdraw ; and in this fear , i think it would be much better for me to do it by my own motion . there is nothing but the infancy of my children could have kept me in the world , which now will be well enough ; my daughter being married , it remains that i see the infante declared prince , which is a thing i have long desired , it being necessary to assemble the states for that cause . but i must yet wait nevertheless , maugre my impatience till the departure of the queen of england ; then i shall give order about it . as for the peace with spain , i have no hope i shall be able to conclude it before my retirement ; however i shall do all my endeavours to bring it to pass . besides , after the departure of the queen of england , there will be speech of nothing but war , the report of which , will not penetrate my retirement ; but if i should defer any long time to quit the world , they would have reason to reproach me , for leaving the state embroiled . they may perhaps object to me , that i ought to stay , that i may have the pleasure of having ended all these affairs of which i speak : but i answer to that , that i shall relish them more sweetly in my retreat . and if they should pretend , that i may be necessary to the state , and that whatsoever inquietude , and whatsoever pain it should cost me , i ought not to abandon it . i further answer , if all the people were resolved to die to benefit the state , i would willingly die with them , but that i should only bear the whole burthen of all affairs for the ease of others , is the thing that i would not do . would they could find another remedy , or that god would provide one ; and as i have all my confidence in him , i am sure he will be fauourable to my intentions . it seems to me that they will have hence-forward sufficient abatements . for want of time , and through abundance of affairs , i have not time to declare my self so fully by word of mouth ; therefore i have wrote these lines , to the end they may be the more leisurely examined , that i may receive good counsel , in order to my retreat . if i should retire secretly , they would believe that i flie away ; if i should do it openly , they would imagine , perhaps , that i endeavour to be hindered , and there will be enough found , who will think they are obliged to hinder me . once again i demand of you sincere counsel of all these things , and i pray heaven , he will inlighten the mind of those who are to give it to me . in the mean time , while they were considering of these things , all things were disposed for the embarquement of the new queen ; and on the d of april , . those vessels in which she was to go into england , set sail under the conduct of francisco de melle de torres , since made marquess of sande . assoon as she was gone , the queen regent resolved to separate the infante from the king , it not being reasonable he should be without education , especially in a time in which the king appeared incapable of governing the realm . and as it was the custome to give to the princes , and to the infantes , a house fit for their quality , she had a mind the infante don pedro should have one of his own . when the queen had begun to prescribe what officers she would have chosen for him , the order they should keep , and that she had sought out for him a governor ; they perswaded the king she had grand designs against him , and that the governor she would give to his brother , was a sign she intended to make him king , since they used to be given only to kings : they endeavoured farther to insinuate into him , he had the right of choosing those who were to serve the infante , and not the queen . notwithstanding this , they prepared for him the house of christopher de moura , morquess of castlerodrigo , situate in a place called cortreul ; and nominated for gentlemen of his chamber , martin alfonse de mello , count of st. laurence , don john de acosta , count de soure , ruy de moura telles , don rodrigo de menesses , george de mello , john nunes de achuna , count of st. vincent ; for his almoner , rodrigo d' acunha de saldanha , chaunter of the cathedral church in lisbon , and ●or secretary , antony de tavares . this change gave a jealousie to the king , as if his mother and his brother had a design to have taken away his crown . for they made him believe , that never any infante of portugal had had so great a house , nor had ever been serv'd by officers so considerable . the distrust of the king was increased the more , by the number of those who continually rendered their respects to the infante , he found to himself very few , and his palace almost a desert . but the infante for all that , was not wanting in his duty , but on the contrary , waited on the king with more diligence than before , in all publick places , and into the country when he went thither to divert himself : as he did not imitate his debauches , his modesty passed for a crime in the minds of those who feared that all his good qualities were but reproaches against the king. they endeavoured to perswade him , that the infante covered much pride under that seeming modesty ; and all he did was but to make believe , he was more worthy of the crown than he . the king becoming every day more disordered , the queen resolved to execute the design which she had to quit the government , ordering for that end pedro vieira de silva , secretary of state , to finish all those dispaches necessary for it . but that minister full of zeal , did remonstrate to her , that this affair did very well merit a serious reflection , and that he ought to propose it to the councel of state ; which being done , they answered . that it was true , the age of the king gave him a right to the government of the state , but the malady which he had received when young , had rendered him uncapable . that he did no ways bridle himself at these years , but shewed only the evil qualities of his mind , and those maxims so contrary to those which are necessary for princes , who will rule well . that to leave to him the rule of the kingdom , would be to abandon all to the imprudence of his favorites , for he would infallibly discharge it by them . that if she should execute her resolution , and leave her son in the midst of the tempest , she would render unprofitable all the precautions of the late king , and would not answer that which all the world expected from her prudence , and her zeal . when the king himself should be of more age , and have more experience , and more noble inclinations , than he hath , at last , when he shall be capable of reigning , he would still have need of her councel ; and more especialiy then , when he wants all these things , she should not quit the government , if she would not have that curse fall upon the realm , which the scripture mentions of a young king. these reasons were far from shaking the queens resolutions , and did the rather confirm them , for they did not a little contribute to the fear she had , to see her credit diminished ; so she thought this retreat , which would save her from a discontent , from giving offence to the king , and a scandal to the state , could not be blamed by persons of good sense . upon this the ministers conjure her , that since she would not change her resolution , yet at least to defer the execution of it , until they had taken away from about the king , those who corrupted his mind , and fomented his debauches , because so long as he should hearken to the discourses of those people , his irregularities would never cease . that she should consider , if they troubled the government of a queen , the mother and tutress of the king , and regent of the realm , she had much reason to believe , they would oppose the conduct of those ministers , who should be obliged to obey the king as subjects . if her majesty should retire , for fear best the king should fail to pay that respect which he ows her , how could the ministers hope to maintain their authority ? that her majesty should before hand remove from the king those that were about him , and fill up their places with others more capable ; that this was the only remedy to correct his evil inclinations . but if this should not produce the wished for effect , and heaven should not second her good intentions , her majesty having ( at least ) let all the world see , it was not her fault that things would be no better , she might after this execute , with more honour , the resolution , which her piety , and those other considerations had made her to undertake . the queen approved of this councel , as profitable to the king , and to the state , and her resolution gave place to that which they had taken of calling the states , to see what remedy they could find for these present disorders , which might have a very ill sequel ; for the remonstrances of the ministers of state , the advice of a governour , and of a tutor , had not made any impression on the mind of the king , and those cruel mischances , the disgraces which had happened to him at the running at the bulls , the perils that he had escaped in a thousand rencounters , had not rendred him more circumspect . in sine , that this was not to be wanting in any part of duty to the king , since it was the only means to bring him to himself ; that in extream and desperate evils violent remedies are necessary to be used ; and as they had heretofore laboured with so much success for the recovery of the publick liberty , they ought still to go on with the same vigour , to save the state from the ruin , with which it was threatned . but as the convocation of the estates general would require a long time , and their assembling would be retarded by those who feared it , they judged , instead of that it might be supplied by the assembly of the council of state , and courts of justice , and by a convocation of the gentry , and of the commonalty of lisbon , as had been accustom'd to be done in pressing necessities . it was then resolved , that they should have recourse to this remedy , and whilst the king should be busie in dispatches with the queeen , they should arrest those whom they should think fit , and all the assembly should presently go to render an accompt of it to the king , and to conjure him to approve of the thing , as done for the service of his majesty , and the good of his realm . this project was communicated to the duke de cadaval , to the marquess of govea , to don antony de meneses , marquess de marialva , to don francisco soto mayor , bishop de targa , to the count of st. laurence , to the count of soure , don rodrigue de meneses , george de mello , doctor nioholas monteiro , to the secretary pedro vieira de sylva , to father antony vieira , the jesuit , and to many other persons of the court. antony de conti was altogether master of the kings mind , and in such sort , that he meddled with the greatest affairs . gaspar de faria , private secretary , by order of the king , put into his hands oftentimes papers of : greatest concerns ; and they attributed to his direction the preparatives , that were made for the marriage of the queen of england , which edward montague , earl of sandwich , ambassador for his majesty of great britain , and admiral of the fleet which was to convey the queen , seeing , he made no difficulty to communicate to him affairs of the greatest importance , as to a minister of state , and to treat him magnificently aboard his vessel . but whether that conti had received any advice of what they were contriving against him , or that he mistrusted it , he began never to leave the palace , unless it were with the king , or with those of whom he was very well assured . this way he sometime averted the design they had upon his person : for to arrest him in the city , they could not find the opportunity , neither was that very easie ; and to arrest him in the palace , there it was yet much more difficult , for besides that good manners would not permit it , they knew it would too much provoke the king. nevertheless they passed over all these scruples , and it was resolved , that he should be arrested in the palace . to facilitate the execution of this enterprise , the queen kept the king with her in the chamber of dispatches , one saturday morning , being the th of june , . and whilst they were there together , the duke de cadaval , lewis de mello , captain of the port , and his son emanuel de mello , followed by edward vas de orta osorio , one of the grand provests of the court , came into the lower apartment of the king. whilst the duke stayed there to put guards at the door , and gave orders that none might go either in or out , lewis de mello , and his son went up stairs . assoon as they were come to the door , by which they entered into the two anti-chambers of the king , they perceived conti in that next to them . but lewis de mello seeing the duke de cadaval was not with those that followed him , he asked aloud where he was . conti having by this , discovered what he before had suspected , flung himself into the second anti-chamber , where he shut himself in . at the same instant the duke arrived , and would have opened the door with his seoret key , but he could not do it ; for conti had on his side put his into the key-hole : so that the duke and lewis de mello having push'd softly , called to him to open the door , but he would not answer . as they were afraid lest conti should gain the queens appartment , by the door which gave communication between the two apartments , emanuel de mello ran with all speed and possest himself of that . in the mean time the duke was got into the tarrass , which overlookt the chamber of the indies , for fear conti should save himself that way , where finding him putting forth his head between the bars of the window , he seiz'd him by the hair. conti seeing himself laid hold on , asked , wherefore they did that violence to him ? the duke answered him , that the king had given him order to arrest him , and that he would do well to open the door . conti demanded , if he would kill him ? to which the duke replied , no. whereupon conti pray'd him to let him go , and he would open the door ; to which the duke yielded . but so soon as he saw himself at liberty , he changed his mind : the duke and lewis de mello , knowing the least retardment was capable of ruining their , project , they ordered andrea de leiria , the keeper of the kings tapestry , to fetch an ax. in the mean time the count de castlemelhor having had an inkling of it , either out of design to acquire the friendship of conti , or to flatter the king , he would have entered into the chamber of dispatches to have given him notice of what had passed . but that door according to custome being fast , he went by the clock-house , which was upon the tarrass ; where having found the duke , he highly condemned his enterprise , telling him he had lost all respect to the king , whose palace ought to be a sacred and inviolable sanctuary ; and went so far , as to give the duke very outragious words . but seeing they had seized on both passages , he returned the same way he came , and went to try if he could get in through the queens apartment , but he found that also fast ; so that with all the diligence he had , it was impossible for him to speak with the king. an ax being brought , the duke told conti , that if they were compelled to break open the kings doors , there was no hopes of life for him ; but if he would open them , they would do him no hurt ; at this threat he rendred himself , and as he came out of the chamber , with a grave countenance , the grand provost arrested him , who also presently after took baltasar rodrigue de matos , groom of the wardrobe , who exercised the charge of lievtenant of the guard , for his father in law , diego botelho de sande , and led them both through the tarass , to the place where they build ships , and there they made them enter a shallop , to be carried aboard a ship , that was ready to set sail for brasil . john de matos , and francisco bernardo taveira , were also arrested ; the first had been a groom in the kings stable , the second a clerk to the covent of hermites of st. augustin , both of them having gotten into the favour of the king , the one as a brave and skilful runner at the bulls , the other for serving him in his secret pleasures . john de conti was also arrested . of these five prisoners , who , according to the order they had given , should have been carried to brazile , only antony de conti , john de conti , and john de mattos went ; for baltasar rodrigue de matos , was brought again to shore , because they found he was not so guilty ; and as for francisco bernardo taviera , he flung himself from his prison upon the rocks , where he was taken up so very much bruised , that it was impossible to embarque him . the queen , who waited with great impatience the news of this execution , which she had no sooner heard , but sent word to the councellors of state , to the tribunals , to the councel of the city , and the chamber of the four and twenty , to the grandees and gentry , who were before assembled , that they should come into the chamber where the king and she were , to understand what follows ; which speech was made to them by the secretary of state. the obedience , the queen our princess owed to the orders of the deceased king , the kindness she had for the king her son , and the desire she had to be a comfort to her subjects , in acknowledging those great services which she had received from them , were the motives that obliged her , maugre the great need she had of repose , to take upon her the government . if she hath not acquitted her self to the content of all , it is not that she hath spar'd her self , nor that she has shun'd any cares , or troubles . this princess extremely touch'd with the disorders which trouble this monarchy , and with the complaints of the people , did believe it was most fitting to call together to this place , in this absence of the states general , all those tribunals which represent them , to the end she might declare to the king in their presence , the remedy which she hath endeavoured to bring to them , and to receive from them what counsel she shall need therein ; if what she hath done for the good of the state be not sufficient , assuring them that she has no other intention then to follow their counsels . all the people complain that justice , which is a thing that kings ought to love more than their eyes , is not administred : as the queen does not alone administer it , but there are judges who take cognisance of affairs , civil and criminal ; she hath resolved to examine all the tribunals , to the end if any one among them , hath given cause of complaint to the people , they might receive the chastisement their fault merits , and the people the satisfaction they ought to have . it is a very great regret to the queen our soveraign , that there is heard murmuring among the people , who complain that the king our lord , although he be of age to take into his own hand the government of the state , of which the queen so vehemently desires to discharge her self , doth not apply himself however to any affairs necessary thereto ; but on the contrary , lets himself be carried away by his courage , in which exercises of violence , he hath exposed his life so many times to evident dangers , hazarding to leave the kingdom without a successor ; instead of giving himself wholly to other exercises , which should draw upon him the blessings of heaven , the love of his subjects , and the esteem of strangers . and since we are all here present , the queen would have us , that we conjure the king to think of himself , and of us ; which is the true way to render a king as commendable by his merits , as he was before by his birth : he owes this consolation to his subjects , who are assuredly the best subjects that ever king had , since without thinking of the loss of their children , which are for the most part dead in the war ; nor of their goods , which are almost all consumed , they yet expose continually all that remains with their lives , to conserve the name of faithful subjects to his majesty . sir , by the the acknowledgment which your majesty owes to god , who hath made you so great , by that which you owe to the comfort of so good a mother , and to the services of your good subjects , who cast themselves at your feet , with hearts full of grief , to see your soul subjected to so many passions , and burning with desire to see it delivered from that tyranny ; they do conjure you to quit the way you are in , and deliver us by your royal bounty , from those extreme fears , into which the love that we have for your person , doth continually cast us . your majesty , sir , might better employ your courage , your generosity , and your other virtues , in imitating , as it is with great passion desired , the example of that great king the author of our liberty , whose remembrance will be eternally engraven in our hearts . may then your majesty suffer us to make you these remonstrances , which we hope may be no ways offensive , although they may not be altogether conformable to your thoughts , since there may be occasions in which it is to be unfaithful to princes , to have complacency for them : besides , our nation , as you know , is naturally an enemy to flattery ; although we have already sworn , sir , we sware again , and we shall sware a thousand times humbly prostrate at the feet of your majesty , to render you a true obedience , and to die for your service . the queen as well as the people , is astonished to see that they have introduced into the palace near the person of the king , people of no account ; who , to maintain themselves in the favour they have acquired by pernicious artificers , make no scruple to sow division between the grandees , and to corrupt the good nature of the king. they endeavour by all manner of ways to perswade him that he hath need of their succour , to gain the hearts of his subjects , and to make them respect authority , for which they would sacrifice , as they say , a thousand lives ; in the mean time under this false zeal , they abuse this authority , trouble the order of government , and of justice , and committing night and day those crimes , which no body is ignorant of ; they cause so much scandal , that if our lord the king should have a true knowledg thereof , he would without doubt chastise them most rigorously ; for without any respect for religion , they are so audacious , to make attempts and quarrels , even in sacred places , and to maintain thereupon discourses so insolent , that one cannot think on them without horror . as this complaint is the greatest of all , so it is that from which all our evils take their original ; so it is no wonder that people without religion , should hinder the administration of justice , and should help forward the emportments of the king : this is it that doth trouble , and may yet in time to come , trouble the publick tranquility . all these things have been represented oftentimes to the queen , by many of the ministers who are here present , and by others who had not the power to help it ; and also by several persons very zealous for religion , and for the good of the realm , that it was necessary to appease the anger of god , which seem'd to have prepared for us so grievòus a chastisement , and to turn away the danger which threatned us , in taking from about the king the enemies of the state , who are more to be feared than those on our frontiers . the queen to follow the counsel of her ministers and her subjects , hath willed these things should be so executed , to the end that all the realm might see the esteem that she had and should always have , of the zeal with which they had counselled her so well , and the desire she has to bring comfort to the state , so long as she shall be regent . sir , the substance of this discourse , as well as the words of which it is composed , are not only mine , but every one of your ministers , and every one of the subjects , who find themselves obliged by their conscience , by their honour , and by the ardour of their zeal , to represent to the queen for the publick good , all that this contains . this discourse is conformable to reason , and to justice , which your majesty will not oppose . it is on the esteem that you have for virtue , on the integrity of your ministers , and upon the aversion you have for flattery , the liberty of this remonstrance is founded ; so that we hope , your majesty will not only approve that which hath been done by so strong considerations , but that you will acknowledg the just intention of those , who gave this counsel , and of those who executed it . this is that which we desire of your majesty , prostrate before you with a profound respect , and the greatest humility . when this discourse was finished , all those who were present according to the custome of the country , kiss'd the hand of the king and queen , and then went forth of the chamber ; but before their majesties were withdrawn , lewis de mello , having acquainted the secretary it was convenient to hinder the count of castlemelhor , and the duke of cadaval from encountring , because of the words they had had between them ; he advertised the queen , who reconciled them . it being the counts week , he continued in the palace , and came in the instant that the grand venere had opened the door to the king , of whom he demanded as if he had understood nothing of all which had been said , if that concourse of the people was an assembly of the states ? the grand veneur answered him , that so soon as his majesty was alone , he would inform him of all things , and being entred his chamber , he told him , for to satisfy the complaints , that all the people had made against antony de conti , and all those who had diminished his authority in exposing every day his life ; the queen had ordered they should seise on their persons , and should be carried away far from his majesty , which thing had been executed by the councel of his most zealous subjects , and that she had rendred him an account of it by that writing , which he had heard read in the presence of the tribunals . the king had no sooner comprehended the sense of this discourse , but he arose from his seat , wholly transported with choler , and went to search for conti in the withdrawing chamber , and not finding him there , swore he would find him , in what place soever he were : whereupon the grand veneur told him , that his majesty ought not to be angry for what was done , and so far from thinking ill of the queen , and his ministers , that he ought them thanks , since with so commendable a zeal , they had taken from about his person those men , who were not tyed to him , but for their own interest , and that their nearness would make him lose the love of all his other subjects ; that if he would be beloved , and rever'd as father of his children , there was an indispensable necessity , this separation should be made ; it was for that end they had embarqued conti in a vessel , that had set sail for brazil . upon this the king , stopping for some time as if he had been forbid , sent to find out emanuel autunes , an intimate friend , and confident of conti's : at the same time he entred the kings chamber at the back-door , the count de castlemelhor entred at the other , as if it had been by agreement and not by chance . assoon as the grand veneur saw them with the king , he withdrew , after which they had a grand conference , which lasted till dinner . and though he dissembled his discontent , as much as he could , all the while he was at the table , yet they could not but perceive it in his countenance , which was more clowdy than usual , nevertheless at night he failed not to go into the garden , to ride his horses . after this conference , he had another the same day with a lady about the queen , in which they condemned , as they had done in the former , that which the queen had acted , and counselled the king to be revenged for that affront , whatever came of it . the next day he appeared more calm , so that it was believed he had forgot all that had passed . almost every one praised what the queen had done , and even some of conti's partisans also , accomodating themselves to the time , seemed to approve it , and there one was heard to say , that he should have been of the same mind with others , if they had asked his advice , but since they had no confidence in him , he should not approve of this novelty . this day , being the last of count castelmelhors waiting week , the king ordered him to wait another . on monday the king went ( as he was wont ) to alcantara , but with more pomp , and attendants than ordinary , being accompanied with the infante , and the greatest part of the nobility ; this day every one stood upon his guard at the palace , for they saw the count to wait two weeks one after another , and because he wrote to the secretary of state in impeperious terms , the king would know if they had given order that conti should be put to death assoon as he was out of the haven , or that emanuel autunes should be imprisoned . the king was no sooner returned , but he went to see the queen , without shewing any discontent either in word or actions . tuesday passed without any extraordinary thing happening . on wednesday about noon , the king in his litter with the count de castlemelhor , went together secretly to alcantara , without letting any body know of it but don hieronimo de ataide , count de arouguia , whom they found there ; from whence all three sent to find out sebastine cesar de meneses , councellor of state , not long since released out of prison , where he had been put by king john , and to fetch the guard of archers . the king wrote at the same time to those persons in whom he had the most confidence , to call together the nobility , and to give advice to the governours of places and provinces , that he had taken the possession of the government of the state. the queen being advertised of what had passed , called her ministers of state for their counsel , where it was resolved she should write to the king to pray him to return to lisbon , to the end she might put the government into his hands , and the bishop of targu should carry this letter ; but before it was sent , it was ordered for some particular reasons , that emanuel pacheco de mello , lieutenant to the camp-master general , should go and post himself near to la croix , by which place they must pass , who would go to the king at alcantara , to tell them from the queen , that for the good of the state , they should come first to receive her orders . all they who were advertised of it exactly obeyed her , except alvaro pires de castro , , marquess of cascaes , and antony de sonsa de macedo . the first said he would go thither to give the queen an account of all things that passed there , which he did ; the othe stay'd with the king , in recompence of which , he held him in the quality of minister . when night approached , and the king saw he was less accompanied than his favourites thought , having no other militia but the guard of archers , some of them were of opinion the king should retire to the fortress of st. julian , situate at the mouth of the tagus , where he might be in security ; but this counsel was not followed , because there came a great many gentlemen to waite on the king , besides those who attended him , which reassured the favourites . the queen judging , if she should go in this condition she was in without troops to the king , she should expose her authority ; and if she should carry them with her , they would accuse her that she had a mind to retain the government . she considered of it , and wrote to the king this letter , which was carried by the bishop of targu . most high and most puissant prince , i the queen send to salute your majesty , as one whom i love and esteem above all my children : i understand you are gone to alcantara , with a design to continue there , and that you have commanded the gentlemen and officers of your house to come to you thither . as you have done this without advertising me , some do believe , that you have a desire to separate your self from me ; but i not having failed even to this present time of doing the devoirs of a mother , cannot be perswaded , you will fail of those of a son : i then conjure you , to put an end to these reports which run among the people ; that you will presently return to me , assuring you , that not one of those who follow you , hath so tender a love for you as i , nor desire more your conservation and aggrandisement than i do : if you have no other design but to take the government of the realm , god is my witness , i desire it as much , or more than you . as for those things that are past , and of which you have had a resentment ; it is with me , that you should treat of them , without bustle , or noise ; it is with me , that you should be plain and clear , at least if you would testifie the obedience which you owe to god , and to your father and mother . the kingdom is yours , and i govern not but in your name , if it were mine , it should be only for you that i would keep it : let us then call together the realm as we ought to do , to the end they may put the government into your hands , as they put it into mine , before any disunion put us into the power of our enemies , who have on foot three puissant armies ; which if there be any insurrection in the realm , a thing much more to be feared than the enemy , will infallibly destroy it . be pleased then , in the name of god , for the love you bear your people , and which i ought to hope from you . consider this affair which merits it so much , and take care to recommend it to god , whom i pray to conserve your majesty , most high and most puissant prince , and above all my children the most beloved , and most esteemed son , and conduct you according to my wishes . from lisbon , june . . your loving mother the queen . the bishop of targu presenting to the king this letter , assured him in few words , that the resolution of the queen was to give him full satisfaction . the king told him he would return answer the next day ; at which time he sent thomas de noronha , count de areos , with a letter conceived in these terms . most high and most puissant princess , queen of portugal , and algarves , on this side and beyond the sea in affrica , soveraign of guinny , and of the conquests made by navigations and commerce in ethiopia , arabia , persia , and the indies , whom i esteem above all others . most beloved , and most dear lady and mother , i the king salute your majesty ; having regard to the condition in which the realm now is by the neighbourhood of the enemies armies , and having a design to bring a remedy thereunto , as an obedient son to your majesty , being touched with the continual trouble which since the death of my lord and father , you have had in governing the realm , which owes its conservation to the cares and to the prudence of your majesty , i have resolved to give you ease : as according to the laws of the realm , i have passed much beyond the time which renders princes subject to tutors ; i hope with the divine assistance , the approbation of your majesty , and the union which is between me and the serene infante don pedro , my brother , i shall satisfie my people , and triumph over the enemies of the crown of portugal . most high , and most puissant princess , queen of portugal , and the algarves , &c. who is to me above all others most beloved and most dear mother and lady , our lord have your majesty in his keeping ▪ from aleancantara , the st of june . your most obedient son , kisses the royal hands of your majesty . the king. the king wrote also to the infante , in terms of the same nature , which letter was carried by antony de miranda henriques ; the infante made answer thereunto by rodrigue de menesses , in which , after he had given him thanks for the honour his majesty had done him , in giving him notice of that affair , he endeavoured to perswade him by very strong reasons , that he should return to the queen , where he should with honour obtain his desire ; he hoped his majesty would grant him permission to wait on him the next day , to accompany him in his return . the queen seeing the king was not about to return , try'd a new to perswade him to it ; but all her endeavours were maliciously interpreted : for they said the queen would not bring him back to the palace , but with a design to continue her regency . they who had stir'd the king up to this , feared his reaccommodation with the queen , and therefore increased his mistrust , the better to resist her perswasions . the count de arces , who brought the kings letter , returned with this answer from the queen . most high and most puissant prince , &c. i wrote to you yesterday , which was presented to you by the bishop of targu ; all that which you demand of me in your letter , i am disposed to do ; to remit into your hands the government of the realm , so soon as you have taken away those obstacles which hinder that design : god is my witness , i never had , nor now have , any other intent . in the mean time , my son , suffer these things to be done with all necessary decency , and return to your apartment , after which you may be assured , i will give you full satisfaction . do it for a mothers sake , who hath brought you up with much affection ; and who desires nothing so much as to see you govern the state happily , which i hope to see by the mercy of god : and to the end that god may assist your majesty , you ought to be perswaded , that what i have said in my other letter , and what i say in this , is that which is most convenient for you . most high and most puissant prince , &c. the king returned no answer to this letter , but sent to the secretary of state to come to him the next day ; of which he advertised the queen , believing it was his duty not to obey the king in this occasion , without advising with her ; she approved of his going to present himself to the king , to receive his orders . the infante went also the same day to see the queen , who thought it fit he should go to the king , although he had not sent him permission , to intreat him that he would submit to her will. but although the king was very civil to him , and they dined together , and went together to the councel ; his prayers were of no effect . the secretary was no sooner presented to the king , but he told him he had created six councellors of state , and ordered him presently to expedite all provisions thereunto , for he would have their advice in councel that day : upon which the secretary beseeched him , he would surcease that creation of councellors of state , because , although all the gentlemen he had chosen were worthy of that employment , the time was not proper for it ; besides , the number would make them be the less esteemed . that whereas his father , the late king , had employed six years in choosing one councellor of state , his majesty had created six in one night ; the thing being done with precipitation , without his majesty's conferring with the queen , in whose hands the government yet was , and by consequence the nomination of these ministers , they would say , it was but an unhappy choice . it was to be feared , the honour that his majesty would do those gentlemen , would draw upon them derision , by a circumstance which would render the thing ridiculous , which was reasonable of it self : that it would then please his majesty to return to his mother , who would remit into his hands with the ordinary ceremonies , that which he went about to obtain , by unjust and violent means . it was not congruous or fit for his majesty to take that as it were by force , which was his own by legitimate succession . this manner of acting would make people see , that this precipitation was by the council given him , and cause a suspition , as if the queen through ambition , had no mind to part with the government , although she desired nothing more , of which his majesty ought to be assured , since she had wrote so to him . for as the word of a soveraign is sacred , she could no ways fail in that , without doing wrong to her self . the king was as little touched with this remonstrance , as if he had never heard it . one of the new counsellors of state seeing he answered nothing , undertook to speak for him , and endeavoured to answer all which the secretary had touched upon , and as the king had more trust in that councellor , than in the secretary , he followed his opinion , ordering the secretary to make all things ready thereto , according to his place . he had hardly taken the pen into his hand , when there entred into the kings chamber another minister of state , who asked the secretary , what he thought of that affair ? who answered him , he thought very ill of it , to which he replied , he was of the same opinion . but what remedy can you give for it ? said the minister of state : upon which the secretary gave him a recital , after what manner the government ought to be remittted to the king , adding , he would maintain it true in full councel , if called thereunto , that what the king was about to do , was contrary to the custom , always observed in portugal . upon this , the ancient and new councellors of state being met , this minister told the king , his majesty should hearken to the advice of the secretary of state , before others delivered theirs , because after he had instructed them in the ordinary usage , they would be able to speak with more solidity . he followed the councel of this minister , and the secretary said , however kings claim their realms by right of succession , they do not take upon themselves the government , but according to the ancient laws and ceremonies of each nation , by a publick act : for the power is not communicated to the successor , until that act be performed , which gives equally a title , both in regard of the present , and of posterity . that by virtue of the testament of the king , the states had given the government to the queen , and had put into her hands the seals , to which is tyed the royal power , which if his majesty should exercise without them , he would do violence to the laws , and justice . that those who should yield him obedience , would do it rather for fear , than by reason , because although the crown did belong unto his majesty , the queen his mother , nevertheless , as regent , had the royal power in her hands , so that if they owe an equal respect to both their majesty's , they owed only their obedience to the queen . that he would not chang a custom , which had been always inviolably observed . it was not reasonable his majesty should take the government by force , since the queen desired with so much passion to surrender it to him ; that besides the violence , so contrary to the good hopes they had conceived of his reign , it would lessen his reputation ; not only in his own kingdom , but with strangers . if his majesty doubted of the sincerity of the queen , he should send one of his gentlemen , to look in the cabinet belonging to the secretary , where he might see all the orders , necessary for the formalities of that ceremony . and since these orders did manifestly make known the queeens intention , his majesty ought to follow his councel , and to return to the palace , where the business should be done , not only with all necessary congruity , but also with an universal applause . that that manner of acting will be beneficial to all the people , and especially to those who are nearest to his majesties royal person , who were obliged above all the rest to give good councel to his majesty , which he hoped from all those who were present . the ministers of state , touched with the force of these reasons , all of them became of the secretaries opinion , and omitting what they had before said to the contrary , thought of another thing , that the king should send to demand the seals by the secretary himself , and having them once in his hands , he might continue his government , and no body be able to say any thing against it . upon this the secretary replied , that he had not authority enough to demand them , and the queen ought not to render them , unless it should be to the king himself , without the interposition of any minister . that his majesty ought not to undertake any thing against justice , and good order , he should not ( at least ) do it , if he would follow his councel . as it was not the king , who did decide these things , he would not determine for either side , but told the secretary , he should attend , and within a while he should receive an answer , upon which the councel broke up . but after that , the king asked the secretary in private , if he would assure him , that the queen would in good earnest resign up the government ? to which the secretary answered , that indeed it was impossible for him to make such a promise , since he was not able to answer , but for his own proper actions , however he was perswaded , the queen would execute what she had promised , provided his majesty would return to the palace . the favourites did not hold themselves satisfied with what the secretary had said . the king once again sent for him back , and ordered him , he should go to the palace , and assoon as he should come thither , he should write a letter , signed by the queen , which should in express terms signify , that she would , the first day he arrived , remit to him the government , promising , so soon as he had received that letter , he would return to the palace , as the queen did desire . so soon as the assembly was finished , the infante took leave of the king , and went to the queen , to whom he rendred an accompt of that which passed in his presence . the secretary also having told her the order he had received from the king , she was resolved to execute it : after which he retired home , to take order in some affairs , and did not return to his office till night , to write that letter which was demanded ; he had hardly begun to write , when the count de pombeiro arrived from alcantara , with order to know the queens mind from her own mouth : being entred into the secretaries room , he told him , that the king and councel doubted the success of that affair , because of the delay of the letter , which he had made them hope for , and which they had waited for with much impatience , that all that which he had said was but an artifice , to engage the king , by his return to the palace , to perpetuate the regency of the queen : that it was absolutely necessary , speedily to carry a remedy to that suspition , to put some stop to the violence of the king , which was almost upon breaking forth . but the secretary having told him the reasons , which caused the delay of the letter , which he complained of , he made an end of writing it , which being signed by the queen , he put it into the hands of the count , who carried it to alcantara , where being opened , they found these words . most high , and most puissant prince , &c. to morrow at ten a clock , the tribunals shall be advertised to assemble , to the end that in their presence i may remit to you the seals , and the government of all your states , in the accustomed manner . i pray you earnestly , that you will be there , most high and mighty prince , &c. so soon as this letter was sent , the queen gave order for all preparatives necessary , and sent to advertise all those who ought to assist at this ceremony , to the end she might do it with all the authority , and demonstration of content , that so considerable an action required . the reading of that letter calmed the spirits a little at alcantara , and it was resolved by the king , that he would be with the queen at the time appointed . the d of june , . the king being within a month of nineteen years of age , came from alcantara to lisbon , accompanied with all the nobles , and followed by a great concourse of people . the infante was yet in his palace , for he had not got ready his coach soon enough , which obliged him to send to tell the king as he passed by , that his people were he cause he could not come sooner to him ; which he pray'd him to excuse , and not stay , for he would follow him . the king having consulted thereupon those who were about him , ordered that they should pass before the infante's palace ; which he seeing from the window , immediately went down to the king , and going into his coach , they went strait to the palace by the new-street , that they might make their entry by the great place ; where being arrived , they went up into the chamber where the queen was , and and then being placed , the king at her right , and the infante at her left hand ; all the tribunals assembled , with the ministers of state , the titulares , councellors , governors of castles , the lords of the realm , gentlemen , the ecclesiasticks , and the chief of the orders ; which being done , the grand master of the wardrobe placed before the king , a little table of crimson velvet with a cushion of the same ; and the secretary of state put upon the cushion a purse , in which were the seals ; some time after , having taken them up , he put them into the queens hands , and she into the kings , saying to him these words . see here the seals with which i have been charged by the states of the realm , by virtue of the testament of the king my lord , who is now with god ; i remit them into the hands of your majesty , and at the same time the government , which i have received with them of the same states . god grant that all things may be prosperous under the government , as i desire . the king taking them , put them at the same time into the hands of the secretary ; after which , all the people came to kiss the hands of these three royal persons , and so the assembly broke up . the queen seeing her self discharged of the burthen of the monarchy , had now no other thought , but to execute the resolution she had taken to retire , and her self to found a religious covent , of the order of st. augustine . being willing to begin to build , she ordered doctor belchoir de andrade , in the time he was her secretary , to visit divers places , but they raised a thousand difficulties to hinder her , so that she found no fit place : whereupon her enemies published , she had hidden designs , and feigning to seek for a place to build a covent , she had no mind the leave the palace . she had no sooner begun to make a passage of communication from the quinte to the covent of religious , of the order of st. dominic , being situated near it ; but they said , the queen had chosen this house , that she might flie away when she pleased . these malicious reports , pressed the queen to execute her enterprise . having remembred her self one day , that the marquess of sandy had offered her a● house which he had at grillo ; she spake of it to garcia de mello , son to the marquess , who having also offered it to her , she accepted it , and presently began to build there . when the queen had rendred the government to the king , the courtiers began to change their discourse , and many of them , who before were still speaking o● the incapacity of the king , now extolled the quickness of his wit , and made him seem more worthy of a greater kingdom than his own . to hide their incon●●●stancy , they protested the king was become another man , and spake of his change as of a miracle ; but this added nothing of belief in the case , for his reason being hurt by his maladies , it rendred him incapable to conceive either that which they made him say , or that which they said to him . when he was to say something in publick , they instructed him before hand as well as they were able , what he should say ; but as they could not instruct him to answer to things that would be spoke on the sudden , he was then mute , or else answered far from the purpose ; and if on these occasions it happened that he spake something of good sense , these flatterers would say more by half than the king had said . but in his good intervals , if he had made some liberal discourse , his favourites would be sure to preach on it ; but this did but serve to render him ridiculous , for they would render those things which came from him by chance to appear otherwise , and that his ordinary discourse was not the same . before the king had taken possession of the government , the earls of atouguia , and castlemelhor , and sebastian cesar de menesses , had taken possession of him . as in policy these three favourites did praise one another before the king , he was perswaded they were filled with rare qualities , so that he reposed on them all the affairs of state. but at the first , they judged it best for the king , to assist in all publick affairs ; and though there was nothing more contrary to his inclinations , yet they so brought it about , that he gave audience , went to councel , dispatched businesses , but this application lasted not long ; whether it were that the king was weary of it , or some of them had perswaded him otherwise by the counsel of those who governed him . but it is thus , that favourites inspiring idleness into princes , invade their authority under the pretext of discharging them of the care of their affairs . there is yet another ordinary artifice of such favourites to maintain their credit , and to hinder any from doing any thing against them , to banish from court all those who were not tied to their interests , and to introduce in their places , either their creatures or their friends . the count de castlemelhor , and his two favoured companions very admirably practised this maxim , as we shall see in a little time . henry auriquez de miranda began about this time to put himself near the king , by the services which he had rendred him in his pleasures , and within a while entred into so much trust , and had so great a share in his most secret thoughts , that if the count de castlemelhor had more of authority about the king than don henry auriquez , yet it might be said , that don henry auriquez de miranda had more of his heart , than the count castlemelhor . this new favourite according to appearances , ought to have given some trouble to the favour of the count , however it happened quite contrary , and he so well ●anaged the spirit of that gentleman , and of the kings , that he made that a support to his fortune , which it was thought might have ruin'd him . and indeed , after this he became the most puissant of the three favourites , by the consent of his competitors , having more facility than the count de atouguia , who did not profit by the occasion which was presented him either by moderation , or otherwise . the count de castlemelhor being in italy , whither he had withdrawn himself because of the death of don lewis of portugal , count de vimioso , who was there ; vaunted , that one day he would return into that realm , as its governour . from these happy beginnings he conceived so much hope , that his prophesie should not be in vain , he was therefore resolved to push on his fortune as far as he was able . so soon as he had found he was master of the kings affections , he took the liberty to lodg in the apartment of the late prince theodosius ; as he enterprised to have himself the whole favour , this was not ill aimed at , to find a means to render himself inseparable to the person of the king ; but it was not enough to establish himself near the king , he must have some charge which might serve to make his credit seen and valued . there was then nothing at court with which he could accomodate himself , but that of escrivaon de puridade , which had not been exercised by any persons of quality , since pedro de alcacova carneiro , count de idayna . he then would have this office , and having gotten a grant of it , perswading the king it was necessary for his ease , and to maintain his authority , and all things ready to the sealing of his patent , the king ordered the secretary to expedite those letters for that charge to the count ; but the secretary seeing the thing regarded the publick interest more than his own particular , he represented to his majesty . that the king his father had united that charge to that of the secretary of state , and that he had the letters patents for it . that his majesty ought not at the entrance into his government , destroy that which the late king his father had done , a most wise and most experienced prince , but rather should follow his examples and ways , that he might not fall into those wandrings and novelties which ordinarily fling down young princes , and particularly such who deceive through their fair appearances ; and that his majesty ought not with justice to augment the fortune of one particular man to the prejudice of another . the king having none of his council about him , answered nothing to the secretary . on the morrow , he ordered him again to hasten the counts patent , which was made ready according to his command , and therein all those emoluments and prerogatives he would have . some time after , they publickly discoursed on this charge , and would have it thought , that in this was comprised all others , and it was ever possessed by favorites . there yet was wanting to the count , the title of councellor of state , but so soon as they had told the king it was essential to his new employment , he gave it him . almost at the same time , the king gave to henry auriquez de miranda , the charge of lieutenant general of the artillery , vacant by the death of ruy correa lucas , his father in law , to which he united that of intendant of the magazine of the realm , which lewis cesar de meneses possessed . the king granted , besides many other graces , to the friends of these three favorites ; to christopher de mello , who was governour and captain general of the magazine in africa , the reversion of captain of the port , and to emanuel de mello , his brother , the reversion of captain of the guards , which was then possessed by lewis de mello their father . as it was for their interest , that none but their creatures should come near the king , they cast out , and banished from his person , the gentlemen of his chamber : they were dispenced with at first from the service of their charge , without being hindred the entrance into the palace , which they did the better to hide their design , which they insensibly brought about . they ordered it in such a manner , that they could not entertain the king , nor give him any advice . also by little and little , they took away the communication which the king had with the officers of his house , bringing him to eat in his chamber ; he was served by those whom they met with by chance , wholly abrogating those ancient ceremonies with which the king of portugal used to be served , and confounded the order they used to keep in all things ; for no body exercised his charge , but every body exercised all charges . the favourites perswaded themselves , it was for their interest , that those who were not their friends should be banished the court ; so when they wanted a pretext , they made no scruple to awaken those things which should not have been spoken of ; imputing crimes to those people on whom the king bestowed any favours ; they accounting it nothing to have taken the government from the queen , if they did not give the king an aversion to all those who had been of her party . for this end , they maintained that the remonstrance which they had made was insolent , and brought it under a sentence of condemnation ; as if it had not been the custom of all nations to make remonstrances to kings , when they let themselves be carried away with their passions . as it was done to don alphonso , the fourth king of portugal , because he loved hunting with so great ardor , that he quite neglected all affairs of state : he at first grew into choler , but being come to himself , afterwards praised that for zeal , which he would have punished as a crime , and moderated thereupon the passion that he had for the chase . they began the exilement with that of father antony vicira , which was followed by that of the secretary of state , the duke of cadaval , the grand veneur , emanuel de mello , the count de soure , and the count de pomlerio ; and they sent word to the captain of the port , that he should abstain from coming to the palace . see the crimes they imputed to them , that father antony vieria had wrote that remonstrance that had offended the king ; that the secretary had promoted it , and that the rest had dictated it and executed it . these only were banished as culpable , though there were many others besides them . some of them did avoid their exilement , by reconciling themselves to the favourites ; and none durst speak to another , because they were afraid one of another . somtime after , the marquess de gouvea , grand master of the kings house , demanded leave to retire himself to gouvea ; the reason was , because they had made him lose a great part of the rights and preheminences belonging to his charge , as much by the revocations they had made therein , as by the too great authority of these favourites . but when inspite of all the oppositions of the court , he would prosecute his design ; they ordered him to keep himself at gouvea , with a prohibition not to return to court , without an especial order from the king ; so his retreat which he would have made voluntary , became forc'd . nicholas monteiro , tutor to the king , retired himself also to his priory of cedofeila , under pretext of the indisposition of his great age , but in truth , it was because he was not able to endure their manner of acting at court. a little after the count de castlemelhor , proposed for confessor to the king and the infante , don pedro de sousa , his unkle by the fathers side , a religious of st. bennet , nominated bishop of angra ; which was agreed to . they named for secretary of state in the place of pedro vieira de silva , who was banished , antony de sousa de macedo . so soon as the king had got the government into his own hands , he shewed to the queen , an unequal and capricious air in all his actings . every time he came from alcantara , he went to render her a visit , and acquitted himself of all other devoires which consisted in appearance ; he did also the like to the prince , but he communicated no part of his affairs neither to the one , nor the other . these favourites having it in their heads , to bring the prince to the palace , they alledged for reasons , that the king and the presumptive heir to the crown , should not live apart : that there was nothing more proper to cause their amity , a thing so necessary for the state , than the union of their persons : that if he lived in his palace with little satisfaction , he would have much content in the king. besides , that it was too great a charge to the state , which wanted money to maintain the war. as this motion was opposite to those which they had made formerly to appear , it was not very difficult to penetrate into the thoughts of the favourites , which was , that by this means they might render themselves masters of the mind of the infante , as well as they had of the kings ; but the infante , who discovered their cunning , answered , that he was well enough in his palace , as deserted as it was . so that despairing to be able to make him change his lodging , they treated the prince ruggedly , and accused him , that he did not love the king as he ought . but that which troubled them most , was , that he would not be loosed from the queens interests , who was every day preparing her self to retire , and that she would prevent their dis-union , which these favourites so passionately desired . although they had received several repulses from the infante , they did not leave to continue their endeavours to draw him to their party , hoping they should be able to do that by importunity , which they could not do with their reasons . whilst they were at alcantara , the freedom of the country served them to make some progress on his spirit , chiefly by henry auriques . but as much as they gained the favour of the infante , they took away from the king the evil impressions they had given him concerning him , in so much , that the king began to make him dine with him , and to take him abroad with him in his coach , and to give him the divertisement of fishing in his pleasure-boat , which they made by night with lighted torches ; they went together to alcantara , to see the coursing of the bulls , and the king obliged him to lye at his country-house , to see these divertisements . all these things gave birth to a hope in the breasts of the favourites ; that he should not be able to escape them any more for the time to come : they vaunting already , that they had made peace between the two brothers , every one of them attributing to himself the glory to have been the mediator , particularly , henry anriques de miranda , for which consideration , he pretended to have the greatest part in his favour , and testified the most zeal for his service , above all others . at this time , most of the officers which the queen had given him , had left him : the count of st. laurence had quitted him , to exercise his charge of superintendant of the finances ; the count de soure was banished to the algarves ; ruy de moura telles had retired himself ; john nunes de acuna was with the army in the province between douro and minho , whither he was sent the handsomer to hide his exilement . in the place of these officers , they had put , don fernando de meneses , count de ericeira , pedro gesar de meneses , ruy fernando de almada , ruy de figueredo d' alarcaon , antonio de miranda anriquez , and don diego de meneses . as all these new officers about the infante were of kin to the three favourites , this change was a very grand help to them ; but this would not suffice , unless they could be able to break the union , which was between the infante and the queen , which was very difficult for them to do . they were willing the queen should have retired of her self , and after that manner the separation should have been , because then none could have imputed it to them ; but their impatience was too great to stay for that . but among the artifices which they used to advance this separation , there was one , which would scarce be credited , if the writing had not been found in the hands of one of those ministers at that time , of which this is a most faithful copy . it shewed , that there were two ways to oblige the queen to quit the court. the first is to cause her displeasure in all those things , of which she would be most sensible ; as to order donna isabella de castro , to go into her covent of the incarnation , and to cause donna maria francisca to go home to the countess her mother , and to prohibit all those officers of her house , in whom she had most confidence , to enter the palace . the discontent she will receive thereby , will oblige her to retire of her self , or else cause her to make her complaints to our master with more heat ; this will oblige him to declare to her , that a voluntary retreat will be most handsom for her , to the end she might not be constrained to do it after another manner . this way hath more than one step , because if she shall shew her self obstinate , and shall not be willing to follow the councel of the king , she then will render her self worthy of chastisement . the second way is to have it told her , by her confessor , or by some other person of authority , that it is necessary for her glory , she should retire her self to the town of allenquer , or into that of cintra , because of the report she had caused to be spread abroad of her retiring , and for other reasons that may be made known to her , and they judged that our master desired the thing might be executed with all possible sweetness , that other ways might be avoided , which might any ways give him a vexation . that if she should answer , as i believe she will , that she had changed her mind , and would know the reasons which had obliged the king to take that resolution ; they should in that case put presently into her hands a billet , which should let her understand , that it was to revenge himself of that insolent remonstrance , which she had caused to be made to him , in which we may under a colour bring some reasons , for our particular justification . below this memorial , there was the billet for the queen , wrote in the same hand , in which were these words . you shall say to the queen my mother , that having regard to the intention , she hath had of retiring into a covent , and to the reasons she hath given for it , i find my self obliged to tell her , ( maugre the satisfaction which i have to see you neer me in the palace ) that for the interest of her repose , and of her piety , she ought to execute that design . if she will then follow the example of many other princesses , who have done the same thing , she might chuse what covent she pleased out of the city , where she may live only for her self , and for the memory of the late king , my lord and father , who is with god. i do promise my self from her great wisdom , that she will take care that the world believe this resolution comes from herself , and not from me . this discourse filled with such hard and inhumane sentiments , was conformable to those which they always had of the queen , even in presence of the king ; for he suffered them not only to attribute to fortune all the good success , but they imputed to her , all the evils which had happened in her government ; and they took pleasure to speak of all her actions before her , with little respect . these indignities which they made the queen to suffer , either by the order of the king , or by his consent , went much farther . for some persons assembling themselves in the night below under her windows , at what time they were informed she used to go to her prayers , broke her windows , and said so many bitter and injurious speeches , that no pen is able to write them . to these misusages which the obscurity of the night hid in some sort , they added others more openly , and more scandalous . the day of the conception of the virgin , the king according to his custome , being descended into the chappel of the palace , where the solemnity of the feast had drawn all the court , passed before the queen who was in her seat , without giving her the ordinary civility ; this action which surprised every body , let them know very well how much the king was displeased with his mother , since he failed of the respect publickly , which he owed her ; so that her maternal love made her resolve , to take away the occasions that he might not commit the like fault , not to return any more into that seat , but to make use of another . upon this , she formed a design to go and pass away some days in the palace of xabregas , and there to cause a gallery to be made , to enter the covent of the mother of god , in the same place where formerly queen catherine had made one when she stay'd there . to this end she sent her secretary to tell the count de castlemelhor , that for very just causes she would no more assist at the service in the chappel of the palace , and that she had demanded of donna francisca de tavora , countess of ungnaon , the palace of xabregas , where she had resolved to stay , until that which she was building should be in a condition for her to lodg in , and that he should take care to let the king her son , understand her intentions . two days after , the count de antouguia , the count de castlemelhor , sebastian cesar de meneses , came to the secretary's house , to whom they told for answer , that the king thought it strange , the queen would leave his house to go into that of anothers ; and that she should be very welcome in the palace , till that which she was building was finished . it was not three days since they had a mind to chase the queen from the palace , and now they seem as if they would not have her go forth , so that none could divine the reason of this inconstancy . the day which the king had accustom'd every year to go to salvaterre , being come , he carried thither the infante with him . during that journey , the favourites took occasion to tell him , that the queen had a mind to make him king : he answered , that if she had such an intention , he should not consent to it . the favorites ravished to have some occasion to calumniate the queen , extoll'd the infante for that answer . he was as yet at that time under the tutelage of the queen , henry auriquez de miranda told him , that he was now of age enough to govern his own house , and that he should make antony cavide his secretary , in the place of antony de sousa de taveres ; so that he came back emancipated from salvaterre . after this , they went about to exalt the refusal which he had made , and to speak of what advantages the state received by his emancipation . as they had taken the government from the king to reign with him , they had emancipated the infante to govern him the more easily , looking upon it to be for their interest , that he should not depend at all upon the queen . the return of the king from salvaterre , was in the beginning of lent , and according to his custome , he continued his communication with his mother , but not so regularly as formerly . for so soon as he had made his complements , he treated her with much indifference , according to the humours of his favourites . it happened at that time , that the king was let blood , for a fall from his horse , and the queen going to visit him , without his being advertised thereof , so as to have time to be instructed in the civility which he should shew , one might perceive how nature would carry it away from the artificers of his favourites , and those evil impressions they had given him against her , gave place to the strength of blood ; for he received her with so much tenderness , that when she was about to go away , and to take leave of him , he pray'd her to stay , to hear some musitians sing : she would at first have excused her self , but the king sitting down embraced her , and detained her . so soon as the favourites had understood the king had received his mother after that sort , they concluded absolutely to separate them , to hinder their re-union . the same persons , whose counsel a little before , had caused him to send word to the queen , that she should not go forth of the palace ; seeing that she obeyed , obliged him now to send her word , that she should leave it within a few days . the queen without the least resistance in the world to the kings order , sent on the morning of the vigil of palm sunday , to tell the count of castlemelhor by her secretary , that she would depart after dinner , that the king should let her know in what manner , provided it was in her mourning coach. it was answered her on the part of the king , that he would go in his own coach , she in any she would desire , and the infante in that of the kings . on the th of march , . the queen waited for the king and the infante in her chamber , where they being arrived , the king putting himself on her right-hand , and the infante on her left , they accompanied her after that manner to the court of the chappel , where they went into their coaches as it had been agreed . it is from the palace to the quinte , about a quarter of a league , all which space was filled with an extraordinary concourse of people of all sorts , who were assembled to see this spectacle worthy of compassion ; they being perswaded this retreat was to a prison , where the king would secure his mother . but yet the serenity in the countenance of that princess , testified the contrary , and the joy which they saw in that of the kings , made it believed so also . being arrived at the quinte , they went up stairs in the same order they had come from the palace , the king and the infante leaving the queen at the door of the first chamber , in which all the nobility attended ; returned without rendring her any civility , or testifying any tenderness towards her , which did extraordinarily surprise every body : nevertheless the infante is not to be accused of it , but the king only , or rather his favourites . after that the queen had taken her place under a canopy , all those about her came to kiss her hand ; some of them being sensibly touched with her retreat , and the other feigning to be so . as for the king , he returned that night on horse-back , with a great deal of gaity , approaching the litters and coaches which he met , speaking to the ladies dishonest and licentious speeches ; which let the people know , that he had accompanied the queen rather to secure her person , than to do her honour ; and that his favourites had taken these precautions , for fear the people should mutiny . and indeed , although she had retired voluntarily , yet every one was perswaded she was a prisoner ; for sir richard fanshaw , the english embassador , before he returned for london , the marquess of sande , who was going to conclude the marriage between the king and the most serene marie frances isabelle de savoy , dutchess de aumel , and princess de nemoars , and mounsieur fouche , envoy of the duke of vendosme , did not dare to go see her , without the permission of the king. as the presence of the queen did a little restrain the king , assoon as she was retired , he took no more regard to his carriage . he had first made two troops , one of foot , the other of horse , which he called his high and low watchmen , which were composed of the most wicked persons of the realm , which passed with him for the most brave . with these troops he went out every night , and set upon indifferently all those they met ; the peril being equal for the king as for them , because they would not have him to be known amongst them , he very freely exposed himself with the rest . those who accompanied him ordinarily carried their swords without scabbards , that they might be the more ready to execute his orders , and that they might the better surprise the people they found in the dark , they blacked them , lest their glittering should discover their intentions . those who brought theirs back the most bloody , received the greatest praises from the king. the watch which made the round in the city , were not exempt from the assaults of these people , which troubled the whole tranquility of the city ; and the more , for the judges durst not make search after those who were culpable . nay , they were forced , having for this business drawn so much hatred on themselves , not only to abstain for a long time from the execution of their charges , but also to hide the very marks of their magistracy . the king being perswaded one day , that the marquess de fontes , his great chamberlain , had offended him , he sought all about to kill him ; but not finding him any where , he gave order to his braves to do it . they having met him in his litter , shot thorow it in several places with their musquets ; the marks they found in divers places , shewed the danger he had been in . another time he made them fall upon the coach of the count of ericeira , where were with him his wife , his daughter , and his brother , but it was without effect , because they , to whom he had given the execution of that commission , had no mind to execute it . one of his diversions was to go in the night to the gibbet , to see those that were executed , and having taken them down , to observe what wry mouths they made when they expired . the night on which every year they made a solemn procession from our lady de grace , to saint roch , and in which they represented the passion , the king was resolved to go thither in his coach with his braves : some of his gentlemen indeavoured to divert him from it , telling him , the place and the ceremony would render the action too remarkable , but he despised this advice . he went thither , and ordered two of his braves to box some of the men as they passed along with their wives , but they did but justle them , the king observing they did not follow his orders , commanded them so often , that one of them drew his sword to fall upon them , they did the like to defend themselves : assoon as the king saw that , desiring no better , he went out of his coach , his presence put all into disorder , and so much troubled the procession , that it was broken , and the sacred images , which represented the passion , flung down . this hurly burly being appeased , the king perceiving that he wanted a pair of his pistols , and thinking it a point of dishonour , to leave his arms behind him , gave order they should search among the croud for them , and in the confusion of the people , but his braves demanding briskly the news of them of the first they incountred , the combat was renewed , and the people were driven tumultuously , as far as the gate of the court , belonging to the marquess de nisa , and even into his hall , if the noblemen who were within had not opposed them , because the king was present , who at last retired himself , leaving very many wounded . this action , which was against all humane and divine laws , cast all the court into an extraordinary consternation . the night following , pedro severim norogna , secretary of the grants , passing under the vaut , called the golden arch , incountring the kings litter , which was invironed with his low patrovils , he prayed them to make him way a little , but these people being thereat offended , they fell upon him , and beat him off his horse , in such a manner that they left him mortally wounded : as this was not far from the palace , the count de castlemelhor hearing the noise , ran thither , where he found him wounded , and in so ill a condition , that he was not able to be carried to his house , so that he was fain to be put into one of the chambers of the kings apartment , where he died within a few days after . the king was so little concerned at it , that instead of chastising these murtherers , he hindred any from informing against them . about this time there appeared a comet , the king having heard say , that it presaged the death of kings , or a change in their states , he got above in his tarrass , and there used to it a thousand injurious speeches , and called it a thousand infamous names , and shot off his pistols at it , his favourites knew not any better remedy for this passion of his , than to assure him , he was a greater king than his father , or any of his predecessors . his debauches kept the same pace with his emportments , for he did not only haunt the houses of women of ill life , but they brought them also to an house in the country , neer to alcantara , and his favourites humoured this inclination in him , thereby to endeavour to dissipate the report which ran of his inability . but when they saw this would not sufficiently convince the people , they thought of a thing in the mean time , which deceived very many persons . they bred up in the palace a little girl , under the name of infanta , publishing the king to be her father . and to render the thing more likely , they made the mother of the child to be cruelly whipt , under pretext of infidelity , and a man to be assassinated as one that had caused a jealousy in the king. he did not leave in the mean time going to her house , or else causing her to be brought to the palace , and carried her into publick assemblies , and indeed in appearance he seemed to be desperately in love with her . this intrigue had deceived the most wary , if the woman , who knew the truth better than any body , had not spoyl'd all by confessing ; that all that which the king shewed towards her was but feigned , and that he was not the father of that infant . he began also to make his gallantries to the religious , and to bring about more easily his wicked design , he made them open their churches that he might represent comedies in them , making the quire serve for the theatre , and the vestry the place for the tyring room ; but when he saw all these attempts were in vain , he scandalised them in his discourses . he had so little respect for religion , that when there was no need for it , she made mass to be said at the ordinary times in his chamber , whilst that he was in bed , or all undressed . he would never go likewise on feastival days into his seat in the chappel till after dinner , which was the cause that mass was not finished there , till the hour that vespers were said in other churches . since he was not able absolutely to forbear hearing of sermons , he ordered the preachers that they should shorten their sermons ; and some of them were banished , because they did not obey this order , and others forbore to preach at all . there were nevertheless , some who had the boldness to cry out against these disorders , but without any effect ; for others by the flatteries with which they composed their sermons , rendred their zeal unprofitable . hitherto the three favourites , by the means of the subordination between them , had liv'd with good intelligence ; but the count castlemelhor perceiving that it was easie for him to ruine the favour of the two others , he sought for an occasion to facilitate his enterprise , he employ'd against them the same artificers , which all three had used against those they had in suspition : he chased first all their friends from the palace , and afterwards themselves : for they had no sooner lost his amity , than they had lost the favour of the king. it happened one day , that the count de atouguya drew his sword at the back stairs of the palace , for which the count de castlemelhor sought with all diligence possible to arrest him , and to have made him suffer the punishment that is ordained in that case . some time after the same count de atouguya , went to answer a challenge that was sent him , which the count of castlemelhor made a matter of very ill consequence ; although it was in a time wherein if duels were not permitted , at least they were not punished . the king at the perswasion of some body , or of his own mind ( for it was sometimes very difficult to penetrate into the secret of his heart ) wrote a letter to conti , with an order for his being brought back from brazile ; the count de castlemelhor quickly suspected sebastine cesar de meneses to have writ it . upon this , he reviv'd against him the ancient businesses , and stirred up new ones , insomuch that he received orders to withdraw himself two leagues from the court. as none knew the true causes of these disgraces , the publick good and justice being made only the pretext , these things rendred the count extremely odious , especially that of the count de atouguya , by whom he had made his fortune : but at court the sentiment of ambition , easily blots out those of acknowledgment . a little time after , antony and john de conti , arrived from brazile , and were received with the noise of the artillery , and the sound of trumpets . but they had order sent them to retire to a house they had in the country , at the mouth of the tagus , with a prohibition not to go from thence . there was something surprising in this order , for at the same time there was sent them presents from the king ; to the one a very considerable charge in his house , and five and twenty hundred livers of rent ; and to the other the treasureship of st. michael de freixo . it was not without reason that the count , who knew the first impressions of friendship as well as those of love , are never to be altogether effaced , neither by time nor absence , should be afraid of the interview of the king and conti , and that he should oppose it as much as possibly he could ; but in spite of all his care , he could not hinder him from doing it . if conti did not come to the king , the king did not fail to go to find him out . he saw him one day in an hermitage , and at another time in the middle of a field . some would have perswaded conti to have followed the king , and to have come back to court , but he would not , or else he durst not do it . these secret interviews gave a suspition 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 〈…〉 king to carry 〈…〉 her answer , the 〈…〉 the queen would not see the consentration , and the 〈…〉 brought it , to carry it back to those who sent can , 〈◊〉 out taking any other notice of 〈…〉 then ordered 〈…〉 ●●●ther to the duke o● 〈…〉 should retire 〈…〉 from 〈◊〉 court ; and that 〈…〉 ●●●●neses , should go into the 〈…〉 ●●●taile , until he 〈…〉 to go to the algarves , and an order from to 〈…〉 conti , to go to 〈◊〉 . after 〈…〉 went to kiss the kings hand , 〈…〉 deliverance 〈…〉 . this inquest laste● a long 〈…〉 because they would 〈…〉 in passion , or else 〈…〉 the terror of the accused , in 〈…〉 that which they feigned to discover 〈…〉 they named 〈…〉 it , and for judges john 〈…〉 grand chancellor of the 〈…〉 . george de silva 〈…〉 montiero , rodrig●● 〈…〉 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 th of march , . 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 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 th of february , , 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 of feb. 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 th of february , , about eight a clock , and it was not to be doubted , but that this delay was a thing designed . the king and the infante , accompanied with the favourite and his brother , found the queen upon the point of rendring her last breath . the king asked her benediction , but the infante was not able to say any thing , having both his heart and his voice seized , and all he could do was to burst into tears . isabel de castro uncovered the queens hand ; which the king and the infante kissed , and the favourite having told the king , it was enough , he went out , saying , adieu , adieu , and an hour after the queen expired . on the munday was her funeral , the king and the infante casting the holy water upon her corps , which they accompanied to her litter , in which they carried her to a covent of barefoot white-friars , to be there deposited , till that of religious women of the same order , of which she was the foundress , was finished , where she had a mind to be buried . as this princess had been in her life-time , so she will be after her death , a perfect model for all princesses . she was no sooner dutchess of bragansa , but her address , and her resolution , put the crown upon the head of her husband ; who had such confidence in her , that he communicated the most important 〈◊〉 of the state to her , which had such great success , that the greatest politians admired her conduct . when she was regent , she yet better manifested the geni●● she had to manage the state ; for as she was assisted by no body , and that the burthen of the kingdom lay upon her , she expressed an indefatigable strength both of body and mind , and conserved by her prudence , what she had conquered by her co●●age . so soon as she was undeceived of the vanity of the things of this world , she had a mind to discharge her self of the care of those affairs : if she did not do it , it was because of the difficulty which she found in the executing of her design ; besides , some made it to her a scruple of conscience . moreover , as she had always a great deal of moderation in her prosperity , so she supported all those disgraces which heaven sent her with much constancy . they remarked ( as a thing rare in either sex , when they have the soveraign authority in their hands ) that she had so little resentment for the persecutions they had made her suffer , she seemed to take a pleasure in them , so much she feared to oppose religion . but the infante had not so much moderation , for he would not pardon the favourites , whom he accused to be the authors of them , which irritated them in such sort that they confounded all things with the king. they again raised up the ancient reports , which they had before spread abroad ; that he had no affection for the king , and that he aspired to the crown . they enquired into his discourses , into his exercises , and into the persons that came to him , to endeavour to gain some pretext to censure his conduct . the king witnessed his hatred against those who complemented him , and an affection for them who estranged themselves from him , and forbid at the same time very many from coming into his palace , and testified to many others , that their affairs were not expedited , because they went thither . what did they not do to take off don rodrigue de meneses first president of the parliament , from the infante ? how often did they try to enforce on him impressions against him ? how often by offers enough to have shaken any man , but he , did they attempt it ? all the presidents of the other tribunals were continued in their charges , but he ●●ly was refused that grace : they would then have sent him in quality of vice●●y to the east indies , but he found too many charms in the person of the infante to go to exercise that charge , which was given to john nunes de acuntia , who was also ty'd to the prince . don rodrigue de meneses , simon de vasconcellos , and sousa , and christopher de abnada , were all the gentlemen that remained to him : but as he had not enough to appear at the entry of the queen , he went and demanded of the king permission to augment their number ; to which he yielded , and told him by henry anriquez de miranda , that he gave him power to name them himself . the infante presently named lewis de silveira , count de sarsedas , don vasco labo baron de alvito , michael carlos de tavora , general of the artillery in the province tras os montes , and lawrence de lencastre ; but going to the palace to thank the king , he found he had changed his mind . in the mean time he heard the queen had left france , and he thought to serve himself with the occasion of the good news , to ask of the king these gentlemen which he had chosen by his permission ; but the king would not yield to it . upon this , the infante having said , that he he was astonished to see his majesty would not approve of the choice which he had made by his permission . the king replied , that his ancient officers had abandoned him , because they were not able to endure his ill humour . so the infante finding himself obliged to let the king see , that they did not retire for any cause , but for their own particular affairs : he would have shewn the king a billet left by antony de miranda anriquez , when he retired , but he would not see it . it is one of the injustices of those who are in authority over others , that they would not have the truth made manifest to them , when it is not for their advantage , for fear their falsity should not continue with them . but it was supposed , that the king did this because he was constant to his favourites , who would have the infante to have taken again his ancient gentlemen , who had quitted him because they were their creatures , nor would they yield to let him have the other , because they were suspected . at this time the infante came very feldom to councel , the favourite however fail'd not to give him an account of the affairs of the realm , but not in truth to ask his advice , but only to tell him what had been resolved on in council : but he had oftentimes that from common report , which they come to communicate to him from the king as a secret. the king and the infante lived together after this manner , when they had advice that that navy which brought the queen , appeared at the cape rogue , in the morning , the d of aug. . the admiral on which she was aboard , cast anchor a little above betlehem , and in the evening she came to land in the presence of all the people , who were ravish'd with her beauty , and her good grace . the king was the only person who was not in hast to see her , and in lieu of going to receive her from on board , he stay'd to do his ordinary exercises . the marquess de ruvigny , general of the naval forces which had conveyed the queen , went to salute the infante , whom he found accompanied with none but don rodrigue de meneses , for simon de vasconcellos , sousa , and christopher de almada , were at lisbon . the prince took an occasion thereupon , to demand again those gentlemen which they had refused him , and sent to let the favourite know by his secretary , that he should advertise the king , it was for his honour , whilst the court was full of strangers , he should have a train answerable to his birth and quality . the favourite return'd an answer so drily to the infante's secretary , that he was obliged to tell him , it would be well for him to pacifie him ; but he despised that advice . before the infante had known the kings answer , they met by chance in the great place , called campo grandee , the king abourding him said , since he had been wilful , he would take his turn to be so to , the infante answered him . that his majesty ought to be as good as his word , and if he had any reason , wherefore he should not grant him those gentlemen he had demanded , he ought not to hide it from him , since they were all worthy of the approbation of his majesty : he had reason to believe , that he had a design to deprive him of the stisfaction of being neer him . after this , seeing things look so scurvily at the court , he demanded permission of the king to retire . the king told him , that he might do it of his own proper motion , if he pleased , but he should not order it . the infante took leave of the king , and kissing his hand , he added to what he had said , that from that moment he should retire himself from the court , but he believed he ought in good manners to attend the king , until he had made his entrance into lisbon with the queen . he went notwithstanding every day to the court , where the king rallying with him , ask'd him why he was not yet gone from court ? he answered , that he stayed only to accompany his majesty in his entry , and after that he would finally retire . among these rudenesses which the king shewed to his brother , he mingled some sweetnesses and caresses ; some were perswaded that this refusal came but from some counsel , that had been given the king. the infante one day , said to don rodrigue de meneses , and to simon de vasconcellos , that he knew well enough , some body did render him ill offices about the king , and had diverted him from the design he had to have kept his word : he added , that he suspected the count of castlemelhor , and if he should find it to be so , he should have a chastisement as rigorous as his crime was enormous . simon de vasconcellos answered , that if he continued to do such injustice to his brother , he should retire himself from his service : and he spoke it with so much passion , the infante was obliged to tell him , that he should have a care of what he said , for he would not always find him disposed to receive his excuses , as he had often done ; since he had carried things to that extremity , and put him besides all patience , he would make him think of what he had to do , and that he should leave the palace . simon de vasconcellos , not being to be found about the infante when he was going forth , and that by his order they had searched for him on all sides without finding him , he came just as the infante went into his coach , who commanded him to take his place , but he denied it ; and the more he was pressed , the more obstinately he refused it , so that the infante was fain to go without him . this obstinacy at one blow , broke the line which ty'd him to the prince , and since that time , he could never obtain the grace he had refused . the count de castlemelhor having understood that the infante was angry with him , and his brother had lost his favour , endeavoured to get for him those gentlemen he desired , but he could not bring it about . but having a mind to justify himself however with the infante , he came to his palace , to make him great protestations of his service , and represented to him the great endeavours he had used with the king to render him service , exaggerating the trouble he had had to have a particular audience of the king , and that he could not obtain it , but under pretext of letting him see some papers of other concernment . but the infante answered him , that he had no faith in those words , if they were not followed by effects , and he should by that best judge of them ; adding that the evil treatment he had received from the king came from the counsels that were given him ; that as he knew not certainly who they were that gave it him , he had not taken from them their lives ; that for his own particular , if he would justify himself to him , he had nothing to do but to procure him the good favour of the king , upon whose spirit he had an absolute power , and that would be the only mark he could give him of his innocency . the favourite returned worse satisfied than before with this discourse ; for he was perswaded that this contempt , which the prince shewed he had for him , if he should not revenge himself for it , would draw on him that of all the people . the infante dispos'd himself every day to retire , and great quantity of the most considerable gentlemen of the kingdom kept themselves about his person , which gave great terror to the favourite , and forced him to stand upon his guard ; for he was not ignorant that they imputed the discontents of the infante to none but him , and that they had said publickly , he would not retire , but because they two were incompatible . this was easily believed by the interest , that favourites have to estrange from the court those , whose birth might give them authority , or for the hatred they bear to favourites , which interprets all they do in an evil sence . after the king had made his en●● into lisbon , on the th of august , the infante , who stay'd 〈◊〉 for the end of that ceremony to 〈◊〉 himself , went out of the city that night without any noise , follow'd only by don rodrigue de meneses , ( simon de vasconcellos not being in his service , and christopher d' almada being indisposed ) and the nobless who were accustomed to be with him , and went to dye at the quinte de quelas , one of his houses of pleasure , which is a 〈◊〉 and a half from lisbon . 〈◊〉 did not approve of this 〈◊〉 , as if the infante had done what 〈◊〉 favourite desired ; saying he had better to have taken some great and magnanimous resolution , and that to evil extreams they ought to use the same remedies . others prais'd it , as a thing necessary and prudent , that after he had unprofitably employ'd all the moderation one could be capable of , he had no other way to take ; if by his first absence he had shun'd great persecutions , he would by this secure himself from those which they prepared for him , which according to appearance would become much more violent . the trouble which this retreat of the infante caused in the court , gave great hopes to the spaniards to reconquer the realm of portugal . fame always adding to the truth , made simple appearances pass for realities , and publish'd in countries at a distance , that the infante had taken arms against the king. that which gave a jealousie to the favourites chiefly , was their understanding the infante had order'd to prepare for him a house at almada , to pass away the winter in . the favourites seeing the love of the people to encrease for the infante , through the compassion which they had for his disgraces , went about to solicite his return . at this time the queen found her self indisposed , and the prince who who came often to enquire after her health , gave her visits by night ; but by the perswasions of the favourites she was removed to lisbon during her illness , it being a place better accommodated it may be to her contentment , for remedy for her grief . the infante let himself be perswaded by the prayers of the queen , and return'd to his palace , yet without bringing his equipage from quelus , because his design was to return thither again , in case he were not satisfied , and to pass from thence to almada . the greatest favour they could force from the king was , that he would consent he should take some gentlemen ; but as for those he had chosen , the more they urg'd , the more he deny'd it , and they could never soften a heart which had so harden'd it self ; so that all they could obtain of the king was , that he should renounce his first election , and chuse any whom he would , one only excepted . as they had fail'd of the first promise they had given to the infante , he would not trouble himself again : nevertheless , after he had made reflection thereon , that his complaint would be the more legitimate , and more talk'd on , if the king should break it a second time , as he believ'd he would , he accepted of this offer , and named lewis de silva tello count d' aveiras , dou john mascarenhas count de la torc , lewis alvares de tavora count de st. john , and emanuel telles de silva count de vilarmayor . when the favourites had heard this news , they deliberated at first if they should approve of the choice ; all these gentlemen being suspected to be too considerable ; but yet in the end they feign'd to think well of it . after this the infante came back to court , when christopher d'almada demanded leave of the king to retire , which was granted him , with some demonstration of acknowledgment for his services . the king every moment exercised so much the patience of his brother , that all the world believ'd his hate was implacable ; insomuch that it was not in the power of those who seem'd to be master of his spirit to sweeten him in the least ; at least it was so thought by some , who were perswaded that it was the interest of the favourites rather to oblige the prince than to irritate him . but others judg'd to the contrary , that all this was but feign'd by the favourites , who despairing ever to be truly reconciled to the infante , fomented the hatred that the king bore him . the aversion of the king to the infante running thus into excess , he did nothing but what render'd him criminal in the mind of the king. one day there hapning a difference between the marchioness of castlemelhor , lady of honour to the queen , and don john mascorenhas count de st. croix , grand master of his house , about the functions of their charges , the king said , he would accommodate the business , and govern his house himself ; the infante thinking to court him , added , that he ought not only to govern his house , but also the realm , which would give joy to all the people , and make all the complaints of his subjects cease . but the king imagining the infante said this in hatred to the marchioness , answered in fury , that he should not meddle with giving him councel ; and his passion pass'd so far , that he had struck him if the queen had not diverted him . another time the king , queen , and the infante being together in a caroch , seeing the tilting in the which the marquess of marialva and the count de castlemelhor were the chiefs of the squadrons ; the infante prais'd the good grace of the marquis and his brother , to don rodrigue de meneses , who rod by him ; the king imagining that these praises which he had given to the marquiss de marialva , did wrong to the count de castlemelhor , he told him , if that the queen had not been present , he would have thrust his sword into his guts . the infante answered , they merited those praises , and that his majesty ought to have equal satisfaction for them all , since they had no other design but to divert him . besides , he was perswaded that his majesty would not shed that blood which he was willing to pour forth for his service . the queen try'd to appease the wrath of the one , and the resentment of the other ; but the first she could not effect . but that which was most surprising in this was , because this marquiss was one of those who had most contributed to the re-establishment of the state , and one of those who did yet maintain it . and although he had won battels , and had recovered places of importance , and that the count had not done any services like these ; yet he be so well perswaded the king , that it was he that did all things in the state , and that others did but execute his resolutions , that he carried away all the rewards ; and the better to cover this ingratitude , he rob'd them of a part of their glory , and debased their fair actions . so that whilst the great captains vanquished their enemies in the field and on the frontiers , the count triumph'd for it in the court and in the cabinet . the king was also so perswaded , his brother did not love him , and he believ'd he saw marks of his aversion in all his discourses and in all his actions , so much that he took all the respects he render'd him for offences . so that it was enough to make the king mortally hate any man , if the infante testified to him any amity ; as it happen'd to joseph de fonseca , chaplain to the king , and almoner to the infante , who had order to withdraw himself ; for which the infante was sensibly touch'd , but dissembled his resentment . the infante having named don verissimo de lancastre to fulfil the charge of drawing the screen before the king , by a permission granted him by the king , it being vacant by the death of don rodrigue de acuntia ; they made him acquainted with that choice by the favourite ; but the answer was return'd , that the king had already himself chosen one to serve in that employment . the infante seeing he would not cease from giving of him these disgusts , he knew now better remedy to shun them , than to withdraw himself from the court. to effect this , he sent the king word by his secretary , that being constable of the realm , he ought to 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 king that it was necessary ; whereupon it follow'd , that the confessor of these two princes went to the infante , and told him as from the king , that although god might give him children , yet it was most profitable to increase as much as was possible the royal family , that for this reason he would act with him as a father and as a king , and desired ardently therefore to see him married . that if he had not hitherto been able to accomplish that desire , he believed that from his prudence and his inclination to the good of the kingdom , this proposition would be very agreeable to him ; that therefore he should inform himself of the princesses of europe , and fix his choice upon her for whom he found the greatest inclination ; and also that he should cast his eyes upon those persons which he should judg most capable of that negotiation ; and as for his part , that all which depended upon him to advance the conclusion of such a treaty , should be perform'd . the infante having consider'd this affair according to the importance of it , sent his answer in writing by the same confessor to the king ; in which he thank'd him for the proposition his goodness had made unto him ; submitting himself intirely to his will ; to follow the order which his majesty had thereupon made known to him , he should declare his mind , not as a rule that he should follow , but only as a mark of that obedience which he would testifie on all occasions . he then made mention of all the princesses of europe , representing to him all the circumstances both of alliance and love ; telling him also , that the confidence and veneration which had united his majesty with the king and queen of england , required , that first of all he should send to their majesties some person to ask their advice and consent thereupon ; and ( having received all necessary instructions ) he should pass into france or italy , to negotiate that affair ; adding , since his majesty among the cares of his publick affairs , would be pleased to think of his own particular , he was obliged to let him know , it was impossible after a proposition of that nature , but he would appoint him some revenues , whereby he might be able to maintain the expences which that condition would charge him with ; hoping his majesty , without prejudicing the publick , which ought to be preferr'd to all things , would act with him according to his ordinary generosity , which he had made proof of so often : in the end proposing john de roxas d' azevedo his secretary , as a person who was most capable of managing that affair : the king approved of all these sentiments of the infante , giving him hope that he would satisfy all his desires . but the day being appointed for his majesty's secretary , and that of the infante to confer about this business , there hapned in the mean time accidents which hindred this conference , and embroiled all the court. a french-man , an officer of the queens , returning from the province of alemtejo , was killed by a carrier , who was pursued and taken in the city of canimbre , and carried to the limoriro in lisbon ; but being he was taken out of a church , ( which are sanctuaries in portugal for all criminals , ) it was for a while disputed whether it should be a sanctuary for his life , which was the occasion that his process was delayed ; and the solitude of the place where the murther was committed , rendred the proofs difficult . at the same time there hapned between the count de st. croix grand master of the queen's house , and pedro d' almeyda her secretary , a difference about their charges : both of them wrot their reasons , and put them into the hands of the queen , who ordered the secretary of state to have them examined by two masters of requests ; but he waving that order , after he had shewed them to all the parliament , carried them to the council of state , without rendring any account of it to her . some time after the queen ask'd the secretary what was done in those two affairs ? he replied , that as to the first , there must be some clearer proof before the accused could be condemned ; and to the other , it was before the council of state , advising her to speak with the count de castlemelhor about it . the queen surprized with this answer , told him he had not executed her orders , and that she did not approve of his councel to speak to the count de castle-melhor , having made a resolution , by oath , never in her life to speak to him about any affair . that he was always against her , and had reduc'd her to so miserable a condition , that it might be called poverty ; that for this eight months past she had not so much as to give an alms ; and notwithstanding all this , he had the credit of acting for her interests . that they had not consign'd to her the fifty thousand livres which the king had granted her . that besides , being she was not willing , by reason of the necessity of the realm , to require presently all those things which she might lay claim to by the contract of marriage ; they ought not at least to fail of paying her that sum. that this refusal would not so sensibly move her , if it were done for the good of the state , and the ease of the people ; it not being just , that whilst many persons at the court overflowed with riches , they should refuse her the money of that consignation ; and yet they paid not the souldiers , retaining unjustly from the religious , the orphans , the widows , and the nobles , their dues , feoadal rents , and pensions ; hiding from her all that passed in the state , as if she had not the most interest next the king : adding further , that they could not but know very well she should have had joy in the re-establishment of the duke of cadaval at the court , since they had seen her solicit it ; but they acted in secret , so that her speaking in the favour of any ( although it were with the greatest justice in the world , ) was sufficient cause to beget obstacles , and oppositions against them : that if she testified a desire to any thing , they made it presently seem a thing impossible to be obtained , though before that it had been very easy : that likewise it seem'd as if they endeavoured to let all the world know she had no part in the government . that , although good manners should teach them otherwise , they had neither respect or regard as they ought to have for her ; and that it was so far from being so , that some persons were so forgetful of themselves , as not to forbear the giving her affronts , and treating her with so much contempt , as she could not but think , by their actions , they would have her to understand she came to portugal rather to be their slave than queen . the secretary ( to excuse his boldness for shewing the consultation to the grand chamber , and carrying it to the council of state ) urged that the count of castlemelhor and his friends had no other design than to serve her majesty . as to the poverty which she complain'd of , he was not at all the cause , that business not concerning him : that her majesty had a revenue , and according to that she should regulate her expences : that , being the method of consigning was a new thing , they would in the beginning find some difficulty . he being netled at what the queen said about the consignation , and of the opulency and great riches of some persons , he very imprudently said aloud , that she was deceived by some about her , who should communicate to her things of importance ; but having none ; they tell her nothing but trifles , which they ought not to do ; and for that the court was full of unreasonable pretenders , they might fear they would implore the protection of her majesty . as for the return of the duke , he was not able to render any account , because that was an affair that the king himself had the conduct of : that though they had not the art of pleasing , they had that which was sufficient to make them render to the utmost all those respects and services they were capable of : that they had treated her with so much veneration , as no queen ever had the authority that she had , and she was abused by whoever told her the contrary : and that she ought to be so far from believing such discourses , as rather to punish those who should make them . but when he answered to the queen's complaint , that they had reduced her to slavery , leaving speaking french , which he had done hitherto ; he said in passion , in his own natural language , that he was assured her majesty had flatterers about her , by whom she was deceived ; she having no cause to complain of the portugals , by whom she was respected even to veneration . the queen replied , that she knew very well how to distinguish the portugals ; for as there were some of whom she had cause to complain , so there were others from whom she received great consolation , and that there were not above three or four with whom she was dissatisfied . that she should willingly take direction about her revenue , without considering that some persons who possess a part of the apanage of the queens of portugal , and who at present draw more profit from their charges , did not do this in the preceding time of other queens ; and that of late it was a crime to speak to her , her esteem being the cause of persecutions : that by this she did best know the intentions of those who treated her ill . that she knew how to discern between the good and the ill ; that even as she never requested any thing contrary to justice , so she never opposed those favours which they had a mind to obtain for any . after this the queen commanding the secretary to speak softly , he answered , that if he spoke aloud , it was that all the world might hear ; upon which the queen bid him hold his peace , and retire ; which he not doing , the queen saw it was not for her dignity to hearken to him any longer , and arose up to go away , but he took her by the robe to stay her ; upon which she ( turning towards her ladies and maids of honour , and to many other persons who were in the anti-chamber ) sent forth a cry with all her force , and said that this was an unknown thing , and without example , no king ever treating his subjects after such a sort : the king coming , she spake to him of it , who promised that for her satisfaction the secretary should be punished . although the queen , as we have said , had commanded the secretary of state to shew those papers concerning the count de st. croix to two of the councellors of the parliament only , they were seen by the whole parliament , and afterwards carried to the council of state : not contented with this , they would have perswaded her to have spoken of it to the favourite ; but she thought that a baseness unworthy of her self . besides , it was not for want of that they refused her the consignation which she demanded , for these favourites were absolute masters of all affairs . the queen seeing that the king broke his word which he had given her to chastise the secretary , was troubled at it to as high a degree as such injustice did deserve . the common councel of the city of lisbon had a custom every year to celebrate the feast of st. anthony , their patron , by giving the people the divertisement of running at the bulls . the queen desiring to dissemble that trouble , which she could not hinder from appearing if she should assist at that spectacle , thought it better to deprive her self of that divertisement . the first courses were already past , and they were preparing to bring forth other bulls when word was brought that the queen would not come . for this cause they feign'd an indisposition in the king to put off the course till the morrow . the next day , and the third day , the queen not being willing to be there , they were fain to continue the kings feign'd indisposition . the next day the queen not being able any longer to endure that her ill treatment by the secretary should pass unpunished , ask'd of the king that he might absent himself from court , with so much briskness that he was not able to refuse her . this business being canvassed in the council of state , it was there resolved the secretary should absent himself the court for some days , after which he should be recalled . by this means things were in peace for a little time , they flattering themselves with sweet hopes for the time to come , if heaven had not chang'd these seeming fair dispositions . for on the second of september , , the count de castelmelhor doubled the guards within and without the palace , ordering the cavalry to be lodged neer , and placing the braves or foot patrovils in the royal garden , making all the officers who were there that night arm themselves , and attend neer the person of the king , and posting his friends from the king's apartment even to the court of the chappel , he so well ordered and disposed all things that the count de villa flor , and lewis de mendoca should no sooner alight to enter the palace , but they might be fallen upon , and destroyed . the king had consented to all this , upon the account they had given him that 〈◊〉 infante had resolved to massacre the count de castelmelhor in the midst of the palace . the infante having heard this news about nine of the clock that morning , ●●dged himself lost if he destroyed not the count. to seek for an occasion of complaining to the king , he found it ●●o difficult to be done , the gates of the palace being all fast ; but if he should come to speak with the king , what assurance had he that the king would not use violence to his person ? or that he would have his ears open to his complaints ? he considered on the other side , if he should any longer endure the injustice of these favourites , his honour was likely to suffer thereby ; and it might be thought the effect rather of his cowardice than modesty ; for they already began to murmur against him , as if he were not touch'd either with the publick interest , the kings , or his own , since he suffered every one to groan under the tyranny of the favourites , who had usurp'd the sovereign authority . in this perplexity the infante knew not which way to take , but being desirous to try all fair means , he was contented to put himself upon his guard somewhat more than he was accustomed , having had advice a little before that they would imprison him ; besides , the count de castelmelhors partisans had said publickly , that if they believed any thing that was violent would be acted against the person of the count , it would do well to prevent it , on any one that should entertain such a design . the day following the count went forth in his coach accompanied with some gentlemen to a garden which he had at the calcada de gloria , a place where he often recreated himself from the fatigues which were already very great upon him , by reason he charged himself with all affairs . this assurance of the count 's confirmed the infante in that resolution which he had taken of writing to the king this letter which he sent to him by his secretary john de roxas about ten of the clock . it is not without extreme regret , that ( prostrate at the feet of the majesty , whom i revere as my king and lord , ) i find my self obliged to inform you of the count de castelmelhor's endeavouring for some time since , all manner of ways to destroy me . i cannot doubt of his intention , because i have advised of it by the ministers of the first rank , and those who are the most zealous for your service , and the publick good ; nor can i say that i should have escaped the dangers of those violent enterprises which they cast me into , but by my own foresight , and that of my friends . his insolence is gone so far as to put the palace of your majesty into arms , under a pretence of my violating a place so sacred . as by his actions past , it cannot but be judged that he is capable to attempt upon my person ; so i hope that your majesty's justice will chastise a person so audacious , by removing from about your person so dangerous a subject ; that i may not be reduced to the necessity of seeking in the realms of strangers for a security which i cannot find in yours , i shall prove without doubt on this occasion , the love which i have always found , and which i shall eternally deserve from your majesty in whatever place i shall go . god preserve your royal person , as i have always desired , and as i have ever taken my care . from lisbon sept. . . the secretary had no sooner put this letter into the king's hands , but it was by him put into those of the count , who upon reading it put all the palace once again into arms ; not only enforcing the ordinary guard , adding to them some of the citizens , causing all those in whom he had most confidence , to repair to him . the council of state was likewise assembled by the king's order , who assisted there himself : and after the infante's letter had been read , the councellors of state were of two contrary opinions how to find out an expedient to satisfy both the princes , but they were not able to do it , justice being altogether on the one side , and authority on the other . the infante's gentlemen whom he had sent home to their houses , being advertised of what passed at the palace , came back in haste to him , just as he had understood that the council of state were separated without having concluded any thing : but he had so much confidence in the justice of his cause , and courage , that he dismissed them home again , except the count de vilarmayor , whose week it was . in the mean time the favourite wrote to the king , desiring his permission to retire ; but afterwards , having made reflexion on the greatness of his credit , and on the number of his friends , and considered that this affair might be decided by his advice , he changed his mind , and resolved to try all ways to maintain himself with the king. the tuesday following past without any answer from the king , only at night he sent the marquess de marialva to tell his brother , that for very just reasons he had caused the guards of the palace to be redoubled , with order to ask him , ( as from himself , ) if it would please him that the count should come to cast himself at his feet , and kiss his hands . as the infante made no answer all that day , his remisness raised in the favourite a belief that he was satisfied : divers reflections were made on this business . some said , that upon the king 's avowing the action of the favourite , the infante was obliged not to take notice of the offence he had received : that nothing was more true than that the king made but little reckoning of the life of his brother ; since he would have him contented to take for satisfaction only a simple disowning and slight submission from him who would have quite destroyed him : but notwithstanding this , he ought to content himself with that accommodation the king had proposed to him , since it would disengage him from a perplexity , out of which he could never get , without putting the kingdom into a combustion . others were of the opinion that the infante could not forego his pretention , which seemed lawful to all the world , that is the retreat of the favourite : it being the proposition he had first made , he should stand to it to the end ; lest otherwise the favourite should draw an advantage from such an impunity , and all the people an evil consequence of his little stoutness against him , and that they might perhaps believe he himself had complained without cause , which would much diminish his reputation and honour . the infante then not being able to resist the motion of his courage , sent word to the king that the count had put in arms all the palace , under a seigned pretence of his coming to kill him in his apartment , which he hoped from his justice he would not let himself be perswaded that he ever had such a thought , that he would proceed against the count ; as an impostor of that quality deserved , and would repair the injury he had done to his honour . they took time to answer this second complaint as they had done the former . the favourite grown insolent to see the king took his part so highly against the infante , resolved in a conference which he had with his friends , to oblige the king to go in person at the head of all his councellors of state , gentlemen , and officers of the army to arrest him in his palace , with all those of his house ; and to declare that they were more guilty than he was ; that upon this pretence they might make the process against them , to the end that the infante seeing himself without followers , might quickly leave off his pursuit . the day following the marquess return'd , with an order in writing from the king , which contain'd the same thing with the former , only he had added , that he hoped by this second satisfaction things would be accommodated , and that the infante would find he most passionately desired it . but this billet did not yet satisfy the infante , because it let him understand that they would bury his complaint in silence ; which obliged him to answer the next day by another billet , which the same marquess rendered to the king ; the substance of which was ; that as nothing was more evident than that those arms wherewith he had filled the palace , were not introduced but upon some secret design of the count 's , he was content however to believe this was done by order of his majesty , since he would have it so ; that however he could not pardon the count , for having called all his friends to secure the person of his majesty , he had forgot him , although he well knew he was every way more interessed than they were in his conservation . that to see the count prostrate at his feet , was not a satisfaction proportionate to his complaint , since at other times the count caused to be made most exact search , and had exiled thereupon very illustrious persons , upon the only suspition that they had conspired against his favour . it was not just , that for the offence had been done against him , there should not be the same inquisitions , and the same punishments ; and that an infante , against whose life they had conspir'd , should be worse treated than the count , who had only had a simple thought that they would have opposed his favour . that to give liberty to those that would inform of the count's crime , they ought to interdict him from the functions of his charges , and remove him from court , with all the security possible for his person and family , against whom he had no design , but only to secure himself . besides , that he was not able to go to the palace to cast himself at the feet of his majesty as he had desired , to see that the tye of blood which he had in the quality of his brother , had less power over his spirit than the amity which he had for a simple subject who was his minister . when this billet was sent , the city of lisbon was in a great trouble , and alarm , to see the regiments embattell'd in the grand place of the palace , the guards redoubled , the rounds re-enforc'd , and the rest of the troops in such an estate , that it seem'd a war was already begun . the infante in the mean time not knowing whether all these preparations were made to affright the people , or make an assault upon him , under the pretext of hindering him from executing his pretended resolution , was in his own palace with as much tranquility , as if there had been nothing exrraordinary in that of the king 's , trusting to his own innocency , and the affection of the people . but fearing nevertheless that his complaint should be ill interpreted by any , he resolved to communicate it to all the tribunals ; to the court of the city , and that of the four and twenty ; writing to them upon this subject , and sending them a copy of his letter and billet which he had sent to the king. at the same time he sent to the councellors of state , to the grandees , and gentlemen of the realm , that they should repair to him ; after all which he so well instructed them in the causes of his complaints , that even the partisans of the count said , they would themselves be the executioners of the counts chastisement , should he happen to forget that respect which he owed to his highness . the justice of the infante's complaints by this means became so publick , that there was not one who did not blame the favourite , in not being willing to justifie himself ; and the king for hindring any from informing against him . at last the king answer'd the infante's billet with another , and sent it him by the marquess de marialva , the marquess de sande , and ruy de monra tilles ; the substance of which answer was : that he desired to know the person by whom he was informed of the counts intention to kill him ; to the end that the count might be punish'd , if they were able to prove he had fail'd in his duty ; if not , that the informer might . desiring also , that he would have the infante understand , it was necessary for the conservation of the state and people , that they two should live together in good correspondence . to which the infante answered : that it had pleas'd his majesty to order him to name the person from whom he had understood the design of the count against him ; but that he was not able to do that , or to go about to make it clear , until he should be interdicted of his charges , and removed from the court so long as it should be judged fit , because whilst he should exercise them , & be at court , it was impossible they should be able freely to do any thing against him . this billet having been read , the king assembled the councellors of state , the great chancellor , the councellors of parliament , two ministers of each of of the other tribunals , the judges of the crown , the procurator of the crown , and that of the finances , to the end that he might examine with them all the proposition of the infante ; but the night before they assembled , they made most powerful solicitations for the count , and he himself entertained the judges before they entred into the council ; at which the ministers were offended , insomuch that they would not deliberate before him of his business , but only in the presence of the king , where this proposition was read : my lord , the infante having wrot to his majesty a letter , in which he complain'd , that he had not been advertised of the redoublement of the guards which they had made in the palace , and that the count de castlemelhor had conspired against his life , although ineffectually ; whereupon he had demanded of his majesty , that he would remove the count from his person and service . his majesty had declared to my lord the infante , upon his first complaint , that it was by his order they had armed the palace . and as to the second , that he was ready to cause the count to be chastised as he deserved for so detestable a crime , a greater than which none could imagine ; but nevertheless it was first necessary to have proofs against the accused , and for that end he should name the person from whom he had received that advice . the lord the infante did rest satisfied with what his majesty had said in reference to his first complaint ; but that did not hinder him from maintaining what he had urged before in reference to the other ; that it was absolutely necessary the count should be interdicted his charge , because of the power it gives him , and that he ought to be removed from court so long as it should be judged fit , to the end that all the people might have liberty to examine that affair . his majesty desired that they would tell him upon his complaint , if he may with justice exile the count , and suspend him from his charge , and not rather consider a more honest part of satisfaction , which may be more convenient for my lord the infante from a subject of that consequence : on the other side , if there be any likelihood in the accusation against the count , examining his services , his fidelity , his zeal , and the injury that this may do to his honour , and to the honour of his family , to the end that no man might say his majesty hath neglected that justice and prudence with which he ought to act in such affairs . besides , they should consider , if the publick affairs have received any damage , as well as the authority of the king ; and also of what consequence this novelty might be to strangers , and especially to the enemies of the crown . and in fine , if this be not enough to take away the fear that the presence of the count might give to the witnesses , that this affair be examined in the presence of his majtsty , who hop'd from the zeal of his ministers , who ought to consider on this business , that they would do it with such care as they owed to his service , to the publick repose , to the administration of his justice , and to his glory . the great regard that this proposition shew'd for the count , in exaggerating the particular inconveniences of his banishment , without speaking of those which attended the refusal of that satisfaction demanded by the infante , let them see plain enough , that this proposition was devised by the counts friends . but that which was stranger was , that the king who should have at least been indifferent in this affair , appear'd too much interested for the count against his brother . in an affair which concerns the life of a prince , one ought to proceed against the accused upon his complaint only , especially when he is a prince of known integrity ; and they ought to banish a minister , how , considerable soever he should be , when without it they cannot be able to manifest the truth ; as it hath been always used in every realm : so in our time , for much less cause , some ecclesiasticks in portugal were ordered to retire themselves into certain places , before that any thing could be verified against them , not regarding any thing that might exempt them from exile . besides , it was not the intention of the infante , to have the favourite exiled , but only absent for some days . they then gave their opinions upon this proposition ; some of the ministers said , that the infante was not a soveraign prince , and that therefore by consequence his affirmation was not sufficient proof . that the retreat and the suspension which he demanded , was not only a shameful chastisement to the count and his kindred , but unjust , since his crime was not yet proved . that it ought not to be suffer'd it should be said in the world , that the chief minister of the realm should conspire against the person of the infante , and by that give our enemies and stranger-nations abroad , cause to think there is a division among the portugals . that the king ought himself in person to enquire into this affair , and according to that inquest proceed against the count. others judg'd it could never fall into their imagina●●●● that there should be any portugal capable of a crime so hainous as that was of which the count was questioned . that the complaint of the infante was assuredly made on a distrust ill grounded , which might be remedied by admitting him to the government and to council . but martin alfonso de mello , deputy of the inquisition , pedro fernandes monteiro councellor of parliament , and john de roxas d'asevedo , were of opinion , the favourite ought to be removed ; by reason that so long as he should have the authority of a favourite , no one could have the free liberty of acting against him . if he should be found guilty of the crime of which he was accused , he ought to be chastised ; and if he should be innocent , be forthwith sent for , and re-established into his charges with reparation . but the king leaned to the other opinion , under colour that it had the greatest number of voices . the conclusion was drawn in writing , that it might be signed by the ministers , but some of them refused it , this not being such an affair wherein all the judges ought to sign the conclusion ; so that there ought to be another assembly , in which every one should separately give his opinion in writing , those who did this , were pantaleon rodrigues pacheco , nominated to the bishoprick of elvas ; francisco de miranda anriquez , councellor ecclesiastick of the grand chamber , pedro fernandes monteiro , martin alphonso mello , matheus melinho , procurator of the crown , and john roxas d'asevedo , who were followed by duarte vas d' osorio , councellor of the finances . domingo autunes portugal , and joseph de sousa de castelbrancha , all three councellors of the inquests . the king sent this conclusion to the infante by the same councellors of state , with order to tell him , that to conform himself thereunto , he ought not to banish the count from his person . at the same time he made the gentlemen about the infante be sent for , with all the nobles , and chiefs of the religious orders , to whom he said , that the ministers of state , and the highest of them , had given him councel not to remove the count , as the infante demanded of him , and that this affair was not the counts , but his own ; and in order to this which had been determined in council , he expresly forbid some gentlemen's going to the palace of the infante without his leave ; and to others in covert words , fearing left they should say he would not permit the noblemen to frequent his house . by which he left them in doubt what to do ; if they went to the infante's palace , he had wherewitnall to accuse them , if they went not , he would deny he had forbid them . some of them desired of the king to know the cause of this prohibition , but he not having been instructed for such a question , made no direct answer , only saying he would have them near his person . the gentlemen of the infante , and some others who were present , answer'd , they knew very well , that the business in which they acted , was truly the affair of his majesty , in being that of the infante's , and that the zeal which they both had for the publick , made no difference in their interests ; but the king said , that was not the reason which made that affair to be his own . upon these differences the king had sent for the judg and recorder of the people , and although they had already wrot in favour of the favourite , he again commanded them to use their interests , with menaces in case they contradicted his order . after which he sent couriers into all the provinces , advertising the governours , that the business of the infante was not so much for his advantage as they might perhaps publish in their quarters : to the navies , an order to withdraw from lisbon , and wrot to the count st. john , that neither he nor any other whatsoever should go out of his province without order . this perswaded the infante , that the design was laid to make war upon him both by land and sea ; so that having known by all these signs there was no more hopes for him of justice against the count : he presented a new request to the king , supplicating him , that he would once more give order to examine this affair , which was expressed in these terms . it hath pleased your majesty to let me know by the councellors of state , the marquess de marialva , the marquess de sande , & ruy de moura telles ; that you have resolved never to consent to the removal of the count de castelmelhor , which i demanded to facilitate the justification of my complaint ; and this resolution is grounded upon the advice of noble persons , whom it hath pleased your majesty to consult . your majesty desires , that i determine and make my answer presently , because the state may not continue in the trouble it is . although i ought to conform my self to whatever it hath pleased your majesty to resolve upon ( as i have not been wanting to do in all my actions ) , there remains nevertheless liberty to demand of your majesty , that it will please you to examine my request a second time for good and all , since this hath been done in affairs of less importance , there is more reason it should be permitted in this , the consequence of which is the loss of an infante , only brother to your majesty , and your majesty's most faithful servant . i infer sir , from this resolution , that the count will not clear himself but with arms in his hand , and without depriving himself of that authority which your majesty hath given him leave to take , appearing to day with greater lustre than ever he had done before , designing by it to cast a terror on the spirits of the people , & to decide by violence a civil affair ; for he caused an assembly to be where they might collect their opinions by the noise of drums , and so little attention , that some did not so much as understand the proposition that was made to them , as it is easie to be remarked in the declarations that they made . those also who gave their opinion in favour of the count , did it on foundations contrary to the end and motive of my request , because i did not demand that the count should either retreat or be exiled without security ; but only a suspension from his great power , to the end , that if during that time he be found guilty , he might lose both his honour and life ; and on the contrary , if he justifies himself , he may conserve both the one and the other , with all his charges . this proceeding , sir , lets us see with what precipitancy they have acted , who examined the grounds of this affair ; there having been more of solidity in the opinions of martin alfonsas de mello , john de roxas d'asevedo , and pedro ferdinand monteiro ; these last named having seen by the experience of twenty-seven years , a great many crimes which they have examined of high treason , being thereby very intelligent in that matter . doth not francisco de lucena furnish us with an example , against whom the complaint only of some particular gentlemen was found sufficient to put him into prison ; and yet they will not allow mine to be sufficient to gain an order for the count to retire for some days , although he should leave for his defence his kindred , his friends , his creatures , and your majesty himself . he thinking it better to suffer this blot upon his honour and reputation , than to expose himself to the danger of the issue , and engage you to declare that the cause was your own , than to stand to the trial of the truth . by this resolution your majesty hath let us see the interests of the count are inseparable to the crown , to the prejudice of the only infante , and the only successor your majesty hath at this day , or that you shall have until those shall be born which i expect shall break that order . as if the interests of an infante should be different from those of the crown , when he meddles with those of a favourite , whose boldness is gone so far , as to perswade your majesty to order all those gentlemen whom i use to see at my palace , to come there no more , because there runs a report , that i have made my complaint to the people . but this pretence which he hath taken , the better to hide his pernicious intentions , is taken away , and ceases by the obedience of these gentlemen . he would have it believ'd , that your majesty cannot be a king , if he should be at any time removed from about your majesty , although it were but for some days ; believing this the best way to lessen my glory , and that of all the nobles of the realm ; arming against me , as he at present doth , horse and foot , doth it not justifie my former complaint ? and although your majesty believes , that what hath pass'd was for another cause , the event will let you know , that it was only a pretence by which he abuses your majesty . for in fine , it must needs be , that i am the object of all this tumult , or they have not distinguish'd me from those against whom they arm. if it be the first , is there any thing more offensive ? if the other , it must be , that they have not counted me in the number of those whom they meant to defend ; else wherefore did they not advertise me to think of my security ? wherefore did they send none to defend my palace ? wherefore never did they impart to me the cause for which they took up arms ? and lastly , why this precaution of redoubling the guards ? it is against the infante , sir , it is against the infante that the count de castelmelhor takes arms in the eyes of all the nobles , and of all the people of the realm ; raising trouble in the state , and terror in every spirit , so that none may have liberty to do any thing against him . but however it is not arms that can dismay the infante don pedro ; for if they should have the power to affright him , he would tear open his veins to let out that blood which was not answering to his birth , and the example of the kings his predecessors . i say this , sir , for fear that any should believe , if i should retire , i go to look for succour . the count hath put this business in such terms , that both of us cannot be safe ; and it must be , that i perish , or he be removed . that which gives me a most mortal grief is , i too plainly see your majesty would rather consent to the loss of me than the withdrawing of the count ; sacrificing to his violence , my life , my officers , and all those that take my part ; enforcing me by this pressing necessity ( which i have forseen without being able to shun ) to go seek for a retreat , seeing well that this is the only means to restore tranquillity to the publick ; for which i would sacrifice all my interests , and my own life if need be ; this way the state will be deliver'd from the noise of war , and the count enjoy in repose , without apprehending the disturbance of that felicity which makes him so insolent . the infante had no sooner sent this letter to the king , but he began to think he should execute the design of his retreat , & being desirous to serve the state and the realm in giving proof of his courage , even when he was constrained to abandon it wholly , he disposed himself to depart for the province of tras os montes , which he judged most proper to his design ; because the count de st. john , first gentleman of his chamber was governour there , and his two brothers michael carlo de tavora , and francisco de tavora , were the one of them general of the artillery , and the other serjeant major of the field . but fearing equally least the violence of the king , and the zeal of the people should bring any obstacle to his voyage , he resolved to go away secretly . the king let pass two days without making any answer to the infante , and then sent him this . my most honoured and most beloved brother , i the king send to salute you , as him whom i very much love and esteem ; i have seen the letter which which you have wrought to me the th of this month , which lets me know , that i am obliged to you for confirming your sentiments to mine ; this informs me , that you are not ignorant that all the resolutions i take are advantagious , both for me and you . i love you as my son : and if i should have no other reason , that were enough to oblige me to a thousand good wishes for you ; as to the particular business concerning which you wrote , i have already sent to let you know , that i was ready to do you justice , so soon as i shall be instructed which way to do it ; as to your design of retiring , i would have you change it , and come to me ; i shall always have my arms open to receive you with that love which i ought to have for a brother , upon whom i look as upon my friend , my son , and my successor in the realm , so long as it shall please god to give me no other ; in which case i shall take much consolation if god permit you to succeed to my crown , and that when-ever it shall please his divine majesty . this letter as full of dissimulation as of tenderness increased the infante's distrust , and the more , because it was not the kings manner to act thus with him , and obliged him to make this answer : not having the power to obtain of your majesty , that they should examine my complaint anew , and that upon better informations than the former ; although it be of such consequence , that it is not unknown to your majesty , or to any in the realm ; i conclude from that resolution of your majesty , that you would bury in forgetfulness the demand which i have made to you ; taking from me , by this means , the liberty of ever parting from it . therefore i render my most humble thanks to your majesty , for the goodness which you have expressed towards me in the last letter which you were pleased to write me . if i do not go in person to do it , i have for it an excuse so lawful , that i hope your majesty doth judg it so , since your majesty hath given such authority in your palace to a man who is not only accused to have endeavoured the taking away my life , but who hath made himself guilty in opposing the clearing himself from that accusation . after this , can there be any security for me , although i am the only infante , and your majesty's brother ? but i conjure your majesty , to give credit to the sincerity of my heart , when i assure you , that in whatever place i go , i shall always respect your majesty as my father , and serve you as my king and lord. god conserve your royal person , and give to you long and happy years . many of the ministers , among whom some were friends to the favourite , resolved to try all their force to keep the infante . the queen desiring the same thing , sent to know of him by her confessor , father francis de ville , if he desired she should be a mediatrix between the king and him ; and if he thought good to defer his departure , whilst they should labour for some accommodation . the infante accepted her offer , and sent to thank her for the favour she had done him ; saying , he would not depart , since she had order'd it so . after this answer of the infante , which was but by word of mouth , the queen sent a billet by pedro fernandes monteiro , which was : that she was very much obliged to him for accepting her mediation , and deferring his voyage . in case the king yeilded the count should go away from the court , after what manner his higeness would have it done , what place of retreat , and what security should be given to him . and as the infante said , that after the retreat of the count , he would remit his interests into their hands , she desired that he would better explain himself upon that point . to which the infante answer'd : that he hop'd by the respect was due to royal authority , she would obtain what he had so often aim'd at that he asked to come only to that point she was arrived at . that his majesty might chuse a place for retreat of the count where he pleased , provided it were at a distance , as it ought to be on such occasions ; and that he was wholly ready to execute all that which her majesty should ordain , in respect of assuring to them the person of the count , submitting himself also so soon as he shall be gone from the court , to all that it shall please her majesty . as the queen desired to accommodate this business , she had no sooner received the answer of the infante , but she wrot to him . that the resolution of his conforming himself to h●● sentiments , was very agreeable to her ; that she demanded of him an assurance signed by him for the person , and for the honour of the count , so soon as he shall be removed from court ; and that he would never more speak of his complaint . they promising him on their side , that the count should go away as soon as they should have this assurance ; for he desired nothing more than his favour . and besides , that he might quit the court with the less embroilemen the would of himself lay down the charge of escrivaon de puridade . to this billet , which they judged to be dictated by the favourite , the infante made this answer : that prostrate at the feet of her majesty , he rendred her a thousand most humble thanks for the honour and the favour which she had done him , in employing her royal authority for the accommodating that affair ; that he had sent her the assurance in the form it had pleased her majesty to ordain him : that in respect to what her majesty had declared to him in her last billet , he hoped she would act after that manner she should judg most fit for the service of the king her lord , the conservation of the state , and the repose of his subjects . this billet was accompanied with that of the assurance , which was addressed to the queen in these terms : so soon as your majesty was pleased to take notice of this affair , you engaged me straitly to execute all that you should be pleased to prescribe ; and to satisfie you of that which your majesty demands of me , as to the assurance for the person and the honour of the count , i do engage my faith to your majesty that i will enterprize nothing neither against the one or the other . and to the end the count may know what the mediation of your majesty is able to do , i am willing to bury my complaint in perpetual silence , as if it had never been thought on . god preserve your majesty , and grant you many happy years . in the mean time the favourite made an attempr to carry the king into alemtejo , where the army was ; this proposition pleas'd him at first , but when it came to the execution , he found the king chang'd , he not being able to resolve to his divertisements , which ty'd him to lisbon . it was very late at night when the infante sent to the queen the billet with the assurance for the count , which he no sooner had receiv'd , but he retired , accompanied with the cavalry , into a religious covent in the province of arabida , seven leagues from lisbon . after this retreat it seem'd that all things would be at peace ; but it it did not happen so , because the favourite did still govern the king ; which appeared chiefly in that the king did not receive the infante as he had hoped he would , and as he had made him believe , for he did not so much as answer one word to all his civilities , nor to all his acknowledgments . it was agreed , they should not speak of that which was pass'd , the king did something more , he would not so much as speak of any other thing . the infante having demanded of him permission to render his duty to the queen , he was contented only to make him a sign with his head. as the infante proposed to himself the going often to the palace , endeavouring to get by his assiduity the favour of the king. those whose interest it was he should not come there at all , broke his measures ; so that the queen ( knowing the aversion which the king had for the infante ) sent him word , that he should not present himself before the king , fearing lest there should happen any broil between them . after this the infante was easily perswaded , that they had fram'd some dedly design against him , especially when he saw that the souldiers which they had made to come to the palace , were not sent away , and that they had posted some companies of foot near his palace . the company of the patrovils belonging to the king also saying , that one morning they should see the heads of those cut off , whom they should arrest over night ; made him judg they intended to do so to those who were of his party , and ty'd to his interests . there ran also at that time a report , that there had hapned a very unlucky accident to henry anriquez de miranda , of which he was very ill . some said he himself had caused this report to be spread ; however whether this sickness was true or feigned , for some days the king went every night to consult with him of all things , as with him that had taken the place of the count ; this made them believe it was he who did ill offices betwixt the king and the infante , making the king so bitter against him ; and being told , some persons were so transported with choler against him , that they were gone to search for him , intending his death . the king would have had him come to the palace , but he thought it better to retire himself and quit the court , leaving the king in the hands of antonio de sousa de macedo , and of emanuel autunes . these two favourites finding it fit for their purpose to cause the infante to come to the palace , made their intentions known to all the court , without letting the king be seen in it . to this end they sent to tell him , as from the queen , by the count de st. croix , grand master of her house , that the council was to assemble at such a day , and the queen would be very glad if he would be there . but as he thought upon the advice which the queen had given him , this order which was brought to him in her behalf by the count , was suspected ; he therefore thought best to write to the queen a billet , which was carried by the same count de st. croix ; of which this was the substance : that on the th of the same month of september she had sent to him by the count de st. croix , an order to abstain from coming to the palace , to the end that there might not arrive anything to displease the king , which might cause an unhappy difference betwixt the king and him . that this order which was not brought to him but with the kings consent , had most sensibly touch'd him , seeing that presently after he had granted him the honour to come and cast himself at his feet , he had forbid him to present himself before his majesty , which was to him a most rigorous punishment , not having committed any fault that should merit it , except the incertitude wherein he was , not knowing after what manner he should act to please the king , might be called one . that things being in these terms , he did supplicate her , that she would please , whilst there was yet time to examine the danger to which he exposed himself , if he should not give satisfaction to the king , since that the last order which she had sent him did not disengage him from the former , which was general , and of which the cause was not yet ceas'd ; at least that he had no intention to treat him as a councellor of state , which he could not comprehend , since that a councellor of state could not give councel to a king , he having an aversion for him that gives it . that he hop'd she would seriously consider the two orders of their majesties , and that she would not blame his irresolution , which arose from the profound respect he had for them ; and that in the end she would know it was necessary the king should give him liberty of going to the palace , to the end he might be always near their majesties , which was the only thing that he desired , to be ever in a condition of serving them , as his duty engaged him . whilst they waited for the infante's answer , they sent to him several times some of the pages of the chamber , to let him know that he should come to the councel ; but as they came not from the king , nor with the ordinary formalities , he would not go . the favourites seeing this artifice was unprofitable to them , they made use of another ; they made the king write a letter to the infante , which they sent him by antony de mendosa archbishop of lisbon ; containing these words : most honoured infante , my most beloved and most esteemed brother ; i the king wish you health , &c. i have judg'd it convenient to order you by this letter to come to speak with me this day ; and i shall be glad that it be presently , because i would testifie to you publickly ( as being a thing that is but just that all the world should know ) that i have your person in that esteem which i ought , as your king , your brother , and your father , whose place i hold . also you may act near me , after the manner that you have demanded by the intercession of the queen , whom i honour above all queens , as my most beloved and most esteemed wife . the infante having reflected on this letter , doubted yet whether he should go to the palace , although the king had so order'd him ; but having conder'd , that after he had declared he did not go to the council because he was forbid , if he should not now go at this time when he was recall'd with honour , they would say it was his mind to be separated from the king. to hinder this , he went thither , but was received with the same coldness as formerly . but even in the middle of the tempest that was raised against the infante , there was stirr'd up another more furious against the queen . antoniy de sousa de macedo , secretary of state , solicited his re-establishment , demanding at least that he might be permitted to appear in the palace , where all the world knew he was hid . the king having already made for that some instances , the queen let him know that it stood not with her honour he should return so soon ; upon this they would not at this time press the matter any further . sometime after he spake again of it to the queen , which made her to answer him , that he might by his absolute power cause him to return , but it should never be by her consent ; so that they were obliged to approve of the repeal of the secretary by the same council of state who had order'd his exile . this was no sooner done , but they sent this conclusion to the queen , which seem'd to have been dictated by the secretary , the discourse being the same with that of the contestation he had with her . and as all that which hapned afterwards in the state , drew its original from the complaint of the queen , it is very convenient to render publick the conclusion ; which was in these terms : the contestation that the secretary antony de sousa de macedo hath had with the queen our soveraign ; having been proposed to the under-subscribing ministers , conforming to that which he hath represented , and the princess remonstiated to us , in that he did forget the respect he owed to her , it hath seemed to us ( altho the secretary hath justified himself that he had no ill intention to the queen our soveraign , and that his intention was but to perswade her majesty , that the portugal nation had no other intention than to honour her majesty , and not to treat her as she had complain'd ) that the king our lord , ought to order the secretary of state to retire himself from court for ten or twelve days , and that during that time antonio de cavide exercise his charge , and remonstrate to the queen our soveraign that he doth this only to content her , on condition however that she henceforward never engage her self in the like contestations , because of the evil sequels which may happen thereupon in the state , as affairs stand ; and that this advice may serve as well for the present as for the time to come . at lisbon , aug. . . this decree was no sooner seen by the queen , but for answer she sent this letter to the king , who was at the council , by emanuel de sousa de silva , superintendant of her house . i have not been able to represent to your majesty and the council of state , the just subject of my resentment , no more than the strange motive of my complaint , because that even to this present they have maliciously concealed from me the conclusion that had been made upon this subject ; but having in the end seen it , that which it contains hath cast me into an extraordinary astonishment ; had i had sooner notice of it , i had at first represented to your majesty the injury my honour hath thereby received in remonstrating the justice of my complaint . but assoon as i knew what the councel has determined , notwithstanding all the assurance that i may have as queen , i complain to your majesty with all the humility of a subject ; demanding of you that justice which might be expected by any particular person , against the temerity which anthony de sousa de macedo hath calumniated me with , in assuring most maliciously the councellors of state , that in the contestation which he had with me , i should speak against the whole . nation of the portugues ; although he knows very well , as i do also declare unto your majesty , who ought to believe the faith and word of a queen , that i did never speak to him but most obligeingly of the sentiments and interests of the nation : and that it was only against the proceeding of anthony de sousa and two or three of his friends , who had treated me unworthily , that i shewed any resentment : for , in fine , can any one behold a thing more astonishing , than the boldness of this man , who dares upon a supposition that has not the least likelihood of truth ; and upon a gross lie , fill'd with calumny , solicit and obtain secretly a conclusion of the councel of state so injurious to a queen ; since it is manifest that my heart hath not been touch'd with any thing more , than with the marks of love , respect , and compassion , which on all occasions have been paid to me by all the portugals , whom i esteem and love as my children ; and that it is only the malice and cruelty of two or three who oblige me by their insolencies to treat them as my capital enemies . after all this , my lord , after i have declared , and protested , as i do again , that i shall never for the time to come , be able to see a man who hath by artifice , and under colour of a false report , obtained against me a determination so odious , and from which they have framed an act so scandalous , full of reprehensions and menaces , humbly prostrate at the feet of your majesty , i do demand of you reparation and satisfaction upon my complaint , and that you will be pleased to ordain anthony de sousa de macedo adjudg'd and punish'd according to the rigour of the laws established against those guilty of high-treason ; and that above all things , that he declare , that what he hath remonstrated to the councel , is false , and demand pardon ; since he hath therein offended god , your majesty , and me , and the councellors , whom he hath also deceived , as well as justice , which he hath abused with divers lies , and malicious suppositions ; and that there may be an act made of this beginning of satisfaction , and that it be inserted in the place of that detestable conclusion in the registry of the councel of state. my lord , may it please your majesty to order that this crime and my complaint may be examined , since that there ought to be satisfaction given to an offended queen to repair her honour , which is inseparable with that of your majesties , as well as of your sovereign authority . i demand justice , my lord , against this decree ; which were unjust , had it been given against the least of your subjects without being heard ; and therefore with more reason , being given against a queen oppressed with the artifices , the violence , and the great credit of her enemies . the king put this letter into his pocket without reading it , and very unbecoming his state , publickly solicited the secretaries return , which the queen not being able to consent to , shut her self up in her apartment , without seeing any one but the king , who gave her nothing but cross and unbecoming words . in the mean time the secretary appears in the palace with all his accou●rements , and there went a report that the king was resolved to leave the city , and to carry with him all the cavalry , with an order to all the gentlemen who were about the infante , to follow him : to which they added , that in case they did not obey that order , he would come back into the city to cut off the heads of some of whom he had a list . upon this , the same thought , which formerly the queen had to chase away anthony de conti , came into the mind of the infante , to demand from the king , that he should oblige the secretary to retire from about his person ; so that on the th . of october the infante went to the palace , followed by the most part of the nobility , and by a grand concourse of the people . the king was yet in his chamber , which obliged the infante to attend with some councellors of state , with whom being entred , he spake to the king with very much vehemency ; nevertheless without losing the respect which he owed him ; but the king falling into a rage , cry'd out in a fury that they should give him his sword ; the infante had no sooner heard that , but he drew his half way out of his belt , and presenting the guard to him said , my lord , if it is against me that your majesty asks for a sword , dispose of mine ; if it be against any other , suffer me to defend your majesty . but the king would not take it , only continued his cries . the queen , who knew nothing of this enterprize , ran to the chamber of the king trying to appease him , by reasons and prayers ; but she was not able to gain any thing upon him , being perswaded they had killed the secretary , ( although they did assure him he was not slain ) saying he would not believe it unless he saw him , which obliged the duke de cadaval to go fetch him from the chamber where he had shut himself up , that he himself might satisfie the king that they had done him no violence ; but however they had much a-do to keep him safe , for bringing him to the kings chamber through the crowd of people , they had kill'd him , if the duke turning himself about to those who had that design , had not said to them with an angry countenance and imperious tone , that he was his conductor . the presence of the secretary having a little appeased the king , the queen retired , and also the infante . upon this there was heard a voice that cry'd oftentimes , that all would be well . the same voice having called on the queen and the infante , the king went out of his antichamber with them , having the secretary by his side , going to a window which looks into the grand place of the palace , where the people seeing him , cry'd out oftentimes , god save the king. after this the king withdrew thorow the people , who had fill'd the antichambers , those who went before him saying , he pardon'd all the people , which offended them so much ( thinking that they had committed no fault ) that john mascarenhas count of sabugal was fain to tell the king , that they would not have a pardon but thanks . the king who did not well hear those last words , repented he granted them pardon ; but having at last comprehended that the count refused it , and that he asked of him only his thanks , he replied , he granted both the one and the other . but that which most of all astonish'd the people was , to see him in the midst of this trouble and importment fall to playing upon a flagelet , it very ill becoming so grave a person to do so . this boyish divertisement and his crying out were remark'd as an unbecoming thing in the mind of a king , and imputed to the default of his organs . this success , so different from what they had imagined , made them conceive such an indignation against the king , that they said aloud , they ought to take from him the crown , and give it to the infante : insomuch that one pronounc'd these words , either take it your self , or we will take it for you ; but the infante growing angry , made him hold his tongue with his look . as it was the design of the infante to make the secretary leave the palace , he resolv'd to lie there that night to finish the work he had begun ; but the secretary fearing it would be fatal for him , sent to tell the infante , that if he did not leave the palace that very moment , it was because he could not do it in security , and that he would not fail to depart assoon as it was night ; for which laurence de sousa de meneses , count de santiago & don pedro d'almeida admiral of the realm , became sureties . emanuel autunes sent at that time to demand the same grace , which was likewise granted him , although he had merited a more severe chastisement . this man , who had been the son of a sexton to the church of miserecorde de vilaviciosa , had passed from the charge of the repostery to that of groom of the chamber ; besides that , the king had granted him the order of st. jaques , and several other favours ; it was he that made the secret dispence , but the 〈◊〉 , and the profusion of it , had rendred this private expence too publick . the near access that he had with the king , came from the service that he rendred him in his secret pleasures , his boldness was such , that at all times he intermedled with the affairs of the infante and the king. upon these assurances the infante withdrew to his own palace , followed by the greatest part of the nobility , and an innumerable concourse of people . the king the next day seeing neither the secretary nor emanuel autunes , judged well that they were gone away ; upon which he demanded to have them chastised , for going away without his consent ; sending an order to all the superiors of the covents in the city , to let him know , if they were retired into any of them , and making all the places near to be search'd by gonsalo de costa de menose , and joseph de sousa cid , but they could be no where found . but at last , having heard that emanuel autunes was gone into alemtejo , he sent diego lewis ribeira soares with an order to dennis de mello de castro , master of the camp , general of that province , that he should find him out , and having found him , to remit him into his hands . so soon as soares was return'd , the king briskly ordered him back again to search again , saying he was resolved to put off the feast of the bulls until he returned ; so that those animals staid many days , and the barridos stood many months in the great place of the palace , not without considerable loss : the souldiers that emcamp'd there either burning or breaking them as they had need of them , or as their fancy took them . the king was not only in a rage against the secretary and emanuel autunes for going away , but also against all those who contributed to their retreat , and particularly against the infante ; upon which , having advice , he abstained from going to the palace . in the mean time the infante , and the most zealous for the publick good , seeing the king's exchequer emptied by so many profusions , and excessive expences ; and that the raising of contributions were very difficult , and that through all this expedition of the wat was hindred , they were afraid the return of these favourites , which the king so obstinately desired , would expose the realm a prey to their enemies . to avoid this therefore , they resolved to call together the three estates of the realm . the winter-season being best for this purpose , because of the ceasing of the war , they judged it not amiss forthwith to cause the councels of the cities to act it . that of lisbon , as it was the most considerable of all others , presented to the king the first remonstrance ; in which , after they had most amply shown their reasons for assembling the states , they demanded of him their convocation . as the name of the states gave an offence to the king , he took this remonstrance without communicating it to the councel , publishing that he would not have them called together ; for he knew very well wherefore they would have them called , for all along they had perswaded him that the assembly of the people was some lessening the authority of kings : and if the three estates should joyn with his brother against him , how could he be able to help himself ? and if they should enterprize any thing against his person , how could he avoid it ? foreseeing this , he would give no answer to the common council of the city , however pressing they were ; and for the most part he would not so much as hear them . and if he had appointed them a time to come to receive his resolution , he would very unhandsomly hold his peace . sometimes he would have the states called , and sometimes he would not ; so that the common council of the city of lisbon dispairing to obtain any answer from the king , wrote to all the others , and to all the chapters of the realm , to give them an account of that which had passed ; and represented to them , that it was very convenient for the publick good , to demand from the king the convocation of the states : but they could do no more with him than they , and the more pressing they were in perswading , the more inflexible he became . the council of state being assembled , the king , queen , and infante being there , it was unanimously agreed , that without assembling the states general , the disorders of the kingdom could not be remedied . but the king took this for a conspiracy against him , and would not yeild to a remedy that should give him so much fear ; and gave ill words and injurious speeches to those who would have given him that council , which diminish'd very much of his authority . the marquess of sande presented a memorial to the council of state , in which he did remonstrate to the king , that he ought to treat with more love and respect than he had hitherto done so illustrious a princess as his queen was ; and the infante with that civility and regard , which the quality of an only brother to a king required . that he should suffer them to be near him , who might jointly govern the state with him , and not as he had hitherto done , put it into the hands of a favourite . that it would be more glorious for him and all the portugals , that he gouern with the help of royal persons , who had as well as his majesty all qualities necessary for it , than to suffer a subject to do it , who had not only rais'd himself above all other subjects , but who would yet raise himself above him . that by consequence there was an indispensable necessity the estates of the realm be convocated , since they were obliged to give some remedy , how violent soever it might be , being he would not give them any other . the councellors of state approv'd this remonstrance , and having sign'd it to authorize it , they carried it to the king ; but he instead of taking notice of their good will , condemn'd it as criminal , and conceiv'd a mortal hate against the author . but the ministers of the state sacrificing all their resentments to their countries good , they had so much patience that they brought it about notwithstanding the wilfulness of the king , who consented at last to assemble the states , on condition it should not be till his return from salvaterre , whither he was resolved to go according to custom , on the th of january the year following , and to return on the th of february . without this they had lost the opportunity of remedying an evil that would admit of no delay . at the same time it was reported the king design'd to leave the city with his braves of his pratroville , and to join himself with his favourites and their partisans . this was confirmed by the advice they had , that he had distributed horses to his querries , and stop'd many barques which were in the harbour before the great place of the palace , and at a place called grilo ; which gave a suspicion that he had a design to pass into the province of alemteijo . but all these projects vanish'd , either through the care of the infante , or by the negligence of the king. as they had been forc'd to come to a kind of battel with the king , to make him consent to the convocation of the states , so it was not without much trouble the ministers had obtained from him it should begin on the first of january . but then when the commissioners were expedited for the council of the city , he would not sign them , although he had solemnly promised it . in the mean time the queen seeing they took no consideration of her complaints , took a generous resolution not to suffer any longer such contempt . so long as they did not lose the respect they ow'd to her person , she knew how to dissemble ; but so soon as she was perswaded the king did not love her as his spouse , nor consider her as a queen , and by his example the pavourites despised her ; she then had so much resentment , that she resolved to let all the world know that which hitherto she had hid with prudence and moderation . the queen used oftentimes to visit the nunneries in the city , and particularly that of esperance of the order of st. francis , in which were many ladies of great quality . the th of november , she left the palace with her ordinary train to go to this covent . so soon as she was entred there the first thing she did , was to write this following billet to the king , which was carried to him by the count of s. croix . i have left my country , my house , and my parents , selling all my goods , that i might be your majesties companion ; not without a great desire of contributing as much as i was able to your satisfaction . but whatever my endeavours have been , i have not been able to compass it , which has given me a mortal displeasure . i will not therefore hide from you , that i have resolved ( pressed by my conscience ) to return to france , in those vessel● of war which are here . i desire o● your majesty , that you will do m● the favour to grant me permission to execute this design , and to ordain that my portion be returned , since your majesty knows very well i am no● your wife . i hope from the greatness of your majesty , that you will no only not refuse me any of these favours , but that you will add yet a● those which a princess and a strange● may merit , one that is abandon'd by all in this realm , & one who hath com● so far to find your majesty . so soon as the queen had sent thi● billet to the king , she sent for the lad● of her attire , and her maids of honour , and those ladies that accompanied her , to tell them her resolution o● staying in that covent ; she declared to them , that since she was not married to the king , she was not queen of portugal , and that they might retire themselves to their own houses ; and sinc● fortune did separate them , she would all her life time remember the obligation she had to them , and the passion they had testified for her , in being companions of her misfortune . this resolution extreamly surpriz'd these ladies , and they could by no means be made to leave her , staying there all that night , and a good part of the next day . at last there stay'd none in the covent to wait on her but dona antonia de silva , her lady of honour , and dona antonia mauricia de silva , and dona isabella francisca de silva , her maids of honour . the ladies however visited her in the covent , with the same exactness and assiduity as they had done when she was at the palace . the king had no sooner heard the billet read which was sent by the queen , but he descended from the palace , and mounting briskly into his coach , caused them to carry him immediately to the covent , accompanied with all those who were to go with him on hunting , for he was going to the chase when he received this letter from the queen . he made them knock at the gate with fury , when the infante came thither with some gentlemen to hinder any disorder . the queen was mightily surpriz'd at the innumerable crowd of all sorts of people who were got together ; and when she heard that he called for harchets to break open the gates , she fell into a swound . and the king had without doubt broke them open , if the infante , with some councellors of state and some gentlemen , had not diverted him. the king was so little concerned at all this , that he forgot it when it was night ; for in the morning when he arose , he ask'd as if there had not happen'd any thing extraordinary , whether they had given provendor to the bulls , which he always kept in the grand place of the palace for sport . the queen the next day after her retreat , sent to desire the infante to come to her , which he did with the kings permission . having her self told him her resolution , he answer'd her with all the tenderness that her quality and the deplorable condition which she was reduced to , required : after finding the king , he saw he was extreamly anger'd at the motion of her retreat , and he would maintain with much passion , and in very dishonest terms , that he was more a man than they thought for . the queen having at the same time caused the councellors of state , and the most considerable officers of the crown to be called , she declared to them the cause of her retreat into that covent , and the resolution she had taken to return into france , after that she had made her marriage to be declared null by the care of the duke de cadaval her procurator ; then she wrot to the chapter of the cathedral church in lisbon this , which follows . i am removed from the company of king , whom god preserve , because that the marriage which we have contracted together hath not had any effect . i have dissembled hitherto the scruples which have troubled my conscience , because of the kindness i have for the state , which is most worthy of it . but i cannot longer support it . i hope that the king , as an irreproachable testimony of that which i have affirm'd , will confirm it , to the end that i may be able to retire into france with freedom : and i pray the cahpter , to whom it belongs to judg of this matter , that they will do it with all the diligence possible , and to favour in all that shall be just , a stranger sensibly touch'd with the unhappiness of not being able to stay in a countrey which she had come so far to seek with an extraordinary contentment ; for which the chapter may assure it self with all imaginable confidence , that in what-ever prrt i shall go , i shall shew my acknowledgments . maria frances isabella of savoy . this letter having been read in the assembly of the chapter , they made to it this answer . your majesties letter of the th of this month hath been read in this chapter with very much grief , because by it we understand the resolution that your majesty hath taken of retiring your self into a nunnery , and from thence to return into france , abandoning portugal where your majesty is so much loved and rever'd : and that your majosty has demanded from us an ecclesiastick judgment for the dissolving the marriage contracted between our lord the king and your majesty . madam , the ordinary proceedings of justice which are granted to private persons may not be refused to your majesty , when things are come to a certain point . nevertheless there are so many circumstances in this business worthy of examination , that we demand permission of your majesty before we enter upon this examination , to recommend it , and to cause it to be recommended to god , that he may be pleased to guide us according to those pious intentions which shall be for the universal good of the state , and for the conservation of your majesty , whom we pray the same god to keep , and to whom we all wish long and happy years . the queen sent into france to give notice of the estate of affairs by monsicur verjus envoy in the court of portugal on the part of the princes of the house of vendosme , a gentleman very much esteemed for his worth , and for his rare accomplishments . so soon as this process was begun to be framed , and the king's inability became to be publickly talk'd on , and of which no body doubted , the people began to wish that the infante might espouse the queen . and this desire was grounded vpon very many reasons , but chiefly on the virtue and the prudent conduct of this princess , which had gained her the esteem of all the people . and moreover this marriage was not without example , since that in poland , john casimir had succeeded to the crown , and to the wife of sigismond casimir his brother , and the city of lisbon heretofore desired that the queen dona eleanor widdow of the king don emanuel should be married to king joh. the th his son : so that after the dissolution of the marriage of the king and queen , there might be a marriage between the infante and the same queen . monsieur verjus having made known the estate of this affair to monsieur the cardinal of vendosm ●ogat in france for clement the th ; he obtained a dispensation for the prince don pedro and the queen , in case the first marriage was adjudged null . although the king had knowledg of all these negotiations , they were not able to make him consider with himself : but on the contrary , he acted , and spake with so much indiscretion , that there was no body who did not believe they ought to employ these last remedies against his ill conduct . this so urgent a necessity obliged the councellors of estate , the nobility and people of lisbon to conjure the infante that he would take upon him the regency , because the kingdom was in war , and full of troubles , the king incapable to govern , and the queen retired into a nunnery ; and therefore there was great reason to substitute the infante in the place of the king. the common council of the city and of the four and twenty , having sent their deputies to the infante to demand of him permission to proclaim him regent in the palace ; and if he would not yield to it , they would do it against his mind ; he answered them , that they should deliberate whether it would be convenient they should accompany him to the palace . the marquess of cascars thrust on by his zeal and his age , went the next morning to the king ; when he was in his antichamber , the grooms of the wardrobe told him he was yet in bed ; but approaching to him , told him it was time for him to awake , and if he didnot leave that lethargy , out of which he had awaked him , he would in a very little time lose a kingdom which he had already ruined by his negligence and incapacity : that it were better to do that of his own motion , which he would be made to do by force . that he should send to seek for the infante his brother , and to put into his hands the government , which was the only way he had to conserve the crown . this remonstrance was immediately followed by that of the counsellors of state , who made theirs publickly to him , and represented to him , that after he had left the government of the state to his favourites who had ruin'd it , he at present had abandoned it altogether , there being none that would intermeddle with it , unless he himself would act in it . but he was nothing moved neither with the one nor the other : which obliged the duke de cadaval to press the infante on the part of the counsellors of state , to go to the palace to begin his regency . novemb. . , the infante accompanied with the common council of the city , the chamber of the four and twenty , the nobility , and an innumerable company of people , entred into the gallery of the palace ; and from thence he entred with the counsellors of state into the antichamber of the king ; where , after a short conference had together , they arrested the king in his chamber , by making fast the doors , without touching him any other way . the infante presently named for secretary of state dr. pedro vieira de sylva , who had been secretary to the king don john , and to the queen mother ; who having taken his place , the motives of this change were read , and approv'd of in the first assembly of the council of state. the next thing agitated was , in what place they should put the king , and after what manner he should be served : it was then concluded he should be kept in his apartment , and serv'd by those persons who should be most agreeable to him ; and that he should want nothing either for his necessity or pleasure , or the dignity of his character . but he treated with so much cruelty those who serv'd him , that divers gentlemen came to excuse themselves from the employment . but whilst the infante was yet in the council of state , antonio cavide brought to him this , which was wrote in his own hand , and signed by the king. our lord the king having regard to the estate in which now the kingdom is , and to what hath been represented to him by his ministers , and also to divers other things , and reasons of his own proper motion , and by his absolute and royal authority , and for the advantage of his realm , doth dismiss himself , and resign in favour of the infante ; that he may possess the realms in the same manner as he did , and his legitimate descendants after him ; declaring , that of all the revenue belonging to his crown , he reserves to himself two hundred and seventy thousand livres of yearly rent , of which he may also dispose for ten years after his death : and moreover he doth reserve to himself the house at bragansa , with all its dependances . in the faith of which , and in assurance that what his majesty hath ordained shall be executed and observed , he hath enjoyned me to draw up this present act , which he hath signed . antony cavide , done at lisbon this d november , . the king. the infant having granted to the king all that he demanded , they expedited the dispatches necessary for it ; but he would not accept the crown , of which the king would have made a cession . as they had judg'd it convenient that the king should not go out of the palace , the infante resolved to stay there also , with those councellors of state , and a great part of the nobility and people , who would not leave him . the king as he lay in his bed , sent to john dos caes to have a care of his dogs , which was his ordinary employ , and which griev'd him in such sort , that he could not refrain from tears . we have reported this , though but little considerable , that you may thereby judge the better of the spirit of the king , and whether he was capable to govern the state. when the infante had made known to all the realm that which had hapned , he signed the letters which were writ in the king's name , to call together the states on the first of january . and because the act which the king , since he was arrested , had sent to the infante , gave him power to take upon him the quality of king , which the greatest part of the nobles and of the people ardently wish'd he would do ; he order'd by this decree , that they should examine the cession which the king had made . don rodrigo de meneses gentleman of my chamber and master of my horse , makes known upon my part to pedro fernandes monteiro councellor of parliament , to martin alphonso de mello deputy of the council of conscience , to joseph pinhero councellor of the finances , to lewis fernandes teixeira judge of the pleas of the crown , to john lamprea de vargas one of the quarter provosts , and to john de roxas de osevedo my secretary , that i desire that they will assemble themselves in the chamber which don rodrique possesses in the palace , to the end that they may let me know , after they have made serious reflexions upon the estate in which they find the king my lord , and the affairs of these realms , if i ought to demand the convocation of the states : and if that after their assemblies shall be ended , i should continue the government , with the title of curator of his majesty , and that of regent of this realm , which are those which i have taken at this present ; or whether i ought to consent , that they give me that of king , with all the prerogatives that accompany it . and i also desire to know , if i shall make use of the renunciation that his majesty hath made in my favour , a little after he was arrested , of the right which he hath to the crown ; or of that which they have given me , through his incapacity of governing himself . considering , that though i have accepted the government of these realms , it is not through any ambition , nor covetousness , nor for any end which respects my self ; but only for the conservation of the state , and to satisfie the desires which the portugals have incessantly made to me . let them put their opinions in this business in writing , and i declare to them , that i shall follow the greatest number . from lisbon jan. . the infante . these ministers assembled themselves according to the infante's order , and some days after they wrote their conclusion . when it was read in the presence of the infante , of his gentlemen , and some other persons of quality , whom he had most confidence in , they found that the greatest part of the voices were , that he should not make use of the renunciation , and that he should not take upon him the title nor the quality of king ; which gave him a very great contentment , because this conclusion was according to his desires ; and moreover , this delivered him from the importunities , which he suffer'd under every day , upon this subject . the procurators of the chapters , and those of the greater and lesser cities of the realm being arrived , the three estates assembled themselves in the great hall of the guards , where the infante was solemnly declared prince , by a publick and authentick act , conceived in these terms : we swear , and declare upon the holy evangelists , which we touch with our hands , that we do acknowledge and receive for our true and natural prince and lord , the most high and most excellent prince don pedro , the legitimate son of the king don john the fourth , and the queen dona louysa his wife , and brother to the most great and most puissant king don alphonso the sixth our lord , his true and natural successor to these realms ; and as his true and natural subjects , and vassals as we are , we render him faith and homage , and promise him , that his majesty hapning to die without legitimate children , we will acknowledge and receive him for our true and natural king and soveraign of the realms of portugal , and the algarves on this side , and beyond the sea , lord of guinny , and of the countries conquer'd by our navigations , through the commerce of ethiopia , arabia , persia , and the indies , &c. and that we will obey thorowly and wholly all his orders and judgements , soveraign and others , making for him war , and entertaining peace with his allies ; and that we will not obey any other king , nor acknowledge any other than him. and all this which is above said , we swear and protest to god , and to this holy cross , and to the holy evangelists , upon which we lay our hands , we will observe and keep fully and wholly ; and in sign of our obedience , and of our acknowledgement of this royal soveraignty , we kiss the hand of his highness here present . after this oath had been made to the prince , every one of the three estates began to assemble themselves in particular : that of the nobles , in the colledg of st. roch ; that of the commons , in the covent of the religious of the order of st. francis ; and that of the clergy , in the covent of st. dominick . the first day of their assembling , the prince sent to each of the states the substance of this act , with the dismission of the king. i desire that you may see in the assembly of the people , the dismission of the king , where'tis inserted , and that it should be examined by you , as well what hath been pass'd , when i took upon me the government , as the reasons that mov'd me to do it , and to take upon me the quality of curator of my lord the king , and that of regent of these realms , by vertue of which i have caused his royal person to be arrested . and because these two things might be justified by this act , i pray this assembly to approve them , and to declare whether i shall continue the government with this title , or whether you think good that i should take any other ; and in that case what it ought to be . if your conclusion be found conformable to that of the other assemblies , as i hope it will , i shall after that swear to maintain the laws and the priviledges of the realm , in the accustomed manner ; after which also you shall make to me an oath of fidelity and obedience , during the time i shall have the government . the body of the nobless is composed of thirty great lords , councellors of the king , lords of castles , lands and territories , the chiefest of their rank . that of the people , is of two procurators or burgesses , from every city of the realm , who have a deliberative voice , which they call definitive ; 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 , . 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 febr. , and published the th 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 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 th of morch . 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 th of june . 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 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 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 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 th of june , 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 , . 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 th , 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 th 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 consumm●● 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 they might give repose and tranquillity to the realm ; and being in doubt , if from the first marriage there might not arise some hinderance to it , because of the publique honesty , they had recourse to our well beloved son lewis de vendosm cardinal of the holy roman church , who at that time was our legat a latere , and of the holy apostolick see , with our most dear son in jesus christ , the most christian king of france , who granted to them a brief of dispense which they demanded of him upon that impediment , and it being addressed to the grand vicar , and to the official at lisbon to either of them or both together , the said prince and the said princess , were by virtue of the said dispensation contracted , in good earnest in the face of the church in marriage , after the manner that was ordained by the sacred councel of trent , and after they consummated the said marriage in hope of having soon successors . but because in the same request it hath been remonstrated to us , that the said prince and the said princess as our most respectful , and most devout children , and of the holy apostolick see , do most ardently desire that we should provide for the security of their conscience , and for the tranquility of the realm : after having maturely considered and examined all things with some of our venerable brothers the cardinals of the holy roman church , and with other great prudent persons and most knowing and skilful in the sacred canons , and in theology , and very well vers'd in these affairs , and being also willing as far as god shall enable as , to be benignly favourable to the said prince don pedro , and the said princess maria isabella , we do absolve them , and hold them absolved by virtue of these present letters from all excommunications , interdicts , suspensions , and all ecclesiastick sentences , censures , and pains , a jure vel ab homine , that they may have incurr'd , upon any occasion or cause whatsoever , ( and so often as by it they shall have incurred any ) to the end that by virtue of these presents only they may obtain what they desire . and being desirous to satisfie the request , which hath been humbly presented in their name , upon the confidence that god hath given us of you , and of your fidelity towards us and the apostolique see , of your learning , prudence and integrity : and besides , for that we have no certain knowledge , of all that which hath been declared to us thereupon , we do ordain and command you by these presents , to make , with all possible discretion , all together , or at least three of you , ( if that some of you cannot be there to assist , by any lawful impediment ) a diligent research , and an exact information , of all that which hath been averr'd thereupon . and if by this search , and this information , you find the truth of those things , which have been represented to us , to hold good , and particularly , that the first marriage contracted , as hath been said , between the king alphonso , and the aforesaid princess maria isabella , was never consummated , ( with which we very strongly charge the conscience of every one of you ) that you break asunder , and dissolve , by and under oùr apostolique authority , in all that shall be necessary , even against the will of the said king don alphonso , the tye of the said first marriage , contracted , as aforesaid , between the said princess , and the said king don alphonso , and which hath been declared null and not consummated , notwithstanding that which hath pass d from the beginning , and what might have now pass'd for good , and notwithstanding , if in time yet to come , it should appear good and firm , and that it is , hath been , and should be good and valuable . and further , we do order you to dispence with under the same authority the said prince don pedro , and the said princess maria isabella , as to the impediment of publick honesty in such sort that they may freely and lawfully continue the aforesaid second marriage notwithstanding the said impediment , and all that hath been reported thereupon , and from any other impediment that they may have therein of what nature soever it be , that may arise or appear , at what time soever : notwithstanding also all apostolick constitutions of general councels , provincials and synods , or any other whatsoever . we will also , that you declare under , and by the same authority , that you make , grant and devise by vertue of these present letters , that all what hath been abovesaid may profit and serve in all and in every part fully and wholly to the said prince don pedro , and to the said princess , even from the day of the second marriage , which hath been contracted by them , as if these present letters had been granted before the contract of marriage , and put in execution by you according to their form and tenure : declaring , pronouncing , and assuring for successors lawful those infants born , and to be born of the said second marriage , as hath been said , contracted in good earnest in the face of the church ; because by the plenitude of our apostolick power , we give & grant you the power by virtue of these present letters , to do all these things injoyned . moreover , we decree farther , that neither the aforesaid king alphonso , nor any other persons which ought to be expressed , and especially and particularly nominated , to have any interest in the things herein above expressed , or to pretend to have any , in any manner whatsoever , not having consented , or having been appealed cited or heard ; and that the causes for which these present letters have been granted , were not sufficiently verified , and justified , or for any other legitimate cause , right or priviledg , either under any colour or pretence whatsoever , or also any clause of right , shall never at any time blame , retract , violate , our counsel as surreptitious , or attained by fraud nor make nul , neither for any fault of our intention , or by the consent of those who have , or ought to have interest therein , or for any other default how great or essential soever it be , or that might be in a particular declaration , these our present letters : and that no body may be able to obtain or commence any thing of right , of fact or of grace , nor to get nor prevail in judicio vel extra illud against these letters had , obtained , and granted of our own proper motion , and with the same plenitude of apostolick power . further we will and declare , that these present letters continue for ever firm , valid and efficacious , and that they have and obtain their full and entire effect : and lastly , that they serve fully and wholly without any limitation to the aforesaid prince don pedro , and to the aforesaid princess maria isabella , and to all others either at present or to come , to whom they may any ways appertain . and also that after this manner only , and no otherwise we will that it be judg'd and decreed in this affair by all the judges in ordinary , or delegates ; be they either auditors in causes of the apostolick courts , or cardinals of the holy 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 th of decemb. . in the d 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 , feb. . 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 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 , april , . 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 th 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 particular power thereto from the holy sea. given at paris in the year of our lord , the th of the calends of april , in the first year of the papacy of our father the pope . lewis cardinal de vendosm , legat. de lione protonotary and datary apostolique . the reasons of the nullity of the marriage of don alphonso the vi. king of portugal , and the validity of that of don pedro's prince of the realm , presented to pope clement the ix . there are three things to be considered in this business of the king and the queen of portugal . i. that which passed in the first marriage with the king alphonso . ii. the nullity of that marriage . iii. the queens second marriage with the prince don pedro. in the first it is to be considered as follows . . that the marquess of sande , who was sent ambassador into france , to treat of the marriage of the king don alphonso , his master ; having before he went from portugal , told the count de castlemelhor , the chief minister of state , the scruple of his conscience , and the politique consideration that he had , to go treat of a marriage for a prince , who was commonly said through all the kingdom , not to be capable ever of having any children ; unless that he should have before-hand some assurance to the contrary , that he might deceive , said he , neither his own conscience , nor the kingdom , nor the princess , who should take his word . the count answered him rudely , in these terms , as the marquess declared since , and as it appears by the depositions . i am astonished , sir , said he , at the doubt that you make , and i am surprised that you do not know , that the girl which is bred up at my house , is the natural daughter of the king. which the marquess believed , but it was found to be false since , by the deposition of the mother of the girl , who being called to declare upon oath in court ; though the same count had done all that he could possibly , to oblige her to say , that she had that child by the king : yet moved by the truth , and by the remorse of conscience , she declared that it was false , and that the girl was one of his cousins , whom she named to the judges . and besides , in all the conversation she had with the king , she never found that he was capable of doing the venereal act ; and that by consequence , he was unable for marriage , and uncapable ever of having children . . that seeing the incapacity and inability of the king alphonso , the queen his mother , who knew the thing well enough , having made a secret consultation with his physitians , ( as may be seen by the papers and depositions ) was resolved to let the scepter fall into the hands of the infante her second son , at this time prince regent ; to the end , lest in default of a successor , it should fall again a second time into the power of the spaniards ; but this she had not been able to execute . . that the king alphonso himself , when they went about to treat secretly of his marriage , and to send for that end an ambassador into france , he was very hardly brought to resolve upon it , and avowed to his most intimate friends , that he never had any intention to marry , and should never consent to it ; but because the count and his friends had represented to him , that the people seeing themselves deprived of the hope of seeing him ever to have any lawful successor , would not suffer him any long time upon the throne ; and that they would soon make the prince his brother , to marry and to reign in his place . but although they might attribute this aversion which the king had for marriage , to the liberty in which he had been brought up , and to the continual practises which he had with the most loose and debauched women , from whom one might say , he would not be obliged to separate , by espousing so chast and honest a princess , as the queen . it is however much more probable , that it should be attributed to the knowledg he had of his own impuissance and inability for marriage , which would make him pass the rest of his days in a continual repentance , as he hath since said to one of his domesticks ; blaming the count and his friends , for having forced him contrary to his will to marry , and by consequence to be exposed to the affront which he hath received , by the sentence of the nullity of his marriage . . that the first time the king lay with the queen , which was three or four days after she arrived in portugal , his impotence was well known to that princess ; notwithstanding her innocency , and although she was ignorant of things of that nature , so that her confessor who saw her extremly melancholly , and who feared with reason , the truth of that which they had talkt of , having taken the liberty to ask her in the time of confession with all the modesty , and honesty , and trust , which his charge permitted him , if that which had been reported had any ground or appearance of truth ; or if she had any hopes to see soon any fruits of her marriage . she gave him such an answer , as may be seen in those papers , but it was after such a manner , that she let him know , she judged already of the condition of her marriage , and of the inability of the king , to get children . . that although the queen , since her arrival in portugal , had been continually reproached by the king , and his chief ministers , and that she had always received very ill treatments , as all the world knows , and which is not necessary to be put here in writing , her majesty nevertheless had never made any complaint , and had never witnessed any resentment , being on the contrary resolved to live with the king her spouse , as if he had been the most accomplished , and the best husband in the world ; if that she had not believed , for three sorts of indispensible necessities , that she ought to make a declaration of it , and to separate her self from his company . to wit , . for her conscience sake , which without ceasing , strongly perswaded her majesty , and urged her , that after an experience of sixteen months , which was long enough , and troublesome enough , she might separate from the king , without making any greater trial ; her self knowing very well in this time , his incurable inability . and having divers times consulted with her confessor , that she might act with the more security in an affair of so great importance : the same confessor , after he had maturely thought upon it , and considered what she should do to satisfie her duty , declared before god , that he knew nothing more , but that her majesty seeing that which had passed , should no longer do violence to her consclence , in inhabiting any longer time with the king. . for the necessity of the state , and safety of the realm , which otherways was absolutely lost ; and which her conscience , as well as the affection that the kingdom bore to her , and which she ought to have for the kingdom , obliged her to provide for , as much as possibly she could ; since that on the one side , she was most strongly perswaded of the impuissance of the king , and that he never could have any children : and on the other side , she knew for certain , by the kings own confession , and also by the count of castlemelhor , who had intrusted her with it , that although they did seem as if they would marry the prince to content him and the realm , who very earnestly desired it , and they did feign to find out ways the most fit thereto , the king nevertheless was resolved to hinder it by all ways imaginable , being far from permitting it ; because , as they said , and as it was true enough , it would be his ruine , and the power of the prince would infinitely increase , by the consideration of his marriage , and of the children that should proceed therefrom , despairing to see any from the king , so that he would get the love of all the people , and have all the realm at his devotion , to render him master of all , when he had a mind to revenge himself of the count , without running any risque . . for the necessity of her repose , and of her honour . of her repose , because she had never in all those sixteen months found it , neither in her conscience , nor in her mind , nor in her body , neither day nor night , although she had tried by her patience , and by her prudent dissimulation , to do all she could possible to get it ; and though she saw things to go from bad to worse every day , by the ill government of the count , and by the evil impressions that he and his friends had given , and continually did give the king against her , which would infallibly draw upon her a more rude oppression , than that which she had hitherto undergone . and that she should put into danger her honour for the time to come , which was ever infinitely more dear to her than the crown , or her own life , and that she saw it exposed to great dangers , upon great and lawful grounds ; of which what ever necessity there is to speak , yet honesty and modesty will not permit it here ; but by this only , which cannot be absolutely passed over in silence , you may judg . one is , that the king knowing very well that he was never able to get any children , he notwithstanding testified an extreme passion to have them , by the means of that opinion to establish himself upon the throne , and to make forceless the contrary opinion , which was commonly talked of and known to all the world of his inability , which tormented him more than the inability it self . so that the more sensible he was of his inability , the more eager he was to shew the contrary , abandoning himself to all sorts of women , and believing by that means to maintain the crown upon his head , and to kill with grief the prince his brother , whom he hated to the death , because he said , and knew for certain , that his majesty should never have children because of his inability . the other is , that the queen was not ignorant of that which was done privately , and which the judges knew since by the declaration of the interested persons , which was , that when the king had a mind to sport himself with a certain maid , and not being able to do it by reason of his inability , he made her lye in his chamber , with one of his favourites in his presence , to provoke him thereto , though in vain , as appeared by the depositions which were made by those persons that were present , and which they had sworn to upon the holy evangelists . and what yet gave to the queen a greater fear was , that the king , who had no government over himself , but through his own licentiousness , and that vain thought of feigning himself able , without regard either to his honour or his conscience , seemed to have some design upon her , by the continual sollicitations which he made her , about the end of april , , by his most intimate favourites , henry anriquez de miranda , and the count de castelmelhor , with the marchioness his mother , lady of honour to the queen , that she would go pass a night in his apartment , when there was no difficulty for the king to come to hers to lie with her there , and which was contrary to the ancient and ordinary customs of the palace , and without any necessity , or the least appearance thereof ; and because the queen excused her self divers times , and the most sweetly that possibly she could , alledging for reasons , not that which gave her so much apprehension in her mind , for she was willing to sacrifice this new trouble to the will of the king , by an effect of that submission which that princess always had for him , but that the apprehension of modesty it self was capable enough to hinder all women of honour , and more especially a queen , as she was , to make without any necessity so extraordinary a change , which would without doubt make them discourse of her reputation , and also of his majesty's . the king fell into so much passion , and with so much violence , that the very same night he would have made her gone out of her bed , to have followed him into his apartment ; but after very many menaces and rude words , holding a poniyard in his hand , he said that he gave her hours to consider of it , which passed , if she did not the night after what he would have her do , he swore he would draw her by force , or make her be drawn by four of his grooms . this gave the queen a most sensible grief . of this she made most just complaints to the count on the morrow , by the mouth of her confessor , that he might pray him to remedy it , protesting that she would sooner dy , than do that which the king would have her do , or any thing else that was unworthy of her . this joyned with the fear , which was besides very strongly impressed on the mind of the queen , was the cause , that since that time she did not believe her self in any security , neither should she be , so long as she should stay there exposed as she had been , and should be more for the time to come , to a danger that she had once so much trouble to get out of so happily as she had done , and seeing also , that she whom her majesty should most trust on such occasions , to wit her lady of honour , was she whom she had the most reason to distrust , because of the counsel she had given her , because she was mother to the count , the favourite of the king , and who had declared openly , that she was very passionatly desirous , that the king should have children by the queen , after what manner soever it might be , by that means to establish the fortune of her son , having said expresly to her confessor , in a conference they had together about this matter , to endeavour to induce him on the kings part and her own , to make the queen consent to the change of her bed and apartment , that it should be but for five or six nights , after which she promised , that she would cause the king to return to the queen , after the same manner as before . things being in these terms , and the queen seeing no remedy for these evils , and dangers , to which she exposed her self more and more every day , believed , that she could no ways save her conscience , her estate , her repose , nor her honour , but by declaring this , which she had so carefully hid hitherto , for the making null her marriage . and this is the second point , which i have said is to be considered in the dissolving of this marriage , being the manner in which they proceeded , which we shall clearly and faithfully make known by these following articles . i. the queen , that she might withdraw her self out of the fear of those dangers which i have already spoken of , and which were inevitable , so long as she should continue in the palace , and being willing to make her declaration with the security of her liberty and her life , was resolved to leave it , and to retire her self into the covent of st. claire , called esperance , which is the most considerable , and the best regulated in lisbon , and indeed she did as secretly retire her self thither as she could , the d of november , . . this retreat of the queen , and the declaration , which she made the next morning , of the motives she had thereto , both to the clergy , nobles and people , which her majesty had made to be called together for that purpose , instead of surprising them , as one might have imagined , made them to make all at the same time one answer , believing very much that she had stayed there long enough , and that they had long expected such a resolution , and they were not less informed than surprised at what her majesty had so long suffered , and had so long deferred , that they approved of all she had done , and intreated her , that she would declare the nullity of her marriage , which was so important and so necessary to the health of the state ; but they would never approve of that which her majesty spake of at the same time of returning into france , because her person and her assistance would now be more necessary to them , and more profitable than ever for the realm , and to save it from the dangers which threatned it , when she was at liberty : and that all the city of lisbon would testify the same general approbation , which they had given of her retreat . . the queen , the same day of her retreat , sent to the king by the count de st. croix , master of her house , and a little after by the bishop of targa , a solemn declaration of that which she was obliged in her conscience to say , which was of the nullity of her marriage , and most humbly to intreat his majesty , to permit that affair , so necessary to the health of their souls , and to that of the realm , to be judged according to the forms and canons ecclesiastique , to the end , that being free , she might return into france , with the good will of his majesty , and without losing his favour . to which the king answered by writing , signed with his own hand , and confirmed by oath upon the evangelists , as may be seen in the papers of the process , after he had consulted the doctors and divines , whom he had called together for that purpose , that he would acquiess ; that by the sole motive of his will , and by the duty of his conscience , he declared by the advice of the theologists , which were two dominicans , and one jesuite , that he did believe his marriage with the queen was null ; because she being a virgin , he had never been able to consummate the marriage with her . it is very true that the king was arrested , before he had made his answer and declaration to that of the queens ; but it ought to be taken notice of , first , that he had before done it verbally , some time before his detention , in talking familiarly to one of his domesticks , who deposed it afterwards . secondly , that his majesty was not yet arrested , when the queen demanded that declaration ; but after he had received that of the queens , he took two or three days time to consult with the doctors and divines , about what he should be obliged by his conscience to answer : it happened that the night following he was arrested , by an arrest from his own council . thirdly , that this detention was neither resolved , nor made upon the queens retreat , nor upon her declaration , no otherwise than if that had never been , but for a necessity far different and more urgent than that ; so that the declaration the king made , some days after that of the queens , and after he had taken time enough to think thereon , and to satisfie his conscience , and to know the thoughts and resolutions of those divines , ought not to be reputed invalid for want of liberty , or that he was arrested for that cause . fourthly , that these divines which his majesty had assembled , did declare after they had heard him , that he was obliged in conscience , to answer as if he were at full liberty ; and that there was nothing that should oblige him to conceal the truth , as may be seen by their depopositions . fifthly , that since that , when they had demanded of the king in divers meetings , if he approved , or disapproved the declaration he had made : he always roundly affirmed it , and with an oath , he approved and ratified it , both for the discharge of his own conscience , and of the queens . and lastly , when the judges deputed by the chapter to go to his majesty , to signifie the sentence which they had given , and which was pronounced for the nullity of his marriage , did demand of him if he would acquiess therein , or whether he would appeal . he answered without hesitation , that he would acquiess , acknowledging they acted according to justice ; as may be seen by the acts of the process . . after so universal an approbation given to the retreat of the queen , the council of state attending for the assembly of the states of the realm , which should have been called together a month before , contrary to the mind of the king , to remedy the disorders of the realm , and of his government ; seeing they were not able to assemble so soon as those affairs required , and foreseeing otherwise all portugal would be lost , it they did not apply some speedy remedy . it was secretly resolved , that the king should be locked up in his apartment , with all the civility that could be , and to put the regency and the government of the realm into the hands of the prince , until they should see what the states general would resolve of , which was executed without any noise at night , on the d , or d ; and the end of this detention , was to hinder the king from flying away with the count to the fronteirs , or elsewhere out of the realm , as they had understood he had premeditated to do a month before : or else , seeing for the space of several years , the misgovernment of his majesty , and since 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 . . 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 . . 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 . . 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 . . 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 . . 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 . . 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 . . 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 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 . . 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 . . 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 . . 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 . . 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 . . 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 . . 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 s . price bound s. d. the art of making love , or rules for the conduct of ladies and gallants in their amours , in s . price bound s. don carlos prince of spain , a tragedy as it is acted at the dukes theatre , written by thomas otway , in . price 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 . price s. all sold by richard tonson , under grays-inn gate , next grays-inn lane. notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e . aug. . . april . . . may . . nov. . . nov. . . * that is , in the time of repose after dinner , which they all use in those countrys . . a palace royal , a league from lisbon . a house of the duke d' a●ei●o's leagues from lisbon , on this side of the tagus . stout n●er●y companions . . 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 . the historie of the vniting of the kingdom of portugall to the crowne of castill containing the last warres of the portugals against the moores of africke, the end of the house of portugall, and change of that gouernment. the description of portugall, their principall townes, castles, places ... of the east indies, the isles of terceres, and other dependences ... dell'unione del regno di portogallo alla corona di castiglia. english conestaggio, gerolamo franchi di. approx. kb 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the historie of the vniting of the kingdom of portugall to the crowne of castill containing the last warres of the portugals against the moores of africke, the end of the house of portugall, and change of that gouernment. the description of portugall, their principall townes, castles, places ... of the east indies, the isles of terceres, and other dependences ... dell'unione del regno di portogallo alla corona di castiglia. english conestaggio, gerolamo franchi di. silva, juan de, conde de portalegre, - , attributed name. [ ], , [ ] p. by arn. hatfield for edward blount, imprinted at london : . attributed in the italian and french editions to girolamo franchi di conestaggio, which may however be a pseudonym for juan de silva. a translation of: dell'unione del regno di portogallo alla corona di castiglia. includes index. reproduction of the original in the henry e. huntington library and art gallery. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge 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where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng portugal -- history -- sebastian, - -- early works to . portugal -- history -- henry i, - -- early works to . portugal -- history -- spanish dynasty, - -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - judith siefring sampled and proofread - judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the historie of the vniting of the kingdom of portvgall to the crowne of castill : containing the last warres of the portugals against the moores of africke , the end of the house of portugall , and change of that gouernment . the description of portugall , their principall townes , castles , places , riuers , bridges , passages , forces , weakenesses , reuenues , and expences . of the east indies , the isles of terceres , and other dependences , with many battailes by sea and lande , skirmishes , encounters , sieges , orations , and stratagemes of warre . imprinted at london by arn. hatfield for edward blount . . to the most noble and aboundant president both of honor and vertue , henry earle of southampton . right honorable and most woorthy earle , it is not my fortune to be so infortunately read , as to begin ( after the common stampe of dedication ) with a grai-headed apophthegme , or some straied sentence out of tully , but in such proper and plaine language , as a most humble and affectionate duetie can speake , i do heere offer vp on the altar of my hart , the first fruits of my long-growing endeuors ; which ( with much constancie and confidence ) i haue cherisht , onely waiting this happie opportunitie to make them manifest to your lordship : where nowe if ( in respect of the knowne distance , betwixt the height of your honorable spirit , and the flatnesse of my poore abilities ) they turne into smoake and vanish ere they can reach a degree of your merite , vouchsafe yet most ( excellent earle ) to remember it was a fire that kindled them , and gaue them life at least , if not lasting . your honors patronage is the onely obiect i aime at ; and were the worthinesse of this historie i present , such as might warrant me an election out of a worlde of nobilitie ; i woulde still pursue the happines of my first choise ; which hath since beene confirmed to me by my respected friend the translator , a gentleman most sincerely deuoted to your honor : for the subiect it selfe i dare say nothing ; since it is out of my element to iudge . but i haue heard others report it ( and some of them also iudicious ) to be a thing first and excellently written in italian ; then translated into french , and generally receiued in both those toongs through all christendome for a faithfull , elegant , sinewie , and well digested historie : what the beauties of it are now in this english habite , i make your honorable lordship the first and most competent censor ; wishing that before you begin to read farther , you could but reade my silence . by him that wants much to expresse his dueties to your honor , edw. blovnt . the authors apologie vnto the reader . if it argues guilt to be accused , no man shall be innocent ; he is therefore blamelesse , that being charged , defends himselfe : gentle reader , the first impression of this historie of portugall , came no sooner foorth , but many ( greedie to detract from anothers glorie ) did therein bitterly wrong me , accusing me to be ill affected to the portugall nation in generall , and a seuere censor of the priuate actions of great personages , and of the officers of that crowne . and albeit it behooueth him that shall write of late accidents , in the theater of this vniuersall worlde , to beare the malice and follie of many ; besides that , he shall hardly satisfie all ; yet were it more tollerable , if some ( content wrongfully to backbite me , ) were not so transported with their owne passions , as to labour to haue the vse of this booke forbidden throughout all spaine ; notwithstanding it had beene allowed by the inquisitors : albeit i knowe well that many men of iudgement , and louers of truth , haue shewed themselues fauorers of this worke : yet haue i thought it fitte in this second edition briefly to make my innocencie knowen . and although they haue inuented many more to these two slanders , yet will i satisfie euery point i thinke necessarie , with this supposition for a firme ground , that the truth and diligence of a historie , be the qualities that giue it spirit , and life , the which by no meanes can be infringed , without conuerting the most graue and profitable manner of writing , into the most vaine and preiudiciall of all others : so as if my accusations grow from the truth and my diligence , i will not yeeld my selfe guiltie , seeing i cannot amend them without errour . but let them vnderstande that i write onely to those readers that can iudge of the truth of a historie and the newtrallitie of the writer : first of all , they must consider it was my chance to write the actions of that realme , which hapned in those fower most vnfortunate yeeres , which succeeded that of . so as there is no reason that such as report i was enclined to disgrace the portugals , shoulde from the qualitie of the time , sinisterly iudge of the disposition of the writer ; neither let them hold him partiall in the conquerors behalfe , seeing that in accidents of warre , they can hardly honour him that fals , but he that suffereth himselfe to be vanquished , must with his losse , willingly beare the blame that growes thereby : the which the ancient writers could so well obserue ( whose example i do willingly imitate ) that if titus liuius had begon and finished his historie in the course of hannibals victorie , he had been held for a carthaginian ; and iosephus in describing the calamities of the iewes , and the triumphs of titus , seemed a romaine : if i writing of two battailes , where in the one , the portugals lost their king ; in the other their kingdome ; besides that at sea , and the losse of the terceres ; what offence is it , if i seeme not a portugall ? seeing that if i were one , i should not seeme to be so : or how is it possible to conuert this mornefull historie into praises , making him seeme valiant that looseth ? without doubt , if it had fallen to my lot , to write the deeds of that nation , whereby they made shew how apt they were to armes , and to noble attempts , as the victories they got of castile at aliubarotta , and at trancosa , the conquests they made in affrick , their woonderfull nauigations and happie successe in asia , touched in this historie , as occasion required . i had not then beene more faithful then now i am , though more acceptable to portugals , yet men of iudgment do with one minde feele both gaine and losse , praise and dispraise , when they be truely related : so as without doubt we may conclude , that no man ought to censure the inclination of the writer by the matter he treates of , be it either in fauour or blame of the nation of which he writes ; but onely of the truth and indifferencie he professeth . my accusers must also vnderstand , that a historiographer doth not wrong any nation , in describing the qualities which the heauens that couer them , doe infuse vpon them , the aire they breath , and the water they drinke , especially when those properties be not base but excesses of vertue : as for example , if a man should ( imitating iulius caesar ) write , that the french are in the beginning furious , and in the end , faint ; he shoulde not for this shew him selfe an enimie , nor disgrace that mightie and warlike nation : and who should say that the spaniards are proud , should he therefore impugne their reputation published through the worlde ? neither should he offend the portugals , that should say they are naturally presumptuous , seeing they neither can deny it , nor do seeke to hide it ; yea themselues are woont to say , that they liue by opinion , that is , they support themselues more , with that they imagine themselues to be , then with what they are in effect : my accusers shoulde likewise consider , that i offend not the portugals , in saying , that the ignorant regard not dangers a farre off , and feare them neere , if they meane not to separate them from the condition of man , and against all reason make equall ignorance with knowledge . moreouer i would gladly knowe why it were not lawfull for me without offence , to relate with truth the misfortunes and calamities of the portugals , and the altered forme of their realme , as well as for some of the same nation to write many of their actions blame woorthie , and yet not helde discourteous : the entrie which henrie the bastard , king of castill made armed into portugall , running from the confines of gallitia , vnto lisbone , where he lodged , forcing obedience in all places , was it not more dishonorable then any thing i haue written , king ferdinand not being able to make any resistance ? read the chronicles of iohn the second their naturall king , being quiet and peaceable , what conspiracies were practised against him by the nobilitie of his realme , so as he was forced to seeke reuenge by stabbing , and to behead some of the chiefe publikely , is not this a reprochfull thing ? although some alleage , that the king exceeded in the execution , & that by nature he was a seuere man , and full of reuenge , yet there want not others that do number him amongst the saints ; but be it as it may , it lies not in me to iudge , and yet this booke is printed and sold in lisbone , whereas my booke ( that treates not of matters of so great doubt ) is mightily abhorred . as for the priuate personages of the realme , neither haue they reason to surmise that i haue spoken of them , either with passion or immodestlie , the which i beleeue themselues haue founde , if they haue had any leisure to read this historie with iudgement , or haue any perfect knowledge in the italian toong . but relying vpon the report of such as ( enclined to flatter ) reprooue all writings , that are not corrupted with flatterie , it is no woonder , if they be induced to beleeue , that i haue written discurteously of them and with passion : but to make knowne the contrarie , they must vnderstande , that of vices which are common to states , and to mens priuate humours , we may saie the like as hath beene saide of those that are commonly incident vnto nations , that they blemish not so much as they ought to be concealed , but march alwaies vnited to the state and qualitie of the person . for example , he that talking of a yoong gentleman , shoulde say , that he were phantasticke , cholericke , amorous , arrogant , for all this he doth him no wrong ; for besides they are no base affections , they are commonly incident to youth and nobilitie : in like sort , an officer respected by his prince , or any fauorite whosoeuer , ought not repine , if he be described to be tealous , circumspect , ambitious , a temporizer , carefull in his owne causes , and carelesse of others , being qualities that do accompanie princes fauours : so as when i touch any one with such like , no man of iudgement ought to greene more , then if i shoulde terme him cholericke or flegmatike , being certaine naturall qualities , as the humours and inclinations : notwithstanding when i particularly note such points as seeme blame woorthie , although they be publike and apparant , yet doe i suspend my iudgement , attributing the faults to the emulation of courts , and the ambition of competitors : and such as will not be satisfied with this exception shewe plainly they desire to be flattered ; but they striue in vaine , for i esteeme flatterie in a writer , to be like the sinne of idolatrie . some haue beene so sensible as to note for an excesse ( speaking of any officer ) to sate couertly , that men transported slander him with some secret action , to such i can make no answer , seeing they are not content that i tearme them passionate that blame others , that i reprehende surmises that i call in question that which others affirme for certaine , excusing in a manner the accused . others haue laboured to publish vnto the world , that in my relation touching the title of the realme , i haue shewed my selfe partiall for the catholique king : to such i can not say any thing , but wish them to be aduised , they accuse not the diuine prouidence as partiall , which depriued of life twentie successors of that crowne , all preceading the saide king . but i woulde haue these men to tell me if in this historie ( where i coulde not alleage bartoll nor bald ) i haue omitted any one point of importance , which hath beene alleaged by the pretendents , and haue not set euery reason downe as their owne aduocats did plead it : let them consider if there be any thing omitted touching the representation of the dutchesse katherine , of the transmission of rainucius farnese , of the precedence of phillibert duke of sauoy , in case that henrie had out liued philip , of the election the people pretended , of antonie his grounds , and his pretended legitimation ; and to conclude , if there were anything defectiue of that which queene katherine of medicis alleaged against the eleuen kings of that realme : now if all these reasons which i haue so largely set downe , can not hinder the king of spaine from being the eldest kinseman , that henrie left when he died , a male , and legitimate , what faulte is there in me ? if men will not beleeue that katherines prerogatiue by her father be of more vertue and efficacie then philips owne right , and that the imperfection deriued from his mother doth more preiudice the king , then that of the dutchesse which remaines in her owne person , how can i helpe it ? it is most manifest , that such onely as are partiall haue held me partiall in relating plainely , this title with the rest , without giuing mine owne iudgement , and the rather for that they see such as are indifferent , doe happily esteeme it better then the rest : i may not be more tedious in this respect , hoping it shall suffice for euerie man of a free iudgement to discerne mine innocencie , from the malice or ignorance of mine aduersaries . but moreouer i entreate them that know me to be a writer not accustomed to lie , to consider that i haue written to italians in the italian toong , who coulde not perfecty vnderstande the substance of this historie , if i had giuen them lesse knowledge of men whom they knew not : and to verifie this , let a portugall writer in italy describe in his owne toong , vnto his owne countrimen the tumults of any of our cities , he shall well finde , ( if he desire to be vnderstoode in portugall ) whether he may forbeare to specifie much more then i haue done , of the humours of the head and principall members of that prouince whereof he writes . but if all this sufficeth not to iustimine me ; i make god iudge of the sinceritie of mine hart , and the indifferencie i haue strictly obserued . the genealogie of the kings of portugall from the beginning of that kingdome , vnto the ende of the house of portugall , with the pretendants to that crowne . henrie issued from besançon , first earle of portugall , married with therasie daughter to alphonse the sixt , king of castile , about the yeere of our lord . by whom he had alphonse henrie , which was the first king . therasie henrie , and one other daughter married to ferdinand mendes . . alphonse henrie , first duke and king of portugall , sonne to the saide henrie , he succeeded his father about the yeere . he tooke vpon him the title of king about the yeere . he raigned in all about . yeeres : he married with malfade manrique de lara , by whom he had issue sanches , who was after king. vrraca , queene of leon. therasie , countesse of flanders . malfade . . sanches the first , sonne to the said alphonse , about the yeere . he raigned . yeeres : he married aldoncia , daughter to count raimond berenger of barcelone , by whom he had alphonse , king. ferdinand , earle of flaunders . peter , earle of vrgel in arragon . henrie . therasie , wife to alphonse of leon. malfade , queene of castile . sanches , a nunne . blanche , and berenguela . . alphonse the second , sonne to sanches , the yeere . he raigned . yeeres , and married vrraca of castile , daughter to alphonse the noble , by whom he had sanche , king. alphonse , king. ferdinand . leonor , queene of denmarke . . sanche the second , called capello , sonne to alphonse the second , the yeere . he raigned in troubles vnto the yeere . he married mencia lopez , by whom he had no children : he died in castile incapable to rule . . alphonse the third , called the braue , brother to sanche the second , of a regent he made himselfe king about the yeere . & raigned . yeeres : he married with matilde countesse of boloigne in picardie , by whom he had ferdinand or peter , & robert : in her life time he married with beatrice , bastard daughter to alphonse the . called the wise king of castile , by whom he had denis , king. alphonse . blanche , a nunne . constance . . denis , sonne to alphonse the third , the yeere . he raigned . yeeres , and was married to isabella , daughter to peter king of arragon , by whom he had constance , queene of castile . alphonse , who was after king. peter , earle of portalegre . . alphonse the fourth , sonne to denis , in the yeere . he raigned . yeeres , and married beatrice of castile , by whom he had peter , that was king. marie . alphonse . denis . iean . eluira , queene of aarragon . . peter , called the cruell , sonne to alphonse the fourth , the yeere . hee raigned . yeeres , and married blanche , daughter to peter king of castile , whom he put away , and after married with constance daughter to iean emanuell , by whom he had lewis , who died yoong . ferdinand , king. marie , wife to ferdinand of arragon . beatrice , died yoong . and of agnes de castro , a supposed wife , he had alphonse . iean . denis . beatrice , countesse of albuquerque . and by therasie gallega his concubine , he had iean , who was king. . ferdinand , sonne to peter , the yeere . he raigned about . yeeres , and married leonor telles de meneses , by whom he had beatrice , queene of castile . . iean , called of good memorie , sonne to the said peter , the yeere . he raigned about . yeeres , and married with philip , daughter to iean of gaunt duke of lancaster , by whom he had blanche . alphonse . edward , king. peter duke of coimbra , who had by isabell of arragon his wife , peter that was constable ; iean , king of cypres ; isabell , queene of portugall ; philip , a nunne ; ieams , a cardinall ; beatrice , wife to the lord of rauestein . henrie , duke of viseo . isabell , dutchesse of burgundie . iean , master of saint iaques . ferdinand , master of the order called d' auis , or saint benet . . edouard , sonne to iean , the yeere . he raigned . yeeres : he married leonor of arragon , daughter to ferdinand the . by whom he had alphonse , king. ferdinand , duke of viseo , who had by his wife , philip. leonor , wife to frederike the . emperour . catherine . iean , queene of castile . beatrice , wife to iean , master of saint iaques . leonor , queene . dominique . emanuell , king. isabell , dutchesse of bragance . . alphonse the fift , called the affrican , soone to edward , the yeere . he raigned . yeeres : hee married isabell , daughter to peter duke of coimbra his vncle , by whom he had iean , who liued but a while . ieanne . iean , king. . iean , the . son to alphonse the . the yeere . he raigned . yeeres , and married leonor , daughter to ferdinand duke of viseo , by whom he had alphonse , who died before his father . . emanuell , soone to ferdinand duke of viseo , borne in the yeere . began to raigne in the yeere . and raigned fiue yeeres : he died at lisbone the third of september . he married isabell the eldest daughter of ferdinand and isabell , king and queene of castile , by whom he had michaell , who died yoong : and to his second wife , he tooke marie sister of the said isabell , by whom he had iean , who was after king. isabell , wife to charles the . emperor , of whom is issued philip , king of spaine . beatrice , wife to charles the third duke of sauoy , from whom issued emanuell phillibert , father to charles emanuell now duke of sauoy . lewis , father to anthonie the bastard . henrie cardinall , king. alphonse , cardinall . katherine . ferdinand . edward , husband to isabell , daughter to iean duke of bragance , by whom he had marie , wife to alexander farnese prince of parma , father to rainuce now duke of parma ; and katherine wife to iean the second duke of bragance , sonne to theodose . anthonie , who died soone after his birth . and of elenor , daughter to philip archduke of austria , sister to charles the fift , he had charles , who died yoong . marie , who died a maide of the age of . yeeres . . iean the third , sonne to emanuell and of marie his wife , borne the . of iune . he began to raigne the . of december . and raigned . yeeres ; he died the . of iune , . and married with katherine sister to charles the . emperour , the . of september , . by whom he had alphonse . marie , the first wife to philip the second king of spaine , of whom issued charles that is dead . katherine . beatrice . emanuell . philip. iean , prince of portugall , who had by ieanne daughter to charles the fift , emperour , sebastien , who was king. anthonie . . sebastien , sonne to prince iean , borne the . of ianuarie , . he began to raigne the yeere . and raigned . yeeres ; he died in the battell against the moores the . of august , . being vnmarried . . henrie , cardinall , and primat of portugall , sonne to king emanuell by marie his wife , borne the . of ianuarie , . in the yeere . he raigned about a yeere and a halfe , and died in the beginning of the yeere . he was the last of the house of portugall , to whom succeeded . . philip , sonne to charles the fift , emperour , and of isabell , king of spaine , &c. borne the . of may , . &c. the vniting of the realme of portvgall to the crowne of castill . the contents of the first booke . the originall of the realme of portugall , the description thereof with their newe conquests : the life of king sebastian , his first voyage into affrick , his enteruiew with the catholique king at guadalupa , the preparatiues of warre made at lisbone for the enterprize of affrick : the kings departure from portugall with his armie . i vndertake the historie of the realme of portvgall ; from the time that king sebastian the first , passed into affrick with a mightie armie to make warre against the moores , which inhabite mauritania tingitana ; till that ( after many afflictions ) this realme was vnited to those of spaine , vnder phillip the second king of castill . a subiect of importance for the generall state , by the increase of power to so mightie a king : yea considerable for the diuers accidents hapned in so short a time , contrarie to common hope ; and profitable , by the examples of the instabilitie of this worlde , and the dangers that princes and people runne into by their ill grounded resolutions . i hope to relate these euents sincerely with truth , hauing beene present at the greatest part , and receiued the rest from a faithfull reporter . i am voide of passion , an enimie to the vncorrupt writing of historiographers , being neither borne in any of those countries , nor subiect or vassall to any king or prince . but before i enter into the welspring of those warres , i haue thought it conuenient to make a briefe relation of the state of the realme , of the scituation , beginnings , enterprises , and such like , to the end , that being to report the fall , we may withall see the rising thereof , by what meanes it encreased , and was supported , how and when it declined , and finally altered his forme . the description of the realme of portugall . portugall is a part of spaine , lying vpon the furthest borders of the ocean . it bordereth vpon the east with the kingdome of castill , vpon the west with the great ocean , vpon the north with gallicia , and towards the south with the atlantike sea and andelouzia . the late writers haue deuided it into sixe countries , which they call comarques , that is , beyond the riuer of tagus , estremadura , betwixt duero and minies ( and this with the countrie which stretcheth to coimbra is the ancient portugall ) behinde the mountaines beira , and algarues , which last hath also the title of a kingdome . it containes in circuit . miles , whereof . run along the sea shore , the rest is maine land , which maketh it in forme long and narrow : it hath in it eighteene cities , with many great villages and castles , in number aboue . three of these cities haue archbishopricks , braga , lisbone , and euora : whereof the first is lord both spirituall and temporall . nine haue their bishopricks , coimbra , lamego , visco , porto , miranda , portalegro , guarda , leiria and eluas : the other fiue remaine without dignitie , and those are bragança , tauira , lagos , faro and silues : these last fower be in the kingdome of algarues , whereof one bishop hath the title . it is watered with many riuers , whereof two are most famous , tagus and duero ; the first runneth by the walles of lisbone , and sixe or seuen miles off dischargeth it selfe into the sea ; the other doth the like by the citie of porto , and two miles from thence falleth into the ocean : from their mouthes vnto the citie they are no riuers , but as it were armes and bosomes of the sea ; and most assured and capable portes for many great ships which may saile farre vp against the streame , but further in that of lisbone then of the other , whereas many great vessels passe fifteene or twentie miles vp beyonde the towne : besides these two portes , twentie miles from lisbone , towards the south , is settuual , which hath a small tower at the entrie thereof , with a port capable of many ships . and in algarues is tauira , lagos , and villeneuue ; these three are of reasonable capacitie , the rest are lesse , with many pleasant plashes . the seate of the countrie is commodious for all partes of the world ; being in the middest of many great kingdomes , fit for the ancient and later nauigations : for turning towards the west , they discouer directly gallicya , biscay , fraunce , england , germanie , & the other northerne regions . before them lieth the islands of azores ( otherwise called terceres ) the fortunate islands , with the countries called the west indies . on the left hād lieth andelouzia , & the streits of gibraltar , by the which they enter into the mediterranean sea , for the nauigation of italie and greece . and leauing the streits coasting affrick , on the left hand they discouer many nations and new people , vnknowne to the auncient , who beleeued that the burning zone was inhabitable : from which places many ships arriue at lisbone with great riches , chieflie from the east indies , the which the portugalles themselues ( as we shall declare hereafter ) conquered : besides their traffiqne with the kingdome of castile , which lieth behinde them . lisbone is the best and chiefest of all their cities , on the which the whole realme dependes : it is verie populous , yea many beleeue that of all the cities of christendome ( except paris ) it containes the greatest number of people . the aire is verie wholesome and temperate ; distant from the equinoctiall nine and thirtie degrees ; and with the ebbing and flowing of the salt water ( which is great vpon that coast ) there bloweth alwaies a temperate winde , which doth refresh it . it is neither wholie plaine nor all mountaines , but deuided into fiue small hilles , betwixt th' one and the other of these , the plaine extends vnto the riuer . it hath beene walled , whereof some part continues to this day ; but for that it hath beene since much augmented , that part without the walles exceedes the other in greatnes : there stands vpon an high hill a very ancient castell , which hath no other strength in it but his height , nor any guard , but is reserued as a prison for noble men . at the mouth of tagus , on the citie side , stands a fortresse built after the newest manner , which they cal the rocke of saint iulian , made to defend the entrie of the riuer . the fruite it bringeth foorth surpasseth all their neighbours in bountie : and although it yeeldeth not corne sufficient to feede them , yet haue they prouision daily out of fraunce and germanie . the whole realme is at this present greatly inhabited , being replenished with manie noblemen and gentlemen , and much building of ships , and vessels for sundrie nauigations : besides the order of the knights of saint iaques and alcantara , or of saint bennet , which they call d'auis ( of a place so named , ) these carrie a red crosse , and these a greene , like vnto the knights of castill ) when as the templers were suppressed , they did institute another order with the same reuenewes ; which they call the knights of christ , bearing a red crosse , and in the midst a white , the which are bound to goe to the warre against infidels , to whome pope alexander the sixth , did since graunt libertie to marrie . and their kings hauing encreased their reuenewes , a great part of their nobilitie affected this order , although they haue many times receiued men base and vnworthie . a great part of this realme was sometimes vnited to the crowne of castill , but in the yeere of our lord one thousand one hundreth and tenne , alphons the sixth being king , that part towards the north was separated , giuing it in marriage for a certaine tribute , to henrie nephew to the earle of burgundie , borne at besanson , marrying therasie his bastard daughter : for that comming out of fraunce with count raimond of tholouse his vncle , who was after earle of gallicia ; he went to the warres which the castillians had against the moores that possessed spaine . and although some deriue the originall of this count henrie from hungarie , others from aragon , and from other places ; yet this is the most approoued opinion : but it hapneth in the originall of kings , as of great riuers , whose mouthes are knowne , but not their springs . portugall was then obscure , vntilled , poore , and reduced into streight limits , yet alphons henry , sonne vnto this first earle , did greatly augment it by his valiant exploits , taking many places from the moores by force , against whom hauing woone a great victorie , in a pitched battaile , he was proclaimed king by his soldiors , in a place called campo d'ourique , and following his victorie , woone saint arem and lisbone , remaining peaceable lord of the realme ; he had the title of king confirmed by pope alexander the fourth , for a certaine small tribute . their first king which succeeded him , named alphonso the thirde , did no lesse augment it by another meanes : for hauing ( before his comming to the crowne ) married with matilda countesse of boloigne in picardie , being now in possession of the realme , he put her away of his owne proper motion , and without cause , taking to wife beatrice , bastard daughter to alphonso , the tenth king of castill surnamed the wise , to haue in dowrie with her ( as indeed he had ) the kingdome of algarues . so as their lymits being extended as they be at this present , and the moores subdued , who kept them in martiall exercise , they began since to make war with the kings of castill , although their dominions were alwaies greater then the portugals ; the which they did so often and with such obstinacie , that these nations all of one continent , issued from one stocke , & of one language , were enflamed one against the other with so mortall a hatred , that it remaineth euen vntill this daie , but more with the portugals then the spaniards . and although these late warres did breede them more honor then profit ; yet were they not without some vtilitie ; for that this continuall exercise did maintaine them in discipline and keepe them from delights and idlenes , capitall enimies to any state. since which time they haue not remained idle , but ( inured vnto war ) wonne vnto themselues some honour vnder iohn the first , at the perswasion of henry his sonne , they laboured to take from the moores certaine places in affricke , the which succeeded happily . for in time they became maisters in mauritania tingitana of the townes of ceute , tanger and arzilla , ( and this is that auncient zillia ) and other places ; which since they haue either lost , or abandoned to the moores ( as they did arzilla ) being of great charge and small profit . they onely maintained and defended the two first , and built towards the west , mazagon , being seated at the mouth of hercules straites ; for holding those places the moores should not harbor so neere vnto spaine , but they serue , as a buckler vnto that prouince . by reason of these euents they extended their hopes yet further , so as the ilands of madera , not farre distant , and the terceres , lying from lishbone . miles , in the fortie degree of latitude ( then vntilled and vninhabited ) were by them discouered and peopled : and not yet content ( especially the said henry , who aspiring to higher matters , though with lesse hope then the effect which followed ) they began ( sailing through the ocean ) to coast affricke , searching new countries and nations : so as running along that coast by the space of many yeeres , they went on so far , that comming to the other hemisphere , they discouered all ethiopia . and although alphonso the fifth of that name , and the twelfth king renewed the war against the spaniard , yet did they not discontinue their nauigation , to their great good ; but in the end hauing made peace with the catholique king ferdinand , in the yeere of our lord . they had more leisure to think of their new conquest . it is worth the obseruing , that in capitulations then made , it was particularly specified , that the peace was concluded for a hundreth yeeres and one ; naming alwaies a certaine for an vncertaine : but this prooued a prophesie : for it continued iust a hundreth yeeres & one ; for so much time passed from those wars vnto this which i vndertake to write : if the words of the treatie agree with the qualitie of the euent . the realme was greatly strengthened both with people and wealth , and since encreased more ; when as ferdinand and isabell , king and queene of castill , in the yeere . expelled the lewes out of their dominions being then in great numbers : they agreed with iohn the second , successor to alphonso the fifth , and obtained libertie ( paying eight duckats for euerie person ) to enter into his countrey , vpon condition to depart at a certaine time prefixed , and that the king should appoint them shipping to transport them . so as vpon those conditions ( which were not fully obserued ) there entred about . families , and in euery one ten persons at the least : the time of their departure expired , and not performed , many remained slaues ; others either vnwilling to depart , or to loose their goods were baptized , as the rest had done that remayned in castill . so as vnder the name of new christians , the greatest part remayned in portugall vnknowen ; being vndistinguished , and allyed for money with some noblemen of the countrey ; they laboured to be admitted for citizens : and although ( according vnto reason of state ) this manner of peopling were not good , being of a nation different in blood and law , the which in multiplying might cause an important diuision , being many in number ; yet brought it great profit to the crowne . since in the time of emanuell the fourteenth king , who began to raigne in the yeere . they continued their new nauigation , with greater feruencie , and more quiet : for the castillians being growen mightier by meanes of the forces annexed to their crowne , and hauing by new alliances drawen vnto them the loue of the portugales , the one durst no more contend , & the other suffered them to liue in peace . his predecessors hauing many yeeres coasted along affricke , they built a fort at argin ; tooke the islands of hesperides , which now are called cape-vert ; fortifyed the castle of saint george in ethiopia , which they call mina ; discouered the princes island , and that of saint thomas , which lyeth perpendicularly vnder the equinoctiall , with certaine smal ilands thereabouts , they became lords ouer all . and passing further , they entred into league with the realmes of congo , and angolla , all moores ; hauing passed the great cape of * buena esperança , and the island of saint laurence , right against it vpon the mayne land they became lords of soffolla , mozambique , and melynde : where according to the humours and qualitie of the people ; they had won some by loue , & some by force , although for the most part where they set footing , they preuailed by armes . in the time of the said emanuell they passed the mouth of the red sea , traffiquing at socotra , & calahiate , they did run through the persian gulph , and ( hauing passed the mouth of the riuer indus ) they entred into india , where first by traffique , & after by force , they landed at calecut , cochin , and other places thereabouts ; but more strongly then in any other place vnder the conduct of alphonso albuquerque , a famous captaine at goa , a small iland in the realme of accen , neere vnto the countrey of idalcan , the which is now a citie with an archbishopricke , chiefe of that state , where the vizeroy maketh his ordinarie aboad . they haue gone along all that coast building small fortresses , and hauing turned backe to the mouth of the said gulph , they are become maisters of the i le of ormus ; and along that coast haue conquered the cities of chaul , damane , bazain , and diu. vpon the point of the coast of mallabar ( which they call the cape of comery ) turning towards the gulph of gangis , they haue traffique , and fortresses in the i le of zeilan , which some take to bee the ancient taprobana , where groweth the best cinnamom . and hauing passed the said gulph towards the east , & the mouth of gangis , they discouered the other coast , at the point whereof ( which the ancient call the golden chersonesse ) they became lords of the towne of malaca , fiue and twentie miles from the great iland of somatra ( held also of some for taprobana . ) and passing on further , not onely by their traffique , in the realme of pegu , and other countries vpon the firme lande ; but also by their nauigation , they haue discouered the greater and lesser iaua , the kingdome of china , the great sea of the isles of the molucques , from whence come all the cloues and nutmegs , with many other drugs , the i le of iappon : to conclude , they haue sayled on so far as they haue met in those quarters with the castillians that came to the conquest of the west indies , discouered by christopher columbus a geneuoys , in the name of the kings of castill . of late daies some by these two nauigations haue compassed the whole world , and ioyned east to west : they haue also in the time of emanuell conquered ( opposite to ethiopia , and to the cape of * buena esperança ) the prouince which they cal s. a croix , commonly called brazill , ioyning to peru , running . miles in length , yet stretcheth it not far into the maine land : they haue deuided it into eight parts , which they call captaineships , and haue in a manner giuen it to those that haue conquered it , reseruing to the king the greatest part of the iurisdiction . and although for a time it did seeme of small profit , so as the criminall iudges of portugall did , and doe yet still , confine and banish thither theeues , murtherers , and such like malefactors ; yet being fertile , it is greatly inhabited , so as at this day there are great dwellings and manie buildings for sugars . the principall townes be the bay of alsaints and pernanbuc : all these countries of new conquest ( whereof we haue made mention ) are rich , and of great importance , from thence commeth yeerely ( as we haue said ) into portugall , ships laden with sugars , spice , drugs , stones , with many other precious things and of great value . and to say the truth , this nation is woorthie of great praise ; that hauing but a small and barren countrey , they haue made themselues equall ( by the good institutions , frugalitie , and vertue of some of their kings ) not onely to all the kingdomes of spaine : but haue gloriously maintained war against castil , a realme far more rich and mightie , then that of portugall , and their other neighbours . they haue shewed the like vertue , nay rather greater , far from home , as well in affricke , as at the indies , hauing not onely perfourmed so woonderfull a nauigation , as was held in the beginning by the wisest to be rash and foolish ; but also giuen such testimonie of their armes in those parts , that the writers hold many of their deeds to be miraculously performed , by reason of the inequalitie wherewith they were attempted , hauing shewed themselues in fight at sea , and defending of forts , more valiant than in any thing else . and besides the conquest of so great an empire , in so long and large a sea , as we haue written ; it hath caused an other good of greater importance for christian religion ; the which is now planted in all those countries : so as whole realmes which were idolatrous , are now obedient to the apostolique sea ( to the great commendation of the iesuits , whom in that countrey they call apostles ) who haue and doe still maintaine a spirituall war. notwithstanding the portugals who for the space of . yeeres had beene busied in these glorious attempts , who had planted their crosses in the farthest bounds of the east , whereas the name of christ was not yet knowen , they haue not since followed the steps begunne , but contented with the weake borders of the indian seas , they haue not pearst into the maine lande , but ( corrupted with the pleasures of the people , and inriched with the traffique of marchandize ) they haue beene content to enioy their gettings , not acknowledging the benefite of the giuer of graces : and hauing conuerted the militarie reuenewes of commandries into pleasures , they became idle and vaine ; attributing to themselues the honors and ceremonies which faithfull christians reserue vnto god : they liued long in this estate , yet in good opinion of the worlde . this corruption and weakenes of the realme brought in by the delights of asia , was in the education of king sebastian discouered , and reiected by the iesuits , who as religious men , desired and laboured much to reforme it : but they applied not fit medicines for so languishing a body , not considering the impossibilitie sodainly to reclaime a whole people alreadie corrupted with libertie , to the extreame rigor and sparingnes of these fathers . a hard matter to performe not onely in a kingdome , but also in the precinct of their monasteries : whereupon they made sumptuarie lawes , and especially vpon victuals ; which the auncient spartaines coulde hardly haue tolerated : they did specifie what meates were allowed , and what defended , distinguished wherein euerie man should imploy his money , taking from them in a manner all that came from forraine countries , were they for profite or pleasure . so as these violent remedies , prooued not onely vnprofitable and ridiculous , but did confirme the opinion of such , as hold that clergie men are as vncapable to gouerne in politique affaires , as secular magistrates be in ecclesicall causes : but god ( when he meaneth to punish ( taketh away mans vnderstanding , and giueth him an ouerweening spirit , euen so did he with the portugals , sending them chastisements for their offences , committed in time of prosperitie ; or by his secret iudgements , when as they thought themselues most secure , their fall was the greater being in their greatest glorie . for this nation the proudest in the world , in this last warre of affrick , became slaues vnto the arabians and moores ; and being free , in a short time by their warre against the castillians , were conquered by them , whom they holde for their capitall enimies . the afflictions of this realme tooke their beginning in the twentieth yeere of the age of sebastian , who ( borne after the death of his father , & a little before the decease of his grandfather ) ( by entreaties , and to the fatall ruine of his subiects ) strong of body , and of a couragious minde , full of ouerweening , ( the which is a naturall vice in portugals , not content with his owne dominions ) resolued ( as it were by force ) to alter the quiet , which his realme had so long enioyed . and although it seemed hard of execution , being inuironed with the territories of phillip of austria king of spaine , his deare friend and kinsman , more mightie than himselfe , with whom he might not contend , nor passe by land into any other countrey . but as it is easie to perish for him that is desperate , he let him vnderstande the excessiue desire he had to ruine himselfe & all his . he had first plotted a warre against the indians , which his kinsmen and subiects woulde not consent vnto . but as there was some difficultie wholie to withdrawe the yoong prince ( who had a warlike spirite ) from this enterprise , such as were neere about him laboured to diuerte him by meanes of an other which they laide before him ; turning all his resolutions vpon affrick to indomage the moores which liue in that part which is called mauritania tingitana , whereas the portugals maintaine ( to their great charge ) vpon the borders of the sea , those three forenamed fortresses , ceute , tanger , and mazagon , the buckler and key of spaine ; by which the moores haue heeretofore conquered it . but this diuersion whereunto they perswaded the king , was cause of great ruines , proceeding from want of iudgement ; for although it were hard wholie to disswade him from the enterprise of the indies , and therefore conuenient to represent vnto him some other action ; yet shoulde they aduisedly haue foreseene , not to drawe him from one mischiefe to thrust him into a greater . but these men diuerted him from an enterprise farre off , and of hard execution , by representing vnto him a neerer , easier to effect , but more perillous . and although they surmized he would not haue vndertaken it but with deliberation , yet shoulde they not haue giuen too much confidence to his yoong age , for the which the iesuits were greatly blamed , who hauing planted their religion in this realme more then in any other of the worlde , and with more zeale , as enimies to the enimies of god , they did encourage this yoong prince ( whom queene katherine had giuen to them in charge ) to this enterprise with carefull instructions , the which as then they might easily effect : but finding the king soone after readie to execute it with rashnes , they had no more the credite to diuert him being in disgrace . so as this yoonge king bred vp amongst women , religious persons , delights and pleasures , had a more bould and warlike spirite , then if he had beene borne and nourished in the middest of armies . he raised certaine troupes of footemen of his people of lisbone , whom he did inrowle and traine vp to the pike and harquebuse , sending them once a weeke to the fielde to practise , with intent to vse them when neede shoulde require . the which he staied not long to effect : for in the yeere . he assembled ( against the will of the wisest ) certaine of his souldiers , and with fower gallies and certaine ships and caruels passed into affrick , vnder colour to visite his fortes ; although in his minde he had a desire to do more then he spake , and as yoong and without experience , thought to effect more then he did . being arriued in those countries , he onely discouered , finding his owne weakenesse , but in light skirmishes , which are made daily vpon those frontires with the moores ▪ he shewed himselfe most willing to be in person , vexing himselfe when he coulde not do as he desired ; but as a royall person it behooued him to containe himselfe within the tearmes of grauitie , the which hee often exceeded . hee returned soone to lisbone , still deuising with himselfe some newe manner of warre , and was so disquieted and carefull in his conceite , that he neither saide nor did any thing that tended to other end , deuising not as a king , but as a priuate souldier , to accustome his body to labour , seeming vnto him by this meanes to make himselfe more strong and better able to endure the discommodities of warre . this inclination ( wherein the heauens had some part ) was not gainsaid by any of his chiefe counsell , nor kinsmen of riper age , who might haue disswaded him , and drawn him to haue enioyed his realme : for although the action seemed rash , yet ambition and feare of the kings disgrace were of such force , that the nobles , magistrates , and great persons ( who might haue forced him ) durst not open their mouthes , nor oppose themselues against his will : and if any one did mutter or speake to the contrary , they were men of base qualitie , and not admitted . the cardinall henry his vnckle , brother to iohn the thirde his grand-father , and queene katherine ( in whom flatterie shoulde finde no place ) had small credite with the king , neither did they vse the authoritie they might haue had , both fearing they shoulde not preuaile ; but loose ( with the kings disgrace ) the small commandement was yet remaining in them ; so as by a fatall silence they suffered this yoong prince to returne the second time into affrick , with apparant perill : wherein peter d'alcasoua was a chiefe actor , who hauing before time beene secretarie of the realme , and counsellour of the state , greatly fauoured of king iohn , and queene katherine , was now disgraced , and put from his places when as the cardinall henry gaue the gouernment to king sebastian , the which hapned more by emulation , and for that the cardinall woulde settle a newe forme , and plant newe officers , in the managing of the affaires , then for any faults that were imputed vnto him , were they true or false . but in the declining of fauorites it alwaies chanceth , that faults serue rather to iustifie the ambition of an other then the offenders punishment : and in these afflictions he had liued content , for being wise , and rich , he had borne his aduersitie with a constant courage , still expecting some meanes to returne into his place and dignitie ; the which fell out easily by the practise and industrie of another . for martin gonzales de camera his competitour , hauing succeeded him in his offices , with some other depending of the iesuites , whom the cardinall sought to bring in , they had no lesse conflict with their enimies then peter had with his , for that aluaro de castro fauorite to the king , of a contrarie faction , with some of his friendes ( desiring secretly to withdraw the kings affection from martin and his partie ) tooke occasion to effect it , when as the king was at cape saint vincent , whether he went in sommer to satisfie the desire he had to go to sea , making him beleeue ( and it may be not without cause ) that martin and the fathers ( as men ignorant in matters of state , & of the wealth of princes ) had wasted the treasure of the crowne , and cut off the meanes , for all such enterprizes as he might execute , by their lawes made vpon the changes of money : the which if they did not reuoke , it were impossible to effect his glorious designes . this was a deadly blowe ; yet did they adde one more of greater moment , giuing the king to vnderstande ( being yoong and high minded ) that he was oppressed by them , that they ruled in effect , and he in shew ; and they passed on so farre , that they caused a secretarie of the chamber well fauoured of the king , and a great talker , ( presenting him one day with a commandement of small importance to signe ) to say vnto him that he might boldly subscribe it , for that hee was king vntill he shoulde returne to lisbone : so as mingling sport with truth , they drew this yoong prince from the affection he bare to the ministers which had beene giuen him by the queene and cardinall , and changed the doctrine wherein he had beene nourished . but peter d'alcasoua reapt the whole fruite thereof , for the king being estranged from his enimies , and the lawes made by them reuoked , aluaro de castro the author thereof died , none of his faction remaining saue emanuel quaresinia , who had the office which they call dispaccio , of great importance , beeing controwler of the kings rewardes , who hauing neither experience , nor authoritie to maintaine himselfe long in this degree , nor yet iudgement to contend with alcasoua , the said peter laid holde of this occasion , to recouer his former place : and to effect it the more safely , he married lewes his eldest sonne , with the daughter of christopher de tauora , a great fauorite of sebastians . being thus returned into fauour with the king , he easily maintained it , seconding his humours , in making the meanes easie to recouer money , and vnfolding all doubts for the execution of his enterprise : by reason whereof he made him chamberlaine , or rather veador de hazenda , a place of greater countenance then the other , imploying him in most important affaires . and although his cunning did somewhat assist the king in his determinations , yet was there another occasion presented which made his hopes increase , which was this . long time before there died in affrick mulei mahamet cheriffe , he who had vnited the kingdome of feez , marroc and turedant , the which he had alwais possessed , deuided with his brother mulei hamet : it seemes that these ( whiles they liued quietly togither ) made a law , that al the children that suruiued after their decease , should succeed in the kingdome before any one of the nephewes should enioy the succession ; so as to the yongest vncle should succeed the eldest nephew : yet after their decease , although they left many children , the greatest part thereof ( euen as it hapned vnto their fathers ) died by the sword , or were strangled in prison , for the iealousie of state , by the commandemēt of abdala , one of the sonnes of mahamet , who succeeded his father , & raigned xvij . yeres , the most happie & peaceable prince that euer that countrey enioied . this man although he were cruel , yet did he refraine from murthering his three brethren ; it may be for that they were very children , when he came to the succession ; but growing to more yeeres , they fell to distrust him : so as two of them fled to the turke ; the thirde tooke his way by lande and went to liue amongst the arabians . and although the lawe had decreed that the next brother shoulde succeed to the crowne , yet abdala resolued to sweare his eldest sonne mahamet his successour , which being performed , sodainly this newe prince practised against his vncles , sending a moore to tremisenne to kill the eldest , who was deteined by the turkes , the which he did effect ; wounding him with a dart in the mezquita . this act did greatly trouble the other brother mulei moluc , yoong and of great hope , who ( remaining at algier ) demaunding succours in vaine from philip king of spaine , by the meanes of rodorike alphonso pimentel , earle of benauent , then viceroy of valencia ; he resolued to goe seeke it at constantinople , where he attended long with patience ; exclaiming against his kindred , and not obtaining that which he demaunded , till in the end ( hauing giuen an honorable testimonie of himselfe in the last sea fight at nauarin , betwixt the armies of the league and turke , and at the taking of golette ) he obtained three thousand souldiers of the turke for this conquest ; vpon certaine conditions that were not obserued . with these forces and his moores that followed him , which wanted not in affrick , he entred his nephewes kingdome ( for his brother was now dead ) and defeated three armies , whereof the last ( which seemes woonderfull ) consisted of threescore thousand horse , and ten thousand foote , and tooke absolute possession of the realmes , liuing with great reputation both of the moores and christians . mulei mahamet being in this manner expelled his countrey , he fled to pignon of velay , a fortresse which the catholique king holdes in affrick , and from thence by the counsell ( as they say ) of a renegado , he sent his ambassadors to the said king , letting him vnderstand of his disgrace , and crauing aide to be restored to his estate . whereunto the catholique king hauing made no answere conformable to the desires of the moore , being gone to ceuta , he did the like office with king sebastian , shewing vnto him , that by this occasion he shoulde easilie make himselfe emperour of marocco . the yoong prince fedde with this vaine hope , seemed nowe to haue a lawfull subiect to make warre , whereon he resolued , and to succour the moore mahamet . he propounded this to his counsell , laboring to proue that it was both profitable and honorable , whereunto ( although there were some of contrarie aduise , laying before him that he was without heires , that christians shoulde rather imploy their armes against heretikes then infidels , that his forces alone were too feeble for so great an action , strengthning their reasons with many examples : notwithstanding as princes blinded with their owne desires , will not allow the mishaps and disgraces of an other , issuing from their ill measured counsell , to serue them as examples of better aduise , there was neither reason nor example could preuaile against the kings opinion , but fortified in his resolution by many ( who either for their owne particular , or for want of iudgement ) did counsell him to warre , it was concluded . and although his owne weakenes was vnknowne vnto himselfe , yet was he aduised by others to take a companion , and to drawe the catholique king into this action , belieuing it were easily performed : the state of affrick being of greater importance for his kingdome which was adioining to it then for portugall . he desired greatly to marrie , to haue issue ( although his phisicions feared much he was vnable for generation ) and woulde willingly haue taken one of the daughters of the catholique king , whereof they had giuen him an assured hope : for these two causes he desired to enter parle with him , sending peter d' alcasoua as embassadour vnto him , with commandement to treat of three points , that is , for aide in the action of affrick ; for the marriage of his daughter , and for an enteruiew . the embassador departed , and effected with great diligence the charge his maister had giuen him : and hauing attended some time in this court , he obtained all three , the promise of marriage with one of his daughters , when she shoulde come to yeeres , for as yet they were too yoong ; that the catholique king should goe to guadalupa to meete with king sebastian : and as for succours he shoulde furnish men & galleies , to vndertake the enterprize of alarache , the which was spoken very coldly . for the catholique king knowing the portugals to presume beyond their strength , and holding it nothing safe to vndertake this action of affrick without great forces , he laboured what he could by letters to temper this heate , disswading him with many reasons ( if not from the enterprize ) at the least not to go himselfe in person : but this yoong prince resting immooueable in his counsels , and most obstinate in his opinion , did still importune him by letters . phillip confirmed the succours of men and galleis , so as the turke should sende no men into italy , and that they shoulde vndertake alarache in the yeere . the whole being referred vnto their enteruiew at guadalupa . the embassadour returnes home more fauoured then euer , seeming to haue effected more then was thought or looked for : in both courts they make no great delaies , but take their way for guadalupa , where both kings arriue with no great traines , but with the chiefe noblemen and gentlemen of their realmes : there the portugals ( who arriued last ) were receiued with great shewes of loue , finding in all places of castill , where they passed , the kings expresse commandement to receiue him of portugall as his owne proper person , so as at badagios and in other places , where he past , the chiefe men went to meete him , the prisons were opened , and he conducted to his lodging vnder a cloth of estate . the catholique king tooke great pleasure to see yoong sebastian , whom he entertained as his host , laying aside all tearms fitte for a greater king , entreating each other equally in maiestie , talking particularly of the warre , being both profitable and honorable for the realmes of spaine . the catholique king did not disswade him , yet he aduised him not to goe in person , excusing himselfe that he could giue no great succour , by reason of the continuall charge he was put to in italy to resist the turke : but sebastian being fully resolued to goe , and admitting no excuse , phillip desirous to please him , accorded with him in this sort . that the generall opinion being , and especially of the duke of alua , that this action woulde require . foote , not portugals , but of other nations , trained vp in warre , deuided into italians , germaines , & spaniards ; that the king of portugall should entertaine ten thousand , and the catholique king fiue thousand , furnishing the enterprize with fiftie galleis ; ( alwaies prouided , if the turke sent not an armie into italy ) and thatthey should goe vnto allarache , without entring into the maine land , and this to be attempted in the yeere otherwise he should not be bound to any thing . this treatie being ended , euery one returned from whence he came . in portugall they made slowe preparatiues to warre , and in the first beginning their money failed them , for that the reuenewes of the crowne are small , and ill imploied . the whole realme vpon the maine land yeelding but a million , and one hundreth thousand duckets a yeere : the greatest part in customes ( the which be vnreasonable ) paying for all things twentie in the hundreth except fish , which paieth the one halfe . the new found lands , as saint thomas , myna , brazil , and the indies yeeld but a million at the most , which makes in all two millions and one hundreth thousand duckats , which comes to the crowne : and although the indies yeelde one other million of rent , yet make they neither receipt nor paiment thereof , being whollie reteined there for the entertaining of armies and garrisons . of these two millions and a hundreth thousand duckats , there remaines nothing at the yeeres end in court , and if the king vse any liberalitie , his charge exceeds the reuenewes ; for that they receiue without order , and spende without measure : for these kings were neuer so happie as to be serued with men of iudgement , and discretion , who could order the reuenewes and expences ; but giuing the charge alwaies vnto noblemen , who were aduanced thereunto by fauour , and not by merite , ( an ordinarie custome in that countrey ) they studied to maintaine themselues in that throne by other meanes , letting the reuenewes of the crowne goe as it woulde . so as what in wages of officers , rents , created , recompence for life , priuiledges ( which they call giuros ) sold by him , entertaining of fortresses in affrick , preparation of nauies , and expences of the court , all is spent . they went therefore seeking heere and there for money , forcing the people to contribute , and the chiefe citizens extraordinarily : for although they gathered much by this meanes , yet they did drawe vpon them the curses and exclamations of the people , being most affectionate and obedient to their king ; but nothing preuailed against the burning desire of officers . they exacted from the clergie the thirde part of their reuenewes , whereunto they would not yeeld : yet seeing the pope yeelded vnto the kings affections , they granted a hundreth and fiftie thousand duckats . they granted vnto the new christians paying two hundreth & fiue & twentie thousand duckats ( that which before had been for a time granted & often since denied ) that for sinning against the inquisition they shoulde not loose their goods as they did . they imposed a newe custome vpon the salt , and exacted money from the nobilitie , and gentlemen of the realme , against their auncient customes ; many being by this meanes vniustly vexed . amongst other noblemen , the king sent to frauncis de melo , earle of tentuguel , who excusing himselfe , did write vnto the king , with greater libertie then possiblie reason woulde allowe : for noting greatly the demand of money , which they had made vnto him , as vniust , he said , it agreed not with the vertues with which his highnes was indued ; neither did it seeme reasonable , that they whose fathers had beene helpers to conquer the realme , shoulde be subiect to the impositions and tributes , which are paid for the warres , where of many of meaner qualitie were exempt . he laide the blame of these demands vpon the sinnes of the realme , but much more vpon such fauorites as the king had about him , of whom he complained ; he produced the example of that fatall chaunce , which hapned at tanger , to henry and ferdinand , sonnes to king iohn the first , seeking to make warres against the moores at the peoples charge , who ought in reason to pay rather then gentlemen : inferring thereby that hee could attend no better successe of the action the king now tooke in hand , being at their charge , who had neuer contributed , although the realme by reason of warres had beene seene in greater necessitie then at that present , he concluded ( beseeching the king to consider better what he did , and to imitate the example of his auncestors , and not to leaue a woorse of himselfe to his successors . ) this letter , which the king read with disdaine , freed the earle and many others from the contribution of money , seeking by other meanes ( but chiefly by the bloud of the poore ) to supplie their wants . and to the end there might be greater plentie of money within the realme , he commanded that the royals of castill , which before were defended , should be now currant , valuing them a ninth part more then they were accustomed , which many noted as ominous . the king began now to draw his men oftner to fielde , putting them into squadrons , to come to encounters , and to counterfaite all that which is acted in warre , where he himselfe was often present , in danger of his person , in the midst of their harquebuzes , yet had he neither captaine nor sergeant that could instruct them , onely one iohn de gama , who in the habite of an hermit , became a great master of the warre . so as notwithstanding the great paine they tooke in this exercise in manner forced , hauing neuer seene any thing , they remained more ignorant then at the beginning . the king gaue himselfe much to hunting , accounting it a glory to encounter with the most furious beasts , wherein he grew very expert : if he went ( as he did often ) for pleasure from one place to another , either by sea , or vpon the riuer of tagus , he thought it a shame to go in calme weather , but still attended some storme whereby it seemed that some furious destinie lead him headlong to his end . but in the meane space time steales away , necessarie prouisions want , and all things proceed slowly foreward . they must prouide money in italy , to leuie the italian footemen , and to pay the germaines : but the pepper whereby it shoulde be raised , was come but that sommer to lisbone , from whence it should be sent by the merchants ships to liuorno , there to be solde . this enterprize , the which ( for that they sought to do it with little money , we may tearme vndiscreet ) was now almost made impossible , and peter d'alcasoua ( who was chamberlaine , and had charge of the treasure ) durst not discouer the defects vnto the king , fearing his displeasure , if he should now contradict that which before he had allowed : he did still temporize with hope , that the catholique king shoulde excuse himselfe from furnishing the men , whereunto he was bound , vpon colour of sending an armie into italy against the turks , or for some other pretext , the which he greatly desired , that the whole blame might fall vpon phillip : neither was he without hope , for the exceptions vnder which he had promised , made him beleeue that which fell out otherwise . in the meane time mulei moluck hearing of these preparatiues , fearing the catholique king should ioyne with the portugals , sent wisely vnto him to will him aduise what part of his territories he pleased to haue , the which he would giue to be his friend and confederate . the king presently let sebastian vnderstand his offer , aduising that it were a matter of consequence to keepe the moore in hope and to send vnto him to expound his meaning , the which must needs be profitable , seeing that practizes are no suspensions of armes , whereof there might grow some good effect ; for possiblie the moore would neglect his defence , or yeeld that quietly which they pretended to take from him by force : but this yoong king , who knew not how much better an assured peace were , then an expected victorie , and who desired rather to winne by force , then by agreement any place whatsoeuer , pressed the catholique king not to treat any accord with moluck . but phillip knowing sebastians designes seeing him neither willing to accord , nor able to perfourme the enterprise , the which was likely to be broken , he laboured to effect it himselfe ; and seeing sommer now come , and neither italian nor germaine souldiers in portugall , he made offer vnto him by iohn de sylua his embassadour , that if he were not prepared for the enterprise as it was conuenient , he woulde furnish both men and shipping , so as he should pay the two thirdes of the charges , according to the treatie . but forasmuch as this offer was farre off from the marke , whereat the king of portugall shot , it was neither heard nor accepted . and although the season of the yeare was now farre passed , and the preparatiues weake , ( matters being concealed from sebastian , who was abused by his ministers ) yet he feared nothing , but that phillip should excuse himselfe , and not keepe promise on his behalfe , which should make him vnable to performe the enterprise , whereof he was so desirous ; so as he laboured to obtaine of him an assured promise of aide , without exception of the comming of the turkes army , the which he secretly feared , and his ministers greatly hoped for , so were their mindes distracted . the catholique king being aduertised heereof , seeming vnto him impossible to do any thing that were good , either to satisfie , or to withdraw himselfe from the promise that he made , left it to the iudgement of his embassador , to make offer vnto the king of the fifty galleis lent , & the fiue thousād foote , to be presently imploied ( if neede were ) according to the treatie ; but he should haue a speciall care not offer them , if he did see any impossibilitie to imploie them , being vnwilling to hazard his forces alone without such as the king of portugall was bound to leuie : vpon this offer which the embassador had made , sebastian being come to himselfe , and casting vp his reckonings , he found himselfe vnable that yeere to passe into affrick , by reason whereof he caused proclamation to be made , that the enterprise should be deferred vntill the next yere : phillip a little before ( being mooued with the practises of this warre , ) had sent captaine frauncis d'aldana diguised into affrick to viewe the townes and fortresses vpon the sea coast , who ( being in great danger ) returned . this man he sent to sebastian , who receiuing many fauours , he informed him particularly of the state of affrick : and although aldana made the enterprise more difficult then he supposed , yet could he no way discourage him ; but laying aside that discourse , he inquired secretly of him ( as of an expert souldiour ) of many things touching the gouernment of armies , wherein aldana did amply satisfie him . the king now beleeuing he should be well able to execute all he vnderstood , not knowing the difference betwixt saying and doing ; the winter come , he gaue aldana leaue to depart , honouring him with a chaine of gold , of one thousand duckats , making him promise to returne when he should need his seruice . in this meane time for the yeere following sebastian ( by the meanes of gomez de sylua , his embassadour at rome ) treated with the great duke of tuscane , to leuie in his territories three or fower thousande foote , accepting in part the offer which the great duke had made vnto him , not long before by his embassadors , but the effect followed not . he sent likewise sebastian de costa into flaunders to vvilliam of nassau prince of orange ( who being chosen head of the flemmings against the catholique king , commanded in those parts ) entreating him to assist him with three of fower thousand germaines : he likewise dispatched fower coronels throughout his realme of portugall , to leuie twelue thousand foote ; and those were michael de norogna , iames lopez de sequeira , frauncis de tauora , and vasco de silueira , the which had neuer beene at the warres . he assembled some spaniards which came at the brute of warres , and of this voyage , whereof he gathered a good number , without the consent of philip , and in castill it selfe without any noise of drum he enrolled many souldiers for this warre , which caused philip to punish some captaines afterwardes : but notwithstanding all these goodly shewes , no man beleeued it woulde take effect , for besides they did esteeme the kings forces , too feeble to attempt any warre , much more beyond the sea , ( whereas the charge woulde be greater ) they did conceiue that when the catholique king , the cardinall henry , queene katherine , and the people , should see all lets taken away , they would not suffer the king to go in person , which made euery man suppose that after the expence of much mony , it would vanish to nothing , as it had hapned the last yeere , and some yeeres before , with the armie of edward the kings vncle , prepared for the same countries of affrick , and some other enterprises . but forasmuch as we can hardly resist the diuine powers , it seemed that all things did second the effect of this enterprise : the queene ( a ladie of bountie and great value ) who as well for the loue she bare vnto the king , being bred in her bosome ; as to content philip her nephew , who was the sonne of her brother , did vehemently disswade this enterprise , she died . the pope forasmuch as this warre was attempted against infidels , giuing succours in time of need , opened his spirituall treasures , granting the bull of the croysada , which till that time was not brought into the realme . the ships of the indies returned home to a safe port very rich . the prince of orange although he were sufficiently busied in the low countries , yet shewing how little he esteemed the forces of the catholique king , graunted out of his troupes the three thousand foote , which were demaunded ; so as all things seemed to yeeld vnto the kings wil. all that time which was the ninth of nouember , there appeered in the zodiaque , in the signe of libra , neere vnto the station of mars , the goodliest & greatest comet , that hath beene seene in many ages , the which happening in the progresse of this war , amazed many , who looking to examples past , said it was a signe of vnhappy successe , and that cōming from a corrupt aire , it did endomage the delicat bodies of princes . and for as much as the auncient captaines with their diuines , did interpret it to good , not for that they beleeued it , but to incourage their souldiers : the portugall likewise taking it for a fauour said , that this comet spake vnto the king , saying , accometa , which is to say in the portugall toong : let him assayle them , not hauing any such beliefe , but for flatterie , fearing more the kings choler , by reason of his rough inclination , then the heauens . philip at that time by a certaine treatie of peace had pacified the war of the low-countries , where don iohn de austria his bastard brother was gouernour , who seeming not absolute master of the people , and the prince of orange his aduersarie not well satisfied , desiring rather to be lord of all , then gouernor of a part , they began new practizes against the conuentions agreed on . and don iohns letters being surprised , ( the which he had written into spaine , ) by the lords of the countrey they discouered , that vpon the princes fortifying of some places in holland , he had an other intention then he made shew of , who finding his letters surprised and his purposes laid open , desirous ( as he said ) to subdue them by armes , he thought it not safe to remaine vnarmed in those parts : so as one day seeming to goe take the aire , he retired himselfe to namur , vpon the frontire of flanders , towards lorraine , with his greatest fauorites , and there discouering his minde , and dismissing such as he trusted not , he suddenly called backe the spanish foot ( the which according to the articles of peace ) were departed , and scarse arriued in italie ; and hauing made a newe leuie of wallons and germaines , the warre began in those parts more cruell then before , and with greater disaduantage for the king : for that in the conformitie of the treatie of pacification , they had left all the fortresses in the hands of the flemmings . by reason of these new broiles , & for that the war of affrick was deferred a yeere more then was agreed on , the catholike king framed an excuse to denie his promised succours to the king of portugall , shewing that it behooued him to prouide in flanders for his honour , and the safety of his brother ; hoping by this meanes to diuert him from the enterprise , but it preuailed nothing : for the other being rash , resolued in any sort to vndertake it , whether he had his expected succours or not , thinking ( being yoong ) with his owne forces and the italians and germanes which hee attended , to bee able to conquer the worlde . this resolution displeased philip and did much afflict him , for being vnable to assist him , he feared that without his aide the day would be perillous , and seeing the danger increase , he continued these good offices with more vehemencie , either to breake off the enterprise , or at least to disswade him from going in person : whereupon he did write many letters of his owne hand full of loue ; he caused the duke of alua to write vnto him , and in the end sent the duke of medina celi ( one of the greatest in spaine ) to doe his last endeuour to diuert him ; but all was in vaine , he would attempt it at his owne cost , although the catholike king sent him not one souldier . and for as much as good deedes are often taken in ill part , some saide that all these demonstrations of king philip were but coūterfeit , & that he wished sebastian should go , for howsoeuer it should succeed , he should receiue a benefit thereby : if it happened he should take allarache or any place vpon the coast , it were more aduantage to philip then to him , hauing his dominions fronting neerer to affricke then the other ; but if he should happen to die in these wars , a greater good should come vnto him , being heire vnto the realme . but to say the truth , philip was mooued to doe this office towards sebastian , both of his owne quiet disposition ( beeing no friend to broyles ) as also for another priuate subiect , of no small importance , which was : at that time the treatie of truce was reuiued betwixt him and the turke , whereunto both were mooued for one and the selfe same respect , not to diuide their forces at such time as they had most need of them to be vnited ; the turke against the sophi , and the king against the rebles in flaunders : so as without infringing this truce , the catholike king could not send any armie to endomage affricke , being tributarie to the turke , and especially of mulei moluc his friend and confederate . and this excuse was so much the more tolerable , for that he laboured to comprehend the king of portugall within this truce , desiring him to enter into it , but he not onely refused it , but also answered , that he maruelled he would treat a peace for three yeeres with the turke , to auoide war during that tearme in italy , being most assured that affrick should be replenished with turkes , and the three yeeres expired , he should haue that war in spaine , which now he sought to auoide in italy : he did aduise him not to conclude ; or if he would needes , not to comprehend him , to the end he might afterwards secretly assist him against mulei moluc : by meanes whereof with small charge he might assure himselfe of italy by the truce , and of affricke by war in the name of the portugals . philip disallowed of these friuolous reasons , solliciting sebastian to resolue himselfe either to enter or be excluded : after some delaies he was contented to bee comprehended therein . but as these treaties were in handling , he supposed it should not any wise hinder his enterprise of affricke : and therefore they armed their gallions at lisbone , they stayed merchants ships , they inrolled all their shipping throughout the realme to transport men , horse , victuals , and munition , making readie other preparatiues : lewis dataide was named generall of this action , but he did not exercise the charge with the authoritie due to the place , for as much as the king with peter d'alcasoua and some other his fauorites , resolued and gaue order for many things concerning the war , which belonged to the generall to do , or at the least to consult of . but as he was not greatly pleasing vnto the king , although he were the most renowmed of all the portugals , so did he not follow this enterprise being sent vizeroy to the indies : diego de sosa was made generall at the sea , christopher de tauora his chamberlaine , and master of his horse ( whom he loued entirely ) was made commander of all the nobilitie that should go into affricke , and of many strangers that came by aduenture , giuing him the title of captaine of the aduentures , by meanes whereof he was preferred before all the nobilitie . and for that he could not make himselfe equall with the moore in horsemen ; he resolued to fortific himselfe better with foote , commanding that no man should furnish himselfe with horse , but such as he should appoint , the which should not be lightly armed , but barded , like to the ancient men of armes , so as many gentlemen that prepared to go on horse backe remained on foot . it was strange to see the portugals furnish themselues to war ; for being an exercise that requireth order & measure , all things were there disordered and confused : the faults which were committed in taking of musters , giuing of paies , superfluitie in many things , and defect in other , were infinite : the gentlemen after a new prodigious manner attired themselues like vnto the castillians , in steede of scouring their armes , they guarded their habits , for corslets they prouided dublets of silke & gold , they were charged with sugar and conserues , in steed of water & bisket : the vessels of siluer , & the tents lined with silke and satten were without number , euery gentleman went furnished like a king , and the poore souldiers died for hunger : to conclude , it seemed they supposed that hee that went brauest and best furnished with delights , and pleasures , shoulde soonest conquer the enimy ; contrary to the opinion of true souldiers , who beleeue that when a man goes to the combate clad in gold , and silke , he is either slaine or returnes home laden with blows ; but when he goeth couered with iron , and steele , he returnes a conquerour laden with gold . sebastian was carefull to whom he should leaue the gouernment of the realme , for that there was none remaining of the bloud royall , but his vncle the cardinall , whom ( being very old , & not greatly pleasing vnto him ) he woulde not willingly admit to so great a charge , yet hauing no other , he went to euora where he liued , entreating him to take the care in his absence , the which he would by no meanes accept , excusing it by reason of his age , and indisposition ; so as he made choise of fower gouernours to command in his name , which were george d'almeda , archbishop of lisbone , peter d'alcasoua , frauncis de sada , & iohn mascaregnas , to whom he gaue full power in al things , leauing with thē a seale which did imprint with inke this word reii , with the which he cōmanded thē to subscribe their dispatches . in the meane time vpon affrick side , the cheriffe mahamet did still sollicite sebastian , by embassadors to make haste , and by no meanes to abandon the enterprise , and with many hopes he gaue him to vnderstand , that ( besides a good number of souldiers , he had already armed ) he was most assured , that vpon the present view of the portugals ensignes in affrick , being knowne that they came in his fauour , the greatest part of townes , fortes , and men of warre woulde rebell against mulei moluc & come to him . it is most true he disswaded the king for going in person , saying , it was not necessarie , but woulde prooue very hurtfull , alleaging that the moores ( which easily would yeeld at his deuotion ) seeing the king of portugall there in person woulde grow iealous , least he came to subdue them to the christians ; and therefore woulde not so willingly leaue the enimie . the which he saide , both for that it might so fall out , as also fearing ( not without reason ) that if the king were conquerour , and there in person to , he would not leaue him his kingdome free . al these things greatly enflamed sebastian , & the more the cheriffe disswaded his going , the more his desire encreased , supposing that the moore grew fearefull that his cōming should depriue him of his kingdome , he did firmely beleeue that he should conquer it : and continued so blinde in this desire , that he caused a crowne to be made and carried with him , with other preparatiues to be crowned king , not knowing in the morning what the euening brings . but it seemed to him that fortune began now to smile , for that albacarin the moore , who commanded for mulei moluc , in arzilla , a towne vpon the borders of the sea , sometimes belonging to the portugals , & voluntarily abandoned to the moores , by the intercession of the cheriffe mahamet , had deliuered it to the gouernour of tanger , whereof the king receiued great contentment , and beleeued now the moore had such as he saide , affectionate to his partie . at this time the irishmen rebelled in diuers parts of that kingdome , pretending the libertie of religion , and complained to pope gregory the . taking for their leader the earle of desmond and others , as oneale , and some other of the sauage irish , affirming that if they were aided , they could easily drawe the whole island from the queenes obedience . the pope did communicate this with the catholique king , exhorting him to vndertake this action , as most godly , & to succour this people , the which they resolued to do . but forasmuch as the queene of england did seeme in words friend vnto the king , & did as the spaniards supposed couertly vnderhand assist the prince of orange in flaunders against him ; the king woulde likewise march in the same path , and make a couert warre against her : they concluded to assist this people in the popes name , but secretly at the kings charge . to this effect they leuied certaine footemen in the territories of the church , whereof sixe hundreth vnder the conduct of thomas stukeley an englishman , fled out of england for treason ; ( who a little before had obtained the title of a marques from the pope , ) were embarked at ciuitauechia , in a ship of genua , to be transported into ireland , the which arriued at lisbone , in the time they made preparation in portugall for the warre of affrick : the king hearing of their arriuall , and that for want of money he could haue no italians out of tuscane , desired to see them , with an intent to retaine them , & vse them in the war of affricke , & hauing caused them to disimbarke , and to lodge at oeiras neere to the mouth of tagus , he went one day to view them ; and although they were no chiefe men , yet did he admire their order , their speedie discharging of their harquebuzes , their disposition to handle the pike , and their strict obedience : and hauing had some conference with the saide stukeley , they perswaded him to promise to goe with him into affrick . the catholique king for that he woulde not shew himselfe a partie , woulde not contradict it . the pope was so farre off , that before the newes coulde come vnto him , he gaue them impresse , and they remained for his seruice . in this time the foote which were leuied by three coronels , approched to lisbone : the fourth which was frauncis de tauora , shoulde imbarke in algarues . the three thousand germaines ( which the prince of orange had granted ) were ( vnder the conduct of martin of burgundie , lord of tamberg , ) arriued within the mouth of tagus , in flemmish ships , and were lodged at cascaies , and thereabouts , to the great amasement of the peasants , not accustomed to the charges of warre . king sebastian before his departure , desired to see the duke of alua , whom he sent vnto , but he excused himselfe vpon the king ; and the king at the entreatie of the duke , vpon the infirmitie of the old man ; so as his desire tooke no effect . the dukes friends tolde him he should haue accepted this fauour ; whereunto he answered , that hauing knowne by the practises and discourses of guadaluppa , and by the kings letters , his resolution to passe into affrick , he thought it impossible to diuert him from that opinion , that hauing beene discreet in his youth , he woulde not in his declining age make himselfe author of the ruine , which he did foresee of a king and kingdome . sebastian without any graue counsellors , hastened his departure , impatient of the least delaies , his forces being all assembled with the ships at lisbone ; the souldiors ( which were scarce nine thousand ) were imbarked against their will : the noblemen and gentlemen likewise had euery one a shippe armed , wherein he should imbarque , with those vnder his commaund , but hardly were they drawne from their deere houses . and although there were a certaine day for their departure appointed , yet was it not obserued : so as the king going one morning in great troupe to the cathedrall church , with the standard he ment to carrie into affrick , he caused it to be hallowed with great pompe , and deliuered it to the master of his horse , and so returning ( many beleeuing he would haue returned to the pallace ) he went directly to the galley wherein he woulde passe , to hasten the rest , saying that he woulde presently depart : and although this were the xvij . day of iune , in the yeere . yet did he stay eight daies in the port , and neuer disimbarked , preparing the rest of the soldiours , who were no sooner readie then the day after midsommer : at what time hauing a prosperous winde , the whole armie set saile , to the great pleasure and contentment of the king , who yoong and vnskilfull , guided by some sinister starre , or by that diuine permission which woulde punish this people , went into affrick , to a dangerous ( although a glorious ) enterprise , leauing the realme emptied of money , naked of nobilitie , without heires , and in the hands of ill affected gouernours . the second booke . the contents of the second booke . the king of portugals passage into affricke : his counsell and resolution to enter into the maine land ; the way his armie tooke ; the preparatiues for the warre of mulei moluc , the qualitie and disposition of his campe , the battaile of alcazar , the ouerthrowe of the portugals ; the death of king sebastian and of moluc , and the creation of king henry . the king of portugals departure from lisbone , was so mournefull , that it gaue apparant signes of euill successe , for in so great a number of men , and of so diuers qualities , there was not any one with a cheerefull countenance , or that did willingly imbarke , against the common custome in the beginnings of warre , but all ( as it were presaging of ill euents , ) complained they were forceablie drawne vnto it . there was such a deadlie silence in the porte , that ( during all the time of their abode in so great a number of shippes ) there was neither flute nor trumpet heard . the kings galley issuing foorth , was carried downe with the currant and brake her rudder against a flemmish ship : a cannon shot from the towne slew one of his marriners in the boate ; so as if we shall giue credite to signes as the auncients did , these seemed very ominous . the first towne they touched vpon the maine lande was lagos in algarues ( where did imbarke the regiment which frauncis de tauora had leuied in those parts ) and certaine other vessels ioined to the armie , so as in all one and other they made neere one thousand saile ; but except fiue galleis and fiftie other ships , all the rest were vnarmed , and the most of them were barkes to passe horse and munition . they arriued soone at cadiz , whereas the duke of medina sidonia feasted the king , with chasing of buls , iocodecanna , and all other delights that poore iland coulde yeelde . the duke laboured to perswade him not to goe personally into barberie , but he preuailed not , hauing soiourned there eight daies like a fleete of merchants , without guard or centinell , directing their prowesse towards affrick , in fewe daies they arriued at almadraues , betwixt tanger and arzilla , where hauing cast anchors , they staied some space . the king hauing then an intention to disimbarke at alarache , a small towne of the moores , lying fifteene miles towards the south , a little before the armie approched the land , being fully resolued to depart ; the king with his fiue galleis and fower gallions ( leauing the rest of the ships ) went to tanger , where he made a short abode : for hauing sent mulei cheque son to the cheriffe , of the age of twelue yeeres , by land with martin correa de sylua , and certaine horsemen moores and portugals , to the ende they should draw towards mazagon , and backe the people thereabouts that should reuolt against moluc ; he returned to his armie , hauing supplied the fortresses with fresh souldiors , and taking into his ships the cheriffe and eight hundreth harquebuzers that were at the guard thereof . from the almadraues , he went to arzilla with all his fleete , where seeing his souldiors distressed for water , he commanded them to lande and refresh themselues , meaning to imbarke them againe , or to transport them in barkes to alarache : but wauering in his thoughts , nothing was constant , for the souldiors being landed with no small confusion , it was hard to force them to returne , for the small obedience they were in , and for the necessitie of water , whereof they must make prouision , so as he continued long irresolute . the armie was lodged vpon the sea shore , hauing on the one side fortified their lodging with rampiers of earth and waggons , on the two other sides the sea and the towne serued them for trenches : it remained in this estate fifteene daies , during which the portugals landing with their king , had so troubled all the prouince , that the moores that are neighbours to the sea townes , as alarache , tituan , and others , were resolued not to make any resistance , but to abandon their townes , and had alreadie transported their poore wealth with their wiues to the mountaines . but mulei moluc being at marrock , had before both from portugall , cadiz , and arzilla very particular aduertisement of the king of portugals preparation , and of the quantitie and qualitie of his men , wherewith he was greatly mooued , seeming vnto him that sebastian pretended to depriue him of his kingdome being a moore , to giue it to another moore , no more friend to him then he was , without any pretext or iudgement to whom of them the estate did iustly appertaine . and seeing the accord with the catholique king tooke not the effect he desired , he resolued vpon his defence : but weighing how much better an ill peace is then a iust warre , and discerning well the discommodities , great charge , and dangers it drawes with it , he laboured first to compound with him , making offer to the king to giue him tenne miles of the countrey lying about his fortresses in affrick for tillage . but sebastian who was of another conceite , made him answere that he had beene at great charge in leuying of forreine forces , and therefore he coulde not desist from the enterprise , vnlesse he would yeeld him tituan , alarache , and cape d'aghero . this demaund seemed too excessiue to the moore , and therefore made answere that hee must pause thereon , although the siege were before moroca , and that the king should offer to giue him in counterchange mulei mahamet his capitall enimie , that he had conquered those realmes with his sword and policie , and ment to defend them with all his forces . he commaunded presently rhodeuano his purueyor generall a portugall renegado to bring to field all his tents and pauillions , the which was perfourmed the next day , beeing in number aboue . the sixe and twentith of may he went towards suse , the chiefe citie being northward from moroca , to giue order in those parts for certaine things there concerning the warre . but hauing intelligence vpon the way that the king of portugall was issued out of lisbone , he returned suddenly to moroca , where hauing left the said rhodeuano as his vizeroy , he assembled those men of war he commonly keepes in paye in that realme : he lodged his campe at camis , and from thence came in three daies to temisnam ( townes which lye towards the frontriers of portugall ) where he fell sicke with great castings and a fit of an ague . there he vnderstood that sebastian was come to cadiz : and although he were verie sicke , yet continuing his course , he went to salé with . horse , and . harquebuzers , whereof one thousand were on horsebacke , & the rest on foot the most part of andelousia , & renegados . here he vnderstood the portugals were arriued at arzilla , and therefore hauing passed the riuer of marmore at a foord , hauing caused some quantity of mettal to be brought from moroco , he cast fower pieces of great cannon in his campe , three of them with certaine other peeces he drew with him , the other he sent to moroco , marching himselfe towards alcasar ; mulei hemet his bastard brother , gouernour of the kingdome of fesse , was alreadie come to field , by his commandement , as generall of the horse of that prouince , and hauing assembled all the souldiers both horse and foote thereabouts , was come to the place which they call the faire of thursday , sixe miles neere to alcazarquiuir , where he expected his brother to ioyne their armies togither , hauing two and twentie thousand horse , and fiue thousand fiue hundreth foote . there moluc arriued the xxiiij . of iuly so sicke , that he coulde scarse endure on horsebacke , who hauing marched long in his litter , seeing his brother a farre off , he tooke his horse to meete him , when they approched the one to the other , mulei hemet put spurres to his horse , and being come neere his brother , he lighted and kissed the ground , in signe of humilitie , the whole armie giuing a great volley of shotte . his sicknes encreasing daily , mulei moluc entred not with pompe ( as the manner was ) into his lodging , but returning to his litter , seated his brother in his place , to effect his entrie , himselfe going before to take his lodging . and forasmuch as he vnderstood , that sebastian had sent mulei cheque with troopes to mazagon , he dispatched mulei dan his nephew with two thousand horse , and some foote to make head , least he should indomage those quarters : toward cape d'aghere , and alarache , he likewise sent men ; but hearing that sebastian was disimbarked at arzilla , they returned to the campe . moluc was a man couragious , hardie , and free in wordes , seeming to make small account of the portugals , he saide openly , that whosoeuer went not willingly with him , he shoulde retire , suffering any freely to depart that were more friend to mulei mahamet then to him , wherein they should do him a fauour ; the which he spake not to contemne the enimies forces , but knowing how hardly he shoulde staie them that minded to leaue him , desiring rather they should then go , then attend vntill a battaile , or reuolt at some other time when they might do him a greater mischiefe : and therefore to giue them the better meanes to escape , he made choise of three thousand , out of such as he suspected , sending them to discouer the christians armie , to keepe them busied with courses , and to giue them often alarums , not with any meaning they should do this exploite , but if they meant to flie , they might effect it at their pleasure . but this meaning vnknowne to that nation , wrought in them a contrarie effect to that which moluc attended : for hauing construed this commaundement to the fidelitie and trust he had in them , they meant still to remaine faithfull , so as few went vnto the christians armie : the greatest part did well performe that which moluc had giuen them in charge , for being deuided somtimes into . sometimes more , sometimes lesse , they ran to the trenches of the portugals lodgings , molesting and slaying those they found scattering from the armie . in the meane while the portugals remayning in their lodgings , before they had yet discouered the moores , deceiued with illusions had twice taken the alarum in vaine : seeing themselues one day followed at the heeles by . horse , like men that had neuer yet seene the enimie neere or far off , although they were in a strong lodging , ioyning to a friend towne , and an armie at sea within harquebuze shot : yet ran they fearfully to imbarke , and notwithstanding that the enimies ( after a light skirmish with the moores of cheriffe mahamet who were lodged a little without the trenches ) returned presently , yet the portugals were so amazed , that being kept from imbarking , they fled from the campe going by lande to tanger , and so fell out of one mischiefe into another , for by the way they were taken prisoners by the moores of tituan & other places thereabouts , who lay in waite to robbe and spoile . but the king gathered courage by this first view of the moore so suddenly retyred , for remaining before within the citie , he would now lodge without , to be more neere vnto the skirmishes when need should require . the next day discouering . of the enimies horse , the king went to encounter them with . horse , but the skirmish being begunne the moores retired , wherein the king carried himselfe more like a valiant souldier , then a wise captaine , following edward de meneses marshall of the campe , who marched ten miles from the armie with no small danger , hauing neither footman nor harquebuzer for his guarde : the safetie of his person being of great importance to the whole armie , he seemed rather wearie of his life then to doe any acte of a braue minde , who being a king and might liue deliciously was pricked forward with the onely desire of glorie . moluc had newes of this encounter beyond alcazar where he lodged , from whence he departed not , both for that he expected some troupes from tituan and mechinee , ( places vpon the sea coast , ) the which arriued soone , as also to draw the portugals into the firme land ; for so he vnderstood they entended , yet he feared it could not so fall out , doubting they would continue along the sea coast , being most conuenient for them . yet he resolued if they entred not into the maine , to march towards them withall speed , and before they should attempt any thing , to follow them at their backes ; thereby to draw them into the want of many things , not meaning to ioyne battell with them but vpon great aduantage : but if they should enter into the maine land , to suffer their passage as far as he might with assurance , and after cut off their returne to sea : in this manner he doubted not to obtaine the victorie almost without fighting , both for the great number of men he had in his armie , as also vnderstanding the portugals were ill prouided of victuals , drawne thither by force , full of delights , and voide of experience . in this time the king of portugall assembled the chiefe of his counsell to resolue of his departure , demaunding their aduise , what course they were best to take : many durst not speake freely ; for although they thought the best resolution to goe by sea to alarache , yet discouering by daily practises that the king was otherwise resolued , relying more vpon flatterie then vpon the truth ; they chose rather to counsell him ill and please him , then to aduise him well and contradict him . he was desirous to goe by land to play both the captaine and the serieant , not foreseeing the difficulties the way would bring , nor the danger whereinto he did runne , but as ill aduised ( hauing no aduertisement of the enimies armie ) thought with securitie to ouerrune their countrey , and that the moores should flie before him as those few had done which appeared at arzilla . one of the chiefe that did most applaud his humour was alphonso of portugall , earle of vimioso , who had beene ( in the kings former voyage into affricke ) chamberlaine , and had charge of the victuals ; wherein he behaued himselfe so sparingly , as if they had continued any longer in affricke , or else at sea , they had beene starued , the which his enimies tooke as an occasion to disgrace him with the king , whereof he had beene euer sithens secluded . this man ( both ambitious and cunning , did second the kings humours , although he did know with himselfe they were rash and hurtfull , and against that which he thought conuenient ) perswading him to march by lande for two reasons : the one to make knowne vnto the king vpon his march the want of victuals there was in his armie , by reason whereof he coulde not proceed : to make his officers odious , and to whip them with the same rod he had beene scourged before , whereby the voyage should be broken . the other reason was to shew himselfe valiant to please the king and to recouer his disgrace , seeming vnto him that whether he did aduise it or not , the king would vndertake it , and since that he must of force hazard his life , he thought it best to make himselfe author of the resolution : if it succeeded ill , the losse would be generall ; if it happened wel , he alone should haue the honour of it , seeing that he alone was of that opinion . he setled the kings weake iudgement , and therewithall enflamed this desire to march , saying that this armie in affricke being master of the field , should not shew any feare by imbarking , but turne head wheresoeuer it pleased and open all passages . and although they were possibly inferiour to the enimie in number , yet their valour exceeded them , being well knowne vnto the world how much a moore was inferiour to a christian , adding thereunto that to disimbarke at alarache it might prooue vneasie and dangerous ; he said that both king philip and the castilians would report the portugals durst not without their aide enter one foot into affrick , that they had disimbarked rashly & had retired like cowards . lewis de silua one of the kings chiefe fauorites spake his mind freely vpon this point , saying , there was no reason for an armie to march by land , that went to a towne adioyning vpon the sea , hauing so goodly a fleete , which might easily be furnished with fresh water for so small a voyage , which was their onely want . he alleaged that it was most easie to goe by sea standing in no feare of any enimie , most profitable , for that the way short and the descent easie , vnderstanding that there was no resistance : contrariwise it was most dangerous to march by land , being ignorant where the enimie did lie , & what forces he had : so as supposing him to be far off , he might be at their backs , and hauing any wants which happen often in an armie , being far from the sea , they should hardly be supplied ; that betwixt alarache and them did run the riuer of lixe ( called by ptolome lixos ) vpon the left bank whereof standeth the towne , that hauing neither bridge nor barkes to passe , they must ( leauing the sea side by a long course seeke a foorde , or the moores bridge , whither being come , it were doubtfull to know with what facilitie they should passe it , being likely the enemies would fortifie the passage . betwixt these two contrarie opinions the one by sea , the other by lande , the thirde was spoken of , the which was to march along the sea side in view of the fleete , with their chariots vpon the left hand in steed of rampiers , and being come to the mouth of the riuer to passe them with their barkes , but this opinion ( which seemed to be lesse hurtfull ) was not liked of by the king ; although the rest that would haue gone by sea gaue eare to it most willingly ; yet those that did contradict it , although they were more in number , yet being of lesse authoritie ( the king being of the other partie ) the worst of all three ( which was to goe by lande ) preuayled . mulei mahamet seeing the king so hot in this action grew daily into new feares , hoping of no good successe , he doubted before , that if the king should haue the victorie , he would charge him with too heauie a yoke , but hauing viewed the armie , he lost all hope of victorie if they should fight , and therefore thought it most conuenient to aduise the king to goe by sea to alarache , hoping he should easily win that place and returne into portugall with that victorie , leauing his armie in affricke , by meanes where of he hoped to win such credit that they should abandon moluc and flye vnto him ; & yet if he would fight to do it with more facilitie and greater iudgement then it seemed to him sebastian would . but his counsell preuailed no more with the king then the rest , so as commaunding diego de sosa to attend him with the fleete at alarache , he marched with his whole armie to alcasarquiuir , being the direct way vnto the bridge , hauing but . foote , and . horse ; that is portugals , . germaines , . spaniards , and . italians , with twelue peeces of artillerie : but the more they aduanced into the firme lande , the more their feare increased , and chiefely of them that perswaded to goe by sea . and although some did againe shew vnto the king , that errors in war cannot be repaired , that it would be too late after to change his resolution , and that he ought to haue great care in the execution of those things that cannot be redressed , beseeching him not to cast himselfe into so dangerous an enterprise , and aboue all not to leaue the sea , laying before him the perill , the small gaine , the want of victuals , and the little or no experience of the souldiers : yet nothing preuailed , but as it often happeneth that we reape a bad recompence for good counsel , being discōtented with those he should haue fauoured , he would scarse heare thē . the rest knowing by this proofe he would accept of no counsell , durst not aduise him for feare of his disgrace . the armie had no chiefe leaders able to commaund , and therefōre could neither march , lodge , nor fight in order : for although the king serued as generall , edward de meneses marshall of the campe , with some others of lesse qualitie , yet they wanted experience : for although the strangers had their commanders of more experience in actions of war then the portugals , as the marques generall of the italians , the lord of tamberg of the germaines , and alphonso d' aguilar of the spaniards , yet for that none of them was generall , and being strangers they might not dispose of the armie , so as none of the portugals knew his charge . the king the . of iuly made his first lodging at the milles three miles from arzilla ; the second at menera ; where he had aduertisement that moluc approched . from thence he wrote his letters to lisbone to peter d alcasoua briefly , but ful of ouerweening , in the which he said he vnderstood that moluc drew neere him , and if he escaped not he woulde ioyne battell with him . at that time arriued captaine frauncis d'aldana who had promised to serue the king , and for that effect had obtayned leaue of the catholike king , ( which no man else could do ) : as a man expert in war hauing viewed the ill disposition of the campe , began to execute all the greatest charges , disposing the souldiers in the best order that he could , although being a stranger and of no credit with the portugals , he could not effect all he vnderstood : in this sort they marched slowly lodging alwaies in places of aduantage , by the industrie of the saide aldana and of philip terzy , who serued as ingener ; although they discouered some horse , yet knew they not for certaine what moluc pretended : aldana brought vnto the king letters from the duke of alua , with present of a headpiece which was the emperours charles the fifth , and a cassocke of white taffetie , with the which the said charles entered conquerour into tunis : he said vnto some , that he had beene sorrie the king should attempt any thing in the firme lande of affricke : but hearing by his owne letters that he would onely goe to alarache , he did receiue great contentment , and did commend his resolution ; being in the meane time come into certaine small hils which they call cabeza d' ardana , they tooke their third lodging , from thence they went to bercain , but to come to the fifth they must passe the small riuer of mucazen at a foord , the which fals somewhat lower into lixe . moluc aduertised of the portugals course , hauing made longer staie at his lodging beyond alcazar then he ment , to giue the enimie better meanes to approch , his troupes being ioined , he dislodged the second of august , marching towards alcazar : the day following he went directly towards the bridge , which the portugals sought for , and being passed did strongly encampe themselues towards the sea , not meaning to passe any farther : the waies being full of hils , though easie to mount and to passe with carriage and artillerie , yet not commodious to giue battaile where the armie consisted most of horsemen . the same day the portugals had passed mucazen , and come to their fifth lodging , they were in doubt whether to encampe on this side or on the other side of a small riuer , which beginnes in the marishes of alcasarquiuir , part of the armie hauing passed the water , they turned head , resoluing to lodge on this side : there they vnderstoode that moluc approched , making shew to fight ; and if it had not growne late the armies might haue discouered each other . moluc grew then extremely sicke , without hope to liue many daies , not forbearing to command and dispose of all things that were necessarie with great resolution : and seeing the enimie to draw neere , he first called his brother vnto him saying . that although he did not thinke him to haue the spirite and courage fit for the place , he woulde giue him ; yet being his brother , he made him generall ouer all the horse , that he might fight , conquer , and die with them , assuring him that if he were noted with the least shew of cowardise , he himselfe would strangle him with his owne handes , and issuing foorth of his tent , he put his armie into battaile , going himselfe from ranke to ranke in a small litter carried by men , executing the office of a sergeant . his armie consisted of many nations , there were three thousand moores of andalousie , as well on foote as horsebacke vnder the conduct of doali algori and osain their commaunders , valiant men , which are those that passed into affricke from the warres of alpussarres or the mountaines of grenado ; he had also three thousand foote , and twentie fiue thousand horse , with a thousand harquebuziers on horsebacke , the most part of them renegados and turkes , all of them men of warre , entertained daily in paie : and this was the principall force of his campe . he had about ten thousand horse gathered togither , & fiue thousand foote , so as in all he had about fortie thousand horse , & eight thousand foote , besides a great number of arabians and aduenturers that were come vnto him . moluc had no great confidence in the hirelings or arabians , esteeming the first fearefull , and the last inconstant . amongst his entertained bandes , he had likewise three thousand horse , which ( as is saide ) he suspected to be friends to mulei mahamet , and not greatly fauouring his rule . but the portugals who for their honour do willingly augment their number , affirme that the moores were threescore and ten thousand horse , and twenty thousand foote , and the moores ( who do encrease their owne actions ) doe report their number to be very great : but it is verified by men without passion , that although moluc coulde haue assembled threescore thousand horse , and more footemen then he did ; yet had he no more in his armie , then we haue specified , with thirtie and fower peeces of artillerie . moluc kept to himselfe the title of generall , he gaue to his brother ( as is saide ) the charge of all the horse . osarin of raguse was colonell of all the harquebuziers on horsebacke : mahamet faba of the renegados : doaly of the andalusians , the rest were vnder men of lesse qualitie , euery one commanding his nation : & musa was captaine of his guard . the same day towards night moluc sent soliman the master of his horse , a renegado of cordube , with certaine horse to view the enimies armie , and to discouer if they were in battaile , who descrying the portugals that had passed the riuer to returne againe ; did not beleeue it had bin done to leaue the riuer betwixt the two armies , but imagined they had retired ▪ he returned to the campe with this false newes that the portugals fled ; wherewith the moores being mooued , woulde haue pursued and not let them depart without some domage : but moluc woulde not suffer them , and as a wise captaine who pretended onely to defende himselfe , and to make a bridge vnto the enimie if he woulde flie , saide , let them goe in a good hower , i will not runne after them ; sodainly he altered the disposition of his armie , not for that he beleeued the portugals were retired ; but being informed by mahamet taba colonell of the renegados , that there was treason in his campe , forasmuch as there were three thousand harquebuziers moores , that had neither powder nor bullet , sodainly he caused to be proclaimed , that whosoeuer wanted munition shoulde repaire vnto the purueior , and he should furnish him , and euery harquebuzier that should be found the next morning without fiftie bullets , and two pounds of powder , shoulde be corporally punished : he called vnto him likewise all the captaines ( and to be more assured of their fidelities , and to take from them all meanes to effect any treason they might haue practised ) he changed euery mans charge , and made one captaine of an others companie , without leauing any man of qualitie in his accustomed place . this night passed with more quiet then the neerenes of the armies did threaten : and although sebastian had proclaimed that no man shoulde shoote at any moore , that shoulde willingly retire himselfe into their campe , but receiue him ; yet there came not any one , either for that they bare no such affection to mahamet as he made a shew of , or for that they kept so strict a guard in the moores campe , that none coulde issue foorth , as indeed they did . it preuailed little for mahamet to plant his colours in the head of the armie , as it were calling them , for no man stirred . and the day being come the portugals held a councell what to doe ? the king became more milde , hauing assembled the chiefe , heard with greater patience the opinions of such as would not haue proceeded so farre . they propounded either to retire backe , or to march against alarache , & to passe the riuer at the mouth : but the most expert in warre , those that had disswaded the course they had taken , and laboured by al meanes to flie the sight of the enimie , helde that they must fight ; the resolution being too late nowe to auoide the battaile , and to turne head : for to retire they could not without great losse : to stande still , want of victuals would not suffer them : and to continue their vndertaken way , they coulde not without the hazard of a battaile : that it was better to encounter the enimie valiantly , then to giue him courage by a retraite , or by shunning the way . the cheriffe mulei mahamet , although his hopes to recouer this kingdome were grounded vpon the onely victorie of a battaile ( and that the king being master of alarache and the sea townes , he shoulde reape no profite thereby ) yet did he all he coulde to disswade him from fight , esteeming the portugals to be inferiour , perswading them to keepe close togither , and to seeke meanes to retire although it were with some losse . and although sebastian were some what tempered , yet was he not amazed , like to all the rest , but with great courage desired the combate , not esteeming the enimies forces so great as they were : no man durst contradict him , both for that ( as it is saide ) many thought it necessarie to ioine battaile , as also for that the portugals doe generally thinke it cowardise to disswade from fighting , holding it more honourable to loose a battaile with rashnes , then to conquer with cunning and iudgement , without fighting . for this reason it was resolued ( after great contrarietie of opinions ) to march against the enimie , although some practises of peace were yet in hande , but with weake hopes : so as the same morning they dislodged , hauing deuided their armie into three squadrons , the one following the other immediately , and almost vnited togither ; that in the front , was in a manner diuided into three , for in the middest the aduenturers were led by aluaro pirez , brother and lieutenant to christopher of tauora : on the left hande were the castillians led by alphonso d'aguilar , lined with harquebuziers of the same nation , commanded by lewis d'godoy : and the germaines were on the left hande vnder the lord of tamberg , intermixed with harquebuziers italians , and those portugals that vsed to be at tanger , commanded by captaine hercules d'pisa : euery nation was set in long rankes with their commanders in the front . in an other squadron which did second this , were the portugals of michell de norogna and vasco de sylueira , with harquebuziers in flanke : and in the other which serued for the rereward , were the portugals of diego lopez de sequeira and frauncis de tauora ( although that sequeira remained at arzilla , ) for the guard whereof besides two wings of shot , there were three hundreth harquebuziers in the rereward : on both sides of the armie were their horsemen deuided being in all fifteene hundred , placed in triangles , whereof the right wing was commanded by george d' alencastro duke d'auero : on the left side was the standerd roiall , iean de sylua , embassadour for the catholique king , and yoong theodose duke of barcellos , ( for so they call the eldest sonne of the dukes of bragançe ) and on the right hande a little separated , were about two hundreth horse , of those which liue commonly on those frontiers , which they call affricans : not far from them were the moores , of the cheriffe mahamet , but fewe in number : in this order they marched with their baggage in the midst betwixt their horse and foote on the right winge , leauing a space on both sides betwixt their squadrons to retire if need were . moluc who lost no opportunitie , had now put his armie in battaile ; he placed his footmen ( which were all harquebuziers ) in forme of a cressent ; the first rank were of andalusians ; the second of renegados , and the last of affricanes placed expresly in this sort , for that one nation being enimie to an other , they might presse forwarde their contraries , and not suffer them retire : vpon the two hornes of the cressent , he planted two squadrons of ten thousand horse in each ; and behinde ( as it were in the rereward ) followed in equall distance , all their horse in small troopes , resoluing ( if they ment to fight ) with so great a number of men to compasse in the portugals armie , and charge them on euery side . but in the meane time his sicknes encreased , feeling himselfe die by degrees : and although his phisitions vsed all their skill to succour him , yet decaying howerly , they founde he coulde not liue two daies . he felt a double death by reason of the time wherein he died , and not being able to execute his resolution in this warre , he doubted that he shoulde not leaue any one that could effect them . for although hee were then in battaile , yet had hee no meaning to fight at that instant , foreseeing ( after that hee vnderstood the portugals did march into the maine land with their baggage ) if they sought to delay the battell , they were all vndone , and that without the losse of any one man he would take them all prisoners , by reason of the want they should find in that poore countrey of affricke : but seeing this resolution ( which required time and could not bee effected in haste ) would not succeed by reason of the shortnes of his life , he was much troubled . he thought it not conuenient to discouer his conceit vnto his brother , that should succeede him , both for that he much doubted of his iudgement , and knowing assuredly that if he died before the victorie , the moores would flie , and rebell against his brother , and yeeld to the portugals , chiefely by the pretence of mulei mahamet , and in this manner the kingdome would be lost . afflicted with these cares , seeing the enimie neere with so great an armie , and his death approaching , he resolued not to trust his heire , but leauing his first resolution , rather during his life to hazard a bloodie and doubtfull battell against all reason of warre , then to die with feare of the losse of his realme , the which he knew assuredly would happen after his death : being resolued to fight , all practises of accord dismissed , he assembled the chiefe commaunders of the armie , and spake vnto them in this manner . your valour ( souldiers , ) and the iustice of the cause which hath put armes into your hands , will not suffer me to speake much to encourage you to fight : for you are those who vnder my command , haue alwaies brought to happie ende euerie enterprise were it both difficult and dangerous . the enimies which you haue in front , are the same portugals , which in times past , your fathers and your owne right hands haue often vanquished and ouercome . the italians and germans , which are come to their succours ( more terrible in name then in deed ) should not any thing amaze you , being men without experience , and in small numbers . and as for me who haue sometimes made tryall of them , i take vpon me the charge to yeeld them subiect to your forces . and if reason preuaile any thing in battell , shal not the victorie be on our side ? we liued quiet in our houses , without vexing or molesting any one , content with our fortunes , not practising against the wealth and prosperitie of any other : and a nation by nature our enimies , differing in law , comes from a far countrey , not onely to pull from me my crowne , but also to spoile you of all your goods , to depriue you of your libertie , and to rauish your liues : you perchance suppose , that in this wicked people , pietie hath so much force , as to plant mahamet in the kingdome ( a stranger , contrarie to their religion ) whose friendship and bountie is vnknowne to them ; they should vndertake this paines to hazard themselues to death . it is the thirst of gold , and of your blood , with the desire to rule , that hath brought the king of portugall hither , supported not by his owne forces , but with the hopes he hath to deceiue you , vnder this fained shew of pietie , to this infidell mahamet ; who if he had any feeling of a man , should be rather contented , to liue subiect to my empire , according to our lawes , then ( inuading my realme by force ) procure the destruction of his owne blood , the ruine of his countrey , the slaughter of you all , and the slauerie of himselfe . but the deceit is apparant to you all , there remaines nothing but that you oppose your valour , which shall fight in a most iust cause : you shall repell iniuries from your families , maintaine your liberties , preserue your liues , and win honor , and conquering , or dying in what sort soeuer , you shall gaine paradise . moluc would haue spoken more , but his souldiers interrupted him ; crying , that he should presently lead them against the portugals , whereupon he held his peace , retyring himselfe into his littor in the midst of the circle of his armie , where were his colours and his guard . in the meane time the christian armie marched on , and approached neere the enemie , in an open champion , ( which the moores cal tamiza . ) when as moluc halfe dead , viewing this weake armie approach in so small a number , being not aboue . foote , he gaue order they should not flie , as he had resolued before , that seeming assured of the victorie there might few eseape : and therefore extending the hornes of his croissant and the troupes of his horse , he drew them into a large circuit , keeping his men rounde , about a cannon shot from the enimie , he inuironed all the portugals campe , ioyned the two hornes at the backe of the rereward , making it an ouall circle : hauing thus inuironed it , he then straitened it , drawing his troupes more close togither ( so cunning were these barbarous people ) so as the christians armie being compassed in of all sides with their horse , the moores footmen stood in front to stop their passage : they continued long in this estate , the moores discharged their artillerie at a reasonable distance , the which though it did a little indomage them ( some bullets passing thorowe the rankes ) yet did it no great matter of importance . the portugals fearfull and amased ( imagining vpon the first moouing of the moores , that they dislodged to depart ) seeing thēselues inuironed , did likewise discharge their cannon , but with so great disorder , and so much out of season , as it did small hurt . and forasmuch as the moores ( hauing charged their cannon againe , began to play , although to small effect ) yet the portugals were so much terrified , that vpon sight of the fire , they fell all to the ground : wherewith the king ( least the artillerie shoulde any more annoy the portugals , and augment their feare , ) gaue signe to the battaile : whereat the squadrons of the auantguard and of the horse , did iointly mooue with woonderfull force and great valour : then their footemen encountred the moores , who came to it resolutely , for that the andalusians , ( desirous to reuenge olde wrongs ) did their best endeuors : the auantguard did so withstand their force , that although the fight was in equall ballance whilest the shot plaied , yet when they came to handie blowes , the moores had the woorst , for they were thrice broken and put to flight , with the losse of their colours : but for that their number was great , the battaile was still renewed by their commaunders , with fresh troupes and newe order . in the rereward they likewise charged frauncis de tauora , with the regiment of diego lopez de sequiera , where for a while they resisted weakely : those in the middest were the last that fell to armes : but moluc gaue them no long time of rest , for he sent to assaile vasco de sylueire , and michael de norogna , on both sides , so as at one instant they fought on all partes : these made weaker resistance then the rest , for that some of them casting cowardly away their armes , and falling on their knees , yeelded to the discretion of the moores , who for the most part deuided their heads with their cimiters , in recompence of their base yeelding . the combate being hot on all sides , the circle of the moores horse , & their squadrons that were behinde , drew neere , and first charged the auantguard , where they found their succours were more necessarie then in any other part ; ( for that the italians and castillians had cut in peeces a great number of the moores , and of their best men , ) pressing the christians armie on all sides they coulde approch , without any disorder of their owne , who nowe growne fearefull , began to loose grounde , and to shrinke togither , to the great discontentment of the king , who for any labour of his , coulde not containe them in their rankes . as these moorish horsemen began to mooue , the portugals horse that were accustomed to liue in those frontiers , the moores of the cheriffe mahamet , and the duke of auero with his triangle did valiantly march towards them , charging the first they mette , & greatly endomaging them , and put their horsemen on that side to flight . this happie beginning of victorie lasted little : for whilest the duke who commanded the greatest number , did fight hand to hand , he discouered on the one side not farre from him , a great troupe of the enimies horse , the which he durst not attende , doubting his owne strength , but turning head , followed expresly the chase of those that were before him , thinking to returne to the fight with greater aduantage , as indeede he did : for turning his horse , he went to charge them that came to encounter him in flanke ; but finding him selfe ouercharged on euery side , wanting courage to withstand them , and turning his horses violently , pressed by the enimie , he found no place of retrait among the squadrons , but rushing through the rankes of the germaines , some part of the horse entring amongst the foote , bredde a great confusion ; and being vnable to relieue themselues , they wrought no other effect , but disordered their friends , who were after lesse able to resist the enimies horse and foote , that came to charge them : on the other side of the armie , where stoode the standerd roiall , and the rest of the horse , which set forwarde somewhat slower , they made a great slaughter of moores , ( although the king were not present , being gone towarde the vanguard ) whom they pursued euen vnto their artillerie : but being succoured by one of the squadrons that were behinde them , the moores returned furiously vnto the fight , so as in short time it hapned vnto the portugals that were in that part , as to their other horse , whose successe was so much the woorse , for that on the outside they were charged by the moores , and within , their foote were disordered by their horse , who had the charge on the other side , and all amazed , fledde ; so as in a moment all was confounded , the portugals horse remained disordered , and dispersed , shewing small courage , and lesse discipline : for although it were full of nobilitie , and men of resolution ; yet were there many yoong men sent by their fathers , who not expecting they shoulde come to fight , were the cause of this disorder : so as in one place you shoulde see men of one squadron both fight valiantly and flie away cowardly not being pursued : yet the commaunders of the horse , and some others , turning face to the enimies , they both by words and effect encouraged the rest , and slewe some that fled : but as their number was small , and the amasement great , they preuailed little . in the vantguard ( where the king was a looker on ) they made great resistance , killing aboue two thousand moores , but they were in so great numbers , that the italians and spaniards who fought on that side ( not being succoured by any others ) after they had encountered the enimies with their daggers , were in a manner all flaine , not ouercome , but wearie with killing . the small order they obserued to inuest the enimie , was hurtfull vnto them ; for the front being composed of diuers nations , who contented to make shewe of their valour , they did not one stay for another , and the germaines more flegmatike , remained behinde ; so as their forces dismembred , wrought not that effect they had done vnited : yet notwithstanding the valour of those men , the first charge of the horse , especially of the affricanes , commanded by edward de meneses , strooke a great terror in the beginning vnto mulei moluc ; for seeing his men flie ( although he were sicke to the death ) mounted to horse in choler , going towards them that ranne away , to staie them , and encourage them . and although the presse encreased , and the shot of the christians drewe neere , he made shewe to march himselfe foremost , either to retaine his men by shame , or by the hazarde whereunto hee shoulde thrust himselfe : but his greatest fauorites came about him , some holding him by the stirrops , some by his gowne , and some by the raines of his bridle , beseeching him not to hazarde himselfe . but he persisting his resolution , and they to stay him , he growe in choler , laying holde of his sworde to disperse them , at what time being seased with a cruell fit of his disease , he swouned , and had fallen from his horse ; but being taken downe by them about him , he was laid in his litter , where putting his finger vnto his mouth in signe of silence , sodainely , or ( as some report ) before he was laide downe , he gaue vp the ghost . the renegados which remained neere about him , kept his death secret , with great care , hauing so formerly appointed if he should die ; an argumēt of great magnanimitie in this barbarian , who measured his counsels with the hower of his life , and prouided that death shoulde not depriue them of the victorie . the litter being shut , they placed at the doore a wittie yoong childe , who being instructed what he had to doe , making shewe to speake vnto him , and receiue his answer , tolde them his pleasure was , they should passe forwards . this secret was of great importance to the moores , for without doubt if his death had beene discouered , they had all fled . the arabians who were not come with any intent to fight , but with a desire to spoile the conquered , hauing first viewed some moores runne away , that their mercenaries grew fearefull , who kept their lodging , doubting some ill successe ; they fell vpon the moores baggage , and spoiled it , putting to flight such as kept it , who running euen vnto feez , with many others of the campe , gaue out that the moores had lost the fielde : so dangerous a thing it is in an armie to conduct a nation light and vnconstant , who vpon the least contrarie euent falles vpon his friendes . but fortune who had hitherto beene doubtfull , although it seemed more to fauour the moores then the portugals , after the italians and castillians were defeated , remaining yet a good number of germaines and aduenturers disordred , did now shewe it selfe apparant in fauour of the moores , and the victorie assured , hauing gotten their artillerie : for the renegados who were in the second ranke of the moores , their orders being open , did without any confusion receiue the andaluzians , and all those that had beene broken by the vanguard and fled , who returning a fresh to charge the aduenturers and germaines , they founde but weake resistance . the arriuall of certaine renegados that fled from the enimies preuailed but little , bringing newes of the death of moluc : for although some went vp and downe crying victorie , and publishing that moluc was dead , thereby to encourage the souldiers ; yet was there no meanes to draw the portugals to imitate the example of the strangers ; but all fearefull without any courage , retiring themselues , they still lost of the fielde : the squadrons of the maine battaile did not yet mooue , but vnfurnished of shot ( who without keeping their places were crept foreward ) did stande firme without succouring of their friends , saying , that such was the kings commandement , and therefore charged by the moores shotte on horsebacke , were miserablie consumed , when as their commanders finding their errors would haue drawne them forwarde , the souldiers were so amazed , that they coulde not doe it . in the rereward frauncis de tauora was slaine with a shotte , hauing long by his valour withstoode the moores charge ; but being dead his men grew more amazed then before , crying for mercie without fighting , & flying away without any respect of the king , who was come thither from the vantguard : they retired of all parts so farre backe , with so great a confusion , and without consideration whither they went , that all the squadrons in a confused order came close togither on all sides ; so as the horse , souldiers , chariots ▪ munition , tents and pauillions , with their other baggage , came all confusedly togither on a heape , and in such a straite , that many were troden downe in the presse , and smoothered vnder the horse and chariots : so as this armie which did containe aboue three miles in compasse , was in a moment consumed by the sworde , and did so restraine it selfe through feare , that a small roome might containe it . the duke of auero , embassador for the catholique king , aldana and some other chiefe men , hauing gathered togither some horse , charged the moores first on the one side , and then on the other , where they did see greatest neede , but being disordred and fewe in number , if they preuailed on the one side , they receiued hurt on the other : for at the same instant when as certaine of them attended the king towardes the rereward , whereas there needed succours , there came a great number of arabians against the vanguard , who according to their custome , to fall vpon those , whom they see in route , charged that part with such furie , that they slewe almost all the germaines with their captaines , and many men of account : there the duke was slaine with a shot , aldana died likewise : the embassador of the catholique king was hurt and taken prisoner , so was the prior and the marshall of the field . these being dismounted , euery man fled ; the moores entring into the ranks of the christians , with their cymiters cut them miserablie in peeces : whilest this was a dooing , the fire fell by chaunce into the portugall munition , which did endomage them no more then the moores : for as they entred among their baggage , it consumed manie of them . the circle of the barbarians horse did no way guarde the passage towards the sea , so as the christians that ment to flie that way , might easily doe it , but such as thought to returne to arzille were either slaine or taken prisoners ; for such as escaped the moores , being ignorant of the waies , and passage of the riuers , were either drowned , or fell into their handes , who made them slaues : there were many drowned , deceiued with the rising of the riuer , & ignorant of their former passage ; for whereas the riuers ( and particularly mucazen ) doe ebbe and flowe , like the ocean by the course of the moone , filling it selfe with salt water , when the armie passed they were almost dry ; but in their returne , the tide ( as they cōmonly say ) being full the riuers were greatly risen , wherof the portugals being ignorant , and vnskilfull of the ford , fearefull , and chased by the moores , they were swallowed vp ; so as of a great multitude of christians , which were in this battaile , there escaped but one hundreth , so well coulde the barbarians execute their resolutions . the king ( who in the beginning when as molucs artillerie first plaied , went through the armie in coach with christopher de tauora ) tooke his horse , and as they say , went couragiously toward the vanguard , where remaining a while a looker on , sending first one , then another , to commaund what he thought was necessarie , he was lightly hurt with a shot in the right arme towarde the shoulder , whereof making small account , he went ordering thinges in all parts of the armie , leauing the triangle of horse where his standerd remained . but for that he was yoong , and depriued of the greatest treasure that kings can enioy , i meane a wise man neere him in whome he shoulde trust , when he did see his men begin to breake , and the duke of auero to go forward and retyre backe , he came furiously with certaine gentlemen that were about him , to fight among the souldiers , encouraging his men valiantly by the effects , but with fewe words . those that behelde him fight , woondered at his courage , for although that they slewe three horse vnder him , without any whit daunting him , yet was he neuer wearie to charge , strike , and succour all partes of the armie , where was greatest daunger : but being but a man , aided by fewe , he cannot resist the enimies furie ; nor make his friends partakers of his valour . manie of the nobilitie which remained yet on horsebacke , seeing the armie in route , sought the king in all parts to helpe to saue him : but the standard which was carried before him as a marke to knowe him , was now taken , and the bearer slaine ; and being deceiued with another somewhat like vnto it , which edward de meneses carried , they followed the one in steade of the other ; so as the king remained as a man lost , with some of his most trustie seruants about him , and one renegado , who laboured to saue him : hauing in vaine sought to fly , being aduised to yeeld with his armes , he would by no means agree vnto it . one amongst them holding vpon the point of his sworde a white napkin in signe of peace , went towards the moores , as an embassadour for the rest to yeelde : but they either barbarous , or wrathfull , tooke the messenger prisoner , and charged the rest , who being fewe in number , wearied , & without courage , they were all slaine . some say , there grew a controuersie amongst them about the kings owne person , and for that occasion they slew him : they sent after to secke his bodie , and by a notable example of the inconstancie of this world , they carried it naked vpon a saddle pommell , into the roiall tent of moluc , where letting it fall to the ground , it was carefully viewed by the nobilitie that was there present , & a publike certificate made that it was he , keeping it aftewardes at alcazer-quiuer . such was the death of this vnfortunate king , wherein chaunced all things that might make him lamentable , his yoong age , the expectation of his vertues , the want of succession , his violent death , and the imprisonment of his bodie . he was indued with excellent qualities , but nothing profitable vnto him , wanting by reason of his vnripe yeeres , that predominante vertue of our actions : for all his resolutions that did guide him to so rash an end , were grounded vpon his magnanimitie , zeale to religion , liberalitie , thirst of militarie glorie ; of the disposition of his body , and the vigour of his courage . it seemes that we may well saie of this vnfortunate yoong prince , that which was sometimes spoken of alexander the great ; that nature had giuen him vertue , and fortune vices : for in truth sebastian had his vertues of nature , and his vices from his education . mulei mahamet escaped his enimies hands , but his too great haste to passe mucazen , and to recouer arzille , was the cause he was drowned in his passage . those whome idlenes had made curious , did note the diuersitie of these princes deathes , for being all lost in one battaile , within the space of sixe houres , the one died of his naturall death ; the second by the sword ; the thirde was smothered in the water . when as hamet see the battaile wonne , he ranne towardes his brother , thinking to finde him aliue , and to reioice with him : but being come to his litter , they enformed him of his death . and although moluc had left one sonne , yet did they salute hamet as their king , running through their campe with ensignes proclaiming of his name , according to their custome : and for that according to the conformitie of the grandfathers will , the eldest ( as it is saide ) of the nephewes should succeede , therefore hamet was sworne prince . the moores fell to spoile , and take prisoners , making a very rich bootie , by reason of many precious things the portugals had brought with them into the campe ; but especially for the prisoners , which were in great number , and of great importance , for their wealth and nobilitie : besides that the moores make more account of one portugall prisoner , then of any other nation , for that being delicate and not able to suffer , they redeeme thēselues for great sums , as these gentlemen did afterwards ; who by an example of small patience , set themselues at sixe thousand duckats a peece and more . this day was famous by the death of three kings ; that is , sebastian , mulei moluc , and mulei mahamet , by the imprisonment of all the nobilitie of a realme , & of so many souldiers ; a thing seldome or neuer hapned ; and also for the importance of sebastians death , in the other affaires of the worlde . the number of the dead , was not so great as of the prisoners ; but for that the truth is hard to be verified , it hath bred diuers opinions in the portugals : some haue reported that the enimies were infinite in number ; others haue bin more moderate ; yet haue they augmēted this point : notwithstanding there died three thousand moores , and as many christians , or more ; amongst the which were some men of account : for besides the captaines of the strangers , and the duke of auero , there was slaine alphonso of portugall , earle of vimiosa ; lewes coutigno , earle of rodondo ; vasco de gama , earle of vidiguera ; alphonso of norogna , earle of mira ; iohn lobo , baron of aluito ; aluara of melo , sonne to the marques of ferrara ; rhoderick of melo , eldest sonne to the earle of tentuguel ; iamie brother to the duke of bragance ; iohn de silueira , eldest sonne to the earle of sorteglia ; christopher of tauora ; and manie other of account , so as some noble families were there wholie extinct . arias of silua , bishop of porto , and emanuel of meneses , bishop of coimbra , died likewise : the duke of barsellos , with anthonie prior of crato , were taken prisoners . the newe king hauing gathered togither his armie , and the greatest number of prisoners he could get , resolued to returne to feez ; where he entered in great triumph : for besides the colours taken , and the number of captiues he led with him , he caused the bodie of mulei mahamet to be founde out , and hauing flaied it , and filled the skin with strawe , he carried it in triumph , to take from the moores al the hope they had conceiued in him . after he studied carefully to discouer the gentlemen that were prisoners , taking them from the moores and iewes , who had bought them for a small price , to drawe from them a greater raunsome , as indeede he did : whereupon hee was noted by some to be more couetous then valiant , seeming a great indiscretion , that after so great and absolute a victorie , remaining no reliques of an enimies armie , he shoulde so sodainly betake himselfe to rest . they woulde ( being but twentie and fiue miles from the fortes which the portugals held in affrick ) he should presently haue laboured to force them , and haue freed the prouince from such a curbe ( being the opinion of the most expert ) that if he had aduanced his campe , he had soone forced them , vnfurnished both with men and munition ; and the portugals that were there in guard remaining so astonished , for the death of their king , that they could hardly haue made defence , and so much the lesse hauing small hope to be succoured out of portugall , sebastian hauing carried with him all the nobilitie which were woont to defende those places . so as vpon this discourse , many saide , as was spoken to hannibal of the same nation , that the affricanes although they knowe sometimes how to vanquish , yet coulde they not vse the victorie : but all well considered , the moore proceeded in this action , with more iudgement , then others beleeued , for not suffering himselfe to be carried away with prosperitie , hauing aduertisement that the realme of feez ( the which they had receiued from such as had escaped the day of the battaile the handes of the vanguard of the christians and of the arabians ) was somewhat altered , seeing himselfe newly king , he thought it more conuenient being armed to goe pacifie his people , and take assured possession of the realme , then to busie himselfe with newe conquests , and leaue the certaine in doubt for the vncertaine : besides , hauing well considered the conquest of these fortresses of the sea , he did not esteeme them easie , but of hard attempt : for besides they wanted no garrisons , and that portugall was not yet so vnpeopled , but that it might soone be succoured , he held it for most certaine , that king philip for his owne priuate interest would defend them with all his force , the which he might easilie effect by reason of the great number of galleies hee had prepared readie in spaine , fearing perchance that which had happened . and for that he doubted the andaluzians might haue some intelligence with the turkes , and practise some treason against his person , hee cut off the head of doali and some other commaunders , and of some others of his traine . by this meanes hamet got the name of a wise and considerate prince , the which he preserued , gouerning himselfe with iudgement . diego de sosa generall of the armie at sea , who as we haue said , remained neere alarache , hearing the noise of the artillerie , and the brute of the two armies , most assured they were in fight , he knew not what to doe : for although his commission was there to attende the king , yet he doubted least the viewe of the enimie might force him to change his resolution , or that the way shoulde be stopped , and that he shoulde expect him in vaine , not resoluing whether it were more expedient to returne to arzille , or attend in that place : he made likewise a question , whether he shoulde batter alarache , ( whereunto he was enclined ) thinking by his cannon to giue the king a figne of his being there , and to trouble the minde of the moore , while he was in fight ; but he resolued not any thing , deteined by his blinde commission , and the aduise of some other capteines . the armie being broken , he receiued letters from peter de mesquita , gouernour of arzille ; and withall , newes of the successe , in part false , writing vnto him that he shoulde returne with the armie to arzille , and that king sebastian came thither to imbarke . and although this letter did not easilie mooue him , doubting that mesquita , demaunded the armie more for his owne assurance then otherwise ; yet being certified of the kings death , he ranne alongst the coast vnto tanger : seeking to gather vp the remainder of the armie , and so after returne to lisbone . these thinges passed in affrick , the news came ( but without good assurance ) to the gouernours the fourteenth of august , which did so amaze them , that for a time they knewe not what to determine , yet they kept it secret , resoluing in the meane time to call the cardinall henrie ( who they saide ) succeeded directly to the crowne , he a little before not greatly pleasing nor agreeable to his nephew , in a manner retired himselfe in the abbey of alcobassa , to whome with great dissimulation they sent father george serrano , of the order of the iesuits , to declare vnto him the successe , and to beseech him to come to lisbone , to receiue the scepter ; although on the other part some reported that peter d'alcasoua had secretlie aduertised the catholique king of all things , beginning to yeelde obedience , as to him whom he did foresee woulde be future lorde of the realme , if this were not a practise of his enimies to make him more suspect vnto the cardinall henrie : generally through the realme they knewe nothing of assurance , for all passengers were staied by order from the gouernours ; all letters that came from forraine parts were taken , giuing the people to vnderstande a thousand fables , doubting perchaunce , that if the people knewe themselues to be without a king , they woulde attempt something . the citie of lisbone , as also all the rest , were in great garboile , vnderstanding that there was a carrier come with such newes , as had greatly altered the gouernours , not knowing what it was , seeing the councell daily assembled , the letters retained , to vnderstande that they had sent both into castill , and to the cardinall , to heare that both the christians and the moores campes were approched , helde the whole realme in feare of some ruine . there was none in lisbone but had some interest in this warre , who so had not his sonne there , had his father ; the one her husbande , the other her brother ; the traders and handie-crafts men who had not their kinsemen there ( and yet many of them had ) did venture their wealth in it , some of them for the desire of gaine , and others for that they could not call in that which they had lent to gentlemen , and souldiers : by reason whereof all were in heauines , euerie one seemed to foretell the losse of such friends , and goods he had in affrick : and although they stoode yet doubtfull , yet might you vnderstand their secret sighes . the catholique king , aduertised of the successe of affrick , and of that which was treated in portugall , sent thither presently christopher de mora , a portugall ; at that time a gentleman sewer , one of those which went into castil with the princesse mother of sebastian : he carried with him two commissions : the one was to visite henrie , and to let him vnderstande the king woulde presently sende to him another personage for the ful perfourmance of that office : the other was to sounde the harts of the portugals , for the which hee was thought best able , being there borne , and well vnderstanding the state of the realme . they gaue him not the title of an embassador , for that being doubtfull of the life or death of iohn de sylua ▪ ( who was in affrick with that charge ) the king woulde not yet appoint any other . mulei hamet , before his going to maroc , desirous to make the catholique king his friend , sent to that effect , to present him the same peace , that had beene betwixt moluc and him , offering him in gift the bodie of king sebastian , which he helde prisoner . this embassadour being arriued in the court of castill , the king heard it willingly , and although he accepted the deliuerie of his embassage , yet woulde he not receiue the kings bodie , but appointed it shoulde be consigned to the portugals , and therefore andrew gasper corse , in the name of the saide cheriffe , did consigne it by publike act , to the gouernour of ceuta , for the catholique king : who at the same time ( to requite the moores bountie ) sent peter venegas of cordube for his agent into affrick , with a present of stones , valued at a hundreth thousand duckats , as well to continue the treaties of peace , as to demaund the duke of barcellos , the which he graunted , and sent him after free to the frontiers . in this time the cardinall came to lisbone , at whose arriuall they published this heauie newes , so as this inward and generall sorrow , which was suppressed by the vncertaintie of the report , encreased and burst foorth into teares , and lamentations : i cannot well describe the generall sorrow , how all things were filled with sighes , how euerie man was ouerladen with mourning : it was a pitifull thing to heare the women ( whereof the most noble in their houses ) from whence you might heare the noise , and the rest in the streetes , powring foorth their cries and teares vnto heauen , the which they redoubled so often , as the newes was confirmed by any newe aduertisement : and as it often happens that mindes supprest doe oftentimes turne to superstition , so they and likewise many men did not beleeue what was saide ; but hoping beyond all hope , and trusting more then they shoulde ( although it were verified vnto them that their husbands and kinsfolkes were dead , yet woulde they haue them still liuing , ) and deceiued by sorcerers and witches , but most of all by their owne desires , remained long without their widdowes habite , expecting in vaine newes of him which was passed into an other life . many men complained , and some cursed the king , and such as suffered him to goe into affrick , one blames the king himselfe , an other his fauorites , some the cardinal , and some the chambér of lisbone , who had not hindered so foolish a resolution ; some did see that portugall was neere her last period , and with their own miserie lamented their countries . the gouernours yeelded their gouernment to the cardinall , who by the nobles and magistrates was sworne gouernour and future successour to king sebastian ; the which was done to quiet the people , expecting a better confirmation of this newes from affrick , which staied not long but was verified from all partes . and therefore they resolued to finish the ceremonie which they haue accustomed in bewailing their king dead , and to breake their scutchions , which was this : there parted from the magistrates house , a citizen on horsebacke , couered himselfe and his horse all in blacke , with a great ensigne in his hande likewise of blacke , bearing it vppon his shoulder that it might traile on the grounde : after him followed three olde men on foote in mourning weedes , with three scutchions in their hands , like bucklers or targets , bearing them high vpon their heades , without any figure of them , but all blacke : then followed some citizens of the same magistrates , and other inferiours in great numbers : all these went through the principall streetes of lisbone , and comming to the steps of the cathedrall church , which is neere to the place from whence they parted ; those which holde the scutchions , mount vp certaine degrees , and one amongst them lifting vp his target , cries with a loude voice , people of lisbone , lament your king sebastian , who is dead : then all the people weepes and cries : hauing ended his words , he breakes his scutchion as a fraile thing , striking it on the place where he standes : then proceede they on , and being come to the newe streete , ascending the staires of the little church of our ladie of oliuera , an other of them which carries the scutchions , pronounceth the same wordes the former had done , and breakes his scutchion in the same manner : the like is done by the thirde , vpon the staires of the hospitall : so as all the three scutchions were broken in these three places , and then they returne from whence they came . at this time christopher d' mora arriued at lisbone , who desirous to deliuer his embassage from the king vnto the cardinall , was not permitted ; for henrie ( i know not the reason ) would giue him no audience , before he was sworne king : therefore they made haste to performe ordinarie ceremonies , which done , the king did heare him louingly , and he remained in the realme , executing the charge his master had inioyned him : the forme of the oath was done in this manner : the xxv . of august the hospitall church of all saints was hanged with tapestrie of silke , in the which they erected a little scaffold , on the which they placed a seate of cloth of golde ; thither came the king in the morning , in the habite of a cardinall ; going from the pallace there marched before him eight attabales , or drums on horsebacke , after the moresco manner , and nine harolds all on horsebacke , carrying vpon their cloakes their coates of armes : after followed on foote , almost all the officers of the courte , those of the chamber , and other magistrates ; behinde them was the duke of bragance on horsebacke bare headed , bearing in his hande a sworde , with a scabberd of golde as constable : a little after came the cardinall vpon a mule , the which aluaro de silua counte of portalegro lord steward of his houshold , ledde by the reines ; there followed after many noblemen and gentlemen on horsebacke , with much people on foote : the cardinall inuironed with a great multitude ascends the staires of the hospitall , being entered the church , hauing heard seruice , and ended his praiers , he seates himselfe in the chaire prepared on the scaffolde , where presently frauncis de sada ( one of those that had bin gouernours ) put the scepter in his hand , and michell de mora secretarie , standing a little off , said , ( reading it with a loude voice , ) that king henrie , by the death of king sebastian , did succeede in the realme , and therefore they had deliuered him the scepter , and that he was come to take the accustomed oath , to maintaine and obserue vnto his people , and to any other all liberties , priuiledges , and conuentions , graunted by his predecessours : which done , the secretarie kneeling before him with an open booke , the king laide his hande thereon , swearing so to do : then did the attabales sounde , euery man crying reale reale , for henry king of portugall : this done he riseth , & with the same companie holding alwaies the scepter in hande , he returned to the pallace , the attabales sounding , and the herolds crying from time to time as before . the thirde booke . the contents of the third booke . the descent of the kings of portugall ; the pretendants to the succession ; the resolutions of king henrie ; and the peoples demaunds ; the voyage of the duke of ossuna into portugall , and other embassadors from the catholique king ; the imprisonment of the duke of alua : the catholique kings letters to them of lisbone : the states of portugall : the grounds of the pretendants to the succession ; the sentence of henry against anthony prior of crato , vpon his legitimation by vertue of the popes briefe : the reasons of the catholique king to the realme against euerie one of the pretendants : the preparatiues to warre of the catholique king against the realme of portugall ; the suspension of the briefe ; the second sentence of henry against anthonie ; the alteration of king henry his will concerning the succession ; and the popes offers to the catholique king . most men from all the noted parts of the worlde , had their mindes and iudgements turned vpon portugall ; both for that hitherto the affaires of sebastian were worthie attention , as to see nowe henry come to the crowne , who was olde and without successour ; which made all princes doubte that the succession of this realme might trouble the publike quiet : for the pretendants were diuers , their actions differing , all allied , and all with groundes : and although their forces were vnequall , yet were they made equal by certaine respects : but to the ende we may the better vnderstand the groundes of euery one of the pretendants , i will make a little digression to report briefly the descent of these kings . and although from the first vnto henry there raigned seauenteene , yet doe i not thinke it necessarie to take their beginning but frō emanuel forward who was the fourteenth , who began his raigne in the yeere of our lord . for that of his onely progenie is issued the number of princes that pretended to the crowne . this man had three wiues : of the first which was isabell , daughter to ferdinand king of castill , widow to alphonse , sonne to iohn the second of portugall , he had no other children , ( for she died in childbed ) but michael , who died in the cradle , who had beene ( as they say ) the pillar and corner stone to vnite it and spaine togither : but by his death the portugals lost the kingdomes of castill and arragon , whereof emanuel and isabell his wife were sworne princes ; the issue male of the bloud roiall , being extinct in castill . his second wife ( which was marie sister to isabell , third daughter of the saide ferdinand ) brought him many children , vz. sixe sonnes ; and two daughters , isabel was married to charles the fifth emperour ; beatrice to charles the thirde duke of sauoy ; iohn did inherite the kingdome ; lewes died without marrying , leauing behinde him anthony his bastard sonne , he ( who as you shall heare anon ) was the cause of great miserie to his countrey , by reason of his pretention to the crowne : ferdinand deceased without heires ; so did alphons who was cardinall , called by the title of saint blaise ; and henry of the title of saint * quatre coronez , this outliued all the rest , and it is hee of whom we speake : edward tooke to wife isabell daughter to iaime duke of bragance , by whome he had marie , which afterwardes was married to alexander farnese prince of parma ; and katherine , at this present wife to iohn of bragance ; he had likewise a sonne , the which being borne after the death of his father ( who liued but fower yeeres in matrimonie ) was likewise called edward , this is he who disfauoured by sebastian died at euora , in the yeere . of his thirde wife , which was leonora daughter to king philip the first of castill , archduke of austria , who was after married to frauncis , the first king of fraunce ; he had none but charles who died yoong , and marie , who being about sixe and fiftie yeeres olde , died a maide at lisbone , in the yeere . but returning to iohn , the thirde sonne of the second wife , who succeeded emanuel in the kingdome , he contracted marriage with katherine , sister to the emperour charles the fifth , and had issue marie , who after was the first wife of philip the second king of castill , now raigning , from whom issued charles , who died yoong ; the which if he had liued , without doubt had preceaded the cardinall henry in the succession of the crowne . the saide iohn and katherine had many male children which died yoong , one onely outliued the rest , named iohn , who ( as some say ) died yoong with excessiue loue of his wife , sister to the saide philip , leauing her great with childe , and after deliuered of sebastian , during his grandfathers life , who soone after passed to an other worlde , and this is that sebastian which died in affrick . let vs now come to the pretentions : the catholique king , as it is saide , put himselfe foremost , being borne of isabell the eldest daughter of emanuel : and although as a castillian , he was naturally hated of that nation , yet he supposed that being mightie , compassing in the realme with his dominions , and the portugals vnexpert , he shoulde soone either by loue or force become master thereof : iohn duke of bragance challenged the realme as the right of katherine his wife , alleaging he was neerer to the succession then the catholique king , being ( although a woman ) daughter to the said edward , brother to the saide isabell . and forasmuch as the duke is the greatest personage of the realme , and his subiects most warlike , trusting on the fauour of henry ; who did then grace him , and hauing small experience , in the affaires of the worlde , he held himselfe halfe in possession . alexander prince of parma , sonne to octauius farnesse , did pretend it for his eldest son rhainucius , as male , issued from marie , the eldest daughter of the saide edward , sister to the saide katherine . and although his territories were farre off , yet besides that some supposed the church shoulde fauour him , it seemed the portugals woulde be pleased to haue a yoong king , whom they might breede vp after their owne manner . but anthony prior of crato , sonne of lewes , who was brother to the saide henrie , sought the crowne , but with more vehemencie , saying , he was legitimate , and no bastard , as it was supposed : and although he were without lands , and disgraced by henry , yet being fauoured by the people , he supposed that henry dying , he shoulde in despight of all the rest be crowned . emanuel philibert duke of sauoy , although sonne to beatrice , yoongest sister to the catholique kings mother , and yoonger then the saide king , did not yet leaue off his pretentions , but with greater modestie : and for that amongst the pretendants straungers , the portugals were more inclined to him , then to anie other , it was supposed he woulde not let slippe the occasion : and this inclination proceeded from the opinion they had , that in regarde of the qualitie of his person , he shoulde be fitter then anie other to defende them from their enimies , and if neede were , hee might vigorously resist king philip if he shoulde stirre , both by reason of his valour , and for the meanes he had to molest him in his duchie of millaine , ioyning vnto piedmont , vsing chiefly the alliance and neighbourhoode he had with fraunce . the peoples pretention was not vnconsidered , for that the issue male of their kings failing , they pretended the election to belong to them : they grounded it , that women did neuer succeed , but in an interreigne , a woman was excluded ; and iohn the first , the tenth king of this realme , chosen by the people : it seemed that this pretention shoulde not onely be contrarie to all pretendant strangers , but also might breed a diuision within the realme . katherine of medecy ( widdowe to henry the second king of fraunce ) did likewise pretende , saying that she was before all others , by an action fetched a farre off , but fortified with liuely reasons by her embassadors . the ground was , that when as sanches the second raigned in portugall , whom they called cappello of the habite which he did vse , alphons his brother married with matilda then countesse of bulloigne in picardie : and that after by the weakenes of sanches , the people with the consent of pope honorius the thirde , then raigning , called in alphonse to be as tutor and gouernour of the realme ( a testimony of the auncient religion of this nation ) who euen in temporall matters did flie vnto the pope : and although at his cōming he did but vsurpe , yet soone after the king dying without heires , the earle did lawfully inherite the crowne ; hauing had before by his french wife some children , who vnderstanding her husband to be king , and not to returne any more to bulloigne , hauing prepared certaine ships she went to him into portugall : but for that alphonse being now king did treat a marriage in castill , to haue the kingdome of algarues in dower , as he after had , without the consent of the pope , she was neither seene nor receiued by him : so as all the other portugall kings which haue succeeded , haue drawen their originall from this alphonse , and the children of his castillian wife : the queenes embassadours said , that all the kings which had succeeded him , and his children , had ( as bastards ) vniustly inherited , and that the kingdome ought to returne by direct line , to the heires of the lawfull children of the said alphonse , and the countesse of bulloigne , whom they said to be queene katherine of medicy , mother to king henry the third , daughter to laurence of medicy , and of magdalen of bulloigne , the onely remainder in direct line of that house , and heire to that county ; the which although shee did not then possesse , being incorporate by the kings of fraunce , as a matter of importance , seated vpon the limits of flaunders and england , yet they gaue vnto the queene in recompence the earledom of lorangueil which shee now inioyeth . they did likewise affirme ( but with small reason ) that the pope did pretend , alleadging that the realme was not onely the spoile of the cardinall , but when as alphonse , who was the second earle of portugall obtained of the church the title of a king , hee bound himselfe to pay certaine markes of gold for a tribute . but heere of they made small reckoning . these pretentions did much afflict the mindes of princes , and made the people feare some broyles , vnderstanding that both the queene of england was displeased against the catholike king for the affaires of ireland , and that the king of fraunce , and the turke , were not contented to see king philip become so mightie , conquering a kingdome of so great importance : on the other side , philip would not indure that any other but himselfe should become lord , for the neighbourhood of their countries , supposing the least inconuenience that could happen , was the ciuill warre betwixt the duke of bragrance and the prior. but returning to the cardinall henrie , being seated in the royall throne , although he were of . yeeres of age , and not healthful , yet he looked about him , and ( as it were determined from aboue , that portugall should fall by degrees to his declining ) hee did not prouide for the state , according to the opinion that was conceiued of him : but the realme by reason of their miseries passed , remayning as a bodie emptie and afflicted , which needed a wise phisition to restore it . but as one mischiefe comes not alone , the new king did more torment it ; for although many supposed , that hee being olde , a priest , and of an exemplarie life , hee should lay all passions aside , and be more carefull to settle the state of the common wealth , then he had found it , yet notwithstanding he could not temper himselfe with such disposition as was fit for his yeeres and degree : but as it often happens to such as haue beene oppressed , who comming to rule , seeke reuenge of their enimies , euen so did he ( not imitating the example of lewis the . king of fraunce , who disdained to requite the wrongs done him being duke of orleance ) hee resolued to reuenge the iniuries done him being cardinal , if they may be wel termed iniuries , when as princes be not respected of their inferiors as they ought : for being not greatly fauoured by the king his predecessor , the ministers and fauorites of his nephewe did not respect him as was fit , not conceiuing ( being so old and sebastian so yoong ) that euer he should haue attained to the crowne : by reason whereof he depriued almost all the officers of the court , and some of them that did mannage the kings treasure of their offices , and aduanced his owne seruants . the first on whom he discharged the heat of his choler was peter d' alcasoua , for that he did detest him from the time he was secretorie , and he gouernor of the realme , during the nonage of sebastian : as also for that he thought to haue reason to punish him , hauing beene an actor in these warres , and seconded the kings will , and as one of his chamberlaines had had the greatest charge to make the preparatiues for the war , hee did suspend him from all his offices , and proceeded against him by way of iustice : and although all his faults were restrained to this , onely to haue counselled , or at least not disswaded the king from the warre of affricke , yet his processe being verified , he suffered condemnation by the iudges , to loose all his offices , priuiledges , and recompences , which had beene giuen him in the end of sebastians life . it preuailed not for his iustification , to alleage , that if the cardinall himselfe did not perswade the enterprise , yet at the least he did consent vnto it , and approoue it , which fault was greater in him , then in any other , that his perswasions shoulde be of more importance with the king , then all mens , seeing that for the preheminence of his place he alone might speake cleerely , and force him , which others could not doe , fearing as subiects ( and with reason ) the indignation of a yoong king ; the which ( they say ) he ought not to haue feared , both for his qualitie and his age , which should neither yeeld to feare nor hope . he tooke the same course against lewes de silua , and many others that came out of affrick , whereby it was apparent the king knew not absolutely how to vse clemencie , nor wrath : for neither did he pardon as a man of the church , nor reuenge as a displeased prince . this bredde an alteration in all the affaires of the realme , neither was it sufficient that such as were aduanced to these newe offices , were men without experience , who by their ignorance did mightily trouble such as did treate with them , but for that we easily encline to the woorst , some of them vnder colour to seeme affectionate seruants to their king , not onely prouided for that which passed their charge , but examined the actions of their predecessors ; finding therein a thousand cauils , and preferring the appearance of the kings profite , before iustice , they disannulled conuentions and lawes , to the great trouble and damage of many , and small honour to themselues , and then did they seeme to doe best iustice , when they did molest most , such as sebastian had fauoured , and wrought quite contrarie to that which had beene formerly done : notwithstanding , if any thing were done by them that was absolutely good , it was the disannulling of the impost of salt , which sebastian had imposed . whilest these things passed in portugall , the catholique king hauing sent christopher de mora thither , & peter de venegas into affrick , he perfourmed the funerals of sebastian , in the church of saint ierome at madrill , although it was secretly muttered that the duke of alua shoulde say , the king shoulde haue perfourmed it in portugall , in our ladies church of belem , where the other kings are accustomed to be interred , inferring it may be , that philip was successour to sebastian , or at the least shoulde assure himselfe by force of the succession after henry , causing himselfe to be sworne prince . the report of the dukes words , did greatly mooue ferrant de silua , embassadour for portugall , and all the portugals , being a speech that did pearce their harts , proceeding from a person whom they helde enimie to their nation , for the olde grudges betwixt him and ruigomes de silua , a naturall portugall , in great credite with philip ; besides that , being a principall man of account , they feared least he spake it with participation of the kinges minde , and tooke it as a declaration of his meaning . in this time they spake diuersly of these affaires : for although amongst the castillians , the duke himselfe , and one or two other principall persons , had this consideration , yet in generall they did not beleeue it , neither had they considered that philip shoulde inherite this realme , but they supposed it did of right appertaine to the sonne of the duke of parma . but the portugals ( who had better considered thereof , and whose lawes were more in fauour of philip then those of castill ) were amongst themselues better resolued : neither was the catholique king long vnsatisfied ; hauing both in his owne countries , in portugall and other places caused learned men diligently to examine who was by right & equitie the true successour of this realme , he began now to conceiue that after henry the succession appertained vnto himselfe : and nowe he founde , that it was not onely the generall opinion of the doctors , but some amongst them , yea of the portugals thēselues , did maintaine that the king did preceade the cardinal , and that these realmes did appertaine to the crowne of castill . they alleaged ( but with the authoritie of fewe doctors ) that the lawes of portugall , and the ciuill likewise , ordaine , that in case of realmes , the inheritance shall goe to the neerest kinsemen of the last possessour , prouided alwaies , that he be issued from the same stocke : that sebastian being the last , the catholique king was the neerest kinseman he had , and of the same race ; for besides that he was the eldest of the nephewes of king emanuel , he was brother to the kings mother deceased , and preceaded the cardinall a degree , being brother to his grandfather . they did likewise renewe the auncient pretention of the castillians , saying , that by right the realme appertained vnto them , for that king alphonse the sixth , coulde not by generall consent , nor with any reason disunite it from the crowne ; neither alphonse the tenth giue the algarues to his daughter in dowry , nor free it of the tribute whereunto it was bounde . and although this last pretention to preceade henry , seemed to the king and his ministers of force , yet he resolued onely to follow the first , and to succeede the cardinall , for desiring to enioy the realme with peace , henry being already proclaimed king with the consent of the people , he supposed he coulde not without offence , or without forces take possession thereof : besides the respect he bare vnto his vncle , and the hope of his short life . heere may be noted the hazard ( if we may so tearme it ) whereunto the king ( if he had interest by his affinitie ) did thrust his heires , by the concealing of his right , fearing to offende that nation . for besides that during the life of henry , the portugals shoulde haue leisure to prepare against him , if they were not disposed to yeelde to his subiection , and if he shoulde die before the cardinall , his successors were excluded from this great inheritance , and emanuel phillibert duke of sauoy did preceade all the rest . while these things were consulting in castill , the king of portugall somewhat setled in his throne , and the heate of his first inclination tempered , all the states of the realme entreated him to prouide , that before his death a successor were declared , that after his decease they might not liue in suspence : and therefore the magistrate of the chamber of lisbone , being superior to all others of the realme , made great instance vpon this point , and one day all the officers being assembled , they went to courte , where one of them in the name of the rest spake thus vnto the king ; your highnes shall vnderstande , with how great desire and affection his people of lisbone , beseecheth the lorde to graunt him a long life , for thereon depends all our good , hoping that in time it may alter many things which nowe holdeth vs in carefull consideration : the wounde of afflictions , which this realme hath suffered , is yet so greene and so lamentable , as we will not at this present make mention thereof ; it sufficeth they are such , as the memorie will neuer be extinct whilest the worlde continueth : and although we be bound to lay the fault vpon our owne offences , yet may we attribute a parte to the negligence of the people , and of such as at that time did gouerne the common wealth : but being expedient not to heape error vpon error , it seemes we ought with a liuely voice , and due humilitie , cry vnto your highnes , that ( as a iust and holy king , ) you woulde preuent the miseries that hang ouer vs : it cannot enter into our thoughts to mooue you to marriage , being no iudges of your conscience , and disposition ; but we may well say , if these two cōsiderations do allow it , why do you suffer the delay of one day ? if you be resolued not to marry , your highnes ought with the like care to say vnto such as pretend to the succession , that within a time prefixed they shoulde come to deliuer their reasons ; that if the successor be a naturall borne , the people shal haue some breathing from the afflictions they suffer ; if he shall be a stranger , it seemes conuenient they shoulde know it , and haue leisure to aduise what to do : for if our sinnes permit that the lorde shall call away your highnes , being in the state we are now , what shall become of vs ? being most apparant that all such as pretend to haue any title , do consult , arme , plot , and measure their forces , while the people remaines doubtfull , not knowing with reason vnto what part to incline : your highnes dying in this time before the deciding of the cause , we beseech you to cōsider the oppressions they shal suffer , the spoilings , the murthers , the dishonoring of women and holy things , and all other excesse , which is commonly practised in such times , the which may be wholie auoided , by knowing who shall succeede vnto the crowne . we do solicite your highnes to sweare a prince , ( for it may be , he that at this present hath interest to this realme , god may call him before your highnes ) but the contrary hapning we may plainly knowe who shall succeed , for heerein consistes the quiet of this realme : if you do it not willingly , or that there be any let , you ought to consent that the people declare one , especially they of the citie of lisbone , vpon whom all portugall dependes : the holie ghost , who is the guide of kings , inspire your highnes , that by his merits , the anger of god may be pacified , the which he powreth downe vpon vs for our offences , and grant that we may amend our liues , and preserue your highnes in health , for which all his people praie . in this manner the officer of the chamber spake in vaine , but forasmuch as it seemed vnto the king ( ouer ruled in this respect by the diuine power ) that the remedie was not so easie , nor the matter so soone decided , as they supposed ; he made answere , that it was a care grauen in his hart , the which he woulde effect with all possible speede , resoluing to haue regard vnto it . but this succession gaue greater cause both to thinke , & talke secretlie , and openlie in castill then in anie other place ; for the king resoluing by all possible meanes to vnite portugall , with his other kingdomes , the nobilitie did not willingly entertaine it , but did seeme that the greatest from charles the fifth forwards , had not tasted the greatnes of the king , lesse respecting them , then had done the auncient kings of castill , making them march in one degree of equall iustice with their inferiours . the other gentlemen and common people were nothing enclined to this vnion : saying , that if this realme were not separated from the rest of spaine , they shoulde haue no meanes to marrie their kings daughters , but into other prouinces , which were dangerous both for that the women did not inherite , and for the heresies wherewith the northren regions bee at this present infected : manie and of all qualities , ( who holding portugall as the sanctuarie of castill ) were content with the separation , remaining as an assured retreate for offenders . it seemed to the king that hee shoulde not onely send a sufficient man thither to performe that office , but also that it was necessarie , that one of the chiefe of spaine , and best acquainted with the affaires of state , shoulde goe to propound the cause of succession : for this occasion they named as it is said gasper quiroga , cardinall and archbishop of toledo : ferdinand aluares of tolede , duke of alua ; anthony of toledo , prior of the order of saint iohns , master of the kings horse ; frauncis pacheco cardinall of burgos , all principall personages : quiroga was thought verie fit by reason of his dignitie and wisedome , togither with the experience he had gotten in the court of rome , hauing beene there long auditor of the rota : the duke of alua for his authoritie , experience , and wisedome , was thought the better , for beginning to feare they should come to armes , it seemed that he best could treate of the succession , and withall sounde the portugals forces , and what succours they might drawe vnto them , and afterwardes if neede required , being a great captaine , coulde by his aduise vndertake the warre with greater assurance . manie did approoue anthony of tolledo , for besides the opinion , they had of his wisedome , he was accounted godly , religious , and otherwise vertuous , the which they supposed woulde make him more pleasing vnto henry . but in the iudgement of the most aduised , they preferred the cardinall of burgos , for besides those other good parts which he enioied with the rest , he was thought most able to treate the matter of state ; besides that , being a priest , and a cardinall , they shoulde seeme to sende vnto henry a companion . but notwithstanding , there was not in spaine any greater personages of like experience vnto these , to mannage a matter of so great importance , being the greatest that euer was presented vnto this crowne ; yet the preferred peter girone duke of ossuna ; and although his qualitie ( being great among the greatest of the realme ) was woorthie of anie charge , accompanied with manie vertues , and some other particularities , that were necessarie for the voiage ; notwithstanding , some did attribute this election to the ordinarie diseases of the court , and to the respects which kings councels doe commonly vse , inferring thereby that therein he was extraordinarily fauoured by peter fassardo , marques de los veles his kinsman , at that time fauoured by the king . some said also ( and it may be not without grounde ) that it was not conuenient to sende anie personage into portugall , whose wisedome , and iudgement were knowne vnto the worlde , to the ende the portugals shoulde not feare to treate freely with him of all matters , but it was necessarie they shoulde esteeme him affable and curteous , to discouer easilie vnto him their minds ; of which humour the rest were not . and although on the one side the cardinals did seeme fittest to treate with a king , who was also a cardinall ; they did think on the other side that henry might take it ill , to sende one vnto him , who was equall with him in dignitie . there hapned at the same time a matter which bred no small woonder in this court , and in others likewise , the which for that it chaunced to a person of whom we are often to make mention , although it be somewhat from our purpose , we will not leaue to report . the duke of alua was banished by the kings commandement , to vzeda , fiue and twentie miles from the court , for that fredericke his eldest sonne , being taken at tordefillas , a village of that realme , for that he refused to marrie with one of queene isabella of valoys her maides , to whom ( as she said ) he had promised , whilest the king was entreated by her friends , to force him to marrie her , he by the aduise of his father , brake prison , and was gone to alua , to marrie with marie de toleda his cosen , daughter vnto garcie , he which was generall at sea , the which hee effected , returning presently vnto the same prison . the duke bare this affliction with great humilitie and constancie , so as all hatred ceasing , his verie enimies did pittie his miserie . this banishment was remarkeable , both for his estate , age , and the notable seruices he had done vnto this crowne , as also to see the integritie of the king , who notwithstanding the necessitie he seemed to haue of his person in matters of importance , that drewe neere , could not cause him any thing to dissemble the execution of that which he thought fit for iustice , or his reputation : it was also remarkeable for the great offices , which some princes did in his fauour ; but most of all his holines , who did instantly sollicite his deliuerie by the meanes of his nuncio , saying , that although he coulde not presume of the kings iust intention , but that the dukes imprisonment proceeded from some great cause , yet he coulde not in duty but performe this office : it was saide , this good will of the pope towards the duke , proceeded from the seruice hee had done vnto the apostolique seate , hauing made long warre against the infidels and heretikes , and also for that which he had done against the church it selfe , effecting that which was conuenient to his king , whilest as enimie hee was contrarie vnto it , as he did defende it , being a friend , binding vnto him , not onely paule the fourth , who was then pope , but also his successors . and it seemes strange that the greatest loue they say the church had vnto him , sproong from the warre which he made against it : the deputies of castill which were then in court , laboured for him , and although the king sent them worde they shoulde be contented , and not sue vnto him , for that he woulde not refuse anie thing they shoulde demaund , yet this manner of demaunding and denying serued for a great office . the king from the beginning , was in hope to make himselfe peaceable lord of the realme of portugall , although he were not ignorant of the small inclination the portugals had vnto him , but hee let passe nothing which he thought fit to gaine their loues ; and to this effect he did write to all the chiefe cities of the realme , his pretention , offering and threatning ; but in the greatest part his letters were not receiued in publike . to the citie of lisbone , he did write in this manner : most noble , and our welbeloued , although i haue appointed christopher de mora to saie vnto you some things , which you shall vnderstande from him , yet woulde i giue you to knowe by my letters , that there is no man in this world ( more then my selfe ) that hath felt the losse of noble king sebastian my nephew , and of his men : the reasons for which i ought to haue this iust feeling , are easie to be considered , hauing lost a sonne , and a friend , whom i loued tenderly , and in the same degree i held and hold all those that are lost with him , for i doe cherish and loue all them of this realme as my owne subiects : and i thinke it is not vnknowne , the great diligence i vsed to diuert his iourney , as well personally my selfe at guadalupa , as also before and since by my ministers , whereof many of the principall of this realme are good witnesses : but not to reuiue so great a griefe , let vs lay apart the things which cannot be remedied , fixing our eies on the true consolation , which is , that those afflictions were giuen by the hande of god , and suffered by the greatnes of his prouidence : we ought likewise particularly to comfort our selues , that in this wretched and miserable age , this realme hath gotten for their gouernour so christian and wise a prince , as is the king mine vncle , whose rare vertues , and exemplarie life , giueth vs cause with reason , to expect that he will settle the present affaires in so peaceable an estate , that we shall proceede in all things with the mildenes and gentlenes i wish , for the loue i beare to all , and singularly for the degree of amitie , and affinitie , which hath alwaies beene betwixt these two crownes , and betwixt my selfe and the lords of the same realme , being all of one bloud , and my selfe and my children , nephewes of noble king emanuel , being nourished and brought vp by the empresse , and ladie my mother . for these causes and considerations , i haue as great respect to the king mine vncle , and as great cause to wish him a long and happie life as your selues : but the affaires of the succession of this realme , being in the estate you know ; i haue with great consideration , and due aduise examined the right , which it hath pleased god by his secret iudgments to giue me : and causing this action to be viewed by men of great learning , and conscience , both within mine owne realme , and without ; all doe finde , that without doubt the succession thereof doth rightlie appertaine vnto me ; and that there liues not any at this day that can with reason contradict me , by manie and cleere grounds , being a male , & the eldest , as it is apparently knowne . and hauing resolued to make this point knowne to the noble king mine vncle , with loue and due respect , i haue earnestly entreated him , that it would please him presently to declare it , as he is bounde , for the discharge of his conscience , and for the bond he hath to doe right and iustice ; but most of al for that it concernes the preseruation , peace , rest , augmentation , and prosperitie of these realmes , and of all the subiects thereof , the which hee ought both chiefly to care for , and to procure , seeing that besides the saide effects , it shall cause an other of greater importance , which is that which concerneth the seruice of god our lord , & the assurance & encrease of our holy catholike faith . i thought good to doe the like office to this citie , hauing regard vnto the fidelitie , whereof it hath alwaies made profession , & being the chiefe of these realmes , assuring you therwithall , that he that shall inherite , is no forreine king , but a naturall borne , as i haue saide before , seeing that i am nephew and sonne to your naturall princes , issued of the same bloude , and will be alwaies a father to euerie one of you , as you shall finde when it shall please god : but at this time i will entreate you , that with your wisedome , and great experience , you woulde consider and note wherein i may honour and fauour you , not onely to conserue your liberties , and priuiledges both ingenerall , and particular , desiring that all other cities of the realme , shoulde vnderstande the same , whereof i praie you to giue them notice , being requisite that euerie one shoulde know the loue and affection which i beare to all , and it shall be iust , that in knowing it , you conforme your selfe to that which is the will of god , whose iudgements and determinations no man may resist , but we ought to beleeue that what he determines is for the best : so as trusting , that both this citie , and the rest , when time shall require , will doe that whereunto they are bound : i haue nothing to say , but that besides the feeling which i haue had of miseries past , i haue beene in particular grieued for the losse of so great numbers of the nobilitie and commons of this realme , whereof that battaile was the cause : and therefore i require you to aduise , what i may do for those that remaine yet slaues , and write vnto me : for although i both haue , and daily had that care , i haue thought fit and couenient , yet shall i be glad to vnderstande your aduise , that all thinges conuenient might bee performed for their deliuerie , and rest assured that whatsoeuer shall concerne you , i will deale in it with the loue of a father , as you shall know more particularlie by the effects , when as occasion shall serue to make triall thereof , the which you shall vnderstande by christopher de mora , to whom i referre you . the catholique king sent this letter by the saide mora , to be deliuered to the magistrate of the chamber , who going for that intent presented it vnto them : but being troubled , they doubted that in receiuing thereof , they shoulde offende against the crowne , so as refusing it , they willed him to take it with him , and deliuer it to the king , the which mora denying , it remained still with them vnopened : and least they shoulde be ignorant of the contents , he drewe a copie out of his bosome , and read it vnto them publikely , dispersing sundrie copies throughout the citie . the orignall was by the vereadures carried to the king : this did smally further philips affaires , but rather hinder him , and was by the wisest both of spaine and portugall , and also by some of the kings counsell , helde as a remedie not fitting the portugals humour ; who generally hating the castillians , being newe and rude in this matter , it was not probable they shoulde yeelde vpon a simple letter . at this time there came intelligence , that he who had the charge of embassadour of portugall , was not onely liuing in alcazerquiuir ( although sore hurt ) but that the cheriffe had released him , & was comming with the bodie of king sebastian to ceuta , and from thence within fewe daies ( being at christmas , in the yeere ) they vnderstoode he was arriued at ciuill , his comming was ( by the best acquainted with the affaires of portugall ) held verie profitable , for returning to his charge , he seemed more sufficient then anie other to treate of so weightie a cause , being indued ( besides his good iudgement ) with many other good parts , necessarie for the mannaging of such a busines . for besides that he had good experience of king henrie his disposition , and the humour of the portugals , he was verie pleasing vnto them , it may be , for that he was of the house of sylua , who being verie noble in portugall , passed into castill , during the controuersies betwixt king iohn the first , and the master of the auis , and being borne of a portugall mother , they helde him for their countreyman : besides that , with the fauour of king sebastian , he was married in portugall with phillippa de silua , heire to aluaro de silua , earle of portalegra , lord steward of the kings house , and one of the principall noblemen of the realme : but whilest that euerie man expected his present departure from ciuill to portugall , the king called him to court , saying , that he woulde first instruct him by mouth , of his intentions , and of the present occurrents . in the meane time the duke of ossuna arriued within the realme , who seeming to be sent onely to performe complements with the king , he was lodged , and roially entertained at the charge of the court , where hauing deliuered his simple legation , he went to settuuall , to visite magdalen girone , his sister , widow to george d' alencastro , duke of auero , but hee returned sodainly , making shewe he had newe commission to treate of the succession , wherewith king henrie was greatly discontented , being vnwilling to haue the presence of a personage so qualified , on the behalfe of philip as it were a witnes of his actions , the which did likewise displease all the portugals , the rather for that ( with mora ) he began to solicite the king to declare philip successour of the realme , shewing vnto him formerly by many reasons that his title was iust . nowe did king henrie at the great intreatie of his subiects resolue to set the best order he could touching the question of succession , and to content them : for this cause remaining greatly in suspence , hauing consulted the matter with fewe , but of his greatest fauorites , they concluded after much counsell , infinite opinions and many disputations , that it was not conuenient at that time to declare any one prince : the reason was , that the neerest heire vnto the realme , they supposed to be the catholique king , whom they hated most , and therefore sought by all meanes possible to flie his commād , thinking nothing more fit to effect it , then to protract the nomination of the prince , not meaning to specifie any : for naming any other they shoulde procure his indignation against them , and giue him occasion or his heires that should succeed him , to attempt an action better grounded , whereas by delaying it , there should remaine vnto them ( at the least ) this weake hope , that the catholique king ( although yoonger , yet mortall ) might die before olde king henry , which hapning they shoulde be freed from the castillians , and then shoulde succeed ( as it is said ) the duke of sauoy , of whom they had no such feare , but woulde more willingly yeeld to his subiection . the king supposed that katherine dutches of bragance , preceaded all other pretendents , except the catholique king , aided ( as it may be ) by his owne naturall inclination , he conuerted all his thoughts in her fauour , and ( if it were possible ) to giue her the crowne , writing to the vniuersitie of coimbra , many allegations in her behalfe : to effect this , it was thought necessarie to cite all the pretendents , to appeere and produce their reasons , the which was sodainly put in execution , although in the iudgement of many it was thought out of season , seeming more conuenient first to conclude it in parliament , and then to effect it , whereby it was apparant that the king did gouerne himselfe daily without order , or any constant resolution what he woulde doe : he did yet foresee , that dying before philip as it was likely , the realme should remaine confused , and without a gouernour which shoulde rule the realme , during the interreigne , and that the noblemen and commons shoulde presently sweare obedience vnto them , and after examine the reasons of the pretendents . and although they feared that king philip woulde be displeased , yet they hoped to satisfie him , promising it shoulde no way preiudice his title , nor any thing delay it , but onely to proceede with more grounde , as it was conuenient , giuing out , that king henrie woulde marrie , and send to rome for a dispensation , being a priest , so as being capable of issue , it was not expedient to sweare a prince : this matter being concluded amongst fewe , and of the chiefest , within fewe daies after ( least it should not seeme to be done in priuate , but with a general consent , ) and to choose gouernours henrie called to court the three estates of the realme , that is , the clergie , the nobilitie , and the deputies of the cities , and townes , the which assembled the first day of aprill , in the yeere . in the great hall of the pallace at lisbone , the king hauing before him nine herolds , accompanied with the duke of bragance , and many noblemen , he went in the scarlet habite of a cardinall , retaining nothing of a king but the scepter , being mounted vpon a scaffold of wood prepared at the vpper end of the hal , fower steps higher then the deputies , he seated himselfe in a chaire prepared for him , couered with cloth of gold vnder a cloth of estate of the same : euerie one being in his ranke according to their ancient degrees : alphonso de castelbianco a priest stood vp , ( by the kings commandement ) at one of the endes of the scaffold , who with a long speech , after he had a little renewed the sorrowes of their forepassed miseries , and mittigated them with hope of a future good , hee forgot not to praise the king , with all vertues , adding , that being weake , he did not spare his life , imploying it to what was profitable to the realme ; he compared him in his gouernment to the king of heauen , in his loue , iustice , pitty , and sacrificing himselfe for his people ; he commended this assembly , resembling it to the councels , and saide it coulde not erre : he concluded the king had there assembled them to propound what was conuenient for the realme , & to prouide for it with their aduise . the first acte being ended , it was decreed , that daily the clergie , the nobilitie , and the deputies of the realme shoulde assemble a part , the which they effected , where they found diuersitie of opinions , and very different one from an other : some of them ( friendes to the conclusion ) woulde sodainly haue it determined to whom the crowne appertained , without hearing the pretendents allegations ; others held the parties should be cited , and that they shoulde proceed with deliberation to sentence , after instruction of the processe ; many enclined to haue gouernours ; others would not heare speake of them , euery one taking the course neuer to agree . the king hearing of this , hauing called the chiefe of his councell one after one , and acquainting them with his resolution , he shewed vnto them , that it was so conuenient for the libertie of the realme , so as all difficulties accorded , they concluded not to make any election of a prince at that instant , but the pretendents being heard , the king shoulde iudge to whom the realme belonged , that he might be declared after his death : and although god did suffer ( it may be for a punishment to the portugals ) that the king held this councell for the best , yet experience did shewe , that it was the woorst course they coulde haue taken , for to put the cause in processe , did breed vaine hopes in some of the pretendents , which after were causes of great ruine to the crowne . and to the end the motion of the kings marriage shoulde seeme to be spoken with some grounde , they named vnto the estates edward de castelbianco to goe to rome , and treate with the pope for his dispensation : they did choose fifteene gentlemen vpon the backe of the rowle , whereof the king with his owne hand shoulde write fiue of them , which so chosen , shoulde gouerne the realme , vntill it were decided who shoulde be king. there was also about this nomination of the gouernours , no small controuersie betwixt the king and his councell of estates , for that the king would absolutely name the fiue , the councell woulde not consent vnto it , but they would do it : and when they were agreed that the councell should name fifteene , and the king choose fiue of them , there grew a newe discord among them ; for the councell desired to know who should be these fiue ; some woulde not onely haue them published , but also during the kings life put in possession of the gouernment , that after they might be the better obeied : but notwithstanding , they resolued to keepe it secret , yet generally they coniectured ( and truely ) who they were . they chose also fower and twentie iudges vpon the backe of the rowle , of these the king did name eleuen , to iudge the cause of the succession , if he shoulde not determine it before his death : this was held , and chiefly by the castillians a fault of importance , the king shewing himselfe to be ignorant , that his roiall iurisdiction did end with his life , and that this naming of gouernours was to rule after his death , whereof they had an example with them , of elizabeth queene of castill , who in vaine prescribed lawes for the gouernment of the realme after her decease . in this sorte the states ended , and soone after the duke of bragance , with the nobilitie , and the deputies of the realme , sware obedience to such as the king had chosen gouernours , and to him that shoulde be declared king . it would not be forgotten the manner of oath the prior tooke , for being called before the king , and commanded to sweare to obey the forme aforesaid , he answered that he would first speake vnto him : the king replied , that there was no neede , but that he shoulde sweare , the which he refusing to doe , the king grewe in choler ; whereupon casting his eies vpon his friendes , that were about him , as who shoulde say , that he was forced to lay his handes vpon the euangelist , against the opinion of many , who beleeued he shoulde rather commit some disorder then sweare . the rowle of the gouernours with the nomination vpon the backe of it was locked vp in a coffer , and deliuered to the keeping of the magistrate of the chamber of lisbone , the people whereof were male content , fearing it had beene giuen to the castillians : the which was apparant , for that a little before there came boldly to the assemblie of the nobilitie , before the whole councell , two mechanick officers , of those that representing the people , are imploied to the magistrate of the citie . the one of them crauing audience , said , they had vnderstoode , that some of the chiefe of that assemblie , neglecting their dutie and honour , had spoken slaunderously , and wrought against the publike good , and suretie of the realme , which like good portugals they resolued to preuent , as before the inhabitants of the same citie had done in the times of king iohn the first , and of other kings : and therefore they required the whole councell , ( as the chiefe and principall member of the common wealth ) to aide and support them , that they might not loose their honor and priuiledges , thorough partialities and priuate respects : they saide also that for this effect , and for the defence of iustice , and to chastice seditious portugals , they were readie , with fifteene or twentie thousand men , betwixt the citie and the countie , which they woulde assemble if neede were , in two howres , to burne the houses of such as shoulde speake too boldly , or treate against the publike good and quiet of these realmes , the which they would not put in execution , hoping to see them punished , and the matter redressed by some other course : he concluded , that he thought it their dutie to giue this aduertisement , that with more assurance , they might all treate of the common good , without feare of violence , or any preiudice , and to stop the mouthes of those , ( who suspected in such a cause , ) make all things impossible , without seeking or procuring of any remedie . hauing ended this speech , one of the wisest of the assemblie made answer , that this counsell was acceptable , for the loue and affection they had to the common good ; but there was not any one amongst them which did not desire it with the like zeale , and therefore they should rest assured , that all things should be handled with good order & carefully : but notwithstanding this answere , they returned with threatning . this assembly discouered to the catholique king , not onely the intention of the portugals in these affaires , but also of king henrie himselfe , for that it seemed vnto him , they rather held a forme of conspiracy against him , then a councell of the states . henry encouraged by his followers , for a time intended to marrie , dayly consulting with his phisitions to see if he were apt for generation , which seemed strange to all such as had knowen him ; for euerie man beleeued ( considering the chast life hee had alwaies led ) that although he had come yoonger vnto the crowne , he would not haue taken any wife ; and now talking of it being decrepit , of age , and a priest , it seemed , the desire to exclude the catholique king , from the realme preuailed so much , that it did estrange him from his ancient disposition . but honors breed in men alteration of manners , although his age made men thinke his inclination was rather forced in him then voluntarie : some of the wisest said that the catholique king should haue a special regard , least he were abused in this marriage ; for although the age and disposition of the said henrie might well assure him , yet the matter being of such importance , he should suspect some supposed or adulterate childe , or some such like deceit : but hauing ( possibly ) laboured at rome that no dispence should be graunted to henrie , he sent into portugall fryer ferrant of castillio , of the order of preaching friers , and an eloquent diuine , the cause of his voyage being vnknowne , i my selfe being vnable to search the secret : it was generally thought he went to disswade the king from marriage , with many reasons , and especially saying , that in so dangerous a time by reason of the heretickes which did raigne , when as heretickes did tolerate marriage in men of the church , if he now did it , being priest and king , he should giue them a verie ill president ; and this conceit of his going was confirmed to be true , hauing vnderstood he was neither willingly heard nor presently dispatched . the pretendents had beene cited , which were the catholique king , the dutchesse of bragance , the duke of sauoy , the prince of parma , and anthonie prior of crato to send & shew their reasons . the catholike king did not answere in forme , although henrie had written vnto him with his owne hand , but onely sent a certificat with a secretarie to his ambassador in portugall , that he had beene cited : many disallowed this diligence , and all agreed that the king , causing the duke of sauoy and the pryor to be cited , had not dealt therein iudicially , saying , it was a meane to breed contention , the prior being manifestly a bastard , and the duke apparantly after king philip. who being cited , framed a new councell of some of the lords of his counsell of state , of his confessor , one other diuine , and fiue doctors of the councell roiall , which he called the adioining of the succession of portugall , they were twelue in number , and did onely treate of those things that did concerne that point . at this time iohn de silua arriued at madrill , from ciuill , to be enformed of matters cōcerning his charge , who , although he were graciously receiued of the king , and did often enter into councell , both to giue his aduise , and to take his instructions , yet did they delay his dispatch , sometimes with one excuse , and sometimes with an other : and although he did earnestly sollicite that he might enter into the mannaging of so great an action , as was the vnion of this realme , and after so many trauailes past , goe comfort his friendes with his presence , yet in this particular , he had either many crosses , or small good fortune . for being prisoner in affrick ( although it seemed to these counsellors , that this charge ( as his ) shoulde not be otherwise disposed of , vntill they had certaine newes of his life or death : ) yet notwithstanding it seemed , that both the kings meaning , and the disposition of his ministers , were enclined to dispossesse him , not onely when he was present , but euen then when he had most reason to beleeue it , for that the king , hauing alreadie discouered himselfe in secret matters to christopher de mora , woulde not peraduenture reueale them to any other , whereof they were apparent signes , some curriers comming out of portugall directed to other ministers , then to those that did handle the matters of succession : besides the duke of ossuna ( to whose will both the cardinall archbishop of toledo , and other counsellors did conforme themselues ) hauing entered into great familiaritie with mora , recommending him to the king , laboured that no other should be sent to treat of this busines , seeming as it may be vnto him ( as some did suppose ) that he would not so easily agree with sylua , being more haughtie : he answered to these obiections , offering not onely to agree with the duke of ossuna , and with all those that should be sent , but if it were not their pleasure he should deale with those causes of the succession , he would willingly desist and onely treat of that which did simply concerne the charge of an ambassadour , and after retire himselfe if neede were : but this modestie made him more suspect , for thereby they might iudge he desired nothing more then once to haue an entrie , and after to make himselfe patrone of the whole cause . at that time christopher de mora was called to court , who treated secretly with the king of many things concerning the realme , he laboured to be sent backe with the title of ambassador , yet many supposed his commission being ended , he should not returne : but being accounted , ( as he was indeed ) confident , iudicious , and diligent , although of no great experience in matters of waight , being made gentleman of the chamber , he was sent backe with the title he desired , & to keepe sylua from returning into portugall , all his hopes being frustrate , they stayed him , saying it was conuenient the king should retaine him neere about him , to iudge the better of what should be written out of portugall . and hauing reduced the number of twelue coūsellors of the succession to fower , he commaunded he should be one , the rest being the cardinall of toledo , lewis manriques marques of aguilar both of the councell of state , and anthonie of padiglia , president of the councell of millitarie orders : the generall discourse concerning the election of the one for ambassador , and the exclusion of the other was diuers , but when as the excluded could not preuaile ( according to the counterfeit show of the court ) he tooke all for a fauour . whilest these things passed in castil , the pretendents in portugal both naturall borne and strangers called by citation , framed their reasons , and euerie man laboured to make the king capable of his right : the duke of ossuna pleaded for king philip : charles de la rouuere for the duke of sauoy , ferrant farnese bishop of parma for rainucius fernese . the queene of fraunce was not cited , yet did not she desist from her pretention , by the meanes of vrban of saint gelais bishop of cominges , who had some difficultie to be admitted . the king seemed long doubtfull in this point ; for on the one side with the inclination he had to the dutchesse , he would exclude al others , & with the desire he had to frustrate philip , he labored to admit all that did pretend : in this point hatred preuailed before affection : enduring this infamous allegation of the queen , who saide that henry ( of whom she demaunded iustice ) and eleuen other kings his predecessors , had beene all bastards , and vnlawfull , for that was her plea : and although he doubted of the bishops procuration , after some difficulties , promising to satisfie him within a limited time by an other commission , he was receiued to plead , appointing him an aduocate in the cause . the principall groundes of the pleaders were these : anthonie at the end of fiftie yeeres would be admitted for lawfull , hauing neuer before pretended it , and therfore vndoubtedly the succession of the realme did appertaine vnto him , for that as a male issued from a male , he saide , with the qualitie of his father , he did surmount his age , wherein philip did surpasse him : that being a male he was before the dutchesse , and did vanquish rhanucius by his age and neerenes . phillibert duke of sauoy , did not wholie deceiue himselfe , for as he assisted not for any other ende , but to shewe that as the neerest of kinne he did preceade the prince of castill , in case that henry outliued philip he was least importune . they did pleade vehemently for rainucius farnese , and in his fauour , the doctors of the vniuersitie of padua had written , and to confute the reasons of proximitie , wherein the other competitors did surmount , they alleaged that conformeable to pure and simple lawe , so many sonnes as kings haue , so many heires of inheritance they do frame , whereof the first line doth inherite whilest it remaines , which being extinct ; the seconde doth succeed it , and so consequently in order . that edward the grandfather by the mothers side , of the saide ranucius , was chiefe of the second race of the children of king emanuel , whereof the first being vtterly extinct in sebastian , the line of the second ought to succeed , vntill it were likewise extinct , where by descending from braunch to braunch , it came directly to the saide ranucius . and although philip and phillibert were pretendents male , and lawfully issued from an elder feminine stocke , whilest there was remaining any heires descending from the elder feminine males ( as he was ) they coulde not inherite , and that the dutchesse who was a woman , and anthony vnlawfull , ought not to take it from him , although he succeeded them all . the dutchesse with more liuely hope both of her iustice , and of the kings fauour , had caused to be written in the vniuersitie of coimbra , a long & curious allegation , & the doctors ( who are the learnedst of the realme ) hoping to please the king , handled the cause with all possible care : she laboured to prooue , that they succeed in realmes by the inheritance of the last possessor , and that in this kinde of succession , the lawes allowe the benefite of representation : and in the difficultie which the doctors mooue in the deciding , whether this priuiledge be allowable to the nephewes , when they do not ioine with the vncle , in the inheritance , they ought to follow those which holde the affirmatiue , and that the women doe not onely represent the degree of the predecessors , but also the sexe : she therefore representing edwrad her father , sonne to king emanuel , and brother to king henrie , woulde precead all the other pretendents , both the catholique king , for that he issued from a daughter , anthony being a bastard , ranucius as being neerer vnto henry , admitting neither degrees , elderships , nor representations , alleaging for that purpose infinite authorities of doctors . these her allegations were imprinted , and sent to the pope , and to all the princes in christendome , hoping thereby to make a great breach in their harts . the catholique king saide he was the eldest , and lawfullest nephew male of king emanuel then liuing , and that not any one of the others , being not able to make themselues equall vnto him , they sought to helpe themselues with fixions and representations , the which he woulde prooue by some lawes , were not to be admitted in this case , nor amongst these persons , for that going before them all ingeneral by age , he did surpasse them in particular one after an other . anthony by legitimation ; the duchesse by sexe ; ranucius by nearenes ; & the duke of sauoy by the age of isabell augusta his mother , elder then beatrice , mother to the saide duke . the people alleage that the issue male of their kings failing , in that case the election appertained to them ; fortifying this reason by the example of the election which was made of their king iohn the first : but of this pretention being generall , they made small account . the queene mother of fraunce , with a strange grounde , to the dishonour of so many kings , woulde come by direct line to the succession of the realme , offering to prooue by writing out of the auncient registers of fraunce , and by the auncient possession of the earle of bulloigne , that she was lineally descended from robert sonne to king alphonso the thirde , and of the countesse matilda , his first and lawfull wife , and that from that time to this , all the descendents of beatrice the second wife of alphonso haue vniustly reigned , from whom all the pretendents to the succession drawe their beginnings ; and therefore they coulde haue no better interest then their predecessors . king henry seemed nowe more colde to determine the question of succession , then the importance of the cause , and the shortnes of his life required : he was greatly pressed by the people , ( who be naturally hard to please ) seeing his slow proceedings , complained by words and writings dispersed without authors , and were well content their griefes should come to the kings eares : they inferred that the losse of the warre of affricke , partly restored by his comming to the crowne , was nowe reuiued , seeing their hopes that he shoulde preuent their imminent dangers , succeeded vainely : they complained that the time which shoulde be wholie imploied to decide the succession was spent in accidentall things , contrarie to their dutie , hauing no other care but to drawe into question such as the king hated , to search by iustice things of small moment , to borrowe money of the merchants to redeeme the portugals that were in affricke , to treate of newe impositions , to the oppression of the people and such like ( some whereof , as the redemption of prisoners and that which concerns iustice , they could not reiect as euill ) they blamed the time , and the meanes that was spent in them : passing from this discourse , & hauing as it were a desire to speake slaunderously , they touched the ministers of iustice to the quicke , inferring they had corrupt consciences , that the poore were persecuted , the rich fauoured , that all punishments were pecuniarie or barbarous , expresly inuēted to molest the poore innocents , & giue autority to the rich culpable , who are seldome punished : they shewed againe how much a briefe decision of the succession did import , and that it was no sound aduise to cite the pretendents , & assemble the states , being tedious matters , alleaging that if the king to receiue the scepter had no neede of these things , neither had his successour , but that he ought to decide this cause by himselfe , with the aduise of learned and confident doctors , and according to that which he shoulde finde conuenient treate the accordes and capitulations , with the greatest libertie of the realme he coulde , giuing contentment to the excluded , and making of many members one body , thereby to auoide the bottomlesse gulfe of ciuill warres . and in truth this was the wisest and most christian resolution of all others : they did not allow of the making of gouenours , tearming them bodies without a head , saying , they coulde not after the kings decease , effect any good , iudging there woulde be amongst them diuersitie of opinions , the people woulde be altered , the great woulde disobey , and euery one of the pretendents woulde call himselfe king , they did foretell the realme woulde be deuided in factions , that one would follow one party , the other an other party , & in the meane time the strongest woulde preuaile by armes . the most aduised feared the forces of the catholique king , being neere , and alwaies readie , and although some trusting in his modestie , beleeued after the death of henrie he shoulde peaceably attend the sentence , yet such as ( more practised in the affaires of the worlde ) knewe that the encrease of kingdomes had neither end nor measure , that they be neuer giuen or taken away by the opinion of doctors , they feared most of all ; they termed it , a diuelish temptation of those , that perswaded henry to take a wife , or once to speake of it , saying , they were not woorthie that god shoulde nowe worke miracles for the loue of them . the king mooued with these reasons , which were partly deliuered vnto him , began more vehemently then accustomed , to treate of these affaires . and forasmuch as the prior , hauing taken his oath to obey the gouernours , was retired to almada , a citie vpon the riuer of tagus , right against lisbone , where he made his vsual residence , the king doubting , that remaining there , and comming sometimes to the citie as he did , he might encounter with the duke of bragance , and that as concurrents in one action , and competitors in present , there might growe some perillous contention , the which was doubted , hearing there was hatred betwixt them , for this cause he commanded the saide prior , to retire himselfe to his said priorie of crato , the which he did , and likewise to the duke ( though somewhat later ) to withdrawe himselfe : the prior was there cited , not ( without permission ) to come personally to the court , but to sende his attourneies , wherewith being grieued , he did write vnto the king , thanking him that he had admitted him to plead , and complaining that he was in a manner banished . he said , that he ought not to forbid him to assist in his owne cause , when as the duke of ossuna embassador for the catholique king , and the duke of bragance were present at their pleas : for besides the discommoditie hee shoulde haue in deliuering his reasons , whosoeuer shoulde see him banished from the court , whilest they treated of so weightie a cause , woulde suppose him so farre in the princes disgrace , as he shoulde not dare to maintaine his title : but all this preuailed not , for the king woulde neuer suffer him to depart from crato , and although he did obey with difficultie , going often from place to place , yet would he neuer admit him to court. the first processe the king put vppon the file , was touching the satisfaction the prior pretended to giue for his legitimation , wherein he had secretly all the pretendents opposite , desiring to haue it tried first ( as indeed it ought to be ) for vpon proofe of his legitimation , he was either to be admitted or excluded from the succession . and forasmuch as princes doe commonly execute that carefully which they do affect , for this reason and to the ende the sentence he shoulde pronounce thereupon , shoulde remaine firme , he had obtained secretly at rome a briefe from the pope , by the which he gaue him authoritie , absolutely to iudge the cause of legitimation , without any forme or processe , according to the truth thereof : so as hauing strictly examined the witnesses , he allowed some reasons , and reiected others , and duely weighed the processe . finally , he came to sentence , framed by vertue of the popes owne motion , wherein was reported in a manner the whole processe . the deposition of the witnesses which were fowre , two conuinced to be false , for they recanted , confessing they had beene suborned by anthony , and the other two were suspected , being neere kinsemen , and disagreeing betwixt themselues : the words of the testament of lewes , father to the saide prior were annexed , wherein he called him bastard , with many other reasons , whereby he concluded , that he declared anthony , ( these be the proper wordes of the sentence ) not lawfull , but illegitimate . and touching the pretended marriage and legitimation , hee imposed him perpetuall silence , still reseruing to himselfe power to proceede against the witnesses , and himselfe as he shoulde thinke conuenient : this sentence being pronounced , the king sent edward de castelbianco chiefe of the sergeants to crato , with commission to apprehende the prior prisoner : but some imagined this was rather a shew of the king to amaze him , then for any other effect , iudging as it hapned , that he would not be found . nowe was the catholique king more effectually satisfied touching the interest he had to this realme , for although in the beginning the doctors had resolued him that the succession appertained vnto him , yet desirous to know with more grounde , the opinion of learned men of other prouinces , especially of portugall , who waighing and disputing the reasons of euery pretendent , with their contrarieties and tearmes , had resolued amongst them that philip was vndoubtedly the successour , being the eldest kinsman that henry had a male and lawfull , and that with these qualities he did surpasse and exclude all the competitours , one after an other . they helde anthonie directly to be vnlawfull , hauing alwaies liued in that opinion , and was so held by his father lewes at his death ( as it appeered by his testament ) that although he had demaunded his legitimation at rome , and had obtained it , yet coulde not any roiall or pontificiall legitimation serue for the succession of a kingdome . they discharged themselues of phillibert duke of sauoy in fewe words , saying onely that he was yoonger of yeeres , and sonne of a yonger sister then the empresse , mother to the catholique king. they denied the reasons of eldership , whereon rainucius did ground himselfe , saying moreouer , they might well graunt it without danger , for that the same doctors which fauoured this lawe , do not vnderstande it shoulde take place , if the same person , from whom they woulde transport it did not enioy it . and forasmuch as edward was deceased many yeeres before henry succeeded , or euer thought to come vnto the crowne , he could haue no interest nor any considerable hope that might come to his descēdents ; so as they made small account of al that rainucius could alleage , touching the linnage , eldership , imaginary degrees , and transmissions , saying , that such as groūd thēselues most vpon these subtilities , do leane stil vpon representations , without the which they are of smal moment , prouing that rainucius coulde not aide himselfe with representation , being out of the degree wherein the lawes allow it , and therefore remained inferior to philip. against the dutchesse , they alleaged that kingdomes appertaining to the ancient lawes of nations , the succession ought not to be ruled by the ciuill lawe full of fictions and subtileties , the which were framed by the emperours many yeeres since : and although souereigne princes did bring them in for the good gouernment of their subiects , yet had they not altered the simple naturall rules of the succession , the which they affirmed shoulde be obserued in this case , as it had beene before the birth of iustinian , who was the author of these representations . and although some doctors woulde rashly make the succession of realmes , subiect to ciuill institutions , yet according to this consideration they made philips title vndoubtfull ; and those which helde this opinion were learned men , and more curious of antiquitie then are commonly our ordinarie lawyers . but least they shoulde seeme to take that course to auoide the lawes , they woulde also withdrawe themselues within the tearmes of the ciuill lawe , as if it were a matter in controuersie betwixt two persons for a priuate possession . there did they prooue that in realmes more properly then in any other thing , they succeeded by right ( as they call it ) of consanguinitie , that is to say , hauing regard vnto the first instituter , and that following this law , they shoulde consider the persons of the pretendents , by themselues without representations or respect of their fathers , as if they were childrē of the last possessor , in which sort philip remained in stead of the eldest vnto henry : they said also , that if they should yeelde that which the dutchesse pretends , that they succeede not in realmes by right of consanguinitie , but by that which they call inheritance , hauing regarde vnto the last possessor , yet coulde she not be equall vnto philip , for that the representation where with she pretends to helpe herselfe , doth not extend to the nephew , but in concurrents with the same vncle , according to the most auncient , most approoued , and most grounded opinion . they added moreouer , that the succession of kingdomes , not onely by the right of nations ( as is formerly related ) but also by the same ciuill lawe , is exempt from al representations , being not brought in by custom : and although the dutchesse may represent the degree of her father , notwithstanding it were impossible she should represent the qualitie of a male , being a harde matter that a woman equall onely in degree , and in all other things inferiour , shoulde pretend to be preferred before a man in administration of realmes , and that her priuate defect shoulde hurt her lesse , then to philip that of his mother : it was therefore resolued , that of all the nephewes of king emanuel , he that should be founde to be eldest , a male , and lawfull , shoulde precead the rest , and this was the catholique king. and although the pretention of the people , and of the most christian queene were held vaine , and onely mooued to trouble philip , yet did they answere them formally . against the people they saide , that they had no greater priuiledge of election within this realme , then in the rest of spaine , the which all fall by succession , when there is any lawfully descended of the bloud royall : and that in portugal they haue lesse libertie then the rest , growing from the gifts of the kings of castill , and from the conquest of the kings of portugall : and forasmuch as the people hath not giuē the realme to their first kings , there could not any thing chance whereby they should name or choose one . and for that which they alleage of the electiō of king iohn the first , they answered that not onely this reason did not serue them , but thereby it did appeere that the realme in that case was successiue , hauing ( leauing apart , that it was rather a violent crie of cōquering partizants , then a free election ) themselues secretly confessed , that they had no right to choose , whilest there remained any one lawfully descended of the roiall issue , inferring that beatrice queene of castill was a bastard , and that the realme was in the same estate , wherein other realmes of succession may choose their king , all the kinsemen of the last deceased being extinct . they pleaded against the most christian queene , that her pretention was improbable , and prescribed , seeing that the successours of the earle of bulloigne , had neuer made any mention thereof , neither is it credible that since this pretention was incorporate to the crowne of so mightie a realme , such wise and mightie princes , as were frauncis the first , and henry the second , woulde haue forgotten to haue called it in question . but the truth was , the countesse matilda left no children as it appeeres in her testament , in the publike registers of portugall , making therein no mention to leaue any by king alphonse , nor to haue had any , and viewing the antiquities of the realme , they saide that a writer was abused , who reported that a yoong childe buried in the church of saint dominico in lisbone , was her sonne ; and though it should be so , yet doth it not contradict , since she doth not affirme she had any children , but that he died yoong . they did likewise prooue that matilda had not any , by a formal request found in the same registers , by the which all the prelats of the realme did beseech pope vrbane , that it would please him to disanull the curse which he had laide vpon the realme ; and that he woulde approoue the marriage of beatrice the second wife of alphonse , that he would make their children legitimate , that there might be no hinderance in the succession of this realme ; whereby they concluded , that if there had beene any lawfull children of matilda , they coulde not haue perswaded the pope to preferre the bastards of beatrice . they added that these reasons were not vnknowne in fraunce , and that of late there had beene a booke printed of the genealogie of the houses of medicy , and bulloigne , continued vnto katherine the most christian queene , whereby it did cleerely appeere , that matilda had left no children by alphonse her second husband , hauing beene formerly married to philip , sonne of philip augustus king of fraunce , by which marriage she had one daughter named iane , who succeded not her mother in the countie , dying before her without issue : so as robert sonne of alix , sister to matilda came to the succession , and this is that robert from whom they would drawe the descent of the queene mother , being the nephew , & not the sonne of matilda . so as not being prooued by any meanes that alphonse the thirde had any children by his first bedde , but the contrary by many reasons ; they saide the queene had no reason to pretende , neither had she done it in time . philip therefore being grounded in this action , sendes into portugall for assistants to the duke , rodorik vasquez , and lewes de molina , doctors of the law , and auditors of his councell roiall , with the title of embassadors , to signifie vnto the king , and to his councell his apparant iustice , with aduertisement not withstanding that they should do no acte , whereby they might inferre that they acknowledge any iurisdiction in the king : being arriued , and all the agents of the catholique king consulting togither , they propounded the matter of succession in forme as they were commanded , deliuering in writing vnto the king an ample allegation of the reasons of philip : but for that in the beginning they had founde the kings thoughts bending to the dutchesse of bragance , they laboured long in vaine to make him capable of the iustice of their king . they vsed all meanes they thought conuenient , and heere in mora perfourmed great offices , not onely with the king , and his fauorites , but with the gentlemen and noblemen of qualitie : so as many with liuely reasons , giuing to one , offering to an other , by effects , wordes and writings , he drew all he coulde to the catholique kings deuotion : it seemed that this manner of sounding the nobilitie with money , and promises , did then serue to purpose . and although the course which the king helde , for the attaining of his pretention , seemed vnto him expedient , yet did he not so relie thereon , as ( knowing the portugals to be restie ) he woulde omit force , for that seeing the indisposition of henry , he sought to winne time , and so to prepare himselfe , that if he shoulde chaunce to die , at such time , when as the portugals woulde not yeeld him the crowne quietly , he might sodainly take possession thereof by force . but hauing learned by experience in the warre of granado , the losse of golette , and the defence of malta , that one nation alone sheweth not so great a courage , as vnited with another , this competencie seruing as a spurre to animate them , he resolued to prepare to warre , with the forces of diuers nations , as if he had beene certaine , that of necessitie he must winne this realme by conquest . and although the generall opinion were , that fewe men woulde serue against the vnexperienced portugals , and that he shoulde not finde any resistance against his force , yet knowing that there is not any humaine force but may be vanquished , hee resolued to make an armie of fortie thousand foote , considering , that although the portugals were such as it was saide , yet being at home , and by reason of the hatred and furie of the whole realme , they might in one day drawe togither aboue seuentie thousand men for any expedition , and therefore it behooued him to be strong . he therefore commaunds inico lopez de mendosa , marques of moundegiar , then viceroy at naples , to keepe in a readines his spanish foote , with the ships and munition for portugall , he leuied nine thousand italians , vnder the commaund of peter de medicy , brother to frauncis the great duke of tuscayne , hee brought downe sixe thousand germaines , with counte ierome of lodrone : and although he might haue raised in spaine a great number of men of all sorts , yet trusting onely to his entertained soldiers , he leuied the greatest forces he coulde , purposing to ioine to those spaniards that were but fresh water soldiers , some of those that had beene in italy , and such as were come from the warres of flaunders : but these things were effected with more ease and lesse nombers then were appointed . for although the viceroy of naples did in the beginning very carefully prouide for it , yet after hee grew colde , abandoning all , hauing intelligence that the king had chosen to succeed him in his charge iohn de suniga , great commander of castill , and that he shoulde returne into spaine : yet the soldiers were inrolled and conducted with armes and munition to gibraltar , and other places of andelouzia thereabouts , from whence they marched after to the confines of portugall , the number chiefly of italians , being greatly diminished , with hunger , and other discommodities , not without consideration that nine thousand men seeme much in spaine . and although they arriued a yeere later then the king had commanded , yet came they sooner then necessity required : for henry yet liuing , they were long idle . but this preuention was done like a valiant and wise prince , maintaining an armie vpon the confines of his owne realme , without vse thereof , during a mans life , attending his naturall death , when as no man is yet so neere death , but may liue some yeeres . the catholique king preferring the danger to be vnarmed , and henry deceasing before his expences , gaue this testimonie , not onely of his wisdome , but of the great desire he had to be assured of this realme , wherein he did surmount his owne nature , and the custome of the spanish nation , who by their long delaies , doe often faile in their enterprises : the galleies and ships which had transported these men , went to saint marie porte , where the whole nauie by sea should assemble . henry was still discontented with anthony , who ( notwithstanding the kings late commandement not to approch within a hundreth miles of the court ) wandered from place to place , drawing the peoples harts vnto him . the king was desirous to finde some meanes to punish him , with a more rigorous sentence . but the prior when as the cause of his legitimation was in question before the king , by vertue of his holines briefe , mistrusting what hapned , had by the counsell of alexander formento , then the popes nuncio in the realme , sent to rome , complaining vnto the pope of the hatred his vncle did vniustly beare him , beseeching him to reuoke the cause vnto himselfe , and to be the onely iudge thereof , for that the king was suspect vnto him : by reason whereof , the pope saying that his first intention was not to make henry absolute iudge to giue sentence inclusiue ; he write vnto him by an other briefe , with defence not to proceede in the cause , for the which he appointed as newe iudges the said nuncio , & george de almada , archbishop of lisbone , but not with authoritie to giue sentence , but after due information of the processe , to sende it to rome . this briefe was sent to the nuncio , that he might deliuer it vnto the king , the which he did , by an apostolike notarie , fearing he should haue refused it . henry was greatly mooued that the pope had reuoked the cause vnto himselfe , both for that the execution of the sentence did import , as also imagining he was wronged by taking the cause out of his handes , whereof before he had made him iudge . so as greatly discontented with the pope , and his choler encreasing against his nephew , he woulde now vse his roiall authoritie , and leauing to proceede as the popes substitute ; he began as king to proceed against the prior. and although the nuncio ( it may be by the popes commandement , or rather by his own inclination ) was fauourable vnto him , shewing himselfe very opposite to the catholique king : yet henry left not daily , yet coldly , to continue the cause of the succession ; for hauing cited him to courte , and he not daring appeere , he caused his edicts and proclamations to be set vpon the pallace gate , whereby he was cited to appeere within twelue daies . the prior ( who had soone a copie of this edict from his agents ) was greatly displeased , to see the course the king held against him , yet durst he not appeere , fearing if he fell into the kings hands , the hatred he did beare him woulde drawe him to some strange conclusion ; he resolued therefore to absent himselfe labouring to appease his wrath by letters , which he did write vnto him , complaining of the manner of his proceedings in his behalfe , striuing to make knowne his better deseruing . he saide that he ioyed in his afflictions , calling him in his edicts nephew , as indeed he was , and sonne to that his brother , to whom this crowne hauing so great a bond , he did not beleeue he should so sonne forget it , although his ill deseruings had bin greater then his fathers merits : he remembred the respect the king himselfe , and his predecessors had vnto his father , and the amasement they should haue to see him thus by him vniustly persecuted : he did not attribute the blame of the kings inclination to the king himselfe , but to the sinnes of the realme , and to the ill disposition of some fauorites , shewing on the one side , that he bare with patience , what it shoulde please god to impose , and on the other side complained of his vncle , that he did execute against him the passions of priuate men : and forasmuch as when he returned from prison out of affrick , some had giuen out that he had fledde from the battaile , and was not taken prisoner , he touched likewise this point , lamenting to be so slaundered : he complained of the king , saying , that to the ende no man shoulde haue compassion on him , he was forced to leaue the court by night , hauing only had some speech of his legitimation , shewing he was not woorthie of any brotherly reprehension . he did aggrauate his banishment with no small preiudice to his credite , at such a time as his competitors were fauoured , inuironed with their kinsemen , and demaunded iustice face to face : he alleaged that his holines briefe which the king had obtained against him , was ignominious and full of discurtesies , nothing agreeing to the honor of his father : and although he had obtained an other contrary thereunto , whereby his holines had reuoked to himselfe the knowledge of the cause , yet was he resolued not to alter any thing , but to passe his daies in miserie and sorrow , whilest the euill deserued passion of the king shoulde continue : he lamented to haue beene forced to giue in his proofes within two daies , much more time being granted to any other that pretended ; and that they had giuen no answere to many things he demanded . he complained grieuously of the sentence and commandement , to apprehend him for subornation of false witnesses , the which he denied , although he saide that in the kings publike seate of iustice , such as had produced false witnesses , were not greatly punished : he seemed to be greatly greeued to be called disobedient , & a troubler of the publike quiet of the realmes , excusing himselfe with most vehement wordes : he lamented that the realme was ruined , which his predecessors had woone , defended , and maintained : he made no mention of appearance , but saide it was lawfull for him as to theeues , to hide himselfe and flie the face of iustice , adding , that if the faults wherewith hee is charged were such , as the lawes of the realme command the church to redresse , for that he hath no sure accesse , it woulde please his highnes to graunt that crato shoulde serue as his sanctuarie . and although ( if his sinnes so required ) that being nephew to the king , the first person of the realme , his humble and obedient vassall , it coulde not mollifie his vncles hart , he woulde craue at gods hands , remedies for his afflictions : he required with humilitie that it might be lawfull for him to appeale from his edicts vnto the king himselfe , better instructed , demaunding copies thereof to contradict them , concluding that if it might not be graunted , yet at the least his letter might be annexed to the proces , for if due respect would haue suffred him , he woulde haue caused it to be set vp in the same place of the edicts , for the discharge of his honor , and to make knowne to the worlde that he was vassal , nephew , & faithful seruant vnto the king . this letter did nothing mooue the kings hart , but wrought the same effect with his choler , as a little water doth to a great fire : for being more incensed against his nephew , he proceeded still against him . so as within short time he pronounced a newe sentence , not as a iudge , substitute by his holines , but as an absolute king , that it might not be subiect to any appeale , supposing by this meanes ( seeing hee coulde not cast him into prison ) he shoulde banish him the realme . wherin repeating his faults , his absence , his contumacy , his disobedience , with the premisses ( as was ) that he had made to drawe the nobilitie & people to follow his faction ; he depriued him of all his iurisdictions , preheminences , honors , prerogatiues , liberties , graces , and what other recompence soeuer he had from the kings his predecessors , commaunding he shoulde be rased out of the bookes , and not paide any thing , not holding him for a naturall borne , but a forraine to these realmes . he pronounced the like against such as shoulde aide him , lodge him , or any way treate with him : he commaunded him to depart the realme within fifteene daies , saying , it was expedient for the seruice of god , of him , and the peoples quiet . but notwithstanding this sentence so seuere , yet was it not of force to expell the prior , for being wel beloued of his friendes , and common people , he remained safely in secret : and although for a shew onely he had retired him selfe into a monasterie of castill , yet he staied not long there , onely to procure a certificate ( as he did ) of his departure : whereof king philip being aduertised , he was aduised by some to take him prisoner , both to be assured of him , & to please henry ; but he thought it not then conuenient , whereof after he repented him , for anthonie being returned againe into portugall , it was generally thought that he was ill affected , and grieued with the king , for the sentence he had pronounced against him . henry grew fearefull he shoulde attempt something against his person , which so encreased , that ( besides his ordinarie guard ) he raised certaine cōmpanies of souldiers for the assurance of himselfe , and his courte , a thing at any time vnseene in that realme . at this time the embassadors of philip had made henry capable of his title : hauing laide before him , both the good and euill which might ensue , by giuing and taking from him the crowne ; who being enclined to do iustice , mooued therewithall , & with the feare of war , hauing wel considered the matter , and laid aside all affection which made him inclinable to katherine , he resolued with all his power to giue it vnto philip , by the best meanes he coulde deuise . and hauing imparted this his meaning to the duke of ossuna , and christopher de mora , he said he woulde ende the cause by way of composition betwixt philip and the realme , without proceeding vnto sentence : prouided alwaies that the catholique king shoulde graunt certaine priuileges ; not dispose the offices of gouernment and iustice , but vnto the naturall portugals , and giue certaine graces & exemptions , to the generall good of the realme . heere plainly appeered the errour of henry , who hauing cited all the pretendents , and brought the matters to tearmes of iustice , thought it after wards more conuenient to come to composition with philip , which shoulde haue beene formerly done , if it were to be done . these capitulations were sent vnto philip , to madrill , whom henry entreated to keepe them secret , as one that feared a contrarie disposition in the people . and although hee were not ignorant , howe hard the quiet execution of this his will woulde be , by reason of the people , and some gentlemen of contrary faction ; yet commaunded he it shoulde be propounded to the states , with all the mildenes it might be . some hold that father leon anriquez , of the order of iesuits , the kings confessour , was rather the cause of this his vnexpected resolution , then the practises of the catholique kings ministers , and that from him ( in whom the king did greatly trust ) proceeded his first inclination to the dutchesse of bragance , but fearing the indignation of philip , he turned the thoughts of henry to fauour his title . by means whereof in october . he called againe the deputies of the cities , and other estates , vpon colour to impart vnto them a matter of importance . philip disallowed this resolution of henry , to assemble the states , for being assured of the small affection the portugals bare him , he was most assured that assembling them togither , they woulde neuer agree to yeelde him the crowne , and therefore hee aduised the king , without any other assembly , to declare a successor , seeing in the last estates held at lisbone , the whole realme had giuen him full power , the which if he would vse in this controuersie of the realme , and not make any new conuocation of deputies , he shoulde write to euery citie in particular his intention , and aduise , thinking it more easie to perswade them deuided , then vnited in one body : but henry not daring effect it , did sollicite the comming of the deputies . in italy ( seeing the catholique king a little before assemble so great forces ) they made diuers coniectures thereof , they furnished the places of ordinarie suspect , with newe garrisons : some beleeued he that had entred league with the cheriffe , mulei hamet , that both iointly togither would attempt alger , supposing the moores had propounded this enterprise for feare of the turkes , and that the king with his aide woulde expell them from thence , being so necre neighbour vnto spaine . the pope vnderstanding the contrarietie in portugall , seeing the catholique king prepare so greatly to armes , he commaunded philip sega his nuncio in castillia to say vnto him , that although he knewe these preparatiues of warres , were against infidels ; yet seeing the estate wherein portugall stoode , it might bee supposed it was intended against that realme , and being dangerous to come to armes , and to stirre vppe the humours which cannot be setled at pleasure , hee offred himselfe to be a mediatour betwixt him and henry , and to settle this busines peaceablie . the king accepted the popes offer in generall words , entertaining his nuncio with delaies , without giuing him any resolute answer , for that ( as it was saide ) many things did trouble his minde concerning this action . he considered of the one side that being of good yeeres , and his heires but yoong , enioying ( except the state of flaunders ) all his countries quietly , it was not fitte to stirre vp humours in spaine ; besides , being fearefull to other nations , they woulde not willingly see him augment his dominions , he doubted ( that in busying himselfe in portugall ) some woulde then take occasion to breede some alteration in his territories , and therefore hee willingly gaue eare to any treatie of peace . on the otherside he was not well assured of the popes disposition , seeming he shoulde preiudice his title , to put it to compremise : besides , that to former presidents , he woulde not willingly adde this of new , to acknowledge the apostolike seate as a iudge of realmes . he thought it lesse danger to attend the sentence of henry , then of any other , for pronouncing it ( hauing not acknowledged him for iudge ) he was not bounde to obey , if it were in his disfauour , retaining still the right of armes ; by reason whereof in this suspence , he forbare still to giue the nuncio his answere , vntill that being better assured of the disposition of henry , he made answere , that his interest being so apparant , and the king so well enclined , there needed not any mediation , the which if it were requisite , he woulde accept of this office , & of the good zeale of his holines . the indisposition of henry , and the disquietnes of his minde , did much afflict him , so as he resembled a lampe neere extinct , the which sometimes yeelds a great light , sometimes seemes quite out : they feared he shoulde die of an accident which hapned , and therefore his counsell thought good not to attende his death , for the declaration of the gouernours , but to put them as it were in possession , the which was partly executed . for the king being halfe dead , they brought vnto him the coffer wherein the rowle was kept , with the names of the gouernours in the great church of lisbone , and hauing opened it , they founde them to be george dalmeda archbishop of lisbone ; frauncis de sada , first groome of the kings chamber ; iean tello , iean mascaregnas , and diego lopez de sosa , president of the counsell of iustice of the citie , who tooke their oathes to gouerne according to the lawes of the realme , and to the limited commission , which henry had particularly set downe . this diligence bredde aswell in the peoples mindes , as in the catholique kings , a iealousie of the kings death , and the rather , for that two daies before , they woulde not suffer any to see him , supposing they woulde keepe it secret , vntill they had taken counsell , put the gouernours in possession , and prepared for defence : and although it were presently knowne that the king was yet liuing , and so amended , that he had almost recouered his former health , yet the generall opinion being , that he coulde not liue long , all mens mindes were in suspence in this realme . the fovrth booke . the contents of the fourth booke . the castillians and portugals discourse vpon the state of portugall ; the vehemencie of the plague ; the estate of almerin ; the death of king henry ; the regency of the gouernours ; the practise of anthonie to be chosen king ; the testament of henry ; the diligence of the catholique king to vnderstande if he might with a safe conscience make warre ; the election of the duke of alua as generall of the enterprise , and the priuileges the catholique king offered if they woulde deliuer him the realme . the catholique king in the meane time kept his armie togither in spaine , with greater paines , and more charge , then he had done else where ; for the countrey being not greatly fertile , he was enforced to fetch victuals from other parts , being then about the ende of nouember , . there was then no assuraunce of things , whereby they might either dismisse their armie , or imploy it . for although king henry was yet liuing and well affected , yet the portugals being most obstinate against the castillians , he desired not to liue any longer doubtfull of the succession , as well for the charge as for the euent ; and therefore he ceased not continually to importune henry to declare him successor , obiecting many reasons , why he was bound to do it , and propounding many inconueniences which woulde follow , not doing it , the which was spoken in doubtfull tearmes ; whereby it seemed he woulde make the equitie of his cause apparant by force : and although this entreatie seemed somewhat to threaten , yet did it nothing displease henry , suffering it expresly to bee published , that the people might beleeue , he was forced to this declaration . the whole realme was discontented to see henry dying , the catholique king armed , and the small remainder of time spent in matters of light importance , whereof their discourses and opinions were as diuers , as they were different in passions . the priors partisans being in a manner all of base qualitie , hauing their reason darkned , and not setled in opinion , saide , that he was legitimate , and that the crowne appertained vnto him ; but that the king of his absolute authoritie , hating him woulde depriue him ; and that all his fauorites did concurre in this resolution : for the king hauing alwaies persecuted anthony by their aduise , they feared that he comming to raigne , woulde take such reuenge as they deserued , and therefore preferring their owne securitie , before the libertie of their countrey , they woulde take the realme from him and giue it to a stranger . many others alleaged , that although hee were a bastard , yet they ought to giue him the realme , being the neerest allied of the bloud royall : others in whom hatred to their neighbours preuailed more then any other inclination , saide , that whosoeuer had interest to the realme , yet shoulde they by no meanes giue it to the catholique king , but rather come to armes , vaunting themselues to be valiant . they added moreouer that they woulde demaund aide from fraunce , and england , whereof they were assured , and hauing them , they doubted not to seate a king , at their pleasures : there were some , yet fewe , but of iudgement , who comparing the forces of portugall with castill , founde they coulde not flie the yoke of the catholique king , and although with great griefe , yet they hoped it might prooue a gentle amitie , and that these realmes vnited togither , portugall might reape great profit , by the commerce & traffique . many spake after their owne humors , saying , that anthony leauing the habite of saint iean shoulde marrie with the daughter of the duke of bragance , and being vnited togither , they needed not to feare . others gaue out , that the catholique king woulde be contented to giue his seconde sonne to the portugals , for their king , to be brought vp amongst them , the which they shoulde accept , for were it whosoeuer , it were sufficient to haue a king alone . and some say , that henry laboured to effect this , but philip soone resolued him , saying , that he coulde not do it , but to preiudice the prince his eldest sonne , fearing by this meanes to leaue a seminarie of diuision in spaine betwixt his descendents . the perswasion of the catholique kings agents , with the nobility were of great effect , by reason whereof there were few gentlemen , amidst this diuersitie of opinion , but either did willingly encline to the said king , or corrupted held their peace , and retired themselues from court , auoiding all occasion to declare themselues . of the fiue gouernours chosen , three were drawne to the catholique kings deuotion ; and although we should not be amazed , to see the common people ( who by custome inconstant and without iudgement ) holde the woorser part , yet did it breed a woonder in many , that the portugals in generall , euery one according to his qualitie , framed in their mindes a resolution , contrarie to that which by reason they ought to haue done , in a matter of so great importance , in the which they should haue taken greater consideration : for that some discoursed without passion , that the nobilitie ( accustomed to be respected of the king ) shoulde flie the obedience of the catholique king , being credible , that philip ( according to his custome ) woulde with lawes and his power , keepe them vnder , and contrariwise , that the people shoulde embrace him , whom he doth equally fauour , yeelding them equall iustice . and yet notwithstanding the greater part followed the contrarie , for the nobilitie did embrace philip , and the people fled him : for satisfaction whereof , and to reclaime them from the opinion they held , the agents of the catholique king were desirous ( besides the diligence they had vsed ) to publish throughout the realme the kings title , and the mildenes of his yoke , seeming not sufficient ( for the content of the common people ) to haue priuately imparted it to many . their aduersaries ( amongst the which was the magistrate of the chamber of lisbone ) woulde willingly haue taken occasion to publish vnto the worlde their contrarie reasons , whereon they grounded ; but it was not tolerated , neither for the one nor the other , to speake publikely in the assemblies of the people : for besides that it was prohibited , euery one durst not freely discouer his intention : for this occasion diuers fell to write the grounds of their partie , by discourse and letters . and although writings breede not so firme an impression in the minde as the voice , yet their discourse published , did perswade with greater efficacie then they had done by speaking ; for that writings came to the hands of more men then wordes could haue done , where , reading and examining them , they wrought great effects . there were many of these letters seene without authors , and although some were friuolous , and without sense , yet the better sorte which followed the catholique kings partie , tended to satisfie the people , and to terrifie the motiues thereof by the greatnes of the action , and the perill of warre : they did particularly touch one after another , the reasons of the pretendents , and refuting them all , shewed that the catholique king did precead . they made no small adoo about the processe of anthony , saying , that he was a bastard , although he had beene declared legitimate , and to precead philip , yet shoulde they neuer satisfie the worlde , but they woulde surmise some cosinage , deuised to take the crowne from him who ought to enioy it . they disprooued the reasons of such as maintained the election of the king to be in the people , hauing a lawfull successor , bringing in examples of the popes authoritie in the nomination of kings , as well of alphonso the first , as of the earle of bulloigne : and if iohn the first were chosen king , it was after a battaile woone ; the portugals affirming , there were no lawfull successors , but bastards & illegitimate : but by their owne reason they said it was apparant , there was now no question of the election , seeing there remained a lawful kinseman . they laboured to make knowne that god hauing called vnto him two and twentie successors , which did all precead the catholique king , that his pleasure was by vniting of portugall to the realmes of castill , to fortifie an arme of the church , to resist all the outragious attempts of infidels and heretikes . but leauing the iustice and will of god aside , they discoursed , examining the honors and blames , the losses and profits , which by the one or other meanes , might happen : as for honor , they shoulde not take for any disgrace , and obedience which fell by lawfull succession , alleaging that the states of castill , ( when as king emanuell did inherite ) being strong enough to defende themselues if they woulde , receiued him curteously . and when as the archduke of austria , ( although a germaine ) did succeed him , they did the like . they mocked at such as said that castill should be vnited to portugall , but not portugal to castill ; proouing , that no portugall euer came neere this court , but he was embraced & greatlie honoured ; many of the principall houses of castill being issued from portugall . they did contradict with liuely reasons , such as feared to be oppressed , like to the estates of flaunders , naples , and millaine ; saying that in flaunders they had alwaies vsed the people with great kindnes , that they had beene gouerned by their owne nation , & that the spaniards had no charge there : that many of the principall had rebelled against the church of rome , & against their king , the which he woulde not suffer , that in this enterprise ( more for that which concerned the good of the church , then for any other respect , ) the king had spent . millions of gold , and that hauing for enimies , both germany , flaunders , & england , they could not take these countries from the kings possession , but hauing meanes ( graunting free libertie of religion ) to be absolute lord , and to reape thereby great profit , he would not accept thereof , onely for the remorse of his conscience , preferring the seruice of god before all other respects : they saide that the neapolitanes and millanoyes had beene conquered by force , weake of themselues , and enuironed with enimies , that they were not burdened , neither coulde he do lesse then maintaine garrisons , inferring thereby , that if they were peaceably inherited , they shoulde haue libertie like good and faithfull subiects , and maintaine with more force that which their fathers had gotten , without feare of any thing whatsoeuer ; but if they suffered themselues to be conquered by armes , they should be neapolitanes , millanoyes , and possiblie woorse . they commended the portugals , as faithfull , obedient , and indued with commendable parts , blaming the basenes of such as were not ashamed to thinke , they coulde be ill intreated of any prince whatsoeuer . they said , that since philip was resolute , and that hee had written to the cities of the realme the assurance of his action , seeing that in fourteene yeeres hee had neuer abandoned the enterprise in flaunders being farre off , hauing so many kings opposite , and the flemmings suing to be subiect vnder iust conditions , that it is not credible he woulde desist from portugall being so neare , so weake without succours , and hauing so great an interest : they reported with ioy the deeds of the spaniards , saying , that when as spaine takes armes , he doth imprison the king of fraunce , and the greatest of germanie ; makes the turke to turne his backe , takes from him malta , dissolues his armies , maintaines continually in flaunders an armie sounde and lustie , breaking and dispersing his enimies , and yet the noblemen of spaine remaine quietly in their houses . from their valour , they came to the consideration how portugall woulde resist so great a monarch , entreating them with affectionate words to haue regard thereunto . they saide that the comfort of men of iudgement , was to see the small force of the portugals , for if it were greater , they might for a time make some resistance , considering their obstinacie , iudging that in the beginning of this warre , the kings of the indies woulde presently become lords of the sea coast , the moores woulde assaile the places of affricke , the french and english woulde attempt the islands , some woulde vsurpe on one side , some of another , not onely to the losse of the realme , but of all christendome . they brought in the example of king sebastian , shewing that he was lost for not measuring his forces : and although the consideration had beene easie , many protesting against it , and many foretelling the future euent , yet god tooke from them their vnderstanding , as he doth from those whom he meaneth to punish , and in this manner he hath depriued them of iudgement , who aduise to take from the catholique king the succession of the realme . they compared the amitie of castill with that of fraunce , reporting the wrongs and pyracies , which the french being at sea had daily done to portugall , and the small reckoning was helde of them that had complained , and contrariwise the concord and rest which since the last peace made with the castillians vntill that day , they had enioyed , without the breach of any one article , blaming the manner of the french , saying that they sought nothing else but to be admitted , and after to become masters ; the which not succeeding , they striued to be admitted to plead , the equitie of their kings cause , seeking alwaies occasion to complaine . they added , that if the election were in the people , and that the catholique king had no enterest , onely to be free from the french , they shoulde vnite themselues with castill , that they might liue in peace , and bridle this french furie , which hath often throwne the portugals aliue into the sea , and slaine their gouernors and the kings captaines , by their kings commission ; for by this vnion , besides the seruice of god , the french would feare and not spoile so boldly at sea . they commended king henry as iust and holie , saying , that the best resolution they coulde take , was to fall at his feete , beseeching him that seeing the catholique king was the most honorable , the most neerest , and the eldest kinsman that he had , that in the name of god he shoulde sweare him prince , according with him of the most necessarie points , for the libertie of the realme , and shewing themselues conformeable to the bequest sometimes made by king emanuell : that they should not loose this occasion during his life , but ( laying aside their obstinate intercessions ) labour iointly to flie the warre , and not be forced to yeelde to castill at such time , when as it shoulde not be acceptable , perfourming the which they shoulde not onely preserue their owne goods , but inherite others , seeing the greatnes of castill doth indifferently admit all subiects spaniards , to the greatest dignities ; bringing for examples , that the archbishop of toledo , and the office of the president of the councell roiall , which be the highest dignities spirituall and temporall , were not then enioied by castillians . they protested that if they stopped their eares to the truth , and did open them to apparant lies , they shoulde feele within their owne home warre , with the murthers , spoiles , theftes , and burnings it bringes with it . on the other side the portugals made answere to their letters , saying , they desired no warre , but woulde defende themselues against any that shoulde attempt it : they alleaged many reasons of their iustice and force , with auncient examples of the holie scriptures , whereas small numbers in a iust cause haue vanquished a great armie . they refuted that opinion that god by the vnion of these realmes would fortifie in castill an arme of the church , shewing many grounds , wherby they should iudge the contrarie , blaming the sacke of rome , and some other vnwoorthy actions of the castillians . they laboured much to prooue that the prior of crato was legitimate , & that king henrie had bin a most passionate iudge in that cause . they spared not to touch the reasons of the dutchesse of bragance , shewing that she ought to precead the catholique king in the succession . they condemned the said king , saying , that distrusting his title he had prepared to armes : they shewed by a long discourse , that the vnion of portugall would neither breed them profit , nor honour , but losse and dishonour , were the conditions neuer so ample and good : drawing examples from flaunders and aragon , shewing that the behauiour of the spaniardes in the low-countries , had beene the cause that those people had rebelled against god , and against their temporall lord : they did obiect that all nations subiect to the catholique king , were reputed his subiects in matters of charge , and burthens of the warre ; but in honours , recompences , and exemptions , they were vnknowen : they valued not the kings forces , saying , that if it were fearfull to other prouinces , yet was it not so in spaine , beeing apparent , that by reason of the barrennes of that countrey , he could entertaine no great armies , neither durst he for the weaknes of the places draw in mercenarie souldiers , bringing for example the war of granado , where incountring but with fower disarmed moores , there was so great daunger with the losse of so many men . they added moreouer that the king had not at this day one captaine of account , naming a number which were of the seminarie of charles the fifth who were all dead , and not any other which had succeeded them , imitating the kings humour who loues rest more then armes ; by meanes whereof he had not augmented his realme , but lost goletta , with the states of flaunders , and had yet made greater losses , had there beene other kings liuing in this age , but that in fraunce , england , and portugall , the scepters were in the hands of women and children . they concluded that it was not credible , that the catholique king , notwithstanding his threatnings , and his prepared forces , woulde take armes in spaine , for that his forces being vnited ( he was in daunger vpon the least contrarie euent ) that some of his prouinces would rebell against him , and that the french ( being a stirring nation ) would imbrace this occasion : besides that , being now old and the howres of his death vncertaine , hee should consider , that not inioying the realme of portugall in peace , and dying with an armie in spaine , hauing no heires but pupilles , hee should leaue them in danger , not onely to be depriued of the possession of portugall , but also to be much troubled in castill and his other kingdomes of spaine , labouring to prooue , that the kings were not there beloued as in portugall . then began the yeere . a yeere full of miseries and afflictions for the portugals , not onely by reason of the warre which followed , but also for the dearth and plague ; for that the season hauing beene verie drie , the fruit of the earth was in a manner all lost , neither had the husbandmen in many places reaped what was sowne ; besides there came not from fraunce and germanie such quantitie of corne as was vsuall : but this miserie was supportable in regard of the rest , for neuer was the scarsitie so great , but things necessarie would be found for money : that of the contagion was most cruell , for hauing runne through italy , germanie , england , and a part of fraunce , it came finally into this realme , from whence it spread throughout all spaine , but most of all in the citie of lisbone , hauing begonne lightly the yeere before , it increased at the entring of this spring , and so augmented all sommer , but declined in the fall . this contagious mortalitie ( suffered it may be of god for our sinnes ) proceeded not from any corruption of the aire , but from infection ; and was brought into the realme , by men and merchandise from countries infected , for the citie being a great part vnwalled , and of great traffique , it could not easily be guarded . the naturall inclination of the aire , the filch of the citie , their feeding of fish ( which all generally do vse ) and the ill order , nay the great disorder of the magistrate of the health , in separating the sicke from the whole , and in all other things touching his charge , did helpe to increase it . the suddennes wherewith it did infect and kill in a manner all those that did frequent the sicke , as fire doth in powder , strooke a great terrour in the citizens , their remedies and diets were most vncertaine : for although that many did phisicke themselues diuersly , and were gouerned in sundrie manners , yet there died infinite numbers of all qualities , experience did teach that the application of lenitiue things , the drinking of vnicornes horne , and the bezars stone were most soueraigne remedies , yet to manie it did no good . the greatest part of the nobilitie , ( and of such as had ability to do it ) retyred themselues to their gardaines , and farmes in the countrey , where ( although the whole countrey were infected ) yet did they seeme to liue more assured , or at the least out of the infection , & from the horrible spectacle of dead bodies , which were howerly seene in the citie , where the mortalitie grew so great that there was nothing to be seene but beeres with dead bodies , for the buriall whereof ( the churchyards being full , ) they were forced to vse the streets and fieldes . at this time were assembled in the citie of almerin where the king remained , all the deputies of the realme , being called thither : the citie of lisbone made election of emanuell of portugall , and diego salema , who went not , but were reiected of the king , as seditious , and depriued of their offices , in whose place they made choise of phoebus moniz , and emanuel de sosa pacheco : the said salema was not beloued of the king , for that before as vereador of the citie of lisbone , he saide vnto the king , that they vnderstoode he went about not onely to iudge to whom the realme appertained , but also to make a composition , the which he ought not to doe , without hearing the people : whereunto the king hauing answered , that the people was not capable of this matter , he replied , that he woondered the king shoulde iudge this people incapable , whom he had held to be most sufficient to raise him to the crowne , wherewith henry was greatly mooued . this alteration of deputies ministred matter of discourse vnto the worlde : for it seemed the king had declared himselfe against the people , and that not accepting their election of deputies , he woulde drawe by force from the states what he pleased , but such as knewe the true reason , and howe that emanuell , and all those of the house of portugall , deserued in this case to bee repelled , commended this act : these were suspect , forasmuch as iohn of portugall , bishop of guarda , brother to the saide emanuell , alwaies esteemed more then he was , woulde not onely precead his equals , but did scarce beare any respect vnto the cardinall before he was king , whereof grew a great hart burning ; so as the cardinall to debase him , hauing drawne foorth a certaine information of his ill behauiour , libertie of life , and ill gouernment in his bishopricke , sent it to rome , so as the bishop ( as it were forced ) went to his holines to purge himselfe . hee was much grieued with this crosse , for passing by the court of castill , the catholique king being infourmed of his voyage , woulde not suffer him to visite him , although he were entreated : so as now although the cardinall were come vnto the crowne , their hatred continued , and hauing no other meanes of reuenge , then to oppose himselfe to his resolutions , seeing him enclined to giue the realme to the catholique king , he laboured all he coulde to let it , by meanes whereof , he seemed at one instant to be reuenged of two kings : for the effecting whereof , there conspired togither the bishop ; emanuell his brother ; franncis earle of vimioso his nephew , ( for the cōtrarieties , that both alphonse his father , and he had with the cardinall ) with other their kinsfolkes and friendes , fauouring anthony prior of crato , they resolued to make him king , trusting to the peoples humors . but king henry hauing discerned the equitie of the catholique kings cause , resolued , as it is said , to giue him the realme ; & hauing assembled the states , he sent paule alphonse a doctor , in whom he reposed great trust , to villa vizosa , whereas the duke and the dutchesse of bragance remained , giuing them to vnderstande that finding the succession of the realme to appertaine to philip , and that they were vpon the point to pronounce sentence in his fauour , he did aduertise them in time , to the end they might make their composition with him : but hauing made small account of this aduertisement , interpreting it otherwise , they did not embrace the occasion , the which was likewise represented vnto them by the catholique king . in this time the estates were begun in the pallace of almeryn , the ninth of ianuary in the kings presence , who ( being very sicke ) was brought in his chaire , whereas anthony pignero bishop of leiria , an eloquent orator , made the oration , enriched with a goodly stile , saying , that the kings thoughts were bent to procure the generall good of al christendome , the preseruation and encrease of our holie catholique faith , and the peace and tranquillitie of his subiects , & for the effecting of that which concernes his charge , & to follow the examples of kings his predecessors , & progenitors , conformeable to the actions of his life passed , considering with sound iudgement , great experience , & wise discourse how much it doth import the generall good to declare ( during his life ) to whom the lawfull succession of the realme did appertaine ; he did apply all his care to the decision of that cause , with so great study and zeale , that not suffering himselfe any way to be interrupted with the many graue and extraordinary affaires , nor by the trouble of his long infirmity , he had with the helpe of god brought it to that estate , that it might speedily be declared , as they had required , and ought generally to wish for : and seeing the finall decision of the cause was brought to that issue , it seemed conuenient to the king , to assemble the states , and to communicate vnto them some points of great importance , for the seruice of god , and the good and quiet of these realmes , as they shoulde vnderstande , by that which shoulde be particularly deliuered vnto them by his commandement : he exhorted them , that vsing the my steries , which had been presented lately to al faithfull christians , with praiers , sacrifices , workes of deuotion and charitie , they shoulde dispose themselues to receiue the light of that heauenly wisedome , which god doth alwaies impart to such , as frame themselues to receiue it , without the which mans wisedome ( were it neuer so subtill ) coulde not worke as it ought , that dooing so , the holy ghost by his grace woulde inspire their harts , and lighten their vnderstādings , making their wils conformable to his loue , to the end that all that shall be treated of , may bee to the seruice of god & his glory , the encrease of christian religion , and the quiet and profite of these realmes , as he still pretended in all things , and as he doth especially desire and procure in these present occurrents , to the hinderance of his health , but with a most holy zeale . hauing ended this speech , emanuel de sosa pachecho , deputie of lisbone , rose vp saying : that since god by his prouidence , ( amidst so many afflictions hapned to the realme , ) had giuen his highnes for successor , ( trusting in his vertue , ) they did expect from him a remedie to their eminent dangers : that they were most assured , that for the loue and desire of his subiects peace , he did not spare his owne health , for which loue and grace they did kisse his handes , offring him all auncient and firme loialty , loue , and obedience , wherewith the portugall nation haue beene woont to serue their kings his predecessors . at the ende whereof , the trumpets sounding , the king was carried into his lodging : and for that almeryn is of small eceipt , all the deputies were lodged at arem , which is neere vpon the other side of the riuer of tagus , assembling at the conuent of friers , there to holde their councell . the king laboured all hee coulde to drawe some good effect from these estates , vsing in one case both mildenes and seueritie ; but he feared greatly the contrarie : for notwithstanding he supposed that he had drawne the citie of lisbone , to choose deputies according to his owne humour , yet coulde he not do the like with other cities , besides he knew not whom to trust . and now was there hapned at coimbra some small rumour , being aduertised that the magistrate of the chamber of that city , with some other citizens , spake too freely in the behalfe of the prior of crato , touching the succession of the realme , whither he sent martin correa de sylua , to pacifie these stirres , and to punish the offenders : but they laughed at him , and hee returned without effecting any thing ; neither did it preualie , that the king for that respect did imprison aryas gonzalez de macedo , deputie of the same citie , who was after freely set at libertie . the king receiued great contentment by the answer giuen him by the clergie , and the nobilitie , hauing imparted vnto them the interest of king philip , and propounded that it were conuenient to make some agreement with him : they kissed his handes , yet was there great disagreement amongst the nobilitie , before they coulde resolue , for being all reduced to eight and twentie , and those put to voices , the catholique king preuailed onely with one voice , to the great discontentment of the contrarie faction ; and heerein the diligence and promises of the catholique agents preuailed much . but henry was no lesse displeased with the proceedings of the thirde estate contrarie to his intent and meaning . it was generally thought that phebus moniz deputie of lisbone was conformable to the kings will , & was chosen to that intent , yet vpon the first assembly of the deputies the thirteenth of ianuarie , he plainly discouered his hart , being all assembled , as chiefe of the councell he spake in this manner . that the portugall nation was more pleased with deeds then words , and for that he was a portugall , although some did beleeue the contrarie , he woulde speake little : i beleeue saide he , that euery one of you in the masse of the holie ghost , which hath beene lately celebrated , hath beseeched god to direct all to his honour and glorie ; for it is that we ought to seeke . we haue a most holy king , who being such , it is not credible that he hath assembled vs heere but to doe vs honor , & for the preseruation of our publike good : the realme hath chosen vs for deputies , all mens eies are turned vpon vs , to view if they haue made a good choice : let vs giue them to vnderstande , that they haue attained their desires , procuring as much as we may the preseruation of our generall good . it doth not displease me to heare some say that god hath reserued this cause of succession to be determined in heauen , let vs imbrace this saying : let vs goe all to heauen to begge mercy at his hands : let vs all make vs readie as at the last houre : let vs forget all things below ; i will assure you on his behalfe that doing so , both here & in that heauenly citie he will entreate vs as his best beloued : i relie much vpon you , and i beseech you that if by reason of my sinnes , i decline from the name of a portugall , you will helpe to support me , that i may not loose it ; i will be alwaies ready to ioine in any resolution that shal please you . these wordes spoken with more vehemencie then eloquence , reuiued the spirits of many of the deputies , who doubted of his inclination , so that after the creation of the officers , they alleaged : that seeing that the citie of lisbone , hauing propounded to the learned whether the election of the king appertained onely vnto them ( as the chiefe citie of the realme ) and finding it was a thing incident to the whole realme , that it were conuenient , before the king should send vnto them , to demaund permission in the behalfe of the realme , to pretend the election of the king ; being all conformable , they sent two deputies to deliuer this ambassage , who being ioyfully receiued , and with doubtfull speeches , returned with no other satisfaction but that the day following , he would sende them an answere : who being returned to the assembly and making report what they had done , antonio pignero bishop , arriued , sent from the king , who spake thus in his name : that the difficultie in assembling the states was so great , & the matter treated of , of such importance , that it was fit to touch the point of the conclusion , laying aside many things which were of no moment : that the catholique king ( since that his highnes had taken the scepter of these realmes ) had pressed him to declare his successor , saying , that he was assured , both by the opinion of doctors of his owne realme , and of others , that the succession appertained vnto him , but that king henrie made answere , he must be better enformed , & heare the parties pretending to the same seccession , entertaining him in this sort vntill he had knowledge vnto whom it appertained by right , and being now satisfied , finding there yet resteth some doubt betwixt the catholique king and the dutchesse of bragance , he knew that making declaration by way of iustice , it might breed many inconueniences and troubles to the realme , being alreadie exposed to manie dangers : and therefore he found no better course then to determine the succession by way of accord , if he should die before the king of castil , for by that meanes he should prouide for all things fit for the realme , giuing satisfaction to him that should haue the strongest pretention : and although the matter were still in doubt , yet the king had thought it the best course , as they should well finde , and if they would consider thereof , being of such importance as his highnes had thought it conuenient to impart it vnto them , and with their counsell to determine what should be most necessarie , for the seruice of god and the profit of the realme . that hee did recommend it vnto them , that with quietnes of mindes , and the onely respect of the diuine seruice and the common good , they should treat and consider of this matter , giuing the king present knowledge of their opinions : this ambassage did greatly alter the councell , who expected an ambassage from the king , whether he would admit their demand concerning the election , and seeing they treated with them of a matter halfe ended , laying aside what the ambassador had propounded , they resolued to send backe to the king to expostulate an answere of their ambassage , which done they profited no more then before : but to phebus moniz ( one of those which went , who possibly spake without respect ) the king made answere , with great patience ; that he should haue come accompanied with choler ; whereunto he replied , that it was reasonable , seeing his highnes would giue the realme vnto the castillians : let him giue it to any portugall whosoeuer , they were all contented . the day following the bishop returned to the assembly , and without any answer to the deputies demaund , hee saide vnto them in the kings behalfe ; that his highnes vnderstood that some of the councell were mistaken , supposing the accord whereof he had made mention should be betwixt the king of castill , & the duchesse of bragance ; which being contrarie , he thought it good to explaine his meaning , that the accord which he laboured , was betwixt the king of castill and these realmes , and to let them vnderstande that sentence was readie to be giuen in fauour of the king of castill , and therefore they shoulde consider how much more fit it were to ende it by accorde then by sentence , that they shoulde well consider of that which he had sent to be deliuered vnto them , for being a matter so important to the realme , it was necessarie that all should be capable . the bishop being departed , many of the deputies grewe in choler , some of them saying , that the bishop ( affected vnto philip ) had forged this embassage of himselfe , and that it was not credible , the king had deliuered it thus vnto him . many spoke freely , and some sought to interrupt him before hee had ended , seeming vnto them that the king not answering their demaunde , made small account of this assemblie , saying , that he coulde be no iust iudge of this cause , seeing he had declared his intention : but weighing better if they should confesse that he had pronounced it as a king and iudge , they were bound to obey , they beganne to say , he had made no declaration , holding it in suspence . they sent to the assemblie of the clergie , to let them vnderstand what had passed , and to complaine , and to the king likewise , to demaund an answer , who ( answering them that he woulde sende ) did presse them to rest satisfied , and to commit the care of this resolution to some fewe of them ; whereunto the deputies woulde not agree , fearing least the authoritie of the pretendents might force them , or corrupt the iudges , protesting openly that they woulde neither conuent nor accord with the castillians : but king henry seeing the deputies obstinately forcing an aunswere to their demaund , finding he coulde neither drawe them to composition , nor to compremit the matter to fewe , fearing if hee shoulde pronounce the sentence , they woulde make some exception , resolued to make short , to graunt that which they demaunded : for which cause he sent backe the bishop the thirde time , who with a more pleasing audience then before , saide vnto them in the kings behalfe . that seeing the accord he had propounded did not seeme pleasing vnto them as vnto his highnes , he woulde make no other motion , but woulde admit them to pleade the interest they had in the kings election , giuing them notwithstanding but two daies libertie to produce their reasons ; the deputies glad of this answere , sent to kisse the kings hand for this fauour , crauing leaue to draw some auncient writings out of the records , requiring more libertie of time , the which he would not graunt , referring them to the soueraigne magistrate for the writings . the portugals were puffed vp with hope , by this permission to elect a king at their owne pleasure , and therefore many more hastily then they should , declared themselues , protesting they would rather yeeld to any then to the castillians : and not onely the common people , but many of the nobilitie said the same , whereof many shewing themselues too seditious , were banished the assemblies , whereas such as seconded the kings will ( besides the promises of the catholike kings agents ) were fauoured and rewarded by henrie . the pretendents to the succession were discontented with the kings inclination , some complayned , others dissembled : the duke of bragance relied greatly vpon his wiues title : the bishop of parma comming to the assembly of states , complayned publikely of the king with graue wordes , to whom emanuell de sosa made a wise answere , assuring him of the kings intent to doe iustice : whilest the matter stoode vpon these termes , the king grew so weake as he could not rise from his bed , giuing signes of a short life , yet did he not leaue to the hower of his death to prouide for all things necessarie . at that time the duke of bragance thought it fit to send katherine his wife to almeryn to visite henrie , & to perswade him to declare her heire to the crowne , the which he did , with small content to henrie to whom she spake freely : this her comming ( the archbishop of euora vncle to the duke , hauing at the same time giuen a prebend of the same church of great reuenue to paul alphonso ) bred matter of iealousie , in such as were affected to the catholique king , who not knowing the qualitie of this doctor , and the obedience , wherewith they keepe the kings commaundements , charged him not to haue perfourmed such offices with the dutchesse , as were conformable to henries commission ; who drawning neere vnto midnight passed into an other life , a thing woorthie to be noted , that he began to die in the beginning of the ecclipse of the moone , he died with the end thereof , as if that the celestiall signe had wrought that effect in him ( being a king of a weake bodie ) which it doth not in stronger , or at the least , not so suddenly as astrologians doe write ; neither is the hower to be neglected , being the same wherein he was borne , . yeeres before . the religious which were at his death , saide , that he was alwaies talking : about ten of the clocke hee demaunded howe the time went , and being told , he desired some rest , and that they should call him before eleuen . so as being turned on the other side , he remained somtime , but being called by the religious , he asked againe what it was a clocke & being answered that it was eleuen , o giue me ( said he ) that candell , for now my hower is come , and taking it in his hand , died soone after , hauing raigned seuenteene moneths : this was the last king of portugall , in whom ended the direct masculine line : and as the first lord of portugall , although vnder the title of an earle was called henrie , so doth it seeme the last should be so termed : he was thin of bodie , small of stature , and leane of his face ; as for his wit it was indifferent , indued , ( besides the latine toong , ) with some knowledge . he was alwaies held to be chast , and did neuer blemish this angelicall vertue , but with the desire of marriage in his latter daies : he was accounted sparing , giuing rather then denying , for he refused seldome , but he gaue sparingly ; he was ambitious of all iurisdiction , as well ecclesiasticall , as ciuil , zealous in religion , and the faith , yet in the reformation of religious persons , he was more stricte then was conuenient . he was bishop , gouernour of the realme , inquisitor maior , legate apostolique , and king. but the more he mounted , the more he discouered his incapacitie ; suffering himselfe in greatest matters to be ruled by his ministers , not being able to determine the cause of the succession . opinions were grafted in him with great obstinacie , retayning a continuall remembrance of wrongs , so as iustice was in him but an iniust execution of his owne passions : and for this cause a religious man ( whom he had pressed to take vpon him a most strict course of life ) said vnto him , that he would obey , seeing there was no humaine helpe against his commandements , seeing he had the wil of a man , the authority of a pope , & the execution of a king . finally he was indued with great vertues & with fewer & lesse vices , yet were they equal , for he had the vertues of an ecclesiasticall person , and the defects of a prince : during his life , he was feared of many , and beloued of few , so as no man lamented his death , onely such as were well affected ( desiring the cause had beene first decided before his decease ) had some feeling . these things happened in almeryn , where suddenly the fiue named gouernours did assemble to prouide for that , which should be necessarie , tearming themselues gouernours and protectors of the realme of portugal : but in this beginning , after the kings death they feared some mutinie of the people , both at almeryn , and at lisbone ; neither did the gouernours themselues , nor the catholique kings agents thinke themselues secure : they hated the assembly of the deputies of the realme , which were continued at saint arem , both for that they held it as a superiour councell , as also fearing it might cause some insurrection of the people , and therefore they did still abuse them with words differing from their meanings : for which cause they sent martin gonzalues de la camera , a gentleman of the church , who in the time of sebastian , held the first place in the gouerument of the realme , which he could not continue : for although he were not couetous of riches , but full of integritie , yet was he seuere and hard to be intreated , that they held him inexorable : him they sent being a popular man and contrarie to the catholike king , whose words they thought should be of more credit then any others : hauing particularly reported the kings death , hee said that the gouernours chosen at the last estates , began to looke vnto the gouernment , and to giue order for things necessarie to the realme : and although the death of king henrie were a great losse , yet being in heauen , he would mediate for them , and that they should rest assured that with the greatest zeale and loue to their countrey they could , they would indeuour to doe iustice , as well to those of the realme , in the pretention they had to the election , as also to the pretendents to the succession : that they would deliuer them all writings whereof they had neede , exhorting them to treat with peace , and loue , without causing of any mutinie , were it neuer so small , in any mans fauour ; and for the better ordering of that which concerned the common good , they were well pleased they should put them in minde of any thing which they thought necessarie . hauing ended this speech , all men keeping silence , phoebus moniz answered that they were all assured , that of the fiue gouernours three were suspect : for when the king laboured to bring the states to make agreement with king philip , they were not onely conformable to the will of henrie , but did vrge them , and commended this resolution without respect of the libertie of the realme , seeking onely to please the kings humour , and their owne interest : which being , it was not reasonable to suffer such suspected gouernours , whom they were not bound to obey , and this was the opinion of them all . martin replied that he was not of opinion they should then alter any thing , for in steed of helping , they should heape danger vpon danger , and trouble vpon trouble , that for a while , they should be lookers on , and if in time they should finde the gouernours not to doe their duety as they ought , they might then helpe with the same remedie , seeing they had alwaies authoritie to doe it : whereunto , although phoebus moniz answered , that this remedie could not alwais be applied , for that the councel could not stil be vnited , for the great charges they were at ; yet the reasons of martin gonzalues were of such force , that they resolued not to alter the gouernours , as a matter scandalous , but accepting what they had sent to be said vnto them , that they should aduise what they thought necessarie , they began suddenly to set downe in writing such articles as they would haue perfourmed by the gouernours : the which were , that leauing the aboade at almerin they should goe to saint arem , to be neerer neighbours , more in quiet and in greater safetie ; that for the auoiding of charge and scandall , they should discharge the souldiers as vnnecessarie : that presently they should sende ambassadors to the catholique king , that as gouernours of the realme , they would do iustice to the pretendents in the cause of succession , the which his maiestie should beleeue , not suffering within his realme any attempt against portugall : that they should presently prouide for the fortresses of the realme , as well vpon the sea , as in other places , sending trustie captaines , garrisons , and necessarie munition , and to euerie prouince men of great authoritie , to force men to defend and succour the weaker parts , that they should send some vnto his holines , giuing him to vnderstand the kings death , their succession to the gouernment of the realme , for the defence thereof against any one that would vsurpe it , contrarie to equitie , against the sentence which should be pronounced touching the succession , beseeching him to write to the catholique king to rest satisfied , and to be bound to stand to iudgement : they did vrge them to take information by way of iustice , against those , that in the cause of succession did suborne with promises of money & honours , and also such as were suborned , hauing knowledge that there were many such : whereunto the gonernors answered , that they would presently depart from almeryn , but whither ; it was not expedient then to say , and that it shoulde be conformable to the demaund of the citie of lisbone . they saide that they woulde not discharge the souldiers being leuied by the commandement of king henry , for the guard of his court , and of the pretendents : that some hauing refused to carrie this embassage into castill , yet in the ende they had chosen gaspard de casale , bishop of coimbra , and emanuel de melo who prepared to go : that alreadie they had commaunded al captaines to remaine in their fortresses , & where there were none they were prouiding , as also of armes , both in the fortresses vpon the riuer , as in all other prouinces : that it seemed not necessarie to send to rome , but if king philip made shewe to stirre , they woulde beseech his holines , to doe as he hath beene accustomed , and that they woulde proceede with all the rigour against such as shoulde be found culpable in the matter of subornation . now had the agents of the catholique king sent newes into castill , of king henry his death , and were remaining still at almerin , fearing some alteration : but this people accustomed to a heauie yoke , without knowledge of libertie did not stirre . the duke of bragance saide vnto the gouernours , that he was readie to obey , and that they should proceed to sentence for the succession : he sent to the duke of ossuna , and the catholique agents , willing them not to feare any thing , that he woulde assure them from danger , offering them his lodging , the like did the gouernors . whilest these things passed in almerin , anthony prior of crato , who at the kings death was not far from thence , ran vnto lisbone , lodging himselfe in a garden neere vnto the citie : he did write vnto the magistrate of the chamber , and to many of the chiefe , signifying vnto them that hee was there , and that they shoulde come vnto him : the which the magistrate vnderstanding disdained , sending him worde that he shoulde retire , but making no reckoning thereof , he sent both into the citie and places of pleasure thereabouts , some of his followers , who , both in priuate and in publike gaue out , that the king was dead , and that the prior expected them there , beleeuing by that meanes ( for the affection the people bare him ) they woulde all iointly proclaime him king : which being done in that citie ( which is the principall ) all the rest of the realme ( for he was greatly beloued ) would follow their example , yet he was soone deceiued . and this may serue as an example to those which relie too much vpon the vulgar sort , for there was not any one that durst come vnto him but in secret ; and as for gentlemen there were none by reason of the plague : as for the new christians which are there in great number ( whereof a part was likewise abroad ) they wanted courage , and being rich , feared to doe that which might cause the losse of their goods . the people ( most base ) of themselues had no commander , that could mooue them or lead them , so as hauing labored by diuers meanes to draw men to his deuotion , & finding his practise not to succeed , hauing spent some time there , he went to the monasterie of belem , from whence he did write to the councel of states , with words more conformable to the qualitie of time , then his intention ; saying , that hauing intelligence of the death of the king his lord , vnderstanding likewise that his bodie should be transported to that monasterie , and that not to faile of his dutie , he was come thither to attend it , seeing he could not be in time to accompanie it , the which he had done that perfourming this last office , he might doe them the seruice he ought : but vnderstanding that he was not brought thither , he had assisted the fathers in their sacrifices and deuotions recommending him vnto god : and as a true portugall , and mindfull of the bond , which ( as sonne and nephewe to his father and grandfather ) he had to the quiet and preseruation of these realmes , he thought it good to aduertise them , that he was readie to expose for this cause , not onely his life , and receiue the lawes which they should please to lay vpon him , but also in all present occasions to liue in submission & due obedience , not any way transgressing their commissions : he protested to shew the innocencie of those crymes imposed vpon him in the sentences , which it had pleased his vncle to pronounce against him togither with the interest hee had to the suceession of the realme : hee promised to yeeld himselfe into their hands and protection , relying vpon those persons , who by the special grace of god in so afflicted a season , had been chosen as a remedie to restore this realme , referring himselfe for the rest to lewis de brito who should deliuer it by mouth : to this letter the which was receiued in councell , cōtrarie to the aduise of some who said it ought not to be accepted , brito added that the prior would be there with speede , that they should cōmaund where they pleased he should lodge : they answered that he might come when he pleased , yet they would not intermeddle with his lodging , but leaue it to his owne choice : but almost all in generall were pleased with his cōming . he staied not long but presently vpon his arriuall , he presented the popes bull contayning the suspension of the kings sentence , he began to renue the pretention of his legitimation ( without the finall decision wherof they said they could not treat of the succession ) wanting no hope to obtaine by the councell of states that which before he did expect from the multitude at lisbone : the deputies of the realme did assemble daily at saint arem , without effecting any thing of importance : they spent some daies onely in sending to visit the pretendents , and their deputies , & to make vnto them offers of iustice , and likewise to receiue from them thanks for their good dispositions , wherin all aboured to shew themselues protectors of the libertie of the realme , and most of all such as least desired it : and for that the going and comming to almeryn was very incōmodious , being forced to passe the water without a bridge , that by this reason in communicating the affaires to the rest of the states , that is , to the cleargie and nobilitie , & by treating with the gouernours they lost much time , it was propounded in councel to reduce all togither , yet could they not effect it , for manie of the deputies began to want money for their ordinarie charges , desiring rather to be dismissed , then vnited : they desired to depart , saying , that they were not furnishèd frō their cities , but as they were not discharged , so were they not relieued with money : & although balthasar de faria deputie of barcellos , the pryor of saint steuens , and the bishop of parma , euerie one apart did offer money to such as wanted , that the assembly might not be dissolued , yet the deputies vnfurnished would not accept thereof , not willing to be bound in their owne proper names , for that their cities were bound to furnish them : besides in this assembly the opinions were diuers & few inclined to fauour the pretention of the catholike king ; many knew not what to resolue , & a great part were affected to the prior , but all in generall feared the gouernors & mistrusted their proceedings , so as besides the aduertisements they sent daily vnto them , they did solicite the execution , making new demaunds & pressing them aboue al to discharge the soldiers : they demanded a copie of the authority to gouerne left them by king henrie , & the words of his will which concernes the point of succession , the which were wholy deliuered vnto them ; his wil was made . moneths before , & cōtained these words : seeing at the time of my will making i haue no descendents directly to succeed to the crowne of these realmes , and haue called my nephewes which may pretend , and haue put the matter of succession in iustice , i do not at this time declare who shall be my successor , but leaue it vnto him to whom by right it shall appertaine , & him i doe declare my heire & successor , except that before my decease , i shall name him that hath this interest : and therefore i command all men within these my realmes of what quality soeuer , that presētly after i or the iudges appointed shal haue named him , to acknowledge him for heir & lawful successor , & so to obey him . there followed many other words in recōmendation of iustice & religiō , but they serued not to this purpose . and although his wil contained these words , yet they say the king at his death would haue resourmed it , & declared the catholike king successour of the realme : but the gouernors desirous to hold the gouernment for a time in their own hands , did diuert him , saying , that whether he made any declaration or not , no other then the catholike king could succeed both by law & force : that it was not expediēt to nominate him , to the end that the realme might with greater aduantage capitulate & agree with him : many supposed that they did not disswade the king from this declaration so much for these reasons , as fearing it would breed som popular sedition to their hurt , being held as autors of the said declaration . the limitation which he had left to the gouernors contained , that they could not create dukes , marquesses , earles , barons , bishops , nor archbishops , nor giue any commandery nor reuenue which passed . duckats . but in matters of war & reuolutions they might doe & giue any thing with the aduise of the councel & not otherwise . the deputies being satisfied with these writings , whilest they debated the reasons of their pretended election , stephen lopez doctor & deputy of portalegré , spake publikely amongst them , who hauing shewed how fit it were to giue god thanks for the quiet they now enioyed , said it was not necessary to continue so many deputies stil together , with so much trouble & so great charge , that they should be reduced vnto few , & the rest returne to their houses . and for as much as they were aduertised that the catholique king began to arme , they should surcease from the cause of succession , vntill the said king had dismissed his forces , and the preparatiues for war he had made , for by that meanes the free libertie to treat of the cause , and for the pretendents to alleage their interest was taken away : that by the suspension of the cause , they shall discouer the catholique kings disposition in laying aside armes : if he doe it , it shall breed these good effects : that in the meane time they shall haue leisure to prouide for things necessarie , to gather in the fruits of the earth , and the pretendents shall liue in peace and quiet : if he refuse it ( which we ought not to beleeue of so christian a prince ) then shall they be satisfied , and both the states and the pretendents ( vnited in one bodie , ) may the better defend themselues , and when as all things were quietly setled , then to determine the cause , disabling notwithstanding before all things , the saide catholique king ( who vsing force when as iustice is offered him ) for being king of these realmes : and this he said was the disposition of the lawe , that in the meane time they should commaund the pretendents to the crowne to make their residence in diuers places , the one at elues , and the other at begia , as fronter townes , swearing not to attempt any thing one against the other . the reasons of this doctor as a man of small account were not followed , but the councell being resolued with two others of the states to send six deputies to almerin to treat of matters of importance with the gouernours : thither they sent them with instructions different from this fourme of speech , videlicet , that the gouernours should passe to saint arem , and there make their residence to take a view what armes , men , and munition the citie of lisbone had for their defence , & to supply what wanted , to take notice what captaines be appointed in the fortresses vpon the riuer of lisbone , and being suspected , or not valiant , to place others with men and other necessaries : that they should send armes to all cities of the realme , and traine vp their men with exercise thereof ; that they should beseech the pope by his ambassadours to perswade all the pretendents to take the course of iustice , and lay aside armes vpon paine to loose the interest they pretend , requiring that emanuell de portugal purueyor of the fortresses of the realme might be restored to the same office , whereof the king had suspended him , and that they should do the like to diego salema , and to aluaro de morais in their offices in the chamber of lisbone : and for that they found themselues tobee vnfurnished , they would haue all the ships & vessels staied throughout all the ports of the realme for the conducting of things necessarie for the war. the gouernors made but a cold answere to these demands , as they had done before to all others , saying , that being matters of so great importāce they would consider of them first , & then aduertise them what should be done . the cheriffe had as it is said before in the life of king henrie , and at the instance of the catholique king deliuered the duke of barcellos , who hauing passed the streight to returne into portugall , being arriued at gibralter where ( as afterwardes at saint lucar ) the duke of medina sidonia lord of those places did him great honour , by meanes whereof he spent sometime in sports : at this time the newes comming of king henries death , the duke of medina thought it a matter importing the catholique king , to deteine the saide duke of barcellos as eldest sonne to the duke of bragance , and of katherine chiefe pretendent to the realme , vntill the cause of the succession were decided , so as the sports before shewed vnto the saide duke in courtesie were now redoubled for this other intent , detayning him expresly , vntill he might receiue answere from the king , so as shewing him first one place , and then another , this yoong prince was taken vnawares : but the duke of medina hauing staied certaine carriages , vnder colour to shew him some feastes , he then conceiued the cause of his detaining , and wrote foorthwith vnto his father in portugall , that he should not then expect him , and that his detention should not any way preiudice the rights of the realme , preferring iustice before his owne life : this letter being come into portugall was by the duke his father sent vnto the assembly of the states , shewing on the one side a griefe for the detayning of his sonne , and on the other side a contentment , that in so yong an age , he was so great a louer of his countries good , offering if need were to sacrifice him for the seruice of the realme : yet this feare of the dukes continued not long , for hauing written to his son that he should labour to come away , or they should make declaration of his staie , he was suffered freelie to depart ; for so the king had commaunded . some say that philip had long before this consideration , hauing meanes to stay him , not onely in spaine , but also in affrique , but fearing to incense the portugals , and desirous to make the duke his friend , he had procured his release in affrick , and suffered him safely to depart from andoluzia into portugall : yet the said duke of barcellos or his father , by whose commaundement he was directed , was noted of some ingratitude , for being inuited by philip to passe by his court as desirous to see him , the iealousie of the state of these realmes preuayled so much that he did not satisfie his desire , but tooke his direct way to villauizosa , fearing perhaps a new detention . these things passed in portugall when as in castill the catholique king beeing aduertised by his agents of the death of king henrie , of the small affection the portugals bare vnto him , of the liuely pretention of authonie and other pretendents , and to what estate the matter was brought , was greatly discontented , seeming he should be forced to take armes for the obtaining of the conclusion of his interest . but desirous to satisfie his conscience in the effecting thereof , he had formerly the aduise of diego de chiaues of the order of preaching fryers , being his confessor , and of some other principall diuines of that order , and yet not well satisfied with their opinions , least he should seeme onely to follow the aduise of the dominical fryers ; he desired likewise to treat with other orders of religious persons , and to that intent he sent one to acquaint the chiefe deuines in spaine with the cause , and to demaund their aduise : this care perfourmed , not only with the chiefe prelates and readers in diuinitie , but with the iesuits and the fryers of saint francis , all agreede that the kings right being so apparant he was not bound to represent it otherwise then out of iudgement to king henrie , as he had done , and to make his councell and the rest of the realme of portugall capable thereof , such as with sinceritie of hart would vnderstand the truth , and by the mildest meanes , procure ( as he had done ) that henry should declare him successor , & if these diligent proceedings were not sufficient to perswade the king and the realme ; that then philip had sufficiently iustified his cause , and that he might assure himselfe by armes , without thrusting the succession ( which was due vnto him ) into euident perill , his person being as it is saide , soueraigne , exempt , and free from all reprehension , and onely bound to iustifie his right before god , and to signifie it to the king and the realme , saying , that this point was now without all doubt , since the death of henrie , no man liuing that could pretend any interest in the decision of the cause . it appertained not to the pope , being a matter wholy temporall , nor agreeing with the circumstances , which may giue him any right ouer temporall matters ; and lesse to the emperour , beeing no way acknowledged by the realmes of castill and portugall , and much lesse to certaine iudges named by henrie , for besides that he could not choose any after his death , they were now become the materiall partie , and the thing it selfe whereon they pleaded : besides that all the realme was become insufficient , when as making themselues a partie , they pretended power to choose a prince , & although all this ceased , yet would they prooue that no portugall but was suspect in this cause , & to be excepted against for the manifest hatred they bare to the castillian nation : they found likewise that he was not bound to submit himselfe to any compremise ; for besides the difficultie and impossibilitie to finde a trustie person in so dangerous and iealous a cause as this is , the bond of compremise is not incident but in a matter of doubt , and the definition of doubt is when as the aduocate and doctors conclude , not for any partie finding equiualent reasons for either : but in this , all being of one agreement , the cause is not doubtfull nor to be compremitted . the king being resolued to take armes ( hauing no possession deliuered vnto him ) prouided for it , for this cause he writ to the gouernors , to the three estates , and to the fiue principall cities , to all of one subiect , but in diuerse formes ; after he had lamented the death of his vncle , he required them to receaue and sweare him king , as king henry had resolued , and declared him to be ; he thanked the nobility and clergie for their good affection showne , when as henrie had said that the succession appertained vnto him ; he made offer to all and threatned cunningly ; he sent to the gouernors a copie of the priuiledges which king henry had required in the behalfe of the realme , offering to graunt them more amplie then they had bene demaunded , protesting , if they would not obey to vse force : but all these things were receiued and reiected according to the humors of men . the gouernors made aunswere they could not resolue vntill the returne of their ambassadours which they had sent vnto them : at this time there was readie at sea as well in spaine as in italie about threescore gallies , ( whereof aluaro de bassan marques of saint croix was generall ) the which should saile towards portugall , as the occasion of the time should serue ; there was yet no generall named for this enterprise , and euerie man greedilie expected who should be chosen , for that few were thought fit for so great a burthen . the duke of alua was generallie held most sufficient , yet few beleeued that the king would willingly free him from prison : the marques of mondegiar ( who was returned from the gouernment of naples ) affected this charge , & many beleeued he should preuaile , in recompence of the discontentment he had to be drawen from italy : many beleeued the king would goe to this war in person , both for the inclination they see in him , as for some other signes which were apparant , for he not only caused his armes and pauillions to be readie , but also commaunded ferrant de silua conte de cifuentes , guidon maior of castill with the standard royall to furnish himself ; the which in that realme is not accustomed to be carried , but in the squadron where the king is in person : but in this case it behooued him to remaine irresolute , and to gouerne himselfe according to the necessitie and occasions which time should discouer : in this hope of things the king commaunded a secretarie of the councell of warre to write to the duke of alua , demaunding of him if he were able to serue in this enterprise , whereunto making answere that in that which concerned his maiestie , he neuer made reckoning of his health , hee was commaunded to prepare himselfe within three daies and to goe to the campe , the which he putting in execution , he went to barrazas , a village ten miles from the court , ( which was at madrill , ) hauing no leaue to come thither : but that which caused admiration , the king hauing at the same time caused the prince diego his sonne to be sworne by all the estates in a chappell , although with ordinarie ceremonies , yet with lesse pompe then of custome , did not admit the saide duke to the oath , being so neere and so great a personage : he did neither write vnto him , nor treated with him concerning these warres but long after : so as the duke marching with the armie , finding himselfe not fully released from the prison wherein he had beene , saide that the king had sent him to conquer realmes , drawing after him chaines and fetters ; such was the seueritie of philip , and the obedience of so great a minister . all spaine was pleased with this election , for besides the deliuery of the duke which followed , they esteemed not the valour of their soldiers , without a commaunder to their mindes , and in the dukes person they helde any armie good . the generall being dispatched , the king prouided all things for his iourney into portugall , he caused a daughter borne at that time , to be secretly baptized , and hauing made the saide prince of castill to be sworne ( without calling , or the presence of ferrant de sylua , to his great discontentment ) the king went to guadalupa , being now the time of lent , vnder colour to performe the obsequies of king henry there , and so to draw neere vnto portugall to giue encouragement to his affaires ; and thus did he write to all the principall cities in spaine . he departed from madrill in coach almost all alone without giuing order for the queenes departure , or for the officers of his courte , notwithstanding cherishing her dearely . after he had passed two daies ( seeming conuenient , and a great signe of amitie that being now to enter into portugall ) he shoulde be accompanied with his queene , he called her vnto him . the duke was now gone to glierena where a part of his armie lay , being in farre lesser numbers then had beene leuied , for that discommodities and sicknesse had consumed many , and many places were voide by the captaines pollicie , being in all but fower thousand fiue hundreth italians , three thousand fiue hundreth germaines , and three thousand spaniards come out of italy , and other seauen thousand newly raised , with fifteene hundreth horse , which being a body long before prepared , for a matter so well foreseene , seemed to him but small . but the duke trusting more to the qualitie then the quantitie of his soldiers , desired to haue them fewer , and of more experience , and these seemed in a manner all without knowledge , and therefore the king at his entreatie commanded , that all the soldiers which were come out of flaunders into italy , should passe into spaine , being such whom he knew , and had tried in the warres , yet they arriued not in time but returned backe . the duke saide that surmounting the enimie in horse , he would vndertake this warre with twelue thousand foote well experienced , neither did he value the great number of the portugals which assembled , as it was giuen out , making reckoning to waste them by policie , & to conquer them without battaile . the king being come to guadalupa , there arriued the bishop of coimbra and emanuel de melo embassadors from the gouernours of portugall . the king with his councell were doubtfull in what sort to honor them , some would haue them treated like subiects , without respecting them as embassadors : others would not haue any thing altered of the ordinarie course obserued in those causes ; yet not to discourage them , it was resolued they should be heard as embassadors with their heads couered , and that the king should put off his hat , yet the king had written before to the gouernors , that he would treat with their commissaries as with subiects . these laboured by a long speech to perswade the king to lay aside armes : they saide that king henry had greatly desired to end the question of succession , by the ordinarie course of iustice , but that death had preuented him : he had in the states held at lisbone in the yeere . not onely chosen gouernors and defenders of the realme , but the states had also named fower & twentie iudges , ( whereof the king had chosen eleuen ) to iudge definitiuely the cause of succession , if he died before the effecting it ; the which after hapned , and that the matter being brought to that passe , the realme remained quiet and peaceable , resolute to obey , and acknowledge for their lord and king , him in whose fauour sentence should be giuen , conformable to the oath which the whole realme had taken in the said estates : the which was after ministred to the same gouernors in the great church at lisbone , when as the coffer ( which contained the nomination ) was opened , and therefore they were readie to administer iustice , and to acknowledge for king , him vnto whom the realme shoulde be iudged by right to appertaine : and being thus affected , they beseeched his maiesty to command his embassadors to assist iudicially to the cause in the conclusion thereof : but the king being assured of his right , prouided of forces , and seeming no blot to his conscience , made answere that he was well pleased with the shew of zeale to the publike good of these realmes , and that he was perswaded that what they had propounded , proceeded from a good inclination : that he would haue bin glad their demand had bin such as he might haue satisfied them , the which he wil do alwaies in matter that shall be iust , & tending to the generall or particular good of these realmes . but the equitie of his cause being so apparant to the world , & remaining no lawfull or competent iudge , they neither ought nor could performe the oath which they saide they had taken , seeing it were an apparant preiudice to his title , and a domage to his owne realmes : and therefore he entreated them presently to resolue , to receiue and sweare him for their king and lord , as god would haue it , they themselues knowing ( chiefly touching this matter ) what king henry thought , determined , and had resolued , and the bond where by they were tied to obey his will : in dooing whereof he woulde grant vnto the realme not onely the priuileges which he had set downe ( the which the duke of ossuna should offer in his name ) but any other they should require , being iust and reasonable , & hoping they woulde take that course which was to be expected from wise men , and christians , he would continue his determination . the embassadors seemed not satisfied with this answere , but demanding leaue to impart it to the gouernors , they accompanied the king vntill he came to merryda . now were the gouernors in portugall ( wearied with the councell of the states ) desirous to dissolue them , and hauing first required a prolonging of the gouernment the king had left vnto them , and not obtaining it , they did signifie vnto them that the states were ended , & that the deputies might returne to their houses , leauing only ten of them to treat of matters which should fal out , for so small a number might lodge any where , being now forced to leaue almeryn , and to take some small place neere the citie of lisbone , being greatly entreated thereunto : but the deputies ( who had sent iohn de noghera to the vniuersitie of coimbra , to studie the point of their pretēded election ) hauing receiued answer that the election belonged to the states of the realme , they woulde by no meanes be dissolued , perswaded thereunto by the bishop of parma , the prior , the chamber of saint arem , and many particulars , offring money to supply their wants : but they opposed in vaine . for although they had sent to the gouernors to alleage their reasons in law , labouring to prooue that the states were not to be dissolued , & that their procurations were offorce ; yet the gouernors did againe disable them , saying , their authorities were of no force , so as many began to separate themselues , and returne to their houses . the gouernors prepared to defend themselues , for although the greatest part of them were not of that opinion ; yet to content the people , and to please the other gouernors and gentlemen of the popular faction , it behooued them so to do . for this cause they armed their gallions , they brought armes from other countries , they mustred men for the warre , they sent gentlemen throughout all the prouinces of the realme , and laboured to imploy such as ( contrarie to the catholique kings faction being present ) hindered their resolutions , who willingly accepted of these charges , seeming to haue greater confidence in them then in any other . diego de meneses was sent into the prouince beyond tagus ; iohn de vasconcello ; into beira ; emanuel of portugall into the mouth of tagus ; and many other to diuers parts of the realme : george de meneses had charge of the armie at sea ; so as they were all dispersed , and the gouernors had good meanes to effect their desires : yet martyn gonzalues de la camera , no lesse popular then the rest , remained in court , of whom the gouernors grew iealous , that hauing imploied him as a mediator betweene them and the states of the realme , he was become a superior . but the prouision and preparatiues that were made ( although some vsed all care and diligence ) seemed rather done for shew and fashion sake then to any effect . in castill they discoursed vpon the manner of this enterprise , seeming , impossible vnto the duke to gather togither so many carriages as was necessarie for the conduct of victuals and munition , and therefore deuised to transport his forces by sea : he determined with few men to keepe them busied in extremadure to diuert them , and vnder colour to hasten the armie , to march towards andelouzia , and speedily to imbarke his soldiers at saint marie port , to assaile the entrie of the mouth of lisbone , in despite of all the fortresses that were there : making account to loose some ships which should by chaunce touch . but receiuing certaine aduertisement , by men expresly sent into portugall , that there was aboue six thousand chariots to be founde , he left this dangerous resolution , more for the regard of the sea then the enimies . he determined to march to settuual thinking it necessary to win a port of the sea of so great importāce , for the harboring of the nauie : for cōming thither laden with victuals , & he not able to carrie with him by land aboue a moneths prouision , it seemed necessarie to ioine the forces & prouisions of the sea to them of the land , and that therein consisted the victorie : with this resolution he went to merrida , where the king remained , of whom being receiued with a cheerefull countenance , they treated what course the armie should take . there grew some diuersitie of opinion betwixt the duke and some others , who ( perswaded by some confident portugals ) would haue the armie march to almeryn , and there passe tagus at a foord , or at saint arem vpon bridges : that they should force that place being but weake , and so they might passe safely to the wals of lisbone , the which without attending any batterie would yeeld presently , or ( it may be ) before their arriuall : for taking from them the victuals from the plaines of saint arem , they should not onely besiege them by famine , but they shoulde so furnish their armie with corne , that they shoulde haue no neede of prouision from the fleete , the which they should better receiue at lisbone then at settuual , without hazarding the enteprise , and the armie by the dangers of disimbarking , which ( going to settuual ) they must be forced to do against the forts vpō the mouth of the riuer , and with losse of time in winning of them : this opinion seemed so grounded , that it required no lesse authoritie or arte to disprooue then the dukes , who being chiefe of this enterprise , and to hazard his reputation , drew the king to his opinion . philip had likewise enuironed ( as a man may say ) all the realme of portugall with armes , though not with mercenarie soldiers , yet with such as they coulde assemble togither ; he commanded all noblemen , whose liuings ioined to the confines of this realme , that hauing enrolled the greatest number of their subiects able to beare armes , they shoulde be readie at his commandement , yet in the meane time they shoulde receiue gently in his name the cities and subiects of portugall that woulde obey him . in gallicia peter de castro earle of lemos , and gaspard de fonsequa earle of monteré had the charge : against the prouince behinde the mountaines , iohn pimentel earle of benneuent , and diego de tolledo earle of alua : in estremadura , beltramo dela cueua , duke of albequerque , and ferrant anriques marquesse of villa noua : against vera , iohn pacheco marquesse of seraluo ; and in algarues , frauncis de suniga duke of besar , and alonso de gusman of medina cidonia . in the armie where the duke of alua was commander of all , both at sea and at land , the places were thus deuided : the italians had three coronels , prosper colonna , vincent caraffa , and charles spinelli , hauing for generall peter de medicy , brother to frauncis the great duke of tuscaine , with whom was sent by the saide great duke lewes d'ouara , whom the king had made one of his councellers at warre . sanches d'auila was lord marshall of the field : there was no commaunder of the horse , the captaines being all noblemen and men of account , they could not conueniently make them subiect to any one of their companions , the place requiring a man of such qualitie , as he coulde not be inferior to the duke , and superior to the saide captaines , although after in time of necessitie ferrant of tolledo , sonne to the saide duke , was made their leader : count ierome of lodron commaunded the germaines , frauncis d'allaua had his ordinarie charge as generall of the artillerie , but although the preparations were brought to this point , yet the king daily protested by his ministers to the gouernors , of the inconueniences of the warre , if they deliuered not the realme in peace vnto him ; neither did they cease to treate many things in portugall concerning an agreement , & for that the king rather desired to shew his forces , then to vse them , to conquer by gentlenes then by rigor , he offred vnto the realme many graces and priuileges deliuering him peaceable possession , and the gouernors ( the greatest part whereof enclined thereunto ) had alreadie debated with the agents of the catholique king , what conditions the king shoulde graunt vnto the realme , the which were published by the duke of ossuna , and signed with his hand , offring that the king should graunt them , in giuing him the crowne , and they were these : that the king should take a formall oath to obserue all the customes , priuileges , and liberties , graunted to these realmes by the kings his predecessors : that when there shall be neede to assemble the states for the affaires of portugall , it shall be done within the realme , and that in no other assemblie of states whatsoeuer : they shall neither propound nor resolue vpon any matter concerning these realmes : that appointing a viceroy to gouerne , or any persons with what title soeuer , they shall be portugals . the like is to be vnderstood in sending of a visitor or iudge , with this condition notwithstanding , for as much as concernes the authoritie of the realmes , and to do them a greater fauour , his maiestie and his successors may send for viceroy or gouernour one of the bloud royall , be he sonne , vncle , brother , cosen , or nephew to the king : besides , that all superior officers or inferior , belonging either to iustice , or to the reuenewes of the crowne , shall be distributed to portugals , and not to strangers : that all offices which haue beene in the times of former kings both of the court , and of the realme , shall be bestowed vpon the naturall borne , such as shall deserue the same when as his maiestie or his successors shall enter into the realme : and the like is to be vnderstood of all other dignities of what qualitie soeuer , either at sea or lande , which are at this present , or shall be heereafter created : the garrisons which shall remaine in any forts , shall be portugals . moreouer they saide that the traffike of the indies , ethiopia , and other places , appertaining to these realmes , being discouered , or to discouer , shall not be dismembred from the same , neither shall there be any other alteration made then is at this present : and that the officers and their ships which shall be emploied in these traffikes , shall be portugals , and shall saile in the ships of portugall . that the golde and siluer which shall be coined in these realmes and their dependancies , and all that which shall come from those prouinces , shall be coined with the armes of portugall without any other addition . that all bishopricks , abbeies , benefices , and pensions shall be giuen to portugals : and the like is to be vnderstoode of the office of inquisitor , maior of commaunderies , of the offices of militarie orders , of the priorie of crato : and finally of all other ecclesiasticall liuings , as hath beene formerly spoken of the temporall . he did yeelde there shoulde be no thirds exacted of ecclesiasticall goods , neither subsidies nor croysades , and that for any of these causes they should procure no buls : that they shoulde not giue either citie , towne , place , iurisdiction , nor roiall prerogatiue to other then to portugals : and falling any vacancie of the liuings of the crowne , his maiestie nor his successors should not reteine them for themselues , but giue them to the kinseman of him that did enioy him , or to other portugals that shall deserue them : prouided alwaies that the castillians and strangers which now liue in these realmes , and haue beene seruitors to the kings deceased , shall not be excluded : that in militarie orders nothing shal be altered of the state it now stands in : that gentlemen shall be paide their pensions amounting to twelue yeeres , and that his maiestie and his successors shall yeerely entertaine into his seruice two hundreth portugals , to whom he shal giue that paie which they call moradia ; and those which haue no title of gentlemen shall serue in the warres of the realme : that when his maiestie or his successors , shall come into those realmes , they shall not take vp their lodgings as they vse in castill , but shall obserue the custome of portugall . moreouer his maiestie in what place soeuer he shall be , shall carrie with him a man of the church , a superintendent of the reuenewes of the crowne , a high chauncellor , and two disambarcadours of the court , which iointly shall be called the councell of portugall , by whose meanes all matters shall be dispatched , with them shall go to clarkes of the reuenewes , and two of the chamber , for all occasions incident two their charge , all shall bee written in the portugall toong , and all shall be portugals : and when his maiestie or his successors shall come into portugall , he shall retaine the saide councell and officers , which shall be vnited to such as shall treate of the gouernment of the realme : that all correctors and other officers of iustice , with all other inferior offices , shall in the kings absence be disposed of in the realme , as they be at this present : & the like shall be vnderstood of the officers of purueyors , auditors of the reckonings , and others of the like qualitie , concerning the reuenewes of the crowne : he declared likewise , that all causes and charges appertaining to iustice of what qualitie or summe soeuer , should be definitiuely ended and executed in these realmes , as they be at this present : that his maiestie and his successors shall entertaine a chappell in manner and forme as the kings of these realmes haue formerly done , the which shall be resident at lisbone , that the diuine seruice may be continually celebrated with the accustomed ceremonies , except the kings person , or in his absence the viceroy or gouernour shall make his residence in some other part of the realme , and woulde haue there the saide chappell remaine : that his maiestie shall conformably admitte portugals to the offices of his house , according to the custome of burgundie , without any difference betwixt them , the castillians , and his subiects of other nations . that the queene shall likewise entertaine into her seruice , noblemen , and the chiefe ladies of portugall , whom she shall fauour and recompence , marrying them in portugall or in castill : that for the good of the people and generally of these realmes the encrease of traffique , and the good correspondencie with those of castill , his maiestie shall be pleased to open the barred hauens on both parties , that the marchandize may passe freely , as it hath formerly done before the impositions of such customes as are nowe paide : that he woulde commaund that all curtesies possible may be done for the bringing in corne into castill for the prouision of these realmes : that he shall commaund to be deliuered three hundred thousand duckats to be imploied for these causes following : first sixescore thousand for the redemption of captiues , at the disposition of the house of pittie at lisbone , the one halfe to be imploied for the redeeming of poore gentlemen , and the other halfe for ordinary persons , all portugals : one hundreth and fiftie thousand to make the ground of a stocke to be lent without interest whereas neede shall require , as it shall be disposed by the magistrate of the chamber of lisbone , and the thirtie thousand remaining , to cure the infirmitie that now raignes , which shall be distributed by order from the archbishop and chamber of lisbone . they saide likewise that touching the prouision which shall be made for armies sent to the indies , the defence of the realme , the punishment of pirats , and defence of the frontiers of affricke , his maiestie shall take such resolution as shall be conuenient within these realmes ; although it be with the helpe of his other countries , and the great expence of his roiall treasure . that in recompence of the loue , which the naturall borne of these realmes do beare vnto their princes , it would please the king to make his ordinarie abode there : and although the gouernment of his other realmes which god hath subiected vnto him , hinder the effect of this his desire , notwithstanding he promiseth to make the most aboad he can in this realme , and hauing no cause of hinderance , he will leaue the prince in his place , that being brought vp amongst the portugals , he may knowe , esteeme , and cherish them as his maiestie doth . this role was published throughout all the principall cities of the realmes , by the ministers of the catholique king ; adding thereunto , that if the portugals desired more , the king would grant them anything , supposing that as christians they would require nothing but iust and godly things , inferring ( it may be ) secretly , that they would not yeeld to points of the inquisition and of iustice . the fifth booke . the contents of the fifth booke . the fortification of the driehead , the confusion of matters within the realme , and of the gouernours : the catholique kings answere to the ambassadours of portugall , his expedition in the vniuersitie of alcala touching his entrie into the realme : the contrarietie of opinions whether the king should march with his armie in person or not : the recouerie of eluas and of olliuenza : the creating of antonie for king : the gouernours flight : the embassage of the duke of bragance to king philip , and his answere : the taking of villauizosa : the entrie of the armie into portugall : the yeelding vp of stremos . the portugals did not generally accept the offers made by the catholique king : for although three of the gouernours , the nobilitie , and the cleargie , did in their harts like of them , yet the thirde estate did blame them , saying , it was a rowle of deceipts , and a discouerie of philips small force : and that such as had framed these cōditions , were more inclined to their owne priuate profit then the good of the realme ; desiring still the cause might be ended by iustice . the gouernours therefore stil continue the preparation for defence , and had secretly sent francis barretto into fraunce , to let the christian king vnderstand their right , and the wrong the catholique king did them , seeking to possesse the realme by force , and to demaund the succour of six thousand foote , giuing commission to barretto to goe from thence to rome to beseech the pope , to mediate with the king a suspension of armes , and to binde himselfe to iudgement . they sent elizee of portugall into germanie , to satisfie the emperor , and other princes touching their defence , with manie iustifications , such force had their desire to choose a king after their owne humour , that seeking succours from forreine princes , it was the greatest care they vsed to shake off philips yoke , for that ( the which would seeme incredible ) euen in the life of king henrie , some gentlemen that were prisoners in affrick , had required aide of victuals and men from the cheriffe , although there were no likelihood he should graunt it , seeing that ( besides the diuersitie of lawes ) there was no amitie , nor other respect of state whatsoeuer could binde him vnto it . for although the vnion of these realmes vnder philip discontented him , yet being wise and of iudgement , it was not likely he should discouer himselfe against so mightie a neighbour , nor trust to the weake portugals , being offended , and ( as a man may say ) hauing their hands yet died with their bloud : they proceeded slowly with the preparation of their armies and fortifications both for want of money , and for the often disagreement of their ministers : and lewes caesar chiefe purueior , enclined to philip , cared not greatly to hasten the affaires , yea expresly ( sometimes with one let , sometimes with an other ) delaied them , so as they onely repaired the fortresses vpon the mouth of the riuer of tagus , and made new rampiers , in places where they might descend , putting greater garrisons in all places then was accustomed , and throughout all the citie of lisbone , they began to build many platformes , to plant artillerie , for the defence of the sea , making readie their gallions , and such other ships as they had : yet emanuel of portugall either not well satisfied with these fortifications , or being naturally enclined to seeme to haue more knowlegde then the rest ; resolued ( against the opinion of many well skilled in that acte ) to builde a forte in the midst of the riuer , at the mouth thereof ; for that being large in that place , ships should not passe but within shotte of their artillerie : it seemed vnto him that he had good meanes to effect it , for that neere to the place whereas it runs into the sea , there riseth a small flat hill of sand , but little discouered of the waters , the which they call cabesasecca , the which deuides the nauigation or entrie thereof into two parts , the one lying betwixt the iland and the left shoare ( hauing but a shallow chanell ) is not nauigable but at a full sea , and with small vessels : but the other which lies betwixt the iland and the banks on the right hand , is likewise deuided into two chanels by a shelfe which they call cacippo : that which lieth betwixt the right banke and the shelfe , is defended by the rocke or castell of saint iulian : the other which is betwixt the shelfe and the sandie hill , which they terme la carriera d'alcasoua , is not defended by any forte , neither can the artillerie of saint iulian reach so farre . emanuell woulde builde a forte in the iland to defend this passage : and although hauing digged deepe in the sand , he coulde finde no firme ground to settle his foundation , yet woulde not emanuell desist from his opinion , but hauing no meanes to builde it of stone , he raised it of woode , filling it with earth , the which he supplied with artillerie , and many other things necessarie , yet coulde he hardly furnish it with water , for that his caske burnt with the sunne and the reuerberation of the sands , ( which is vehement in those partes , although they were couered with sailes ) did breake , and woulde holde no water . at that time the gouernours did an acte of great consideration to animate men to the defence of the realme , for by a newe and dangerous example , they vsed religious men as instruments to execute their intention : commaunding all religious houses that they should not onely in their sermons , but also in their confessions , commaund their preachers and confessors , to animate the people to defence , in that sort as they preach the croisado against infidels : and for that the portugals are too ambitious of honor , they commaunded them to vse this encouragement , that such should be most honoured , who did most readily prepare for resistance , so as their preachings which should haue beene religious , were become furious orations of soldiers : this was greatly blamed by the good and wise , and was the cause of great hurt to the whole realme , for besides the imploying of priestes in a prophaned action , they did animate the poore people to this defence , the which afterwardes did thrust them rashly into armes . it was likewise very hurtfull to the religious houses : for as it is dangerous to stirre vp the mindes of religious persons , these being by the death of king henry growne more then before , adding thereunto this other libertie to speake publikely ; whilest they did animate others , it bred in themselues warlike affections , so as hauing passed the limits of their profession , in a manner all the ecclesiasticall state ran into mightie abuses and disorders , as we shall hereafter see : there wanted money to furnish the charge for this defence , and therefore they desired to borrowe one hundreth thousand duckats of the marchants , the which ( although they would not agree vnto ) they were forced to pay : these things were practised at lisbone more then in any other parts of the realme . in the meane time the gouernours were in diuision , and irresolute , loosing still of their reputation : for the prior continuing still in the cause of his legitimation , and seeming daily a more obstinate pretendent , threatned such as shoulde contradict him : the ministers of iustice began to decline from their accustomed authoritie , and euery man presumed to speake and do what he pleased , shewing well that it was a realme without a king , the which was remarkable in two points , which then hapned , as well amongst the religious as the secular . the one was that the religious of the order of saint ierome in our ladies monasterie of belem , being desirous to recouer their libertie which the king had taken from them , who with consent of the pope , and of his authoritie had bound them ( notwithstanding the rules of this religion ) to chuse superior officers at his pleasure ; that is , one of the fower or fiue religious men that he should name to euerie office : frier emanuel d'euora being then prouinciall , all the religious went vnto him , saying ; that he was not iudicially chosen to that charge , and therefore he shoulde renounce his office , and they would choose another according to the statutes : the frier ( to whom this seemed of harde digestion ) opposed himselfe to their demaund , with many reasons , and multiplying many words , both of the one side and of the other , they did forceably put the prouinciall prisoner in a seller , vsing him something hardly in their choler : the kinsmen to the prouinciall hearing of this disorder , ranne for remedie to alexander formento then nuncio for his holinesse in that realme , who vnderstanding the reasons of both parties ( although the religious protested he was not their iudge ) yet he commaunded the prouinciall should be deliuered , and restored to his charge , citing some of the religious men of the monasterie before him as seditious : the friers ( to whome this sentence was signified by a publike notarie ) would not obey ; so as the kinsmen of the religious prisoner , crauing aide from the secular power , the gouernours sent the officers of iustice of the citie of lisbone to the couent , with three ensignes of soldiers , to see this sentence put in execution by force , who being come to belem , the friers shut their gates , leauing the church open ; where notwithstanding the grate of wood which shuts vp the great chappell and the sepulchres of kings was close , they went into the quire singing their letanies : but after the officers of iustice had knocked a while at the couent gate , and no man opening it , entering into the church they burst downe the grate of wood , so as the soldiers comming into the cloister of friers , they laide hold of such religious persons as they met , with small respect of their priestly order : and although the elders came with their crosses , buls , and excommunications , it nothing preuailed , for they must of force deliuer the religious man , and restore him to his former estate , the which they did , protesting they had vsed violence , and that they woulde complaine to the apostolique seate . the other case was that fernand de pina a doctor and citizen , being chosen in the place of diego salema ( whome henry had deposed ) vereador of the chamber , which is the highest degree of magistrate , that hath charge of the citie ; he was at noone day in the market place , wounded in the head with a curtelax , by anthony soarez , whereof he died soone after : the which the prior had caused to be done , for that pyna in his office , had not onely spoken ill against him , but also laboured to draw the officers , and all the councell of the chamber , to the catholique kings deuotion : anthonie desired to reuenge himselfe in this manner ; and the offender ( who knew better how to strike then to flie ) being hurt by the sergeants , and retired into a church , without the citie , was taken prisoner by the iustice , and after some daies of imprisonment was hanged , and quartered , the which execution was done with trouble and feare , least the people shoulde deliuer him : for the authoritie of the gouernours declining , the ministers of iustice were not respected : and for that they knew this murther was committed by the commaundement of anthonie , the people were inclined to saue him . the religious for the like respect ( alleaging , that the secular power could not iudge him being taken in the church ) came running likewise to the place of execution to succour him : and had not damain d' aguiar ( a seuere and resolute officer ) had the charge thereof , who suddenly put this sentence in execution , there was so great a concourse of people , crying , and of religious men with their crosses , and excommunications , that the offender had been easily rescued . these disorders displeased the louers of religion , and quietnes , who blaming somewhat the friers , for not suffering their prouinciall , quietly to ende the terme of his charge , yet did they attribute more fault vnto the gouernours , for suffering in such a season so publike and rigorous an execution , against the religious , and chiefly vpon a monasterie seated vpon the banks of tagus , saying , that if for no other reason , yet shoulde they haue forborne , in respect that many english and french ships anchored there , whose men infected with heresie , would reioyce to see the religious in the hands of sergeants . the death of pina was held for an indiscreet and cruell resolution of anthony , for being but a matter of small moment , to be reuenged by so foule an example , vpon an olde man , alawyer , and of meane condition , he had thrust himselfe into an exigent either to be held vnthankfull in suffering of soarez to die as he did , or else to doe violence vnto iustice . but for that princes hate the executioners of their follies , for in their life doth liue the remembrance of their errors ; euen so the prior hated this man , after the offence committed , neither did he labour to saue him , although his death made him contemptible to the people . the said prior was thē at almerin , laboring the cause of his legitimation , & solliciting the iudges to decide the same , who excused themselues that they could not do it , ( obseruing the lawes of the realme ) if he retired not himselfe . miles from the court , that in so doing they would looke into the cause : but for that the duke of bragance and the ambassadors of other princes were there present , he would not depart , & for this reason the matter surceased : at this time emanuel of portugall , who remained at belem , laboured ambitiously that iohn teglio , one of the gouernours , his brother in lawe , conformable to himself in opinion , ( principally in the exclusion of philip , ) should be sent to belem , with authoritie from the other gouernours to prouide by his presence for all things necessarie , seeming a matter hard to effect at almeryn : the other gouernours desirous to be rid of his companie , and not daring to contradict any thing that seemed to concerne the defence , gaue him authoritie , and suffered him to goe to belem : there he consulted with emanuel , and receiuing with some difficultie , the money borrowed of the merchants , he resolued ( for the gathering together of a greater summe ) to sell the iewels of the crowne , the which were there , and therefore causing them to be brought foorth , he dealt with some merchants vpon the price . the duke of ossuna was then returned into castill , leauing mora in portugall , with the other ambassadours that were lawyers , who vnderstanding the iewels were vpon sale , the saide mora in the name of the catholique king , required the said gouernours not to sell them , as appertaining to the king , protesting both against them and the buiers , that they should be bounde to restore the price at their owne charge , so as they found not any that woulde deale with them . philip being at merrida as it was saide , hauing by a long protestation required the gouernors to deliuer him the possession of the realme : the bishop of coimbra and emanuel de melo returned the second time , making the like proposition to the king as they had done at guadalupa , offering to put the cause to arbitrement , and complaining he had giuen them too short a time to resolue : but philip being now well resolued what he would doe , and infourmed of the aide the portugals demaunded from other princes , he made them the like answere as before : many iudged the proposition of those ambassadours to be ill grounded , saying it was an vnseemely thing to require the king to make himselfe subiect to the iudgement of nominated iudges , seeing that king henry himselfe ( who with more appearance of reason , might pretend to be lawfull iudge in this cause ) did neuer require the king to acknowledge him for iudge , neither did he euer declare him contumax , in the cause debated with the pretendents for not acknowledging him . the catholique king came to badagios the . of may , where the portugall ambassadours laboured to perswade him , making suite , that before the taking of armes he should admit an assemblie to the estates , but they were no more admitted to audience ; the king resolued to send his answere vnto the gouernors , and to publish it throughout the whole realme in the name of his councell , the which he did as followeth : that experience had taught that by two examples of the estates last held at lisbone , and at almerin , they wrought no good effect , in fauour of the apparant right of his maiestie , but in the one , and the other , they had still laboured to trouble it , seeking lets , and delaies , which might haue bred the losse thereof , and therefore it seemed a treble error to attend againe a new assemblie of these estates : that they haue no reason to complaine that his maiestie had giuen them too short a time to resolue , accounting from the day of the receipt of his letters the xiij . of march , ( by the which he required them to sweare him ) saying they made no good computation , if they supposed he were dispossessed of the realme , but from the time that he demaunded it , appertaining vnto him from the hower of king henries death : but that his maiestie had expressely contained himselfe a moneth and a halfe without making of any motion , to the ende they should not loose the thanks , by calling him to the succession whom god had called ; and might haue leisure amongst themselues to make cleere this bond by which they were tied , and giue satisfaction , making the pretendents capable of reason , to the ende they should not hinder the publike quiet , and that they might be intercessors for them and for the realme , which course the king himselfe had taught them : that their excuse might be taken in two senses , saying , they coulde not receiue his maiestie but in a generall assemblie of estates , their meaning is , either that they cannot doe it by right , or that they may not doe it , for that they dare not : in the first case they are deceiued , for there needes no assemblie of estates , when a king makes his entrie vnto the realme , although he succeede not to his father , but to his kinseman ; neither were they necessarie when as henry succeeded to his nephew . in the other case that they cannot doe it , because they dare not ; the excuse is good , but not to binde the king , neither in iustice , nor conscience , to desist from taking the possession of his goods , if the delaies make the meanes difficult . that this deceit should grow from the opinion they haue conceiued , that in the end , all that they can doe for his maiestie , is to consigne him the realme by accord and composition ; not remembring that he receiued it not from their hands , but from god and by his owne right , so as these words of capitulations , transactions , and accords be neither proper , nor fit ; for if they looke vnto the preseruation of their statutes , and priuileges , they should not be called accords , but bonds , the which his maiestie must accomplish , as lawfull king of portugall : and if they referre it to that which is newly to be graunted them , much lesse doe they deserue that name , but rather of the liberalitie , greatnes , and meere grace , whereunto his maiestie , for the bountie and loue he beareth them will binde himselfe , with all the assurance they can demaund , so as the estates were necessarie , when as the realme might dispute vpon these graces , and choose another king whom they pleased ; but hauing no authoritie , but to intreate for the augmentation of these fauours , the estates had nothing to doe with his entrie : that they deliuered all these things onely to make plaine the matter , with the rigour of truth , without any meaning of his maiestie , to refuse such graces , as had beene offered on his behalfe , or to giue the assurance they should require for the accomplishment thereof ; neither doth he stande vpon the meanes , termes , or words which shall be requisite , to giue full contentment to the realme , although they be in effect the same with capitulations and accords : that as the inconueniencie they alleage wants substance and reason , so those which are presented in his maiesties name were so precise and necessarie , as they admitted no more delay , although that he desired to satisfie their demaunds , as he alwaies sought to doe by effect in any thing he could . that it is apparant , the armie now marching and approching so neare , it cannot turne head , nor entertaine it selfe , for that the victuals in the countrey are consumed , and that which they haue in store would be spoiled ; besides it is a dangerous matter to entertaine an armie obedient so long time at sea , and therefore were most reasonable to discharge them of this burthen : that although his maiestie be easily persuaded that the greatest part of those which require him to stay , doe it with a good and sincere intention , yet can they not denie but another sort of people desire and labour to hinder him by the accidents that may happen , and to cause him to loose the opportunitie , wherein he might imploy his galleys vpon the coast of portugall , knowing the season for vessels that goe with oares to bee quickly past : that since his maiestie came from madrill , he hath sought all possible delaies , hauing ( as they know ) spent three monethes in his voyage , to the end they should want no time , to vnderstand , agree , and accommodate themselues ; but although the time had beene continued a whole yeere , it is apparant the businesse had beene nothing aduaunced , hauing spent so many daies in superfluous replyings , during which they might haue assembled their estates , and forgotten them : and whereas on the one side they offer to holde them with breuitie , on the other side ( being now the moneth of iune ) his maiestie vnderstandeth , that neither the prelates , the nobilitie , much lesse the deputies of townes are arriued , and that the elections are not yet made in many cities , hauing intelligence that they delay them by cunning and subornations ; whereby it is apparant , that these estates would rather breede a confusion , then any good effect : and although the small fruit they may hope for hereby , be euident ; yet doe they not beleeue his maiestie will hinder them vntill his entrie into the realme ; but being entred , hee will ordaine that which shall seeme fit for the seruice of god , of himselfe , and of the generall good of this crowne , bee it by meanes of the estates or otherwise , seeking alwaies the most profitable , for the naturall subiects of the same realme : that his maiestie cannot ( although he should shut his eies ) rest fully assured of their propositions , seeing his good subiects in these realmes , oppressed and afflicted , vnder colour of an vniust resistance , which they cal defence , and those onely persecuted , and ill intreated , which follow his partie , and acknowledge the truth of his title , whereas contrariwise those which are passionate and slanderous perturbers of the peace , good and publique quiet , are fauoured : that to conclude , his maiestie would haue their workes conformable to their wordes , for otherwise they cannot blame him , if he proceede cunningly : and that they may vnderstand with how great reason he distrusteth their delaies , he did signifie vnto them , that he had certaine and late aduise from many prouinces , that at the same time when as they intreated him with faire words to stay and attend , they did with great instance demaund succours from other nations , making secret practises most hurtfull to the good of the church , and the peace of all christendome , although god would not suffer them to trouble it : that although with the helpe of god his maiestie would soone enter into portugall with mightie forces , yet should they not beleeue that he came to make warre against them , but would labour all he could that none should receiue hurt , but such as did oppose themselues obstinately to his iust possession , hoping they would not any waies hinder him , but would willingly make easie all difficulties , to the end that by their good succours , his maiestie might this sommer turne his force against infidels . the gouernours viewing this graue and wise answere with the kings resolution , by the which the whole realme was assured to haue warre , both within and round about , being odious vnto the people , who blamed them for the slacke and euill execution of all matters , and of the weake resistance they prepared , they were doubtfull what to doe : they would haue left almerin , for the plague beginning to raigne , and the season hot ( the place being sandie ) woulde not suffer them to stay : and hauing intelligence that anthonie animated the people against them in his fauour , they desired to retire into some place of strength , as well to assure themselues against the rising of the people , as for the warre , for that almeryn was without walles . they iudged settuuall ( whither they had called the estates , although with small hope to holde them ) more fit then any other , being a walled towne and a port of the sea , and therefore desired to withdraw themselues thither : they had deuised ( at the least three of them ) to assist the catholique king , for his entrie into the realme , in despite of such as should prepare for the defence , esteeming this strong place fit for that effect , there to bring in the kings armie at sea , and so to frustrate the fortification which emanuel of portugall had made in the mouth of the riuer of tagus : but they could not bring their purpose to passe , for the deputies of the last estates remaining , discouering their intention , said , it was fit they should all stay at saint arem , so as fearing to giue greater cause to suspect , they coulde not depart : they added moreouer , that leauing the prior there with the deputies , in a time when as the catholique king should begin to take armes , they might in their absence vnder colour of defence erect a tyrannie . so as ignorant what course to take , or how to redresse things , they did ( being friends ) by their irresolution more hurt to the catholique king , then they coulde haue done being enimies : for the king ( hoping these woulde haue deliuered him the crowne ) proceeded slowly with his armie . at that time it chanced that iohn gonzalez de camera , earle of caglietta , died of the plague at almeryn , so as the gouernors tooke this occasion to depart from thence , and went to settuual , with the duke of bragance , the agents of the catholique king , and others of their faction ; for hauing created captaines , & placed a garrison , they cōmanded the gates to be guarded . the catholique king hauing assembled his armie neere to badagios , & receiued aduertisement that his nauie was at saint marie porte , ready to set saile , before they should enter into portugall , not yet well satisfied with the diligence he had vsed ( as it is saide ) with many diuines ; desired to consult againe in the vniuersitie of alcala , where the profession of diuinitie flourisheth most in those realmes , vpon his entrie in armes into the realme , and the proposition made by the portugall embassadors : and to that effect hauing assembled all the doctors , being in number aboue thirtie , hauing made their praiers and supplications vnto god , in their sacrifices ; and the matter considered by euery one apart ; it was disputed of in three sessions : for although the matter were not hard to decide , yet was it graue and new : all , without any disagreement , concurre in opinion with the first , with whom the king had consulted , & without viewing of their reasons , they sent a publike decree vnto the king. there was propounded vnto them three articles : i he first , that the king being certaine to succeed by right , after the death of king henry to the realmes of portugall : whether he were in conscience bound to submit himselfe to any tribunall iudge , or arbitrator , who might adiudge him the realmes , or put him in possession thereof . the second was , that the realme of portugall refusing to acknowledge him for their prince , vnlesse he woulde first stande to iudgement with the pretendents : whether he may of his owne authoritie , take possession thereof by force , against such as shall make resistance , presupposing that there is no doubt or scruple of conscience in his title whatsoeuer ? the thirde was , that the gouernours of portugall , alleaging that they and the whole realme , haue sworne not to receiue any for king but him that shoulde be iudicially so declared , and that they may not receiue the king otherwise , the rather for that the pretendents complaine and offer to stande to iudgement : he desired to know if the saide gouernors , and the whole realme , may pretend this oath for an excuse not to receiue him for king. to the first they answered , that the king was not bound in conscience , to submit himselfe to any iustice or arbitrement , seeing that he had of himseife priuate authoritie to adiudge vnto himselfe those realmes , and to take possession : they excluded ( especially from this authoritie of iudging , ) all princes , and such as might pretend to take any knowledge thereof . and first humblie saluting the pope , and the apostolike sea , they denied , that this iurisdiction did appertaine vnto him , the cause being meerelie temporall , and nothing concurring where by his holines should vse that indirect authoritie which he hath in temporall causes , so farre foorth as they concerne the spirituall good : they shewed he was not bounde to the censure of the emperour , for that the kings of spaine were soueraignes , not acknowledging the emperour in any thing , and much lesse to any other king. they prooued he was not subiect to the common-wealth , nor the realmes of portugul , saying , that when as common wealthes doe choose their first king vpon condition to obey him and his successors , they remaine subiect vnto him to whom they haue transferred their authoritie , no iurisdiction remaining in them , either to iudge the realme , or the true successor , seeing in the first election , all the true successors were chosen : being therefore most apparant there is a true successour ; it followeth that the common wealth of portugall hath no iurisdiction to iudge of him that doth truely succeede , and that the king hath as great a warrant not to be subiect to the censure of this common wealth , as he hath to be true successour . and as touching the eleuen persons of the fower and twentie which king henry had named ; they saide that henry himselfe coulde not be iudge of him that did succeede after him , for that after his death the office of administring iustice was expired , and all his authoritie and iurisdiction past vnto his lawfull successor . against arbitrators they spake little , onely that the bond of cōpremise had no place , when as the equitie of the cause was not doubtfull , as it was supposed . they answered them which saide , that the king had no interest to the realme of portugall as king of castill , but as kinseman to king henry ; by reason whereof , he coulde not in this case challenge the preheminence he hath as king of castill , saying , that this imaginarie diuision cannot bee made in the person of the king , for it is so annexed to the dignitie royall , that his person cannot be wronged , but the dignitie woulde suffer . and seeing the prince may lawfully make war vpon an other realme , for iniuries done to his brothers and friends confederats , with greater reason may he do it , in taking possession of a realme which appertaines lawfully vnto himselfe . they made answer to such as said , that ( obseruing the ciuill & canon law ) a matter litigious , should be iudged where it happeneth , and therfore this shoulde bee decided in portugall , saying , that these decisions speake of particular persons , who haue their superiour iudges , and not of soueraigne princes and their dependancies . to the seconde article , they answered with more reasons then vnto the first , saying , the king was not bound to any thing but to signifie vnto the gouernours his title and certaine interest to the crowne , and if notwithstanding this demonstration , they should make resistance , then the king by his owne authoritie might take possession of the realme , ( vsing if neede required ) force of armes , for that in this action it can not bee termed force , but a naturall defence of the realme which is his owne , and a iust punishment of rebels . to the third , they said that this oath could not binde them that had vndertaken to obserue it , seeing it is most certaine , that neither in portugall nor else where , any iudge may determine this cause with the king. moreouer , that this oath is to the preiudice of his prerogatiue royall , and as this oath did not binde such as had taken it , so coulde it not excuse them from the bonde by the which they were tied to receiue him for king ; and that the allegations of the pretendents , and their offer to stand to iudgement did not binde the king to acknowledge for iudge , such as were not . the catholique king , hauing viewed these reasons , resolued to stay no longer frō taking possession of the realme , and therefore he caused his whole armie to march to cantigliana three miles from badagios , there to passe into portugall , where hee himselfe with the queene woulde see it lodged ; for which effect he commaunded a scaffold to be made in open field , where being mounted , he set downe all the orders , directed by the old duke of alua in the habit of a yoong souldier : and although it seemed the king had resolued to stay at badagios ; yet this matter was disputed amongst the curious with diuers reasons ; and besides the generall opnions of some , who did maintaine that kings ought to be personall in their enterprises , they did alleage some other speciall reasons , which did binde the king to goe with his armie : they distinguished three qualities incident to the enterprise , whereby the king shoulde go in person : that is , the importance of the pretention , the hope of happie successe , and the difficultie to execute it by a minister : shewing that all three did concurre heerein , seeing it was a question for a realme of importance , rich , and bordering vpon his other countries , head of many rich estates , and then in the way of greatnes . that the hope of victorie was in all humaine consideration certaine , both in regard of his iustice , and force , as also for the weakenes of his aduersaries : that the difficulty to vndertake it by a minister was great , and proper in that case ; the king not entering into portugall to subdue cities , but to winne their harts ; not playing the part of a conquerour , but of lawfull prince ; who entreth with necessarie forces to suppresse the ordinarie alterations of realmes , newly gotten , as he had protested to the gouernors and estates of the realme ; that such offices for so important causes coulde not be committed but to the person of the eldest prince , being a commission vnfit for any childe or nephew , much lesse for a captaine generall , being a castillian of nation , most imperious both by nature , and for the great and important affaires which he had mannaged ; besides being for his owne particular hatefull to the portugals : they saide it was most certaine if the king entred the realme in person , of friends he shoulde make faithfull subiects , of newters friends , and of enimies newters ; where as contrariwise , the duke woulde make his friendes newters , his newters enimies , and his enimies obstinate rebels : with these reasons and others , such as iudged the kings presence necessarie in the enterprise , fortified their opinions : on the otherside it was saide , that when the resolutions of the one side haue so great difficultie , as they draw neere to impossibilities , there is no disputing what is conuenient , but of force they must obey necessitie : that the question of the kings entring into portugall was of this nature , seeing that by diuers accidents the strength of the armie was so weakened , that it was both in quantitie and qualitie most different from that which had beene set downe , for there wanted aboue sixe thousand souldiers of them which had been leuied , the number of the spaniards which came out of italy was greatly diminished , and there wanted halfe of those that were new raised , and the bands that came from the lowe countries could not arriue in time . if these which were the strēgth of the armie had beene ioyned , and the number appointed in the beginning assembled , the king might wel haue perfourmed the enterprise in person , for then had he made the way open for the succours of men & munition , from the frontiers vnto settuual , leauing garrisons in al places to receiue & conduct them . but wanting horse and foote necessarie for the action , there was no other remedie but to runne the fortune of two great daungers : the one was to conduct all the victuals with the armie , which would cause a new and monstrous forme of campe , wanting horsemen to couer their carriages : the other of no lesse importance was , that the life of these men depended vpon the inconstancie of the sea and winde , which shoulde conduct the armie from andelouzia to settuuall , with the other victuals and munition to serue the want of those whom they transported . and although the duke contented himselfe with the number of his soldiers , he did it trusting to his owne dexteritie , and the ignorance of his enimies : and if he hoped to surmount these dangers , he grounded his opinion vpon the portugals vnskilfulnes to preuent him , entertaining him behinde with continuall skirmishes to conuoy him , the which if they could effect were dangerous , for there by they should force him to turne backe and fight with disaduantage of the place , where they might be defeated , or staied from passing the armie ouer the riuer of tagus , the which were to put a battaile in compremise , for the humours which might daily arise ; besides there were some difficultie to ioine the two parts of the armie , the one being at sea , the other at land , & vneasie to ioine thē at a limited time , & the delay of . daies would hinder the effect for a yeeres imploiment ; so as they concluded that neither by reason of war , nor of state , the king ought to hazard his person in this enterprise , for that neither industrie , nor fortune be sufficient warrants for the safety of princes , who ought not to ground their resolutions vpon an others weakenes , but vpon their owne proper forces . whilest that matters in castill stoode on these termes , and that the portugals grew daily more arrogant and confused , it was apparant with small insight how this realme ranne headlong into ruine : for al being confounded with vanitie , no man knew what he would do , no man was resolute what he shoulde execute , and if any were yet blinded , they knewe not what course to take : the gouernours being at settuuall , assembled the estates , being amazed to vnderstand the duke of alua was in fielde , resolute to inuade the realme presently : on the otherside that anthony was at saint arem , incensing the deputies , that they shoulde not go to the estates , practising the disorder which hapned after . the duke of bragance pressed them , shewing his griefes in publike , it may be for not proceeding according to his humour . the embassadors of the catholique king gaue them no time to breath . iohn teglio was at lisbone , preparing for defence , with whom they had no good intelligence : they desired to content all men , yet feared the peoples furie ; they laboured much and prouided for nothing . the cities cried for armes to defend themselues , or to haue permission to yeeld ; they answered in generall tearmes without any effect ; they receiued letters from the duke of alua , who accused them of crueltie , saying , they obserued not the custome of all nations , which is , that when an armie enters master of the field , they commaund all places which cannot defend themselues , to yeeld , to the end they may auoide the violent course of warre , to slaie all such as make resistance , whereas not vsing of this rigour they shall be forced to bring the cannon before euerie cottage , and make the warre perpetuall , & yet this letter neuer induced them to set a resolute order to any towne . they were wel resolued to giue the realme to the catholique king , yet coulde they not conclude for the effecting thereof . they feared in a manner to be stoned if they discouered this intention , and therefore they woulde not hazard themselues , loosing daily all hope to bring the matter to that passe , that the king should acknowledge the crowne from them as they pretended : besides the king being wholie of an other minde , they knew not what they could do , if they had would . the people ( who flatter themselues much and endure little ) supposed the defence was easie , euery man shewed himselfe a lion , for the defence of his owne house ▪ yet woulde they not go armed to fielde . those of the house of portugall , and the other aduersaries to the catholique king , were in no lesse confusion then the gouenours ; for hauing beene obstinate in their opinions , they found they had mooued the indignation of philip against them without profite : and although they were more confident in the defence then they ought to be , yet did they feare the kings protestations , by the which demaunding possession of the realme , he threatned such as should withstand him ▪ the agents of the catholique king laboured to suborne those as they had the rest , yet it preuailed not , for being in the beginning obstinate , confident in the midst , and distrustfull in the end to obtaine pardone , they woulde neuer agree : yet left they not to hope , that the more they proceeded in the defence , the better they shoulde let the king vnderstand their forces , and might compound with greater aduantage : and for that the warres continued , the gouernors supposed , that in this forte the king shoulde acknowledge the crowne from them : but he being well enfourmed of all these matters , and hauing treated with many frontier townes of portugall to yeeld , hauing imparted vnto them the equitie of his cause , by ample allegations , entreating them not to be the cause of the ruine of the realme , hauing caused peter de velasco , soueraigne iudge of badagios to write to some particulars , he first attempted eluas as neerest vnto him : the citizens fearing they should either in deed or worde be first set vpon , attended daily this embassage ; they were deuided as it often happens into two contrarie factions ; the one enclined to the obedience of philip ; the other , vnder colour of liberty , & fidelity to the gouernors , would by no meanes receiue him for their lorde . the heades of the first partie were george passano , and iohn rodrigo passano brothers , followed by many citizens , whom they call esquires : on the other side was anthony de melo captaine of the citie , whose opinion was followed by the greatest part of the nobilitie , but in farre lesse nnmber then the rest , whereas euery man spake his minde openly . diego de meneses had beene there a little before to fortifie the citie , and seeking to enlarge their ditches , he found it a matter of some difficultie , so as he departed without effecting any thing , saying , that he would returne with armes , which the gouernours shoulde sende ; whereof failing , the citizens knew well they coulde not resist . true it is , that the king had long before prepared their mindes by the meanes of frier vincent of fonseca , a preaching frier , kinseman to the passani , a noble familie , and well followed , enclined from the beginning with al their followers to the deuotion of philip : he vsed all meanes to drawe the rest vnto him ; yet the day of th' annunciation of the blessed virgin , this religious man preaching , labouring to perswade the people to the kings obedience , they did not willingly heare him : so as now when he sought to take possession thereof , hauing dispatched many messengers to the bishop , and anthony de melo , in the ende he sent peter de velasco with letters to the principall of the towne , and procuration to receiue this citie to his obedience . being arriued at eluas the xvij . of iune , with eighteene men vnarmed , although the gates were shut by reason of the infection , yet was he presently let in by the iudge of the towne , and going to the church of pittie , he caused the bishop , the magistrate of the chamber , and the nobilitie to be assembled , to whom he deliuered the letters which the king had written , containing in substance , that the matter being apparant that the succession of the realme belonged vnto him , he had sent the saide peter with procuration to receiue it vnto his obedience , if they woulde yeeld it , adding vnto his kinde wordes many offers : and although the bishop , melo , and the magistrate of the chamber , receiued these letters and read them , yet the nobilitie did not accept them so easilie , for that some feared to commit an errour , and others debating who shoulde receiue them , they did not accept them , yet they agreed that frier anthony de la cerda , prior of the monasterie of saint dominick shoulde receiue the letters for the nobilitie , and bring them to the cathedrall church ; so as all letters being read , melo and the magistrate ( who preceaded the rest ) demaunded eight daies libertie to consult , and to giue their answere , intending in the meane time to sende to the gouernours : the which velasco would not graunt , but saide vnto them , that he woulde presently returne , wishing them to aduise , and not to cause the armie which his maiestie had so neere to march to their losse : yet they sent gaspar de britto to stremos , where diego de meneses generall of that prouince remained , to aduertise him of what had passed , remaining thus in suspence vntill the next day . when as the passani enformed of melos intention , contrarie to their will and authoritie , resolued to kill him , if he refused to yeeld , and had alreadie incensed the people against him , causing many to giue out publikely , that they woulde be castillians : velasco went after to the castell to perswade melo in priuate , to make the matter more easie , and not to shewe himselfe ( without reason ) enimie to the king : but it was in vaine , for he saide , that he had receiued this place from the gouernors , and that he woulde not yeelde it to any man without their commandement : if it were adiudged to appertaine vnto the king , he woulde presently yeelde . standing vpon these tearmes , there appeared by the commandement of velasco about the towne ditches , neere sixe hundreth horse armed , who seased vpon the wels and conduits of water , which serued the inhabitants for their watering , putting the portugals into great feare ; so as nowe the women began to crie , and to curse melo , and all those that woulde not yeeld obedience vnto the king . some yoong men induced by philips partisans , seeing into what danger the captaine had brought the safety of the citie , resolued to kill him : and going to the cathedrall church where they were all assembled , they attended at the doore to effect it when he shoulde come foorth ; but discoursing with the bishop who perswaded him , ignorant of the danger wherein he was , a nephew of his named likewise anthony de melo , vnderstanding in the castell in what danger his grandfather was , came foorth with certaine harguebusiers to his succour , and came in time before he was yet issued out of the church : old anthony , seeing this yoong man enter armed , was amazed , not knowing the cause , but vnderstanding it afterwards , and withall the hazard whereunto he was brought by such as did watch for him , he sent to velasco that he shoulde compound with the magistrate , that as for him he was content to yeeld obedience to king philip , by meanes whereof all was pacified , for the magistrate had alreadie yeelded : at the taking of their oathes the citizens ( ill aduised ) required velasco that in the kings name , hee shoulde graunt vnto the citie many priuileges and exemptions of customes and impostes , throughout the realme , with many other things of importance : and hee liberall of that which he could not giue , graunted all that was demaunded , but these promises were not obserued by the king , saying ( as it was true indeed ) that velasco had exceeded his commission . these things ended , they were aduertised that gaspar de britto whom the citie had sent to diego de meneses was returning with three hundred men , horse and foote , ill appointed , to guard this place ; to whom they presently sent word that he should turne back , and hauing discouered the castillian horse of himselfe , he fled with al his troupes . the day following ( the vsuall ceremonies perfourmed ) in proclaiming a newe king , velasco returned , hauing staied there but three daies : the principall of eluas went after to badagios to kisse the kings hande , of whom they had better reception then he is accustomed to giue vnto such people , sending garcia de cardenas nephewe to the duke of alua , to the citie , to thanke the citizens for their good wils . eluas being reduced , peter velasco for the same intent tooke his way towards oliuenza , whither he had before written , labouring that nugno aluares , sonne to the earle of tentuguell , being captaine of the place , shoulde depart , the which he easily obtained : for the citizens who had their affections enclined to the catholique king , were resolued to yeelde vnto him , hauing entreated the king that it woulde please him not to make this place the first whereof he shoulde take possession , seeing that he had woone their harts , desiring rather to deserue lesse by obtaining late , then to be accused of inconstancie by hastening much : for this cause they not onelie thrust foorth nugno aluarez , but also diego de sosa , a knight of the order of saint iohn , who had succeeded in his place . the newes of all this and of the successe of eluas came presently to saint arem , whereas anthony remained , labouring with the people to be proclaimed king : he was alwaies impatient in his pretention , notwithstanding the persecutions that king henry inflicted vpon him , labouring still by all meanes possible to aspire to the crowne , intreating , threatning , and suborning . he treated by his agents with the catholique king , in diuers manners : sometimes he seemed iealous of the duke of bragance , and would ioine with the king against him : sometimes he treated to resigne his interest to philip , if he would make him a good composition , carrying himselfe as his hopes increased or diminished : so as it hapned vnto such as mannaged his affaires with the king , when they found themselues to haue concluded a matter , they found their authoritie reuoked . the king in the end , caused christopher de mora to talke with him , and to make offer of all he should demaund , for the great loue he bare vnto him , without naming either summe or any thing else whatsoeuer , but for that he hated mora , he would not by his meanes treate of this matter of agreement . notwithstanding when as the duke of ossuna deliuered vnto the gouernors a copie of the kings minde , as is before set downe , he deliuered vnto anthony a letter from the king , wherein he did write vnto him : that forasmuch as he was not ignorant many yeeres since of the good will he had alwaies borne him , the which he had laboured to make shewe of in all occasions , he was assured he woulde not prooue ingrate , but shew himselfe answerable vnto that whereunto reason did binde him , & the neerenes of bloud that was betwixt them : he said moreouer , that hauing vnderstoode the right and apparant title hee had to the realmes of portugall , he entreated him most hartely to shew himselfe one of the first to receiue , and to sweare him for his king and naturall lord , as god had appointed ; that by his example the rest might do that whereunto they were bounde , assuring him that for his owne particular , he woulde holde that regard of him , to recompence and grace him , as was conuenient , referring the rest to that which the duke of ossuna and mora shoulde deliuer vnto him . but this letter wrought no effect , for he then saide vnto the duke , that he woulde neuer agree , making answere vnto the king that he could not satisfie him , for that being vnder the peoples protection , he must gouerne himselfe according to their mindes ; and therefore vnderstanding that the castillians began to enter within the realm , he made haste to dispatch this busines with the people & the deputies ; and making his profite of the possession the king tooke , seeing the necessitie they had of a commaunder to make resistance , he induced them to choose him protector , or king : and although this resolution was made by the most seditious and arrogant , who by force seeke to execute what they please , who woulde needes proclaime him king , yet were there many that woulde not yeeld vnto it , many helde it more fit to call him protector . the prior himselfe was not well resolued of this point , suffring himselfe to be ledde ( as in all other his actions ) by the greatest number , and his most fauorites ; who to induce the people to performe this acte , in despight of some that woulde not assent , being then in question to builde a fortresse a little without saint arem , where there standes a small chappell dedicated to the inuocation of the apostles , they spred foorth a rumour that anthony shoulde go thither the . of iune , to lay the first stone , and that all the people shoulde worke in that fortification , labouring in such an assembly to effect their desires . but there needed no great arte , for the people desirous of innouation , ranne all thither that morning . the bishop of parma being innocent , and he of guarda ofset purpose , came to the chappell where masse was celebrated , in the midst whereof they exhorted the assemblie to defence , and with darke speeches to make an election : but anthony arriuing soone after , making his praiers a little without the doore of the chappell , the two bishops went out to meete him , with their rochets to hallow the foundation of the fortresse , but the ceremonie was no sooner begun , but that anthony barachio an impudent fellow , ( holding a handkerchiefe vpon the point of his sword ) proclaimed anthony king , being followed with great noise , and acclamations almost of all the companie , who to assure themselues of such as were not of that faction , or to shew a certaine valour drewe their swordes : at that time anthony faining a certaine modestie , or thrust forwarde by his owne irresolution , cried no , no , and stept forward as it were to stay the people . peter coutigno , captaine of that place with choler woulde haue stopt their cries , saying that the prior desired not to be called king ; but this preuailed nothing , for baracchio bending his pistol against the captaine , put him to silence ; by reason whereof he departed . anthony whether it were for feare to see so many naked weapons about him , or that raised by such a meanes to that dignitie , bringes feare with it , he was amased and trembled , giuing notable signes to his followers , who helping him to horse at the first steppe he stumbled and almost fell , in signe of presaging ill . all the nobilitie that was present followed him on foote , bare headed as king : and although a great part of the people were vnaduisedly come thither , yet all followed him : from thence the prior went to the church , and from the church to the house of the magistrate , where finding the gates shut , he brake them open , and was there solemnly confirmed king , with ordinarie actes and writings , the which were signed by all the gentlemen portugals that were present , and emanuel de costa borges with a standerd in his hande , pronounced with a loude voice these wordes , reale , reale , as their custome is : being then returned to his lodging , he prepared to go to lisbone , there to be proclaimed king , as the principall place of the realme . in the meane time velasco was come to oliuenza , where entering without stay by night the xix . of iune , he was lodged by diego de vasconcellos at the request of the passani of eluas , and hauing the day following , requested the magistrate , and the nobilitie , to assemble themselues in the church of pitie , there to receiue certaine letters from the king , being all assembled , he deliuered them ; the which were publikely read , finding them full of curtesies : the conclusion was to sweare him king ; velasco pressed them to answere briefly . but as of light occasions sometimes grow important matters , so did it here , for the nobilitie of this place being diuided into two contrarie factions ; the one was called loby and gama , the other matt s ; it chaunced that the letters which the king had written vnto the nobilitie , were by meere fortune first deliuered into the hands of the loby , whereof the contrarie faction made a sinister construction , and the rather for that velasco was lodged in the house of one of that faction : they resolued to contradict all , their aduersaries should propound : and for as much as at that instant there were more of the familie of the matti in office , then of the loby , seeing their enimies inclined to giue place vnto the king , they began to oppose themselues , and without making answere to the letter , they sent with all speede to the gouernours , and presently after going to the lodging of velasco , they saide vnto him , that they could not giue answere , in a matter of so great importance , without good aduise and aduertising of the gouernours , demaunding fower daies libertie , whereunto peter answering , that he could giue them no longer time then the next day morning , they departed vnsatisfied , saying that they feared nothing , for that god would succour them : where with velasco discontented , woulde haue sent fratyn , an italian ingeneur ( who was then with him ) to the duke of alua to request him to sende some troupes of soldiers within the view of the place to terrifie them ; yet being aduised by his friendes that were portugals , and finding the people affected to the king , he staied : the faction of l●by with all their followers seeing the contradiction of the magistrate , assembled themselues in councell , making an acte in writing , signed by them all , whereby they protested that they were readie to obey the king . in this time marke anthonie iustinian a gentleman of genoa , friend vnto velasco , and kinseman to the l●by , aduised him to leaue his lodging , and to talke to the people in the streetes , winning them with faire words , the which hauing effected , and gathering a great multitude about him , hee made vnto them a long discourse , shewing the profit they should receiue , in yeelding obedience vnto the king , and the hurt in following the opinion of the magistrate , seeing there was a mightie armie so neare them , wherewith the people who were easily changed seemed content , and following him to the church of the holie ghost where the nobilitie was assembled , velasco entred and saide vnto them : my maisters what shall we doe ? to whom frier aluaro in the name of the whole assemblie answered , that they were readie to serue his maiestie : then iustinian ( raising velasco from the ground ) proclaimed the kings name , the which was followed by the whole nobilitie , and likewise by the people , who going to the house of the magistrate , they called for the iudge and the vereadors vpon great penaltie , who vnderstanding the people was mutined , and that philip was proclaimed king , they were afraide , and went to yeeld their obedience , the which the castell did likewise , perfourming the ordinarie actes and ceremonies ; velasco offering in the kings name many exemptions : in this manner but more quietly in other places , all this frontier did yeeld as serpa , mora , campo maior , arronghez ; portalegre , and in other places about the realme , they vsed the like diligence . at this time anthony was gone from saint arem to lisbone : the gouernors seeing that succeed which they had long foretolde , did fortifie at settuual , with the duke of bragance , and the embassadors of the catholique king , fearing the new king would march to them . they neglected the defence of lisbone , supposing that peter de cugna , captaine thereof , and iohn teglio , who as is said , was at belem with their procuration , woulde prouide for it , as they had commanded them , and had sent two officers of iustice , to perswade the citizens to make resistance : but the said teglio ( who it may be with greater zeale then iudgement ) was one of those that woulde haue the cause determined , vnderstanding that anthony was proclaimed king , was greatly discontented , for that of force hee must leaue the gouernment , and make his peace with king philip , with greater difficultie , if he shoulde now seeke it : besides that , anthony did not acknowledge the crowne from him , and therefore greatly mooued , seeming also vnto him , that as gouernour he did wrong his companions , ( they being at settuual and he at belem ) to suffer the prior so easily to become lord of lisbone without blowes ; he treated touching the defence thereof , being perswaded thereunto by the magistrate , who requested him to enter the citie to that end , protesting that if the prior tooke possession it shoulde not be their fault , which coulde not hinder it , but his who could and would not : by meanes whereof , although but coldly , he assembled many companies of peasants thereabouts , the which he sent for the guard of the citie , and to hinder the priors entrie . he commaunded peter de cugna to take care for the defence thereof , being resolute not to enter himselfe , and hauing called to councell , the gentlemen that were present , they resolued to send with speed to anthony , diego de sosa , and frauncis de meneses , entreating him not to enter into lisbone , nor to call himselfe king , but onely protector , being a name more fit for all occasions that might happen : and although they went with this commission , yet many aduised teglio , that notwithstanding all these demonstrations , he should not hinder the course of the priors good fortune , so as wauering in his opinions , not resoluing in any thing , he was cause that the souldiers or peasants that were raised about the citie , hauing neither order nor commission from the gouernors , knew not what to do , whether to accompanie the prior , or hinder his entrie ; for that emanuel of portugal who had proiected to make the prior king , laboured to preuent all their resolutions , and hauing resolued , he purposely made their executions vaine . peter de cugna saide , that if iohn teglio woulde not oppose himselfe in person , that he woulde not accomplish it being his inferior ; whereunto teglio replied , that it was the captaines dutie , either of them excusing themselues vpon the other , both with seuerall intents . the prior drew neere to lisbone , but he was in danger neuer to come there , for neere to sacaben which is sixe miles from the citie , staying in the fielde to speake with frauncis de almeda his friende , there was a harquebuse discharged at him , wherewith frauncis was slaine , and no man able to discouer from whence it came , they supposed it was intended against the prior himselfe . soone after he arriued at the citie with a small troupe , especially of the nobilitie , hauing fewe other with him but diego de sosa , and frauncis de meneses , and therefore they suffred him freely to enter , being of al those that mette him proclaimed king . there were fewe at that time within the citie , both by reason of the plague , and for that many helde not themselues in safetie , seeing the realme in diuision , on the one side the catholique king entred with a mightie armie , on the other side were the gouernors in a manner conformeable to the saide king ▪ lastly was the prior being poore alone , & ill aduised , made king , by a handfull of the base people : so as there was not any of the iustice or nobilitie that went to visite him , and of the superior magistrates there was but one vereador to be founde , the rest being hidden : notwithstanding , he went to the pallace vpon the riuer , wherof he tooke peaceable possession , as also of the arcynal and storehouse of armes , he created a newe purueior , and newe officers of iustice , and newe vereadors , supplying all other offices that were voide : from thence he went to the towne-house to be proclaimed king with ordinarie ceremonies , all the principall of the citie being assembled , to whom emanuel fonsequa nobrega , a doctor of a bolde spirite spake in this manner . i see grauen in your countenances the ioy and content which is conceiued in your harts , hauing attained to this so happie a daie , wherein you sweare him king whom you so much desire : i account all words friuolous to animate you thereunto : i may speake vnto you with courage , for that your desires exceede my eloquence : i know that euery small delay doth not onely grieue you , but also greatly displease you , that any other shoulde effect that first , which you haue so much wished , and which was fitte you shoulde haue done , seeing that from this citie as principall , the rest of the realme shoulde take their lawe . but be as ioyfull and willing to this acte as you please , be my wordes neuer so superfluous , yet encouraged by dutie and loue , i must briefely deliuer vnto you my aduise ; i will not make any particular repetition of his afflictions , nor with what iudgement he hath surmounted them being infinite , and the time shorte : let it suffice you to vnderstande as you doe , that by a fatall destinie he hath alwaies encountred against the proud arrogancie of this world : for as vertues be ( by reason of our sinnes ) most commonly hatefull to princes in this age , and vices cherished , as vertuous and nobly minded , he hath alwaies beene hated and oppressed : so as sometimes tearming him a bastard , somtimes preferring those whom he shoulde precead , they laboured by all meanes to blemish that glory that did shine in him . i will lay aside the disgraces he suffred with king sebastian , at his departure for affricke , which others woulde haue taken for an excuse to staie , yet acquainted with the frownes of fortune , although he did iudicially foresee that he went to his ruine , he chose rather ( with so great danger of his person , following the rashnes of an other ) to remaine a slaue vnto the moores , then to blemish his honour with any reproch , how small soeuer . he remained prisoner as he had foreseene in that vnhappie day ; king sebastian his nephew died , before whom many other princes all heires to the crowne were deceased , there remained none but cardinall henry , who for the ripenes of his age , and indisposition of his body , was thought to be of short life , so as the realme was in a manner without heire . but the king of kings although he seemeth sometimes slacke , yet doth he equally weigh and execute al things , prouiding so , that whilest king henry enioied the realme , in those fewe daies of his life which remained , he miraculouslie deliuered from the hands of the moores , him whom he intended shoulde be our true king : i say miraculouslie , for in truth it seemed impossible that mans wisedome coulde deliuer him , as it followed , for that according to the custome of those infidels , he being a prince , he shoulde haue beene presented to their prince , and there kept in perpetuall prison , or at the least redeemed for the exchange of cities and fortresses , or for some great summe of money , yet ( see if this were not a miracle ) in short time he was deliuered , and without raunsome . he returned into the realme , where fortune not yet wearie of him , crossed him with a thousand afflictions , all which he hath ouercome and surmounted by his vertues : behold him now heere , and although he seeme to be inuironed more then euer with enimies , yet doth he relie vpon your valour , and i in his wisedome , that he will vanquish all things : reioice then that he doth accept of this scepter , against his competitors , for the loue of you doth more encourage him thereunto , then the desire of rule , offring to entreat you perpetuallie not as a king , but as a father , and brother to you all : whom doe you esteeme him to be , to whome this day we giue the empire ouer vs ? it is the true stocke , the lawfull line , and the onely plant which remaines of our kings , he is nephew to king emanuel of famous memorie , borne of lewes his sonne , the greatest and firmest pillars , that euer portugall had , to him these realmes appertaine by right : but if it were not so as it cannot be otherwise , yet shoulde we , flying the rest , cast our selues into his bosome , for by that meanes we should haue assured libertie , and by the rest a most certaine bondage and tirannie . at the end of this speech , there was great reioicing , and all cried out , a king , deliuering into his hands the standerd of the citie : emanuel fonseca pronounced from the windowes these words , as they were accustomed to doe , reale , reale , for don anthony king of portugall , the which was accepted by the people with great ioy : and hauing made declaration in writing of this acte , the prior returned to the pallace , where soone after taking the ordinarie oath to obserue the priuileges , and liberties of the realme , and all that other princes were woont to doe , he dispatched his messengers with letters to all other cities , and places , commaunding them to sende vnto him to yeelde their obedience . he made many offers to the duke of bragance , and to the marques of villa reale , entreating all other noblemen to come vnto him to consult of matters concerning the realme : but the duke perswaded likewise by the deputies of the realme , to compound with anthony , woulde not do it , the marques went not , and fewe others did acknowledge him . but teglio seeing the prior now become king without his helpe , making she we to go from belem ( where he remained ) to lisbone to kisse his hands , and hauing agreed with diego lopez de sequeira , captaine of three galleyes that were in the riuer , he imbarked himselfe in one of them with the bishop of leiria , anthony de castro , lord of cascaies , martin gonzales de camera , emanuel teles barretto , frauncis de meneses , lewes caesar purueior of the arcynal , with some others , carying with them fortie or fiftie thousand duckats in golde , which he had caused to be brought from the minte at lisbone , vsurping them from iaques de bard , a florentine merchant , who was the owner . and in his departure , whē most men beleeued they should go to the citie , they tooke their course towards the sea , and went to settuual , where the rest of the gouernours remained : yet two of the three galleis disobeying their captaines , woulde not followe the foremost , but went to the citie . teglio being arriued with his galleis at the mouth of the forte of settuual , the guard of the towne woulde not suffer him to enter , but kept him off with their cannon , being disimbarked a little on the one side , he went by land towards the gouernors , to discharge himselfe , but he was not receiued nor acknowledged of them as a companion , who both in their writings , and their speeches with him , vsed him as a priuate gentleman , and not as a gouernour , for punishment of that which he had done at belem , and at anthony his entrie at lisbone : and this was the only thing wherein the gouernors shewed their authoritie , for in all other things they discouered their feare and inconstancie . the prior seeing these men , whereof he helde some of them to be his confident friendes to flie , to carrie away the money , and to ioine themselues with the gouernors his aduersaries who began to fortifie settuual , discouered plainly that they had intelligence with the catholique king : that they woulde entertaine themselues in that place , vntill the galleis of italy , which they vnderstood had beene trimmed at saint marie porte , shoulde arriue in those quarters , to giue them entrie at settuual , whereby might ensue his ruine , for that the catholique king entring there with a great armie , the citie of lisbone shoulde be in a manner besieged , and therefore hauing first imprisoned some that were suspected vnto him , and demaunded money in loane from the merchants , he resolued with what speed he could to recouer this place , either by loue or force , induced to make this haste by the proceeding of tristan vaz de vega , captaine of the fortresse of saint iulian , at the mouth of tagus , to whom hauing written , he made answere that he coulde not consigne him the castell , nor hold it in his name , alleaging that he had taken an oath not to deliuer it but to such as had put it into his hands , which were the gouernors ; so as anthony reseruing this for a second enterprise , hauing hastily and by force assembled the peasants about the citie ; the artisans , slaues , and other people gathered togither , which in all came not to fifteene hundreth , he transported them to the other side of the riuer : but before he himselfe would passe , he sent frauncis of portugal , count of vimioso to settuual , to treate with the gouernors , and to perswade them to yeelde to his obedience ; to whom he did likewise write , that they shoulde not dishonour and vndoe themselues , seeking rather to giue the crowne to a stranger , then to him who was their countreyman , that they should come vnto him , and he would freely forgiue all things : but the gouernors trusted neither to this letter , nor to the wordes of the earle , being greatly bounde to the catholique king , whereof some of them as fauorites to king henry had assisted to the sentences that had beene pronounced against him : therefore consulting with the embassadors of the catholique king , they resolued to defend themselues vntill the comming of the kings armie , the which they expected howerly . but this practise succeeded not , for the windes were still so contrarie , that the galleis coulde not arriue , the which the duke of bragance considering he woulde not attend but departed : the counte of vimioso , desirous to expell them from thence , hauing incensed the people to sedition , & aided by the guard of halberdiers of the court , he tooke armes , and became master of the porte , many ranne armed to the gouernors lodging , threatning with iniurious words to kill them : wherewith being feared and amazed , not onely the gouernors , but likewise the embassadors of the catholique king , and all the nobilitie of the citie , which followed philips faction , some fledde secretly out at the windowes , some by sea , some by land , except the archbishop of lisbone , and iohn teglio , who onely remained , the one trusting in his calling , the other in the workes which he had formerly done in fauour of the prior , and in his kinsemen . the embassadors retired themselues the next day into castill . this act in truth was full of compassion , for although the gouernors for their irresolutions and priuate interests deserued punishment , yet mens harts were mooued to see these graue olde men , in whom not two howres before the roiall authoritie remained , fastned to ropes creepe out at windowes , to auoide the furie of a yoong licentious man , who had mutined the people , and the guard it selfe against them : such of the nobilitie as abandoning their houses in those partes , retired themselues , were fernand de norogna , peeter de meneses , edward de castelbianco , diego lopez de sequeira , anthony de castelbianco , lewes caesar , and some others . anthony hauing aduertisement of their departure , passed the riuer , and went thither : where he was receiued vnder a cannapie with signes of great ioy , & hauing giuen order to the fortification , & guard of that place as it seemed necessarie , he returned to lisbone , against the aduise of som , who persuaded him to assemble his forces to resist the enimie , & not to repasse tagus : but he did it not , saying , he woulde returne presently , fearefull ( as many supposed ) and not holding himselfe assured on that side the riuer : cascaies and the fortresse of saint iulian , did not yet obey him , yet vnderstanding that anthony was possessed of settuual , the wife of anthony de castro went from cascaies , after whose departure the citie yeelded , and the captaine of the fortresse of saint iulian , being written vnto by anthony , that he woulde giue him fower thousand duckats a yeere rent , made answere , that seeing the gouernors had abandoned the realme , and that he was proclaimed king , he would hold it at his deuotion : by reason whereof , bastien de britto , who serued as sergeant maior of the citie of lisbone , in the place of peter de cugna , turned head , who with certaine men gathered togither , went by the commaundement of anthony to encampe about this fortresse , so as all places of importance about lisbone , remained at his obedience : so did all others in those parts except the citie of porto , which obeied not yet . the duke of bragance hauing foreseene the sedition which was practised at settuual , being departed as it is saide , a little before the gouernors flight , and gone to portel , a place belonging vnto himselfe , neere the frontiers of the realme towards castill , seeing iustice reduced to armes , and himselfe disarmed , he thought it nowe high time to treate with the catholique king : he sent therefore a gentleman to represent vnto him , howe peaceablie he had alwaies caried himselfe in the persuite of iustice for katherine his wife ; that he had neuer troubled the publike quiet , nor in any thing surpassed the ordinarie tearmes of iustice and reason , and if he had not compounded with him , the cause was , for that he vnderstood his reasons were great , neither had he meanes to do it , by reason of the people who woulde haue withstoode him : notwithstanding he was nowe resolute , if his maiestie woulde make him a good composition , to yeelde vnto him all the rights of the saide katherine , and that being agreed , he woulde publikely sende one to treate with him : he alleaged that his subiects being the thirde part of the realme , he coulde make easie , or greatly hinder the enterprise . he saide that the deputies of the realme had made offer vnto him , that they would procure anthony to leaue the title of king , and vnite himselfe with him , for the defence of the crowne , and that in the end they should agree : and that the said anthony had sent to make great offers vnto him , the which he woulde not accept , not seeming reasonable vnto him . he requested his maiestie to commaund the armie not to endomage his countrey : heerein he spake truth , for although he were a quiet and religious man , yet the philipins saide , that although he had beene otherwise , the king had no cause to feare his forces , for albeit he had many subiects , yet were they not all obedient vnto him . that the nobilitie abhorred his rule more then any other , and that some of his kinsemen did him more hurt then good , by reason of the emulation amongst the nobilitie . he relied much on the equitie of his cause , yet feared he to bee forced by the kings power , which he saw prepared , supposing he would not receiue iudgement in the cause from any man. this feare had induced him to write to all the great potentates in christendome , shewing his reasons , and demaunding succours . the like office had he done with some cardinals at rome . he had sent into fraunce diuers copies of his allegations , to the end they might be dispersed into england and other places , making great instance to the two queenes to succour him with mony , munition , & captaines : but his weakenes being knowne to both , although hee gaue them to vnderstande he went to ioine with the gouernors in defence , they returned him nothing but curteous words . and some say , that not content to vse this diligence , to such as were enuious of the kings good , he did likewise write to his enimies and rebels , desiring to treat with the prince of orange , and the duke of alançon . these things caused him more losse then profite , as it happens commonly to those that will contend with mightie princes , and builde their foundations vpon the succours of their enimies ill willers , who wil not commonly declare themselues , except their companion be strong . heereupon it grewe , that the king returned to the saide propositions so ample , and artificiall an answere : for ( as it was reported ) some of his letters had beene surprised by the agents of the catholique king , and some other , especially those he had written to rome , were sent to the king by them , to whom he had written them . he answered , that he reioiced , that in time he had auoided the sedition at settuual , being troubled with the danger and indignitie he might haue suffred : that he knewe it to be true that in the persuite of the right of katherine , he had carried himselfe with due modestie , but by refusing to agree with him were growne the inconueniences wherein now they were , the which he would gladly they should rather haue foreseen , then haue made triall of , with so great disquietnes , and dishonor vnto themselues , for the which he was sory in regarde of the neerenes of bloud , and affection , he bare vnto the said katherine ; that his offer to yeelde him his right was acceptable vnto him , but he woulde haue them to vnderstand that there was no necessity , to adde new actions to those which god had giuen him , apparant to all the worlde . that he had then wished for two reasons they coulde haue accepted of his liberalitie , in recompence of their pretention : the first was , that he hoped by this meanes , he shoulde not haue beene forced to enter armed into the realme , and to make warre vpon his owne subiects , which is one of the things that doth most trouble him : but that good which might haue beene reaped by composition , was nowe extinct by their slacknes , seeing that his armie was alreadie entred the realme : the second reason was , the desire to encrease and prosper his house , to do good to his children , to auoide the ruine of the estate , and the hazard to ouerthrow it , whereof there was yet some remedie , for being so desirous of his good , that onely was sufficient to mooue him to doe them good : he said moreouer , that he was much amazed to heare him confesse with his owne mouth , that they had daily practised with anthony , that they treated with a rebell who had committed so horrible a crime , aduising him in signe of loue , heereafter to abstaine from all such treaties , so contrarie to that fidelitie whereunto they were bounde , and so vnwoorthie of their authoritie and reputation , shewing likewise , that he marueiled they woulde suffer themselues to be informed from the deputies , who promised to cause anthony to forsake the title of a king , which he hath vsurped , as if it were an offence capable of repentaunce , whereas they shoulde well vnderstand , that they be ordinary practises and discourses of rebels , to deceiue them as they had formerly done : and whereas the deputies call it an accord or vnion for the defence , let them take heede that it prooue not a league , and a conspiracie , framed to make him partaker with anthony his offence , from the which god had yet preserued him : he concluded that he would alwaies giue a gentle audience to that which shoulde be propounded on his behalfe , with intention to doe him all the grace and fauor possible in his demaunds . this answere being receiued , the duke sent certaine gentlemen to treat an agreement with the king , the which continued long , making vnseasonable demaundes on the dukes behalfe : notwithstanding the king desiring that before they proceeded further , he shoulde acknowledge and sweare him for his lorde : the matter remained in suspence with small content to the duke , who found not onely the hope of his iustice to fall out vaine , but likewise not to be fully reconciled to the king , who tooke possession of his countries , hauing alreadie lost villauizosa , one of his chiefe places , and of great importance , where hee made his aboad , although he had well fortified it . the which hapned presently after the reduction of eluas , by the meanes of a castillian whom he had left within the castell , either trusting in him , or neglecting of it . this man hauing intelligence with captaine cisneros , who was in the dukes campe , treated to deliuer vnto him in the night , one of the gates of the castell , the which descends into the ditch , thereby secretly to bring in the kings forces , the which he did effect . the night appointed for this enterprise being come , the duke commanded sanches d'auila , to go with the soldiers he had about eluas , and take possession of the fortresse , who hauing taken their harquebusiers behinde them , marched so that night , that in the morning they came to villauizosa , and approching the gate that was promised them , they founde that although it were open , yet coulde they not enter , for that being farre from the ground , the ladder which they had brought was too shorte , and coulde not reach vnto it , so as in dispaire to put it in execution , the day growing neere , they were readie to returne , fearing to be discouered . but as many times thinges are fitted to the violent course of fortune , the castillians founde within the castell ditch an other ladder , which the soldiers within the forte had by chance left there , the which bounde to that they brought , reached vnto the gate , so as all the soldiers entred the castell , without being discouered , hauing neither guard nor centinell , but were all laide to sleepe , hauing a mightie armie of enimies within tenne miles of them , so as in this manner the duke of bragance lost the best and strongest furnished place he had . many were then of opinion , the king shoulde not go in person with the armie , for although some helde it was necessarie he should goe , alleaging the former reasons , yet such as helde the contrarie opinion , added vnto their reasons , that throughout all the way vnto lisbone , and in the citie it selfe , they died most violently of the plague , although the aire did not seeme corrupted , that it was not conuenient to hazard the life of a prince , who was a pillar of the church , and lord of so many realmes . that they might answere vnto the reasons of conueniencie , which was spoken against this opinion , that it was like vnto all other humane things which haue two reasons , for waighing the one it importes much , and regarding the other , they seeme light : the importance of the enterprise is verie great , considering the valour of the realme , and his interest ; but if you consider that they oppose against the person of so mightie a king , that of anthony a rebell , who doth scarse deserue the name of a tirant , and that with the duke of alua , and so many noblemen , italians and spaniards , you compare the count of vimioso , yoong , without experience , and all the rest of their traine , and that against so valiant soldiers of all nations , there come peasants gathered togither from the villages about lisbone , and the slaues of ethiopia , you may easily iudge the great indignitie the king shoulde suffer being present in this expedition . they alleaged the like reason against the hope of good successe ; for although it seemed a matter easilie to be effected , considering the qualitie of the enimies , yet regarding the difficulties alleaged , the matter was in suspence , remembring the examples of king iohn the first of castill , & alphonse the fifth of portugall , either of them entring at diuers times with an armie , into other countries , and both returned flying and broken . as for the sweete content it seemed the kings entrie should bring , and contrariwise the sharpenes of the duke of alua , they saide it was well considered ; yet the king remaining at eluas , or in any other place vpon the frontiers , hee shoulde giue a generall content . this opinion seeming the better , and with most grounde , not onely pleased the king , but bred such an impression in the mindes of many , that it passed the limits , for that the cōsiderations of safety are limited with feare , so as they began to apprehend too much , saying , the king was not sure at badagios , and that he shoulde retire himselfe to ciuill , vnder colour to dispatch away the armie , seeing it had already entred the realme : for the duke marching from the frontier , the king shoulde lie open to all attempts of the portugals , who might make their courses euen vnto the walles of the citie . that anthony seeking to make this diuersion , he might easilie effect it with so great force , as the king shoulde be constrained to retire himselfe with small authoritie , and recall his armie , although it were about the wals of lisbone ; yet woulde not the king by any meanes heare speake thereof , but perswaded such as were of that opinion , that for a worlde , no , for his owne life , he woulde not retire a foote backe , but was resolued to staie in portugall , in some place of the frontiers , which shoulde be thought most conuenient , and for that effect reteined certaine troupes for his guard . the duke of alua who had assembled his armie at cantigliana passed the . day of iune , by the kings commandement , the small of caya , which diuides the two realmes , entring into portugall with great quantitie of munition and baggage , by reason wherof , he carried with him aboue sixe thousand chariots , and fiue and twenty peeces of canon , and passing vnder the walles of eluas , there was nothing to be done , being already yeelded : in three daies march he came to stremos , receiuing all places thereabouts to obedience , which might be amazed at the bruite of the armie : but for that he laboured to assure the kings person aboue all , being entred two daies iourney within the countrey , he sent backe peter manrique de padilla a knight of account , and well experienced in the warre , with two companies of men at armes , and peter d' ayala marshall of the field , an old soldier , with a regiment of spaniards , who lodged at eluas , assuring those quarters from all reuolutions that might be feared : within stremos was captaine iohn dazeuedo admirall of the realme , yoong and hardie , who put himselfe in defence , and was cause that the armie made longer stay there , then at any other lodging : he ( whē as the gouernors were yet at almeryn ) had obtained by the meanes of martin gonzales de camera somewhat allyed vnto him , the captainship of that place , and after being written vnto by anthonie as king , he would not obey him , saying that he did not acknowledge any other superiour then the gouernours , to whom he had giuen his oath : at this time the duke being arriued , he sent vnto him peter de luna a captaine of horse , with letters from the king , requiring his obedience , but he refused to yeeld it , for the same reasons he had giuen to anthonie ; he trusted more to the defence of the place , then the force thereof would warrant ; and the rather for the diligence of diego de meneses , who when he had speech of the fortifying of eluas , seeing it could not be effected , he had retired himselfe to stremos , thinking there to make head , and hauing animated the people to defende it , he promised them great succours ; so as all agreeing with the admirall , they were resolute to fight . at this time christopher de mora , who went from settuual to badagios , passing through the citie , he persuaded the landini , chiefe citizens to yeeld obedience vnto the king , and for that it was easie for them to turne the people as they pleased , they induced them soone to obey : so as the admirall remained alone in his obstinacie , within the castell with some of his friends and familiars , and although they laboured to bring him to obedience , yet would he not yeeld , excusing himselfe , that it appeered not vnto him , that the king was heire to the realme ; neither did the comming of the prior ferrant de toledo sonne to the duke of alua preuaile ; who discouering him to be a man of small consideration , made offer vnto him , that the duke should be bound , that whensoeuer it should appeere that the realme appertained not vnto philip , hee should restore him to the place he now enioyed : neither preuailed it to let him vnderstand that he could not resist , making answere obstinately , that when he had done his last endeuour , hee woulde abandon the place with the losse of his life , seeming that he coulde not otherwise saue his honour . but this resolution lasted little , for discouering from the castell , that the duke had already planted his artillerie , that those of the citie which had promised to defend him , were all against him , and that some castillian soldiers were entred the citie , being all amazed , he resolued to retire himselfe , and leaue the fortresse , wanting courage to defend it ; but in issuing foorth the castillians tooke him prisoner , and led him to the duke , who was in doubt whether he should punish him corporally , to terrifie the rest by his first example ; but he pardoned him , and sent him prisoner to villauizosa , writing vnto the king , that he tooke pitie of him , being yoong and without experience . when the magistrate and the citizens had taken their oath , and done the accustomed ceremonies to obey the king , the armie marched towardes mounte maior by the way of arraialos , leauing euora on the left hande , a citie of importance , but then greatly afflicted with the plague : but to the ende it shoulde not remaine behinde vnyeelded , the duke sent thither henry de guzman with twentie horse to take possession thereof , both for that hee knewe it was vnpeopled , as also vnderstanding that diego de castro ( who was captaine there ) and the principalles of the citie ( who were retired to their gardens thereabouts ) desired to yeeld their obedience , by reason whereof , the saide captaine and magistrate being assembled togither a mile from the citie vnder the portall of our ladies church , there constantine de brito a notarie , receiued a publike acte , whereby they deliuered the citie to his maiesties obedience , the which they all assigned . the duke beeing now arriued , in fower daies march at mount maior the new , where hauing found no resistance , although the counte vimioso had beene there a little before , taking possession thereof , he came within fower daies to settuual , without wasting the countrey as is vsuall in warre ; for he neither slewe nor spoiled the inhabitants of townes , nor suffered them to tread downe the corne which was then ripe : it seemed that diego de meneses had not shewed the fruits , that were expected of his valour within that prouince , nor of that heate wherewith hee vndertooke the defence , hauing for that cause refused the place of viceroy of the indies , which is the greatest charge giuen in that realme : for hauing first from the gouernours , and after from the prior , receiued charge to defend the saide prouince , hee not onely neglected the defence , but also retired himselfe . he excused this weake resistance , saying , that the gouernors had deceiued him , in not furnishing him with armes , and other things necessarie , and that hauing no other armes with the people , but wordes , he was enforced to retire himselfe . but whatsoeuer the cause was , all that part beyond the riuer of tagus , which is the most fertile within the realme , remained disarmed and in pray to the enimie . anthonie being returned from settuuall to lisbone , he was receiued with great ioy , being the first time he had entred as king : and although the infection with the diuision of the nobilitie had much vnpeopled it , yet made they deuises with great shewes of ioy . i will not leaue to report as a thing remarkable , that there was a cōpany of poore women which sell thinges in the market place , the which marching in order like soldiers with their armes , she which was their captaine in steade of a halberd carried a fire panne , seeming to remember the auncient battaile of algibarotta , betwixt the castillians and the portugals , where these being conquerors , they vaunted that a bakers wife had slaine seauen castillians with a fire panne . the gouernors who were fledde from settuuall to a castell , whereas ambrose de aguiar was then captaine , imbarqued secretly , and their feare was so great , as not holding themselues assured in any part of the realme , they were conducted to ayamont , a citie belonging to the catholique king vpon the frontiers , where being better aduised , they returned into the realme , putting themselues in castromarin with great discontentment : there they made a decree repeating the deedes of anthony , from the time of king henry vnto that day , confirming the sentences which the said henry had pronounced against him , calling him rebell , and troubler of the publique quiet . they declared ( giuing testimonie of the intention of king henry ) that king philip was the true succussor . they commaunded all cities , places , noblemen , and ministers of iustice , to obey him , resigning all their authoritie vnto him : and although it seemed that all iustice was now reduced to armes , and that the king had no neede of this decree , yet was it of great importance both to iustifie his cause with the people , as also for that it made many cities to yeeld . but anthony made no reckoning of this sentence , preparing for defence vpon the right side of the riuer of tagus , hee had yet no other nation but portugals , and such as he coulde gather togither , where with he could not frame a campe vpon any necessitie ; for that the peasants and the people , which were not entertained for the warre , coulde not abandon their trades to goe to fielde , and therefore he desired to haue mercenarie soldiers , and finding that frauncis baretto staied long to bring any from fraunce , he dispatched peter dora , then consul of the french in that realme , into fraunce , giuing him money to leuie two thousand men , he named diego de meneses , his lieutenant generall , and gaue the charge of his armie at sea , to george de meneses : he vnderstoode well the course of the catholique armie , but trusting as well in the people as to the passage of the riuer , he seemed to be well able to defend himselfe : hee grewe doubtfull ( being ill aduertised ) that whilest the duke marched by small iourneies towardes settuuall , seeming to go thither , he should take the way to saint arem as some would suppose , there to passe the riuer of tagus with more ease , being narrow , and after to march by land against lisbone , without regard of smaller towns ; hauing therefore grounded a great part of his hopes vpon the defence of the passage of the riuer , being amazed with this newes , he sent to furnish it with men and armes : but vnderstanding afterwards that the duke was in truth approched to settuual , that he had taken alcazar , which is neere vnto it , he called back the men which he had sent to saint arem , and with some others which hee had forceablie gathered togither , he sent them to settuual , forcing the gentlemen one after an other , and all in generall to go thither , sometimes with punishments , sometimes with entreaties , and sometimes with promises of exemptions and priuiledges : but for all this no man went willingly , and such as were forced complained greatly . the nobilitie was small in number , and such as were there , nothing resolute , the people easie to change vpon euery light occasion , were slothful , hauing conceiued an opinion that it was not lawfull to fight against christians , so as some fled , some hidde themselues , and some complained . the kings ministers being newe , men ill affected , and not fashioned to commaund , as those which had the reines at libertie , did tyrannize with absolute authoritie , forcing al men with an vnaccustomed rigor , to fight against their wils . at that time they did tollerate within the citie infinite disorders , and thefts to draw money from the marchants : they imprisoned some which woulde not presently paie that which was demaunded of them ; if any tooke horse to goe out of the citie about their busines , sodainly they saide they fledde into castill , and with this slander they seased vpon their persons and goods . hee was vnhappie that did commend the catholique kings forces , for he was either stoned , imprisoned , or condemned in a great summe of money , they tooke from all men by force their horse and armes , who so had little credite or no acquaintance with these new officers , were ill assured : such as had reckonings to make with the courte were in ill case , for they were forced to paie what they did owe , without compensation of what was due vnto them : for this cause , and for that they seemed friends to quietnes , some of great meanes , and verie honorable were imprisoned . the barbarous decrees , the commaundements that were made to surcease the paiments and rents , to binde euerie man to retire into the citie , and stande to the defence , the opening and spoiling of houses that were shut vp were infinite , there was nothing but rigour , and rudenes , and all was executed by men who with their ignorance & bad inclination , expresly to cause disorders , made commaundements inobseruable , the crosses of militarie orders , especially those which carrie the title of knights of christ , sometime held in reputation , were now giuen to many base and vnwoorthie persons , by the intercession of one or other . the new christians who were neuer admitted to these orders , nor to the degree of nobilitie , nor to any royall offices , were sodainely by the fauour of this man mounted to what degree they pleased , not for that he was beholding to anie that had succoured him in the time of his necessities , but for that he was easily perswaded by whōsoeuer . the black negroes to whom ( for the great number there is of them in the citie of lisbone ) armes were defended , were sodainely all armed , and as it were free , commaundement being made , that all such as woulde serue in this warre vnder captaines , likewise moores assigned for that purpose , might do it against the will of their masters , and without paying ; for which cause , all the slaues being assembled , and conceiuing the kings commaundement to be more in their fauour then it was , shaking off the yoke , leauing their patrons , they ranne vnto the citie , where taking horse and armes by force where they found them , they committed a thousand insolencies . they coined money in the name of anthony , a quarter lesse then it was woont to be , the reuenew of the crowne was wasted , for besides that he extorted from the treasurers what he coulde , he laide handes vpon the iewels of the crowne , and vpon that most renowmed ( by the portugals ) saddle and furniture for a horse , inriched with stones brought from the indies , which was of great value . the money which henry had gathered togither for the raunsome of the portugals , which were slaues in affricke , was consumed and wholy spent : and this liberty proceeded so farre , that they sought into religious houses , for the money which they thought had beene there laide in guard , and hauing founde some , although it appertained to friendes , and faithfull persons , to orphans , and pupils , yet was it seased on , without number or weight , togither with the siluer vessels of the same churches , the which was violently carried away in some places , and in other places with the consent of the religious men themselues : neither were the iewels and treasure which marie the cousen of the said anthonie left , more assured , being giuen to godly vses , for the good of her soule : for notwithstanding he were greatly bound vnto her , yet he tooke them , & conuerted them to his own vse . they gaue libertie to religious men to arme themselues , imploying them in militarie charges , to the scandall of the people , and all good and religious men , and without any fruite . many of the better sort remembring the time past , and that wherein king sebastian raigned blamed themselues , for then they complained of the arrogancie of his fauorites , who they saide had neuer done any harme . they blessed king henrie saying , that although he knew not , in the small time of his raigne how to gouerne himselfe as hee ought , yet did hee neuer erre in will , or suffred himselfe to be so easily seduced by any to the hurt of another . they cursed the gouernors who had beene so slowe to resigne the gouernment , concluding that rashnes had raigned with sebastian , irresolute arrogancie with henry , confusion with the gouernors , and iniustice with anthony . some excused this last with weake reasons , saying , there was nothing done amisse by his commandement , being curteous & wel enclined ; but that the greedy couetousnes of many of his followers caused this excesse , who hauing long suffred whilest he was persecuted , cōming now to rule they satisfied thēselues , making things vnlawful tolerable , & that the prior durst not deny their demaunds , nor punish the offenders , both for that the time was vnfit , as also to auoid the name of vnthankfull , in punishing such as had aided and succoured him , when he was abandoned of all the world , for the seuere sentences of king henry . the sixth booke . the contents of the sixth booke . the conquest the catholique king made of settuual , and of the fortresse : the arriuall of his sea-armie , there : the thoughts of anthonie : the voiage of cardinal riario into spaine : the passage of the armie from settuuall to cascayes , and the retraite of diego de meneses , with his portugall soldiers : the confusion of things in the citie of lisbone : the taking of cascayes , and of the castell : the death of diego de meneses : anthony marcheth with his troupes to belem , & to alcantara : apardon sent by king philip vnto the portugals to draw them vnto him : the treaties of pacification : the deliuerie of the rocke of saint iulian , and of the fort : of cabesa secca being abandoned , & the taking of the towre of belem . the duke of alua drew by small iourneies neere vnto settuual with his armie , marching with small order , and without feare , as they are accustomed to do in their friends countrey : but approching neere , calling the chiefe commaunders he saide vnto them ; that although they had hitherto neglected all militarie discipline , being so farre distant from their enimies , now approching neere vnto them , they ought not to contemne them , chieflie hauing settuual so neere , a citie of importance , wherein it was likely , there was a great garrison : and therefore that euery one heereafter shoulde carefully doe his dutie , lodging his campe within the gardens on the north side . he presently sent a trumpet to signifie vnto them of the towne , that he was come in the name of the catholique king to take possession thereof as his owne , that they shoulde open him the gates , threatning them if they did otherwise , with all the miseries that did followe warre , offring both to the inhabitants and to the souldiers , to leaue their persons and goodes free , if they would obey . those within irresolute and deuided , demaunded time to aduise : and for that we doe vsually regard our owne priuate profite more then any otherthing ; the citizens viewing from the wals , the soldiers to cut their vines , and spoile their banks of salt , whereof there is great aboundance in that place , would presently haue yeelded vpon any cōdition . the marriners & some few soldiers made a cold shew of resistance : yet frauncis mascaregnas who was captaine of the city , & diego boteglio the yonger , who commaunded the soldiers , ( hauing well considered the weakenes of the wals , and fearing the enimie neere , whom they little regarded a farre off ) were more enclined to yeeld then to anie thing else , neither did it behoue him to linger long vpō this resolutiō : for lewes douara had practised with a frenchman , who was captaine of a cōpanie within the citie , to deliuer him in the night , the gate which he had in guard , the which he had performed , but the citizens being formerly resolued , sent simon de miranda vnto the duke , to offer him obedience , but he could not execute his embassage : for the soldiers of the citie , who were priuie to the resolution of the commaunders , being issued foorth to go to lisbone , they found the said simon without the gates , & saying that he had betraied them , they led him by force to anthony , who kept him in prison ; notwithstanding presently after , the soldiers of the armie were brought in without condition or order . it is true that in this time the duke had planted his cannon , & was resolued to batter it , & for a punishment of the slack resolution of the inhabitāts to yeeld , their suburbs were spoiled , so as we may well say , that one of the most important cities of the realme was taken by threatnings , neither did the wars seeme yet to haue any beginning . the portugal soldiers ( as i said ) departed free , only diego boteglio not trusting to the duke , or seeming to be one of those that had actually serued anthony , would haue fled secretly by sea , but he was taken & kept prisoner . the towre which keepes the entry of the port , remained yet in the hands of the portugals : the which , for that it was a place of hard accesse , & vneasie to bring the cānon to it , although it were small and weake , yet was it held by the portugals to be strōg , the rather being backed towards the sea with three gallions armed , which had beene sent from lisbone , vnder the commaund of ignace rodrighez voloso : and although it were manned with few soldiers , yet had it no need of any great number , not being capable of many : it was well furnished with cannoniers , sufficient artillerie , and a captaine , who amongst the portugals was counted valiant . they attended at settuual the armie at sea with great deuotion : for besides that the short season for galleies to liue in that sea began to weare away , if they had made any longer stay , the armie at land had presently fallen into great want of victuals and munition : for this reason the duke desired to make himselfe with all speede master of the fortresse , & therefore he greatly entreated mendo de la mota , ( for so the captaine was called ) to consigne it vnto him ; the which he refusing , the duke added some promises in the kings name , but they preuailed not : and for that aluaro de bassan marques of s. crux , captaine of the said catholique armie by sea , being departed from s. marie porte , hauing run all the coast of algarues , and reduced many cities of that countrey to the kings obedience , was now arriued in this sea , with threescore galleis , and some round vessels , to the great contentment of the campe . the duke was forced , hauing with great labour made his platformes , to plant fower peeces of cannon , and to lodge his footemen for the force thereof , to the end the galleies hauing no other porte of retreate , should not be forced by the windes to runne any other course , whereof he gaue the charge to prosper colonna : but the artillerie was no sooner planted , whereas it might annoy one of the gallions , that was approched neerer land then the rest , the which being subiect to the castillians cannon , which slew three or fower of their men , they presently hoised sailes , entring the porte to yeeld , where they were in great danger ; for those within the tower seeing them goe to the enimie , discharged all their artillerie against them : colonna turned the artillerie against the forte , and beginning to batter , the assieged fainting , chiefly hauing viewed the armie at sea , yeelded , vpon condition to depart with their liues , and bagge and baggage , the which were stricter conditions then had beene formerly offered . but the duke although hee were well pleased with the successe , yet did he not seeme to allow that prosper shoulde receiue it with these conditions , seeing they had indured the cannon , seeming that the assieged that had not obeied vpon the first shotte of the cannon were not woorthie of pardon : then the galleies drew neere , and hauing quietly taken the other two gallions , they entred within the porte . they had some intelligence at lisbone of the taking of settuual , yet not assured thereof , but by hearesay and coniectures ; so ill was the prior informed , that by this meanes hee was subiect to beleeue many lies : whilest he was yet in suspence , three poore women with their haire about their eares , came to the palace , weeping and crying , that for the loue of god he would cause their husbands to be succoured , who alone fought vpō the wals of the citie against the whole armie of the duke of alua , not being rescued by the soldiers , nor any other , being all traitors : and ▪ for that we more easily beleeue what we desire ( although it be not likely ) then what reason telleth vs , he beleeued that what these women had reported was true , and mooued with their teares and lamentations , turning to the counte of vimioso , who had alreadie made offer to goe , without any further aduise , hee commaunded him to assemble what forces he coulde , and for the honour of the portugals bloud , goe succour that place . to that end they assembled the whole people by ringing of the bels with other diligence ; so as they imbarqued some by loue , some by force , some armed , some vnarmed , without knowledge who shoulde leade them , howe they shoulde march , or what they should do : feare did nothing reteine them , for as yet they had neuer seene the enimie in the face , and therefore not onely the youth ranne thither , but old men armed with heades and handes shaking , imbarqued , themselues not pressed there unto ( being freed by their age ) but vpon a certaine naturall hatred : many religious men ranne through the citie on horsebacke with their naked weapons in hande , incouraging the people to imbarque . the women of base condition made the aire deafe ; the churches were full of sighings and lamentations , which they powred foorth with their foolish praiers , whereby it seemed they knewe not what they demaunded , for they praied for christendome , as if they had beene besieged by infidels : it was the . day of iuly , the heate being extreame , and these poore wretches who were imbarqued , ( attending the course of the water , burned with the sunne , not yet a span from the banke ) began to suffer thirst , so as many repented , and would gladly haue returned if they could . but they remained in this estate vntil fowre of the clocke in the afternoone , reckoning after the french manner : at what time anthony going alongst the riuer , reioicing to see so many readie to do him seruice , there arriued a carauell from settuual , which brought certaine newes of the successe ; the which although it pleased these people , who ( halfe dead with suffring ) disimbarqued againe , yet it greatly displeased the prior , who hauing beene there in person , and furnished it with armes and munition , as much as he coulde possiblie , and as he thought was conuenient , he had conceiued an assured hope , that it shoulde holde out long , but seeing it nowe so shamefully lost , he grewe amazed : and although he durst neither in worde nor deede , make shew of any feare , yet as it were foretelling the mischiefe he was greatly troubled with himselfe : and for that in the counsels of such as be afflicted , such seemes alwaies best , as cannot be executed , hauing lost the occasion , he began now to consider , that he had done ill in not following the counsell of such as aduised him not to take vpon him the title of king , for with the name of protector which he might haue taken , it seemed vnto him that he might at al times haue made an honorable peace . but that nowe being king proclaimed and sworne with subscribing it in so many places , although he had not suffered any one to kisse his hands , nor taken the scepter , it seemed vnto him difficult , and almost impossible to leaue the title but with his life , yet hauing well considered by the euents , that his affaires were weake and vnstable , he found the enimie to be mightie , and so farre aduaunced in the enterprise , that he had no meanes to staie him , nor make him relinquish armes : he founde himselfe abandoned , as a man may say , of the whole realme : for the duke of bragance the greatest of all the nobilitie , hauing made an agreement with the catholique king , had retired himselfe expecting the euent : the marques of villa reale , who had giuen him hope to ioine , appeered not , and almost all the other great personages of the realme , and a great part of the nobilitie , had followed the examples of these , for that some went openly to badagios , to acknowledge the catholique king for their lorde ; some others staied , to suite themselues according to the occurrents , so as the least part came to him , and these were such men , as neither loue , nor their owne desires , but feare , shame , and their owne priuate considerations had drawne vnto him ; for some filled themselues with vaine hopes , by reason of the great familiaritie they had with him ; some others being present , coulde not but followe him ; and others for the rigorous commaundements he had made , that euery man should come and acknowledge him , came fearefully , whereof some stoode more in awe then others , for such as had their goods and persons any thing retired , made small account of his commaundement ; and such as were neere , as more subiect to the execution thereof , came of force , faining great affection : from these counterfeit lookes of the rebellion of cities , of the retraite of some to badagios , of the report daily made vnto him , of thinges which bred doubt in him , sometimes of the fidelitie of one , sometimes of an other : he grewe iealous that he shoulde one day be deliuered into his enimies hands , by such as he fauoured most , to warrant their persons from the great danger wherein they were : and this iealousie did so encrease , that he imprisoned george de meneses , captaine generall at sea , hauing wrongfully beleeued , that he had treated to yeelde the armie to the enimies , and to conduct them within the porte of lisbone . heereunto they added that halfe the realme was lost , for all that part of tagus towards andelouzia was possessed by the castillians , and if there were any corner thereof where they had not beene , as at begia , and some other places of the realme of algarues , either they made no reckoning thereof , or they had compounded ; and the other moitie of the realme , where the enimies had not beene , was almost all in suspence , for the citie of porto which is the principall , and almost all the rest which lie betwixt the riuers of doro and migno , did not yet fully obey , desiring since they were come to armes , to see who shoulde haue the better , onely coimbra was more at his deuotion then all the rest , and shewed it selfe more of anthonies faction then the whole realme ; for in the beginning of iuly it began to rise , at the perswasion of iohn rodrigues de vasconcellos , a gentleman and a priest , whom anthony had sent thither , expelling peter guedez gouernour thereof , who fledde with the corygidor in great hazard of his life , and if the plague had not then afflicted the citie , the disorders had beene greater ; yet this was but one citie onely : whereas contrariwise saint arem , the first place where he was proclaimed king , beganne to rise against him , for the pacifying whereof , he sent emanuel de sylua , one of the first moters of this popular humour which made him king ; so as he had scarce any citie remaining but lisbone , whereof he had no great confidence , although the common people by their accustomed braggings , shewed him great affection ; in this so apparant danger hee founde not any of so many potentates enclined to succour him , who in reason should not willingly haue seene his enimie aspire to such greatnes . so as afflicted with these thoughts , he had easily followed the counsell of an accorde , although the fidelitie of the portugals , and the name of king woulde not suffer him , yet hee had no man about him that coulde perswade him , but was cured by contrarie remedies : for taking counsell with diego boteglio the elder , his familiar , who had followed him in all his disgraces ; and with those of the house of portugall ; although his flight , if he would haue attempted it , were stopped , and small hope of victory in battaile , yet coulde he not agree and yeeld to fortune , but resolued to defend himselfe : in which resolution he was confirmed by the bishop of guarda , who as a bolde man woulde haue his opinion passe in all things : for he saide the catholique king was not so mightie as was supposed , that his spanish soldiers , were new and vntrained , that he woulde not drawe foorth of italy his trained men , fearing that being busied in spaine , the realme of naples , or the state of millaine shoulde reuolt : that the italians and germaines were few in number , for besides there were many dead , it was not safe to bring any great numbers into spaine , a prouince that is weake , and hatefull to all other nations : that at this present when as the brute should be of his taking armes , the states of italy , of nauarre , and of arragon woulde rebell : that the turke woulde descend vpon his realme of naples : that castill it selfe being greeued and ouercharged with impostes , woulde reuolt : that fraunce , england , and a part of germany , would come presently with many men to his succours , or at the least in assailing the other prouinces of the catholique king , diuert the warre , saying , it had not yet succeeded , the time being too short to giue them notice of his election , or receiue an answere : that the realme was mightie enough of it selfe to defend it selfe , on this side the riuer , vntill his friends had meanes to succour him : these things being deliuered vnto him by his friends with so great efficacie , and faining to haue receiued aduise , they did somewhat encourage anthony , besides that , the desire to raigne makes the vnbeleeuing , credulous : these men besides their aforesaide priuate passions , although they did well vnderstand the weaknes of the realme , and the lightnes of their reasons , were blinded with two things , whereby they perswaded anthony from composition . the one was , that knowing the offence to the catholique king to be so great , that although they shoulde obtaine their pardon , yet should they neuer receiue grace nor fauour , but remaine still in feare of their liues : the other was to enioy in the meane time the gouernment of the realme , the which in a manner was all in their hands , attributing vnto themselues the principall offices , so as for the affection they shewed vnto the crowne , it seemed that anthony bare them respect , and in a manner subiection , so as the feare of life , and the sweetenes of rule , made them obstinate . amidst these doubts , the prior was not without hope of some succours from fraunce , for that frauncis baretto being first of all sent by the gouernors , and then the consull of the french by himselfe , with some little money , he expected at the least one of them shoulde appeare with men , although the gouernors had sent baretto more to please the peoples desire , with this shewe , then for any will they had hee shoulde worke it in effect , being dispatched with ample commissions , they daily by their messengers restrained , and in a manner reuoked them , so as he effected nothing of importance : and although that anthony had written vnto him , yet was it late , and the consull of the french hauing receiued money , staied still in fraunce to take his pleasure , so as they expected succours from those parts in vaine , chiefly by reason that the agents of the catholique king laboured greatly that court , to keepe the portugals from their desire . true it is , that when anthony founde them so slowe in comming , and that the catholique kings galleies were masters of the sea , he began to be out of hope . then grew a confusion and disorder in all thinges , and forasmuch as their mindes were greatly troubled , all without rest , and all terrified , it chaunced that the night following the daie , when as they had receiued newes of the losse of settuuall , by reason of the flight of some castillian marchants , who held not themselues secure within the city , they tooke an allarum , with great amasement , crying that the enimie entred by many places , and as there was no ordered discipline , nor any man that knew what they should vndertake , the feare was so great , the confusion such and so vnreasonable , the running of people vp and downe to demaund what it was , and to seeke for flight , adding thereunto the terror of the night , in so great and well peopled a citie , that there coulde not be seene a greater confusion . and although at the rising of the sunne hauing discouered the truth , this feare vanquished , yet did there a greater seaze vpon euery mans minde : for vnderstanding in trutth the duke to be strong , they began to heare newes of the soldiers insolencies , which disbanded and drewe daily neerer , giuing no small astonishment to see certaine negro slaues returne wounded , who hauing rashly passed with their ensignes to the other banke , were ill entreated by some horse and shot of the enimie : they founde that anthony made no preparation , neither had he any forces to resist , gouerning himselfe with small iudgement , and therefore he neither knew how to fight , nor which way to flie , neither yet how to yeelde himselfe : he was daily in counsell with his men , but as he suffred himselfe to be gouerned by many , whose authorities were equall , and their opinions diuers , so did he neuer resolue any good thing , as it hapneth often in the like accidents . they then propunded more plainly then before the treatie of an accorde , and although some , who before did seeme brauest , shewed themselues nowe more milde , yet for that the counte of vimioso being a yoong man , perswaded to warre , no man durst contradict him : he affected the charge of generall , but hee knewe not by what meanes to displace diegode meneses , who enioied it , so as contrarying one an other , they prouided slowly for things necessarie , whereunto was a great hinderance , the credite that anthony gaue to edward de castro , a rich yoong man , to whom he was bounde , hauing furnished him with money , who desirous to shew himselfe valiant , obtained a commission to assemble what horse he coulde vnder his cornet , imploying him in matters of greater authoritie , then was fitte for his base qualitie . his holines hauing intelligence of the refusall the catholique king had made , touching his entermedling in the cause , doubted least the wars of portugall shoulde alter the quiet of all christendome . in the beginning hee had shewed himselfe newter to both kings , seeming to bee doubtfull in himselfe to whether part hee should encline : whether vnto henry that woulde giue the crowne vnto the dutchesse of bragance , or to philip that sought it for himselfe ; for by reason of state he should not be wel pleased to see these two realmes vnited , whereby the catholique king shoulde become more mightie and superior in forces , to all other princes : yet did he not willingly seeme to oppose against him , fearing to displease a prince that had deserued well of him : but vnderstanding that the two kings were agreed , and that henry had changed his minde , and laboured to giue the realme to philip , he then made it manifest that he would fauour anthony , and the portugals , the which was more apparant after the death of king henry , when as hee laboured to haue the cause of succession ended by sentence : but philip in regard of the qualitie of the iudges , detested this decision . but his embassadors hauing laboured in vaine in this respect ( philip growing iealous , and not greatly trusting the popes good meaning ) woulde not put to compremise , that which he seemed to holde certaine : his holines determined to sende a cardinall into spaine , expresly to treat vpon this busines : therefore before the prior was proclaimed king , he dispatched cardinal alexander riario his legat vnto philip , with commission to disswade the king from armes , and from thence to passe into portugall , to fauour this busines , with commission likewise to offer himselfe for iudge in the popes behalfe vnto all the pretendents . there were diuers discourses in spaine vpon the comming of this legat ; and although the castillians feared not his sentence , seeming hee shoulde not offer himselfe alone to determine so great a matter in spaine , if he had no meaning to pronounce it in fauour of philip ; yet they helde it not conuenient to put the matter into his hands , being of opinion that the pope vnder colour to perfourme the office of a generall father , came ( as it is saide ) to make himselfe absolute iudge of realmes : that besides the extraordinarie authoritie he shoulde draw vnto the aposto like sea , hee shoulde binde the king vnto his house , by giuing him a kingdome . for this cause the king hauing intelligence of his departure from rome , desirous to take possession of the realme before his arriuall , hee commaunded throughout all spaine where he shoulde passe , that he shoulde be entertained and receiued with all possible pompe , whereof the legat taking no heede , he accepted of all their kindnes . for this cause , and for that the voiage was long , he spent much time ; being arriued at badagios , he found that the affaires had taken an other forme then when he was at rome : for he vnderstood that anthony was king , and that philips forces were entred portugall , being then at the wals of settuuall : finding therefore the matter he had to treate of thus altred , he sent to his holines for new direction , being in the meane time lodged without the citie in a cōuent of religious men which go barefoote , he sent traian mario apostolike prothonotarie , to visite the king , who receiuing him with great fauor , said vnto him , that he was right sorie , that by reason of his sicknes he could not go to meete the legat , as he was bounde ; but when god should giue him health he woulde then performe it , supposing by this meanes to entertaine him the longer , that the cardinall ( desirous to enter with accustomed ceremouies ) would attend his recouerie , and in the meane time the duke of alua should take possession of the realme . but the legat seeing his indisposition , & finding how much delay did import , craued leaue to come to him by night priuately in coach , the which with great difficultie was graunted , comming vnto him one night , accompanied with the duke of ossuna , and the earle of chinchion : but this audience was of small effect , for the legat by the alteration of the affaires being irresolute , and the catholique king most resolute to proceede in this enterterprise , trusting more to armes , then wordes , there was no agreement , the king saying , that the matter was so farre aduaunced , as it coulde admit no treating . the cardianll was lodged in the house of the marquesse d'oignion , not being receiued at his entrie with the ceremonies accustomed for a cardinall legat : hee remained a while without doing any thing , but to effect the popes cōmission , he would passe into portugall . the king who desired to stay him , entertained him all he could , supposing that the legat being within lisbone , it woulde be scandalous to goe against him with an armie : moreouer , he had no great confidence in the legat , but held him as suspect , for that being before in portugall with cardinall alexandryn , he had entred a strict league of amitie with the duke of bragance , one of the pretendents , who had lodged and entertained him : so as to delay his departure , the king being now recouered of his sicknes , sent vnto him , that he woulde not haue him take his iourney before he had made his entrie with the ceremonies accustomed to a cardinall legat ; and therefore requested him to go out of the citie , and he would meete him with due ceremonies , the which he did : by meanes of which delay , causing some to aduise him not to depart , he entertained him so long that he went not . the duke of alua hauing nowe taken settuuall , he hastened forward : for the realme of algarues and many other cities in those parts , hauing sent him word that lisbone being taken , they would obey , he held all that reduced , that lieth on this side tagus towards castill , meaning to passe his armie on the other side of the riuer , and so march against lisbone : he stoode in suspence where he should passe , whether beneath lisbone towardes the mouth at cascayes , or about against almeryn , and passe at saint arem , or else to sende the galleis , although with some daughter within the riuer of tagus , coasting along the left banke , and he himselfe to goe to almada or casillas , there to imbarque with his armie , and so to passe to the other side : the passage of cascaies albeit it were neerer , yet was it more dangerous : for although hee might well passe from settuuall with his galleis , yet was there not any shoare , or conuenient place to lande , which was not fortified and furnished with artillerie , soldiers , and forts , whither the galleis could not approch without great danger ; besides hee was aduertised that diego de meneses was there in fielde with many men . to goe to almeryn hee considered that he shoulde finde no barkes , being all drawne to the other side ; if hee carried any with him , they were but few , and to builde them there , it was a matter of long delay , and the largenes of the riuer woulde not suffer him to make a bridge : and although possible in some places hee might wade through , yet the march was long being aboue threescore myles , that to doe it in so hotte a season , in a drie countrie , without water , with a great armie , and much baggage , was a painfull thing : it might prolong the warre , and loose their reputation by turning backe , besides they doubted resistance vpon the passage in those parts : to goe to almada and sende the galleies within the riuer , it was a counsell approoued of the greatest part , and especially of lewes douara , saying , it was a most assured thing , that from the banke they might batter the enimies armie with their cannon , passing their armie easily , and so become master of the citie without any losse , proouing that neither the rocke of saint iulian , nor the fort of cabesa secca , coulde greatly endomage their galleies . but the duke preferring the shortnes of the perill , enclined rather to passe at cascaies , then at any other place ; and therefore . hauing taken aduise of the portugals , who had fledde out of portugall into castil , & were then come with the armie , chiefly of anthony de castro , lord of cascaies , who knew the countrey well , hauing againe viewed the sea-coast , resolued against the opinion of many to passe at cascaies , and hauing made shewe to march with his armie to saint arem to deceiue the enimie , hauing in a manner imbarqued all his foote in the galleies , he tooke that course . and for that diego de meneses was at cascaies preparing for the defence , the galleies being within view of the citie , they made shew to turne their prooes to that place which is called s. anthonies shoare , the which the portugals had fortified , fearing the enimie would come thither , as a conuenient place for descent : they made this shew to draw meneses from all other parts to come thither , to make resistance , the which succeeded happily for the duke ; for such as were in guard in other places , assembled themselues there : the galleies hauing a while runne this course , the castell of cascaies discharging some cannon shot against them , turning their stems to the place which they call the old shoare , which was rough and vnaccessible , finding it vnfurnished , it was easie to disimbarque ; although before hee were in some doubt whether he shoulde proceede or returne backe , both for that the winde was growne contrarie , as hauing discouered vpon the hilles some armed men , doubting the successe woulde be but badde , yet he resolued to passe on . it is said , that at that time one of the dukes eldest captaines , and verie familiar with him , drawing neere vpon colour of some other conference , saide vnto him in his eare , that this disimbarking , was rather fit for a generall of fiue and twentie yeeres , then for one of his age , who houlding him by the shoulder answered , that he could not denie it , neither could he omit to do it ; not withstanding his enimies were without experience ; when as the galleies discharged their artillerie , the place remained without defence , and the armie landed without contradiction . the first soldier that went a shoare was a hargabusier , who hauing chosen a place of least danger , turned his face to the enimie , leauing behinde him sufficient space to fourme a squadron : two others which followed him were on each side , a little behinde him in equall distance , making a triangle equilaterall , besides these two came three others , and then sixe , and so the number still increasing they went in ranke , the one greater then the other , stretching foorth themselues behind the point of this triangle , making the bodie still greater without loosing the forme , so as it grewe to as great a proportion as the place coulde conteine , the which were all put into this forme , after whom the duke disimbarked . before this shoare was a mountaine of harde accesse , behinde the which lay diego de meneses with his troupes , hauing planted vpon the toppe thereof , and betwixt certaine rockes , some small peeces of artillery , to hinder their descent , but they coulde not vse them , for they were not planted in any place to endomage the galleies ; the which being discouered by the soldiers which landed , some of them disbanding from the triangle with their muskets , seased vpon the cannon , abandoned by their cannoniers , which were retired behinde the mountaine , where the rest of the portugals stood : the triangle being finished , the duke thrust foorth the point thereof , and stretched out the soldiers as well as he could in a square forme to march , hauing ascended the mountaine by the easiest way , seeing the enimie amazed , neither to flie nor to defend themselues , & without any forme of lodging : he sent about fowerscore shotte to entertaine the skirmish , which followed with great disaduantage to the portugals , who being lesse experienced in shooting , and vnfurnished of muskets were often and a farre off beaten by the enimie ; when as their shot could not reach them . so as amazed with the death of some of their men , all the rest began to retire , with no small disorder towards cascayes , from whence meneses saide they should returne to charge the enimie : by reason whereof the duke remained master of the fielde with greater facilitie then he expected ; the which was a great signe that all the other things should succeed fauorably , seeing in this of so great importance , hee had so happie successe . euery man supposed , ( and the portugals more then all the rest ) that the duke shoulde haue founde more trouble in this passage then hee had ; for besides the fortifications made in diuers places , they trusted to the discommoditie of the shoare , and in the valour of the saide meneses , who ( hauing beene a captaine at the indies ) had ( but most by his liberalitie ) gotten reputation amongst this nation . but forasmuch as the portugals deceiue themselues most of any nation in iudgement of themselues , the like hapned in the opinion they had in this their captaine : yet were they not deceiued in their iudgement touching the vneasie descent , for so it was ; but these discommodities are easily surmounted , where there is no resistance . many portugals hauing seene this vnhappy successe , accused the captaine of cowardise , who durst not attende the enimie vpon the banke to defende him from the shoare , or to ascend the hill ; some ( seeming vnto them impossible that a man of that account should haue so small valour ) charged him with disloyaltie , saying that he would not fight , hauing beene corrupted by the catholique kings ministers . hee excused himselfe weakely , saying , that the soldiers he had , being gathered togither of all sorts , and fearefull , woulde not fight , but doubting against reason of his fidelitie did mutine against him , and would not obey . these things did greatly amaze both the prior and the whole citie of lisbone , for cascayes being but fifteene miles from the citie vnwalled , and weake , they feared the duke being master of that place , that the enimeis might make their courses daily euen vnto the pallace gates . and this feare , which often worketh the like effects in cowardes by dispaire , that inconsideratenes doth in rash heads being mingled with choler , did so trouble anthony , that hauing rung the bels , and giuen the allarum , with great disorder and confusion , he assembled the whole people within the pallace yarde , some on horsebacke , some on foote , some armed , some vnarmed , saying , he would go to field against the enimie . but at the same time there arriued at court two religious men , who saying they came from those parts , confirmed the enimies discent , and with all affirmed that they had bin in skirmish , and that the castillians had the woorst , hauing lost many of their men , and some of their principall captaines : the which being beleeued , turned their sorrow and ringing of bels , into feasts , and sounding of trumpets , and shooting of artillerie , the which they discharged for ioy : yet soone after they vnderstoode the truth ; but for that it was late , they deferred the departure of anthony with his men vnto the next day morning . in the meane time all things were so troubled , and so full of libertie , that a false bruite being spred abroad , how that george de meneses ( who was prisoner within the castell ) practised to escape , all the people armed , yea the women ranne thither , whom if a iudge had not defended , although they found him there , and not attempting any thing , they had murdered . the day following , returning to assemble the people in furie , hauing still newes of the enimie , without consideration whither they marched , or what they had to do , anthony departed with these men towardes cascayes , but hauing marched three miles , being arriued at belem , his choler somewhat qualified , returning backe to viewe such as followed him , hee founde his number lesse , and in woorse order then hee expected ; for who so had a pike had no sworde , and hee that had a harquebuse , had no match , and altogither were not aboue a thousande foote , and fiue hundreth horse , after the genette manner : for although they had assembled a great number within lisbone , yet many vpon their departure were retired to their houses : standing a while in this estate , with the count of vimioso , he called all the nobilitie he had about him to councell , demanding of them what they should do : sodainly there grewe a mutinie amongst this people , who cried out that they shoulde march on , vowing to kill any that shoulde speake of their retraite , before they had gotten the victorie , and chased away the castillians : for this cause some lesse blinded , who perhaps woulde haue shewed the prior his weakenes , and aduised him to retire , durst not speake : but the sunne setting , necessitie made his troupes feele some part of those inconueniences , whereof they were yet ignorant , for desiring to eate , there was not any bread to be found ; so as the vaine presumption of this people being vanquished by hunger , in a few howres , they all returned backe full of confusion . the duke being lodged this night neere vnto our ladies church of guida , the day following hee went to cascaves , which place being vnprouided of defence , was spoiled by the soldiers , against the promise which the duke had made to anthony de castro ; yet the inhabitants had in a manner abandoned it : there did he passe his horse in galleies from settuuall , with the rest of the armie , artillerie , munition , & baggage , incamping round about the castell of the saide towne , into the which diego de meneses had retired himselfe , vnknowen to the duke : and although this seemed no fortresse of defence , yet the duke hauing sent a trumpet thither to will them to yeelde , these miserable wretches trusted so much in themselues , that breaking the law of nations , they shot at the trumpet , and prepared for their defence , saying , that they were all resolued to die . sodainly the artillery was planted , and for that the wals were weak , hauing with fewe shot made a great breach , they found their owne faulte too late , resoluing to yeeld : and although they made certain signes from the wals , yet those without woulde not vnderstande them , so as lifting vp a white cloth in signe of peace , he which helde it , being discouered vpon the wals , the soldiers that were in guard , made many shotte at him , and slew him , which gaue small hope of helpe to the assieged : yet making an other signe , and seeing the batterie ceased not , the which had now made a great breach , dispairing of pardō , viewing the ruined wals , without any other embassage or composition , they opened the gates , where the soldiers entred without any resistance : there they founde diego de meneses , who with a portugals confidence , supposing he had not greatly offended , sent to tell anthony de castro who was with the duke that he was there , that as one gentleman ought to do for an other , he shoulde obtaine his pardon , and take him into his charge , procuring him a barke to go vnto the prior. but the duke had him no sooner prisoner , but hee cut off his head , and caused henry pereira captaine of the fortresse , with some other of the principals to be hanged , to terrifie by this first execution the captaines of other forts , that should be obstinate in resisting . the furie and confusion which the newes of these euents caused in the citie , was incredible ; so as , if by chaunce the peasants tooke any of the enimies prisoner ( as it often happens , with such as for desire of pillage straggle from the campe ) hee was most miserable : for whilest they ledde him bound , such as were armed with their armes , religious men with their staues , women and children with stones , did so pitifully handle him , as happie was hee that coulde strike him , and their licentious libertie was so great , as it was lawfull for any one ( though most base ) and for euery slaue to wrong any stranger whatsoeuer , to imprison him , and sende him to the galleies ; for charging him to be an enimie , the whole people at the least motion would rise and execute what they pleased , were it right or wrong . anthony seeing nowe all hope of defence vpon the passage of the riuer lost , and a mighty enimie so neere him , sought some remedie for his affaires . all conditions presented vnto him , were most hard : for to issue foorth and fight he iudged it a folly , finding his defect of men to vanquish ; much lesse to bring the battaile in question : to defend the citie it was impossible , for the greatnes thereof being without wals and weake : his flight by sea was stopped by the galleies , he woulde not hazard to escape by lande , being vnable to carry with him many iewels , and some money which he had gathered togither ; and to compounde with the duke was brother vnto death : so as wauering in these thoughts , the magistrate of the chamber of lisbone went vnto him , saying , that seeing the enimy was so neere and so mightie , they would not bring the safetie of the citie in question , nor so gouerne themselues , that being weake it shoulde be a praie to the soldiers : that therefore hee shoulde prepare to issue foorth and defend it , the which if he did not , the citie coulde do no lesse then prouide for her owne safetie . he answered , that the time was nowe come when as they shoulde aide him with men , entertained at their owne charge , which doing , he hoped with many others which hee had assembled , god woulde giue him the victorie : but the magistrate excused they coulde not do it , for the great charge they had beene at by reason of the plague ; whereunto he replied , that within two daies howsoeuer , he woulde frame his campe , and march against the duke : for this cause , hauing let passe the fourth day of august , most vnhappie to the portugals , for the losse of the battaile in affrick , and hauing left some of his most precious things in certaine religious houses , he commaunded that all soldiers which had beene long before inrolled , and all the people of lisbone without exception of person whatsoeuer , should march towards belem ; the which was executed with great rigour , forcing many to go in person : for although the hatred against the castillians were in generall , yet the tailor , the shoemaker , the handicrafts men , and the peasants , who bragged , that they alone woulde conquer the whole world , did not willingly leaue their houses , but fainting daily , they chose rather to encounter with wordes then bullets , besides , being accustomed to an other trade , and vnfit for warre , they had not beene trained to shoote in a harquebuse , vnapt to carrie , much lesse to mannage a pike : so as of this forced and tumultuarie people they had assembled eight or ten thousand at belem , whither in the ende anthony went , who still doubtfull , and ill aduised , without any resolution , expecting what time woulde counsaile him . the resolution whereon he most depended was , that if the duke came against the citie , to meete him vpon the waie , with some aduantage if he coulde , and giue him battaile , propounding like a desperate man , either to vanquish or to die : yet soone after , when the occasiō was presented , he could neither effect the one nor the other . his troupes lay not encamped , but were dispersed heere and there , within the houses of that small place , vnder the porches of the monasterie , and other such like , without either forme or strength of a lodging . he had no captaine of experience , no marshall of the fielde , nor sergeant that coulde commaund the soldiers , lodge them , and put them in battaile if neede were . sforce orsin a yoong man , and valiant , but of no great experience , was come out of italy , at the brute of these warres , yet being a stranger and alone , he was not obeied , neither did they greatly trust him : the priuate captaines of companies had no experience , and there was so great want of men , that some friers were made captaines of the moores , and of the scum of the people , carrying in one hande their crosses , and in the other their armes . it is not to be forgotten ( as a thing not accustomed ) the mutinies growen in religious houses , where being deuided into factions , fewe were affected to the castillians , few remained newters , and infinite were those that affected the rule of anthony , for the fauouring of whose cause , they committed manie disorders : the priests were no more temperate then the rest , many whereof hauing left their priestly habite , were gone to field armed : in this confusion anthony remained three daies at belem , whilest the duke approched slowly : the fourth day , hee considered that although there came still vnto him some soldiers which had beene leuied in all the cities of the realme , yet the armie diminished daily , for that the inhabitants of the citie left him , who hauing their houses neere , not accustomed to the discommodities of warre , fled from him , therefore he sent to lisbone , commaunding vpon great punishments to bring vnto him by force , al such as should be found armed , or vnarmed , defending that no man shoulde retire to anie other place , but where he was , desiring that as well the cowardes as the valiant , shoulde runne the like fortune with him ; supposing ( as king sebastian had done to his losse ) it were possible to force men to fight that were both vnskilfull and vnwilling : and forasmuch as his onely hope consisted in the peoples fauour , to the ende they shoulde follow him more willingly , he graunted vnto all ( but especially to those of his traine , free libertie , the which carrying with it confusion , was cause of great harme ; for as the whole citie was filled with negroes and peasants , the quieter sorte had more feare of the people thē of the enimy , yet was there not seene any one to powre foorth his hate , or commit any priuate reuenge , of small or great importance , not for that there are not many dissentions and factions amongst them , but being more apt to reuenge themselues by the toong then by sworde : all rigour to force men to the fielde preuailed little , for feare encreasing with this diligence , they hidde themselues the more , the which anthony perceiuing , finding himselfe in no assurance at belem , hauing the enimies campe so neere , and a conquerour , he was aduised to passe on , and to lodge about the wals of the rocke of saint iulian , supposing that two good effects woulde grow thereby , the one , that his armie should be more safe vnder the fauour of the cannon , and of the tower , the other that he should assure this forte , being the only defence of the whole realme . but this aduise being disallowed of the greatest part , hee retired himselfe by the counsell of sforce orsin to alcantara , a mile neerer the citie , putting a riuer betwixt him and the enimie , the which hauing the banks high on that part , serued him as a fortresse . and although this retraite was rather caused , by the inconsideratenes , wherewith hee went to belem , then by any newe feare of the enimie , yet was it iudicious , the place being strong by nature , and fitte for anthonies intent , who desired not to retire farre from the citie , to keepe it in obedience . the catholique king who remained still at badagios , vnderstanding the dukes proceedings , being on the one side glad , and on the otherside troubled to see this people attende the scourge of warre , besides that he did incense them against him , whom he desired much to entertaine as friendes , for this cause hee sought all meanes possible , as he had euer done , to winne them with the least shewe of hostilitie ; and therefore he thought it good to graunt a generall pardon to all portugals , that had beene imploied in this action against him , seeking by clemencie to make his enimies friends , the which he published , being thus in effect : that being informed that in the rebellion that anthony had raised , vsurping tirannouslie the name of a king of portugall , many of them which had followed his faction , had done it , being oppressed , forced , and deceiued , and that seeking to prouide that such should not be punished with offenders , and that the people more easie to be abused then the rest ; shoulde not bee chasticed with that rigour which lawe doth inflict ; his pleasure was , that al such ( as leauing the part of the said anthony and embracing his , as of their king , and naturall lorde , ) shoulde come vnto his seruice within a certaine time prefixed , to that effect by the duke of alua , shoulde bee freely pardoned all their faultes , whereinto they had runne by taking and following the voice of the saide anthony : he excepted notwithstanding the prior and all the seductors , and authors of the rebellions , committed at saint arem , lisbone , and settuual , and all such as had receiued from him any charges , offices , and recompences as king , and such as did serue him actually , all which , shoulde not enioy the saide pardon . and although this latter point was not approoued of all men , yet the rest seemed to be done with great iudgement ; for thereby they did not onely discouer the kings good meaning , but also his great wisedome , vsing clemencie to pardon , and martiall policie to procure the portugals to abandon the prior : but this writing ( although there were many copies dispersed , thorough the realme ) wrought small profite to philip , and little hurt to anthonie ; for neither did any greater number follow the catholique kings partie then before , neither did any man for feare abandon anthonies ; his fauorites only were a little greeued , who examining the forme thereof , seemed to be excluded , as those that had receiued offices , honors , and recompences : so as they did see their offences , become daily more capitall , togither with the example they had seene by the death of diego de meneses . many noted in this pardon , that besides it was written in the portugall toong , it beganne with the name of king onely , with the ordinarie titles of kings of portugall , and being accustomed to signe with these words io el rey , now he only subscribed rey : : pointed with fiue points , called by the portugals the fiue wounds , after the same manner the kings of portugall had vsed : so as some said , that in matters of small importance , he began to shewe himselfe a portugall . the duke of alua marched easilie towards oeiras , to the rocke of saint iulian , seeming so to doe expressely , that the portugals might haue leisure to resolue : being incamped so farre from the fortresse as their cannon coulde not annoy them , he presently sent a trumpet to demaund obedience : but being the very same whom he had formerly sent to the castell of cascayes , at whom they had shot , he durst not approch neere to the forte , fearing they woulde doe the like , so as onely hauing made a signe a farre off , without attending any answere , he returned , saying that they woulde not yeelde : for this cause hauing planted their artillerie on saint lawrence day , they began their batterie with tenne cannons , encreasing the number vnto fower and twentie : the galleies coulde not approch , for that the forte stoode vpon the sea , and therefore the portugall gallions drawing neere to the lande , did greatly indomage the castillians with their culuerings and other great artillery , but hauing planted three cannons in the night , they forced the gallions with a fewe volleies , to retire themselues higher vnto saint katherines shoare . anthony was now at alcantara vpon a hill , being but fiue miles distant from the fortresse , where he remained an vnprofitable behoulder of this battery , wheron it seemed his whole fortune depended ; for that the whole realme of portugall had no other forte but this , that coulde make any resistance ; so as loosing it , his greatest hope was vanished : but for that he might well succour it by sea , both with men and munition as he did , he hoped well it shoulde not be forced ; or at the least holde out , vntill that either winter shoulde draw on , or some prince ( taking pittie of his miserie ) should relieue his estate , before the winning thereof ; without the which he did see himselfe helpelesse , and the rather for that he had intelligence that the citie of lisbone ( being grieued with the great insolencies committed daily by the soldiers disbanded from the enimies campe thereabouts , ) were resolued not to giue him entrance within the citie , vnlesse he returned with victory , or had compounded with the enimie , fearing otherwise the duke woulde be displeased , and being weake , giue it in spoile vnto the soldiers . some were of opinion that the prior in whom desire of rule was of more force then religion , or other respect whatsoeuer , should ( finding al hopes lost ) procure that this citie ( which is in a manner the whole realme ) shoulde remaine as a praie to the auarice and voluptuousnes of the castillians , desiring that the portugals being forced to yeelde , the realme shoulde be so entreated by the catholique kings men , as there might remaine no hope of peace or amitie ; to the end , that if heereafter he shoulde pretende the recouerie of the realme , the people ( in regard of the hatred that such losses engender , togither with their naturall inclination ) shoulde remaine still enimie , and be more willing to yeeld to his deuotion : for this cause he sought dailie with all his force to reforme the magistrate of the chamber , and to place men , in whom he had great affiance , as well to haue entire into the citie if need were , as also to dispose of things at his pleasure : but forasmuch as the greatest part of those magistrates were mechanicke men , in whom feare hath a more interest , then the respect of a king , he did not greatly trust them : when he was proclaimed king , there followed him a gentleman of castill , who serued him as the first vallet of his chamber , seeing the warres to grow betwixt the portugals and castillians , hee craued , and obtained leaue to retire himselfe into his countrey . this man going to king philip , made offer ( for the great familiaritie hee had with anthony ) to treate an accord with him , being in great hope to effect it ; so as hee was sent to the duke of alua , with order that he shoulde suffer him to goe and conferre with the prior : for the effecting heereof hee came to lisbone , at such time as the duke tooke cascayes , and hauing discoursed at large with the prior , he enformed him of the kings forces , and aduised him to compound : the prior gaue eare to this treatie , and diego de carcamo , ( for so this gentleman was called ) did greatly presse him to giue him a letter of credite vnto the king , with commission what he had in charge . that such as had beene their mediators , were the cause that he had not serued him as he desired , but as much as the time woulde suffer him , he was ready to do it : that if it pleased him to sende any person as embassador to the three estates , that hee woulde perswade them to yeelde him obedience , and that he woulde say he had defended them so much as possiblie hee coulde , but his succours from fraunce and other prouinces failing , he could no longer resist , and therefore he aduised them to agree . in this letter which he had written to the king , he did signe rey. but repenting him afterwarde , he did write it againe , at the perswasion of carcamo , and subscribed it anthony : hauing receiued the letter & his charge , he seemed to haue ended his busines ; but being with the king , he was returned backe to anthony , with a resolutiō which he supposed should haue succeeded ; but with certaine letters to the duke of alua , whereby he was commanded to gouerne himselfe as the estate of the affaires shoulde require . hee arriued at such time as the duke was emcamped before the rocke of saint iulian. now did there lighten foorth a great hope of peace , the which soone after vanished away : for although the duke seemed to be well pleased with this practise , yet may we well say , it did not content him , seeming happely vnto him , that being so farre aduanced , hee shoulde haue more honour to conquer it by armes , then by agreement . for which cause he returned carcamo to the prior with this aunswer : that he was glad of his resolution to serue his maiestie , but there was no reason to sende an embassador to the states , seeing hee helde not the crowne from them but from the people , to whom if hee pleased hee woulde sende , and grant the like graces vnto them , which other cities had receiued by their yeelding . these words were deliuered him in writing , but by mouth the duke added , that he had beene an affectionate seruant to lewes his father , and that as he had now taken armes to depriue him of the realme ; so woulde he take them in hande againe to conquer him an other , so as it were not any of those that belonged to his king and lord. carcamo was not yet without hope to conclude the busines , but nowe the spanish grauitie hindred the effect of so great importance : for the duke supposed he shoulde not giue vnto anthony any greater title then seignory , and hee that was mounted from excellencie to highnes , held himselfe contemned , and so much disdained it , that both for the cold answere , & for this respect , he was assured the duke would haue no agreement : he therefore made answer by mouth , that seeing he woulde not agree , if his people would obey him , and be conformable to his will , they would either vanquish or all die in that place . vpon this answere , the duke ( repenting his manner of writing , or it may bee , fearing the king woulde not like of this kind of proceeding , ) sent backe carcamo to say vnto anthony , that he should send one by sea , or by land , and he woulde sende another , and that in the midde way they should conclude all thinges : but the prior who had small confidence in the duke , being greatly mooued , made no other replie ; but that kings were kings , and captaines , captaines ; but that victories came from the hands of god : so as the duke dispairing of the matter , deuised for his discharge , that anthony had sent him worde , that he desired to conferre with him by night in a barke ; and the better to induce men to beleeue it , he went publikely to lie aboord in a galley , and being disimbarked in the morning , he seemed discontented that anthony had not come to conference with him , it may be ( with this apparant iustification ) to haue more cause to make warre , and not to compounde , and so to lay the faulte vpon anthony , but in truth they did neuer treat of any meeting . now had they battered the fort of s. iulian , touching the which there was before growen some difficultie amongst the inginers , vpon what part they shoulde make their batterie : some woulde haue him plant their cannon at the strongest place , but most conuenient to giue an assault : others would batter the weakest part , although most vneasie to enter ; for that their defences being taken away , their place of armes shoulde remaine open to their artillerie ; wherevpon the duke to quite this controuersie , went himselfe ; allowing the opinion of fratino , and of philip terzi , where it hapned that hauing battered neere two whole daies , and made but a small breach , the soldiers fainting , ( although they had good meanes to entrench themselues ) their armie neere at hand , and the hauen alwaies open , tristan vaz de vega , captaine thereof , was in doubte , whether hee shoulde yeelde , or defende it so long as hee coulde ; but enclining more to yeeld , then to fight , he was in suspence , what meanes to vse to treate secretly , not trusting greatly to some that were about him . but fortune made the way for him , for at that time a poore woman neere to oeiras , hauing her daughter and sonne in lawe within the forte , amazed with the noise of the artillerie , came crying to the duke , beseeching him to giue her leaue , to drawe her sonne in lawe and her daughter out of the forte which he battred : the old duke who sought such occasions , embraced this , and saide vnto the woman that she should go in safetie , causing the cannon to cease in the meane time . he willed her to say vnto the captine of the forte , that he had done ill to make so small account of the dukes message , and that he shoulde not wilfully cast himselfe away ; she deliuered her ambassage , & being returned with her daughter to the campe , she said vnto the duke on the behalfe of tristan vaz , that he defended himselfe , hauing not as yet seene any messenger from him , whom he woulde haue heard and entertained , and that if he woulde assure him vpon his word , he woulde go to the campe to speake with him . the duke sent this woman presently backe to the captaine , saying vnto him , that he might not onely come in safety , but if he woulde , he would sende him hostages : but relying vpon the dukes promises , hee went vnto him , and was curteously entertained : the captaine excused himselfe for not admitting of the trumpet , saying , there had not beene any one with him , nor spoke with any one that was within that place , the which if he had done , he would haue made answere with that curtesie which was conuenient , by reason whereof , the trumpet was in danger of hanging . the duke exhorted tristan vaz with many reasons to resigne the forte , as appertaining to his king , shewing vnto him the danger wherein hee was : the matter being a little debated betwixt them , the captaine saide vnto him , that if he woulde promise in the name of the catholique king to performe such recompences as anthony had graunted him , he woulde yeelde it vp ; which the duke freely offring , they were agreed . so as being returned , leading with him some spanish captaines & soldiers , he resigned the fortresse , where the assieged were so decaied , as they seemed to issue foorth of a deadly prison : and although some did esteeme the captaine for this action to be treacherous , and others a cowarde , yet ( as he saide ) the rocke with such vnexpert soldiers , was not defensible : besides , the gouernors had declared philip successour . a little before the yeelding of s. iulian , the duke had sent to peter barba , captain of cabessa secca , willing him to yeeld the forte , the which he hauing refused , when as he vnderstood the fortresse was yeelded , and that the duke brought in his galleies he woulde no longer attende , but hauing abandoned the place with the consent of the prior , and saued certaine artillerie , he fledde to the campe at alcantara . by these losses feare encreased in the citie , chiefly amongst the principals , who fearing to be spoiled , were daily more disposed to yeelde to the catholique king ; besides they did see small helpe in the priors affaires , and they hoped by their yeelding to obtaine some priuilege from his maiestie , and had before this made offer of themselues , if the respect of the prior ( who was in field and so neere ) had not deteined them : at this time they had intelligence of the arriuall of fower ships at the ilande of terceraes , which came from the indies , very rich , and of great importance for the citie , the losse whereof , if the galleies shoulde seaze on them , woulde cause great hinderance , both in the particular , and generall , and therefore the greatest part wished that one of the armies woulde yeelde to the other , before the ships should arriue : for this cause the citie sent againe vnto anthony , to shewe vnto him the danger , and as it were the siege wherein they were , hauing the entrie of the sea shut vp , that the duke hauing so great numbers of men , and he so fewe , he ought not ( though he might ) to hazard the fortune of a fielde with so great disaduantage . they did secretly aduise him to compound , seeming the best way to ende these troubles , and then the ships might safely enter : moreouer they did suppose , that if in fighting the duke should remaine victor so neere the citie , they should hardly saue it from the spoile of the soldiers : notwithstanding anthony for his small experience being irresolute , disdaining the dukes speeches , and ill aduised by his friends , these reasons could not draw him to resolue ; but the next day he sent to the magistrate the count of vimioso , the bishop of guarda , and emanuel of portugall , to intreate the citie to defend it selfe , and to send him more men to the campe , incouraging them , sometimes deuising that the french succours were on the way , sometimes shewing the priors forces to bee greater then they were , and the enimies lesse . but as the words of the magistrate did nothing mooue the prior , no more did the speeches of the prior alter the inward minde of the magistrate , so as all remained in suspence , euery man with his owne intentions : true it is , that as well the saide prior as some of the magistrates , had easily agreed with the duke vpon certaine conditions : but the priors will was forced by those of the house of portugall , and especially by the bishop , and the citizens , by many new officers , who had their places in perpetuitie ; the which were woont to bee graunted but for a time : these men arrogating to themselues more authoritie then was giuen them , woulde not suffer the execution of any thing , but what pleased themselues : but for all this anthony was not without feare that the citie woulde rebell against him to his vtter ruine , trusting in fewe , he coulde finde no better remedie , then to place continually at the gates of the citie , and in the armie at sea , a number of religious men of diuers orders , to guarde the entrie with the soldiers , and to keepe the keies , trusting deseruedly more in them , then in the captaines that were there imploied : for in the assemblies and counsels of state that were often held , there appeered more hatred against the castillians , and more will to fight in the religious men then in the secular . the duke was now returned to the same lodging of oeiras , a place both by nature and arte strong : for besides the great number of artillerie and rampiers , the countrey was rough & stony , whereas the horsemen could hardly fight , in whose force the portugals relied much : he made no shewe to dislodge , for supposing now ( as in effect it was ) that from thence he helde all the realme assieged , and principally with his galleies , hee supposed that both the prior and the citie , would soone yeelde vnto him : besides that , to march on , considering his craftie nature and slowe disposition , and the portugals armie being so neere , he thought it not conuenient ; he laboured with all possible deuises to be cōquerour without fighting ; and had now almost corrupted the captaines of the galleies , and of the tower of belem , who shoulde soone haue deliuered vnto him both tower and armie ; the which had been effected , if anthony himselfe had not gone in person , who hauing dispossessed in a manner all the captaines of their charges , and placed others , without giuing them respite to execute their practises ; but he was nowe growen so iealous of euery man , finding in all men so great feare , and so little faith , that hee knewe not whom to trust , if he were not a religious man , a marriner , or of the baser sort . and for that it seemes alwaies to such as feare that they are betraied , it hapned that fire being kindled by chaunce in certaine straw which lay about the castell wals of the citie , where his roiall tapestrie lay , he grewe suspicious that this fire had beene some signe vnto the enimies , and that the marchant strangers whom he had placed there in guard , had made it , for that they woulde not goe to fielde to fight , and this feare was so violent , that without examining the fact , without considering they were flemmings , whose nation for the most part were the most obstinate enimies , that euer the catholique king had , thrust forwarde by his owne feare , and that of emanuel soares one of the newe veriadors of the chamber , hee displaced the strangers from thence , and being not yet well assured , hee commaunded that all strangers shoulde depart the citie , and soone after he decreed , ( although it were not executed ) that they shoulde be spoiled . these two armies remained eight daies in this estate , neere one to the other , without moouing , and little skirmishing ; at the end whereof , the duke sent foorth sanches d'auila , with a hundreth and fiftie horse , and some fewe foote , to discouer the countrey , and plot the meanes to batter the tower of belem , they were encountred by three hundreth horse , and fiue hundreth portugale foote , who without order ranne towards them : but for that the castillians pretended nothing but to discouer , being but weakely charged by the portugals , hauing skirmished a while , with the losse of fewe men they returned to their lodging , and the day following , they issued foorth with a greater number , and hauing entred skirmish of the one side , the castillians of the other hauing planted three peeces of artillerie , which the night before they had drawen neere vnto the tower , they forced ( after some fewe cannonadoes ) first the armie of galleies to retire to lisbone , and then the tower to yeelde , by meanes whereof , the kings armie at sea , might safely enter into the port of belem , as presently they did . the seventh booke . the contents of the seuenth booke . the route at alcantara : the taking of lisbone : the sacke of the subburbes : the praise and dispraise of the duke of alua : the sicknesse of the catholique king : the voyage of sanches d'auila into the prouince which lieth betwixt doro and migno : the winning of the cities of auero and porto : the flight of anthony : the taking of viana : the death of queene anne : the kings progresse to eluas : the resolution of the inhabitants of the terceraes : the popes offer to send an armie against england . betwixt the two armies there was no other let then the rockes of the brooke of alcantara : the duke finding that anthony supposing himselfe in safetie , would not come to the field , resolued ; for that he woulde not force him in so defensible a lodging , to seeke some other meanes to defeate him quite , or at the least to make him dislodge , and free the citie from such a curbe ; the which he vnderstoode came not to his obedience , for that this armie was so neere them . but hauing not yet viewed the enimie , nor his lodging , but from farre , trusting little to the report of others , woulde first himselfe see the seate , and howe they were lodged , before he woulde attempt any matter of importance , and therefore on saint bartholomewes day he issued foorth of his lodging with his whole army , onely with an intent to discouer : the left banks of tagus , whereupon these armies were encamped , is hilly , but yet easie , and is deuided by the brooke of alcantara , as it were into straight lines ; the which takes his name of a small village seated vpon the right angle , where it dischargeth it selfe into the riuer : there vpon the brooke is a bridge of stone ; the bankes of both sides , beginning from the mouth of the riuer , running a mile vpward , are very high and vneasie , yet vpwarde there lieth a champion ground , although somewhat vneeuen , yet very commodious for lodging ; vpon the left banke was the portugals campe , in a manner vpon the triangle , where the rocke is highest fortified toward the enimie with ill fashioned trenches , and much artillerie : the duke marched to the right banke , with his whole armie , right against the portugals ; where hauing made a long stande , considering well the seate to be naturally strong , but little helpes by arte , he see the enimies ( perceiuing his approch ) to put themselues into squadrons , within their rampiers , standing still , without any shew of issuing foorth , labouring onely to endomage them with their cannons : so as hauing wel resolued what to do , after some skirmish , he returned for this night vnto the place from whence he came , and for the day following gaue this order , that after midnight they should giue a hot allarum on al sides , to keepe the enimie on foote , to wearie him , and to cause him to put his men in order , as hee had done the day before : he enioyned frauncis d'alua , generall of the artillerie , that before day he shoulde plant vpon the hils , which discouer the enimies lodging , and their trenches , some great artillerie , with sufficient munition , to batter the portugals rankes , to scoure their defences , and the place where they shoulde stande to defende the bridge , when it should be assaulted : he commaunded to thrust into the army at sea a thousand harquebusiers , fiue hundreth italians , and fiue hundreth spaniards , with order to the marquesse of saint croix , to charge the enimies when a certaine signe should be giuen vnto them : he called all the chiefe commaunders of the campe , and saide vnto them , that he hoped to driue the enimie that day by force from his lodging , that he desired them to be obedient , to obserue the directions which he had giuen , and shoulde giue , for as by that and their valour , the enterprise was easie ; so without order and obedience it was most difficult : that one of the chiefest points his maiestie had commaunded , was to saue the citie of lisbone , the which the king had in so great regard , that he had rather leaue to vanquish , then by vanquishing to spoile it : and therefore hee did presse them to promise , that if they were so happy as wholie to breake the enimie , they shoulde not onely forbeare to spoile it , but defend it from such as would attempt it ; assuring them that the king would be more pleased with the defence thereof , then with the victorie it selfe : he added moreouer , and that with great vehemencie ; that if his ill happe were such , as that they shoulde not satisfie him in this , he beseeched god , that the first shoote the enimie shoulde make , shoulde rather depriue him of life , then to see a thing so much against the seruice and will of his maiestie . these words being ended , and al things executed , the duke a little before day ( leauing in his lodging a reasonable guard of all nations ) marched against the portugals in this order , notwithstanding some of the chiefe were of opinion , they shoulde first trie this armie with courses and light charges , being a generall opinion by the aduertisements they had receiued , that fewe men woulde put them to flight . the duke deuided his armie into three bodies , two of foote , and one of horse , the which marched not one after an other , but as it were in front , as the hilly countrey would giue them leaue : in the middle was the duke with the greatest part of the spanish foote , & some germaine pikes , deuided into fowre squadrons , which marched not all in fronte , nor one after an other , but scattered as the place would suffer them , being in al about sixe thousand : on the right side were all the italians , the rest of the germaines , & some few spaniards , ordered in three squadrons , one , a side of an other , by prosper colona , which should amount to the like number : on the left hand , which was the thirde body , were their horsemen , cōmanded by ferrant son to the duke , in the first ranke whereof marched their harquebusiers on horsebacke , in the second their gennetters , in the thirde their light horsemen , & behinde , their men at armes , where ferrant himselfe remained ; vpon the riuer which lay on the right hand ( the which in that place is about three miles broad ) was the marquesse with threescore and two galleies , and fiue and twentie ships , the which lying but musket shot from their foote , serued as a wing to the armie on that side , to answer the horse which were on the other . in the meane while anthony hauing viewed the enimies the day before , and how little they had effected , beleeued ( notwithstanding the great allarum which he heard in the night ) it woulde fall out as the day before ; and that after some light skirmishes , the enimie ( he not issuing foorth of his lodging ) shoulde retire the second time ; yet desirous to put his men in order as the day before , he coulde not doe it , for being vnaccustomed to suffer , wearie with the trauaile of the day , and disquietnes of the night , they did not execute that which was commaunded ; besides their number was greatly diminished ; for many being accustomed to lie in the towne all night , and returne in the day , were not yet come , and others amazed , were quite fledde away : and therefore he commaunded the bishop of guarda , who plaied at lisbone ( as a man may say ) the part of a king , to sende with all diligence to the campe all such men as were within the citie , who with drums and bels ceased not all night to sound , and with serieants armed , to driue the citizens and handy crafts men by force out of their beds , compelling them to go foorth armed , with some few whereof , the saide bishop went to the campe that night . but heereof followed no good effect , for such as were sent foorth against their wils being fearefull , fled to other places , so as the portugall armie neither encreased in number nor in order . the duke in the meane time presented himselfe on the right banke , opposite to the priors armie , vpon the hils where hee had planted his cannon ; where viewing the portugals scattered in their lodging , hee founde himselfe deceiued in his conceaued opinion , that vpon the allarum giuen they shoulde ranke themselues into squadrons : hee now perceiued that this intent to batter their rankes with his artillerie could not succeed , as hee had presupposed , and disordering them to charge them on all sides , supposing in this manner he should easily breake them : but hauing changed his resolution , according to the occurrants ▪ being willing to hazard a battaile , he did endomage them all he coulde with his cannon , and so did the prior likewise on his part : he commaunded prosper colona to attempt the bridge with his men , that were in the squadrons on the right hand , striuing to passe it , and to winne as much ground as he could : he gaue order to sanches d'auila with two thousande harquebusiers , which he had drawne out of his middle battalion , hauing passed the brooke aboue whereas the bankes are lowest , and easiest to ascend to draw the enimie to combate , with all the aduantage he could : charging them in flanke euen vnto their trenches : he gaue commission to ferrant his sonne , who taking a greater compasse , shoulde passe the brooke , whereas the bankes were not high , vnto the other side with his horse , and go against the enimie , but if he shoulde not issue foorth of his lodging , as it was supposed , they should then assaile them on all parts at one instant , hee remaining behinde with the rest of the foote , to succour where need should require , in a place more eminent then the rest , from the which he might discouer both armies , where hauing left his squadrons a little behinde him , he sate him downe , viewing howe the assault woulde succeed , & making necessarie countersignes : prosper colona came to the bridge before that either sanches d' auila , or the horsemen could attaine to the other banke , it may be for that it behooued them to make a longer march , or for that the italians ( as the duke said ) to winne honor , made too great haste : they found it not vnfurnished , for the portugals had there planted their souldiers of most esteeme , who at the first assault made great resistance : for although the italians fought valiantly , yet was it long ere they preuailed any thing ; for the place being narrowe , defended and guarded in flanke with some harquebufiers which had fortified themselues within a mill , to the which they coulde not approch by reason it was inuironed with water , they came to fight with great disaduantage , so as hauing in a manner wone it , they were repulsed with some losses . but prosper hauing caused his soldiers to moūt vp on a narrow causway , which kept the water of the mill , by the which they might ( though vneasily ) come vnto the house , hauing with the losse of some fewe assaulted it , those within were all cut in peeces , so as such as guarded the bridge , wanting their succours in flanke , being endomaged from the same mill , by the italians , colona charging them with greater force at the same instant on the bridge , he woone it , and passed to the other banke , wherein lewes douara did good seruice , who seeing the italians repulsed , hee caused them to be succoured , almost against the dukes will , with some germaine pikes , the which he obtained from the generall : there did they long endure a hot fight , for the portugals being as yet ignoraunt that they were charged in any other other part , all the force of the armie with the prior himselfe ranne to the bridge , where prosper repeld them valiantly , and put them to flight : the duke behelde what sanches d' auila shoulde do , being most assured that if he obeied him , all the enimies campe were broken , but he feared , that seeing the italians in fight ( being cholericke ) he shoulde be impatient , to take so long a course as to go charge them in flanke , but woulde assaile them at the first encounter , the which he esteemed dangerous , but seeing him obedient , he helde the battaile woone , so as comming to the other bank with his harquebusiers , and ferrant with his horsemen , they founde no resistance : for although that anthony being scarce arriued at the bridge , came to this other side , the portugals beginning now to vnderstande the successe of the bridge , being fearefull , presently fled towards the citie . at this instant the duke gaue signe vnto the galleies , who without their masters rowed towards the citie with the rest of their armie , discharging their artillerie against the portugals fleete , the which being a little retired , without any place to flie vnto , set saile , but without any resistance they became a pray vnto the enimie . anthony being vnexpert , neuer supposed the duke woulde charge him within his lodging , seeing himselfe at one instant so much endomaged with the artillerie , the bridge to be forced , which he held for very strong , his men to flie , and their horsemen to make way to cut off all way of retreat , he grewe amazed : notwithstanding , being accompanied with counte emanuel of portugall , with diego boteglio the elder , & edward de castro ; he fledde likewise towards the citie , without order , or without any resistance , amidst the prease of his people , where at the entrie of the suburbes , he was hurt in the head by a soldier on horsebacke , and if he had staied but a little longer , or the horsemen made more haste , hee had beene taken prisoner , by some italian aduenturers , who were aduaunced verie farre . in this haste hee passed with the rest of his broken armie through the citie , whereof a part , yet the least , following him , entred by one gate , and went foorth by an other ; and the other parte which was the greater , hauing cast away their armes , hid themselues in their houses , where they had their wiues and children , and such as were come from other parts of the realme , assembled themselues in churches with great feare : in passing he commaunded the prisons to be opened , so as with a great number of offenders that were deliuered , there came foorth such as were committed , as affected vnto philip. the dukes men hauing slaine many of these miserable wretches with their shot and launces , who fledde by fower and sixe togither , making but a weake and vnprofitable resistance , came to the citie ; ferrant de toledo as chiefe , marching before the rest , vnder whose authoritie the whole armie was gouerned , seeing the battaile woone , fearing the soldiers furie should do more hurt then he wished , did expresly keepe them backe , causing them to stay , supposing there might remaine yet some men to conquer ; and being come to the gates of the citie , hee staied to parley with the magistrate of the chamber from the wals , who was come thither to that effect : but their treaties were shorte , and little disagreeing , for the portugals seeing themselues before the castillians soldiers , their miserable king hurt and fled , and their army in route , they seemed to be now reduced to their last exigent : and ferrant ( although a conquerour ) yet desirous ( according to the kings meaning ) to saue the citie from spoile , they soone agreed : ferrant demaunded the citie , the portugals desired to know in what sort , and although some answered at discretion ; yet the magistrate offring to yeeld as other cities had done , it was graunted they shoulde haue their liues and goods saued , least by longer stay the soldiers should haue occasion to cōmit some disorder . notwithstanding some of the magistrates being let downe from the wals , were carried behinde some castillian caualiers to the duke , who granted them their demaunds with better acception , and more freely . then began the soldiers against the dukes will to disband and spoile that part of the citie , which is without the wals , the which is greater , nobler , and fairer , then that within , and is so spatious , as many great cities are not comparable vnto it : so as although this body in the midst of lisbone was not spoiled , yet the suburbes were and all places thereabouts ; and likewise some houses within , the which vnder colour to appertaine to rebels , were giuen in pray to the soldiers , whom they coulde no otherwise withstand , seeing they had sufficiently obeied , in preseruing the citie from spoile three daies : many innocent citizens lost their most precious mooueables , the which by reason of the plague which then raigned greatly in the citie , they had transported to their farmes , and other possessions neere thereabouts , where they were spoiled . the extortions the soldiers committed were not great , but the riches that fell into their hands were infinite . the galleies did great harme , for besides the spoiling of the bankes of tagus , and the ransacking of all the ships within the porte , where they founde infinite store of merchandise ; they serued like wise vnto the soldiers that were on lande , as a meanes to hide and carrie away all things were they neuer so great , not being forced to discharge themselues of their baggage , to sell them at lowe prices vpon the place , as it often hapneth . the custome houses , that is to say the generall , and that of merchandise of the indies , alwaies full of pretious wares , although they were without the citie gates , yetwere they not spoiled : for by reason of their great riches , alonso de leua generall of the galleies of sicily , sent a guard of priuate soldiers to haue care and defend them : the religious women , whose monasteries were all without the wals , were preserued ; and withall much wealth that was kept there , yet much of that which was left in the houses of religious men was stolen away ; but most of all in that of saint rocke , whereas the iesuits remaine ; for certaine italian soldiers being first entred , were expelled by the spaniards , who being sent thither by their commaunders , vnder colour to preserue them being friends , they committed greater excesse then the other , being enimies , would haue done ; for the italians being departed , the spaniards hauing searched out the most secret things , and finding them , they carried them by night into the galleies , and into their houses . the diuersitie of nations which were at the spoile , caused more respect to the women , and holy things then had beene otherwise ; for the spaniards most insolent in other countries , were here against their nature very continent , least by their example the italians and germaines in spaine shoulde grow woorse . the bootie of mooueables and other precious things , which this citie in so many yeeres peace , and by the traffique of the indies had gathered togither was infinite . the number of such as were slaine in the battaile was small , in regard of the little defence they made , notwithstanding there died not aboue a thousand of the portugals , and not aboue a hundreth of the dukes armie , of so small force were the peoples armes , rusted with ease . the duke when the citie was yeelded , came himselfe in person for the defence thereof ; where hauing made some stay in one of the houses neere the suburbes , hee returned to lodge from whence the portugals were departed . anthony hauing dressed his wounde at sacabem , sixe miles from lisbone , marched easily toward saint arem : the duke standing doubtfull whether he remained still within the citie , or were fled , for that the portugals for his better safetie gaue out false rumours . this victorie was of great importance , and had beene greater if the prior had beene taken prisoner , for in his safetie , the realme ( which shoulde haue beene in quiet ) remained in suspence , all men supposing that he should repaire his forces , and trie his fortune a newe . the duke was blamed of many for not vsing of greater diligence , saying , it was a great errour , in all other things to haue set so good an order , and to haue omitted it in this of such importance , some did attribute it vnto negligence , others vnto malice , especially for that anthony had made so great a stay betwixte sacabem and saint arem ; so as he might easily haue suppressed him , and this was the issue of the battaile of alcantara . in the meane while the ships which came from the indies , were disanchored from the ilands of terceraes , & sailed towards portugall , ill aduertised of what had passed . and for as much as they had former intelligence of their arriuall at the ilands , it was thought good they shoulde staie there , being valued at three millions , many doubted they should be lost : for on the one side the duke had sent some ships armed to seeke them , on the other side the prior had sent certaine carauels with aduise to go to penichie , a place vpon the coast twentie miles from lisbone , towardes the north , and therefore it was feared they coulde not escape the one , or the other , either to be taken by the kings ships , or to follow the direction of anthony , and in what sort soeuer , they shoulde bee lost : for falling into the hands of the castillians they shoulde bee spoiled , and going to penichie , the prior woulde become master of priuate mens goods , and imploy them for the necessitie of the warres . and some ignorant of anthonies commission , supposed they should either go to fraunce or england , and that the prior ( finding the weakenes of his force , by the euent of this battaile ) shoulde followe them ; notwithstanding fortune did so second the beginning , that two daies after the battaile , they appeered in safetie , without any intelligence of these troubles within the realme , or any encounter vpon the way ; such was the catholique kings good fortune , that they arriued safe at lisbone ; where he receiued what appertained to the crowne , and deliuered to euery priuate man his owne . all this while they were in suspence at badagios , expecting whether this enterprise shoulde be ended by armes or agreement , and so doubtfull euery man was , for that there appeared on either side great difficultie ; the rather , for that the duke could not stay long from entertaining one of these parties so different . but the xxvj . day of august , in the morning , there arriued a spanish merchant without any letters from the duke , who brought newes of the successe : this man following the spanish campe , when he saw the priors armie in route , presently passed the riuer in a small barke , and tooke poste before him that brought aduertisement from the duke , who presenting himselfe vnto the king , deliuered what hee had seene , whereof he receiued such contentment as may bee supposed : this newes was presently spred throughout all the court , with the incredible ioy of all men , and to the great honour of the duke , and with such kinde of commendations , as the force of truth doth vsually draw vpon the sodaine , euen from the mouth of enimies : but the confirmation of these newes , staying longer then was conuenient for the neerenes of the place , and the importance of the action , they began to doubt with so great perturbation , that there was no lesse shewe of their generall desire , then of their receiued content : the which was after confirmed by the arriuall of ferrant de toledo , the dukes nephew , whom he had dispatched with a priuate relation , not onely of the successe , but also of the reasons which had induced them to fight , and his direction giuen vnto the captaine , the which was generally approoued of all , with no small honour to the duke , saying , that he had now satisfied mens mindes , who held him alwaies to be too cunning and watchfull , to assure his enterprise by aduantages of lodging , and stratagems , auoiding the battaile by all meanes possible without great aduantage , following amongst the auncient captaines fabius maximus , and amongst the later prosper colonna the elder , whom he sought to imitate : and this cōmendation of the dukes proceeded from his two resolutions : the one to passe from settuual to cascaies , and the other to fight at alcantara , seeing in the first he alone did contradict his counsell , and contested both against sea and enimie : and in the second he resolued to fight dangerously with the portugals , within their owne trenches , hauing a well peopled citie behinde them ; and against the aduise of some of the principall of the armie . they did highly commend him to haue kept lisbone from spoile ; and at one instant to play the conqueror and protector , attributing vnto him for this respect more honour , then to haue retired his armie from the wals of rome in the yeere . hauing not fought there , vnto the gates of the citie , as he did at lisbone . but these reasons with other , were dashed by a sodaine cruell accident , which so troubled the mindes of all men , as there was no time to thinke nor speake of any thing , the which was that vpon the newes of this happie successe , the king fell most dangerously sicke , the which so encreased , being brought to that point , that there was small hope of his life , and euen his phisitions themselues almost gaue him ouer : vpon this subiect was all their discourses , for the king dying , it was supposed that the protector of christendome shoulde faile , and if there were any doubt , that his death in time might cause any alteration , it was then most of all to be feared : for besides that the affaires of flaunders were troublesome , the humors of the french ill disposed , portugall yet in ballance to incline to a contrarie partie , and the rest of spaine was not well assured : the opinions were diuers what course to take , but all was confused , and all full of feare . the duke of alua whose opinion many of the better sort did follow , thought it fit , that the king dying , the queene with the prince should presently enter into portugall , and goe to lisbone , thinking by this meanes with the forces he had there readie , not onely to keepe the realme in peace , but also to assure the other estates of spaine : he now laboured to stablish the affaires , for depriuing from the office of the magistrate of the chamber of lisbone , such as had been installed by the prior , he restored such as had bin before ; calling them vnto him , he said ; it was now time that in the cities behalfe , they should sweare obedience vnto the king , and proclaime his name in the publique streetes , with accustomed ceremonie ; whereunto they willingly offered themselues , demaunding leaue for this cause to make publique feastes , and that withall , the priuileges of the citie might be confirmed : whereunto he answered , that there was then no neede , but they should reserue it , vntill the prince were there present to be sworne , whome his maiestie had resolued to send vnto the citie to be bred vp amongst them ; and as for their priuileges , they were very small , that he woulde graunt them more amplie . so as the eleuenth day of september in the dukes lodging , they tooke their oath in forme , and the next day after dinner , the magistrate going thorough the citie with the standard and their attaballes , they proclaimed the name of king phil p after the accustomed manner ; yet with a weake voice , and small assemblie of people . and as in the proclaiming of other kings there appeered nothing but feasts and ioy ; here was nothing to be seene , but secret sighes and hidden sorrow with flatterie : the dukes armie was lodged vntill the tenth of september betwixt the citie and alcantara , at the same lodging where the portugals had lodged , without any resolution what to doe , still expecting some newes of the prior. at which time there grew ( as a companion to warre ) not onely in the campe , but likewise in the citie a contagious infirmitie of catarre , so dangerous , that it did no lesse harme then the pestilent contagion ; few were free from this disease , and many of them died , especially of the soldiers , for that to a new disease , ordinarie remedies helpe little : anthonie soone after arriued at saint arem , where the magistrate of that place , ( being the selfesame , ) who a little before with so great ioy had proclaimed him king , would not giue him entrie , so are mens mindes turned with fortune ; yet hauing promised to depart presently , they suffered him to enter vpon that condition , and the day following , he went towards coimbra . soone after the citie of saint arem sent to yeelde their obedience , and whilest they expected that coimbra should doe the like , they had newes that the prior was there , that he fortified himselfe in those partes , that he repaired mount maior the olde , and brake the bridge vpon the riuer of doro : and although there were no doubt , that he could assemble men sufficient to terrifie the duke , yet hereby they vnderstood that the warre was not ended , and that they could not dismisse any part of the armie , which they had resolued to send backe , with the galleies of italie ; so as by a little stay , they lost the season of sailing in that sea with their galleies ; but for that the countrey is not fruitfull , and that victuals grew very deere within the citie , they lodged the germaines at settuuall , resoluing to send the italians to saint arem : but hauing the newes confirmed , that the prior assembled forces , the duke woulde not separate his troupes so farre from him , but lodged the italians and spanyards in the suburbs of the citie ( which place had beene spoiled ) to defende them from the daily raine which began to fall . at this time the prior with his traine tormented the inhabitants of the prouince betwixt doro and mignio , assembling men of warre by force , and for that many ( doubting sinister euents ) feared that in sauing of him they should preiudice themselues , he forced obedience vpon greeuous paines , which he imposed vpon such as followed him not : so as some for feare of their persons , others of their goodes , came vnto him ; yet were there others , who of their naturall inclination would not leaue him vntill death : in this sort , he gathered together fower or fiue thousand men , with the which he held the citie of coimbra in awe , so as it could not yeelde to the catholique king : hee went with them to auero , where hauing found some resistance , he vsed his greatest force : for hauing with some small peeces of artillerie battered the wals , he gaue a confused assault ; but profiting little , his friends within did so weaken the defence by words and force , that the priors men entred : the succours which pantaleon de sada brought from porto , comming too late : there he imprisoned diuers persons , he slew , spoiled , and ruined all he could : by these actes ( which seemed vnto them most glorious ) his peasantlie soldiers were growne to that arrogancie , that armed with hookes , and staues , they threatned to goe to lisbone , to free the realme from the hands of the castillians : and this foolish presumption was not a little furthered with the newes , that anthonie had of the kings sicknesse , whome they gaue out to be dead , being attired all in blacke the better to perswade them . the duke was well aduertised of all these things , finding still more plainly of what importance the flight of anthonie was : there wanted not some that charged him to haue forborne too long , in sending men after him , yet hauing care to assure that which did more import ; he would not deuide his forces , vntill he did see an end of the kings infirmitie , who hauing long laboured in the extremities of death , he began with an vniuersall ioy to recouer , and encreasing daily the signes of health , he grewe well ; wherewith feare which troubled the mindes of men being taken away , they began to talke againe of the victorie , and of the dukes actions : but this commendation which was attributed vnto him ( as it hapneth in all worldly actions ) continued little , and rarely shall you finde so apparant an example of the inconstancie of the people , and the force of enuie as this was : for sodainly his praises were turned into murmurings , and open slaunders , searching so many reasons to deface the dukes merits , as two daies before they had alleaged to extoll his actions . the dukes reprehensions grew from the proper ministers of this warre , or from such as followed the enterprise , who offended with him for the diuersitie of their opinions , or for their own priuate practises , or else ( as some would haue it ) desirous to creepe into the kings fauour by like reports , did write that the sacke had beene very great , and freely suffred for three daies , whereunto they woulde attribute the portugals disobedience , and their discontentment against the castillians , labouring to prooue , that if the duke had pleased , by his authoritie hee might haue staied it , but being partaker with his kinsemen ( who were more imploied to spoile then to fight ) of a good part of the bootie , hee did tolerate it ; leauing outrages and thefts vnpunished , although complaints were made vnto him . that the termes of conquest , taking of cities , and route of armie , were vaine and vnproper , seeing that in no place they had founde any resistance ; and that this multitude of portugals , as simple people ( deceiued by their priests in confessions and preachings ) could not be termed an armie , nor their route called a victorie : and so blinde is enuie , that two armies encountring with many peeces of great artillerie , fighting on the one side for the passage of a bridge , on the other side in their trenches , the portugals foote and horse broken , the enimie put to flight , the standard roiall taken , with many other coulors , and aboue a thousand men slaine , and yet they woulde not haue this a battaile : some which did charge him with negligence saide , that seeing hee had an intention to dislodge this armie ( after he had attempted the bridge & the trenches ) he should haue stretched foorth his horsemen further on the left hande , to cut off the enimies way , and to take him prisoner , if he woulde flie ; but to keepe himselfe so farre off as he coulde not ouertake him , was an vnexcusable faulte in so great a captaine : others saide , that it was not credible , but he shoulde haue taken him , if hee had pleased to place his horse in a conuenient place for that purpose , which euerie ignorant captaine woulde haue considered , but that hee willingly suffered him to flie ; that by meanes of anthonies libertie , the warre shoulde not seeme to be ended , a thing which captaines doe commonly wish , preferring their owne authoritie , and their priuate respect , before the publike good : others did adde that if hee would haue taken him after his flight , and the battaile woon , hee might well haue done it , for making no haste to flie , he might so speedily haue followed him with his horse as the importance of his person did require . amongst so many accusations , fewe durst speake for the duke , yet some of his friendes laboured to iustifie him , saying , that time , place , and desire to assure the victorie , doth often hinder the execution of those things which the captaine wisheth : that it was not then conuenient to follow the prior : for considering the ineuitable disorders of the soldiers , in sending many , hee had contrarie to the kings pleasure wasted the countrey , and if hee had sent fewe , they had not beene safe ; and therefore he desired to temper this heate of victorie in the soldiers mindes , meaning after to sende a part of the armie in good order , but when as hee ment to effect it , the kings sicknes hapned , whereof he desired first to see the issue , before he woulde bee vnfurnished of his forces . that touching the inuironing of the enimies campe with his horse , besides that they had no sufficient number to do it , it had not beene the resolution of a wise captaine to make a fearefull enimie desperate ; and to force him either to fight or become a prisoner . touching the sacking of the suburbes , they saide it was no small good happe to haue so many houses without the wals of the citie ; for otherwise they should hardly haue kept the soldiers from spoiling it , and that it was in a manner necessarie for the sauing of the citie to haue something ●o quench this desire , which they had brought with them . and as there was some difficultie to saue the citie from the sacke , so was it impossible to keepe the suburbes from spoile , seeing the battaile was giuen within the limits thereof . they laughed at such as saide the duke was partaker of the spoile , seeming vnto them a matter farre from his qualitie . they shewed that although they woulde not haue it saide that the battaile were glorious , but vnwoorthie , against a small number of seditious monkes , apostates , and fugitiue slaues , yet coulde it hardly be concealed , for it coulde not be denied but that anthony had a great number of men in a strong lodging , amongst the which were many of the nobility , and that which most supplied their want of experience , passionate against the catholique king , and most affectionate to the prior ; that in armies where such things happen , it is not credible they so easily yeeld or flie of themselues , if they be not encountred with a captaine that is both valiant , & of iudgement , who by force or cunning doth breake them & put them to flight . they did prooue by liuely reasons that it was not credible that the duke with a resolution so hurtfull to his king , should prolong the enterprise & seeke to continue his commaund , by meanes of the warre , saying , that although in auncient common wealthes , noble citizens were desirous to be imploied in expeditions , and gouernments of armies , to free themselues from the subiection of the senate ; yet was it not so in the gouernment of later princes ; whereas such as be neere the king haue more authoritie , then such as bee retired . they added vnto these reasons , the consideration of the dukes age , fidelitie , and experience , with auncient and newe examples ; concluding it was likely , that without any priuate subiect , hee had laboured with his best endeuour wholie to serue the king : but although he were vehemently defended , yet could they not wholy roote it out of the mindes of men ; so is the chance of this worldly tragedie tossed vpside downe , that the captaine which the weeke before had beene triumphant and glorious , lay now in his bed sicke with sorrow , slaundered with his prince , and his armie halfe defeated , languishing with hunger and want , infected with the plague , infamous for excesse and violence ; some part whereof was true , and some false : so as the soldiers were troubled , melancholy , and angry ; and although with the insolencie of conquerors , yet seemed they like men vanquished : they commaunders of the armie were likewise in dispaire to reape any recompēce of their seruice , so as the captaines which resolued to plant them selues in portugall , and receiue great recompence by confiscations , were deceiued of their hopes : for the king who had an other meaning , resolued to forget all the wrongs the portugals had done him , and not onely to pardon their disobedience , but also reward and cherish them as his children . it was generally spoken , that vpon the priors defeate and yeelding of the citie of lisbone , the king shoulde presently go thither in person , and by graunting rewardes and pardons , labour to winne the portugals loues , and to qualifie that bitternes which the spoile and insolencie of the soldiers had bredde . but although there had beene already speech of his going to eluas , and that he desired to make his entrie as king of portugall ; yet did he not effect it , for that as it is saide before , the plague was dispersed into many parts of the realme . he laboured to become master not onely of all places within the realme , but also of all others that depended thereof : when as the armie began first to enter the realme , he had sent into affrick to demaund obedience of those places , but for as much as anthony had preuented him by former letters vnto the captaines , his busines being in better estate , then they prooued afterwardes , the inhabitants woulde not agree to acknowledge philip ; by reason whereof , the battaile being woone , he sent againe vnto them ; for being of great importance for spaine , he feared , that remaining vnder the priors commaund , he shoulde rashly dispose of them so as promising recompence to the captaines , they did acknowledge him for their lord , but with greater facilitie in one place then in an other ; so as without any innouation , hee confirmed the same captaines , and the same garrisons . the ilands of terceraes were not neglected by the duke , the assurance whereof seemed greatly to import , and therefore vpon the brute of the victorie , hee sent a messenger thither , with letters from the king , and the citie of lisbone : but the matter being first well debated at badagios , it was supposed by the councell , the portugals alone to be more fitte to mannage that busines , then if the castillians shoulde entermeddle ; and therefore the king did write vnto lisbone to edward de castelbianco , that conferring with the duke as a portugall , he should go thither : but he resolued not , for being newly created officer of the chamber , he founde that edward borges whom the duke had appointed to sende , remained accountable to the crowne for certaine money , so as hee thought not good to imploy him , nor to choose any other in his place . the duke vnderstanding of the kings recouerie , leauing the care of the ilands to him that had it , would no longer delay to send against the prior , and although the time was vnfitte ; yet the xxij . of september he dispatched sanches d' auila into those parts with fower thousand foote , and sower hundreth horse , who marched directly towards coimbra , but vnderstanding soone after that many of his soldiers died by the way , that many fledde into castil , and that with great difficultie , ( by reason of the great aboundance of raine ) , he shoulde conduct fower peeces of artillerie , the duke sent after him other fifteene hundreth foote , vnder diego de cordoua , and prouided shipping to sende the cannon by sea : sanches d' auila tooke his first lodging at loures , from thence he marched to torrez vedras , where hauing broken one of his carriages , he was forced to leaue a peece of artillerie there , from thence he went directly to coimbra , passing by gibarotta , where hee did see the spoiles of that famous victorie , which the portugals had against the castillians ; from thence hee sent two companies of horse to coimbra , the which vntill they had discouered them woulde not yeeld their obedience ; yet vpon view of the horse , they mette them with the keies of the citie , and emanuel de sosa pacheco , commissarie general of the campe , entred to receiue their allegeance . the prior hauing newes of these things at auero , woulde not attende sanches d' auila , remaining in suspence , whether he shoulde imbarque himselfe , and abandon the realme ; but hauing receiued letters from some of porto , who promised to obey him , he marched thither wardes with all the troupes he could make , whereof hauing yet made no mention , being a place of importance , we will digresse a little to reporte the estate thereof , during these troubles . the inhabitants thereof doe account themselues the wisest amongst the portugals , who hearing the catholique king began to arme , and that the gouernours did rule , sent to court , demaunding armes and munition for their defence if neede were : but their embassadors arriuing at almeryn , they founde the gouernours were retired to settuual , and that the prior was proclaimed king ; so as the embassage they had in charge to impart to the gouernors , they deliuered to the newe king , without warrant from their superiors , who gaue vnto them such artillerie and munition as they required : the embassadors being returned therewith to porto , there grew a diuision amongst the citizens , for some ( affected vnto anthony ) approoued the embassage ; others being more seuere said , that being sent to the gouernors , and deliuering their embassage to the prior , they were woorthy of blame : so as one part woulde receiue the munition , and artillerie , and vse it at their neede , saying , that they shoulde receiue it , although it came from their enimies ; the rest woulde by no meanes accept it , seeming that thereby they did acknowledge him for king , and make themselues suspect to the catholique king ; the which they woulde by no meanes do , but entertaine themselues as newters and lookers on : but the pluralitie of voices refusing to accept the armes , the embassadors ( by the aduise of pantaleon de sada , ferrant nunes barretto , and iohn rodrigo de sada , who were the most famous men that gouerned the citie ) left the artillerie and munition within the castell of fiera , a little from thence , leauing the citie vnfurnished . but the duke disimbarking at cascaies before the battaile of alcantara , they sent to yeeld their obedience . when as the prior came into these quarters he seazed on this artillery and munition , and therewith battered auero ; from thence he went to porto , where although some had giuen out most slaunderous speeches against him , so as it was likely they woulde haue no agreement nor conuention with him , yet the greatest part , enclined to obey him : hee was ioyfully receiued of all vnder a cannapie : and pantaleon de sada with his companions , ( foreseeing the humour of the people ) without seeking of any remedie , excusing themselues , if they were not obeied , woulde not stay there but imbarking themselues in a carauell they went into gallicia , and from thence to lisbone . the prior staied tenne daies in this citie , spoiling some priuate mens houses , that were his enimies : he tooke sugars and other merchandise from the merchants , and sent them into fraunce ; hee demaunded to borrow one hundreth thousand duckats of the people ; and being aduertised that sanches d' auila approched , and that coimbra , mounte maior , and some other places , had deliuered vp their keies , he sent the bishop of guarda to viana , and to ponte de lima , to assemble more forces , and to stoppe the passage of the riuer . the duke of alua was now at lisbone with a troubled mind , for seeing the portugals become more insolent then before , & to disagree with the castillians ; he had no authoritie frō the king to punish them , or to do such execution as was conuenient , and had beene accustomed to do in other places ; that the prior yet kept the field with his forces ; that daily there grewe quarrels within the citie , betwixt the castillians and the portugals ; and that the nations were so incensed one against an other , that it was to be feared it would breede some great disorder . and although the castillians had expresse order to endure all things , yet had they not the patience : for this manner of the dukes proceeding , ( misconstrued by the portugals to proceed from feare ) growing daily more proud , they forced the castillians to quarrel with great discourtesie : for redresse whereof , the duke hauing somewhat fortified the castell , which is seated vpon a small hill neere the citie , a most auncient building , drew thither the greatest number of his soldiers , artillery , victuals , and munition , taking them from the guard of the citie gates , where they grewe odious ; by meanes whereof he was more assured , and lesse hatefull , and the portugals choler somewhat qualified . at this time sanches d' auila , approched neere to auero , where hee was mette without the wals by the principall of the citie , who wept for ioy , but chiefly amongst the rest , such most reioiced as had beene kept in prison , in danger to loose their liues for resisting the prior. hauing there receiued the oath of fidelitie from the magistrate , vnderstanding that anthony was gone to porto , hee followed after , desirous to encounter him with all the speede he could : diego de cordoua being now arriued at the campe , with troupes which the duke had sent after him ; the which by death and the flight of many were diminished to fiue hundreth : hee made diuers lodgings , molesting the countrey little , being arriued at rifana of santa maria , the which is fifteene miles from the left banke of the riuer of doro , vpon the right banke whereof , porto is seated , hee deuised by what meanes hee shoulde passe the riuer ; supposing hee had no greater difficultie then this to vanquish the enimie : hee knewe it was verie violent , running betwixte high mountaines without anie forde ; hee carried with him vppon carts , some small boates to cast into the riuer ; the which although they were fewe in number , yet did hee meane to runne alongst the shoare , and to take others ; but the ioints thereof were so shaken and open with the waie , and carriages , that hardly could they serue : hauing therefore passed the monasterie of griso , towardes the riuer , hee sent to the shoare to search for other boates , but hee founde not any ; for besides the priors commaundement , that no barke should passe from the right shoare , three or fower being armed scowred the riuer vp and downe , to hinder their passage ; whereupon he sent with great expedition , as well to places neere , as a farre off , to search for some , whereof he failed not , for although there were none neere the citie , yet in places further off vp the riuer , where the portugals supposed the castillians would not come , they founde and tooke many ; whereunto ioyning those of massarellos ( a place vpon the left banke ) the inhabitants whereof ( discontented against the prior , who had burned their houses for not duly obeying his commandement ) were fled with their wiues and boates vnto the castillians campe . it did also some what helpe , that anthonie serrano one of the captaines which auila had sent to discouer , hauing runne almost to the mouth of the riuer , and not found any , discouering one , whereunto he durst not approch , putting his men in ambuscado , stripping himselfe halfe naked , seeming to haue been robbed by the castillians , and calling the water men to him by the voice of a portugall spie , which he had with him , he caused the boate to draw neere , and being entred into it , he discharged a pistoll , which was hidden vnder him , by meanes whereof he did not onely amaze the marriners , but gaue signe vnto the ambush , which discouering itselfe , the boate was presently taken , with two or three others ( although but small ones ) that were thereabouts ; so as all togither made fiue and thirtie , with the which he supposed to passe a good part of his armie . sanches d' auila desired much to hasten his passage , supposing that he had men sufficient , but this resolution was helde rash , by the captaines that were about him ; seeming vneasie to passe with boates any where but at pietra salata , where lieth the ordinary passage , the which was fortified ; for in other places the steepenesse of the banks would not suffer it , so as they could not deceiue the enimie , as they doe commonly , making shew to passe in one place , and goe to another . they obiected there were few barks , and ill prouided with marriners , and although they would containe a great part of the footemen , yet could they not hold the horse , the which they must leaue behinde them , which was not thought conuenient ; forasmuch as on the other side , they did not onely see the place of their disimbarkment fortified with artillerie , and rampiers , but also the banks replenished with foote , and good store of horsemen ; so as it seemed they coulde not attempt this passage , without great losse , saying that it was better to seeke meanes to prouide victuals , and to behaue themselues more discreetly vpon the passage , seeing that their safetie was of more importance to the king , then their speede . sanches d' auila waighed well all these inconueniences , yet two things pressed him greatly to passe ; the one was want of victuals , and the difficultie to recouer them , the which encreased daily : the other was to vnderstand that edward de lemos , martin lopez d' azeuedo , and anthony de sousa coutigno , who followed the prior in this prouince , had assembled men to come to his succour , the execution whereof they sought to impeach ; adding to this the smal account he held of the portugals by his experience informer actions , resolued in any sort to passe : for this cause hee approched with his armie neer the riuer , where the portugals hauing fortified themselues within a forte , which is aboue the citie of gaija , hee thought it should be necessarie to batter it , and there to make some stay . but it fell out more easie then he expected , for hauing sent peter de soto the elder , with some horse to discouer it , they within ( hauing once discharged their harguebuses against the horsemen ) abandoned the forte , and retired to the citie ; so as remaining no defence on that side , he deuised by what meanes he shoulde passe with the least losse . he himselfe ranne vp against the streame , to see if he coulde discouer any other passage ; but finding all rough and steepe , he saw no other place conuenient , but auintes , two miles from the campe , where ( although vneasily ) both on the one and the other banke , they might imbarke and descend : there he resolued to passe , for this cause ( being returned to his lodging ) he published his intent , but some of the armie being of a contrarie opinion , hauing assembled them all together , he said vnto them : it will seeme strange vnto you , that i haue resolued to morrow to passe this riuer with the whole armie , supposing , it may be , that it is vneasie and dangerous , for the season being vnfit , the banks steepe , the enimie vpon the other side , armed and fortified , shoulde make you doubt the victorie ; especially being in greater number then we are : but for as much as where the feare is least danger , i would let you see that there is no cause to feare any perill , but an assurance of honour and profite : these doubtes ( if you haue any before your eies ) be all vaine , for the season doth not offend vs , seeing that the waues are calme , the banks giue vs sufficient roome , and our enimies fortifications are as weake , as their resistance hath been hitherto : remember that comming from settuuall with the galleyes , you descended at cascayes , where the same enimies vnder the most famous captaine of portugal had their armie , & yet they neither hindred our landing , or scarce endured our sight ; for in a manner without seeing vs , they did abandon the most important place of the realme . call to minde that all portugall , being assembled with their counterfeitking , lodged at alcantara , a place by nature most strong , furnished with artillerie and other armes , in their presence , we battered the rocke of saint iulian , and forced it to yeelde , not daring once to succour it , or issue foorth to any small skirmish : and thinke you that the weakest part of this armie , and the most timerous , being retired on the other side of this riuer , shall make a greater resistance , then it did vnited ? in this action we ought to striue for two things ; the kings seruice , and our owne honours and reputations ; the which fortune seemes to frame , as is most conuenient for vs : for if the enimies we haue in fronte , were so lodged , that there remained no let betwixt vs , we should doe the king small seruice , and winne our selues little honour by the conquest ; but our good fortune will haue it so , to the ende our praise may be the greater , that anthonie had taken ( as a buckler against vs ) this riuer and these bankes , and that there he shoulde shewe vs his forces ; that the generall opinion is , that there hee may trouble his maiestie in the iust possession of the realme , so as chasing him , wee shall deserue the greater recompence , by performing an enterprise that seems vneasie , the which in my iudgement wil prooue no more difficult , then the rest of this realme hath beene , if you be the same men you were few daies since : yet suppose not that i acknowledge these victories wholie from your valour , for i thinke i may attribute it better to his maiesties right , & the iniustice of anthony . who is he but knoweth that the realme appertaineth by iust title vnto our king ? what iudgment seate is there in the world which hath not of themselues giuen sentence in his fauour ? and contrariwise , who is ignorant that anthony hath tyrannously vsurped the title of a king , that he hath neither right nor title to the realme ? that hee is a bastard , insufficient , and vncapable of this degree ; which things are knowne to all men , and therefore the iustice of god will make vs instruments to punish him that deserues it : so as neither rampiers , riuers , nor fortresses , can serue him that is in the wrong , for that a guiltie conscience , not onely weakens the hart , but makes all forces vaine . the equitie of the kings cause , and your valour , are not to bee encountred by so weake enimies , but will surmount greater difficulties then this , as you haue seene , and shall see tomorrowe , if it please god. these words with the authoritie of the captaine most renowmed amongst these soldiers , made all men iudge that his resolution was well considered , and therefore sanches d' auila for the night and the day following , did thus order the armie : he caused them to plant vpon the banke , directly against the towne , such artillerie as he had , in a place conuenient , both to scoure the passage , & to endammage the other side ; leauing his lodging guarded with germaines and spaniards , he tooke the thirde parte of his foote , his boates and horsemen , & went by night vnto the passage , where he had been , there to imbarke & passe to the other banke , meaning to charge the enimie in flanke ; the other two thirds of the armie vnder the charge of rodorick sapatta shoulde imbarke at pietra salata , in the rest of the barkes , and draw after them so many horses as they coulde , tied by the reines , making shew to passe there , to the end to keepe the enimie busied with this feare ; yet commaunding them not to passe , vntill they shoulde see the enimie charged by the other thirde part , which had beene transported at the other passage . all these things were duly executed ; for the portugals being vnexperienced in warre , coulde not prouide for so ordinarie a stratagem ; so as sanches d' auila being come to the towne side , he founde so weake resistance , that although some companies of soldiers were runne thither , yet he landed easily : and whereas their boates were not able to transport all their soldiers togither , the first which landed , hauing entred skirmish with the portugals , before the comming of the rest , hauing slaine tenne or eleuen of them , they put them all to flight . the prior beleeued not the castillians shoulde so soone haue passed , but vnderstanding what they had done , and the small resistance of his men , being not yet generally published , hauing assembled many and of the chiefe , he spake thus vnto them : tyrants vse in their pretentions , when they distrust their right , to flie vnder other colours , to force , vsing this in steede of iustice , to obtaine their desires ; but iust and louing princes , not onely submit themselues to iustice , but do continually striue to be conformable to the will of their subiects : as for me , at such time as the succession of this realme failed , i was resolute to obey him , that by right shoulde bee declared king : i remained quiet , vntill that philip dispairing of his iustice , and taking armes , it pleased you to name mee your king and protector : i accepted this burthen more ( as god shall preserue our libertie ) not seeing any one that coulde gouerne you with true loue , then for any desire to rule : howe i haue behaued my selfe , how euery thing hath passed , you knowe , who haue beene alwaies , and in all things , not my subiects but my companions : want of time woulde not suffer vs to prouide many things necessarie for the warre ; for i was no sooner named king , but the enimie prepared , hauing before plotted many ambushes , and resolute what to doe , inuaded vs with his forces , the which was cause that the munitions appointed & the succors promised by christian princes , could not come in due time ; the which hath made our successe vnhappie : we haue ( in a manner disarmed ) already tried the hazard of a battaile , if you thinke good to aduenture it againe , against an enimie that followeth vs , do as you please , but i am not of that opinion , for hauing hitherto aduentured my person , and made this breast a buckler , i am not now resolued , except you do otherwise aduise me , to thrust both you and my selfe to the hazard of a doubtfull battaile ; by the victorie whereof , although it shoulde remaine on our sides , there could not succeed the intention we haue , to expell the enimie out of this realme , & by loosing it , i should be frustrate of the hope i haue conceiued , to free you soone from the yoke which hangs ouer you . god is my witnes , that al which i haue done , and shall do , neither hath beene , nor shall be to any other ende , but for the loue of you , and to make equall this ballance of iustice , the which is now forced by the might of the greatest enimie that euer portugall had . i know well you will beleeue me , but if any amongst you doth distrust my words , let him consider , that if i had not regarded your profite , but mine owne priuate interest ; i had beene now quiet , rich , and reconciled with the catholique king , who hath often sought me , by offers , and large promises ; and you had beene tyrannized ouer , and in a manner slaues , as those be that haue no kings of their owne countrie : but god forbid that euer i shoulde preferre mine owne profite before yours , or mine owne benefite before the realmes , whose people haue so much loued my progenitors : i may well at this time , yeeld vnto the vniust forces , that doe oppresse me , yet will i neuer renounce the realme , nor my title , but with newe armes and new force , i hope againe to trie mine action ; so as this sorrow which i now see in your faces , shall be soone turned to ioy ; those armes , that munition , those men , which are not now arriued in time , shall serue hereafter : and if it be a humaine thing to take compassion of the afflicted , i hope , being so vniustly molested , to moue pitie , not only in the most pitifull , but also in the cruellest nations of the world . i knowe that this loue which you haue alwaies borne to me , and my predecessors , shall no waies be diminished by any sinister euent , and i am so well assured , that although we shall be now separated one from another , that shortly we shall be assembled againe to your great benefite and profite , and to the shame and dishonour of our enimies . these words did mooue the harts and eies of many , no man answering him a word ; so as being retired with his faithfull followers , he departed as it were in secret , without publishing his departure , and going to the monasterie of aronca by the vnknowen way of vairam and barcellos , hee came to viana . sanches d' auila hauing passed all his troupes , and put the portugals , that kept the passage to flight , he came against the towne , the which being ignorant of the priors intent , manned with many soldiers , resolued to defend themselues , keeping the castillians all they could from approaching with their artillerie : being come to the enimies cannon , rodericke sapatta arriued at the same instant with his boates , who landed without any contradiction , but the portugals preuented them with their flight ; so as there remained not any one : sanches did long pursue such as fled , and caused his horse to followe them ; but the rainie day and the diuersitie of the waies , gaue them good meanes to escape ; so as the castillians returned with the slaughter of few . the conquerors beleeued , that the prior was yet remaining in the citie , seeing them make shew of defence , and continually to play with their artillerie , the which did small hurt : but whilest that sanches looked about who made resistance , and sought out the fittest lodging to force the towne , the citizens discouering the priors flight , changed their resolutions , making a signe of peace with a white cloth from the wals , which was an assurance of the victorie , and of the priors flight ; by reason whereof , diuiding his horsemen into two parts , he caused them to pursue him , by two diuers waies , and the magistrate of the citie , issuing foorth , yeelded his obedience , who offering to open the gates , sanches commaunded him to the contrarie for feare of the soldiers , who were greedie of the spoile : but notwithstanding this order from the captaine , the city was in danger to be sacked ; for remaining yet within some of the priors soldiers , as some of the chiefe of the castillians entred by one of the gates , the inhabitants let foorth the portugals by an other ; the which they coulde not do so secretly , but they were discouered by some of the companies , that lay abroad , who suffring them to passe , entred by the same gate , and began to spoile some houses , on that side of the towne , and so had continued with the rest , if before the arriuall of the other companies , sanches d' auila hearing the noise , had not runne in person with the officers , and staied them by his authoritie . in the meane time the prior entring viana , finding he coulde no longer make resistance within the realme , resolued to imbarke and saile into fraunce , and for that cause did furnish a ship ; but forbore to imbarke , by reason of the contrarie winde . at this time there arriued at viana one part of those horse which persued him , hauing intelligence of his being there , against whom the citie put themselues in armes : but the captaine saying vnto them , that if they refused to obey , they should be spoiled by the armie which approched , and would arriue that day or the next , they grew amased , and yeelded vpon condition , to haue their liues and goods saued . vpon the view of these horsemen , the prior finding himselfe in so great danger , in a place of small trust , and disarmed , resolued rather to contest against the waues , and windes , then against the enimie ; and therefore he imbarked with the bishop , and some other of his traine , hoping , that whilest the citie made resistance , hee lying there concealed , some small winde woulde driue them from the lande : but fortune ( to speake after the common phrase ) seemed not yet wearie of him , for the sea swelled more , and the windes encreased , and continued so long , that the castillians being entred , and demanding for him , they had intelligence he was in the shippe , making preparation to go take him , wherof they seemed to be assured . but the prior vnderstanding thereof , seeing into what danger he was now brought , hauing deuided his treasure ( which was not great ) to such as were about him , hee attired himselfe like a marriner , and accompanied with the earle and bishop , and some of his other fauorites , with the most pretious things that he had , he tooke boate in great danger of drowing , landing vpon the other banke of the riuer of minio , the which is directly against the citie . the which the castillians discouering , made haste to pursue him : but for as much as the riuer is not to be passed there , before the castillians could embarke , he had time to saue himselfe , loosing all his seruants , and some things of price , yet had hee all his most precious iewels sowed in his garments . true it is that since there was found in castill some peeces of the rich caparison , where of i made mention , in a souldiers possession , who said , he had then taken it from one of the priors slaues ; but the king suspicious that anthonie had beene his prisoner , and deliuered for that ransome , kept him long in prison . it seemed that fortune did accompanie the prior to preserue him , it may be for some greater affliction for this realme , for at the same instant he left his boate , and went to lande , there arriued on the same side that other troupe of horsemen that pursued him , who had easily taken him , if they had once suspected he had beene there ; but discouering on the other side a troupe of horse , imbarking to passe the riuer , not able to discerne ( by reason of the distance ) whether they were friends or enemies , nor for what reason they passed , they were in doubt what to doe , during which time the prior retired himselfe : and although by their approch they found by their colours who they were , yet before the one could vnderstand the others resolution , the time was spent and they effected nothing . the king did now beginne to recouer his health , after so dangerous a sicknesse , at which time queene anne his wife fell sicke of a rotten feuer , the which in few daies brought her to another life ; wherewith the king was much grieued , being a ladie wholy conformable to his humour , and indued with singular bountie . hauing recouered his former health , forbearing to enter the realme , vntill all were reduced to his obedience , seeing now the prior to be defeated , and to hide himselfe , he went to eluas the first citie of the realme , where the portugals receiued him with great ioy ; for that in this citie and others , bordering vpon castill , their hatred is not so mortall against the castillians , as in other places : there he did open the barred hauens , that is , he disanulled the imposts , which were paied , as well in castill , as in portugall , of all such merchandize as passed from realme to realme ; the which amounted yeerely to . duckats ; he set a tax of . duckats vpon the priors person , as a rebell and disturber of the quiet of the realme : he proclaimed a parliament at tomar , the fifteenth day of aprill , where he would assist in person , with the generall opinion and great hope of all men , that all portugals that had offended , should there receiue their pardon , and the obedient haue reward ; and that to all in generall , he would giue great recompences , graunting to the cities of the realme whatsoeuer they demaunded . there remained neither citie nor place , within the maine land of portugall , that had not yeelded their obedience to the king of spaine : for after the priors flight from viana , all was in the castillians power ; the places of affricke were obedient , and so was the iland of madera ; as for the places further off , time would not yet suffer them to haue any certaine newes . there remained the seuen ilands of terceres , which had not yet made their submission , hauing aduertisement that ( only s. michaels excepted ) all the rest refused to obey ; and for as much as they were of no account , this disobedience made them famous : although they be seuen in number , yet are they for the most part small and ill peopled : that of saint michael ( a hundreth miles neerer spaine then the rest ) is the best : there the bishop of all these ilands hath his residence : they call their principall towne punta delgada , the next vnto it is called tercere , whereof all the rest take their name : this is fertill , and by nature more strong then the rest : angra is their greatest dwelling , whereof the saide bishop taketh his name : the rest , as saint marie , fayale , pico , coruo , and flowers , be lesser , and some of them wholy vnpeopled : the inhabitants of all in generall be superstitious , and vaine , grounding their discourses vpon fancie ; for since the battaile of affricke , they would neuer beleeue that king sebastian was dead : and although this opinion was helde long through out the realme , yet hath it beene more confidently beleeued there then in any other places ; for notwithstanding they had seene the innouations which happened in the time of king henrie , and of the gouernours , yet did they still hope he should appeare : but when the prior was proclaymed king , it seemed they were somewhat satisfied ; for hauing presently sent vnto these ilands to take possession , with letters vnto all the magistrates ; hee was there sworne and willingly obeyed : and to performe this acte of obedience , they sent as ambassadors vnto him , stephen siluera and fryer melchior of the order of saint frauncis , who arriuing at lisbone , could not execute their charge ; for being defeated at alcantara hee was fled towards porto , yet making no account of the enimies victorie , they followed the prior , & there in the name of all the inhabitants of these ilands yeelded him obedience . after in the month of nouember in the yeare . they returned to tercomes , giuing an account of their charge , adding that notwithstanding anthonie had beene broken at alcantara , yet he began in the prouince betwixt doro and mynio with . men , to be reuenged vpon the castillians : and although they had after intelligence of philips absolute victorie , and of the flight of anthonie , yet they continued firme in their opinions , wherein they were daily confirmed , for that ( as it is said before ) the kings ministers had neglected to send vnto them ; whereas contrariwise anthonie and the earle of vimiosa did still solicite them by curriers and letters to continue firme : the said earle , hauing sent anthonie scalyn a frenchman vnto them with letters , whereby in the priors name hee did commende their good affection ; they so far passed the bounds of ioy , as they receiued him into angra in procession , and vnder a cannapie , conducting him to the church of pitie , where the saide fryer melchior preached , applying their intentions to the will of god : and fryer blaise camello did sing masse , who in his prayer , with a lould voice praied for two kings , that is , sebastian and anthonie , saying vnto the people which demaunded newes of sebastian , that the fourth of august he would satisfie them . the inhabitants of the iland of saint michaell , which had no such seditious firebrands , as that of tercera , beeing by nature more peaceable , furthered by the bishop who followed the kings party , did not runne into so great disorders , but shewed themselues daily more obedient vnto philip , who hauing intelligence of all these things , desired to trie if hee could by gentle meanes draw this rebellious nation to his obedience , and at the last , remedie the error of his ministers ; for to conquer them by force was supposed difficult , the terceraes being naturally strong , and inuironed with high rockes , besides the sea going so high in those parts , as no ships can liue aboue three or fower moneths in the yeare : this enterprise was then supposed to be of more importance then it had beene , not so much for the qualitie of the place , as for the situation , beeing an vnauoydable passage for the ships that come from the indies , and the new found lands , as well from the east as from the west , where the frenchmen harbouring , they might greatly endomage spaine : for this consideration the king sent ambrose d' aguiar , with a letter and ample pardon in a manner to all offendors , if leauing the part of anthonie , they would follow his . but arriuing neere vnto angra and sending his letters to land , the islanders tooke counsell what to doe ; but the people being then mad and without gouernment , did not approoue the opinion of this counsell . the richer sort regarding their priuat profit would obey , for hauing all their rents in corne , the which they commonly send vnto the realme , they could not make sale in any other place ; but being few , and not daring to speake their mindes , they deliuered it doubtfully : the poore , ( who finding the lesse corne were transported from the ilands , the better cheape they shoulde buie it , ) not caring to haue any trafficke with portugall , would by any meanes follow the voice of anthonie . many kindled with rage , aduised they shoulde suffer ambrose d' aguiar to enter the citie , and after cast him in prison and punish him as ambassador to a tyrant . some held they should send him away without answere : some of the chiefe ( who feared they were not comprehended within the pardon ) did what they could to preiudice the kings part , for dispairing to obtaine it , they laboured that no man should follow his voice , but so to wrong philip as they should lose all hope euer to bee reconciled : wherein they preuailed so much , as that ambrose d' aguiar ( who was appointed to be gouernor of the iland of saint michaell ) was sent backe . they caused a masse to be saide , where all the people did sweare to die for anthonie : in which humor they were still confirmed by false reports that were blowen abroad : for although the prior were yet hidden in portugall , yet the shippes which came from fraunce , and england , to trafficke at the ilands , to the end they might be the better fauored and receiued , brought newes that he was in their countrey , raising a great armie . the people being in this humour easie to take any impression , there suddenly steps vp a smith of the basest sorte , who followed by the multitude , plaied the southsayer ; saying that the tenth of march without all doubte , king sebastian shoulde come into that iland . the day being come , with great expectation of the people , there appeered a great shippe at sea , the viewe whereof , did so much alter this people , that the smith crying , this was the shippe wherein the king was ; euery man ranne to the shoare to see him , as as it were expecting sebastians landing . but although the shippe followed an other course , not drawing any thing neere to the iland , yet the people left not their vaine hope , but some of them affirmed , that the shippe had put three men into their cockboate , the which were entred into the couent of saint frauncis , supposing it shoulde be king sebastian , christopher de tauora , and the cheriffe . and although this lie might easily be deciphered , yet their offences would not permitte it , but running from one scruple to an other , it seemed they were destinate to liue in suspence : for these friers of saint frauncis , against the truth of priesthoode ( vnderstanding the peoples opinion , that the king was in their couent ) did confirme it , giuing them to vnderstand it was true , and the better to induce them to beleeue it , seeming on the one side to keepe it very secret ; on the other side shewing they had guests of importance , they demaunded secretly ( but so as it might be knowen ) to borrow beds of silke , siluer vessels , and other things fit for a kings seruice : they caused also garments to be made , and kept their gates more strictly then of custome , saying in their sermons , that they would giue them two naturall kings ; and some hearing them in their masses to praie for sebastian and anthony , supposed he was in their monasterie , and not sebastian , seeing that since his departure from viana , there was no certaine newes of him . in this iland ciprian de figueredo ( sometimes seruant to the counte of vimioso ) being sent thither for iudge , was become ringleader of all the rest : this man ( being contrary to the castillians , and agreeing with the monkes ) did countenaunce their practises , remaining in their couent , from morning vntill night : he confirmed the people in their foolish beliefe , that the king was there . this nation was not well setled in matters of religion , for growing insolent by their libertie , some preachers attributing vnto themselues more authoritie then they had , promised absolution , and many things which they ought not , making shewe they would builde a church after their owne fashion , and for that the lesuites had opposed themselues , or at the least were not of one consent , they were walled vp within their monasterie . and although these ilands were not al obedient , being a slow enterprise , yet the warre seemed as then in a manner ended , that philip hauing great forces in spaine , knew not how to imploy them ; & forasmuch as the soldiers ( returned from the warres in the lowe countries ) were now vpon the way , comming from italy towards portugall , with some others newly leuied , they saide the king ( adding some fewe forces thereunto ) might raise a great armie to bee imploied vpon that occasion , for the which they vnderstoode the pope as carefull of his charge , had renewed the practizes to bende these forces against england , the which woulde not obey the romish sea , and therefore hee propounded to king philip , that if hee woulde leuie an armie and sende it to this conquest , he woulde assist him in this enterprise with the treasures of the church ; offring to graunt vnto him croisades , exemptions , and subsidies , and to acquite him of a million of golde , which hee saide was due vnto the church , for the reuenewes he had receiued of the archbishopricke of toledo , by title of sequestration , when as the archbishop was suspended from his charge . but the king hauing newly taken possession of the crowne , seeing the portugals not well quieted , sought first to pacifie the realme , before hee woulde vndertake any other enterprise : notwithstanding at the popes motion , who saide , that arming in those parts , hee shoulde not onely keepe portugall in awe , but all spaine and fraunce likewise . it may be he woulde not haue refused to send a good part of his forces , if not into england , yet into ireland , if the popes ministers had beene more resolute , or had beene furnished with a more ample commission ; but the sufferance of the foldiers , and the great charge , admitting no delay , rome being so farre off , they agreed not , but the king dismissing the italians , caused the foldiers vpon the way to returne backe , and deuided his armie into garrisons . the eight booke . the contents of the eight booke . the soldiers complaints : the catholique king visites the duchesse of bragance : the kings voyage to tomar : the generall pardon : the estates wherein they sware fidelitie vnto the king , and vnto the prince diego : the demaunds of the estates : the kings entrie into lisbone : the vnhappy successe of peter de baldes his men , at the ilands of terceraes : anthonie his departure out of the realme , and his arriuall in fraunce : the arriuall of lopez de fegueroa at the ilands , and his returne without effect : the preparation of the jlands : the estate of the affaires of fraunce , and of the lowe countries : the recompences which the king gaue vnto suiters : the opinions of the manner of giuing them : the enterprise of the ilands : the preparation to warre by king philip and the french , and the departure of their armies at sea towards the ilands both from fraunce and portugall . in these warres , amidst the cares of the realmes disquiet , and imminent perils , frauncis de villafagna , doctor of the lawes , and auditour of the councel royall of castil , which is the soueraigne seate of that realme , came to lisbone ; sent by the king with letters vnto the duke , whereby he was commaunded to fauour him in the execution of his commission ; the which being presently published , containing no other matter of importance , but a simple commaundement , with the rest of the ordinarie officers , to examine the accounts of the armie , and to signe the warrants for paiments , it seemed a sleight charge for so great a personage ; the which ministred matter of suspect , that vnder so simple a shewe , there was hidden some mysterie of importance ; and the generall opinion was , that he came to censure both the armie , and the duke himselfe : and although the duke should haue beene best informed , yet he made no shewe to know it , but fauoured the doctor , admitting him to the councell of warre , and to other graue matters , which did not concerne him : the rest of the captaines & spanish soldiers , which could lesse dissēble , spake with more libertie , and lesse patience then the duke ; saying it was a new manner of iustice , neuer heard of ; seeing that of necessitie the controuersie must bee betwixt the captaine generall and his armie ; or betwixt the armie and the enimie , not able to discerne which should be the contrarie parties , for it seemed the soldiers , neither could nor ought to make themselues parties , against their commaunder , neither ought the enimies to be admitted against a conquering armie . and if so strange a thing shoulde happen , it might likewise be supposed , that the enimie shoulde be declared faithfull , and the armie which had conquered the realme pronounced rebels . they inquired wherein the duke had offended ; if as a gouernour , or as a captaine ; for saide they , he coulde not erre as a gouernour , hauing neuer resolued the smallest matter , without the kings aduise , besides that hee had not gouerned aboue two moneths : if as a captaine , what had lawes to doe with armes , and the militarie stile with the ciuill ? but for all this discourse , they did not greatly weigh the dukes offences , supposing in the ende that his greatnes and innocencie shoulde protect him : their owne priuate interest did most of all trouble them , loosing all hope of recompence for their former seruices , saying , that for this last and notable exploite , they did rather see punishment prepared then rewards : they imagined the king did not well conceiue howe they had conquered him a kingdome in eight and fiftie daies , after the same manner ( to followe their owne phrase ) as the kingdome of heauen is woone , that is to say , in fasting , with bread and water , and without taking from any man ; the which they said , being furnished with nothing but bisket , & hauing no libertie to spoile any towne : they could not endure to be slaundered by idle courtiers , and bachelors , ( for so the soldiers in hate and derision of lawes & iustice , terme the greatest doctors of the councell ) saying , that those men remained at badagios to drinke coole in sommer with ice , scorning those that suffered these dangers . they remembred their labours suffred at sea , comming out of italy ; the famine of spaine ; the intolerable heate of estremadura ; the plague of portugall ; the seuere discipline of the duke , and the gibbets set vp for euery small disorder : they added , that to the end the victorie gotten at porto shoulde not remaine vnpunished , the king ( to speake plainly ) had sent another doctor against sanches d'auila , and that part of the army which had made an ende , and assured him the realme . and it was true that frauncis tedaldo auditour of the seate of iustice , which remaines in gallicia , was sent thither , who did strictly informe of all manner of excesse imputed either to autla or his soldiers : they saide it was apparant in this courte , howe much , letters were preferred to armes , seeing that all such as followed this action vnarmed , had wrested from the soldiers the fruites of their labours , and the price of their blouds ; seeing the king had satisfied their desires in the greatest measures they coulde wish , not giuing any recompence vnto others ; the which they prooued in setting downe particularly , the offices the king had giuen to the duke of ossuna and other embassadors ; for they did assure , and it is true , that the greatest in spaine aspire to no other charge , then to be viceroy of naples , whereunto they labour to come by many degrees , and that the king had reserued this for the duke of ossuna . as for other noblemen and gentlemen , they sought for nothing more then to be of the kings chamber , which place he had giuen to christopher de mora , togither with the best offices of the realme of portugall . they touched likewise the lawyers which be of the kings councell , saying , they coulde not aspire higher then to be of the councell of the chamber , the which is a tribunall of three or fower doctors elected , who determine with the king of pardons , and other matters of grace ; and that this office which rodorique vasques enioied , he had likewise giuen to lewes de molina , preferring him before his auncients . these speeches with others more inconsiderate , were spred amongst the soldiers , with a soldier-like libertie . and although they erred not much from the truth , yet men without passion , iudged that this aggrauating was vniust and slaunderous ; being no great maruaile , that a king , who ought to haue regarde to infinite matters the which passed the consideration of priuate men , shoulde giue eare to the many complaints that were made against this armie , and force them to their purgation ; and that it was not likely that villafagna , or tedaldo , had power to iudge in this case , but onely to examine the truth : that whereas villafagna had in a manner carried his commission secrete , it was an argument of the kings respect , and modestie , who sought to proceede with the more mildenes , and without any blemish to the duke , or his captaines , although it was not reasonable the soldiers shoulde treade this realme vnder their feete , as the rebellious countrey of flaunders , or of a king that were an enimie ; or giue vnto the portugals the odious titles of rebels and disloyal , although they deserued well the name of troublesome and transported subiects , vneasie to yeeld vnto this new yoke . this mutinie continued long , but for as much as the commissioners did not punish any , nor as i beleeue , made any triall , their humours grewe more calme , wherein the wisedome of villafagna preuailed much , togither with the small subiect they founde , when as they came to examine the truth of such complaints , as had beene made to the king. now the day appointed by the king , for the assemblie of the states grew neere ; but before he shoulde goe to tomar , the place appointed for their assemblie , he ment to visite katherine duchesse of bragance , who for that cause was come from villauizosa , to villa boim , whither he went to her , accompanied with all the chiefe of his courte ; and hauing staied with her halfe a day in great familiaritie , he returned to eluas , and from thence departed towards tomar : he did not there so sodainly dispose of rewards as the portugals expected ; hauing ( as it is saide before ) made a councell for portugall , of speciall men , to whom he referred all matters , not admitting the castilliās , to entermeddle with any cause of the realme ; no man was heard nor dispatched as he pleased , for the king made no haste , & his ministers were confounded in the quantitie , & qualitie of their requests ; not able to resolue in so intricate a busines , so as the care of expedition was delaied ; by reason whereof the portugals saide , that although the king , in his letters , words , and habite , seemed curteous , & altogither enclined to portugall , & had promised great rewards ; yet in particular ( whether it were his fault or any others , ) they yet see no recompence . to the duke of bragāce who aspired to great matters , as then they gaue nothing , being excessiue in his demaunds , he had onely confirmation to be constable of the realme , they gaue him the order of the golden fleece , and the king fauoured him extraordinarily , taking him to masse with him behinde the curtaine , without any other recompence , which might either breede him profite or power . before the entrie of the parliament , the ceremonie of swearing the king was perfourmed , and soone after , of the prince in the monasterie of religious men of the order of christ ( a religion which is not any where else ) where he was lodged in the same sorte , as was saide of king henry , but with more pompe , being in an assemblie of estates , and with lesse noise being done with lesse loue ; yet was it woorth the sight , both for the great number of the nobilitie , and the goodly representation of the king , in his habite of cloth of gold , which henry had not , being a cardinall . there he graunted the pardon expected with so great desire , the which although it had the name of generall , yet was it helde by the portugals to be limited artificiall , and conditionall : it did pardon generally all such as had beene imploied for the prior against him , but particularly he did except many , and namely two and fiftie , the chiefe whereof was the prior himselfe , the counte of vimiosa , and the bishop of guarda : hee pardoned no religious man ; he made all such as had serued the prior , receiued honor from him , profite , charge , or office whatsoeuer , vncapable euer after to beare office , or to exercise those they had enioied before ; so as they saide , this pardon serued none but such as had made light faults , or had nothing to loose . this did much incense the mindes of the portugals , who found themselues deceiued of the hope they had conceiued by this pardon all to remaine freed ; the which although they much disliked , yet could they not get it refourmed ; but soone after all such were cited by proclamation as were not pardoned , to the end their processe might be made : the deputies of the realme being now assembled , the estates began the xix . day of aprill , where anthony pignero bishop of leira , made an oration before the king , saying , first , that the estates , seeming to haue the assistance of the holie ghost , by the profite which shoulde redounde to the subiects , that philip following the custome of former kings , had assembled them , to the end that with wisedome , loue , and fide litie , they should represent vnto him , what they thought conuenient for the generall good of these realmes : he did greatly amplifie the graces done by his pardon , terming it the fruits of his clemencie , he did shew , it was a ground of hope of greater good : he concludes , noting the greatnes of the kings loue & goodnes , promising to encrease al their honors , recompences , & fauours conformable to the loialtie and obedience they shoulde carrie to his seruice : whereunto was briefly answered by damian d'aguiar doctor , one of the deputies of the citie of lisbone , saying , that in the cities behalfe , and of the whole realme , he did thanke his maiestie , both for the grace of his pardon , as for assembling the estates , offering him obedience : all the deputies both in generall and particular demaunded what they pleased , to whom they graunted many things , as titles of knighthoode , rents for life , offices , and to some present money : there were eight or tenne of the meanest gentlemen , chosen of the order , and enobled with such other like things , the which was done rather according to the vse of castill , then after the manner of portugall ; for in this realme it is not the custome to giue any thing to deputies : he gaue greater recompences to the whole realme in generall , graunting in a manner al those , former things mentioned , which the duke of ossuna had promised the gouernors in the kings name , if the realme shoulde yeelde peaceably ( except it were to the garrisons ) libertie to saile to america , and the west indies , and to participate with the affaires of castill , as if they were borne there ; saying , that it was conuenient , before hee shoulde graunt them , to impart them to the estates , being preiudiciall vnto them . the deputies deliuered vnto the king a liste of what they demaunded , and aduised touching the gouernment ; whereof the principall were , that the king shoulde take a portugall borne to wife ; that he shoulde sende the yoong prince to bee brought vp within the realme : that the states of portugall shoulde be separate from them of castill , with their coine apart ; and many things touching the abatement of impostes , the displacing of garrisons , the ordering of iustice , and such like , whereof fewe were graunted at that time of any importance ; and to all the rest , they made answere with doubtfull hopes : the nobilitie , the greatest part whereof ( not hauing borne armes against the king ) supposed to haue deserued much , appointed thirtie amongst them to make petition vnto the king , for manie things , in the name of the whole nobilitie : first , that hee shoulde graunt them iurisdiction ouer their subiects : that such doctors as had beene imploied in matters of iustice shoulde not bee censured but by gentlemen : that the king should make no man noble , but for the good deserts of some notable seruice , and that it should not passe vnto his heires , but vpon speciall grace : that the chiefe offices of the realme , as the chiefe captaine-ships , the three purueiors of the arcinall , the store-house of the indies , and of the custome house , with such other like , shoulde not bee giuen but vnto noble men , whereof nothing was graunted . many did not attribute this refusall of their demaunds vnto the kings owne nature , nor vnto the iniustice of their requests , but most complained of those portugall fauorites which gouerned . many were of opinion the king shoulde suppresse the vniuersitie of coimbra , and thought it necessarie by all reason of state , saying , that it was not safe in a realme newly incorporate , to suffer an assemblie of three or fowre thousand yoong men , in a manner exempte from the iurisdiction royall , the which might wel be called a seminarie of seditions , and anthony his disciplined soldiers , readie to follow any other naturall rebell of the realme whatsoeuer : that the auoiding of this euill shoulde cause a greate benefite , that the portugals shoulde go studie in the vniuersities of castill , where passing the heate of their youth , and growing familiar with the castillians , they shoulde returne into portugall more roially affected , and more sufficient to administer iustice then they were : they alleaged moreouer that those lawyers had both by wordes and writings , wilfully opposed themselues against the kings right , chiefly when as henry was enclined to the dutchesse of bragance ; that some of them transported with this passion , had in their publike letters wrested against philip , not onely the imperiall lawes , but also the holie canons , interpreting them contrarie to their true sence , and contradicting themselues , and therefore they were woorthie of punishment . but although this opinion seemed grounded and confirmed by many portugals ; yet the king either by his bountie , or the assurance of his iustice , or of his absolute authoritie , or else , withhelde by the naturall inclination , hee seemed to beare to the portugall nation , not onely preserued this vniuersitie , but also tooke it into his protection , confirming their liberties and priuileges ; hee not onely receiued the doctors which had read and writ against him , with great mildenes , but also with a noble resolution , confirmed them in their lectures , and preferred others to them that were voide . in the meane time the pope discouering the priors weakenesse to maintaine portugall , and that there was no meanes of agreement , hauing called home his legate , he seemed well content with philips successe , saying , that his onely intention was to auoid wars , so as hauing obtained great rewardes for his sonne or at the least assured hopes , he graunted vnto the king , that george de taida bishop of viseu , who was his first chaplaine , shoulde be iugde without appeale of all causes , concerning the ecclesiasticall rebels , and of the proces of their confiscations ; so as the prior , in a manner doomed to sentence of death , with the bishop of guarda and others , were againe cited by edicts , to be depriued by iustice of all spirituall liuings they held within the realme . there was yet no newes of him , notwithstanding the reward promised , and the great care the castilians vsed through the realme to finde him , yet were they daily lesse certaine , for that disguised in a base habite , hee went vnknowne oftentimes amongst those that sought for him . he had intelligence that the counte of vimioso was come by land into fraunce , labouring to mooue the french to warre against the catholique king , promising great succours by the people in the matters of portugal : by reason whereof , and for the priors concealement , the king kept in a manner his whole armie dispersed in the fortresses and cities of the realme ; and although hee had dismissed the italians , and sent the greatest part of his galleies into italy , yet they gaue out , that he after repented , the realme seeming daily lesse peaceable ; and that the french in those parts might arme a good number of ships of warre and more conueniently in that sea then the galleies , whereof fowre being in algarues , had taken a french pirate with great slaughter , who being a knight of malta had fought valiantly : by reason of these garrisons , of the rigor of officers , of the smal recompence that was giuen them , and of the conceite that the prior was yet within the realme , the portugals harts beganne to turne , some of them assembled at times , lamented the miserie wherein they seemed to be , by their not agreeing to defend themselues , or not yeelding in time ; yet the greatest part held opinion , that vnited togither they might haue made resistance . they could not endure , that the castillian officers shoulde intermeddle in matters of iustice as they pretēded to do ; neither was the portugals disdaine appeased , in saying , that the king hauing commaunded iohn andrew doria , prince of melfy , to conduct the empresse his sister into spaine , whom he had caused to come out of germany , was for no other cause but to leaue her gouernesse in portugall , and so returne into castill , and that as a woman she shoulde raigne with greater mildenes then the kings of portugall had done : for although this was the common discourse , yet many helde opinion that the king should not depart , being constrained to keepe garrisons , the which he would not dismisse , vntill he were better assured of the prior , of whom they spake diuersly ; for some helde , that he was dead , and spoiled by the castilians , who for that they woulde yeelde no account of the iewels he had about him , kept it secret : others saide , that he had sent into fraunce , and england , from whence hee expected great armies , at whose arriuall , he would discouer himselfe : many supposed that he shoulde keepe himselfe secret within the realme vntill the death of philip , who according to their discourse , coulde not liue long ; and yet was there small difference betwixt their ages , at what time shewing himselfe as hee did vpon the death of king henry , hee shoulde againe take possession of the realme , the kingdomes of castill remaining in the handes of pupilles . and although some beleeued that he was departed the realme , yet the greatest part helde that he was there yet ; labouring to escape as couertly as he coulde , fearing to be taken prisoner , the which was true indeede , as it appeared by some of his friends that were taken in the porte of lisbone , who sought to imbarke with some prouision of victuals they had made , who confessed vpon the racke , that he was in the realme , amongst which was peter d'alpoe doctor of the lawes , who since for that cause and others of high treason lost his head at lisbone . the estates were now ended , and the king desirous to goe to lisbone , but for that the preparations , and triumphs which the citie pretended , were not yet ready , he went to almada , which is directly against the citie , vpon the other banke of tagus , to giue them time to finish their preparations : at what time the king hauing intelligence that those of the ilands of terceraes , notwithstanding the letters which ambrose d'aguiar , had carried stoode firme in their first resolution of defence , hee sent peter baldes with fower ships , sixe hundreth spanish foote , and some cannon , with commandement to assure himselfe fully of the iland of saint michaell , which was obediēt ; to spoile the ships which should come from the indies , & not to attēpt any thing by land vntill he had sent a greater supply of men . the court was ill appointed at almada , and the needfull ministers for dispatches , could not all bee lodged there . the king desirous to enter the citie , would not attende after saint peters day , when passing the water with his galleies , he lāded in the city , vpon a bridge of wood , framed for that purpose , without giuing them time to finish their arches , & statues prepared for his entry : but the sloth and ignorance of the workemen was in parte cause , yet did they make a sumptuous preparation : vpon the bridge he was met by the magistrate of the chamber , where doctor hector de pyna , one of them , spake thus in the behalfe of the citie , shewing the ioy they had conceiued of his entrie : that as this citie was the greatest in the worlde , so god had deseruedly giuen them conformeable to their owne desires , a great monarch to bee their lorde : hee excused the people saying , that if they had no sooner obeied , it was done rather by errour , then their owne free will ; and that remaining in their owne power to choose a king , they woulde haue made election of no other then himselfe . and touching the death of ferrant de pyna , hee saide that this citie had first of all shedde bloude for his seruice , seeing that the saide ferrant when as anthony caused him to bee wounded , was a member of this magistrate : he excused likewise the sleightnes of their ioyes , by the afflictions of the warre , the spoile of the citie , and the plague , remembring their losses of affricke ; concluding that they hoped by his maiesties fauours , this realme shoulde not bee saide vnited vnto castill , but that all the other realmes were ioyned vnto portugall . hee then went on horsebacke vnder a canopie of cloth of golde , vnto the cathedrall church , the streetes being richly hanged , were full of people , who made shewe of great ioy for the kings arriuall , where hauing done his deuotion , hee went in the same sortvnto the pallace , accompanied with all the nobilitie on foote . this realme within the space of two yeeres , had ( as a man may say ) fiue kings , a thing seldome or neuer happened in any other place , and it seemed that god in so short a time had thus altered the state of things for the peoples punishment , for all of them wasted their poore subiects : sebastian by his rashnes ; henry by his irresolution ; the gouernours by feare , and their priuate interest ; anthonie by tyrannie , and philip by armes . but when all was in a manner quiet , he entred this citie , the proper seate of their kings : it was supposed , the sorrowes and troubles passed , shoulde now be conuerted into ioy and quietnes ; but for that it is an equall punishment to a people , either to haue tyrants ruling by force , or to make a bad election of gouernours : the portugals were scourged with this last rod , desiring rather to be commanded by anthonie , being of so small might , and with all other disgraces that proceeded from him ; then by the great power of philip , impatient to see him so slacke , in deuiding amongst them the dignities , commaunderies , and reuenues of the crowne ; whereby they grew out of hope euer to draw such recompences from the court of castill , as they had vsually drawen from that of portugal . and although he had giuen vnto frauncis de sada , sometimes gouernour , the title of earle of matosignos , to ferrant de norogna that of lignares , which his father enioyed , made as it is said , christopher de mora one of his chamber , and established peter d'alcasoua in his office of chamberlaine , contrarie to the decree of king henry , wherein although the king of himselfe were well inclined , and resolued to dispatch euery one , with greater liberalitie , then the kings of portugall had euer done ; yet this distribution according to the new decree , appertaining to the councell of state of portugall , wherein as it is said , their opinions being diuerse , and the respects of hatred and loue , diuers , nothing was resolued , and the abundance of petitions caused these delaies , for that euerie one either iustly or without cause , demaunded recompence , so as the whole realme did not seeme sufficient to content them : the which being ill considered by many , they said he would stay from giuing vntill he were assured of the ilands , and of anthonies person . but the king finding , that these difficulties , and the slacknes in proceeding , grew by the excessiue number of counsellors , resolued ( according to the custome of former kings ) to referre the dispatch of such as demaunded recompence , vnto two persons alone , the which were anthony pignero , bishop of leiria and to christopher de mora : it may be seeming vnto him , that these two amongst the other officers were most free from all priuate respects , the bishop for that he was neere his graue , by reason of his age , and infirmitie , although of a sounde iudgement , and without kinsemen ; and mora being a creature of the kings , bredde in castill , and helde for vertuous , and fearing god. the estate of the terceraes grew daily woorse , with whom all trafficke was interdict , there was newes that this people being verie obstinate , called in forraine succours , resoluing in no sort to obey philip : they vnderstood that peter baldes was arriued , and that the kings letters with the rewarde he had carried for that nation , were not receiued but contemned : by reason whereof , the king desirous to subdue them , before the ende of this sommer , and iudging the enterprise easie , for that they had no trained soldiers , armed certaine ships , and furnished them with soldiers vnder the conduct of lopo de figueroa , who staied not long before he departed with commission to attempt with baldes to become master of the ilands : baldes lay nowe about the ilands , expecting the indian fleete , his marriners had often both by day and night landed with their boates to steale grapes which were then ripe , & drawing sometimes neere the rockes , vpon the which the portugals had planted behinde a small rampire three or fower iron peeces , they parlied often with them ; the one not fearing the other : peter de baldes finding the portugals carelesnes , and being aduertised that some within the ilands ( amongst a great multitude ) were well affected to the catholique king ; had often resolued to sende some men on lande , to the end that such as followed the kings partie , who were saide to lie in the mountaines , might ioine with them , and altogither set vpon the citie of angra , or at the least so fortifie themselues at land , as they shoulde not be repulsed : but for as much as this resolution , with so small a troupe was dangerous , and against the kings commission , the which knowing well he did not execute ; yet hauing intelligence that lopo de figueroa was to be sent from lisbone , to vndertake this enterprise with a great number of men , who being arriued , hee shoulde be commaunded to obey , he did confidently beleeue that at his comming , either by loue or by force , he woulde be master of this iland , and winne that honour whereunto he aspired . so as ( such force hath the desire of honour , ) hauing ill measured his forces , & against the kings commaundement , he made haste rashly to trie , whether the resolution which hee had formerly conceiued woulde succeed well , whereunto he was likewise perswaded by some of the iland , who as vnskilfull , had their wils more ready then their power : so as earely on saint iames his day in the morning , hauing shipped in a manner all his soldiers in their boates , hee sent them to lande , whereas the marriners had beene accustomed to go , betwixt angra and praia , the which they call the house of salga , where hauing founde small or no resistance , they landed easily , and the portugals who had the guarde of this artillerie , fearefully fledde away . the castillians being now become masters thereof , began to builde a small rampier of stone , to the ende they might holde a more firme footing on lande , and retire such as followed the catholique kings partie ; but they had no time , for the inhabitants of angra , hearing the castillians were landed , had giuen the allarum by bels and other great noise , so as many of their stoutest issued foorth to skirmish ; and although they did no matter of importance , many returning terrified or hurte , yet did they keepe the enimie from fortifying ; who remaining in that place from the morning vntill afternoone , there went not any one portugall vnto them ; for although there were some disposed thereunto , yet durst they not , distrusting both the one and the other ; being chiefly terrified by the example of iohn de betancour , one of the principals of that place , who hauing conspired with aboue a hundreth citizens , vpon a certaine day to runne armed through the citie , and proclaine king philip , he supposed with his authoritie , and the followers he expected , to mooue the people , against ciprian de fegueredo , and make himselfe lorde of the iland in the kings name : but hauing not duely examined the iudgement , valour , and constancie of such as he had chosen for his companions ( things necessarily required in them that are to execute matters of such importance ) being deceiued he did not effect this enterprise ; for although he had many friends and copartners with him , being at the howre appointed come vnto the place , calling the rest , and proclaiming the kings name , he was not followed of any man , but was inuironed by the people and beaten , outraged , in danger to be hanged , and therefore no man durst stirre . in this space the number of portugals , which the gouernour had assembled to goe against the enimie , was little lesse then two thousand , who treating in what manner they shoulde issue foorth , they left not to consider , that although the castillians were fewer in number , yet were they more experienced , and better armed : a religious man of the order of saint augustine ( for here as well as in other parts of the realme , religious men deale in matters of warre ) aduised that before their men , they shoulde driue a number of oxen , and chase them with all force against the castillians , the which being put in practise , was the safetie of the portugals , and the defeating of their enimies ; for that raising a great dust , they were not discouered by the castillians ; they defended them from their shotte , and disordred the enimie : for the castillians hauing by their long skirmish with some of the citie , spent their shotte and powder , being now charged by so many , they thought to retire themselues to their boates , and so to imbark , which they resolued too late : for that the portugals approching neere , couered , & in safetie , hauing the oxen as a rampire , they draue them against the enimie with such violence , that they were forced to disbande , and to quite them the place ; at what time being charged by the portugals with fewe shot , and many launces , they fought a while with disaduantage : for the portugals being many in number , the castillians coulde make no great resistance ; besides that , being minded to saue themselues by their boates , they retired towards the sea ; the which being then rougher then when they landed , their boates coulde not come neere the shoare , and the marriners which were in them were likewise fearefull to approch , for that the portugals shotte at them from lande ; so as the soldiers to saue themselues , waded vp to the necke in water , and yet hardly could get to their boates , suffring the punishment of their rashnes ; for the enimy seeing them now flie without resistance , fell to killing , without pardoning of any , and not onely followed them vnto the water , but made an ende of such as being already entred , the sea had cast vp againe to shoare halfe dead , not hearing any that cried for mercy : but the portugals being nowe growen inexorable , not onely slew the soldiers , but pages and vallets , so as there died aboue fower hundreth , and not thirtie portugals , ( whereof some of them were but hurt ) in this action ; hatred preuailed more then any other respect , for hauing reserued onely two aliue , which termed themselues portugals , the extraordinarie rage of these men shewed it selfe , who grieued with those few that were saued , turned with crueltie to mangle the dead bodies ; for cutting them in peeces , one caried a head in triumph , one , one member , an other , an other , dragging whole bodies through the streetes with a thousand indignities . the day following , there remained not within the citie , childe , man , nor religious person ( except the iesuits ) that went not to the campe to see the slaughter of the enimies , with instruments and dauncing , taking pleasure to cut and mangle these insensible bodies ; and some affirme , that there were of them , who tearing out the harts of the dead , woulde feede vpon them . the gouernour hauing put the armes of the dead men into wagons , and drawing their colours after him , entred the citie with great ioy of the people : baldes hauing hitherto beene a better marriner , then he seemed now a soldier , founde by this vnhappie euent , with how much more iudgement , he shoulde haue vndertaken this action : but as one mischiefe is followed by many , griefe did so blinde his vnderstanding , as hee coulde not succour his soldiers as easilie he might , and giue them meanes to retire to their ships , if drawing neerer to lande hee had discharged his artillerie against the portugals , who were the first that gaue the name of bloudie vnto this warre . this important effect , did greatly preiudice the catholique kings affaires , for this nation being growen more cruell and more rebellious , founde there was no hope of agreement , nor remission , whereby the king ( who liued in some hope they woulde be reclaimed ) grewe no we wholie desperate by this vnhappie successe : and the rather , for that searching the prior throughout the realme , they had intelligence by letters from flaunders , that hee was arriued in england , from whence hee shoulde go into fraunce to demaund succours , vnderstanding also that there was hope hee shoulde obtaine them : by reason whereof , they did fortifie the seacoast of portugall , and especially the rocke of saint iulian : and although this storme seemed yet farre off , yet they regarded it the more , for that the king was vnfurnished of men , and the people generally of the realme , little inclined to his deuotion ; so as it seemed , if the prior woulde againe hazard his fortune , that at the onely sight of his colours , the people woulde take armes : there was no restraint could hold them , seeing the italians had beene discharged , the germaines and spaniards , whereof many being dead , and many growing rich , fledde away ; there remained in all not aboue fower or fiue thousand , whereof one thousand was alreadie imploied with lopo de figueroa , who was sent vnto the ilands : for although there were fifteene hundreth appointed , yet the germaines went vnwillinglie ; and for as much as the ships after their departure , which was in iuly , returned more then once backe , by reason of the contrarie windes , many of them stole away , not returning to the armie , the which greatly diminished their number : the rest were deuided into garrisons , in the prouince of doro and mynio , and other places ; so as there remained scant a thousand men within lisbone , which seemed a small guard for so great a citie . this departure of anthony was in truth strange , and it seemed both in this & other like things , that hee was either happie , or had an extraordinarie gift of nature : for remaining captiue in affricke , after that vnfortunate battaile of sebastian , he was the first of so many prisoners that was freed , being likely for the qualitie of his person , to haue beene the last : but he coulde so well hide himselfe , and conceale what he was , that he was deliuered without discouerie : and euen when as he departed from viana in october . vntill iune , . he remained still within the realme so secretly , as he was neuer discouered , the which is the more woorthie of admiration ; for that the diligence the king vsed to finde him out was admirable , for all iudges , all captaines , and all soldiers , were carefully imploied : and although they had sometimes aduertisement of the place of his aboad , and did follow him in a manner by his foote , yet could they neuer finde him . ierom mendosa with the help of emanuel of portugal ( in whom it was likelie that anthony should trust ) treating an agreement laboured much to speake with him : but although some of his familiar friends came vnto him somtimes at alanquer , somtimes at vidigueira , with hope they should meete , yet did hee neuer discouer himselfe vnto them ; but the sleight execution of the punishment inflicted vpon such as did cōceale him , did greatly preiudice their search ; for many therby did boldly receiue him . the duke of alua his officers , in the end of lent , had like to haue surprised him in lisbon , where the duke had so many spies , & corrupted so many of his friends , that it seemed vndoubtedly he shoulde fall into his hands : but when as with greatest heate he shoulde haue pursued it , he grew cold . for vnderstanding that the king helde some regard of mendoza his practise , who with doubtfull hopes gaue him to vnderstande , that the weeke before easter the prior woulde cast himselfe at the kings feete , hee feared to amaze him , but the said mendoza laboured in vaine : for as it happens to him that feares anthony distrusting all men , performed nothing of what he promised ; neither went hee to any person where hee had appointed , so as there neither followed the effect that was expected , but they lost all hope to do any good : yet was it apparant that the affection which this nation bare vnto him was of great force , for although that fortune preuailed in many more then faith , yet in his afflictions , and hauing so great an imposition laide vpon his person , there was neuer any one amongst so many , in whom he must of necessitie trust , that euer sought to betraie him for hope of recompence ; although some laboured to saue themselues , amongst which was edward de castro . and therefore hee went safely throughout all the portes of the sea , he was at lisbone as it is saide , where the king himselfe remained , not finding meanes to imbarke ; some of his men being surprised , hee went to settuual , where by the helpe of a woman , hee hired a flemmish ship for sixe hundreth crownes , with the helpe of a religious man , of the order of saint frauncis , and with tenne of his faithfullest seruants , he imbarked by night , and so went to caleis , where wee may truely saie , that god had not yet withdrawne his hand frō punishing of this nation , and that this was as a scourge ; for by reason of the affection this people bare vnto him , it was necessarie to keepe this people in awe with garrisons , to the great hurt and ruine of the subiects . now was come the yeare . at what time they expected the ships from the indies , brasil , saint thomas , cape vert , & all other new found landes , the which staied somewhat long , and put them in some feare , being looked for with greater desire , then euer anie were : some feared they woulde not come , others wished they shoulde come , many helde opinion they shoulde willingly staie at the terceres , and from thence go into england , the which if they should not willingly yeeld vnto , touching vnaduisedly at the ilands , they shoulde bee forced thereunto by the ilanders . they were wished for , both for the riches they carried , as to vnderstande by them howe the people of those parts were addicted to the obedience of the catholique king , whereof many doubted : such as helde opinion they shoulde safely arriue at lisbone , saide , that the indies and other prouinces coulde not maintaine themselues without spaine , and shoulde bee forced to yeelde obedience to whomsoeuer that shoulde be lorde of portugall : that they needed not feare the terceres , although they had spoiled some ships which they had taken , or that had anchored there of their owne free will ; yet now the castillian armie being master at sea , vpon their discouerie they woulde conduct them to lisbone , not suffring them to approch the lande : such as supposed they woulde not come , saide , that the saide ships were departed from lisbone in the yeere . after king henries death , during the gouernours raigne , and that lewes de taide earle of toghia , viceroy of the indies , knowing there was a space-gouernement , with likelihood of warre , woulde attende the euent without yeelding obedience to any , for that he woulde then shew it when he had intelligence , who were king , to be the more acceptable vnto him , or hoping that amidst these tumults , there woulde something remaine to his share : but if notwithstanding he were resolued to sende them , hee woulde appoint a captaine of his owne making , and conformeable to his owne will , with commission to obey him to whom he were most affected , and that it were hard to iudge whom he wished most to be king : besides that emanuel de melo being captaine generall of the same armie when it departed from portugall , being a deuoted seruant to the prior , and had made shew to be of his faction , it was likely that if he returned , & had any intelligēce of the priors being in england , the which he might easily vnderstande at the ilands , that he woulde saile thither , the which if he coulde not performe in the same ships , hee woulde then lande in the ilands , and after saile in other boats , whether hee pleased with hope of gaine and bootie : and although it were true that the indians coulde not maintaine themselues , yet fraunce and england might more aboundanly furnish them , and with greater profite then portugall . but for as much as in discoursing of matters which depends vpon an others will , we cannot cōsider al causes of their errors , a matter priuate to the diuine knowledge , it fell out in an other manner then had beene discoursed : for the earle viceroy of the indies , hauing by the same ships receiued letters from the catholique king , who enformed him of the equitie of his cause , and of his intent , with large promises , whereunto ( and by the meanes of others which he receiued from the gouernors ) he gaue credite , preferring them before such as he had receiued from anthonie , resolued to obey the king ; so as the ships departed , and being arriued neere to the terceres , they came sailing without euer discouering of the kings armie ; for that baldes discouraged with his ill successe at the ilands could find no fit place to encounter thē . true it is , that after they had remained a whole day amongst those ilands , they were encountred by a french barke sent from the terceres , who entreated the captaines to go to angra : the portugals demaunded the state of the realme , that they might thereby know howe to gouerne themselues , but for that there were none but marriners , they coulde neither perswade , dissemble , nor speake the truth ; but contradicting themselues , those of the fleete coulde drawe nothing from them , but was confused : for one saide that the catholique king was master of the realme , an other , but onely of a great parte of it ; and that anthony with a great armie made warre to expel him , whereby there grew some controuersie in the fleete : for some ( especially such as had little to loose ) woulde lande in the iland ; others woulde haue them hold togither vntill they had certaine intelligence of the state of the realme ; others without expecting any further information , woulde haue them go to lisbone , and yeeld themselues to him that were king . the captaine generall being retired into his chamber to parley with certaine portugals and french men , entertained them with these practizes ; but the marriners doubtful of some euill , the rumor being appeased , directed their course towards lisbone , where remained their wiues and children , although some opposed themselues . it seemed that these ships being of such importance to the prior and his disseines , he should haue vsed more care to intercept them , then it seemed hee did ; but in truth he omitted no diligence , for he wrote vnto the captaine generall of the armie , that at his arriuall at the ilands , they should be deliuered vnto him , whereby he entreated him with large promises to remaine there , and to consigne him his armie , and not to the catholique king. but the too great diligence of the gouernour , as it often hapneth , did him harme , for hauing sent foorth a barke with these letters , to attende the ships , they did not encounter them , so as sayling towards portugall , vpon the mid way , they met with the armie of lopo de figueroa , who woondring at the negligence of baldes , whom they denied to haue seene , he furnished them with water and other refreshings : they arriued after at lisbone , to the great contentment of the king , and yet they staied so long vpon the way , that it was constantly beleeued they were gone into england , and nowe the merchants began to assure their goods with the losse of the fifth , and the captaine was extraordinarilie fauoured by the king. in this while lopo de figueroa arriued at the terceres , where he vnderstands of baldes his misfortune , hauing viewed the iland fortified on all parts where he might descend , and by nature vnaccessible , finding himselfe to haue fewe men , the enimie victorious , and the season of the yeere farre aduanced , the seas swelling betimes in those parts , he resolued ( and with iudgement ) to returne to portugall , without attempting any thing by force . hee first sent one to aduise the citie of angra , to yeelde obedience vnto his maiestie , promising them pardons , recompences , and many fauours , but they measuring the assurance of his promises , not by the kings clemencie , but by their owne merits , arrogantly made him answere , that he should say in what part hee woulde descend , and they would open him the passage ; by reason whereof figueroa returned into portugall , with baldes , whom the king presently committed to prison ; yet he was after deliuered , shewing the instructions that had beene giuen him , to be doubtfull , and not to prohibite him to fight . this returne of the armie encouraged the ilanders , perswading themselues that figueroa had greater forces , then indeed hee had , and seeing him fearefull to descend , they supposed he made great reckoning of theirs . they wrote the newes of all these things vnto the prior being in fraunce , who thanked them with curteous letters , and sent them artillerie , harquebusies , powder , and other munition , promising to furnish them with men : hee commaunded them to seaze vpon the goods of all such as arriued there , being subiect to the catholique king , and send them into fraunce , so as they sent him all the merchandise which they had taken in fower or fiue ships come from the west indies . and for as much as it seemed to many , that this could not continue , that the king should send from portugall a great armie against them , so as they shoulde not bee able to make resistance , they dispatched into fraunce one anthony aluarez , and an other base officer , to vnderstande what the prior did , what forces he had , and what they might expect from thence , who being returned with the orders , the one of saint iaques , the other of d'auis which the prior had giuen them , they reported , at his entreatie , that he had a great armie readie to descend into portugall , the which in truth was not so , bringing letters to the gouernor , whereby the prior gaue vnto them likewise a coller of the order , with a thousand duckats of reuenew , the which mooued some others to go into fraunce , from whence , as also from england , there came some fewe soldiers to the iland in ships which sailed into those parts , yet they were neuer three hundreth in number , being often of opinion to sende them backe , for that the winter was at hand , and to cal them backe in sommer , the which the people would not yeeld vnto , saying , that since the king had sent them , they woulde entertaine them . the iesuits being walled vp within their monasterie , to whom they gaue meate but twise a weeke , greeuing to be thus wrongully imprisoned , vpon a certaine day they opened the doores of the church , and hauing placed the sacrament in the midst , they would trie by this meanes , if they might remaine free : the ministers of iustice went vnto the couent , to demaund the reason of this innouation , to whom it was propounded by the fathers , that if their offences so required , they should punish them , but holding them as suspect , they shoulde suffer them to depart into portugall . the resolution was ( after some speeches vsed beyond the termes of modesty ) that the fathers shoulde be walled vp againe , and a certaine person who said that in iustice they should burne these priests , with their monasterie , the which they had deserued for the affection they bare vnto the castillians ; he staied not long to acknowledge his error , for departing from thence , he fell sicke vnto the death , and god woulde haue him confesse ( as he saide ) that this griefe hapned vnto him for that occasion : all the other religious men did what they coulde to wrong these fathers , who being of a contrarie opinion , and practising profession of war , could not endure that these should be castillians in their harts , refusing to enioy that libertie : they imprisoned the vicar , who gouerneth the spiritualtie in the bishops name , which remaineth in the iland of saint michael , and chose an other after their owne humour . these things did much displease the catholique king , whereupon he resolued to vndertake this enterprise the sommer following , although hee doubted it for many causes , which behooued him to prouide for , togither with the new iealousies which grew , hauing intelligence that the turke prepared an armie at sea , to send to endomage christendome . that lucciali a famous pirat , and captaine generall of the turkes armie , was come from constantinople to alger with threescore and tenne galleies , and although it were to no other end , then to visite the state of affricke , and to prouide for it , fearing that the king of spaine , by reason of the newe acquisition of portugall , and the warres wherein the turks were busied against the king of persia , might trouble this prouince ; yet he ministred matter of suspect , for the catholique king hauing treated with the cherriffe to yeeld vnto him alarache in exchange of mazagon , and not agreeing , for that the moores are great deceiuers in their promises : it was suspected the turke vnderstanding this practise , had sent lucciali to diuert this exchange , to fortifie alarache , and furnish it with turkes ; so as being so neere neighbour vnto spaine , and a conuenient port for galleies , it might greatly annoy him : but hee returned after to constantinople , being called backe at the pursuite of his competitours . the state of flaunders ministred matter of consideration , for although the prince of orenge had long enioyed the greatest part of those prouinces , yet the king had great hope , especially now vpon on the conquest of portugall , that this people woulde be aduised , and that one day he shoulde reclaime them ; but this hope soone failed , for that frauncis de valois duke of alançon , brother to the most christian king henry the thirde , being entred with armes into flaunders , and hauing succoured them that were in cambrey , he forced the prince of parma captaine generall for the king ( being at the siege thereof ) to retire : and although being master of the citie , he presently returned , yet the state of fraunce seemed troublesome and readie to attempt some newe and important alteration ; the rather , for that the french were animated by anthony prior of crato , who was come thither out of england , being embraced by the queene mother of fraunce , and visited by the whole courte . they had intelligence likewise of a practise which displeased them , that the saide duke of alançon shoulde marrie with elizabeth queene of england , and for that he had passed and repassed aboue once into that iland , it was giuen out the marriage was secretly cōcluded , but whether it were so or otherwise , the death of the said duke of alançon ended that combination ; but men of the greatest iudgement , beleeued that her maiestie of england was not married to the saide duke , bicause she had refused so many great kings and princes in former times , and had liued with the reputation of a most chaste , & vertuous princesse . the catholique king complained to the most christian king , that he had receiued the prior his rebell into fraunce ; of the succours giuen to cambrey , and blamed the marriage with england , labouring to diuert it all he coulde , saying , that he ought by no meanes to yeelde vnto it , for the difference of religion . the king of fraunce , as they said , made answere to these propositions by his embassador : that as for the marriage , he left it to the duke , who was thereunto enclined , with all the nobilitie in fraunce , and that hee was not master of their wils : that the prior had beene receiued by the queene mother , who being queene ( as she beleeued ) of that realme , had receiued this her vassall : that he had opposed himselfe to his brother , touching the succours of cambrey , but his admonitions were of no credite . this answere confirmed the catholique king in the opinion hee had conceiued , that these expeditions which had beene made in the name of alançon , were all lets proceeding from the king , and couered with this maske , seeming impossible that the duke ( contrary to the kings will and pleasure ) shoulde raise so great forces in fraunce . the which although it seemed incredible , yet fraunce had continued long in such an estate , that it was no maruaile , for that king henry and his predecessor charles the ninth , hauing beene molested by their subiects vpon the points of religion , all was in disorder ; and although the state seemed somewhat better pacified , yet their mindes , by the meanes of these former troubles , remained still enclined vnto warre : and for as much as fraunce , englande , and flaunders , did somewhat assist in these matters of portugall , for the better vnderstanding of things that follow , it may be lawfull for me to digresse a little to speake something of these countries . in fraunce liued katherine de medicy , mother to the king , whose age and valour all fraunce obeied : she seemed to be discontented with the catholique king for diuers respects , but that she made most shewe of , was , that he had taken the realme of portugall by force , refusing to submit himselfe to iustice , saying , that she had more interest then hee ; whereupon it was supposed , that ( mooued with this disdaine ) she shoulde labour to make warre against portugall : with whom agreed the said duke of alāçon her son , no lesse enimy to the catholique king then the mother , mooued thereunto , for that hauing demaunded one of the daughters of the saide king in marriage , he was refused , for that he required with his wife , a portion fitte for her qualitie : he was followed by the whole nobilitie of fraunce , whom he might easily lead where he pleased , although it were against the kings liking , the which grewe , for that remaining the third sonne to henry the second , with small hope euer to aspire vnto the crowne , hauing two brothers charles and henry his elders , hauing a great minde and stirring , he gaue eare to al such as discontented with the king , or desirous of innouation ( whereof there are numbers in fraunce ) laboured to alter the quiet of christendome , with whom he had often resolued to conquer himselfe some newe estate out of fraunce . perswaded to this resolution by such as were about him , he supposed for a time , that his brothers were opposite vnto him , and that by no meanes they woulde like of his greatnes : so as that which was giuen him by the wisest for good counsell , he did interprete to the ill affection they bare him ; and that they sought to obscure the glorie whereunto he aspired : and this iealousie encreased when as his brother henry was called to the crowne of poland , by not giuing him presently such places as hee enioied in fraunce . by this and such like , those which followed him , tooke an occasion to settle in his conceite , a hatred against his brethren , giuing him to vnderstande , that they detested his greatnes , the which they could so wel effect , that although the said henry did afterwards come , by the death of charles the ninth , from the crown of poland to that of fraunce ; yet the duke continued still his first desires , and that with greater traine then before : for some considered that henry being sickly , and without children , he shoulde one day be king : it was therefore no woonder , if without the kings consent , yea contrary to his liking , he attempted many things , although there were some shewe , that the king his brother had intelligence with him . and although his forces , ioyned with the queene mothers , were of importance , & might well cause the catholique king to feare , yet it seemed , that those of england woulde likewise ioyne with him : for it was giuen out , that elizabeth doubting the kings force , and knowing the popes intention against her , hauing seene the proofe thereof in the affaires of ireland , sought to secure hirselfe , that they might not wrong her , and to that end she entred into an agreement ( as it was said ) with the queene and her yoongest sonne , to the preiudice of philip , whereof the effect was soone seen . the saide alançon being returned againe into england , being alreadie agreed with the prince of orenge , who was the instrument of all these practizes , he passed from thence to antwerpe , where the peoples humours being before disposed by the saide prince , he was receiued in all these places with great ioy ; and the xix . day of februarie , in the yeere of our lord . they did sweare him duke of brabant , the which caused a generall admiration for many reasons : it seemed strange , that the prince of orenge , in a manner absolute lord in those countries , the which he had so long defended , woulde vpon the end of the worke spoile himself of the state , & giue it vnto a stranger , without constraint , without profit , & to the preiudice of his honor : and although it seemed he had done the like to mathias arch duke of austria , & afterwards sent him back into germany , it was not credible that he hoped euer to do so vnto the duke ; for besides that he was entred in a manner by maine force ; his power , the neernes of fraunce , & the fauor of england , might wel induce men to beleeue that he woulde so establish himselfe , as he need not feare to be expelled . there wanted not such as woulde excuse the prince , saying , that the people were nowe wearie , and vnfurnished of money , by reason of so great warres , that they coulde not relieue him as hee had neede ; and thefore it behooued him to seeke some one that should aide him against the catholique king , who hauing now recouered the realme of portugall , shoulde bee able with greater ease to molest those countries , & seeing that he was forced to seeke for succours , there was no greater person then this , making in a manner an muincible vnion of these estates with fraunce and england ; besides , the prince shoulde attaine to the wished ende , which was to depriue the catholique king of the whole possession , and many did so much relie vpon the princes foresight and iudgement , that they supposed hee woulde like wise expell alançon when hee pleased . many blamed the manner of the dukes proceeding , who sought to vsurpe an others patrimonie without any title : others excused him , forging lawes of state after their owne humours , saying , that the priuileges of the countrey did allow , that if the catholique king did not obserue them , they might choose a prince of themselues , the which the king hauing broken , they had sought out an other lorde . the effect of the league was not yet ended in those parts , but to diuert the catholique king from making warre in those countries , at the mediation of anthony to trouble the state of portugal , they prepared a great armie in fraunce : some said it was to be imploied against the same realme , hoping the people woulde rise against the castillians : some supposed it shoulde be sent to succour the terceraes , the winning whereof , philip threatned to attempt ; and some beleeued that they went for no other intent , but to surprise certaine ships that came from the newe nauigations , charged with golde and spice . there hapned at that time in flaunders , a matter of admiration and seldome seene : for the prince of orenge being in antwerpe , quiet , and in the greatest fortune that he was euer , was shot in his house , rising from his table , in the midst of all his seruants , with a pistoll , by iohn scaurigni , a yoong man , a biscaine , mooued thereunto by zeale of religion , as he pretended : the bullet hitting him vnder his right iawe , passed forth through the window ; and although he was supposed to be dead , yet was he cured and liued , and the offender was presently slaine by his guard , and all such as were founde accessarie , were executed . whilest these things were determined in fraunce and the low countries , the king ( who remained still in portugall ) sought to giue contentment to the portugals , who hauing long , and with importunitie sought for recompence , were in the ende all in a manner dispatched , giuing vnto many of them orders of knighthoode , much of the reuenewes , and all the offices that might bee giuen , to the great griefe of the castillians , who saide , that this realme with more right appertained vnto philip , seeing he had inherited it , bought it , and conquered it . this distribution was made by the two deputies with great bountie , yet wrought it no good effect in the kings fauour , neither was it acceptable ; for finding two kinde of portugals , which sought for reward ; that is , those to whom philip in the time of henry and the gouernours , had promised money and honors to follow his partie ; and such as faithfully without promises , yea , refusing them , had loially serued him : it was in a manner impossible to equall their recompences , so as one of the parties should not be discontented ; but they proceeded so , as some were grieued , and others proude : for besides the errors that were committed by reason of the ignorance of the officers , being more easie to promise then to performe ; the kings agents had made large offers not onelie to such as coulde helpe , but also to many of small meanes , and lesse countenance . the king desired in any case to satisfie these bonds ; and although he woulde haue rewarded the most faithfull aboue all others , yet could he not performe it , for that by reason of their excessiue promises , all the reuenewes of the crowne had not beene sufficient ; so as it often hapneth in courts , they gaue not vnto them that deserued , with the like proportion , as to such as were vnworthie : so as the loue of the subiects was nothing encreased by this meanes , for the most trusty were discontented , seeming against reason to bee woorse entreated then those , which had beene lesse faithfull , but with rewarde in hande , alleaging also that many of them had not performed that , for which they were paide ; seeming sufficient vnto many to remaine newters ; and to some that had serued anthony , to say , that they were forced , and such as were least faithfull ( for that their harts were not so firmely setled to the kings seruice ) they supposed to haue carried themselues wisely : they esteemed euery small matter to be of great importance , and ( supposing the king to vnderstand wel what neede he had of them , ) in contempt of the rest they grew insolent . these were the generall causes for the which the greatest distribution that euer was within the realme , was not pleasing ; but the nature of the portugals is vneasie to content , in this respect , for being enuious , they doe feele with greater griefe an other mans profite , then their owne losse : those of the baser sort , although they expected no answere , hauing enriched themselues in their trades , by the great multitude of courtiers ; yet coulde they not suffer the castillians to be superiors , and as it is vsuall with the common people , they desired innouations ; the which the king discouering , did greatly trouble his minde , finding himselfe to faile in that , which he supposed shoulde haue bred him a quiet enioying of the realme . he did appoint ( as it hath been saide before ) that his sister marie , widow to the emperour maximilian the seconde , being then in germanie , shoulde come into spaine , with margaret her daughter : and although the discourse of her comming were diuers , for that some supposed she shoulde remaine at madrill , with the kings daughters ; others , that she should come into portugall , where the king woulde leaue her as gouernesse of the realme , to go vnto the states of aragon , whereunto he was called ; yet in the ende she came vnto lisbone : notwithstanding , whether the rumours of fraunce increased , by reason whereof the king woulde not depart ; or that it was not fitte that of an empresse she shoulde become gouernesse of a small realme , the king for that time did not depart , neither did she gouerne at all . true it is that hauing resolued to leaue cardinal albert , arch duke of austria , the empresse son in the gouernment of the realme , he beganne to acquaint him with the dispatch of affaires , and hauing one day assembled the councell of estate , he saide vnto them , that for that hee was burthened with the gouernment of many realmes , whereof hee had the care , hee desired somewhat to discharg himselfe ; and for this consideration hauing thought the saide cardinall fitte for the gouernment of the saide realme of portugal , he would leaue the charge vnto him , and therefore heereafter they should holde their councell in his presence . in this space the portugals of the terceraes within the city of angra were in no small cōfusion , for after they had imprisoned iohn de betancour , walled vp the iesuites within their college , taken diuers ships , and committed extortions vpon diuers citizens , which followed secretly the catholique kings partie ; there grew among themselues some difficultie , for that it seemed vnto many that ciprian de figueredo , chiefe gouernour , did not continue with that vehemence he had begun . and as it happens to him that rules , all the seditious did malice him ; so as vpon any smal matter , they tooke occasion to slander him & acuse him of infidelitie , although the cause may only be imputed vnto him , that this iland was not obedient vnto king philip : by reason whereof , being desirous in the beginning of winter , to dismisse certaine ships which were there detained , and likewise to deliuer the iesuits from the prison wherein they were , all the obseruers of his actions opposed themselues , and chiefly the other religious men , as those in that place , being more seditious then the rest , feared most , and were most watchfull of the affaires ; so as hee that in a manner had beene absolute lorde , the people being nowe incensed against him , hee founde that hee coulde no more execute those things , which had beene before tolerable . and although he laboured so , as the ships were dismissed , yet coulde hee not deliuer the iesuits ; for hee must of force , with greater rigor , trie the peoples inconstancie , and the distrust of princes : for hauing aduertised anthony being in fraunce , of the estate of the iland , and of the authoritie that many tooke vpon them against him , demaunding when hee woulde come into the realme , adding withall , that this iland was ruined , and that it coulde not long continue in this estate ; anthony grew in iealousie of him , furthered by the letters he had receiued from his enimies , the which saide plainly that he was a traitor , and therefore he resolued to sende from fraunce , vnto the gouernment of these ilands , emanuel de sylua , whom he had newly made counte of toresuedras , one of his chiefest fauorites , who arriued there in march , with as ample commission as might be giuen in that place , and hauing dispossessed figueredo from his charge , he began with a barbarous tyrannie to molest both friends & foes for the recouering of money : before his arriuall , a shippe laden with meale departed from angra , with shew to go vnto brazil , the which being not farre from the iland , tooke her course for lisbone : some supposed that this was a practise of figueredos , and that by this meanes by his letter , hee had demaunded pardon of the catholique king , and offered to deliuer him the iland , aduising him what course to take ; for afterwards an other shippe departing from lisbone , it was knowne , they not onely carried the kings letters to figueredo , but also to many of the better sorte , the which tooke not the effect that was expected ; for the saide shippe arriued after the comming of emanuel de silua , so as figueredo being dispossessed of his place , coulde not execute his practise , if he had any such thing in hande . during these stirres , they made a slowe preparation at lisbone for the ilands , for that the king was not yet well resolued to attempt it in the yeere . his councell varying in their opinions : some aduised him , presently with all his power to force them , alleaging that the longer he delaied it , the more daungerous the enterprise would prooue ; for both the french , and english , who ( as it was saide ) were bounde thither , woulde , if they landed , fortifie , if they had time ; so as hardly afterwards they shoulde finde any entrance : they did likewise weigh this enterprise with regard of honor , saying , that it was a thing of small reputation and dishonorable , that so weake an iland , shoulde dare in the view of spaine , resist the forces of so great a king : they shewed of how great consequence it was , being ( as they saide ) seated in a place which was the onely refuge of all the ships , which came from the east and west indies , and from all the new nauigations , into spaine : for although there were other ilands in this sea , yet was there not any so commodious as this , the rest being very vnfitte ; and if the french and english became masters thereof ( as it was to bee feared if they protracted time ) and lodged their armies there , they might from thence encounter the ships of those nauigations , the which by reason of their long voiage returne home wearie and torne , and ( being of themselues indefensible ) spoile them , to the great losse and dishonour of al spaine : they made the enterprise easie , saying , that besides that from fraunce they had receiued no great prouision of armes and munition ; in the i le it selfe , the greatest part of the nobilitie , and many other would obey the king , but they were forced by the multitude , and durst not discouer themselues ; yet when the kings colours shoulde with a mightie armie be discouered , there woulde appeere in a manner as many friends as enimies : others , that were of a contrarie opinion , said , that this enterprise was woorthie of great consideration , the which they ought not rashly to vndertake , for attempting it aduisedly , it was most assured ; but going to it hastely , it were dangerous : they shewed that the iland was by nature verie strong , by reason of vneasie landing , beeing of all parts rough and inaccessible , but in some fewe places , which it was likely they woulde fortifie and guard : they saide , that the garrisons of strangers which they vnderstoode were there , were they neuer so fewe , with the inhabitants of the iland , were sufficient to hinder their landing : they made great reckoning of the roughnes of the sea , the which commonly suffreth not any ships to ride there aboue two moneths in the yeere , concluding it was better deferre it , then attempt it in vaine , as they had twise done with small honor : they said , that the assurance of the enterprise consisted in delay , for that the iland shoulde bee neither stronger nor better furnished then it was at that instant , seeing their strength is by nature , & that a great garrison cannot long liue there ; that by delaying , the inhabitants themselues will be aduised , for ( besides the insolencie of the french ) wanting their traffique with spaine , they shoulde growe so poore , as they will soone acknowledge their errours : that the ships from the indies made so small stay at the ilands , as they had no neede of them , but onely to take in fresh water , wherewith they may furnish themselues at saint michaels . these reasons helde the catholique king in suspence , and for that he was a friend to peace , he enclined to delay : but as the newes from fraunce , flaunders , and england , did varie , so did they hasten or slacke the preparation for the enterprise . in this sorte , and with no small trouble of minde , the three first moneths in the yeere . passed away , but hauing intelligence at the spring , that they did arme many ships , both in fraunce , flaunders , and england , and that they were meant for portugall ; that the turke ( notwithstanding his warre against the sophy ) threatned to send forth his galleies ; that certaine troupes of foote were come out of fraunce vnto the marquisat of salusses ; the king thought it expedient to arme , both to performe this enterprise of the ilands , as for the guarde of many places , where he might be endomaged : he thought it a hard thing , and vnwoorthie , to suffer the states of the low-countries , to be wrested from him by the duke of alançon , without reuenge : he did foresee that the charge would bee verie great , and that he was furnished with little money , and lesse credite ; for by meanes of the decree he had made against the merchants , he was cause of more hurt to himselfe , then to his creditors . the prouisions it behooued him to make were all forced , for hee could not doe lesse then prouide for italy , as well in regarde of the french as of the turke : hee must of force entertaine an armie in portugall , for although the realme were in shew quiet , yet the portugals being of a stirring humor , he could not auoide to arme a nauie sufficient to encounter the fleete : he thought it necessarie to prouide for flanders , if not wholy to recouer those estates , yet for feare he should loose more . but that which troubled the king more then all the rest , was the shippes which hee expected this yeere from the indies , and new-found lands ; fearing that the french hauing the aduantage of the ilands , might spoile them , finding that some pirat had not onely passed into that sea , but also threatned to assaile the iland of saint michael , and that of the maderes : and therefore the king began to preuent all these dangers in this manner . he mustred all the foote he could in spaine , and caused them to march towardes portugall , especially to the prouince betwixt doro and minio , to the gouernment whereof he sent ferrant de toledo , prior of saint iean : he sent the marquesse of saint croixe to seuille to arme all the great ships hee could , and to prepare some galleies : in biscay he commaunded eighteene biscaine ships to be furnished , to make their randeuous in andelouzie , where they prepared their galleies , and built a good number of great boats to land their souldiers : he wrote into italy to the viceroy of naples , and to the gouernor of millaine , that either of them should leuie . italian foote : he gaue order in germany to bring downe . germanes vnder colour to sende these two nations into flaunders : and for to be assured of the iland of saint michael , although that ambrose d'aguiar were there with one galeon , hee sent thither peter peixotto with fiue other shippes , who arriued there in good time ; for certaine french pirats were assembled to assaile it , the which they did not forbeare to attempt , for peixotto with his ships lying at anchor , before the city of punta delgada , three french ships leauing other sixe behinde shewed themselues , supposing that with his fiue ships he would not faile to fight with them three , and as hee should retire the other sixe comming to succour them , they might conquer them , and after this victorie assaile the iland being weake and vnarmed : but this deuise succeeded not for peixotto ( who desired not to fight , but to preserue the ilande all hee could ) would not come foorth against those three french ships , the which hee forbare the rather , for that the other sixe shippes which remained behinde , discouered themselues , so as the frenchmen finding they coulde not deceiue the portugals , and their ambush ( as one may say ) being discouered , being loath to retire without some booty , they resolued to charge peixotto as he laie at anchor : but the winde grew scant to approch to land , and the artillerie from a certaine weake forte , would not suffer them to ioine : but the captaines shippe , being of better saile then the rest , drewe so neere , that hee grappled with a portugall , where they fought aboue three howers , with great slaughter on both sides ; but the french had beene victors , if ambrose d'aguiar who was at lande , foreseeing that the losse of the ships woulde be the ouerthrowe of the iland , had not succoured peixotto by boats , sending him aboue an hundred & fiftie men , with the which he defended himselfe , and the french shippe , vnloosing itselfe , retired to the rest , woorse handeled then the portugall ; but it was supposed that if the winde had beene any thing stronger , so as the other french ships mought haue come vp to the portugals , they had beene taken in the viewe of all the iland . and for that soone after there arriued eighteene biscaine ships at lisbone , which the king had commaunded should be armed in that prouince ; he sent fower of them with sixe hundreth men , for the assurance of that iland , the which arriued soone after the departure of the french. sommer was nowe come , and there was still newes from fraunce , that they made greater preparation for war , arming many ships in all their ports at the instance of anthony the catholique kings affaires went slowlier forwardes then the importance of the cause required , for that it seemed the spaniards were not yet well assured , whether the french woulde turne against portugall , and not goe to the ilands ; yea , some beleeued , that making shew to do so , they woulde take their course for flaunders , seeming more to importe wholie to assure those countries , and to expell the catholique kings forces , then to vndertake an other enterprise of greater difficultie : and the assurance of this opinion did helpe the fren̄ch , for it did diuert or at the least deuided the spanish forces , and was cause that in spaine they prepared not their armies with such expedition as was conuenient : but hauing after assured intelligence , that the french prepared to encounter the ships that came from the indies , and the newe founde lands , the prouision for flaunders went slowly forwarde in italie : and in spaine they made greater haste of their nauie , for the which there was want of sailers , and other necessaries , yet with some trouble they had prepared in andelouzia about twentie ships and twelue galleies . the marquesse was returned to lisbone , giuing order to the nauie to goe to cape saint vincent , and there to attend their charge : at his arriuall he found within the riuer of tagus twenty other ships ill appointed , comprehending the biscaines and some flemmings , hired in a manner by force , where hauing shipped sixe thousand spanish foote , vnder lopo de figueroa , the marquesse imbarked with many noble men , ferrant of toledo , going as a priuate soldier , with some other gentlemen . this was not the kings first intention , being resolued to assemble the body of his armie in andelouzia , whither the ships of biscay at their departure had commaundement to repaire : but in sailing , being come to lisbone , and hauing hired some others with the gallions of portugall , the king supposed the greatest number was there , & that he should spende time to cause one parte of the armie to goe seeke the other ; supposing they shoulde meete , he commaunded both the one and the other to saile towardes portugall , as they did , labouring to ioine by the way : and although all this was slowly executed , yet had it bin more , if the king by his owne presence had not hastened their departure , the which was not before the x. of iuly , in the yeere . so slow are the spaniards by nature in the execution of their businesse : at that time the french armie departed with anthony , and all his followers , being in number aboue threescore and ten saile , and seuen thousand foote , whereof philip strozzi and mounsieur de brisack were commaunders . the ninth booke . the contents of the ninth booke . the description of the jland of saint michael : the arriuall of the french armie there : the arriuall of the spanish armie : the battaile at sea : the death of philip strozzi , and of the count of vimioso : the voiage of anthony to the terceres , and his manner of proceeding : the sentence of the marquesse against the prisoners , and his execution : the death of the duke of alua , and his praises : the new estates where prince philip was sworne , by reason of the death of prince diego : and how the cardinall archduke of austria was made gouernour of portugall . whilest the french and spanish armies sailed towards the terceres , both courtes were in suspence , and in diuers hopes of successe : but in fraunce they conceiued more assurance then in portugall ; for the french not esteeming the spanish forces , helde themselues superiours , in number both of ships and men , and hauing the ilands at their deuotion , they stoode assured that their armie should both spoile the indian fleete , sacke the iland of saint michael , and ouercome the enimies armie , if they ioined with them : and they relied so much thereon , that extending their hopes farther , furthered by the promises of anthony , and of what he said , that he had followers in portugall , they hoped to approch the realme , and to put men on lande , and to arme the vnarmed portugals ; for which cause they carried great quantitie of armes , and to set so firme a footing vpon the maine lande , as they should easily maintaine themselues , so as with this intention many noble men and gentlemen imbarked with the armie , both for that the french are easie to mooue , as also heerein to please the queene mother . in the court of spaine , their thoughts were not all so conformeable , nor so ioyfull ; for the portugals , being now as contrarie in their humours to the castillians , as they had beene euer , making hope equall to their owne desires , seeing the affaires now in equal ballance , many wished they should make no resistance , and many expected the comming of anthonie : the rest of the portugals , more content with the present state of the castillians , shewed great hope the warres should now ende , saying they were assured , they should defeat this armie , take anthonie prisoner , and either by loue or force subdue the ilandes ; yet inwardly they were not well satisfied : for seeing their armies deuided , without hope to ioyne , it seemed vnto the wisest the victorie was not so assured as some supposed , and that the spaniards by giuing battaile should hazard to lose much and winne little , and contrariwise the french to winne much and loose little ; for that the greatest mischiefe that coulde seeme to happen to the enimies , was the defeating of the armie , and taking the ilandes from their obedience , which things although they shoud all happen , yet were they not of any great moment to fraunce ; but if contrariwise the spanish armie should be defeated , their losse would be equall to the french ; for besides the ships , they should with all lose with the iland of saint michaell , the hope to recouer the rest , the indian fleet withal their treasure should serue as a pray to the french , and the realme should be stil in doubt , subiect to all those inconueniences , which so great a losse should bring with it , chiefly vnto a realme newly conquered . this feare was augmented , for that their armie , which consisted of good ships , and was manned with good souldiers , was notwithstanding vnprouided of mariners , and wilde fiers , whereof some were drawen by force , and the marques himselfe went with small contentment , not for that hee feared , but hauing beene at his departure , somewhat discountenanced by the king , blaming him to haue beene too slacke in the dispatch of the armie ; besides going , in flemmish ships , and with germane soldiers , little acquainted with the sea , increased these doubts : yet outwardly these men shewed a great confidence , grounding the rests of their hopes , vpon the qualitie of the spanish souldiers , and the greatnes of their ships . manie woondred how the wordes of anthonie could so preuaile in fraunce , as in a maner to moue all that court to vndertake his protection , with so great vehemencie as they had done , not shewing any pretention he had vnto the crowne , hauing no great hope to make him lord , nor to imploy such forces as he pretended to haue , seeing , that such as fauoured him were kept vnder in portugall with great garrisons : and this readines of the french , seemed to them the greater , for that before they had shewed themselues more slack to succour the portugals against the castillians , when as they had a fitter occasion and a more grounded hope of good successe , then now they could haue ; for in the yeere of our lord . alphonse the fifth king of portugal , going into fraunce to demaund succours of lewis the eleuenth , for the warres which he had against the catholique king ferdinand , he obtained nothing at all , but hauing spent some time in vaine returned home in dispaire . but laying aside all olde examples , it seemes that if the french should haue risen in fauour of anthonie , either to aide him sincerely , or to vse him as an instrument , to set footing in portugall , they might haue done it with better meanes in the yeere . when possibly they might haue disquieted philip in taking of possession , or at the least kept him that yeere from passing the riuer of tagus ; so as it seemed strange to see fraunce send foorth so great an army out of season , in fauour of anthonie a fugitiue : but the estate of worldly affaires considered , it seemes there are new reasons , wherby the french should be more easily induced then they had beene then ; for to haue a brother to the king of frannce , in a manner to possesse the states of flaunders , and the queene mother to pretend to the inheritance of the realme of portugall , and to be mooued against philip , were all subiects to draw the french readie against this realme , and diuert the spanish forces . in this while the french army arriued at the iland of saint michaell the fifteene of iuly before the spanish , and drawing neere the village of laguna there they cast anchor , and landed aboute two thousand foote . this iland hath not aboue an hundred miles in circuit , it is in forme so long and narrow , that extending it selfe from east to west aboue fortie miles , it hath not aboue twelue in breadth ; that part which looketh to the south is most fertill , and best inhabited ; for towardes the north , except one village which they call riuiera the great , there are fewe dwellings . vpon that part which is towardes the south , beginning from the east , and at the cape which they call morro , running towards the west , there are diuers habitations : the first which is fiue and twentie miles from morro , they call villa franca ; wherein there are fiue hundred houses : the second acqua de palo ; the third laguna , all smally peopled : the fourth is the towne which they call punta delgada , greater then the rest , the which hath vpon the west a small castle . betwixt these dwellings there runne into the sea some promontories ; the first before you come to villa franca , is called punta de garza ; the second la gallea , betwixt the saide place and acqua de palo ; betwixt laguna , and the citie , there are two others , but lesse , that is pugnette , and teste de chien : at the point of pugnette , towardes laguna , as i haue saide , the french landed , and hauing spoiled the village , they marched on to seeke for greater pray . a little before ambrose d' aguiar , who had the place of gouernour , was deceased in the towne , and although his wiues sonne would haue succeeded in the gouernment , yet it seemed that peter peixotto , captaine of the fiue ships , was amongst the portugals of greatest authoritie ; but laurence noghera , a man of courage and valour , was captaine ouer the spanish souldiers , in that which concerned matters of warre : all the inhabitants being fearefull , had alreadie transported their wiues and goods vnto the mountaines , and hauing discouered the armie , this feare increasing , the towne remained emptie of all things . the chiefe beeing assembled in counsell , they resolued to run their ships on ground , that the enimy might haue no vse of them , and goe to field with their spanish souldiers , with the biscayne marrines , and such portugals as would goe ; the which was not fully executed , for the biscaines would not suffer their ships to be broken ; and peter peixotto was vnwilling to haue his men defeated ; yet the souldiers put themselues in order to march against the french , led by noghera and peixotto : they had gathered togither aboue two thousand portugals , who with the castillian souldiers and biscaine mariners , made neere three thousand : but laurence noghera being doubtfull of the portugals , before their departure exhorted them with milde wordes to fight ; making shew of feare that they would abandon him ; but they made answere , offering themselues with such willingnes , and courage , as he hoped to preuaile , and therefore issuing foorth against the enemie , he hoped to force them to retire . the french drew neere vnto him , but hauing intelligence by their auant courrers , they resolued before they approched neerer to leaue the right way , and goe to the citie and castle without fighting , hoping to finde all vnfurnished : for this cause hauing left the sea shoare , they went more to land , which being knowne to noghera , altering his course he went to encounter them : the skirmish being begun , when as the captaine hoped to vse his men , hee saw his portugals flie , so as being vnable with his castillians and biscaines , to withstande so great a force of the enimie , he retired himselfe to the castell being wounded , with the losse of some of his men , where soone after hee died ; the remainder being in hope ( amongst the which the bishop peter de castiglia behaued himselfe wisely ) to be able to defende themselues , although they had more hope in the comming of the catholique armie , then in their forces : peter peixotto although he were in credite amongst them , yet fearing that all was lost , stealing foorth by night with a carauell , hee went to lisbone , to aduertise the marquesse ; but it was not his happe to meete him ; yet was he for all this being a portugall , fauoured of the king : there appeered at this time , amongst the ilands , one of the indian ships , very rich ; yet the french were not so happie as to meete with it , although it sailed almost in viewe of the terceres , for hauing intelligence by a french shippe of the occurrents of those parts , hee left his right course and went to cape saint vincent , & from thence to lisbone in safetie . the newes of these things which peixotto brought to lisbone , did more confirme the hopes of the anthonians , then trouble the castillians , or their followers ; for those varied in their thoughts vpon euery small euent ; and to those who were more setled , it seemed , that hitherto the french had not onely done any thing of importance , but contrarie to that which good soldiers ought to doe , they had assailed this iland : for that it seemed their principal intention being to seaze vpon the indian fleete , or to cause a tumult within the realme , they shoulde not busie themselues , and spende time in any other action , with small hope of gaine : for that the iland being weake , and the towne without wals , it was apparant , that to be masters thereof with trouble , were to labour in vaine ; for although they did subdue it , yet the weakenesse and facilitie of landing will alwaies force them to obey whom soeuer shoulde bee master at sea : besides they were in danger , the spanish fleete arriuing , whilest they were troubled on lande , their armie founde at anchor , might easily be defeated ; yet the french seemed little to feare it , for that they remained long carelesse at lande , at what time anthony was lodged in the couent of saint rocke neere vnto the armie , labouring both by wordes and threatning to haue the forte , and being after come to the towne , hee wrote generally to all that were within , requiring them to consigne it into his handes , as his owne , offring to suffer them to depart freely ; but hauing no answere conformable to his desires , he caused some peeces of artillerie to bee landed from the ships to batter it ; but there followed no effect , for the spanish armie arriued . which hauing sayled eleuen daies with varietie of weather , hauing discouered the iland not being ioyned with the ships and galleies , which were parted from andelouzia , but onely the number which came from lisbone , whereof there remained fower ships and some carauels behinde , three of them ( let with the tides ) could not get out of the riuer of tagus with the rest , and the fourth returned backe vpon a great leake , so as the armie consisted but of eight and twentie ships ; for although the other three got foorth the next day , yet they arriued not with the rest at saint michaels , but before them , where hauing intelligence of the french , they went to sea , without ioyning afterwardes with the armie : the first place the marques discouered was le morro the one and twentith day of iuly , and arriued the two and twentith at villa franche , without hauing any intelligence of the french armie : in this arriuall the spaniards had some disaduantage , for that the enimies lying close to the land with their ships , and in a manner couered , sawe them come a farre off without being discouered by them . the day before the marques had sent foorth captaine aguirre with two carauelles armed to discouer , with instructions what course he should take , if he found the enimie , to whom he deliuered letters for ambrose d'aguiar , of whose death he was ignorant , whereby he did aduertise him of the comming of the armie , of the number of men and ships he had , and how he did howerly expect the ships and galleies prepared in andelouzia , demaunding newes of the french armie ; if it were passed , with how many saile , and for what place ; saying , that his intention was to fight with them , and therefore hee should will peter peixotto prepare himselfe with his ships to follow him . as the marques had cast anchor vnder villa franca , one of the three carauels , which had staied behinde and after passed them , being laden with horses came vnto the captaines ship , assuring them , that the three ships which had remained within the riuer of tagus , were arriued two daies before at the ilande , and were returned backe , and that certaine french ships had taken two other carauels laden with horses , and that they did hardly escape them . but the marques gaue no trust vnto their words , although the french armie were there ; he sent other men to lande , to learne the truth , who returned soone without knowing any certaintie , for that their approch to lande being defended , they had contrarie reports made vnto them : notwithstanding the marques did still see more apparant signes of the disobedience of the ilande , especially vpon the returne of one of the caruels of captaine aguirre , the which reported that the saide captaine with the other had beene taken by a french ship : for this cause the marques called lopo de figueroa marshall of the field to councell , where they resolued betwixt them to land some men , both to take in fresh water , to haue certaine intelligence of the affaires , and to approch with the armie to some more conuenient place for that effect . but they remained not long in these doubts , for they had no sooner appointed some to discouer some better anchoring place , the armie being vnder saile , they began to discouer towards the towne certaine ships , the which increasing still in number came against them , iudging what it was , as in truth it was the enimy , laying aside what they had treated of , hauing assembled peter of toledo , the marshall of the campe generall , the marques of fauara , peter taxis commissarie generall , frauncis bouadiglia marshall of the field , and some other gentlemen and captaines , they called a new councell , where it was propounded , whether they should fight or take any other partie . the castillian armie had no place of retreat , to returne backe they could not , without great danger , to get the winde of the french there was no meanes , for with their lighter shippes , and easier to turne into the winde , they might chase , flie , fight , and retire themselues from fight at their pleasure : so as the spanish captaines framing their opinions according to the necessitie , the matters standing so as the free election remained not in them , resolued to fight : anthonie hauing ( by the letters , which the marques had written to ambrose d'aguiar , taken in the carauel with aguirre ) intelligence what forces they had , and what they expected , and with all of his intention , for this cause he had resolued with strozzi , brissac , and the counte vimioso , that it was fittest to fight with this armie , consisting of so small a number of ships ▪ before the other part which they expected should arriue ; and therefore hauing imbarqued with all possible speed , they came in battell against the marques , hauing first laboured but in vaine to take the castel by new threatnings . then did the marques appoint what order hee would haue the armie keepe in the fight : vpon the right side of his gallion called s. martin , he placed that of saint mathew , wherein was lopo de figueroa ; and on the left , that of frauncis bouadiglia with fower other ships of succour , all the rest were put in order , onely christopher d'erasso remained behinde , with a great ship of importance , for that hauing his mast a little crased , he durst not vse any force ; so as the marques had but seuen and twentie ships , in all the which , especially in the two gallions they gaue verie good order for the fight : for hauing deuided the souldiers into their rankes , and appointed diuers commanders , they prouided not onely for all necessities , but also for any thing that could chaunce with great iudgement ; but it was in vaine , for at that time the armies came not neere one another , by seuen or eight miles , both for that the winde was scant , as also for that the night approched ; so as after the marques had discharged a peece of artillerie as it were in signe of battell ; the french bent towards the citie , and the catholique armie turned to sea , not hauing any intelligence of what had passed at lande , neither should he haue had it so soone by any other meanes , if the same night iohn de castillio , who had succeeded laurence noghero in the castell , had not aduertised the marques what had happened in the iland , and assured him that the fortresse held yet , both to the ende he should haue care to succour it , and to haue succour from thence if need were : for this cause he sent by night one of the patrons of the biscaine ships in a boate with his letters , aduertising him of all the successe since the arriuall of anthonie , vntill that time . he saide that the enemies armie consisted of eight and fiftie saile , whereof eight and twentie were great shippes , with sixe thousand fighting men , that if the catholique armie were not strong enough to encounter them , he should retire vnder the fortresse , where the one might succour the other : the marques made answere vnto him by the same messenger , that he should be of good courage , that his maiesties armie was strong enough to vanquish the enimie , as he hoped to doe the next day : so as the morning being come , the french came with great ioy to encounter the spaniards , who for that effect had put themselues againe in battell , but although the french had both wind and sun fauourable vnto thē , yet the calme was so great as they could hardly approch ; so as the two armies continued one against the other vntil the afternoone , when as the winde growing somewhat stronger , the french began to make shew to charge the spaniards : but seeing them in order without any shew of feare , they did not effect it , but continued vntill night , sayling equally towards the iland of saint marie , fiftie miles from that of saint michael towards the south , sometimes vpon one boord , sometimes vpon another , the french making often shew to ioyne with them , being in their power to doe it , the wind being fauourable to them , and contrarie to the spaniards : but night being come , the french resoluing in any sort to fight , the day following they sent ten ships alongst the i le , with intent to follow the enemies armie , and to charge them in the dawning of the day on both sides , but the winde grew calme and they could not sayle . the day following , which was the fower and twentith , the spaniards likewise desired to fight , although it seemed with some disaduantage , wanting that part of their armie , which was prepared in andelouzia ; yet they greeued to haue their enimies before them not being able either to flie or fight but when they pleased , the which increased their desire , and thinking it would so fall out by changing of their sailes from one side to another , imagining the french would also follow the like aduantage : but although the enimie did then make more apparant show to charge them , then before ; yet nothing followed , but only the generall ships , with others that were neerest vnto them on both sides , spent many volleies of great shot , whereby the french had greatest losse by one of their ships which sunke presently : hauing spent the whole daie in this sort towardes the euening , the marques , to trie if hee could get the winde , commaunded all his fleete , vpon the nights approch , should turne towards the ilande of saint michaell , to get the winde of the enimie , giuing them to vnderstand that the admiral ship that night ( least the enimie should discouer their intent ) should not carrie his ordinarie light , but about midnight discharge a cannon , to draw the rest of the ships neere vnto him : this order was giuen , and duely obserued , by all the fleete except two easterlings , who not being aduertised by the negligence of him that had the charge , strayed so farre from the fleete , that hauing lost the sight they could not recouer it , and hauing within them fower hundred germaine souldiers ; it seemed this armie decreased dayly both in number of ships and men : and for that the winde grew somewhat high , the marques thought it conuenient after midnight hauing discharged his cannon , to hang out his lanterne as he did , the which succeeded well , for the getting the winde of the enimie : yet this deuise preuailed little , for vpon the breake of the day , it was the feast of saint iames the apostle the fiue and twentith of the moneth , whom the spaniards call vpon in their battels ; they discouered the french armie scattered a farre off , as well to succour the shippe that did sinke , as also to repaire some other hurts receiued the day before by their cannon : but some affirme that the french woulde not willingly fight vpon this saints day : and although the spaniards might well haue charged them , yet did they forbeare , for that the ship of christopher d'erasso which had his mast crased strooke sailes , and discharged a peece ; so as finding that it was wholy broke , they were inforced to enuiron her with the army , least in this danger she should be set vpon , whereby the french recouered the winde they had lost : and the ship of d' erasso being repaired , so as they might carrie halfe their sale , the marques hauing tied her with a cable towed her at his sterne , and so this day passed without any other effect , but spending of some great shot . these shewes of fight , which the french had so often made , were not altogither counterfeit , for although the first time , and peraduenture the second , they did it onely to sound the enimies disposition ; yet after they resolued to fight , but their opinions were not so conformeable in this armie , as in the spanish ; for although philip strozzi , brisack , the counte of vimioso , and some others desired to ioyne , yet many were loth to see it ; and therefore seeing the admirals ship not to begin the fight , the rest did not force of it : strozzi & the earle , who were both in one ship , were more willing then all the rest , yet had they not charged the enimie ; for that the shippe wherein they were imbarked , was a woorse sailour , then many others : for this cause being not able to make such speed as they desired , they coulde not beginne the battaile , so as their friendes which were in other ships , supposed the fault to be in them , and not in their shippe , and that they might , if they had would : which opinion was furthered by the small desire they had to fight ; the which strozzi finding , hee resolued to change his shippe , and to take an other of more speed ; and therefore hauing passed with the earle and his men into that wherein was monsíeur beamont , marshall generall of the campe , being of better saile , he resolued therewith to charge the enimie ; the which hee did the day following , being the xxvj . saint annes day : vpon the dawning both armies being at calme not aboue three miles the one from the other , and . miles from saint michaels , they sailed gently towards the iland , vntill the winde growing somewhat fresh in fauour of the french , towardes noone both armies approched , being not aboue tenne miles from the iland : being there set in order , in the vangard of the french marched the generall shippe with strozzi and the counte of vimioso ; the admirall with mounsieur brisack accompanied with three english ships , followed by all the rest of the fleete , some neerer , some farther off : in the spanish , the hulke wherein was frauncis de bouadilla , went before the rest , there followed the gallion saint martin , wherein the marques was , who towed after him the ship wherein was christopher d' erasso , then followed that of saint mathew , wherein was lopo de figueroa , these went before as a buckler to the rest of the fleete which followed . the french had deuided amongst them the spanish ships , where with euery one shoulde grapple , but it was a matter that coulde not succeede , for the winde , the sea , and the order which had beene so often altered , hindered that resolution : the gallion saint mathew staied somwhat behinde , the which was cause it was first set vpon , for the captaine and admirall of the french , with other three ships turning their prooes vpon her , went to charge her , and the captaine with great dexteritie to auoide the shotte , ioyned with them towards the prooe , and boorded the gallion from the middle forwarde , leauing place for the rest to approch , the which inuested her rounde with a great streame of fire and shotte : lopo de figueroa being vnder their lee , not able to vse his sailes as he woulde , seeing such , and so great ships come to charge him , staied for them . there beganne a cruell fight , their artillerie did much harme , especially the spanish , being the biggest , so as two of the french ships being sorely beaten therewith , and with their small shotte , after some fight , fell vpon the gallion , which remained betwixt the captaines ship the admirall and an other , who being succoured with fresh men in small boats from the other shippes , troubled figueroa much , especially hauing his shippe fired by the enimie in many partes : but being a man of great valour , accompanied with expert soldiers , hee made an honorable defence , and with great resolution preuented all inconueniences . he remained in this estate aboue two houres without any succour , at the ende whereof , a biscaine ship of peter garagarza , wherein were two companies of spanish soldiers , drawing neere , succoured him much : the marques seeing in what danger this gallion was , would gladly haue succoured it , but he could not so sodainly performe it , as neede required ; for being forced to returne backe , and saile directly against the winde , a matter impossible , but by turning on the right and on the left to gaine a little way , hee feared in the meane time she shoulde bee vanquished : against the saide gallion saint martin , wherein the marques was when as the saint mathew was charged , there came likewise two great french ships , but they were so beaten with the cannon from the saide gallion , and from the ship wherein frauncis de bouadilla was neere vnto the captaine , that one of the enimies ships was like to sinke , & so passed on , so as the marques being freed , he caused all the armie to turne towards the gallion saint mathew , and with all possible speede drewe neere vnto him ; vpon the turning of the armie the areergard fell to be vangard , as it hapneth in the like case , so as the shippes of michael d'oquendo , of captaine villauiciosa , & an other biscaine , which were the first to succour him , remained in the fronte , and all three inuested the french admirall , who being ill intreated in this cruell fight , fell from the gallion saint mathew . another shippe , wherein was michael de benesa , passed on forwarde , and valiantly grapled with the french captaine on the outside , so as the gallion saint martin wherein the marques was , could not approch neere any one of the enimies chiefe ships , being enuironed with his friends , so as he was forced to turne about and passe on : the french admirall defended himselfe with great courage against the three ships ; that of villauiciosa which fought in the prooe , did end omage him greatly , but the captaine thereof was slaine ; that of oquendo which fought in the sterne had boorded her , with his men taken prisoners and ensignes , and began to spoile : but the captaine finding that his shippe by reason of a shotte , was in danger of sinking , fell from her to repaire her leake , so as being in a manner freed from the enimie , hee tooke his course towards saint michael , yet hee coulde not get thither , but sunke by the way , being spoiled by the artillerie ; and mounsieur brisac saued himselfe in a small boat : but these two armies did not so ioine as it was expected ; for that the frēch army , although they had a full wind , yet would they not willingly grapple with the spaniards as they might haue done ; but many of them stoode idle , discharging only their great shot : and although some of them laboured to boord frauncis de bouadilla , and christopher d' erasso , yet the artillerie kept them off , so as they durst not approch : a biscaine shippe wherein were captaines michael de cardona , and peter pardo , boorded a french man , which was fallen from the s. mathew , and forced her to yeeld , being already weake , hauing spoiled and abandoned it , she after fledde : captaine villauiciosa the elder ▪ with his shippe wherein was the company of lewes de gueuara , boorded an other , and after a long fight vngrapled herselfe , and one or two ships more boorded her , and the rest fought passing onely by , and discharging their artillerie . the gallion saint mathew made a great resistance , two of those ships which had fallen from her , battered with the cannon , sunke ; and although the generall of the french were succoured with many men , yet was he so beaten , that they within began to yeeld , but for that there were many spaniards dead , and manie hurt , so as there remained within the gallion not aboue seuentie able men to fight , lopo de figueroa would not suffer them to enter , & make the victorie absolute , the which the french finding , and receiuing presently a new supply of three hundred men , they vngrapled hoping to saue themselues : but the marques who stood vpon his guarde , sayling first on one side , and then on another , pressing the enimie with his artillerie and smal shot , when he saw his ship fall off , he charged her , and so did another biscaine ship on the other side , wherein was captaine bastida and iohn de viuero ; but the fight continued not aboue one hower , at the ende whereof the spanish generall became master of the enimies ship with the losse of aboue . french : there found they philip strozzi , whom presently they transported into the marques gallion , but being wounded to the death , he died presently , without speech , to the great griefe of all valiantmen : the counte of vimioso was taken prisoner by coronell mondenaro an italian aduenturer , but being wounded vnto the death , he liued onely two daies , embraced by the marques as if he had beene his kinsman . such was the ende of frauncis of portugall counte of vimioso , more honourable then any one of those which had followed anthonie vnto this day : he was yoong , indued with good parts , both of bodie and minde , if they had not beene accompanied with a certaine childish vanitie , which made him thus obstinate ; besides such as knew him lamented his death , beeing by nature amiable : there found they also with no small admiration fourescore gentlemen , whereof thirtie were lords and had their subiects , with many other persons in number aboue three hundred : the fight had continued fiue howers , when as the french seeing their generall yeelded , their admirall lost , two others sunke , and many broken with artillerie , they began to flie ; but the marques , by reason of the night , pursued them not , fearing for that they were better sailers he should not boord them , and being separated hee should be forced to diuide his armie , the which he would not willingly doe ; besides he should be constrained to leaue the gallion saint mathew behinde him in danger , being vnable to sayle without tackling , sailes and anchors , the which the enemie had burnt and throwen into the sea : there was one thing woorthie the obseruation , that being within this gallion a priest called iohn de iaem chaplein vnto the marshall of the fielde , a man which had seene the warres , during the fight being vnder the lowest decke of the gallion , when he saw so much wilde fire cast by the french , hearing their shot , and finding the hurt the cannon did , hee died , onely of feare and amasement , hauing receiued no wound : the spaniards recouered one of their carauels with horse which had beene taken , and had taken more of their french ships , if they could haue manned them with mariners to conduct them ; but for this cause the admirall ( which was cast away ) abandoned , and some others torne and abandoned by the french were not kept ; for this consideration the marques burnt two , which had been abandoned and some others ranne vpon the iland : in this battell the french lost seuen or eight of their best ships , and there died in the fight aboue two thousand of their men , with many hurt ; as for the spaniards there died about two hundred , and aboue fiue hundred wounded : the portugals , pertisants vnto anthonie , say , that the french fought not at all , for that the captaines were corrupted by king philip , and this opinion encreased , for that after anthonie caused edward d' castro to lose his head in the iland , supposing him to be the meanes thereof , but they were deceiued ; for although that castro had promised many things vnto the kings ministers , when as they deliuered him out of prison , whereunto hee was committed when they tooke him flying out of portugall , yet could he neuer effect any ; but the cause of his death was for certaine practises begun after this defeate , and for that he had committed murther vpon the person of anthony baraccio a deere friend vnto the said prior , and one of them that had proclaimed him king. behold the issue of the sea fight , at the ilands , which possibly is one of the greatest that euer happened within the bounds of the ocean ; for although in the low-countries there hath beene like factions , in these last warres , yet were they not truely within the ocean , but in chanels and riuers neere vnto the ilands of holland and zealand , rather at land then at sea . but the issue hereof besides the greatnes of it was of more importance then euer any : for besides that not onely the realme of portugall by this victorie remained settled , but also all spaine ; if the contrarie had fallen out , all had beene full of confusion , for that the french , pursuing their victorie , might with these forces , their good fortune , the presence of anthony , and the inclination of the people , renue the warre in a suspended kingdome , more dangerous for the spaniards then euer , seeing the great number of vnexpert portugals vnited with so many french souldiers , might giue them great hope of happie successe . anthony who remained in a small barke , light and well furnished , the day before the battaile , when as they had resolued to fight , although his whole fortune depended in a manner on this day , not finding himselfe secure in this place , retired with two other small barkes to the terceres , where in the citie of angra , they had prepared for him a sumptuous entrie , with arches , images , and all triumphes , commonly vsed at the ioyfull comming of princes : but deuining , it may be the vnhappie successe , these preparations seemed out of season ; for hauing forborne to passe to a bridge of woode , which they had built onely for his comming , whereby hee shoulde enter the streets that were garnished , he landed farre from thence with small companie and more sorrow then ioy : there did he howerly receiue sundry newes of the armie , and by little and little he vnderstoode the successe thereof , with an incredible griefe , the which encreased the more by the intelligence giuen him of the death of strozzi , and the earle , and now caring for his safetie , wauering in his thoughts , hee knewe not howe to behaue himselfe in so rough an accident : for although he relied much in the inhabitants of the ilands , and in the strength thereof , seeming to be safe in this place , yet feared he least the marques pursuing his victorie , should assaile him , and that his men hauing their harts vanquished with this losse , shoulde not be able to make resistance ; and therefore he enclined rather to abandon then defend it : he was some what assured of this feare vpon the arriuall of seuenteene french and english ships to that place , of those that had fledde from the battaile to repaire their hurts receiued , to cure their wounded men , and to take in water : with these men he thought himselfe able to defende it , yet had they all but fewe soldiers , hauing in the battaile succoured the counte of brisack and strozzi with all their men ; yet there arriued still more , for at that time there returned but eighteene french ships into fraunce , with brisack , and fiue other english : mounsieur de landes , captaine of nine ships flying from the battaile , went to fayale , where his soldiers began to spoile , & although it were not his meaning , but hauing auoided the sacke , retired to angra , yet for this cause they woulde not suffer him to enter , or else that anthony doubted his safetie . the marques as it is saide , the day being ended , resoluing not to pursue the enimie , he drew neere to the iland of saint michael to repaire his shippes , to looke to his hurt men , and to water ; but the winde being contrary woulde not suffer him , keeping him three daies off at sea , the fourth he drew neere to villa franca , where he landed his hurt men , and prouided what he needed , the inhabitants of all parts of the ile hauing yeelded their obedience . the first of august frauncis de bouadilla landed with fowre companies of soldiers , in the middest whereof vpon the sea shoare , hee put all the french prisoners , leading them to the market place of villa franca , vnto a scaffolde built the height of a man , where with a loude voice was read the sentence of the marques , whereby shewing that the catholique king hauing peace with the most christian king , against the saide peace publikely sworne , an armie of many aduenturers was come out of fraunce in fauour of anthony prior of crato , with an intent to take the catholique kings fleete , which he expected from the indies , and the new founde lands , and to spoile the ilands , as they had already done that of saint michaels ; and that the same armie hauing tried a battaile against his maiesties , the french had beene broken and ouercome ; in the which being taken eight and twentie noblemen , and two and fiftie gentlemen , and manie other marriners and soldiers , he declared them taken as enimies to the quiet , and publike good ; disturbers of the traffike , and fauourers of his maiesties rebels ; that as such , and as publike pirats hee commaunded the auditor generall of the armie , that for their chasticement , and for the example of others , hee shoulde execute vpon them the punishment of naturall death , beheading the gentlemen , and hanging the rest , which passed the age of seuenteene yeeres , being so conuenient both for the seruice of god , and of the two kings . this sentence seemed cruell to all such as heard it , and chiefly vnto the spanish soldiers , both for that they feared the like might happen vnto thē an other day ; as also for that they would not lose the profit which many expected by the raunsome of the saide prisoners ; or else for their owne good inclination , so as some of the soldiers laying aside all respect , saide it was not well grounded , for that there was no firme and inuiolable peace betwixt the catholique king and most christian , but warre , and that those were neither pirats nor theeues , but valiant soldiers : that there was no peace , they prooued it by the warres of flaunders , more hot then euer , where the french did in a manner possesse all the catholique kings patrimonie : and that they were no pirats , they prooued by the letters patents they had from the king , vnder the which the ships and soldiers were enrolled ; besides , the number and qualitie of these men were such , as it appeered cleerely , they woulde not haue attempted it of themselues , if the king had not sent them : and although betwixt the two crownes they dissembled many things , the christian king excusing himselfe sometimes vpon his mother , sometimes vpon his brother , that they were all deuises of princes ; but for all that , they were not without open warre , the lawes whereof ( they saide ) was not so stricte , as to commaund them to hang all their prisoners . and this execution did so mooue the hearts of manie , that some of the principall soldiers being assembled togither , went ( with a commendable example ) vnto the marques to make intercession for the life of their enimies , who answered , that the most christian king had expresly commaunded , that all frenchmen that shoulde take armes against the catholique king , shoulde be corporally punished ; so as the same day these gentlemen with a generall pittie , and great seueritie were beheaded vpon the scaffolde , and the marriners and soldiers hanged in diuers places , and the pittie was the greater , being apparant that they were all not onely valiant soldiers , but catholique and deuout christians : the blame of this seuere execution , was not imputed to the marques , supposing that he had expresse commaundement from the king , whom likewise they excused , for hauing so determined , seeing it was not to bee presumed that so many personages of importance , should come with such an armie and remaine prisoners , especially knowing that philip by his owne inclination was not cruell : yet on the other side , they considered , that the king in his minde shoulde haue conceiued a cruell disdaine against the french , seeing that vnder the shadow of amitie , peace and alliance , kings writing daily one to the orher , greeuing and reioycing at their troubles and contents , did not onely aide his rebels , but also tooke his countries , and sent so great an armie to endomage him : and although that princes do vsually dissemble , and counterfeit in many things , yet it seemed the french vnder a new kinde of dissimulation , would make warre , whereby they did inferre that this execution did nothing displease the king. the armie being a little repaired here , the marques went to the i le of coruo to meete with the indian fleete , and hauing past in view of the citie of angra , he put anthonie and all the people into confusion : for although the marques content with the victorie , would not thrust himselfe into a new danger ; yet anthonie doubted that in the heat of the victorie , he would pursue and assaile the ilande ; in the which although he had men enough both of the nation , and of the french , yet were they fearfull and disordered ; and anthonie himselfe at the same time prouided a light ship to imbarke if neede were . these newes came slowly to lisbone , for the which they were in great care , hauing newes of the fight , by the meanes of a * zabra of biscay , but a french ship which had beene sore beaten by the gallion saint mathew , being fled from the battel , gaue assurance of the euent ; for beeing arriued disguised at settuual , he was discouered , finding within her some spanish souldiers dead ; in the bosome of one of them was written all that had passed in the armie , since their departure from lisbone vntill the time that he was slaine : the marques attended long about the ilands for the indian fleete , whereof two being arriued , the seas growing high he came with them to lisbone , to the great ioy of all the court , where he was extraordinarily fauoured by the king. anthony after the marques his departure remained more quiet in minde , supposing that for one whole yeere he need not feare any enimie : he greatly greeued for the death of the french prisoners , fearing it would preiudice his cause in france : but emanuel de silua pressed him to reuenge in hanging about fiftie or threescore castillians , which were there taken prisoners at diuers times , the which he woulde not suffer , being better enclined : he was ill furnished with money , although hee had great store of armes and munition : for this consideration he daily ( all by the inuention of the saide silua ) made rigorous commandements to draw money from the people , and from such as did not follow him willingly : he caused gold to be coined , which hee valued at fiue and twentie roials , although it weied but eight : he made testons of siluer , weighing a roiall and a halfe , the which he made currant for halfe a duckat ; and the copper money which was woorth three in portugall , hee valued at tenne : and for that many were retired to the mountaines , to be free from troubles within the citie , hee commaunded euery one to returne , and if any deferred his comming longer then the time limited by his commaundement , they presently seazed his goods : many for feare of the souldiers had carried and hidden their goods without the citie , and therefore he commaunded euerie one to bring them backe againe , whereby he gained much ; for he demaunded a loane of money of such as came and brought it backe ; and if any one obeyed not , he sent souldiers to search their goods , and to spoile them , with a thousand indignities : it was a lamentable thing to see how the church causes were handled , for the religious men ( except the iesuits ) imploied in militarie actions , retayned nothing of a priest , but the habit , and the name ; as for sermons , confessions , and such like things , they came from them , as from men which had not god before their eies : and anthonie himselfe during these afflictions , had not his minde free from lasciuiousnes , for the women of honour could hardly be free from his lustes , hauing too familiar accesse into the monasterie of religious women : amongst whom , as well as amongst the men raigned the passions of the affaires of the realme , with no small scandall and great disorder , and many of his , as also of the french followed this his example . anthonie liued this kinde of life vntill the moneth of october , irresolute what to doe : to goe into fraunce after the losse of so great a number of the nobilitie , he helde it not safe , neither knew he how he should be looked on , for he feared as much the disdaine of particulars , as he hoped in the protection of the queene mother . to remaine there , he saw it a thing not able long to subsist with so great garrisons , not hauing wherewithall to pay the souldiers , nor in a manner how to furnish his expences : he resolued therefore with such shippes as he had to depart for fraunce , but first would goe towardes the madera , and the iland of canarie , that by spoyling of some weake places , hee should content the souldiers with some weake pray . for this cause hauing prepared about thirtie saile , he not onely shipped his souldiers , but with a new deuise he commaunded all the citizens which he suspected , and all religious persons affected to the contrarie partie , as the iesuits and others to imbarke , making this commaundement most rigorous to those that could least obserue it , to the ende they should redeeme this voyage with money : but all as vnprofitable in sea causes , excused themselues with liuely reasons and entreaties ; but it preuailed nothing , making answere to the yoonger , that he had neede of them for his guarde , and to the olde , for counsell ; so as many sought to content him with money as hee desired , euerie one according to his abilitie , by meanes whereof they were freede from his commaundement . but this inuention was soone counter-checkt by another , for many desired to leaue the iland & to imbarke , not with intention to follow the armie , but to saile into spaine : some of the captaines of the shippes , vnderstanding their mindes , agreede with the portugals , not to deliuer any money to anthonie for their stay in the iland , but paying them the like summe and much lesse , they would land them in portugall , so as many trusting to the french , and english , not paying any thing to anthonie , imbarked with them , agreeing for a certaine summe to be set on land . anthonie departed with this armie from the terceres , leauing emanuel de silua in his place , with fiue hundred frenchmen vnder the charge of baptiste florentin , and charles a french man their captaines : he arriued at the iland of saint michael , where hauing staied long thereabouts , fearing the spanish garrison there , he durst not land , being forced to leaue it by a storme that rose : then some of his english and french ships , left him , keeping promise with the portugals , that were imbarked with them . in the meane time they had newes in fraunce of the defeat of the armie , and the death of so many prisoners , which caused both in court , and throughout the realme a great griefe and disdaine , and enflamed the french to reuenge , and as they had flaunders neere , and matters in that estate ( as hath beene said ) there they discharged their choler ; neither did they forbeare , after the returne of anthonie to treat of a new preparation , of an armie at sea for the sommer following . it was giuen out in spaine , that the faction of anthony and the french against portugall , was dashed ; and that they had weakned their forces , yet did they not dismisse their hired ships : at that time two galliasses being arriued from naples , it seemed the king would assemble a great armie for the next yeere , and make himselfe absolute lorde of the ocean , both in respect of the affaires of anthony , as to assure his ships , from the indies , and newe founde landes , from the french and english , and to force the iland . the catholique king desired to returne into castill , both for that he was called by the states of arragon , and to finish the marriage of his daughter with the emperour ; as also for other business of the realme , and was vpon the point to effect it , in nouember . but he woulde first extend his pardon graunted at tomar to such as had followed anthony : for this cause hauing excepted the religious persons and tenne others , hee pardoned freely all the rest that shoulde present themselues within a certaine time ; but this wrought no effect , for there came fewe , and many said , that the king being yet displeased , could not make a free pardon . this departure was after staied by the newes of the death of diego his eldest sonne , who as hee had beene sworne prince of portugall , at the estates of tomar , hee woulde likewise that the same oath shoulde bee made in the person of philip his second sonne being then sicke . and for that he had no other issue male , the succession masculine of these realmes remaining in the breath of one only , togither with the kings age , and the disposition of the affaires of the world , both the quiet & seditious were in care : but for the swearing of him he assembled the estates at lisbone , in the moneth of februarie , resolute to accomplish this ceremonie before his departure . at that time the duke of alua ( consumed with a continuall feauer ) died , in the pallace of lisbone , in the kings owne quarter , being of the age of threescore & fourteene yeeres . during his sicknes he was greatly fauoured of the king , who did visite him a little before his death : there is no doubt but the king apprehended the losse of such a seruant , which bred no lesse discontentment in him , then pleasing to his enimies : but the portugals obserued , that the day following he went publikely to masse , without any shew of discontent , contrary to the custome of their kings , who vpon the death of men of lesse qualitie ( hauing done any notable seruices to the crowne ) retired themselues for a time ; the which seemed the more strange , for that king emanuel vpon the death of a notable pilote withdrew himselfe three daies : but the actions of great princes , are so subiect to the censure of the vulgar , as the wisest minister matter of discourse to the curious and malicious to slaunder them . with him died ( as a man may say ) all the warlike discipline of spaine , for there remained not any one captaine equall vnto him : he was of a goodly stature , of visage leane and graue ; hee had rare gifts of nature , and fortune , the which he augmented much by arte ; he was of a noble minde ; of a readie and subtill spirite , assured in iudgement , and peaceable : he was not greedy of worldly wealth , sparing in giuing , but honourable in the expences of his house ; hee was a great dissembler of the disgraces of the courte , and cunning in their secret practises , for so it behooued him to be , to preuent such as were his competitors ▪ he was generally hated , for that he treated proudlie with his inferiors , and his equals hated his greatnes . the ambition to purchase the princes fauour ( a shelfe wherein proude mindes cast themselues ) was great in him ; for this respect it may be , or for the preheminence and greatnes he pretended aboue all other officers , the which made him odious ; hee was not much pleasing to charles , and lesse to philip , although from their birthes vntill their later daies , he had serued them . yeeres : but princes loue them better whom they haue rewarded , then such as haue serued them . hee was greatly enclined to warlike discipline , wherein hee was so cunning , as there was not any captaine of his nation , in long time comparable vnto him ; and to conclude , for his many yeeres , and great experience , there was not in a manner any one in the worlde but yeelded vnto him : he was of great iudgement , and dexteritie , to encampe and make choice of a lodging , so as alwaies with lesse forces then the enimies , he kept them in awe ; he was so well experienced as he neuer refused battaile wheresoeuer he came : hee did willingly hazard his owne person , but his soldiers with greater consideration , trusting more to policie then fortune : he was a rough & inexorable executioner of the seuere lawes of war , of whose pittifull crueltie depends the health of armies , and the conseruation of states : he was by nature enclined to vanquish without effusion of bloud , and was imploied in warres conformable to his inclination ; for the greatest part of them , being defensiue , wherein a wise captaine should rather temporize and suffer the enimie to consume by the difficulties of warre in a strange countrey , then to hazard an estate vpon so vnequall a game , as is the winning of a battaile against him that hath but men to loose . to this effect hee answered the councell of warre , in the kingdome of naples , in the yeere . when as the frenchmen being expelled , they woulde haue charged the enimie retiring , hee saide , hee woulde not hazarde the realme against a cassock of golde , for such was then the habite of the duke of guise , lieutenant generall to henry the seconde king of fraunce ; yet some did blame him , to be too warie in the execution of matters of importance in warre : he serued his king in greater charges , and with greater authority then euer any of their subiects , and it may be , there hath not beene in many ages a captaine , which hath so long mannaged armes , nor displaied his ensignes in so manie countries : for he hath made warre in italy spaine and fraunce , in hungarie , germanie , flaunders and affrick ; although he were accustomed to say , that he had done nothing , seeng that he was neuer so happie as to see a turkish armie : but the last wars of flaunders did somewhat obscure the glorie he had gotten ; for although as captaine he did warre valiantly , yet he knew not , ( as it hapned to him in other places ) howe to vse the victorie , but arrogating too much vnto himselfe , he caused a statue of brasse to be erected for him in the cittadell of antwerpe , which the king caused afterwards to be beaten downe . it appeeres that he coulde , better carrie himselfe in aduersitie then prosperitie ; for in the one he had great force , in the other too much conceite , so as he reaped more commendations by afflictions , then by victorie : hee shewed in dying the magnanimitie he had in his life , and that which is of great moment , hee shewed tokens of a religious christian , being happie that frier lewes of granata , that famous preacher ( whose diuine writings are pleasing to the worlde ) was present at his death : they did substitute in his place charles borgia duke of gandia , a man of greater vertue then experience . the king had caused the bones of king sebastian to be brought out of affricke , the which with king henries that were at almerin , he woulde before his departure see solemnly interred in the church of belem , neere to the other kings of portugall ; and for that cause remained there three daies : he caused also to be brought from diuers parts of the realme vnto the saide monasterie the bodies , or at the least the ashes of his kinsfolkes , the children and nephewes to king emanuel , who ( as a man may say ) dying , resigned him the crowne , that they might bee all kept togither : there was made a most sumptuous obsequie , with great shewes , and all the religious persons in the name of henry were present , for the rest had beene performed before , and in the funerall sermon sebastians actes were likewise touched , and henry extremely commended , the which was more pleasing being dead , then the praises of philip liuing and present , wherein the orator dilated much , hauing first in particular set downe the branches of king emanuel , and brought the succession to the said philip. i will not leaue heere to make mention as of a rare matter , although it be somewhat from our purpose , that in this yeere of our lorde . they did reckon ten daies lesse then in others : for by the popes decree , all christian princes obeying the romish sea , gaue commaundement to cut off ten daies in the moneth of october , so as for the fift day , they should generally write . the which was done to fitte the times to the meanes and principall aspects wherein the heauens were , when as our redeemer iesus christ suffered , that they might celebrate easter , and the other feasts vpon their proper daies . the which they had not formerly done ; for that the true course of the sunne , which makes the yeere , being certaine minuts of an hower lesse then the time , which they vntill then had taken for a yeere , it seemed that in the course of so manie yeeres so small a difference had mounted vnto ten daies , so as by this equalitie , it was made conformable to the time past . the king beganne to vnburthen himselfe of the affaires of portugall , for to go into castill ; and therefore the xxvj . day of ianuary in the yeere . hauing assembled the estates of the realme , they began in the pallace of lisbone , where after alphonso de castelbianco newly made bishop of algarues , had briefly made the proposition , shewing how much the king was grieued with the death of the prince , and the necessitie there was to sweare a newe : melchior d' amaral , one of the deputies of the citie of lisbone , made answere in the behalfe of the whole realme , shewing the desire and readines they had to performe this acte : whereupon the yoong duke of barcellos , as duke of bragance , beginning ( for his father with sword in hande did supplie the office of constable ) kneeling downe before the king , held foorth his hande to take the oath after the accustomed manner , the which being likewise performed by all the rest , this ceremonie was ended . he procured that the assemblie of deputies for this effect shoulde not be called estates , to the ende hee might take away all occasion of demaunding new things , or to redemaund those which had beene required in the former estates , and not graunted ; and therefore hee had contrarie to the custome sent into all places , briefes of the procurations the deputies should bring with them , so drawne , as they should not extend further then the swearing of the prince ; and although it were so executed , yet the estates did not forbeare , especially he that was for the deputies of the realme , to reuiue the demaunds made at the estates helde at tomar , with some others ; and especially that it woulde please his maiestie to shewe magnanimitie and clemencie in giuing a generall pardon to all such as were culpable of anthonies offence ; saying , it shoulde greatly profite , and do little harme : but whatsoeuer the cause was , he neither satisfied them in this point , nor in any other of importance . he dispatched some portugals which sought reward , for although hee had giuen vnto many , yet were they not content : but notwithstanding all this care and diligence , whether it were his faulte or his ministers , or else the disposition of the suters , or of all togither , there remained many of them discontented , part of them for that they were not recompenced , and others for that they did not seeme to be recompenced according to their merits . the duke of bragance at the assembly of the estates , hoped to haue receiued recompence from the king , which he supposed to haue deserued , for although hee were rewarded , yet was it not according to his expectation , for aspiring to greater offices , & greater authoritie then he had , it seemed the kings wil was therein directly contrarie , so as , for that the recompences were small in regard of the greatnes of his hope , they were not published , but hee was suffered to replie that they might be after specified . the marques of villa real receiued likewise no contentment to his liking , so as both remained ill satisfied , and the duke leauing the court , being long before sicke , died soone after , although the portugals say , that the griefe he conceiued of the weake recompence hee receiued from philip , hastened his daies . the king at the time of his departure reformed the state of iustice , publishing many newe lawes , suffering the portugals to attire themselues more freely with silke then other kings had done : he made cardinall albert archduke of austria , gouernour of the realme in his absence , leauing him notwithstanding accompanied with three counsellors , that is , george d'almada archbishop of lisbone , peter d'ascasoua , and michael de mora , who was secretorie of the realme newly created notarie , which they call of the puritie , so great a charge as yet had neuer beene giuen , but to the chiefest personages of the realme , whereunto since the time of king iohn the third , that michael de silua bishop of viseu , who was after cardinall , went to rome in disgrace , there was neuer any aduanced . the king gaue procuration to the said cardinall , causing him to take an oath in the presence of the councell of state , and of the magistrate of the chamber of lisbone , to gouerne with iustice , and to resigne him the realme at his returne . the empresse his sister , who was to goe into castill , visiting first the nunnes of the monasterie of santos , who may lawfully marrie , she tooke foorth and carried with her iulian d' allan castro , of the age of thirteene yeeres , who by the decease of maudlyn girone her mother , remained dutchesse of auero : the portugals were much grieued with this acte , for although she said , the king woulde prouide she should not marrie but with his liking ; yet notwithstanding she seemed to be rauished , and manie feared that he woulde not marrie her in castill . when these things were ended , the king departed the eleuenth of februarie , in the yeere . the which greatly displeased the quiet , and did glad the seditious ; for those feared , least there shoulde grow some controuersie betwixt the people and the garrisons ; that the soldiers ill paied woulde mutine , and that the cardinals authoritie , was not of such force as the kings presence , to redresse it ; and contrariwise the rest hoped , that the kings absence , the small affection the people bare vnto them , the oppression of the garrison , and the great dearth , woulde in the spring ( considering principally the army which was prepared in fraunce ) minister matter of alteration ; although it now seemed that things succeeded in fauour of the kings intention ; hauing intelligence that in flaunders the duke of alonçon seeking to assure himselfe of the citie of anwerp , wherein he was as lord and protector , hauing his armie lodged thereabouts , it had not succeeded , for forcing of a gate , and hauing drawne in three thousand french , they were by the great valour of the citizens repulsed , and the one halfe slaine ; so as it seemed the flemmings would no more trust the duke but compound with the king. such portugals as had receiued no answere to their demaunds , doubted of all dispatch in the kings absence : but this feare was qualified by the opinion which they had conceiued , that the cardinall remaining gouernour , they should be no lesse fauored by him then they had beene by the king himselfe , albeit this hope soone vanished after the kings departure ; for the cardinall did not onely forbeare to vse the authoritie which hee seemed to haue left him , but hee refused to signe the commaundements or other writings which concerned the affaires of the realme : and although some beleeued that he had forborne to do it , for that the king was yet vpon the way , and not out of the realme , vpon a respect of soueraigntie , yet they were deceiued ; for the king being out of the realme , he did not signe , the which bred a great disdaine in the portugals , who pretended to holde the realme distinguished from that of castill , it seemed that this manner of gouernment which the king vsed from madrill was a more strict vnion then they desired , besides the troubles of their expeditions for the distance of the court : and this disdaine was much augmented , for that the king had placed in the councell of the reuenewes of the crowne which they terme d'hazenda , two counsellors , castillians of nation , a doctor , & a merchant , saying , that it was vnseemely & against their priuileges . the tenth booke . the contents of the tenth booke . in this last booke is contained the death of sanches d'auila : the sacke of the ilands of cape vert : the carriage of emanuel de silua gouernour of the terceres : the preparatiō of king philip to force the said ilands : the succours sent thither from fraunce : the fortification and the garrison . the departure of the armie from lisbone : the description of the iland of terceres : the arriuall there of the spanish armie : the assault , skirmishes and taking of the iland : the yeelding of the french : the taking of the iland of fayale , and the obedience of all the rest : how that emanuel de silua lost his head , and many others put to death : and the returne of the armie to andelouzia . the estate of the realme after the kings departure remained all that winter quiet ; and although the people had their mindes yet disquieted , and some of the nobilitie not fully satisfied , hauing left the kings court , and the cardinals likewise , retyred themselues to their castles and houses , yet no man durst shew any discontent . the greatest part , although they loued peace and desired the tranquillitie of the realme , yet were they in their hearts contented to see the terceres make resistance , and continue in the deuotion of anthonie , and the french supposing that whilest the king had any warres , he would entreat them better , and beare them more respect , then they thought hee should doe , if all were pacified : neither preuailed it , that the portugalles were made much of in castile , and admitted neere the king as they had woonte to bee when hee was in portugall , nor yet that the saide king had ( it may bee to make the present gouernement conformeable to that was passed , ) obtained from the pope the authoritie of the legate , for the cardinall euen as henry enioied it , the which bredde a great benefite to the realme : for as it hapneth to passionate mindes , they were not remooued from their opinion : for the cardinall being made legate for two yeeres onely , they feared that the time being expired , they woulde take an occasion to recall him into castill , and so the realme should be reduced into a prouince , and that the king remaining at madrill , shoulde gouerne it . at that time sanches d'auila died , being stroke with a horse , for that leauing chirurgerie , he woulde be cured by a soldier with certaine blessings , the which caused the castillians to mourne : for although he were but marshall generall of the fielde , yet remaining , after the death of the duke of alua , of greatest knowledge amongst the spaniards , in the arte of warre , there was not any man neere the duke of gandia of so great experience : hee was a man without feare , and happie in warre ; esteemed by the duke of alua aboue all the soldiers of his time ; but this life which he had vnto his olde age so happily aduentured at the cannons mouth , was nowe taken away by death , vpon a small mischance . in fraunce it seemed that all the french were turned vnto the affaires of flaunders , affecting them more then portugall ▪ and although there were an intent at the priors instance to set foorth some ships of warre , yet founde they therein coldenes and want of money , whereby it appeered , that whereas they attempted something , it should not be to offend , but rather to prouide for defence : and although they had now intelligence that certaine french ships guided by the portugals , and especially by one emanuel serradas , had inuaded the ilands of cape vert , and spoiled some part of them , yet they made no account thereof , vnderstanding they were but small barkes of pirates . at the terceres emanuel de silua was still gouernour , who shewed himselfe an obstinate enimie to the catholique king , a faithfull minister to the prior , and a cruell persecutor of the philippines : notwithstanding ill disposed , of small iudgment , and little experience . with these his qualities he afflicted the poore people in diuers manners , for the meanes which he inuented to borrow money , to molest and condemne many persons , were insupportable : the pride & arrogancie whereunto he was growen , ( as it hapneth often in him that is not accustomed to commaund ) made him seeme inuincible , and immortall ; the wrongs he committed were so infinite , that iustice had lost her place ; the libertie his friendes and seruants tooke vpon them was without restraint ; the subiection and seruitude of those that did not flatter him was such , as the slaues were more free . i leaue the executions he committed vpon such as would haue compounded with the catholique king , and coulde not conceale their mindes ; for vsing many stratagemes to discouer their affections , wherein as he founde any one lesse obstinate then himselfe , hee was miserable , being cruelly punished both in body and goods : and for this occasion he caused manie to be slaine , betraied by one amador vieira , who hauing beene secretlie sent into this iland by king philip , to continue his followers in their fidelitie , to sounde the disposition of the people , and to drawe all he coulde to his deuotion ; after he had wel executed his charge , he reuealed vnto silua such as had discouered themselues , by whom they were miserablie afflicted . and as tyrannie taught him , he daily made newe ordinances and lawes in the name of anthony ; the officers and ministers of iustice in the citie , which were vsually chosen by voices , he alone woulde haue the naming of them . he was not onely contented to obserue those lawes which treated of high treason , but also made a new lawe more seuere , that such as did but talke of that matter shoulde suffer death , and that such witnesses should serue , although lesse in number then the auncient lawes had ordained : he would haue the sentences in such cases registred by the magistrate of the citie , for a perpetuall memorie to all to terrifie and tyrannize the more . there was within the iland little aboue seauen hundreth french soldiers , one onely company of english , and about three thousand portugals ; it was fortified on all partes where they might lande , with aboue thirtie fortes , and many trenches made , with such arte and diligence , as it seemed impossible to enter , if they were guarded : and although these thinges with the other qualities of the place , made it vneasie to force , yet silua iudged it stronger then it was , and did trust ( as a man of no experience ) more in the defenders then was conuenient . in the meane time they prepared an armie for sea at lisbone , and assembled the spanish soldiers , to imploy them against this iland , vnder the command of the marques of saint a croix , being more in number , both in ships and men , then the yeere before : besides there was speech to sende fowre galliasses and twelue galleies , for which cause they shortned their yardes , prouiding square sailes , and of a thirde maste which they call the meane . in spaine there were diuers opinions concerning this armie , making diuers discourses thereon , both by worde and writing : such as were not to be imploied in this action , to whom no part of the honour or praise did belong , made it easie , saying , that the people were alreadie so wearied , poore , and oppressed by the garrisons , as the armie should no sooner appeere , but they woulde bee at the kings deuotion : and the cause why they did no sooner yeeld , was the subiection wherein they were held , and although they neither would nor coulde come to composition , yet were they easie to force ; for the citie of angra and all other places being dismantled and weake , they had no other defence then the landing , the which they supposed were impossible to hinder , proouing by ancient and latter examples , that in warre there was no meanes to stoppe the course of passage of riuers and landing in ilands , seeing that to keepe so great a circuit , there was an infinite number of men required ; and being once landed all the rest were conquered ▪ on the other side , such as imbarked with the armie to make it more glorious whatsoeuer euent were , laboured to make the enterprise of greater difficultie then it was , saying , that the iland was little , well peopled , aboundning with victuals , rocked rounde about , and seated in the most inconstant sea that is , where they coulde hardly ride three monethes in the yeere , whereof one part before they could arriue woulde be spent , that they had not any port where to retire thēselues , the which made it easie to be defended ; adding thereunto the obstinate disposition of the people , the despaire they had of any assured pardō , the fortifications made by the french ( in that point very diligent ) with the prouision of munition , soldiers , and captaines , made the place inexpugnable : they added , that it was likely the french , ( if it were but to diuert the spanish forces , and continue this moate in their eies , ) would labour to support the iland , which shoulde be of lesse charge to them then to the spaniards in raising their armies to force it . but whilest they prepared this armie in spaine , and that they discoursed vpon the occurrents , anthony imploied all his forces in fraunce , so to furnish the iland as they might bee able to defende themselues : and although the queene fauoured him , yet whether the heate of the yeere past were growen colde ( it may bee through the vnhappie successe of the french armie , or that the prior founde himselfe bare of money , or whatsoeuer it were ) they made a weaker prouision then was expected ; yet at the queene mothers instance , mounsieur de chattes a knight of malta , who was gouernour of deepe , being experienced in these later warres , went with fewe more then twelue hundreth french men , although the report was fifteene hundreth : he carried letters to the magistrate of the citie , not onely from the prior , whereby he did greatly commend and encourage the citizens , shewing that on them he did grounde all his hopes to returne into the realme ; but also from the most christian king , and the queene mother : the king by his letters reioiced at their constancie , shewing how much he desired to aide them against those enimies , who sought to suppresse the libertie of the realme of portugall , for the pretention ( those be his verie words ) that his mother might haue to their conseruation ; and therefore he sent vnto them this gentleman with ships and men , giuing them manie other termes of loue . the queene referred them to the kings letters , with assurance neuer to abandon them in their iust warre , referring herselfe , and so likewise did the king , to that which the commander shoulde deliuer vnto them . being arriued and ioined to the rest , and with the portugals of the iland , which in all were neere sixe thousand ; silua supposed that although he had many fortes to keepe , yet shoulde he easilie defend them , and the better , for that the ships which had spoiled cape vert , were returned and brought much artillery with them , the which ioined with that which chattes had brought from fraunce , and so much more which they had before within the iland , both for the guard thereof , and taken in ships , which they had spoiled , amounting in all to three hundreth pieces , whereof many were of iron and very small : but notwithstanding all this , and that the portugals shewed their accustomed ouerweening , yet as men that feared , they left not to conduct their wiues and children to the mountaines , and to hide that which they helde most precious . chattes as a warrior , hauing viewed the seate of the iland , the fortifications , garrisons , victuals , and munition within it , doubted of the defence ; for all seemed sparingly furnished , and the soldiers to be fewer in number , and of lesse experience then the place required ; neither was the iland so rockie and inaccessible as was described : whereupon being retired with emanuel de silua , he desired to knowe whereon he grounded his defence : but he , whether blinded with the tirannie he there vsed , or else with his sinnes , did so augment the number , and extoll the valour of the portugals , that he woulde haue them not onely beleeue they shoulde easilie defend themselues , but that the french were in a manner superfluous . the french man helde not himselfe for all this satisfied , labouring to remedie that which he thought remediable , esteeming still more of the number and valour of the portugals then was conuenient : the fortification seemed vnto him ill directed , for he perswaded them to bring into their chiefe castell all their munition and victuals , that if the spaniards shoulde chaunce to land in any part , their whole forces might retire thither to make resistance , vntill that winter comming , the armie shoulde be forced to retire ; for as much as without this retrait , the enimie setting foote on land , the towne with all other places being vnwalled were lost . silua did contradict these reasons with wordes contrarie to his meaning , saying , that when the soldiers had a second place of retraite , they woulde make a weake resistance at the first , and that the shoare was so fortified as there was no feare that the enimie coulde lande . but in truth he made no account of any of the castels , for three reasons : one for that he wanted victuals to furnish it for any time , and for so manie men : the other for that he woulde not willingly shut himselfe into any , hauing a meaning to flie : and the thirde was , that distrusting the french , hee woulde not trust them with any strong forte , least they shoulde become masters : in this sort the captaines disagreed , whereupon they not onely ceased to treate of this practise , but hauing before resolued to abandon all the other ilands being weake , and hauing no superfluous men to sende thither , they tooke a newe resolution to sende vnto fayale , as most inhabited , fowre hundreth french , vnder the conduct of mounsier de carle , with the which and the inhabitants of the island , hauing a small castell , they hoped to defend themselues . whilest these things passed at the terceres , they had put the catholique kings armie in a readines , the which departed from lisbone the eeue of saint iohn baptist , being in number aboue threescore ships , besides zabres , carauels , and barkes ; for there were twelue galleies , and two galliasses , for the other two came not in time from naples , fiue gallions , and aboue thirtie great ships of diuers nations : there were fewe lesse then ten thousand souldiers , the greatest part castillians , hauing no other nations but a thousand germaines , two companies of italians , and two of portugall aduenturers . the castillians were ledde by their marshall of the field , lopo de figueroa , frauncis de bouadilla , and iohn de sandoal , the germaines by counte ierom of lodron : the italians obeied lucio pignatello : felix of aragon was captaine of the portugals ; and the marques ouer all had charge at sea and lande . this armie although it were not verie great in number , yet we may say the catholique king had neuer so many trained spaniards as in this : for besides that the greatest part had beene in italy , such as had beene in the battaile at sea of the league against the turke , were there , and likewise those that remained at the warres of flaunders . as the fleete went out of the riuer , a shippe striking against a shelfe was made vnfitte to saile , and an other hauing not sailed farre lost her helme , but hauing transported their soldiers into other ships , they went to harbour . this fleete sailing altogither , the swiftest shippe of saile was faine to staie her course for the slowest , and the galleies being of all other swiftest , were constrained to linger for the shippes , but for as much as this was the first time that euer these kinde of vessels with oares had beene within the ocean so farre from land ; the marques wished that they should not lose the occasiō of faire weather , which they had to passe the gulph , fearing , that euery small storme might endomage them ; he therefore desired rather to dismember them from the armie , then to retaine them with peril : for this cause the xxvj . day , vnderstanding the patrons desire to goe before , he suffered them to depart alone towards the iland of s. michael , with order to attende him there , so as sailing more at ease with scant windes , the thirde of iuly they discouered land : and for that the winde woulde not suffer the armie to approch , the marques sent a zabre vnto punta delgada , commanding augustine iniquez , coronel of two thousand spaniards , which had remained there the yere before for the guard of the iland , to shippe all his men within the galleies , which had arriued there before in safetie : he shoulde likewise take with him certaine peeces of batterie , and moiles to vse at lande if neede were , with other prouisions : and therefore setting vp all his sailes , the winde growing somewhat better , he drew neere with his ships to villa franca , and from thence went in a galley to punta delgada , where likewise a part of the armie had cast anchor : hee set all things in order , but the windes growing contrary , he coulde not depart before the xxij . day , when as setting saile hee came the xxiiij . to the terceres . this iland is scituated as is said in the fortith degree of latitude , and three hundreth & forty two of longitude ; it hath fortie miles in circuite , extending it selfe in length from the east vnto the west , so as it is not much aboue twelue miles broad ; & although it be rough for the most part and stony , yet is it in a maner all inhabited towards the south , for the commoditie of the shoares it is more populous then the rest , for comming from the west , you first discouer the citie of angra , a place in a small bosome of the sea , but not greatly secure from the windes , where of it takes the name , for angra in their language is a bosome : ioyning to this citie there is a castell begun in the time of king sebastian , and made defensible for the garde of this porte : sixe miles towards the east , neere vnto a dangerous shoare , which they call the port of mole , is saint sebastian , a place smally inhabited , and three miles farther is that of piaggia , so called being the best landing place of all others . this place is neere vnto punta de la serra , which is the last promontorie towards the east , behinde the which turning to the north , is another place which they call agua alua , sixe miles from that of piaggia . this coast towards the north , although it be as we haue saide , inhabited ; yet doth it not containe any places of woorth , being replenished onely with peasants houses ; neere to the point of the west there is a small assembly of inhabitants , which they call the altari . the marques being arriued at this iland , he discouered within that small bosome of sea of the citie of angra , those ships which had brought the succours , and some others assembled for spoile , with some merchants . he cast anchor at saint sebastian , beginning visiblie to finde , that the iland was no lesse fortified then had beene described vnto them . the fleete lay onely a cannon shot from land , so as there was many a shotte spent at them in vaine from the forts , not suffering his men to discharge one volley ( it may be ) for that it seemed vnto him a vaine diligence , or rather as he saide , the better to iustifie his kings cause . hee commaunded fower galleies to lie before the towne , to serue as a bridle for those ships , and to keepe them from comming foorth , the which was helde too much ouerweening , some holding opinion that he should in dissembling giue them meanes to depart , rather then to force them to dispaire : hee sodainly sent a trumpet to lande , offering to all such as were in the iland a generall pardon in his maiesties behalfe , if they woulde yeeld , but approching to land , he was vnkindly kept backe by their artillerie : the pardon concerned the succession of the king to the crowne , the disobedience of the iland , and the clemencie of his maiestie , he offred vnto all such as were naturall borne , their liues and goods , if they woulde yeelde obedience , and to strangers , ships to transport them into their countries , with their goods , armes and ensignes : but being not able to publish it by this meanes , he sent two portugals secretly to land , who deliuered a copie thereof to emanuel de silua ; but making no account thereof , hee concealed it , least others should see it , supposing ( it may be ) that it was nowe too late to vse it , and therefore hee not onely refused to accept of this pardon , but also threatned to hange them that brought it , if they discouered the cause of their comming , least the ilanders should likewise embrace it . the armie spent all the xxiiij . day and the next following in discouering the circuit of the iland , with the places and fortifications , in consulting where to land most fitly , and what course to hold : the marques himselfe , the marshals of the fielde , with other of the chiefe commaunders in a small barke ran alongst the shoare , they found they had fortified more carefully then elsewhere , in the citie of angra , and piaggia , as places most fit for landing , and it seemed that the french did watch there with greater care then in other parts : some portugals of this iland , who going to discouer had beene taken prisoners by them of saint michaell , and now brought vnto the armie , saide , there was no fitter place to land then at the port of mole , neere saint sebastian ; but whether they spake it to deceiue the castillians , the place being more rough then it seemed , or that they deliuered their opinion faithfully , the marques had still his eie vpon that part ; for finding it rather lesse fortified then the rest , although the shoare were not so commodious there as in other places , enclining rather to fight against the difficulties of nature , then rampiers made by arte , he resolued with the aduise of the greatest part to bring his armie thither vpon saint annes day in the morning , being the sixe and twentith of the saide moneth , happily by reason of the victorie the yeere before , sending in the meane time his galleies and other small barks by night & by day to keepe the enimies in allarum at diuers places , but most of all at piaggia thereby to disquiet them , and to draw them thither . in the meane time within the iland , both mounsieur de chattes , and emanuel de sylua , laboured to deuide the souldiers and munition into their seuerall places , appointing the greatest force at piaggia , supposing the marques would lande there as most conuenient . sylua although in show he seemed conceited of his forces , yet had he prouided a great barke readie within the port , and some boates at altary , to flie if he found it needfull : chattes was not yet satisfied , for although he had men sufficient to kepe a great towne , yet hee held them few , for the defence of an iland with thirtie forts ; the one so farre from the other , as the first could not succour the last , nor yet that in the middest as well for the distance of the way , as also for the discommoditie and roughnes of their situation : he thought it conuenient to haue a squadron of men so placed , as vpon any accident he might succour where need required , the which could not be effected ; for there were so many forts and trenches to guarde , that hauing diuided his souldiers but sparingly , there remained none , but rather wanted : he found also , that hauing sufficient for that purpose , he had no conuenient place to lodge them , and to succour any place distressed ; for that placing himselfe in the middest , hee were too farre from all quarters , and approching to any fort , it were impossible to succour the rest . to prouide for those defects , according to that which was possible , they set certaine bels vpon the hils , that the sound thereof might be a signe of succour , and such as were not charged in their fortes , and trenches shoulde repaire thither . the marques hauing now chosen out of his armie . of his best foote , amongst which was a good number of the germanes , the italians , and the companie of portugals , the regiment of lopo de figueroa and augustin inighez , the night before the sixe and twentith day he imbarqued them vpon his galleies , and in many other small barkes , being the greatest calme that was euer , and hauing giuen the allarum in many other places with greater vehemencie then before , he went towards port mole giuing order that soone after the whole armie should follow : he arriued there at the point of day , not being in a manner discouered by the ilanders , for that the darkenes of the night had couered them , where he found they had three forts with their trenches and artillerie , but ill furnished with soldiers : as the galleies approched , they often discharged all their artillerie against the defences , to the ende that at the same instant , the souldiers might more safely land , the which caused more terror then hurt , although they dismounted one piece of artillerie , which the enemy had often discharged : and although they shot often from the forts , and that the place was naturally vneasie and full of rocks , where their discent was broken ; yet these nations one in enuie of another contemning all perill lept to lande , and he that could not easily attaine thereunto , cast himselfe willingly into the sea for more haste , although the ground vpon the shore were soft , and those fewe portugals which were there were not the last , but in the point shewing greatest courage . there was within the forte ( whither these men marched ) three ensignes of souldiers , whereof two were portugals , and one french , which made in all but two hundred men , against whom all these souldiers marched , running furiously without order to the assault , for that the seat and the neernes of the enemy , gaue them neither place nor time to put themselues in order . the french resisted valiantly , but for that they were fewe preuailed little : in the beginning they slew a captaine and an ensigne bearer of them without , with fiue and twentie or thirtie other souldiers ; but some within being wounded , the captaine of the french slaine , one of the cōpanies of portugals left the defence , where they had a litle , but fearfully , fought . the other company which remained made some more resistance , but hearing the bels ring , & no succors come , seeing also some of their friēds dying , they abandoned the trench , so as the french remaining all alone , some of them being already dead , they were not able to make resistance against so many assailants ; so as in lesse then an hower , the marques men were masters of those forts & trēches with small losse . the newes of this assault being bruted throughout the iland , the french , the greatest part whereof remained towards piaggia , hearing the sounde of the bels , and viewing the signes of fire , ranne to the succour , and were followed by emanuel de silua with many portugals : but the way was so long and vneasie , hauing fower or fiue miles to march , that they were not come halfe way , before the enimies were masters of the fortes and trenches , so as hauing made a stande vpon a little hill neere vnto saint sebastian , they put themselues in order to march against the castillians . but on the other side the rest of the armie during this assault landed , & being mounted to a small hill , they framed a confused squadron of all nations togither , for the more dispatch , and to be readie against the succours that came , but there was small need ; for the french and portugals would not approch , and such as had abandoned the trenches , turned not vntill they were ioined to the rest : so as the marques hauing more respite then he expected , changed his esquadron into a new forme , deuiding euery nation , and hauing marched a little forward , they began the skirmish on both sides with great courage ; and fortune after her accustomed manner did long plaie her part : for although the french were so fewe in number , yet they did twise recouer from the spaniards , their first rampiers , & at the third time they came to the second : but the marques finding that the want of pikes was cause of this disorder , hauing placed some germaines , and encreased his strength against the french , they did better withstande their furie , the which notwithstanding continued not long , for being noone before that emanuel de silua had made prouision of victuals , they were so wearied with the watches of the last night , with the way they had marched , and with fasting , that they coulde not continue ; yet the skirmish lasted , sometimes with more vehemencie , sometimes with lesse , vntill night . neere vnto them the portugals had gathered together aboue a thousand oxen , thinking to force them against the enimie , to breake them , and to make proofe of that which they had tried two yeeres past , against peter de baldes his men : but chattes did not allowe of this stratageme , holding it for a refreshing to the enimie without any profite ; for it was not likely that that which had casually chaunced against sixe hundreth men , woulde succeed in the like sort against twelue thousand , whereupon they sent them backe . as the marques had viewed this troupe of beasts , hauing reinforced the point of his armie with germaine pikes , commaunding them , that if they came , they shoulde quietly suffer them to come on ; so passed this day , the french not ceasing to disquiet the enimie with certaine peeces of artillerie , they had planted vpon those hils : then did emanuel de silua resolue to flie , the which hee coulde not easily effect , for that euerie man kept a watch ouer him , and therefore hee caused a false brute to be spredde abroad , that he had threescore saile of french ships at sea which came to their succour ; and seeming that he would sende to meete with them , he caused the prepared barke to goe out of the port , that it might attend him at altary ; but when they came at the mouth , the artillerie from the fortes woulde not suffer them to passe , either ignorant of their intention , or for that the authoritie of silua began now to decline , so as returning backe , the flight of emanuel was preuented . during this time , the spaniards were distressed for water , beeing forced vntill then to furnish themselues from their armie , whereof the french had great store , and therefore the marques consulted that night to amend ( if it were possible , the next morning ) the seate of their lodging , the which was helde somewhat difficult ; but for as much as both good fortune and badde hath no limits , he found lesse difficultie then he expected ; for the same night the greatest part of the portugals vnder emanuel de silua , terrified with the skirmi& ; sh of the day , the number of the enimies seeming too great , hauing abandoned the french , retired themselues confusedly to the mountaine , although woorthie of admiration ; for being the very same obstinate rebels which esteemed themselues so great warriors , as they would neuer heare motion of accord , peace , nor pardon , it seemed strange that now , when as ( laying a side words ) they needed effects , they departed so shamefully , and changed their mindes so sodainely ; for in their flight they saide , that this ilande appertained to the catholique king , and that it was reason to yeeld it vnto him : but wee ought not to value the constancie of the peoples harts , nor their valour . the generall of the french , seeing the portugals departure , and that emanuel de silua ( who had so highly commended their valour ) stoode in a traunce , he resolued to saue himselfe with his men ; the day drawing neere , he beganne likewise to retire to the mountaine of our lady of guadalupa , with hope that silua had giuen him , that there in a certaine place of strength , he should be able so long to defend himselfe , that the kings armie ( winter drawing on ) shoulde be forced to retire , and that afterwards if they coulde not recouer what they had lost , they shoulde haue an easie meanes to returne into fraunce , but for that the quitting of their lodging was not verie safe , fearing least the marques standing vpon his guarde , shoulde charge them , he caused as many of his soldiers as he could spare , to march before , leauing some behinde to maintaine skirmish with the spaniards , and to entertaine them a little if they approched . but the marques hauing soone discouered the enimies departure , aduanced with his whole armie , putting those few that remained to flight , he recouered the water , and saint sebastian with some peeces of artillery , where the soldiers hauing refreshed themselues , and all the french departed , he tooke his way towards the citie of angra , distant about tenne miles , finding no let in his march , for that the enimie fearefully had taken a contrarie course . this citie being nothing fortified to the lande lay open , and therefore was abandoned , not onely of the soldiers , but also of the inhabitants themselues , who fledde as well out of the castell as the towne . the armie arriued there after great labour , for the season being verie hot , the countrie drie , not finding vpon their march one droppe of water , the soldiers endured much , and some of them ( especially of the germaines died for thirst . being arriued , the spoile of the citie continued three daies , although the houses were for the most part emptie , so as the greatest number of men that were founde there , were prisoners , whom they set at libertie : by meanes of their entrie into the citie , all the other fortes were taken , for being onely made against the landing , they were towards the lande open and indefensible : as the armie marched against the towne , so did the galleies in like sort , against those ships that lay in the harbour , & drawing neere vnto them , they woulde haue forced them to obey with their artillerie , but they shot in vaine ; for being abandoned by such as were left in them , there was not any man left to make answere , which the galleies discouering , they boorded and spoiled them . the bootie both at land and sea , was not verie great , for besides the artillerie they found not any thing of great importance . the slaues which were in number aboue fifteene hundred was the greatest recompence they got : the citie being spoiled and other places thereabouts , the marques desired that the inhabitants should returne to their houses ; for although the souldiers which were retired into some place of the mountaines , had carried with them some prisoners both men and women , the which after they deliuered freely , yet the greatest part returned not ; and therefore he caused a generall proclamation to bee made , that euerie man ( some excepted ) should freely returne vnto his house ; but the portugals beeing distrustfull they were few that came at that time , although after by little and little they grew more confident . things being reduced into this estate , although the french remained still in the mountaine , the marques thought it fit to send vnto other ilands to force them to obedience , especially to fayale where there remained a garrison : for this consideration hauing imbarqued in his galleies and some other small vessels . foote drawen out of all nations , hee sent them to the said iland , vnder the conduct of peter de toledo . whilest these went vnto that other enterprise , the french remaining in the iland of tercerae , although they had somewhat fortified themselues in the mountaine , being ill prouided of victuals and munition , & woorse succoured by the portugals , resolued with the most honourable conditions they could to make their composition with the marques : mounsieuer de chattes remembred that he had knowen beeing in malta , peter de padiglia a gentleman that came with the marques an expert marshall of the spanish campe , to whom ( remembring their familiaritie ) he did write his minde , demanding free passage not only for himselfe and his troupes , baggage , armes , artillerie , and ensignes ; but also would haue passage graunted for all portugals that would imbarke with him . this letter in some sort pleased the marques , being in hope to come to agreement & to remaine an absolute cōquerour without effusion of more bloud , before the sea shoulde grow more rough : but this demaund seemed vnto him vnreasonable , refusing to heare talke of any portugals to be transported into fraūce . amongst the principal of the armie there were diuers opinions what should be done : some would presently haue marched against the french men to winne time , & charge them without any further accord or condition what soeuer : others discoursed with greater iudgemēt , saying , that it was conuenient to make an agreement with the french , both for the shortnes of the time they coulde staie there , as for the difficultie they shoulde finde to goe vnto them ; for they made an account to spende fiue daies in that enterprise , two in their march , one at the least in conquering , and two in retiring , and that they had no commoditie in the armie to carrie victuals by land for aboue two daies , wanting waggons , bottles , and such other necessaries : but these difficulties were surmou ▪ nted by the courage of the soldiers , who growen proud , could not endure that so small a handful of french , being so neere , shoulde make shewe to defende themselues against so great a number of old soldiers and conquerors , whereupon they did offer to endure all discommodities to go vnto them : and although he were not resolued to do so , yet this brauado caused the enimies to haue straighter conditions , then otherwise possibly they had had , the which after long treatie was thus concluded . that the french shoulde deliuer vp their armes and ensignes , retaining onely their swordes , that they shoulde bee lodged in a quarter of the towne : that they shoulde giue them shippes and victuals to returne into fraunce : the accorde was no sooner made , but it was put in execution , for the thirde of august the french came from the mountaine , and without the citie deliuered vp their armes with eighteene ensignes , their drums ; and phifes , as it had beene agreed , and entred disarmed into the citie , passing thorough the marquesses troupes which were armed and in guard , where the commaunder chattes with the lorde of carrauaca marshall of the field , and other principall officers did visite the marques , by whom they were kindly enterteined . in this time the galleies and other vessels were arriued at faiall with the men that peter de toledo carried , and passing with them gonçalo perera a portugall , who had wife and children in this iland , the saide peter thought it good to send him before as a trumpet , to entreat the people to yeeld , supposing that being of that conntrey , he shoulde haue credite amongst them , to let them vnderstand the kings forces , and the dangers that approched , to the ende they might the more easilie yeelde obedience : but anthony guedez de sosa , who was captaine of this iland , neither respecting the messenger , nor the reasons which he deliuered , nor yet regarding the example of his stronger neighbors , hauing outraged him , both in worde and deed , in the ende he slewe him , as if in giuing him this notice he had touched him in his honour . peter de toledo seeing the messenger not returne , surmising what had hapned , resolued to disimbarke his men , and finding the iland not so rockie , and lesse fortified then the terceres , the second of august he landed his men almost without resistance , and marching against the towne , he was encountred by fower hundreth french , and many portugals , where the skirmish began , the which encreasing , the french and portugals were faine to retire into a small castel , whereinto they had drawen the greatest parte of their artillerie and munition , where after they yeelded in the same manner as those at the terceres had done , and sosa suffered the punishment of his inhumanitie , being hanged by one arme after his hands were cut off . it is strange to see the confidence of these men , the which ( nothing terrified by examples ) did induce them to cruell excesse , and yet did not force them to fight it out vnto death : but the portugals vnexperienced , do not account of dangers they see not , and when they see them , they feare them more then they are to bee feared . there was no more to be done in this iland ; so as hauing spoiled it , leauing anthony of portugall for gouernour , with two hundreth soldiers , peter de toledo returned with his galleies and other ships to the terceres , where the rest of the ilands of saint george , pico , and gratiosa came to yeeld their obedience . the marques hauing agreed with the french , caused a diligent search to be made for emanuel de silua , who intituled himselfe counte of torres vedras , gouernour and generall of the ilands , but being retired to altary , and finding that such as had the charge of certaine boates , in whom fortune had more force then loialtie , had broken them against the rockes , hee founde all hope vaine for his safetie , hauing no meanes to free himselfe by the french composition , being attired in a base habite hee hidde himselfe in the mountaines . but it seemed the heauens had decreed , he should suffer punishment for his offences , by the hands of his enimies , for that a moorish slaue , who hoped by that meanes to saue himselfe , discouered him to a prouost marshall , who seeing him before his eies , knewe not what he was ; so as hauing taken and brought him to the citie , he was kept with some other of the principall rebels and seditious , vntill the processe of their death were made , by the auditour , in the name of the king and the marques , as generall of the armie , specifying all their faults that were executed vpon the prisoners . the germaines first put themselues in battaile in the chiefest part of angra , keeping the entrie of euery streete , and there causing a fire to be made , they did burne all the money they founde to be stamped with the coine of anthony , the which although it was not little in quantitie , yet was it nothing woorth , being for the most part of base mettall , with small mixture of siluer : after they cutte off emanuel de silua his head with a sworde , after the germaine fashion , to the generall griefe of all the assistants : for being of a louely countenance , and hauing in this last houre with great resolution confessed himselfe culpable , and to haue deserued this punishment ; hee demaunded pardon of one after another , of all such as present or absent he thought to haue wronged , saying , that he alone had bin the cause of the miserie of this iland , & that he alone ought to suffer the punishment ; the which ioined to the contrition he shewed , did mooue the harts euen of his enimies : and in truth we may well saie that he framed himselfe to the speech of dionysius the tyrant , that to leaue a tyrannie they must not ride poast , but staie vntill they be forced , for in truth he attended vntill hee lost his head . his head was set vp publikely in that place , from the which that of melchior alphonso was taken , whom a little before he had put to death , for being affectionate to the catholique king : and it was obserued , that being required by the kinsemen of the dead , to take it from thence , he made answere it shoulde be remooued when his stood in the place , which he ment shoulde be neuer ; thus do men sodainly foretell their owne miseries . emanuel sarradas , who as we haue said spoiled the ilands of cape vert , and amador vieira ( who with the title of embassador to his maiestie , had betraied such as trusted in him , did likewise lose their heads . they did hang many , and many ( especially of the french ) taken prisoners before the capitulation , were sent to the galleies : the marques was commaunded to dispatch with all speede , and to goe with his armie to cales , and some saide the king woulde turne his forces against affrick , and sease vpon alarache , and possiblie attempt the like vpon algier , being fitter to vndertake those enterprises in autumne then in any other season of the yeere : and therefore hauing left iohn de vrbina with two thousand spanish foote for the guard of the ilands , he failed with the fleete and the rest of the soldiers towards the porte of andolouzia : and in the meane time both in castill , and in portugall , they made greatioy for this victorie , with publike feasts , but not so great as was the griefe of anthony his followers , whereof many ( hoping that the strength of this ilande should yet be a subiect for anthony to returne into the realme ) were discouraged , so as there remained no grounde , whereon to settle their hopes , although many expected that anthony suruiuing philip , the estate of things might so change , as they might yet attaine the accomplishment of their desires . finis . a table of the especiall matters contained in this historie . a abdala , sonne to the cheriffe , pag aduise of iohn de silua touching the voyage of africke aldana sent by philip to discouer the fortresses of africke . arriues there at the portugall campe . is slaine aide demaunded by the portugalles from the french king alarum at lisbone ambassage from henrie to the catholike king ambassadors chosen to goe to rome touching henries marriage ambassadours for the gouernours to philip and their negotiation ambrose d' aguiar sent by philip to the terceres . he dies anthony prior of crato taken by the moores pretends to the crowne of portugall . his grounds for his pretention . his letters to king henrie . declared illegitimate . his course to obtaine the crowne . his letters to the estates at almerin . his arriuall there . proclaimed king at s. arem . comes to lisbone and is proclaimed there . receiued at settuuall vnder a cloath of estate . receiued into lisbone with ioy . prepares to defend the realme . importuned by poore women to succour settuuall . his counsell and resolution . his feare . his counsels ill grounded . he offreth to compound . he marcheth towards cascaies . he marcheth towards belem with his men confusedly . he retires to alcantara . his letters to king philip . he prepares against the duke . he flies towards lisbon . is ouerthrowne and hurt . he gathered new forces at coimbra . his speech to his souldiers . he flies to viana . he saues himselfe ouer the riuer of minio . his good fortune . he arriues at cales . his care to haue the indian fleete . his voyage to the terceres . his carriage after the sea fight his departure for fraunce angra giuen to be spoiled three daies pag. anthonic guedez de soza hanged by the arme and wherefore anthony scalin a frenchman receiued into angra vnder a canapie apparition of a comet armie parts from fraunce with . ships and . men armie of spaniards part with . men . they arriue at saint michaels . defeat the french arriuall of fower ships from the indies auero taken by anthonie . and recouered by auila b battell betwixt the portugals and moores pag. . famous by the death of three kings baldes his attempt vpon the terceres . his soldiers ouerthrowē there with oxen . his ouerthrow preiudiciall to the kings seruice . imprisoned in portugall bezars stone excellent against the plague beginning of the fight at sea bishop of guarda seconds anthonie pag brisac flies from the battell c cabessa secca fortified and abandoned calender reformed cardinall riario sent legate into spaine cardinall of austria made gouernor of portugall . cascaies & saint iulian yeeld to anthonie cascaies with the castle taken and spoyled by the spaniards catarre most contagious castillians discourse of the affaires of portugall christopher de mora sent into portugall in the place of iohn de silua chattes sent to succour the terceres . he and silua discourse vpon the strength of the iland . he visits the marquesse conditions of their accord ibid. charles borgia duke of gandia succeedes the duke of alua catherine dutchesse of bragance visites king henrie ciprian de figueredo gouernour of the terceres put from his charge pag. clause in king henries will conditious offred by philip to the portugals if they would quietly yeeld the realme confusion of the affaires in portugall . confusion in lisbone coimbra yeelded conclusion of the estates at almerin conte of vimioso seconds the king of portugals wil . he is wounded to the death counsell touching the ambassage that king philip sent to henrie counsell of the kings chamber counsell of estate in portugall reduced to two crueltie at the terceres d decree made by the gouernors for philip against anthonie pag. demaunds of the estates at tomat pag. description of lisbon deputies of portalegre their speech pag. deputies of the realme demaund of henrie to be admitted to the election . their answere to martin gonsalues description of portugall description of the reuenues of portugall description of molucs armie diego de meneses beheaded discontentments of the people of lisbon discourse touching the precedence of philip and henrie disorders at lisbon duke of auero and aldana slaine dutchesse of bragance pretends to the crowne of portugall . her grounds duke of sauoy pretends . his reasons for it duke of parma pretends for his sonne rainuctus . his reasons duke of ossuna sent to henrie . his proceedings in portugall duke of barcellos detained cunningly by the duke of medina sidonia pag duke of alua imprisoned and the cause . made generall against the portugals . he arriues at the armie and the number thereof . the estate of his armie . passeth his armie at cascaies . lands there , and the disposition thereof . marcheth against the rocke of saint iulian . his answere to anthonie . his speech to his souldiers . the order of his armie , ibid. blamed for slacknes . his prayses . blamed , and his excuses . his souldiers complaine . his death , with his prayse and dispraise e edward de castro beheaded by anthonie eluas taken emanuel de silua staies at the terceres . his carriage there . his flight hindred . taken and executed with others empresse marie comes to lisbone estates at almerin . begon by the bishop of leiria estate of fraunce and flaunders euora yeelded f factions in oliuenza feare in the citie of lisbone flight of teglio figueroa arriues at the terceres , and returnes to lisbone fonsequa his speech for the creation of anthonie fortresse of settuuall yeelded francis de tauora slaine in the battaile pag. francis de melo earle of tentuguell writes to king sebastian francis barretto sent by the portugals to the french king for succors francis de valois duke of alanson enimy to king philip ▪ and why . sworne duke of brabant . seeks to be master of antwerpe , but in vaine francis de villafagna , auditor of the councell of state , sent to lisbone by king philip french armie arriues at s. michaels . their first encounter . they disagree . they are beheaded and hanged . displeased with their ouerthrowe . they spoile the ilands of cape vert . they compound with the spaniards at the terceres . sent to the gallies g gallies arriue at the terceres in safetie generals ship of the french taken by the spaniards george de meneses generall at sea , imprisoned by anthonies command pag. gouernors of portugal published . they prepare for defence . their inconstancie . they neglect the defence of lisbone . they flie from settuuall . their decree h hamet proclaimed by the moores . his couetousnes henry cardinall called to the crowne of portugal . sworne king . his resolution comming to the crowne . he fauors the dutchesse of bragance . he desires to marrie . his sentence against the prior touching his legitimation . he changeth his minde in fauour of philip , . he falleth sicke and dies . his life henry pereira hanged hopes of the french armie at sea with strozzi hope of the spanish court touching their armie at sea i iean de betancour affected to philip pag. ieron mendoza treats with anthonie iesuits called apostles in portugall , not able to redresse the corruptions of the portugals . blamed as moters of sebastians voiage into africke ii. walled vp at the terceres iohn de silua ambassadour for philip in portugall , deliuered and returns out of africke . he labours to be sent backe into portugall iohn d'austria gouernoūr of flaunders for king philip iohn d'azeuedo admirall of portugall taken prisoner by the castillians iland of the terceres described iland of saint michael described inhabitants of fayall kill a trumpetter that was sent vnto them . are taken irishmen demaund succours of the pope against their prince l lawes made betweene mahumet cheriffe , and hamet his brother touching the succession of the realme legate visites the king leon henriquez confessor to henrie supposed to haue drawne him to fauour philips title letters and a present from the duke of alua to king sebastian lewes dataide cont of toghia sent viceroie to the indies by sebastian . obeies king philip lisbone chiefe citie of portugall yeeldes to the duke of alua sweares obedience to philip lucciali comes to algier with seuenty gallies m magistrate of lisbone perswades anthony to compound . mahamet sonne to abdala kils his vncle . is expelled by his vncle moluc , and seekes for succour of philip and sebastian . disswades sebastian to go in person into africk . despeares of the victory . disswades the battaile . is drowned in mucazen . his skinne fleied off manner of the enterprise of portugal pag. marques of saint cruz arriues at settuuall with an armie by sea . he imbarkes for the terceres . he resolues to fight with the french , and the order of his battaile . he defeats them and giueth sentence against the prisoners ▪ he landeth some men at the terceres his skirmish with the french . taketh s. sebastian . sends to faiall martin gonsalues sent to the deputies of the realme messenger sent to cardinall henrie from king philip meneses blamed and his excuses mulei moluc prepares against the portugals . his meanes to defeat them . his aduise to the king of portugal . his speech to his brother . his armie . the ordering thereof . his oration to his soldiers . his feare and death mutinie at coimbra n names of the chiefe men slaine in the bataile of africke number of the christians & moores slaine in the battaile ibid. number slaine in the battaile at alcantara number slaine in the battaile at sea pag. o offer made by moluc to the kings of spaine and portugall oliuenza yeelded to the catholique king opinions touching the passage of the riuer of tagus order of the portugals and moores armie , originall of the hatred betwixt the portugals and castillians p parleament at tomar peiyoxto sent to saint michaels fought with by french ships peter d'alcasoua sent ambassadour to philip punished by henry and the cause peter de medici generall of the italians peter dora consul of the french sent into fraunce for anthonie ▪ he remaines there with the money he receiued peter de toledo landes at faiall and spoiles it philip king of spaine meetes with sebastian at guadalupa ▪ perswades him to accept of molucs offer . labors to diuert sebastian from africke . accepts peace & sebastians bodie . claimes the crowne of portugal . writes to the city of lisbone . sendes a iacobin into portugall . erects a councell for the affaires of portugal . his reasōs against the other pretēdents his reasons for his pretētion . he giueth henry notice of his right . he prepares to war against the portugals . his care to assure his conscience for the realme of portugall . his answere to the portugals . he takes possession of the realme . his armie is wasted . his letters to the inhabitants of eluas . his letters to anthonie . proclaimed at oliuenza . his answer to the duke of bragance . his pardon to the portugals . he falleth sick . he enters into portugall by eluas . he visits the dutchesse of bragance . sworne king at toruas with the prince diego . his entrie into lisbone . his recompence to the portugals . he prepares against the terceres . he armes in all places , and the cause thereof . his order in preparing . he departs from portugall . his armie departs from lisbone . arriues at the terceres and their proceeding ▪ plague in portugall places fortified by the portugals portugals conquests at the indies . they prepare for the warre of africke . their armie landes in africke and their proceedings . the qualitie of their armie . their conceite to fight . the order of their battaile . their aduantage of the moores . their armie at sea returnes to lisbone . their sorrow . their ceremonie in bewailing their king dead . they pretend election of their king . their demands . their reasons for the election . they complaine of king henrie . their discourse vpon the estate of the realme . they answere the castillians . they disagree with them . they are discontented . they abandon the french . their ships are spoiled pope pretends election pope gregorie the xiij . his offer to the catholike king . he fauours anthonie his offer against england . seemes content with the successe of portugall porto yeelded preparations at the terceres preparations of the french for the tercer●● prince of orange wounded by a biscaine pretendants to the crowne of portugall and their descent . cited to declare their reasons prosper colonna , colonell of the italians . he passeth the bridge defended by the portugals q qveene mother of france pretends to the crowne of portugal . her reasons for it ●● shee is discontented with philip , and the cause question whether the catholic king should goe in person with his armie queene anne died r reason of the portugals by way of discourse touching their future king reasons and grounds of king philip to the realme of portugal . examined by diuines regencie of the gouernours religious men diuided into factions . they holde militarie charges . and keepe the keies of lisbon pag. resolution of gonsalues charge s saint arem yeeldes obedience pag. sanches d' auila marshall generall of the spanish camp . he is sent against anthonie . he passeth the riuer of doro at auintes his speech to his soldiers , ibid. his stratageme to passe the riuer . hee dies sebastian king of portugal his life . his first voyage into africke . his enteruiew with philip at guadalupe . hee is perswaded to make war in africke by mahamet ibid. lands his armie at arzille . hee fights valiantly and is vanquished . he is slaine by the moores and carried to molucs tent . his funerals at madril . his obsequies with the princes of portugall settuuall taken summarie of an oration made at the assembly of estates sosa deputie of lisbon his answere pag. spaniards discourse vpon the cardinals legation spanish souldiers discontented with the sentence giuen against the french prisoners . they intreat for them ibid. spaniards discourse vpon the enterprise of the terceres stratagem with oxen diuised by a religious man stremos taken strozzi slaine suburbes of lisbon spoiled t terceres . the description thereof the resolution of the inhabitants . their confusion testament of king henrie thomas stukley an englishman with . italians serues king sebastian pag. tower of belem yeelded tower of settuuall taken treatie of accord betwixt king philip and anthonie by the meanes of carcamo a castillian v valour of the italians and spaniards valour of king sebastian viana taken villauisosa surprised vniuersitie of coimbra w women at lisbon arme like souldiers finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e the description of lisbone . the portugals conquests . * of good hope . * of good hope . the life of king sebastian . sebastians first voyage into affrick . sebastians enteruiew with phillip at guadalupa . preparation for the war of affrick . preparation for the second voyage of affricke , the second voyage of sebastian with his armie into affricke . notes for div a -e the arriuing of the portugall armie in affrick and their proceedings . a light skirmish of the moores against the portugals . the meanes of moluc to defeat the portugals . the counsell and resolution of the portugals to enter into the maine land of affricke . the counts of vimioso seconded the des gnes of the king of portugall . the aduise of lewis de silua concerning this voyage . the counsell of mulei mahamet to the king of portugall . the armie of the portugals and their quality the arriuall of aldana in the portugall campe . letters and a present from the duke of alua to the king of portugall . molucs speech to his brother . the qualitie of molucs armie . the conceit of the portugall to fight . the order of the portugals armie . the disposition of molucs armie . molucs oration to his armie . the beginning of the battell . the portugals haue the aduantage of the moores . molucs feare . molucs death . the arabians spoile their friends frauncis de tauora slain in the battaile . the death of the duke of auero , and of aldana , and the imprisonment of the prior. the king of portugall fights valiantly , but is vanquished . the king slaine by the moores , and carried to molucs tent . mulei mahamet drowned . hamet proclaimed king of the moores . a battaile famous by the death of three kings . the names of the chiefe slaine in the battaile . the couetousnes of hamet . the portugals armie at sea returnes to lisbone . a message sent to the cardinall henrie by the catholique king . an embasage from hamet to the catholique king . the portugals sorrow . cardinall henrie swerne king of portugal . the ceremonie of the portugals in bewailing their king dead . the ceremonie of the portugals in swearing their king. notes for div a -e the descent of the pretendants to the crowne of portugall . * of fower crownes . the pretendents to the crowne of portugall . the king of spaine . the duke of bragance . the prince of parma . anthonie prior of crato . the duke of sauoy . the people of portugall . the queene mother of fraunce . the pope pretends the election . the deliberations of king henry at his comming to the crowne . peter d' alcasoua in disgrace with king henry . sebastians obsequies at madrill . the discord that fell out for that one said philip did preceade henrie . the demands of the people of portugall . councell vpon the embassage the king sent to henry . the duke of ossuna sent to henrie . the imprisonment of the duke of alua , and the cause . philips letters to the citie of lisbone . the deliuerance and returne of iohn de silna , embassador for philip in portugall . the duke of ossuna arriues in portugall , and his proceedings . king henry inclined to the pretence of the duches of bragance . the states of portugall at lisbone . a summarie of the oration made at the assemblie of the estates . an embassador chosen to goe to rome , to obtaine dispensation for henrie to marrie . the nomination of . gouernors , & of the iudges of the succession . the oath to obey the elected gouernours . the discontentments of the people of lisbone . henrie desired to marrie . the catholique king sends a lacobin into portugall . the predendents to the crowne of portugall , cited to declare their reasons . philip frames a counsell of the affaires of portugal . iohn de silua solicites to be sent backe into portugall . christopher de mora called againe , and sent ambassadour into portugall in steede of iohn de silua . the grounds of the prior. of the duke of sauoy . of the duke of parma . of the dutchesse of braganca . of the catholike king. the ground of the people . the queen mother of fraunce . the peoples complaint against king henrie . the letters of the prior to henrie . the sentence of king henry against the prior touching his legitimation . the reasons of the catholique king against the pretendents . against the prior. against the duke of sauoy . against the duke of parma . against the dutchesse of bragance . against the people . against the queene mother of fraunce . philip sendeth to signifie his right to henry . philip prepares for warre against the portugals . the suspension of henries briefe . the priors letters to henry con cerning his rigor . henries second sentence against the prior. henrie changeth his opinion to the benefit of philip touching the succession . the offers of pope gregory . to the catholike king. a publication of the gouernors of portugall . notes for div a -e the discourse of the portugals vpon the state of the realme . the castillians discourse touching the affaires of portugall . the portugals answere to the castillians discourse . the plague in portugall , and the proceedings . bezar stone excellent against the plague . the states of almerin . henry changeth the deputies of lisbone , and the cause . the opening of the estates at almerin by the bishop of leiria . the answere of sosa deputie of lisbne . a mutinie at coimbra . the speech of moniz deputie of lisbone . the deputies of the realme sent to henrie to be admitted to the election of the king with the answere . king henry sicke . the death of king henry . the life of henry the regencie of the gouernors . martin gonsalues sent to the deputies of the realme . the deputies aunswere to martin . the resolution of gonzalues , ambassage . anthonies course to obtaine the crowne . anthony his letters to the states of almerin . the states answere to anthony , and his arriuall . the clause of king henries testament . the speach of the deputie of portalegre . the states send to the gouernors . the duke of barcellos detained by the duke of medina sidonia . the diligence of the catholique king to assure his conscience for the realm of portugall . the catholique kings preparatiues against portugall . the duke of alua chosen generall of the army into portugall . the catholique kings letters to the duke of alua. the catholique king goes towards portugall . the duke of alua ariues at his army . the nombers of the dukes army . the comming of the ambassadors from the gouernors to the catholique king , and their negotiation . the conclusion of the states at almeryn . the gouernors prepare for defence . the manner of the enterprise of portugall . the state of the duke of alua his armie . the conditions that the catholique king offred if they would deliuer the realme quietly . notes for div a -e the gouernors sollicite their defence . the drie head , fortified . a confusion of the affaires of portugall , and the gouernours . the disorder of the religious of belem . doctor fernand de pina slaine . the answer of the catholique king to the portugals . the gouernours inconstancie . the diligence of the catholique king vpon his entrie by force into portugall , made by the diuines of alcala . the catholique king takes possession of portugall . a question whether the catholique king should go with the armie in person . the kings army wasted . confusion in portugall . the taking of eluas . the kings letters to them of eluas . the reduction of oliuenza . the catholique king his letter vnto anthonie . anthonie proclaimed king of portugall . two contrarie factions in oliuenza . the catholique king sworne at oliuenza . the gouernors neglect the defence of lisbone . anthonie arriues at lisbone , and proclaimed king. the speech of fonsequa for the creation of anthonie . the flight of teglio . the flight of the gouernors . anthonie arriued at settuual . cascayes & s. iulian yeelde to anthonie . the duke of bragance sendes to philip. the catholique kings answere to the duke of bragance . the taking of villauisosa . reasons why the king should not goe in person . the kings army entred into portugall . the taking of stremos . euora yeelded . the taking of mount maior ▪ anthony his entrie into lisbone . the decree of the gouernors . anthonies preparation for the defence of the kingdome . disorders at lisbone . notes for div a -e the taking of settuual . the arriuall of the marques of saint crux , with the armie by sea . the yeelding of the fortresse . three poore women crying to anthony to succour settuual . anthonies care to succour settuual . the counsell of anthonie and his resolutions . anthonies feare . the resolutions of anthony , and of his counsell . the bishop of guarda seconds anthony . the counsell of anthony ill grounded . an allarum at lisbone . anthony offers to compound . cardinall riario sent legatinto spaine . the discourse of the spaniards vpon this legation the legat visites the king. the sundrie opinions for the passage of the army . the armie passeth at cascaies . the disimbarking of the dukes armie . the disposition of the dukes armie . they charge the portugals , who retire . the blames of meneses , and his excuses . a confusion in the citie of lisbone . anthony goes towards cascaies . cascaies taken and spoiled . the castell taken . diego de meneses beheaded , & henry pereira hanged . anthonie marcheth towards belem with his men consusedly . religious men deuided into factions . anthonic retires to alcantara . the catholique kings pardon to the portugals . the duke marcheth against the rocke of saint iulian. a treatie of agreement with anthony . anthony his letter to the king. the answere of the duke to anthony . the rocke of saint iulian battered , and the aduise of the inginers . a poore woman cause of the yeelding of saint iulian . the rocke of saint iulian yeelded . cabessa secca abandoned . the feare of them at lisbone . the yeelding of the tower of belem . notes for div a -e the duke of alua his speech to the soldiers . the order of the dukes armie . anthony his preparation against the duke . the flight of anthony towards the citie , his defeate and hurt . the yeelding of lisbone . the spoile of the suburbs of lisbone . the number that were slaine in the battaile . the duke blamed . the commendations of the duke of alua. the catholique kings sicknes and the discourse vpon it . lisbone sweares obedience to the king . a contagious catar . saint arem yeelds obedience . the prior assembles new forces . auero taken . the duke blamed . the dukes excuses . the yeelding of the places in affricke which the portugals held . the terceraes . sanches de auila against the prior. the yeelding of coimbra . the estate of porto and the reduction . the portugals and castillians disagree . the yeelding of auero , and other exploites of sanches d'auila . the statagem of anthony serrano to recouer aboate . sanches d' auila passeth the riuer of doro , at auintes . the speech of auila to his soldiers . the stratagem of auila to passe the riuer . the oration of anthony to his soldiers . the flight of anthony to viana . the flight of the portugals . the citie of porto yeelded . the taking of viana . anthonie saues himselfe on the other side of the riuer minio , in danger to be taken . the death of queene anne . the king enters into portugall by the citie of eluas . the description of the ilands of terceraes and the inhabitants thereof . the resolution of the inhabitants of terceraes the iesuits walled vp at the terceraes . the popes offer against england . notes for div a -e the complaint of the dukes soldiers . the auditor of gallicia sent to auilas campe . the councell of the kings chamber . the king visites the duchesse of bragance . the king sworne at tomar , and the prince diego . the kings pardon to the portugals . the beginning of the parliament at tomar . the demands of the estates . touching the vniuersitie of coimbra . the pope seemes content with the successe of portugall . the portugals animated , and wherefore . the kings entrie to lisbone . the speech of the magistrate of lisbone to the king . the portugals discontented . the councell of state of portugall reduced vnto two . baldes attempt vpon the terceraes . the preparation of them of angra against baldes . iohn de betancour affect to the king. a stratagem with oxen made by a religious man. the ill successe of baldes soldiers . the crueltie of those of tercera . the defeate of baldes is preiudiciall vnto the king . the priors good fortune . ierom mendoza treateth an agreement with the prior. anthonie arriues at caleis . the indian fleete expected , and the discourse of their arriuall . the indian fleete met with a french ship neere the terceres . the diligence of anthony to haue the fleete . the fleete arrtues at lisbone . the arriuall of figueroa at the terceres , and his returne to lisbone . baldes imprisoned in portugall . the preparation of them of terceres . a miracle performed by the iesits . the estate of fraunce and flaunders . the queene of fraunce discontented with philip , and the cause . the duke of alancon sworn duke of brabant . preparation ; of the french against the terceres . the prince of orenge wounded by a biscaine . the kings recompence to the portugals . the empresse mary comes to lisbone . the cardinall of austria made gouernour of portugal . the terceres in confusion . the cariage of emanuel de sylua at the terceres . the preparation at lisbone against the terceres , and the aduise vpon this enterprise . the catholique king armes in all places and the cause . the kings order in preparing . peixotto sent to saint michaels , fought with by certaine french ships . the marquesse of saint cruze embarkes for the terceres . notes for div a -e the hopes of the french armie at sea with strozzi . the hopes of the court of spaine touching the armie at sea . the arriuall of the french ar mie at the ilande of saint michael , and the description thereof . or the dogs head . the death of ambrose d , aguiar . the first encounter of the french. the arriuall of the spanish armie at the ilands . the marques resolues to fight . the marques order for his battell . the marques gets the wind of the french armie . the french disagree . the beginning of the fight at sea . mounsier brisac flies . the death of strozzi and of the count vimioso . apriest dies for feare . the number of the dead in the battel . edward de castro beheaded by anthonie . anthony his voyage to the terceres and his atchieuements there . the sentence of the marques against the french prisoners . the spaniards discontented with the sentence and the reason . the spanish soldiers entreat for the french. the french beheaded and hanged . * a kinde of small ship . the carriage of anthonie after the sea fight . the departure of anthonie for fraunce . emanuell de silua staies at the terceres . the french displeased at their ouerthrow . the amplification of pardon towards the portugals . the death of duke of alua & his commendation . the blames of the duke of alua. the obsequies of sebastian and other princes portugals . a reformation of the kalendar . a new assembly of estates at lisbone , where the prince philip was sworne . cardinall albert made gouernour of portugall . the kings departure from portugall . notes for div a -e the death of auila . the french spoile the ilands of cape vert. the carriage of silua at the terceres . the kings preparation against the terceraes . the discourse in spaine vpon this enterprise . mounsieur de chattes sent to succour the iland . a discourse betweene chattes and silua vpon the strength of the iland . the kings armie departs from lisbone the description of the terceres . the arriual of the kings army at the terceres and their proceedings . the diligence of the ilanders for their defence . the landing of some of the marques his men the first assault giuen by the marques his men . the second landing of the marques with his men and their skirmish against the french. silua his flight hindred . the portugals abandon the french. the marques takes s. sebastian . angra put to be spoiled three daies . the portugall shippes spoiled . the marques sends to fayall . the french compound with the spaniards . the condition of the accorde . chattes doth visite the marques . they of faiall kill a trumpet that was sent vnto them . the landing of peter de toledo at fatal , and the sacke thereof . anthony guedez de sosa hanged by the arme , and wherefore . emanuel de silua taken , and executed with others . the french men sent to the galleies . a compendious chronicle of the kingdom of portugal, from alfonso, the first king, to alfonso the sixth, now reigning together with a cosmographical description of the dominions of portugal / by john dauncey. dauncey, john, fl. . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing d estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a compendious chronicle of the kingdom of portugal, from alfonso, the first king, to alfonso the sixth, now reigning together with a cosmographical description of the dominions of portugal / by john dauncey. dauncey, john, fl. . [ ], , [ ] p. printed by tho. johnson for francis kirkman [and others], london : . advertisement on p. [ ]-[ ] at end. reproduction of original in british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng portugal -- history. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - olivia bottum sampled and proofread - olivia bottum text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a compendious chronicle of the kingdom of portugal , from alfonso the first king , to alfonso the sixth , now reigning . together with a cosmographical description of the dominions of portvgal . by john dauncey . london : printed by tho. iohnson , for francis kirkman , henry brome , and henry marsh , and are to be sold at their shops . . to the right honorable sr edward hide , earl of clarendon , &c. lord high chancellor of england . right honorable , the glories of your name , make me ambitious to give you a testimony of my duty & observance . there be some whose vain-glory prompts them to think they by dedications honor their patrons , but the whole world will judge me free from such vanity , when they shall perceive i have made my addresses to a person , who besides his height of nobility , is arrived at such a sublimity of worth , vertue , and learning , that not onely the greatest wits of the age are bound to honor him ; but must confess they receive their splendor and lustre from him . yet thus ( my lord ) i make my self guilty of an almost inexcusable presumption : the wisest of men may as well present somewhat worthy a deity , as i any thing which may deserve your lordships thoughts . it is not fit a pigmy should call down a iove to protect him ; but where there is so much worth , there must needs be an insuperable goodness ; nor can he be justly blamed who onely aspires at the influence of a benevolent star. i want the confidence to beseech your lordship to approve this vvork , the honor will be sufficient if you accept it , as a pledge of that observance which all men are bound to pay you . i know your lordship not only to be vers't in all history , but ( to your glory be it spoken ) to have always studied the most worthy authors . and history is indeed a treasure not onely enriching mens mindes with noble thoughts , but enanimating them to great and heroick actions . your lordships endeavors to make an alliance between the two renowned crowns of england and portugal , may justly claim all that can be said of that kingdom , as a due offering . this , though but a breviate of the story of it , may perchance contain somewhat , though not at all worthy your lordship , yet not wholly unworthy observation , which i hope may perswade your generosity and goodness to grantit protection . england , my lord , and every member of it , are beholding to your lordships great wisdom ; but should i undertake to praise all those noble vertues for which you deserve their loves , that justice which ballances all your actions ; that prudence which a whole nation hath admired ; that magnanimity which hath rendred you unalterable in all the frowns and smiles of fortune ; that liberality which hath made you king-like , and that temperance which shown in the height of heavens , and heavens-vice-gerents favours , hath made you god-like , i should be enforced to unite the largest encomiums , and lay them down as a due tribute , at the feet of your thrice-renowned fame . but ( my lord ) i dare onely reverence your vertues , they must rather be the subject of my admiration than description . let it suffice then , that whilst all strive to offer up their labors to this shrine , it will be sufficient excuse of my ambition to present this mite , and amongst the numbers that thus sacrifice to your worth , to be thought worthy of that honorable stile of being esteemed the meanest of your lordships most humble servants , john dauncey . to the reader . custom rather than my own genius or fancy , inclines me to make this address . good things are but made worse by excuses , bad things never a whit the better : 't is base and dis-ingenious to court a reader to a good opinion of ones work , and indeed a kinde of an endeavor to anticipate his judgement ; which to the wise proves a fruitless labor , and to the fools was altogether needless . i despair not but wise men may read this book , the truth is , i desire all fools would let it alone : if it be unworthy the subject 't is writ of , the disgrace will be less to be censured by an understanding person , and the faults , i presume , fewer ; for those of less judgement will be subject to attribute even the litteral errors of the ress , to the authors ignorance . though i dare say thus much in vindication of this compendious chronicle , that it is extracted out of those authors who have been ●udged by many to have writ best concer●ing the kingdom of portugal , yet i will not presume to clear it of all errors ; ne●o nostrum non peccat , homines sumus , ●on dei : t is impossible to be mortal , and not erre : yet all lapses cannot be accounted faults . though i doubt not but to meet with those spirits which will make ●hem crimes ; for such is the depravity of the present age , that many men led on by atheistical tenents , and blinded with self-conceit , dare adventure to censure even the actions of the deity . but i shall run into that error i promised to eschew , and though i beg not the readers good opinion , endeavor to restrain or affright his clearer judgement : ●et every man say or think his pleasure of the work ; for therefore was it made pub●ique , and if it be my fortune to fall under any rigid censures , where they are made with reason , i shall entertain them with ●espect , where without cause , laugh at ●hem with scorn . the present affairs were sufficient motives for me to publish it , both to clear the right king iohn the fourth , had to the crown , and dominions of portugal , and justify that title which some mens ignorance or self-will would make deficient , terming a noble redemption of a nations liberty , black and ignominious rebellion : and methinks the joy at the restoration of king ●ohn to the crown of portugal , doth so aptly quadrate with our's a● the blessed return of our gracious soveraign lord king charls the second , that i think it not impertinent to conclude with a wish , that as our joy then corresponded with theirs , so all the subjects of england would show the same examples of loyalty to his majesty , which ferdinando paceica did even to the memory of his king and master , sancho the second . j. d. the general heads of the ensuing history . i. henry duke of lorain , earl of portugal . page ii. alfonso the first , first king of portugal . ibid. iii. sancho the first , second king of portugal . iv. alfonso the second , third king of portugal . v. sancho the second , fourth king of portugal . vi. alfonso the third , fifth king of portugal and algarve . vii . dionisio , the sixth king of portugal , &c. viii . alfonso the fourth , seventh king of portugal . ix . pedro , eighth king of portugal . x. ferdinand , ninth king of portugal . xi . john the first , tenth king of portugal xii . edward , the eleventh king of portugal . xiii . alfonso the fifth , twelfth king of portugal . xiv . john the second , thirteenth king of portugal . xv. emanuel the first , fourteenth king of porgal xvi . john the third , fifteenth king of portugal . xvii . sebastian , sixteenth king of portugal . xviii . henry , seventeenth king of portugal . xix . philip , the second , third , and fourth of that name , kings of spain , and ; , , kings of portugal . page xx. john the fourth , one and twentieth king of portugal . xxi . alfonso the sixth , two and twentieth king of portugal . xxii . a cosmographical description of portugal . xxiii . of algarve . xxiv . of the azores of tercera islands . xxv . of the portugals possessions in asia . xxvi . of the portugals possessions in africa . xxvii . of brazile . if any person please to repair to my shop at the sign of iohn fletchers head , on the back side of st. clements without temple-bar , they may be furnished with al plays that were ever yet printed ; as also with several sorts of romances , and histories ; more especially with the books hereafter mentioned , of which , though not printed for me , i have sufficient numbers , viz. the history of independency compleat , being the . . . . and last part ; which may be had single by such as have bought the others . blood for blood , or murthers revenged , lively set forth in tragical histories , some whereof have been the product of our late times , published by t. n. esq. venus undrest : or the practical part of love , extracted out of the extravagant and lascivious life of a fair , but subtile female . that useful book for gentlemen and travellers , being an exact description of the several counties and shires in england : by ed. leigh , esq. the fanatick in his colours : or the rise , height , and fall of faction and rebellion from . unto . with an apendix concerning allegiance , government , and order , by t. f. summum bonum : or , a plain path-way to happiness , conducting the soul to its haven of rest , through the stormy passages of worldly troubles ; to which is added a short dialogue of that excellent vertue of the submission of mans will to the will of god. the rudiments of grammar , the rules composed in english verse , for the greater benefit and delight of young beginners , by iames sherley gent. a short view of the life of the illustrious prince hen. d. of glocester , and ma●y princess of orange , brother and sister to his majesty of great britain , lately deceased , by t. m. esq. scutum regale ; the royal buckler ; or , vox legis , a lecture to traytors . &c. playes . the beggars bush , a comedy written by fran. beamont and iohn fletcher , both in folio , and in quarto . the humerous lieutenant ; a comedy , in folio . the scornful lady ; a comedy the elder brother ▪ a comedy . philaster ; or love lies bleeding , a tragi-comedy , &c. a king and no king. a comedy . the maids tragedy . the night-walker : or little theif , a comedy all written by the same authors , in quarto . the qu●●n of arrag●n . a. tragi-comedy , written by william habington esq in folio . the maids revenge . a tragedy , written by iames shirley , in quarto . loves mastriss . a masque written by tho. heywood , in quarto . the city night-cap . a tragi-comedy , by t. b. in . the obstinate lady . a comedy , by sir aston cockain knight , in . the obstinate lady , and trapolin , supposed a prince , both comedies ; and several other poems , all written by sir aston cockain knight , in octavo . plutus : a comedy in . troades a tragedy , translated out of seneca , by sam. pordage . gent. in . a short and compendious history of the kingdom of portugal the spaniards have a proverb very vulgar amongst them , terming the portugueses , pocos y locos , few and fools , spoken i suppose rather out of derision , and disdain of that nation , then that its people and inhabitants really are so , for whosoever shall read their actions , will judge them to be managed with as much prudence , as the spaniards can boast of ; nor will any one believe that they could bring to perfection so great atchievements as they have done with onely a simple valor . 't is true , i believe them to be less numerous then the castilians , and yet i am not of the opinion that they are so few , or their kingdom so inconsiderable , as the spanish proverb seems to make them , which one may easily imagine , when one considers that the romans accounted lusitania ( that is portugal by it self , when its bounds did not extend so far as now they do , and without the addition of algarve , or regnum algarbiorum ) to be one third part of spain ; much less can we think it so now , when not onely its proper bounds are enlarged , but likewise the kingdom of algarve added , besides the island in the atlantick sea , and their great conquests in asia , africa , and america . but to return to the kingdom it self , and its original various fortunes after the decay and declension of the roman empire , was it subject unto , before it was setled under a prince of its own . the alani were the first that preyed upon it , and endeavored to plant in it , but had scarce begun to do so , but themselves were driven out by the swemans , and constrained to go seek another habitation ; these for some time enjoyed it peaceably , making braga their imperial city , till in the general inundation of the overflowing gothes and vandals , they with the rest of that part of the continent , which is circumscribed by the sea , and the pyrenean mountains , became vassals to these irresistable conquerors , who living a long time in quiet , enjoyed their conquest , and were the first that in these parts entertained the christian religion , till the moors like a more violent flood , fell in upon them , and with the greatest part of spain , possessed themselves likewise of that kingdom . but some parts of spain , after many years slavery , strugling for their liberty , this kingdom was in part recovered by the king of castile , and by them enjoyed , till at length it gained a king of its own , the maner thus : henry the second duke of lorrain , whom some affirm to be nephew to godfrey of bolloigne , ( though others differ both in the person and his alliance to him ) flying from the fury of henry the fifth emperor , came into spain , where ( moved with a generous emulation of his uncle , who was gone to the conquest of ierusalem ) offered his service the subjection of the moors , and in short time arrived by his valorous atchievements against those enemies of the christian religion , grew into so much repute with alfonso the . king of castile , that he gave him his base daughter teresia in marriage , with his whole acquists in portugal for her dower , though with no other title then that of counte , or earl , some further addition he made to his dominions , and in the year . had a son , who after his grandfather was named alphonso , at last overborn with the burden of seventy seven years , he died in the year . alfonso the i. first king of portugal . alfonso his son , who from his very childhood had been bred up under his father in military excercise , after his death valorously prosecuted his victories against the moors , and against the kings of leon ; which wars he managed with so much courage as was admirable in a prince so young . the count of trastamarense despising his youth , took to wife his mother teresia , and from that marriage drew occasion to wage war with him ; alfonso to vindicate his sleightings , cheerfully encountred him , and after the diverse accidents of several battels took him prisoner , and forced him to regain his liberty to give him to wife his sister uracca , with that part of the land for her dower , which had been the occasion of the war. yet some there be that differ both in the occasion of the marriage and the contest . alfonso likewise fought several battels with his grand-father alfonso the . king of castile , and in one battel took him prisoner near one of his castles called arcos del val de vez , upon whose release he had conferred upon him the title of duke of portugal ; he afterwards imployed his forces against the saracens , from whom he took leirida , torre naova , and several other places . whereupon the king ismaurus , who was the most powerful amongst all the mauritamans , calling to his assistance four other kings , with an army of four hundred thousand men , invaded portugal , but his fortune corresponded not with his numbers , for alfonso encountring this great power with a small army , overthrew them , and slew , or took prisoners all the five kings ; in memory or which ●ignal victory , alphonso bore five escutchions in his arms though others are pleased to affirm it was in memory of the five wounds of our savior , seen by him in a vision just before the fight . the soldiers made proud with this ex●raordinary success , thinking the title of duke too low for their commander , saluted alphonso with the tile of king , which alphonso accepted ; and returning home enriched with spoils , addicted himself to the exercise of his regal power , by calling a general council of the three estates , to wit , the clergy , nobility , and commons , for the better establishing ( by the consent of the whole people ) that crown upon his head , which the soldiers love had conferred upon his merit . this general assembly being met in the city of lamego , and in the church of st. almacave , the king came thither , and seating himself upon the royal throne , but as yet unadorned with his ensigns of majesty , according to appointment the king ▪ deputy don lorenzo venegas , spake to the estates as followeth , you are here assembled by the authority of king alphonso , to see the popes letters and resolve , to confirm him for your king : whereat the whole estates with one voice cried , we will that he shall be our king. upon which the deputy demanded , shall he only be your king , and not his sons after him ? they all answered , he so long as he lives shall be our king , and after his death his sons shall succeed . give him then the royal ensigns , said the deputy . they answered , we give them in the name of god , and therewithall the arch-bishop of braga placed the crown upon the kings head , and gave him the scepter in his hand , with all accustomed ceremonies ; which done , his majesty rose up , and drawing his sword spake to this effect , blessed be god that hath been my helper , with this sword i have delivered you , and overcome our enemies , and now that you have made me your king , let us make laws for the government of the kingdom . they answered , so we will , dread soveraign , we will make such laws as shall seem good and convenient to you , and we and all our children and posterity will be wholly at your command . and accordingly several laws were then and there immediately made ; the sum of which were : . that king alfonso should be master of the kingdom , and that after him there might be no troubles in the choosing of a king , his son should reign after him , his grand-childe , and so from father to son in secula seculorum . . that if the eldest son should dye during the life of the father , the next brother should be king , and so forward . . that if the king should dye without issue , having a brother he should succeed , but not his sons without consent of the estates . . that if the king should have onely daughters , the eldest should be queen after her father , upon condition that she be married to a native of the kingdom , and that he be a nobleman , who should not have the power to take upon him the name of king , until he had a son born , nor should he till then wear a crown on his head , or take the right hand of his wife . . that it should be for ever held for a law among the portugals , that the kings eldest daughter should marry a native of the country , that so the crown might never descend to forreigners , and that in case she should marry a forreign prince , she should be excluded from her right of succession , for they would not have that kingdom , which themselves by their own valor , and by the effusion of their own blood , without the aid or assistance of any strangers , had made , so go out of the race of the portugals . the crown by these laws and statutes confirmed , alfonso as he was advanced in title , so he addicted himself to higher and greater enterprizes , in five moneths siege he added the great and populous city of lisbone to his crown , not without the loss of thousands of valiant soldiers , and as many hazards of his own life ; some affirm that in this war the number of the slain amounted to no less then two hundred thousand men . this magnanimous king likewise made innumerable acquists both of one side and the other of the tagus , he slew both the kings of leon , and castile , but at length wounded in a battel , he was no longer able to follow the wars in person , for what with his wound , and what with age , being now sixty six years old , he had not strength enough to mount on horseback , he therefore bequeathed his command over his armies to his eldest son sanctius or sancho , but still reserving to himself the superintendency of all . having thus relinquished the wars , he addicted himself wholly to works of piety , and to endeavor the flourishing of the christian religion ; he built within his kingdom one hundred and fifty churches and monasteries , all which he enriched with great revenues . amongst the rest he built that at conimbria , from whence that famous university , called , academia conimbricense had its original . in this monastery , called that of the holy cross , he died , at ninety one years of age , on the . of december anno . and here he remained , buried in a little tomb , scituated in an angle of that church , till such time as king emanuel , affected with the fame of his sanctity , erected for him a most stately monument , which is at this day to be seen . by uracca his first wife , daughter to the count trastamarense , he had no children , whereupon at fifty two years of age , and in the seventh year of his reign , he took to wife mafalda , sister to amadeo earl of morenna , by whom he had many children , henry the first died in his childhood ; sancho who succeeded him in the kingdom ; uracca who was married to ferdinando king of leon , though this match was again made void , the pope not approving of it ; therasia , whom some historians have likewise called matilda , married to phillip the first earl of flanders . he had likewise diverse natural children , amongst whom one named alphonsus , who was great master of the knights of rhodes . king alphonso was certainly a great soldier , a valiant captain , and a magnanimous king ; in all his words and actions there appeared a kinde of majesty , and sublimity of minde ; his liberality and justice made him feared by his enemies , and adored by his subjects ; strength of body , and greatness of minde , concurred in him to make him the most worthy and admired of the age he lived in ; he never undertook any war , but either to right his injured subjects , or to propagate the christian religion ; amongst his greatest facts of arms he never forgot acts of piety , but always before any battel used with vows and prayers , to beg the protection of heaven . he died , having arrived at the highest pitch of glory , wept for by his people , and lamented by the very moors themselves , who hated him ; thus topt with all triumph , happy in a numerous and as generous an issue , weary of worldly vanities ; he departed this life , in hopes to receive in heaven the reward of his piety and vertue . sancho the i. second king of portugal . sancho his eldest son ( indeed the onely legitimate son he had living ) succeeded to alphonso , he was born at conimbria the . of november anno . where he was likewise educated until the fourteenth year of his age in all those studies and exercises , which are proper for a prince born to command ; he afterwards profited under his fathers tutorage in the art military , in which emulating his fathers valor , and greatness , he did things worthy of himself , gaining love from the soldiery , and respect from the people ; he accompanied his father in three victories , in which he nobly adventured his life . his father being dead , he took upon him the government of the kingdom , and was crowned the . of december . three days after his fathers death , being aged two and thirty years , and finding the kingdom at the beginning of his reign freed from the incursions of the moors , he applied himself wholly to make the peace enjoyed by his kingdom , profitable to his subjects ; he caused a multitude of fields to be tilled , most of which were before a receptacle for wilde beasts , and part of them laid waste by the late wars , with so much diligence did he addict himself to these things , that by the vulgar he was called the king of husbandmen . he applied himself afterwards with the same industry to restore publique edifices and structures , he rebuilt all castles which had either been destroyed by the moors , or spoiled by other accidents of the war ; he restored the cities , towns , and fortresses , to their pristine splendor , enriching them with new edifices , and supplying them with new inhabitants ; he gave likewise great revenues to all the orders of knight-hood , but principally to that of saint giacomo . whilest thus he took care of his subjects good , and the increasing the revenue of his crown , there were driven by contrary winds and raging seas into the port of lisbone a fleet of thirteen sail of ships belonging to several christian princes , going to the holy war , with the assistance of these king sancho , invaded the kingdom of algarve , then possessed by the moors , making this compact with the christian princes that commanded the navy , that they should enjoy the whole spoil of the enemy , whilest he reserved for himself onely the cities and the glory . the impress proved not very difficult , although the city of sylva the metropolis of the kingdom , made a long and obstinate resistance , for at length it yielded ; but he enjoyed not quietly the possession of this kingdom for the moors , uniting themselves to revenge the injuries done to their nation , he was constrain'd to flie to a defence of himself so much the more dangerous , by how much the more unequal ; and 〈…〉 had with the kingdom of algarve lost likewise his native kingdom of portugal , if god of his mercy had not bridled and curbed the fury of the moors by a merciless devouring pestilence , which made them with the loss of two hundred thousand soldiers , return flying home . but king sancho was no sooner freed from these dangers , but another almost over-whelmed his kingdom , by continual rains , most part of the land was overflown , by reason of which it not being possible to till the ground , a famine ensued , and that at length brought forth the plague , so that the whole kingdom was almost destroyed , the cities and towns were depopulated , the country remained unmanured ; nor was there to be seen over the whole kingdom other but spectacles of ruine and misery . this sad condition of the christians made the moors once more adventure in the field , and without any resistance possess themselves of the greatest part of the kingdom of algarve ; the city of sylva was rendred at discretion , whilest the necessities of the king forced him to buy five years of truce , or cessation , upon low conditions . in the mean time he would have sent assistance of ships and men to the christian princes , who fought against the saracens in palestina , but the miseries of his kingdom would not permit him , yet he assigned to the knights , templars , and hospitallers , who were sometime before come into portugal , great revenues , giving unto them many castles and lands . the truce was not yet expired when the king either finding , or taking occasion to break it , in the midst of winter assaulted the cities of the moors with so much fury , that the barbarians not expecting so sudden an assault , were easily driven , not onely out of the confines of portugal , but out of the best part of the kingdom of algarve . king sancho had for wife the daughter of ramond berengario , count of barchinona , called aldonsa , by her he had nine children , of whom eight outlived their father , to wit , three sons and five daughters , the sons were alfonso , who succeeded in the kingdom ; ferdinando , who for his singular vertues was called into flanders to marry the countess ioanna ; and pietro who was count iregelense , and lord of the bateares . the five daughters were therasia , mefalda , sancha , bianca , and beringhella ; therasia was married with alfonso king of leon her cousin-german , but this marriage not being assented to by the pope , was esteemed void , so that after having born three children , she was forced to return into portugal , where being shut up in a monastery , she spent the rest of her life in pious meditations : it is reported by some that her sepulchre being opened in the year . her body was found whole , and as it were incorrupted , and that many who were sick , or otherwise had incurable diseases , by vowing to her , and touching her corps , were healed . mafalda was espoused to henry the first , king of castile , although allied to him in a forbidden degree , wherefore this marriage was likewise declared void ; and she emulating her sister built a monastery of the cistercian order , and is reported likewise to have done many miracles particularly in the year . when her tomb was opened . sancha the third daughter became a nun of the order of st. francis , who lived about this time . bianca and beringella died young , and were buried in conimbria , right against their fathers tombe , though some write otherwise . after the death of the queen aldonsa , which happened in the year . king sancho gave himself over to the love of diverse ladies , amongst whom he had many children , who proved most of them his greatest vexation and disquiet , for the pleasures of the senses do not terminate but in the sence of grief . at last arrived at the age of . years , in the . year of his reign , oppressed in conimbria by an incurable disease , he took leave of this world . he was buried in the church of the holy cross , on the left side of the altar , in the great chappel , where king emanuel built him a sepulchre , like to that of his father , he left infinite riches , which by his will he divided amongst all his children , making no difference between the legitimate and the illegitimate ; he by his will supplicated pope innocentius the fourth to be his executor , for which he left in legacy a hundred weight of gold , a gift without doubt worth his pains . king sancho was for vertue and for goodness singular in his age , a worthy son of so renowned a father ; he proved fortunate in the utmost events of war , and then did his triumphs flow in upon him when he dispaired of victory ; he left it yet in doubt whether he were more wise , or more valiant ; he always snowed himself so great an enemy to sloth and idleness , that to avoid it he would not disdain sometimes to throw down the scepter , and hold the plow ; fortune who was his friend in war , was his foe in peace , for then , besides the vexation that he could not vex his enemies , he was likewise enforced to bear the injuries of the land , sea , and skies ; in sum , he was a king worthy the greatest incomiums , if he had not too much drowned all his other vertues in illicite loves . alfonso the ii. third king of portugal . alfons● the second succeeded to sancho the first , he was born in conimbria on st. georges day anno . at . years old he was crowned king with the envy of his brothers , who little younger then he , could hardly confine themselves within the bounds of allegiance , and to their discontents did the legacies left by sancho , give new motives for alphonso , either out of avaritious desire of riches , or out of obstinacy , detained from them a great part of what was left them by their father . these sinister thoughts of the then prince alphonso , were discerned by his father before his death , which made him leave to the brothers , beside some cities and castles , five hundred thousand crowns in gold . but scarce was his father dead , but he began to contend with his brothers and sisters about their inheritance , and because his brothers were retired into elginera and alenquar fortresses , given them by their father , he under pretence that they could not be allienated from the crown , gathered together an army to possess himself of them , which he easily performed , his brothers wanting money to hire soldiers , and so not being able to make the least resistance . his brothers thus driven out of the kingdom , fled to the pope for redress , then in great veneration , because he then pursued no other interest but justice , who commanded alfonso to remit the difference to indifferent judges , who necessitated to obey , chose rather to accommodate the business with indifferent judges , then to run the hazard of a sentence . he employed himself afterwards by the advice of matthew bishop of lisbone , to fight against the moors , and though these came assisted with ninety five thousand men , yet were they forced to yield the victory to him , with the loss of thirty thousand soldiers , and four kings who were slain in the battel . alfonso for some years prosecuted this war , but in time he grew so extream fat , that he was unable to perform , not only those great exercises incumbent on a soldier , but every simple motion of the body ; yet for all that he ceased not to apply himself with extream diligence to prosecute the greatest affairs of state , and where he could not in person he present , to send such commands as shewed him to be both of great experience and wisdom . he married with uracca daughter to alfonso the eighth ( or as others say the ninth ) king of castile , and leonora , or elinor , daughter to henry the second king of england , by her he had divers children , the first was sancho , who succeeded his father in the kingdom . alfonso the second son , whom by right of his wife , was chosen duke of bologna , and afterwards came to be king of portugal . the third son was called ferdinand , who obtained the principality of serpa , and married sancia fernandez , daughter of ferdinand count of castile . the fourth died a childe , called vincenzo . the last was a daughter , called leonora , and was married to the king of dacia . alfonso arrived to the eight and fortieth year of his age , and one and twentieth of his kingdom , when in the year . he was constrained to pay the last debt to nature . he was buried in alobaccia in a little church built by himself , more for devotion then magnificence . but after many years the abbot giorgio di melo causing that little church to be demolished , carried his bones to that of st. vincenzo , where they now repose in a most sumptuous sepulcher . under this king ( as many affirm ) lived for certain time st. antonio , protector of the city of padona , a saint held in great veneration among the roman catholiques , he was a native of lisbon , not so much esteemed for the nobility of his birth , as for his holy life . alfonso , taking away his extream fatness , was a man of a very comely presence , and of singular eloquence , his nature did make him pleasant with all , but onely those of his own blood , which fault in him did much diminish his subjects love , and that general respect was due to him ; though he was a man noted for covetousness , yet he oftentimes gave great gifts to his friends , and always consumed the greatest part of the revenue of the kingdom . the portugueses while his father was alive , did extreamly desire him for their king but did not at all now lament his death ; either because new things always please the people , or else because he after his fathers death , shewed himself indifferent from himself , or from what they thought him ; whereupon not being wholly like his progenitors , he renewed in his subjects their grief for their loss . sancho the ii. fourth king of portvgal . sancho the second , who succeeded his father alfanso , was born in conimbria the eighth day of september . bringing from the womb such mortal infirmities , as made most believe he would sooner arrive at the grave then the crown , his mother having tried all humane remedies , applied her self to divine , making a vow to god that if he lived past his adolescency , she would make him pass the hood of the religion ; which vow she afterwards inviolably performed , whence he was by the vulgar as ridiculous in words , as judgement , called sancho cucullato , or the hooded sancho . he took upon him the administration of the scepter at twenty six years of age , not following the footsteps of his predecessors , in studying ways to govern the kingdom , but spending all his time either in hot-house , or in a bath , or inventing other ways to recover his health . thus his infirmity having rendred him unapt to command , and the weakness of his body having likewise weakned his wit and judgement , he left both the rule of the kingdom and of himself to ministers , who governing according to their proper affections , let him enjoy no more then the bare name of king. he joyned himself in marriage with messa lopez , who although she were of blood royal , yet was by much too inferior a match for king sancho , so much the rather in that she was widow to alvaro de castro , a cavalier of an ancient and royal family , but not to compare with the kings of portugal . and he himself assented to this match , more to satisfie his favorites , then to any affection that he had to it ; which made the new queen either to show her self grateful to those had wish'd her so well , or rather because she nurst in her bosom some dishonest desire , applied her self extreamly to favor the favorites of the king. and these made proud by the love both of the king and queen , omitted no way to oppress the subjects , to the prejudice of justice , to the destruction of the state : many of the prime nobility made their complaints to the king , representing to him the calamities of the people , the oppression of the nobles , and the ruine of the kingdom , if he did not with a resolute hand put a stop to the rashness of those wicked men , who were bringing a deluge of miseries upon his dominions . the king at these complaints was extreamly moved , and overcome by the goodness of his own nature , had resolved to chastise to publick a crime with a publique punishment ; but the queen with her artifices easily changed the opinion of her husband , and made him believe that those accusations proceeded from envy , not from truth , whereupon laying the complaints of the other aside , these state-mothes onely triumph in his love and in his faith . this made several prelates incontaminated with their own interest , but moved out of a real affection to their country , acquaint the pope with the weakness of the king , and the plots of the queen , adjoyning that the marriage was celebrated in a prohibited degree , there being between them too near consanguinity , and that nevertheless they had not sought to the apostolick seat for a dispensation . hereupon gregory the ninth , with exhortations and admonitions prefixed a time to king sancho to free himself from his wife , and withall to this purpose sends as his legat apostolique , the bishop of sabina . at the appearance of the bishop the king made show of an humble and ready obedience ; but he being returned , he again receives his queen into his embraces , from whence the simple believed that he was either bewitched , or had had some amorous potion administred to him . the queens favorites now again restored , gave themselves over to exercise the greatest insolencies imaginable , they despoiled the people , disposed offices at pleasure , made justice it self follow their humors , nor did there remain any thing either humane , or divine , which was not contaminated either by their cruelty , or avarice . hereupon a great part of the commonalty no longer able to comport their insolencies , led on by rannondo viego , took arms , and coming in a tumultuous maner to the palace , forced away the queen , carrying her prisoner to a castle upon the confines of the kingdom , where they did not fear neither the authority , nor force of the king. and because not onely the licentiousness of the queen , but the weakness of the king , did concur to the destruction of the kingdom ; some prelates had again recourse to the pope , who in a synod then sitting , with the consent of all , decreed , that alfonso brother of the king , should be called from bologna to govern the kingdom , and to remedy those disorders which had near brought it to utter destruction . alfonso comes , and with arms in his hand , possesses himself of the greatest part of the kingdom , whilest sancho seeing himself abandoned of all , and hopeless of any help from the castilian army , cast down in minde , he gives leave to those few soldiers which were with him , to depart , and retires to toledo , where addicting himself wholly to devotion , with an admirable patience , seems to rejoyce at his private life . being setled in toledo , he dispences with a large hand to the poor those riches he had brought from portugal ; he builds a little temple wherein day and night with uninterrupted supplications , he recommends himself to god , and implores his mercy ; there never issuing out of his mouth a word of resentment , or grief , for his change of condition ; and although provoked by the insolencies of some who despised royal majesty without a kingdom , he never expressed himself but in words of mildness and goodness . whilest he in toledo exercised these actions of true patience , many of his subjects did demonstrate signs of as great fidelity . the governors left by him would never abandon his service , nor yield up those places they had received in charge from him , neither could the prayers of their fellow-subjects , nor the spiritual thundrings of his holiness the pope , nor the vigorous arms of don alfonso , remove them from their resolution ; with a generous faith they sustained all the dangers and disasters of long and tedious sieges , till they received advice of sancho's death . the one of these was ferdinando paceico , who resolved to die before he would render up the fortress to him consigned . the other named martino freira , who after a years being besieged in conimbria , being advised by alfonso of his brothers death , he desiring a truce , posted to toledo , and causing the sepulchre of king sancho to be opened , put the key of the castle into his hand , and afterwards returning , gives it to alfonso , excusing himself that he could not before show the desires of his heart to serve him , he being obliged to what he did by his oath , and by his faith . alfonso perceiving this noble generosity in him , confirmed him in the command , without seeking any further of him than an inviolable sacrament : martino returned thanks to the king for his so great love , but refused the government . king sancho the second , died in the year . at years of age , having reigned thirteen ; he was a man of a most noble aspect , carrying in his face , and in his eyes , no ordinary majesty ; his nose was somewhat of the biggest , yet did not at all disfigure him , he was very curious in trimming his beard , which somewhat inclined to red ; his countenance was somewhat earthy , his continual indispositions having made a paleness inherent to him . his piety was his principal ornament , nor was there any crime which did more incense his goodness , than that which was dyed in blood . there wanted nothing in him to render him worthy the greatest encomiums , but health and the counsel of prudent men , by whom he might have been served without design , and without self-interest . want of these two things were the occasion that a most just man , wholly composed of goodness , fell into those miscarriages which made him in the conceit of men impious and unjust . he was buried in that regal chappel built by himself at toledo : true it is , that most writers disagree whereabouts his tomb was placed , because the chappel being rebuilt and made greater , the sepulchres were over-turned , and placed on the side of the wall without elegies or epitaphs , so that you can have no other then mens opinions for that , without any certain foundation . alfonso the iii. the fifth king of portugal and algarve . alfonso the third , who succeeded sancho the second , was born in conimbria the . of may , an : . he was by his father , by reason of his brothers uncertain health , educated with great diligence in those studies which might adapt him to command ; but sancho's life deceiving the vulgar opinion , he was called by the queen of france thither , who obliged him to marry matilda , countess of bologna , then widow of fillippio crispo , and daughter of fillippio augustino : alfonso was at the time of his marriage twenty seven years , and being of stature great , strong of body , and of an invincible courage of minde , he was by the pope elected captain of those knights of the cruciada , who from france and other provinces , were thought worthy to carry their valor to the holy war ; but he was diverted this honor , by the necessity of his return into portugal , to put an end to those troubles , which were moved by the ambition of some , who presuming upon sancho's pliable nature , were to act a fell tragedy upon the stage of the kingdom . at his first arrival he appeased those tumults of the people raised against the wickedness of the evil ministers , who by reason of his brothers weakness did what they list , and having after his death reduced all the for●resses of the kingdom to his obedience , he addicted himself by severity , to purge away those vices which before ruled even in the most potent personages . this made him envied and maligned of many , but the glory of his fame did divert all opponent factions , and made him triumph over the imprudence or obstinacy of the most disobedient . home-bred sti●s being quite pacified , he gave his minde to the increasing and adorning of his kingdom ; many places destroyed by continual wars with the moors , he peopled with noble colonies , re-edifying many decayed towers , and building many new edifices : he likewise with an extraordinary liberality , erected most stately temples and monasteries : he instituted for the increasing of commerce with his neighbor kingdoms , several solemn fairs , delighting much in traffick , and for the encouragement of it , remitting his customs . but these singular vertues of alfonso were darkned by a thick shadow of lust , not abstaining for to satisfie his sense from seducing the most noble to his pleasures . interest of state making him afraid to repudiate his wife , he contracted a most nefarious marriage with beatrice the illegitimate daughter of alphonso the ninth king of castile , and his concubine maria villenia . this beatrice was brought up with greater love , charge , and attendance , than any of alfonso's children . alexander the fourth then pope , moved with the tears of the countess of bologna , the complaints of her friends , and the indignity of the action it self , admonished him first by letters to remember both his wife and his duty as a christian , but those saving documents prevailed nothing with the shut ears of deaf alfonso ; whereupon the pope fulminated forth an excommunication against him and his kingdom , prohibiting divine service throughout all his dominions , hoping that these celestial arms might soften alfonso's obdurate brest ; but it prevailed nothing , till at length the death of the dutchess procured his pardon , which urban the sixth granted , rather to satisfie the clamors of the people , then out of his own genius , or that alfonso desired it . beatrice now crowned queen , and the succession confirmed by the birth of two children , alfonso had a desire to prosecute a war against the moors ; but lusitania having no confines upon mauritania , he procured to be invested king of the confining countries , still possessed by the moors , and that done , he drave them from the confines , increasing his kingdoms glory , and his own reputation . alfonso had by beatrice three sons , dyonisio or denys , who succeeded in the kingdom ; alfonso who married with violanse daughter of prince emanuel , son to ferdinand the third king of castile ; the third son called ferdinand , died in his infancy , he increased the number of his children by his amorous conjunctions , those thus begot were egidius and ferdinand , made knights templars ; alfonso , dionysio , or denys , married to maria rivera ; and lastly leonora , wife to count d. gazzia de souza , a man no less potent by his great riches , then friends . alfonso was blest with a most comely countenance , sparkling eyes , a most comely proportion of body , but so large that it struck no small admiration into the king sebastian , when he made him be taken out of his sepulchre ; yet was not his body more large then his soul was sublime ; he was extream profuse in gifts , which made him beloved by those who found themselves benifited by them ; his prudence was by all admired , and amongst his vertues there was nothing wanting but a more serious veneration of religion , greater gratitude towards his first wife matilda , and less dishonesty in his loves ; in his latter days he was extreamly troubled with the gout , which so tormented him , that impatient of his pain , he permitted himself to be transported by excess of passion . he died in lisbon in the year . at sixty nine years of age , and in the two and thirtieth year of his reign , not accounting till the death of his brother sancho , he was buried in the church of st. dominica , from whence his body was removed to that of st. vincenzo , and laid in a great , but no curious , tomb ; on the other part of the church is to this day to be seen the sepulchre of his queen beatrice , whose body preserved by balsoms , is to be shown in the chappel , looking so firm as if it had but lately yielded to death . dionisio , the sixth king of portvgal . dionysio or denys his son , succeeded to alphonso , who was born in the year . and called dionysio because born on the day consecrated to that great areopagite ; when he arrived to age fitting , he was instructed in those sciences which are necessary to adorn a royal minde ; he could perfectly speak many forreign languages , but applied himself chiefly to latine poesie , and may be said to be the best poet of any king ; he endeavored to reduce the portugal muse , before rude and inharmonious , to a smooth and sweet verse ; he published many elegies and epigrams , which as they attest to posterity his kingly learning , so they stirred up in others a glorious emulation . he was about twenty years of age when his father died , and was immediately admitted to the government , to the great displeasure of his mother , who was in hopes to have been made queen regent , and was either , because she thought , that she who by her pains and diligence had united several cities to the crown of portugal , was slighted , or because she feared lest her son being unexperienced , should either perswaded out of a youthful folly , or drawn by the flattery of courtiers , consume with an unbeseeming liberality the riches of the kingdom . yet her anger could not move him to admit her a share in the government , for he was often used to say , that man was blame-worthy who being past eleven years of age , could not moderate himself without the help of others ; but that of all things it was most base to desire the assistance of a woman . the forces of alphonso king of castile , father of beatrice , could not prevail to make him change his opinion ; but between mother and son these discords were easily accorded , and she at length being brought to the utmost period of her life , he piously went into castile to visit her , and comfort her at her last gasp . but though he accorded with his mother , he did not so easily adjust things with his brother alfonso , and with sancio king of castile , with whom he fought many battels ; the war outlasting sancho's life , but from those cruel contests at length a happy peace was produced , which to render perpetual , ferdinand king of castile took for wife constanza daughter to dionisio : and on the other side alfonso espoused beatrice●●ster ●●ster to ferdinand . the discords between the kings of arragon and castile were remitted to this kings prudence ; in composing of which , and making those kingdoms happy in peace , he showed admirable effects of his wisdom . his liberality gained him the love of all men , and made him equally respected both of subjects and strangers ; he commanded that the waste fields should be distributed amongst the poorest country people , assenting that it should be freed from all taxes : there were none poor but such who were not able to gain their living , either weakned by age , or some other infirmity , and these were maintained at the kings charges . he never oppressed the subjects either with tribute or taxes , yet left to his heirs a full exchecquer : he made many laws , which to this day are in force , his successors after him forming them into statutes ; amongst other things he made a law for the preventing tediousness in law suites , assigning certain prefixed days to end all differences , both taking thereby away a great unnecessary expence of time and money , for which very act this king is to this day reverenced among the vulgar . in his time the order of the knights templars was extinct , whereupon in stead of them , he instituted another under the name of the order of christ , to whom he gave many castles and lands for their maintenance ; their roab was a black cassack under a white surcoat , over which a red cross stroaked in the middle with a white line ; their duty was to expel the moors out of batica , the next adjacent country , they have since been famous for many memorable acts . he first instituted the university at conimbria , called academia conimbricense , which he enriched with the most learned men of that age . he took to wife elizabeth daughter to peter king of aragon , who among all the queens of portugal was most memorable for her sanctity ; of this marriage was born alphonso , who succeeded his father in the kingdom , and constance who was married to ferdinand king of castile : he had likewise another son , but illegitimate , whom he named alphonso sancio . this bastard son was affected by his father with such a tenderness of love , that he preferred him before all his other children ; which the prince alphonso ill comporting , there grew at first a hatred between the brothers , in which the fathers indulgence taking part with the base son , so exasperated alphonso , that it raised a civil war between him and his father . dionisio had many other sons by diverse moorish women , they with feminine glory boasting themselves great with childe by the king , one amongst the rest was peter count of barcello , who writ a book of the chief portugal families ; others there were who grew up to the disturbance of the kingdom , the oppression of the subjects , and discontent of their father , in his old age reduced to a low estate , and afflicted with the civil wars , he was forced by the prince his son to flie as it were an exile into castile : with his departure the dissentions seemed to cease , but alphonso's heart was not at all mollified towards his brother , not being able to comport the generosity and courage of sancho's spirit . the king dionisio was tall of body , of chesnut coloured hair , his eyes black , but he withall pale and livid , and more conspicious for the majesty of his countenance then the beauty ; he was pleasant , humane , and without pride ; after he had reigned . years , he died at . years of age in the beginning of the year . at the end of his life he left by will one hundred and forty thousand ducats to be distributed amongst religious men , pilgrims , and unportioned children ; he left likewise maintenance for five hundred cavaliers , who were enjoyned in his name to fight against the turks in the holy land : he was buried in lisbone in the cistercian monastery , dedicated to st. dionisius the areopagite . his queen elizabeth , lived near eleven years after his death , retired into the monastery of st. clara in conimbria , begun to be builded by her husband , and perfected by her : here laying aside her state , she ●ed a holy life , and is reported to have done many miracles . alfonso the iv. seventh king of portvgal . alfonso the fourth , seventh king of portugal , who succeeded his father dionisio , was born in conimbria , in the year one thousand two hundred and ninety , before he came to the government of the kingdom , he was married to beatrice daughter to sancha the fourth king of castile , and in the seventh lustre took into his hands the reins of the government . in the beginning of his government he ruled his subjects with great negligence , addicting himself wholly to the sport of hunting , and thereby giving his ministers liberty to tyrannize at pleasure ; some who loved him , and hated flattery , did publiquely advertise him , not to abandon the government of men , for the delights of killing wilde beasts , that he was destined to hear , govern , and judge his people , and ●hat whilest he did so , they would not fear to suffer for him any danger , nay they would encounter death it self for his sake : that it would redound little to his glory to have killed thousands of wild-boars , or to have taken ten thousand stags , but much to have administred justice , & sustained his scepter with reputation . these advertisements more free then secure , stirred up the fierce nature of alphonso , and ready he was to have ' chastised their freedom , who would be governed by a king , and not by a huntsman ; but at length considering with himself the truths they had spoken , he pardoned the liberty of their speech , and took them into the number of his dearest friends . and that he did esteem them so , appeared by his taking their counsel , wholly leaving off his hunting , and addressing all his endeavors to the government of the kingdom : the first of his impresses were against those who had furiously armed themselves against his father dionisio : and because those affections good or bad which have once had growth in the minde , are very hardly rooted out , the hatred that he bore to his brother sancho whilest he was prince , now renewed whilest he was king. for whilest his brother was absent , he caused several wicked men , who flattered the fortune of the king , to testifie against his brother , and charged him with all the imagined thoughts of soul , as crimes committed , during his fathers life ; upon which sancho was by the judges , in complyance to the royal will , deprived of all his honors in portugal , banished the country , and all his goods confiscate . sancho was at castile , when hearing of this sentence , he by letters intreats his brother to restore him to his grace , promising that he would serve him not onely as his brother , but as his king. but his prayers not at all softning his obstinate brother , he getting assistance from the king of castile , takes arms , resolving to force that reason and justice with his sword , which his supplications could not obtain : in fine , after a long continuance of war , in which the subjects were made subject to infinite oppression , he made with his brother a peace more necessary then secure . about this time d. iuan emanuel , son to the prince emanuel the nephew of ferdinando , surnamed the holy , was famous among the spanjards , both for his great nobility of birth and riches ; this iuan emanuel had a daughter called constance , who not yet marriagable , was promised to king alphonso the eleventh of castile , but this king offended by certain secret occasions , broke his vow to her , and espoused mary daughter to alphonso king of portugal : after a little time passed , the king of portugal thinking constance to be a fit match for his son the prince pedro , first writ to his son in law alphonso , and soon after began to treat with iuan emanuel , both the one and the other returned answer to his messages , the king of castile with dissimulation , and emanuel with sincerity offering his daughter . the king of castile either out of vexation that she whom he had repudiated , should still be a queen , or envying to the prince pedro the possession of so worthy a woman , after many artifices to hinder the marriage , put himself in arms to hinder the passage of constance into portugal . from this war happened infinite destructions and murders , which after the effusion of a sea of blood , were ended by the authority of pope benedict the xii . and constance was married to prince pedro. about the year . alb●acen that potent miramamolin of morocco and granata , with a mighty army of four hundred and seventy thousand men , came against alphonso king of castile , threatning indeed the ruine of all spain , when alphonso by the advice of his councel , sent to desire assistance of his father in law the king of portugal , and that he might the better speed , he made his wife the daughter of alphonso the messenger : who willingly heard and listned to the ambassie , and not onely promised assistance of men to further this expedition , but to go himself in person . being arrived according to his promise , it was determined that they should on both sides assault the moors , which accordingly they did , and that with so prosperous success to the christians , that after an innumerable slaughter of the saracens , they gained one of the most rich and most glorious victories that has been in the memories of man , so great quantities of silver and gold found they in the moorish tents , that one would have imagined all the riches of africa had been transported into spain . the reason of the barbarians transporting over so great treasure , was supposed to be out of the assurance of victory , which they flattered themselves withall ; they had designed spain for their country , and thereupon all those who had thoughts of planting there , brought over all that could either better , or conserve their fortune . this victory was gained nigh to the river of saledo , the two kings gave part of their spoils to pope benedict , who then resided in avignion , giving him likewise four and twenty colours taken from the enemy , among which was the proper standard of alboacen king of marocco , with many horses , and many moorish princes , taken prisoners in the battel . for his own portion of the prey , alphonso king of portugal brought home the son of king iulinenza , made prisoner with his proper hand ; he likewise with his own hand placed five colours taken from the enemy , in the church of st. vincenso , that posterity might behold them as a memorial of his valor and glory . scarce was he returned into portugal , but he permitted himself to be overcome by certain evil councellors , and be perswaded unjustly to take away the life of agnesa di castro , by whom his son pedro had had divers children . after the death of co●stance , the prince kept her like his wife , and it was publiquely believed that he would one day make her his queen : this accident was the occasion of cruel tragedies in the kingdom , for it stirred up a civil war betwixt the father and son ; but all ascribed it to a just judgement of god upon alphonso , who suffered the same injuries from his son , which he had done to his father . the queen beatrice bore alphonso the fourth , six children , three sons died in their infancy , and pedro who was the fourth , succeeded ; the other two were daughters , to wit , maria , who married alphonso king of castile , and eleanora , who was espoused to piedro the fourth king of arragon . king alphonso the fourth of portugal , over-loaden with the burthen of seventy seven years , in the month of may in the year . departed this life , after he had exercised the kingly office thirty years and a half , he was buried at the going into the cathedral at lisbon , together with his wife beatrice , having left to the priests of that church rich revenues , not onely for the expences of his sepulchre , but for the celebrating continual anniversary masses for their souls . he was equally strong and valiant , nor was it ever known that the greatest danger 〈◊〉 strike terror into his undaunted minde , he observed with a strict punctuality the rules of ho●nesty and justice , and towards god he with 〈◊〉 ordinary piety was both zealous and rever●●● he made several laws for the benefit 〈…〉 kingdom , which are still continued among the statutes of that realm . if he had not taken arms against his father , or if he had moderated his hatred to his 〈◊〉 or if he had not imbrued his hands in the 〈◊〉 blood of agnesa , envy it self coul● 〈◊〉 have found out any subject of blame in the 〈◊〉 course of his life , he resembled his 〈…〉 many vertues , but was much inferior to him in liberality ; his death happened to him in that condition when he had little reason to desire longer life , for it was when he saw his actions of glory forgotten though he was yet alive , for his subjects began onely to remember his faults , which being fresh in memory , made his loss the less lamented . pedro , the eighth king of portvgal . pedro the first of that name , who succeeded his father alfonso in the kingdom of portugal , was born at lisbon , in the year . two years before his father came to sit at the he●m of government , at the time of his being crowned , he was about the age of three and thirty years . he was the onely male-childe that lived of four , and some danger there was of him in his youth , he being very sickly till he arrived to about eighteen years of age , which made his father to be assured of a successor for his crown , to defer the marriage of leonora his youngest daughter to pedro king of arragon , till he perceived him in a perfect measure of health . he was about the age of one and twenty years married to constance daughter to d. iuan emanuel , by whom he had onely one son named ferdinand , who succeeded him in the kingdom , and she , as if she had onely come into the world to bear him , and having performed that task , died . after the death of the infante , d. pedro fell in love with agnesa de castro , a most beautiful woman , and descended of the blood royal , by her he had many children , amongst whom one was iohn , who afterward was the first of that name king of portugal : this lady being accused to king alphonso at his return from his great victory over the moors nigh the river saledo , was by him ( for what crimes is unknown ) put to death , which so incensed pedro that he took up those arms against his father , which he laid not down till his death . as soon as he was come to the crown , he brought to condigne punishment those who had wrongfully accused and counselled the lady agnesas death ; he afterwards renewed the old war betwixt his father and the king of castile , about the stopping of his espoused wife constance . but because the pope had before made up this breach , he by his letters commands piedro to desist from further prosecuting the war , which he for the present obeys : but soon after upon a slight pretence , again enters into castile with his army , whereupon an excommunication was thundred out against him , which forced him to retire , and to gain his pardon , turn his army upon the moors , from whom he took the strong port town of pharo , in the kingdom of algarve . at his return home he fell sick , and in the tenth year of his kingdom , and about the three and fortieth of his age in september . he died , he was buried in the cathedral of lisbon , not far distant from his father , having caused before his death three tombs to be erected on each side , he caused the bodies of his wife constance , and the lady agnesa , to be laid , reserving the middle one for himself , where he was accordingly buried . he was a man of as comely a personage as any whatsoever of the kings of portugal , of a sweet and affable disposition , nor did he want any of his fathers vertues , but one vice they both had , which overshadowed all their vertues , warring against their fathers . ferdinand , the ninth king of portvgal . ferdinand the first of that name , succeeded his father pedro , in the kingdoms of portugal and algarve , he was born at lisbon , in the year one thousand three hundred forty seven , and was the onely childe of constance , daughter of d. iuan emanuel : he arrived at the crown at the age of about two and twenty years , in the year . as soon as he had fininished the ceremonies of his coronation , he prosecuted the war his father had begun against the moors , and in several battels drove them quite out of algarve ; he built a monastery upon a promontory of land , called cape st. vincent , now by us the southern cape , which stretcheth it self out into the atlantique sea . he addicted himself to the planting and peopling of that kingdom , distributing the waste lands among the inhabitants , he repaired many cities , towns and castles , which had been destroyed by the fury of the war ; he built several churches and monasteries in that kingdom , all which he enriched with great revenues , but particularly a monastery for franciscan friers , erected in silva , the chief city of that territory . about this time it was that pedro , son of alphonso , the eleventh king of castile , having committed several tyrannical outrages , intollerable to his subjects , oppressing and destroying his subjects , putting away and after murdering his wife , daughter to peter duke of burbon , was by his bastard brother henry , chased out of his kingdom , and forced to live an exile . he at first seeks for aid to ferdinand king of portugal , but in vain ; he next addresses himself to edward the black prince of wales , who was then at burdeaux with an army of thirty thousand men ; he consents to assist him ▪ and encountring henry on the borders of castile with near one hundred thousand men , utterly discomfits him , and establisht pedro in the throne , who shortly after falling again to his former tyrannical courses , is deserted by his subjects , taken by his brother henry , and put to death . ferdinand had but one only daughter that survived , named beatrice , who was married to henry king of castile , and thereby excluded from the right of succession , according to the law made in the first assembly estates held at lam●go , in the reign of alfonso the first king , so that in this king ended the legitimate line of henry , duke of lorrein . this king had now reigned . years , and lived forty , when seized by a violent sickness , he gave up the ghost , in the year of our lord god , . and was buried by his ancestors in the cathedral church of lisbon . john the . tenth king of portvgal . john the first , bastard son to pedro the first , by agnesa de castro , who succeeded ferdinand in the kingdom , was born in lisbon in the year . he was in his minority educated in the famous conimbricense university , where he addicted himself to all those studies which became a prince , though 't is to be supposed at that time he thought not to have arrived at so great height as to be king of portugal . when he was grown to the age of about three and twenty years , he was by his brother made a chief commander of his armies , in which military imployment he behaved himself with so much courage and magnanimity , as was admirable ; his valor soon gained the love of the soldiers , and his courtesie and affability the affection of the people ; the very moors his enemies would applaud him , as both a perfect soldier , and a courtier . his brother being dead , and his nephew , beatrice uncapable of succession by reason of her having married a forreign prince , he claimed the crown , as next of the blood , but his claim was at first made void , by reason of his being illegitimate , when afterwards the councel of estates , finding that if they should refuse him , they might perchance choose one less deserving , 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 . yet some writers there be that affirm , that there were several legitimate sons of his father king pedro then alive , who all laid their several claims to the crown , as of right belonging to them before him , but that he being at the time of his brothers death general of the armies in algarve , and having gained so much upon the soldiers and people , presuming upon their affection , and his desert , laid claim to the crown , which they being no way able to resist , were forced to rest content , and permit him to enjoy what was likewise willingly conferred upon the people , so that he came to the crown partly by force , and partly by election . but howsoever he came by it , enjoy it he did , and entred into his government about the two and thirtieth year of his age , and in the beginning of the year . received with great applauses by the whole kingdom , as a prince from whom they expected great and good things , having already had so large experience of him . soon after his coronation , he married philippa , daughter to iohn of gaunt , duke of lancaster , which match he the rather inclined to , because henry the bastard king of castile , in right of his wife beatrice , pretended a title to the crown of portugal , , which he hoped he might the better oppose by matching into that ●amily , which had equal , if not more indubitable ●ight to the kingdom of castile . for iohn duke of lancaster having married constance , the eldest daughter to peter , the deposed and murthered king of castile and leon , claimed a right to , and was a great stickler for those kingdoms , yet never enjoyed any other but the bare title . king iohn having setled his kingdom , applied himself to the prosecuting the war against the moors , who being quite driven out of his con●ines , he resolves to follow into their own country , and be the first king of his nation that ever past the sea : to this purpose he mans out a potent fleet , and having fraighted it with a sufficient army , puts to sea , and lands in mauritania , where in several battels he discomfits the barbarians , wastes their countrey , burns their villages , and possesses himself of a sea-port town , called seplene , or ce●ta , whereby he gained both a retiring place , and an in-let into the country when he pleased . by his queen phillippa , king iohn had a noble and numerous issue , first edward ( so named from king edward the third of england his god-father ) who succeeded in the kingdom ; secondly , ferdinand , a man of so great abstinence , and so devoutly religious , that the portuguese added him to the calender of their saints ; he was in the wars against the moors taken prisoner , and during his captivity behaved himself with such an admirable patience , as worthily deserves our wonder , never murmuring to be linckt together with one of his meanest servants , and with him forced for his living to grinde in a mill , though such was the piety of the servant , that if he could he would willingly have performed the task himself , and excused his lord from the toil , if it had been possible ; at length he was ransomed , and returning ended his days in a recluse ; the third son of king iohn was named after his own name ; the fourth pedro ; but the fifth who most worthily deserves to be recorded , was the infante henry . this prince , whether emulating the great actions of his father , or out of a natural inclination in himself , was the first that encouraged the portugueses to affect forreign voyages , he first set out with a great fleet in or about the year . and made discovery of the islands in the atlantique sea , which at first were called from their being newly found out insulae novae , or , the new islands , afterwards , and now vulgarly called the azores ; he likewise in many other voyages made discovery of the islands of maderae , holy port , and capo verde , and sailing farther along the coast of africa , was the first that found out the way by sea to guiana , at length wearied with travel , and overpressed with age , he retired , and lived upon cape st. vincent , which place he choose , because of the constant sereness of the air , being a great lover of astrologie , and the mathematiques ; he died about the year . and was buried in the chappel of that monastery built by ferdinand the first . king iohn reigned in all forty seven years , having from the king of england received the honor of being knight of the garter ; as likewise did his two sons prince edward , and the infante henry . he died in the year . leaving the world full of his glory . he was a prince in whom all vertues seemed naturally to flow , endowed with all imaginable ornaments , both of body and minde , of a tender and affable nature , yet in the field as valiant as the fiercest ; though 't is by some observed , that he was never perceived upon any charge given upon the enemy ( many of which he made in his own person ) to change countenance , or shew any sign of discomposure from his constant temper . edward the i. eleventh king of portvgal . edward the first of that name , king of portugal , was born at the city of braga , in , or about the year of our lord one thousand three hundred ninety and two , he was educated during his youth in all those exercises befitting a a prince under the tutorage of the arch-bishop of lisbon , in which he profited so , that in his most tender years , his great judgement was deservedly wondered at : after he had past his minority in studies , he several times accompanied his father in the wars of africa , where he showed great proofs of his magnanimity and courage . he came to the crown at the age of forty four years , or thereabouts , some report that being to have the ceremonies of his coronation performed , the same morning that the crown was to be put upon his head , a jew , one of his physicians , and a great student in● astrologie , came to him , and falling down on his knees , very earnestly begged a boon of him ; the king demanded what it was ? he answered , that his majesty would be pleased for some days to defer his coronation : the king wondring at ●o strange a request , demanded , what it did con●ern him ? to which he answered , that it did ●ot onely concern him , but all his majesties ●aithful subjects , and the whole kingdom of portugal , for that by his skill in astrology he ●ad found , that if he then proceeded to the ceremony , his reign would be both short and ●nfortunate . at this the king was somewhat ●●artled at first , and seemed as if he would con●●der of it ; but after very little deliberation , ●ither out of magnanimity , or mis-belief of that art , he commanded the ceremony to proceed . whether this were true , or no , that he was ●hus forewarned , cannot be confidently affirmed ; but most certain it is , that in that short time of five years reign , he was very unfortunate , loosing several battels to the moors in africa , and was in very great probability to ●ave utterly lost what ever his father had gained ●pon that coast. he was married long before he came to the crown , and had four children , to wit , two males , ferdinand , who died an infant ; alfonso , who succeeded him in the kingdom ; and two ●emales , ioane , married to the king of castile , ●nd leon ; and leon●ra , married to the empe●or ferdinand , and mother to the emperor maximilian . he died , after he had reigned five years , and those with such bad success , that it was thought ●y many to have accellerated his end : he was ●ndifferent tale of stature , of a reserved countenance , and as reserved in his minde , very w●lful in his resolves , and refusing any counsel , but most extreamly outragious when he was thwarted in any thing he had designed , though with never so apparent symptomes of reason , which many have attributed to be the cause of all his disasters . alfonso the v. the twelfth king of portvgal . alfonso the fifth , his son , and the twelfth king of portugal , who succeeded , was born at lisbon , in , or about the year of our lord . a prince in whom appeared evident tokens of courage , greatness , and magnanimity , even in his youngest years ; he came to the crown about the age of one and twenty years , in the year of our lord . and was no sooner setled in his kingdom , but rigging out a potent fleet , with an army of about thirty thousand men , he passed into barbary , to prove if by his better fortune , he could regain that ho●nor which his father most unfortunately had lost . nor was his success less then his desires , o● then what his valor merited ; for having in several battels overthrown the moors , he a● ●ength per force took from them the strong towns of tanger , alcazar , and arzilla , which he strongly fortified , and engarisoned with por●uguese forces . during his reign several voyages were made to the new islands , or azores , where the por●ugals now began to fortifie , and inhabit , as they did likewise in the islands of the madera , holy port , and capo verd● ; thus began this nation by degrees to grow famous at sea , by reason of their new discoveries , and of the great traffique they began to have . king alfonso left behind him several children , two of which came to be kings after him , to wit , iohn his eldest son , who succeeded him , and emanuel his second , who reigned after his brother . he was a prince of a very affable and courteous disposition , milde to all men , and if he were not too merciful , a man scarce guilty of any fault , yet in the wars he was as magnanimous as a lion , and fierce as a tyger , being often observed to hazard his own person somewhat too desperately . he died at lisbon in the forty third year of his reign , and sixty fourth of his life , in the year of our lord . john the ii. the thirteenth king of portvgal . john the second , succeeding to his father alfonso the fifth , was born about the year . and entred into the government of his kingdom at the age of about twenty eight years , a prince who being educated under his fathers arms , could not but be partaker of some of his vertues ; an honorable emulation of which he showed in his first coming to the crown , by a prosperous expedition against the moors . at his return from barbary crowned with victory , he set out two armata's to sea , the gallantest and best accounted that ever portugal had before that day seen , the one directed his course to the azores , which islands were now indifferently well peopled , and began to afford a traffique to the portugal nation ; from thence this fleet was to go and touch at the other islands discovered by the infante d. henry , in the atlantique sea , and supply them with necessaries . the other fleet more warlickly fitted and supplied with all sorts of necessaries , both for war and peace , as designed both for a conquest and plantation , steered its course along the coast of africa to guiny , where landing its soldiers and planters , they soon drove away the heathenish inhabitants , fortified themselves , and made an absolute conquest of the realms of congo . the fleet afterwards made discovery of that coast , as far as the cape of good-hope , planting and fortifying as they went. king iohn having now reigned fourteen years , with happy success in all the enterprises he undertook , by an unfortunate accident came by his end ; for very much delighting in hunting , which sport he was very eager at , pursuing a stag , his horse leaping over a ditch , gave him a violent fall , of which in three days he died , in the forty second year of his age , and fourteenth of his reign , leaving his kingdom by reason of his dying without any legitimate issue , to emanuel his brother . he was of a very swarthy complexion , but withall of a pleasant countenance , affable and courteous , a great lover of justice , and more inclin●ble to severity then mercy ; he was especially careful in seeing the laws against murder rigorously put in execution , being often used to say , that he who pardoned a murther , did commit 〈◊〉 ; his great love to hunting made him not altogether so diligent in state-affairs as he ought to have been . emanuel the i. fourteenth king of portvgal . emanuel who succeeded him , was born in , or about the year . he took possession of the crown of portugal at the age of about thirty and two years ; a prince who had been bred up in all sorts of learning , that might make him either a divine , or a states-man . at his first entrance in the government , he addicted himself so wholly to religion , that he took little care of the management of the kingdom affairs , so that whilest he was never from churches-duties , both church and state was likely to go to ruine by the evil administration of those ministers whom he had entrusted . the arch bishop of lisbon , who foresaw the ruine which approached to the kingdom by the tyranny of the officers of state , presumed freely to tell the king , that though 〈◊〉 could not blame his zeal and devotion towards god , yet he must needs advise him , that god had placed him as king and governor over his people , that the divine majesty would be better pleased if he would with his prayers to the almighty for their welfare , add his care for their protection ; that it was a duty incumbent upon him to provide for his subjects felicity , as of parents for their children , whilest according to the apostle , he that does not take care for his family , was worse then an infidel ; that for want of his superintendency the kingdom was posting into the road of destruction , by reason of the ill administration of his ministers , that according to his duty he could not but advise him to free them from oppression , &c. these speeches of the arch bishop extreamly stirred up the kings affections to his people , both because he was sensible of the great love the arch bishop bore him , and because he knew what he had spoken was truth ; he therefore takes the helm of state into his own hands , calls those unjust steward to account , frees the people from their oppresses , where he finds cause punishes them severely , and finally , makes several laws for the good and benefit of the people , whose affections he in short time so far gained , that they surnamed him the good. and having thus setled his kingdom to the content of his subjects at home , he next applies his minde to the aggrandising of it , to which purpose in the year . he fitted out a great number of ships , which he divided into three fleets , sending one towards the east , the second towards the west , and the third towards the south , to make discoveries . that , which steered their couse towards the east , were the first christian fleet that ever passed the cape of good-hope , and found out the passage by sea into the east-indies ; that towards the west , made discovery and took possession of brazile in america ; that towards the south , reinforced and added to their former conquests in the kingdoms of conga . and angola . these happy discoveries thus made at the return of the fleet from the east-indies , a more potent was sent out with a convenient land army , to take possession of some places in the country ; these discomfited the great armies of the turks and sultan of egypt , possessed themselves of the island of ormus in the persian gulf , an island so rich and well situated , that the arabians used to say , that if the whole world were a ring , that would be like the diamond in it ; many other forts and places upon the sea-coast they likewise subjected , and fortified , and returned home richly laden . thus were the riches of india , which before had been brought over the vast arabian deserts upon the backs of camels , to grand cairo in egypt , and from thence by sea transported to venice , and so dispersed over these parts of the world , were now brought home by sea , a longer , but less chargeable and far quicker way . emanuel , while his fleets were performing these glorious services abroad , governed his kingdoms in peace and prosperity at home , blessed with a noble and numerous issue , to wit , six sons and two daughters ; the sons were first , prince iohn , who succeeded him in the kingdom : secondly , the infante d. lewis : thirdly , the infante d. alfonso , who was after a cardinal , arch-bishop of lisbon , and abbot of alcobaza : fourthly , the infante d. henry , cardinal and arch-bishop of braga : fifthly , infante d. fernando : sixthly , the infante d. edward . the daughters were first the infante isabella , who was married to charles the fifth that famous emperor , and king of spain : and secondly , the infante beatrice , married to emanuel duke of savoy . emanuel having long governed this nation to his great glory and renown , at last in the seventy third year of his life , and forty first of his empire , yielded to fate at lisbon , in , or about the year . and was buried in the cathedral of that city amongst many of his ancestors . he was a prince in whom the divinity seem'd to have been at a strife , whether his body or minde should be made more amiable , for the features of his face were worthily to be admired , yet his outward part could not boast more beauty , then his soul could , that imbellisher of man , vertue ; i can not well say whether he was more severe , or merciful , but where he met with offences that he could not pardon , he was always pitiful ; in sum , he so lived , and so ruled , that he deservedly merited that glorious name of emanuel the good. john the iii. fifteenth king of portvgal . john the third of that name , who succeeded his father in the kingdom , was born in the year . and educated in the university of conimbria , in all those sciences befitting a prince , he arrived at the crown at the age of one and thirty years , heir as well to his fathers vertues , as kingdoms . he prosecuted those discoveries made by the fleets of his father in the east and west indies , in the first of which he took and possessed many islands and towns , his armies encountred and overthrew the potent and formidable kings of bengala , pegu and siam , and likewise obtained many signal victories over the moors of malacca , sumatra , and molucco , who were as well provided of artillery as any princes of europe : his armies in west indies had no worse success , taking and fortifying divers places , no● was fortune less favorable to him in guiny . during his fathers life-time , being about the age of three and twenty years , he was married to catherine , sister to charles the fifth emperor , and king of spain , by whom he had issue prince iohn , who died during his reign , but left behind him a son named sebastian , who succeeded this iohn his grand-father in the kingdom . iohn the third reigned in all eight and thirty years , making many laws for the increasing and encouragement of traffique , to the great enriching of his subjects ; he died in the sixty ninth year of his age , and in the year of our lord . being buried in the cathedral at lisbon . sebastian the i. sixteenth king of portvgal . sebastian , grand-child of king iohn the third , was his successor in the kingdom , which he entred into at about three and twenty years of age . scarce was he well seated in his throne , or had sat in it much above a year and a half , when he was by ambassadors from muly mahamet , then turned out of his kingdoms of fesse , and morocco , by his unkle abdemelech , implored to aid him in the recovery of his kingdom , with promise that if by his means he could drive out abdemelech , he would freely resign to sebastian the kingdom of morocco , and content himself with that of fesse . ambition of glory , and hopes to propagate the christian religion , makes sebastian readily undertake the enterprize , and to that purpose makes all possible speed to levy men and arms , he sends to phillip the second king of spain , who promises him the assistance of ten thousand men , but fails ; yet sebastian not discouraged , resolves with his own forces to proceed , to which by an accident he got some addition , for as he was almost ready to go , stukeley an englishman , created by the pope marquis of ireland , as he was going with a small fleet of ships , and about six thousand italian soldiers , to assist the irish rebels against the queen of england , was by tempest driven into lisbon , him with much entreaty he perswades to desist from his intended design , and accompany him into barbary . thus set forth , he arrives at tanger with an army of about thirty thousand men , here he meets muly mahamet , with a very small addition of forces , and much less then he expected , yet he marches forwards towards abdemelech , who by letters would have advised him to have returned in peace , but in vain ; so the two armies meet in the plains of alcazar , where sebastian is utterly discomfited , himself , muly mahamet , stukeley , and several persons of quality slain , three kings fell in this field , for abdemelech was killed in the hottest of the battel , this was fought in august . yet some there be that have affirmed that sebastian was not slain in this battel , but that for shame and sorrow he returned not home , but wandring from one place to another , was at last found out and known at venice , and from thence carried to naples , where he was kept three days in a dark and dismal dungeon , without any sustenance but a knife and a halter , that he was after by the command of the king of spain sent thither , where he died miserably . that whether this were the true sebastian , or no , was not certainly known , but that he was so like him , that the spaniards used to say , if it were not he , it was the devil in his likeness ; but however , he being thus lost to the portugals , they crowned in his stead henry the cardinal . henry the i. seventeenth king of portvgal . henry the cardinal , third son to emanuel the first , who succeeded sebastian in the kingdom , being both by reason of his age , to wit , . years old , and his function ( being a church-man ) deprived of all means to give the people any hopes of issue , it was during his short reign of his years , the whole discourse and debate , not onely of portugal , but of all christendom , who of right ought , and who probably might succeed king henry in that crown and kingdom , several pretenders there were , whose several titles the ensuing table will make clear . emanuel the first , had eight children . iohn , king of portugal , who had issue iohn , prince of portugal , who had issue sebastian , king of portugal . lewis , infante , who had issue don alfonso , the bastard . christopher , and others . infante d. alfonso , died without issue . henry , the cardinal , king of portugal , died wirhout issue . fernando , infante , died without issue . edward infante , who had issue mary , wedded to alexander farnese , prince of parma , a forreigner . reinuce , prince of parma . katherine , married to iohn , duke of bragance . mary , married to charles the fifth , king of castile , and emperor , who had issue phillip the second , king of spain . beatrix , married to charles , duke of savoy , had issue philbert , duke of savoy . the several claims to the crown were in 〈◊〉 eight , and all the pretenders endeavored by 〈◊〉 the most weighty arguments they could to j●●stifie their several titles ; first the people cla●●med iure regni , a priviledge to elect the●● own kings ; but it was soon answered , th●● until the royal line of a kingdom were qui●● extinct , they could claim no right in the el●●ction , for if they could , they might by the sam● reason at any time depose the lawful heir . 〈◊〉 popes challenge to be iure divino , arbitra●●● ( if not donour ) in all controversies of crown● but especially in this , because alphonso the 〈◊〉 king , to obtain that title , became tributary 〈◊〉 the sea of rome , was slighted and dis-regarde●● the third claim was that of antonio , the b●●stard son of lewis infante , who alledged , th●● his mother was lawfully wedded to his fathe●● and endeavoured by all means to clear 〈◊〉 aspersion of his being illegitimate ; some strug●lings he made for the crown , as hereafter sha● be spoken more at large . catherina de medice● the widow of henry , the second king of franc● was the fourth that pretended a right and 〈◊〉 to the crown , as being descended legitimatel● from alfonso , the third king of portugal , cha●●ging all th●● had raigned since to be usurpers● to this it was readily answered , that all lawyer● had ever allowed one hundred years , sufficien● to clear and make firm the title of any king●dom , and that there being the prescription 〈◊〉 three hundred years against her , her claim 〈◊〉 utterly void . the fifth that pretended to 〈◊〉 crown was philibert duke of savoy , as son to ●eatrice the younger daughter of emanuel , ●hough it is to be supposed that he laid not his ●laim out of any hopes to prevail , whilest he was descended but of the youngest daughter , and phillip the second of spain of the eldest : but 〈◊〉 is rather to be thought that he was incited to ●ut in his claim by the rest of the pretenders ▪ who knew that of the claimers who were not natives , he was the fittest person of all others ●o resist and annoy . king phillip not onely by ●eason of his personal valor , but also because of his countries bordering upon the dutchy of millan , which with the assistance of the french , ●is neighbors on the other side , and pretenders ●o that dukedom , he might with ease at all ●imes invade . the sixth who-presumed a right to this kingdom , was reinuce the young prince of parma , who demanded it in right of his mother the eldest daughter to the infante edward , alledging that iure primogeniturae , the male line was to be ●erved before the female , so that until the line of his grand-father prince edward , were wholly extinct , neither phillip the second , nor ●he duke of savoy , could have any pretence to that kingdom . catherine , dutchess of braganza , and youngest daughter to the infante don edward , was the seventh that laid claim to this crown , who alledged , that in all successions whatsoever , these four qualities were to be considered , viz. the line , the degree , the sex , and the age ; that the better line ought in justice first to take place , although others should have advantage in the other three qualities ; that in all successions of crowns , the last possessor was to be succeeded ●ure hereditatis , which allowed the benefit of representation ; that she representing the infante don edward , the better line did by representation preceed reinuce ( the law never allowing a grand-child that benefit ) and that by her better line she did exclude king philip , who descended of a daughter , but especially by the prime and fundamental laws of the kingdom , ( put in execution against b●atrice , daughter of ferdinand the ninth king of portugal , who having married out of the kingdom to the king of castile , her right of succeeding was utterly lost , and king iohn chosen in her stead ) she was to be preferred before all other claimers whatsoever , in regard of her both being born and married within the kingdom . but phillip the second , king of spain , who was the eight pretender , having employed all the best wits in christendom , to confute and disprove all other claimes , and prove and maintain his , wanted not some objections against this ; alledging , that the successions of crowns were to be decided by the law of nations , not of the empire , upon which onely her jus representandi patrem was grounded , that the nearest male in degree to the late possessor ought to succeed ; that the infante don edward being deceased before his brother henry was king , could have no right in himself , and therefore could derive none to his posterity , for nem● dat quod in se non habet , that it was very unreasonable that catharine should be less prejudiced in her self for her sex , then king phillip should be for his mother . phillip the ii. ii. iii. iv. of that name kings of spain , and . . . kings of portvgal . but it was no arguments could confute , or annul the certain and indubitable right of the dutchess of braganza , which was clear to the world , both by her descent , and by the fundamental laws of the nation , and this king phillip knew well , and therefore , though he carried on his affairs very candidly to the eyes of men , and seemed unbyassed with proper interest , by offering to submit his title to a disputation , ●●ofessing that the laws of portugal were more favorable to him , then the law of castile , and openly acknowledging , that if he should chance to die before king henry , his eldest son being a degree farther off , would come behinde some of the pretenders , of whom himself had the precedence . though , i say , he carried himself thus fair to the world , yet he clandestinely wrought with father leon henriques a jesuite , and confessor to king henry , and ferdinando castillo , a dominican , and of the kings bosom councel , to endeavor by all means possible to divert all designs in prejudice of his claims , and especially that catherine dutchess of braganza might not by henry be declared to be the next heir apparent ; which he conscious of the justice of the title , was very willing to have done . and whilest these two fathers prosecuted his interest there with the old , and almost doting king henry , the vigilant phillip provided an army in readiness , with which he resolved to enter into portugal , and with his sword make good his disputable title , as soon as that old kings death should give him the warning piece to fall on . yet when that was given , and phillip ready to march with an army of twenty thousand men into portugal , he had like to have been prevented ; for pope gregory the thirteenth pretending still his right to dispose , or at least to arbitrate all difference concerning that crown , had sent cardinal riario legat apostolique , with order to disswade the catholick king from raising arms , and that done , to pass int● ●ortugal , and in his holiness name , and behalf , to arbitrate the right between all pretenders ; which designs of the popes , this crafty spanish fox circumvented , for having pre-advice of it , and resolving to pursue his own intentions of assuring to himself the kingdom of portugal , and yet approve himself an obedient son of the church , he gave order in all places where the legat was to pass , he should be most magnificently entertained , so that by such sumptuous treatments , the time might be dexterously protracted , and he possessed of that kingdom before the legat arrived at court ; which was accordingly done , and the legat returned thanks for his magnificent entertainments , though he was displeased at the ill success of his negotiation . but to proceed to the maner of his possessing himself of this kingdom : no sooner did the news arrive at the spanish court of the death of king henry , but ferdinand de teledo , duke d' alva , was commanded with an army of twenty thousand men to march toward lisbon , and in the name and right of his catholick majesty , to make conquest of the kingdom , if he found opposition . but all the appearance of opposition which he found , was made by don antonio the bastard son of lewis the infante , who having got into lisbon in the head of a tumultuary rabble , rather than a well-formed army , endeavored at first to make some resistance , but was soon discomfited , and the suburbs of lisbon being sacked to satisfie the soldiers , the city was surrendred to him , whither soon after the king came , and so by a mixt title of descent and arms , took possession of the kingdom , anno . katherine dutchess of braganza being enforced to surrender to him all her interest and pretensions . the nobility and people of portugal were without doubt extreamly amazed to see themselves so suddenly surprized , and made subject to a forein prince , and especially to a prince of that nation against whom they had a natural antipathy : but finding themselves in a condition not able to make any resistance , they thought they should gain more by submitting freely to that king , than by being forced to it ; and therefore they made their humble submission , which phillip met as it were half way , and condescended in the general assembly of estates to be sworn to these articles ▪ or capitulations following . i. that the said phillip king of spain , &c. should observe all the laws , liberties , priviledges , and customs granted to the people by the former kings of portugal . ii. that the vice-king , or governor , should be always the son , brother , uncle , or nephew of the king , or else a native of portugal . iii. that all chief offices of the church , or state , should be bestowed upon the natives of portugal , and not upon strangers ; likewise the governments of all towns and places . iv. that all countries now belonging to the portugal , should so continue , to the comodity and benefit of the nation . v. that the portugal nation should be admitted to all offices in the kings house , as well as the castilians . vi. that because the king could not conveniently be always in portugal , he should send the prince to be bred up amongst them . these articles were shut up , or concluded , with a blessing upon such kings as should observe and keep them , and a curse on those who should break or violate them . and some authors likewise affirm , that there was another clause added to them , signifying , that in case ( which god forbid ) that the king which then was , or his successors , should not observe this agreement , or should procure a dispensation for this oath , the three states of the kingdom might freely deny subjection and obedience to the king , without being guilty , either of perjury or treason : though these articles were thus sworn to , and the cardinal albertus archduke of austria son to the emperor , and nephew to the king of spain , appointed vice-king of portugal , phillip the second durst not inperson yet leave the kingdom ; for he perceived by their murmurs and visible discontents , that their submission to him proceeded more out of fear then love , and that as he had in a moment gained that kingdom , so he should as soon loose it ; if he should but give them the least opportunity . for that the people were highly discontented , might easily appear by their attentive listning after old prophesies , among which was one of an old hermit who told alphonso the first king of portugal , of the great victory that he should obtain over the five kings of the moors , that he and his posterity should reign happily king of portugal , but that in the sixteenth generation his line should fail , but that god at length should have mercy again upon them , and restore them . others had respect to a letter written by st. bernard to the same king alphonso , ( the original of which is reported to have been given to the portugal embassadors , by lewis the thirteenth , king of france , anno . ) the substance of which was to this effect : that he rendred thanks to him for the lands bestowed upon him , that in recompence thereof , god had declared unto him , that there should not fail a native of portugal to sit upon that throne , unless for the greatness of their sins , god would chastise them for a time ; but that this time of chastisement should not last above sixty years . other prophesies there were of this nature , and to this effect , which put the people in hopes of a deliverance ; and many of them flattered themselves that don sebastian was yet alive , and would come and deliver them ; nay , so foolish were some of them , that though they believed him slain at the battel of alcazar in barbary , yet they thought he should live again , and miraculously come to redeem them . but that which most of all expressed the peoples discontents , was what was publickly spoken by the mouthes of their orators the priests , in their pulpits , who would ordinarily in their sermons utter speeches much in prejudice of the spaniards title , and in favor of the dutchess of braganza , nor were they sparing to do so in the presence of the king himself , who would therefore often say , that the portuguez clergy had made the sharpest war with him . father lewis alvarez a jesuite , preaching one day before the vice-roy , took his text , surge , tolle grabatum tuum , & ambula , and turning himself to the duke , said , sir , the meaning of that is , arise , take up your pack , and be gone home . but above all this , might the discontents be perceived in the noblemens chappels , especially in the duke of braganza's , where they were wont to sing the lamentations of ieremy , applying all the scorn and reproach of the israelites to themselves , as aquam nostram pecunia bibimus , because of the excize put by the spaniards upon wine , and other necessaries : and that , servi dominati sunt in nos ; and that , cecidit corona capitis nostri , most commonly ending with this invocation , recordare domine , quid acciderit nobis intuere & respice opprobrium nostrum : haereditas nostra versa est ad alienos . yet did king phillip bear all these affronts with an incomparable patience , dissembling with an admirable prudence his passion ( if he had any ) for these discontents ; for he knew the onely way to win this nation to an obedience and complyance , must be lenity at first , what ever he intended to practice afterwards , and that he had by his exact keeping of his word and oath , won much upon this people , appears in that during his whole reign , and the reign of his successor philip the third , who followed his fathers foot-steps , though not with that craft and dissimulation , they made no attempts , nor were inclinable to a revolt , which the ensuing story will evidence . don antonio prior of crato , the base born son of lewis the infante , who had by the tumultuary rabble , on the death of king henry , been elected king , being expulsed lisbon by the forces of the duke d' alva , fled from thence into france , to the protection of that queen , who ( in regard that her claim was exploded both by the spaniard and the portugal , as an outworn title , and injurious to all the kings of portugal ever since , as unjust possessors ) had long endeavored to excite queen elizabeth of england against the spaniard , and to forewarn her and other princes to beware of his increasing power , who now enriched with the addition of portugal , east-india , and many isles in the atlantique sea , might in time overshadow all his neighboring princes , and therefore advising that it behooved them to think of some way to curb his ambition betimes , and restrain his too far extending power into some reasonable limits . which advice of hers , queen elizabeth easily listned too , being always providently careful of her own , and her subjects safety , fore-seeing how dangerous the over-swelling power of that prince would be , both to her and her dominions , and therefore though she then entred not into a present war with him , yet when don antonio came over to her with recommendations from the french queen , she bountifully relieved him , which she then thought she might do without offence , considering that she acknowledged him her kinsman , descended of the blood royal of england , and of the house of lancaster ; nor was there ever any promise made in any league between the english and spaniard , that the portugals should not be received into england . here then don antonio resided , till ( the wars breaking forth between spain and england ) after the spaniard had received that notable overthrow of his invincible armado , to whose power and puissance the whole world thought england would have been but a morsel . queen elizabeth judging it more honorable to assail her enemy , then again to be assailed by him , suffered a fleet to be set forth against spain , which sir iohn norris , and sir francis drake , with some other private persons , to their eternal honor , rigged and set out at their own charge , requiring nothing of the queen but some few ships of war ; and she granted to them , that the ships and spoils taken should be divided amongst them . the hollanders likewise to this fleet joyned some ships , so that the number of the whole fleet was about eleven thousand soldiers , and fifteen hundred mariners . with this fleet don antonio , with some few portugals set sayl out of england , having before loaden the english with great promises of the recovery of this kingdom , assuring them that the portugueses would be ready upon his appearance to revolt from the spainiard , and that muley hamet king of morocco , would assist him with twenty thousand men . the first place that the english fleet put into , was the groyne in gallicia , the base town of which they easily took , but attempting the higher town were twice repulsed , and forced to raise their siege , upon advice , that the condy di andrada had gathered forces at burges bridge , and that the condy di altamira was coming with more , purposing to besiege them in the base town , and so cut off their way to their ships ; which norris resolved to prevent , and therefore with a sufficient force marched against them , overthrew them , and had the slaughter of them for three miles together , and two days after having burnt and pillaged the villages , they put to sea , steering their course towards portugal . but whilst they laboured with contrary winds , plying to and fro at sea , robert earl of essex fell in amongst them , who being very young , had out of the heat of military glory , hatred of the spaniards , and commiseration of don antonio , declining the pleasures of the court , and committed himself to sea , without the knowledge , and absolutely against the queens mind , in hopes by reason of the influence he had over most of the commanders of the land-forces , to be made their general . two days after his being joyned with them , they with much trouble arrived in penicha a town of portugal , which with the loss of some drowned in landing , they became masters of the castle , being likewise immediately rendred to don antonio . hence the land-forces under the command of sir iohn norris marched directly , and with all possible speed towards lisbon , about sixty miles distant , drake promising to follow with the fleet by the way of the river tagus . the army being arrived at lixbon , though they had before at a councel of war , determined to encamp on the east-side of the town , the better to bar succours from coming out of spain , now contrary to their own resolutions , sat down before st. kathermes suburbs on the west-side , where as at first they found no resistance , so they found little help , but what the prayers of some few disarmed men gave them , who now and then cried out , god save the king antonio : and indeed other help they could not afford him , albertus archduke of austria the vice-roy having before disarmed the portugals . the next day when the english , weary with their long march , betook themselves to their rest , the spanish garison sallied out upon them , who were at first resisted by bret and his companies , till more coming up to their assistance , forced the spaniards to give back the valiant earl of essex , chasing them to the very gates ; but the english had several commanders of note , and no small quantity of private soldiers slain . in sum , when they had now stayed two days before the town , and perceived that the portugals , notwithstanding the great brags and fair promises of don antonio , did not at all incline to a revolt , and that no advice came of any assistance from muley hamet king of morocco ; but that instead of them , fresh forces flocked in great numbers from the east parrs into the city , whilst their army was lessened by a violent sickness , their provision and amunition failed , and their great guns for battery arrived not , they raysed their siege , and took their way towards cascais , a small town at the mouth of the river , the spaniards following them at a distance , but not ever daring to fall into their rear . the town of cascais they took , blew up the castle , and so , notwithstanding all the intreaties of don antonio , set sayl for england , firing in their way vigo a port-town deserted of its inhabitants . this and some small bustles with one or two counterfeit sebastians not worth mentioning , were the onely storms , that hapned in this kingdom during the reigns of phillip the second , and third ; for they keeping their words in most things , though some of their priviledges they infringed , had almost brought the people to a willingness to be their slaves , whereas phillip the fourth committing the whole charge of the government to count olivares , ( who though without doubt an able statesman , yet would seem to have a way in policy by himself , which no body else could understand the reasons of ) lost the whole kingdom , and all its territories . for such was the new rigorous ways which he would prescribe in the government of catalonia and portugal , both people very tender of their priviledges , the least breach of which should have been seconded by a potent force to have suppressed them , in case they should attempt an insurrection , when in stead of having such power in readiness , the catalonians had rather opportunity given them to rebel , and spurs to provoke them to make use of the opportunity ; for some soldiers being scatteringly quartered among them , but too few to curb them , they looked upon that as a greater intrenchment upon their liberties than any before , and a design utterly to enslave them : wherefore converting their patience into fury , they took arms , massacred those soldiers , slew their viceroy , and put themselves under the french protection . this revolt of the catalonians was a president to the portugals , who had extreamly suffered under the breach of their priviledges : for contrary to the second article sworn to by king philip the second , which said , that the viceroy or governor , should be either son , brother , uncle , or nephew to the king of spain : the infanta margarita di mantoua , who had no relation at all to the kings of castile , was made governess , which they might , and perhaps would have born , had they not been incensed by a more feeling injury anno. . when the tax of a fifth part was imposed upon all the subjects of that kingdom ; an intollerable grievance , and thought so insufferable by the southern parts of the nation , that they rose in arms to oppose it , and had set the whole kingdom in a combustion , had it not been timely quenched by the timely care and industry of the then governess , the infanta margarita of mantoua . yet this small stir gave an item to the court of spain , of the readiness of the people to revolt , which made olivarez endeavor by all ways possible to cut off the means of their being able to do , but whilest he endeavored to prevent them , he gave them the means to do it , though he failed not to make use of those courses which in probability might ensure that kingdom ; the chief of which was , the endeavoring to allure from thence the duke of braganza , whom the people of portugal looked upon as the person who of right ought to be their king , and who was the onely native of the kingdom who might restore again the line of alphonso ; besides , he was a prince , who for power , riches , and number of tenants , not onely exceeded all the nobles of portugal , but even of spain it self . and indeed the duke of braganza was one of the most glorious subjects in europe , being allied to most kings in christendom ; which made the kings of spain , though they were competitors for the crown of portugal , treat this family with more honor than any other of his grandees , receiving them almost with as much respect , as if they were sovereign princes ; which appeared in philip the second , who most of all desired to abase this family , yet would always when the duke of braganza came to visit him , meet him in the middle of the room , and not permitting him to kiss his hand , seat him with himself under the canopy of estate . to draw him therefore out of that kingdom , olivarez first politickly offered him the government of milan , a place of great trust and honor , but he modestly refused it , as not in a condition at that present to undertake so great a command , and indeed expressing an unwil ingness to go out of portugal . but his unwillingness to go from thence , made the king of spain , and count olivarez the more willing to draw him from thence , it was therefore given out , that the king himself was resolved to go in person to reduce the revolted catalonians , and that therefore all the nobility should be in a readiness in four moneths time to attend his majesty in that expedition . but the duke of braganza being suspicious of the spaniards , because he knew himself suspected by them , and likely to be whilest the portugueses so much affected him , to assure himself of the ones love , and to avoid , if possible , the others suspect , retires himself to his countrey-house at villa vitiosa , and there follows his sports of hunting , &c. not at all regarding matters of state , withal sening an excuse to count olivarez that his affairs at present were in so low and mean a condition , that he could not appear to attend his majesty in that pomp and splendor that became a person of his quality , and that therefore he should do his majesty more service in staying at home , when the other nobles were abroad , then he could possibly do by attending him . this plot thus failing , made the court of spain more suspicious of the duke then ever before ; count olivarez therefore resolves to imploy his utmost art of dissimulation to entrap him , which he sets upon by a fetch so far about , that to the eye of reason it might put the duke into ambitious thoughts of endeavoring to assume his throne , and in a way to accomplish those thoughts , rather than any way prejudice him : but it appeared afterwards that olivarez design in so far trusting the duke , was onely because the duke should trust him . in answer to braganza's letter of excuse , the conde assures him that his majesty was very well satisfied with his reasons of not attending him in the intended expedition against catalonia , and that he was very sensible of his good inclinations to his service ; that for his own part , he was verry sorry that his affairs were in so low a condition , for he could not but commiserate his interest as his own . that his majesty , to let him know how great confidence he reposed in his fidelity , had appointed him general of the militia of that kingdom , and had for his present supply sent him sixty thousand crowns , leaving it to his choice to reside in what place near lisbon he pleased . this strange confidence put in the duke by the king of spain , much amazed the greatest politicians , who thought it reasonable that the spaniard should have permitted the duke still to have kept retired in the countrey , rather then have given him such a command , and called him to lisbon into the continual view of the people , who looking upon him as the heir of that house which had been ever represented to have the onely right to the crown , might easily be enflamed with a desire to have a king of their own . and these things was the princess of mantoua very sensible of , and therefore continually solicited the king to know his reason , or to desire him to remove those apparent opportunities which he had given the duke of braganza to effect a revolt . but she not onely received intricate and enigmatical answers from the king and duke d'olivarez , but likewise had the former actions seconded with one , which made her of opinion that his catholick majesty had a mind to toss the kingdom into braganza's hands whether he would or no ; for on a sudden , without any notice given to her , all the spanish garison in st. iohns castle , which commanded the city of lisbon , and indeed upon the strength of which the whole safety and security of the kingdom depended , were suddenly drawn forth , and the castle left to the disposure of don iohn of braganza . but this was the last act of count olivarez confidence in the duke ; for by trusting him so much , he now thought that he could not but reciprocally repose confidence in him ; and therefore next summer anno . he again by letters sollicites him to leave portugal , and come to madrid , first telling him , that his catholick majesty gave him many thanks , and greatly applauded his loyalty in the exercise of the office of general , and was very sensible of the good effects which his authority had wrought over the portugals : next he represented unto him the present declining condition of the spanish monarchy , not onely by reason of the disorders in flanders and italy , and the preparations of the turk , but more especially for that their most potent enemies the french , were now in assistance of the revolted catalonians , entred into spain : that it highly concerned his catholick majesty to drive these out of his territories , which could not be effected but by a very powerful force ; that he being one of the prime grandees of the kingdom , might by his presence in the head of a good number of his tenants , encourage others to a sutable assistance : that to that purpose his catholick majesty expected him every moment , having designed for him great honors , priviledges and dignities , suitable to his merit . but as cunning an angler as olivarez was , yet he failed of his mark , the bait would not yet hook in the fish ; for though the duke of braganza was accounted no very great politician , yet his own safety taught him to know that all these trusts , and fair promises were but gilded allurments to draw him to his destruction ; having therefore supplied the king with a considerable number of his tenants and friends , he found excuses for his own not going in person ; and to take off all suspicion of jealousy or thoughts , that he had any design against the state , he retired again to his country house . thus did these two great personages , by craft and dissumulation endeavour to supplant each other , onely the one strove the others destruction ; the other onely studied his own safety and preservation : during all these passages , the vice-queen margarita of mantoua was very vigilant in her government , & foreseeing what in reason might be the issue of these proceedings , wrote very importunately to the king , assuring him , that if it were not suddenly prevented , the kingdom would infallibly be lost . to which his majesty returned her no answer : and olivarez in his ( slighting her judgement , as fitter to govern a private house then a kingdom , ) desired her , that if her capacity would not reach to the height and drift of those mysteries of state , yet that her wisedom would prompt her not to discover them . yet without doubt olivarez was inwardly perplexed to see all his plots thus fail , and foul means he durst not openly attempt , such was both the dukes potency , and the great love the people bore him , he therefore at last has recourse to treachery , and to that intent gives secret advice to don lopez d'ossis , and don antonio d'oquendo , that when they had relieved flanders with men and mony , they should with the whole fleet put into portugal , and then as soon as the duke should according to the duty of his new place and office come aboard , they should immediately set sail , and bring him away to callis ; but this plot was by a strange divine providence prevented , for that fleet was totally routed by the hollanders upon the coast of england . john the iv. the one and twentieth king of portvgal . now was the time come wherein , according to st. bernards prophecy , the kingdom of portugal was to be released from the tyranny of strangers , and restored again to the government of a native king , to which all things seemed so well to quadrate , that we cannot imagine there was less then a divine hand in it ; for though ( all plots failing against the duke of braganza , ) the spaniards beginning to fear somewhat , drew out as many of the native soldiers out of the kingdom as conveniently they could , thinking thereby to lessen the ill humors which beg●n now to appear , yet they did thereby onely the more stir up and enflame those discontents which were taken at vasconsellos managing all affairs of state. for although the most illustrious infanta margarita of mantoua was a princess of great judgement and knowledge in state-affairs , yet she permitted her self to be so much over-ruled by vasconsellos secretary of state , or at least was so much over-ruled by him , whether she would or no , that he either by some secret consent of his catholick majesty , or led on by his own ambitious spirit , confiding in the great favour he had at court , never permitted the infanta to enjoy other then the title of vice-queen . and insufferable was the government of vasconsellos to the portuguesses , who as much hated his obscure birth , as they did his evil customs ▪ he was a man wholly composed of pride , cruelty , and avarice , that knew no moderation but in excesses : small lapses were by him made capital crimes , chastising with all severity those whom he did , but suppose dissatisfied with his government ; and exercising with all rigor the spanish inquisition , punished not onely the actions , but the very thoughts of men . the infringing of the greatest priviledges of the portugal nation seemed to him but a trifle ; which continued oppressions , in the end so exasperated the whole people , that animated by the knowledge of their own strength , by the many diversions of the spanish nation , by the late example of the catalonians , and incited by the absolute ruine which they saw hung over their heads , whilst six thousand of them were yearly listed and forced to serve the spaniard in his forreign wars , they resolved to loose his yoke from off their necks , and to disclaim his obedience , by the election of a king of their own . some have been of opinion , that this conspiracy was at least of ten years standing , agreed and assented to by most of the grandees of portugal : i dare not affirm it , nor deny it ; for such great actions of state do resemble lightning , which once past leave but the greater darkness : the air of state-mysteries is not to be flown in by less then eagles , i shall therefore omit to search into so great a privacy , and onely recount the publique action . on saturday the first of february , anno . ( and saturday's have been often observed to be propitious to the portugal nation , ) all the nobility of the kingdom , led on by the marquesses of ferrera , & the count of vimioso , took arms , and accompanied with a great multitude of the inhabitants of lisbon , and some portuguese soldiers came to the castle , which scituate in the middest of lisbon , serves both for a palace and a castle : this was the residence of the vice-queen , and hither assembled all the magistrates for governing of the kingdom , the guards which were two companies of spaniards and two of high dutch , either before gained by secret intelligence , or frighted with the great numbers of the portugals , or desire of novelty , or else perhaps unwilling to make resistance against those to whom they were most of them joyned by friendship or marriage , without the least opposition , abandoning their post , gave them free admittance . whilest these things had happened , the secretary vasconsellos was in the chambers of his office ( upon some reasons he had by the discontents of the people , to suspect an insurrection ) at that instant writing into spain , of the alienation of the mindes of the nobility from the spanish government , and earnestly pressing that some rigorous resolution might be taken to prevent it ; which letters afterwards taken , did sufficiently demonstrate his ill will to the portuguese nation . whilst he was thus busied , the confused noise of the soldiers pierced his ears , at which wondring not so much at the tumult , as at what should be the cause of it , being accompanied onely with a dutch man , and another of the guard , he would have gone down , but was hindred by the portugals , who came running up , crying , kill the traytor , kill the enemy of our blood ; whereupon not knowing where to save himself , he fled , with those two accompanying him , into an inner chamber , and there with his sword in his hand , accompanied and assisted by those two that were with him , disposed himself to sell his life at the dearest rare he could : but his valor stood him in no stead , for those two who endeavored to defend him , being slain with two musquet-shot , he seeing it vain to defend himself there longer , leapt desperately out of the window , rather to seek his death , than out of any hopes to save his life ; for no sooner was he down , but numberless swords were embrued in his blood , the very women and children running to tear in pieces his dead body , with the same alacrity as he used to torment them , when alive . in the mean time the marquess of ferrera was gone to secure the vice-queen , whom having committed to the guard of two hundred musquetteers , he calls a council , and in a short discourse sets forth the miseries the kingdom had endured whilest it lay subject to the spanish government , who had sought no other end but their destruction : then putting them in minde of the valor and merits of their nation , he exhorts them to condescend to the election of a new king , nominating to them the duke of braganza , as the most worthy of the crown , not so much for his power , riches , or the greatness of his house , as because the kingdom was his indubitable right ; he being the onely person left of that stock , which for so many years had gloriously governed portugal . a long discourse was superfluous to those who were before perswaded . a publick shout interrupted the marquesses speech , all of them crying with a loud voice , that they would have john duke of braganza for their king. in the whole multitude there was not a face , much less a voice that did gainsay this general vote ; either because they did all really rejoyce to see that they should again have a king of their own nation , or because none could without danger oppose themselves to the torrent of so a publick will. the duke was at this time at his countrey-house at villa vitiosa , whether by accident , or because he would always have had occasion to excuse himself , if the business should not have succeeded , i cannot guess : but by reason of his absence they thought fit to make choice of two governors , whom , to avoid the pretences of others , they nominated to be the archbishops of lisbon and braganza . these began immediately to exercise their command , and were obeyed with so much quiet , that in all that great and populous city of lisbon there was none slain , but onely those before-mentioned ; the prisons were opened nor was there any that suffered any wrong , either in their goods or life : all the shops were opened as if there had not happened any change of government . onely the house of vasconsellos was sackt , with so much anger and despite , that they did not pardon the very doors and windows ; nay , such was the fury of the people , that had they not been hindred by the soldiers of the guard , they had levelled it with the ground . as for his carcase , it suffered all those disgraces which a people wronged both in their liberties and esta●es , could inflict : they ran like mad men to express living sentiments of revenge upon his dead and senseless corpse , vaunting who could invent the newest ways of disgrace and scorn , till at length almost wearied with their inhumane sport , they left it in the street so mangled , that it did not seem to have the least resemblance of a man ; from whence it was the next day carried by the fraternity della misericordia , and thrown into the burying-place of the moors . the marquess of alemquer , after he had by command from the governor assured the strongest posts of the city , sent several soldiers into the streets , crying , long live king john the fourth ; which the people hearing , distracted as it were with very joy , leaving their trades , ran up and down proclaiming him with voices of iubilee , the greatest part through excess of passion , not being able to refrain from tears . the messengers did not run , but flie to the duke of braganza , to give him notice of his promotion to the crown : the first arrived on sunday morning before day ; he feigned a great alteration at this advice , whereupon some have presumed to say , that he had not any knowledge of the design . he seemed at first not to believe it , but told the messengers , that though he might have desert , and a spirit fit for the crown of portugal , yet he had neither will nor ambition to desire . that his enemies wronged him , by tempting him with stratagems as far from his genius , as his faith. but at the arrival of the count of monte santo , who came to accompany him to lisbon , he seemed of another minde ; and having been with him in private discourse for the space of about two hours , without any further delay , then what the relating the business to his wife , and to the prince his son , made , he departed with the count from villa vizosa , accompanied with about five hundred persons . yet others there be that affirm , that he was not onely acquainted with the design of the revolt , but of council about it , and that some time before the nobility having had a private meeting at lisbon , it was at first propounded , that they should reduce the kingdom into the form of a commonwealth ; but that not being approved of by the major part , the archbishop of lisbon stood up , and in a most eloquent speech having laid before them the miseries they had endured under the spanish yoke , recommended unto them iohn duke of braganza , as the indubitable heir of the crown , and their rightful soverign . this motion needed not to be seconded with many arguments to induce a general consent , they all most willingly assented to it , and concluded to send gaston cotigno , a man of a fluent and voluble tongue , to acquaint the duke with their intentions , and to perswade him to accept the crown , and free his countrey . gaston being arrived , with many well-coucht words acquaints him , that there was now a pregnant opportunity offered to recover the indubitable right of his ancestors to the crown of portugal : that the nobility and clergy were wholly inclined to redeem themselves from the tyranny of the castilians , by securing the crown upon his head : that the universal odium of the whole people to the spanish government , the present low condition of the house of austria , distracted on every side with war ; the assured assistance that france and other nations , emula●ing the greatness of spain , would lend , were as so many motives to perswade them not to let slip so fair an opportunity to regain their liberty : that if he by refusal , should be the sole enemy to his countreys freedom , they would effect it themselves , and reduce it into a common-wealth ; with many other arguments used he , which his love to the house of braganza , his hatred to the castilians , or his own ingenuity prompted to him . the duke's amazement permitted him not to return a sudden answer : but after a little pause , he replied , that he was highly obliged both to him and all the nobility , for their affections to him , but that this was a business required great deliberation : that there was no medium between a throne and a chair of execution , that therefore he would first advise with himself , and not rashly attempt so hazardous a business . he therefore communicates the whole business to his dutchess donna lucia , sister to the duke of medina sidonia , a woman of a noble , heroick , and masculine spirit , with her he consults whether he were best accept of the propositions of the nobility , or to prevent all hazards go to madrid : and being anxious what course to take , his wife nobly told him : my friend , if thou goest to madrid , thou dost incurre the danger of loosing thy life ; and if thou acceptest the crown , thou dost no more : consider then whether it be not better to dye nobly at home , then basely abroad . these words of his ladies ( say some ) ainmated him to a resolution to accept the crown ; so he returned gaston in answer , that he would conform himself to the councels of the nobility , resolving to live and run all hazards whatever with them , for the regaining of his countries liberty . in the mean time the marquess of ferreira used his utmost endeavors for the reducing of those castles which still heldout for his catholique majesty . the first day the castle of colline was rendred , which for its situation was judged in expugnable , yet the captain of it no sooner saw it besieged , but moved either with gold or fear , he delivered it up on articles . the tower of belem , and that de la cabera were suddainly surprized before they within had any notice of what was done ; the strong fortress of saint giuliano , a modern fortification , and built to defend the mouth of the river , was ready to surrender , when a castellane , who was there a prisoner , and under sentence of death , for the surrendry of a fort in brazile , shut out the captain , who was gone to parly with the portugueses , and resolved to defend it many days : he might have held it out the siege , but finding neither ammunition nor provision , consumed , as was believed , on purpose by the captain , who unwilling to have the blot of a traytor cast upon him , for so suddain a delivery , thought it fitter to be forced by necessity to open the gates to the marquess . after the surrendry of fort san giuliano , the marquess of ferreira in the name of the king , gave the sacrament of fidelity , or an oath of allegiance to all the orders , to wit , to the clergy , nobility and commons , which was received with so much readiness , that had not the marquess seen the necessary orders observed , the people had run into certain inconveniences , so much they strived to prevent one another in willingness to perform this duty . on thursday the sixth of february , his majesty made his entrance into lisbon , with all these applauses that a beloved king can expect from his most loving subjects . the rich liveries given by the nobles , the triumphal arches , the streets hung with tapestry , the multitudes of the people flocking to see him , and the excellent fire-works , ( which were so many that a spaniard cryed out , es possible que se quita un reyno a el rey d felippe , cun solas luminarias & vivas sinmas exerci●● in poder , gran senal y efeto sin duda del brazo de dios todo poderoso ! is it possible that king phillip should be deprived of a kingdom , with onely lights and fire-works without a powerful army ! certainly this is an evident token that 't is the almighty hand of god , ) were the least demonstrations of that cities love and joy : so great was the concourse of those that flocked to see their new king , that though his majesty entred into the city by noon , he could not through the throng arrive at the palace till two hours after sun-set : curiosity and love which usually have the force to stir up all affections , made this people flock so fast to the sight of their prince . and because it is prudence in a publique joy , to accomodate ones self to the will of the most , even those who either for envy , or some other cause , hated the house of braganza , did not cease to make some demonstration of reverence and mirth , and by how much the more they thought themselves observed , by so much the more they strove to seem other then they were . his majesty being arrived at the palace , instead of reposing himself , addicted himself wholly to consult about carrying on the war ; knowing well that onely labour produces true rest . the first consultations were concerning the expugnation of the tower of st. iohn , which of all the forts in the kingdom only held out for the catholick king. to reduce this cittadel , the marquess of ferreira was sent in person with a numerous army , though for the most part tumultuary , and ill ordered ; but what they wanted in discipline they supplyed in affection , not refusing to engage themselves in the extreamest dangers : for two days the marquess found strong resistance , but on the third day it yeilded , as it is supposed , forced rather by bullets of gold , then of iron . don antonio de mascarendas , with a portuguese garrison was appointed commander of this fortress , which he very diligently repaired , not onely of the dammages now received by battery , but with other necessary fortifications , to bring it to greater perfection . the kingdom thus suddenly reduced to the devotion of king iohn the fourth , the several governors were commanded to their countries to levy forces , who listed the inhabitants indifferently from the age of eighteen to sixty ; in whom they found so much disposition , that many offered their estates , and their lives , and would follow the colours , although they had licence to depart . on the of the same month , followed the a coronation of his majesty , accompanied with all those applauses and demonstrations of joy , which could proceed from a people of infinite riches , who weary of the command of strangers , were consequently ambitious of a king of their own nation . in the publique place before the palace upon a most sumptuous theater , was erected a great stage , and upon that a less , upon the top of which but three steps higher , stood a chair of state under a canopy , all covered over with cloth of gold. about noon his majesty came forth of his palace royal in a suite of chesnut coloured velvet embroidered with gold , and buttons richly set with diamonds : about his neck was a collar of great vallue , whereunto hung the badge of the chief order of knight-hood , called el ordine di christo. he was girded with a gilt sword , his robe was cloth of gold lined with white wrought with gold and flowers , the sword was born before him by don francisco de alello marquis of ferreira , high constable of the kingdom ; and before him was the kings banner displayed by fernando telles de meneses earl marshal , before him went d. manrique de silva , marquess of govea , steward of the kings houshold , and so in order his nobles and grandees of the realm one before another , before all went portugal king at arms , with the heralds pursevants , &c. his majesty being ascended the stage , and having placed himself in the chair of estate , had the crown set upon his head , and the scepter delivered to him , with the accustomed ceremonies by the archbishop of lisbon ; which done , he spoke to his majesty to this effect . behold , o most sacred majesty , these your subjects who do more rejoyce to see this day , then of all the days of their lives : they rejoyce to see the crown of portugal , returned into its ancient stock , they rejoyce to have found a father who will govern them like children , not tyrannize over them like slaves . they here , great sir , offer their estates , their lives , and oblige themselves to run through all the accidents of fortunes , to establish that crown upon your head , which now with so much devotion , with so much readiness they have placed upon it . they cannot sufficiently express their affections to your majesty ; could they bring their hearts , and lay them down at your majesties feet , they would not refuse to do it , so sure are they that they have found a king all goodness , all love , who will not let slip any means for the establishing of the crown , for the quiet of his subjects , for augmenting his dominions , and for the conservation of those priviledges which have been written with the blood of our progenitors : be your majesty graciously pleased to accept this common resentment expressed pressed by my mouth , there being nothing that more comforts the mindes of good subjects , than the pleasing of their prince . the good old prelate spoke these words with so much feeling , that the tears of his eyes testified the affection of his heart . to this speech of the archbishops , his majesty returned answer , in expressions equal to his love and greatness : that the weight of the scepter , and subjection to the crown , were things always dissonant to his genius ; that he had of late years given them sufficient testimony of it , whilst they were not more affectionate in offering , then he was ready to deny the taking upon him the weight of the kingdom . that his now condescending to their desires , was onely to provide for the kingdom , which had been acquisted , and agrandized with the blood of his predecessors , and to take it from the hands of those , who besides their unjustly possessing it , had rendred themselves unworthy of it , by endeavouring by all means to ruine it : in sum , he concluded with thanks for their love , offering himself ready to adventure his health , and life , for their preservation , the redeeming them from slavery , and maintaining of their priviledges . this short discourse ended , his majesty went to the great church in the same order as before , where being set in a chair of estate , raised upon a stage for that purpose , with a christal scepter in his right hand , at which stood the lord constable , and behind him the lord chamberlain , there was placed before him a table covered with cloth of gold , and a cushion thereon , upon the cushion lay a gold crucifix and a messal . here the archbishops of lisbon and braga , administred the ensuing oath to the king. we swear and promise by the grace of god , to rule and govern you well , and justly , and to administer justice as far as humane frailty will permit , to maintain unto you your customs , priviledges , and liberties , granted unto you by the kings our predecessors . so god help us god , and this his holy gospel . this oath being administred , the three estates , to wit , the clergy , nobility , and commons , took the following oath of allegiance to his majesty , one for every one of the estates , pronouncing these words . i swear by this holy gospel of god , touching corporally with my hand , that i receive for our king and lawful soveraign , the high and mighty king don john the fourth , our soveraign , and do homage unto him , according to the use and custom of his kingdoms . this , and the ceremonies attendant ended , his majesty , accompanied with all his nobles , returned to his palace , whether notwithstanding it was a very great rain , all the grandees went bare-headed , where there was a most sumptuous banquet prepared , but his majesty gave himself wholly to consult of preparations for the war , shewing thereby that kings in their greatest felicity and delights , should not forget affairs of state , and taking care for the preservation of their subjects . but amongst debates of the war abroad , there happened one of an affair neer home , concerning the placing or displacing officers of state ; and because his majesty knew that the charge of such officers , must needs be with the resentment of many , and that there is nothing more alienates the minds of men , then to see themselves undeservedly deprived of their honors , he took away onely the places of two , to wit , that of the providitore of the custom-house , because he was son in law to diego soarez , and brother in law to vasconsellos the late deservedly slain secretary ; and that of the count of castanhie , who was president of the tribunal , or court of conscience , because he was too much interessed with his catholick majesty . as for the infanta margarita di mantoua , late vice-queen , and the marquess della puebla kinsman to olivarez , the castle called pasos de angiobregas , was assigned them , with fourteen thousand crowns a year for maintenance . an honorable prison it was , nor could they desire any thing but liberty , which show'd a great nobleness of minde in king iohn : but princes always do like princes , and much it demonstrates the magnanimity of the mind , to honor our enemies , though they be our prisoners . nor must we here forget the magnanimous , and couragious carriage of the dutchess of mantoua late vice-queen ; during these confusions and distractions , for king iohn sending to ascertain her ; that she should want none of those civilities that were suitable to a princess of her high birth , provided she would forbear all discourse and practises which might infuse into any an ill opinion of his present government . she returned thanks to the duke , ( for she would not stile him king ) for his complement : but withal fell into a grave exhortation to those nobles that carried the message , telling them , that they should lay aside all vain hopes , and not cozen themselves , but return to their old allegiance , according as they were obliged by oath , which if they did , she doubted not to finde them all pardon . the rest of the castilians of authority were confined in the castle , and all the souldiers took the portuguese pay , either because they believed doing so , to be most for their interest , or else because being most of them linkt in parentage with the portugusses , they believed the portugal interest to be their own . shortly after lucia , now queen of portugal , sister to the duke of medina sidonia , with her son the prince theodosio arrived at lisbon , who were received with all imaginable expressions of joy : the queen was soon after solemnly crowned , and the prince installed , at whose installation , the nobles and grandees of the realm , took to him the following oath . we acknowledge , and receive for our true and natural prince , the high and excellent prince d. theodosio , as son , heir , and successor of our soveraign lord the king ; and as his true and natural subjects , we do him homage in the hands of the king , and after the death of our true and natural king and soveraign of these kingdomes of portugal and algarve , and beyond sea in affrica , lord of guiana ; of the conquests , navigations , and commerce in ethiopia , arabia , persia , india , &c. we will obey his commands and decrees in all , and through all , both high and low : we will make war and maintain peace with all those that his highness shall command us : and all this we swear to god upon the holy cross , and the holy gospel . these ceremonies performed withal fitting solemnity , the king , to show that the good of his subjects was his onely care , called an assembly of the three estates of the kingdom , who being convened , and the king seated in his royal throne , don emanuel d' acugna bishop of elvas made a speech to them , to the following purpose . that one of the first laws of nature was , the uniting of men together , from whence cities and kingdoms had their original , and by which they after defended themselves in war , and maintained themselves in peace ; that for that cause his majesty had called this assembly to consult for the better service of god , defence in war , and government in peace : that there could be no service of god without union of religion , no defence without union amongst men , no regular government without union of councils : that his majesty did expect to be informed by his loyal subjects what was for the good of the state ; that they were to render thanks to the almighty , who had given them a king that would govern them by known laws ; that his majesty did not esteem those tributes lawfull that were paid with tears , and therefore did from that present , take off from his subjects all tributes that had been imposed by the kings of castile , because his majesty would not reign over their goods , nor over their heads , nor over their priviledges , but over their hearts , hoping that they would find out a sweet expedient , to defend their country against their potent enemy , who threatned to make them all slaves , and to destroy , and to annihilate their nation . that they would therefore , considering his majesties goodness and their own honor , manifest at once unto the world , that as never subjects had such a gracious king , so never king had such loyal subjects . the bishop having ended his speech , the most ancient officer of the chamber of lisbon , stood up , & in the name of all the three estates , ( who stood up likewise , ) returned humble thankes to his majesty , for this gracious bounty , heartily professing that they did not onely offer up their goods , but their lives to his majesties service , earnestly intreating his majesty to dispose both of the one and the other , as he pleased . and to manifest that their hearts and their mouths concorded in this free offer of themselves to his majesty , they presently voted that two millions should be immediately raised by the kingdom : but his majesty wisely and polipolitickly declined the imposing of a tax upon his subjects , chusing rather to accept of their benevolence ; which made every one strive who should offer most ; so in stead of the two millions , there was in short time brought into the treasury four millions of gold. nor was this money intended by them , nor employed to any other use then to maintain the grandezza and splendor of the king and kingdom , there being no need of money for the payment of soldiers , every one offering to serve freely , and at their own charge , against their vow'd enemies the castilians . but let us for some time leave the assembly sitting , and give an account how this action was resented into the spanish court : most mens minds were struck with consternation , but olivares came smiling to the king , saying ; sir , i pray give me las albricias to hansel the good news , for now you are more absolute king of portugal then ever , for the people have forfeited all their priviledges by this rebellion , besides the estate of the duke of braganza , with all his complices are yours , by right of confiscation , so that you have enough to distribute among your loyal subjects by way of reward . but however olivares seemed thus to dissemble his passion ; it was believed that this news struck deeper into him then any . the king of spain upon the first news of the proclamation of king iohn , sent a letter to him to this purpose : cousin and duke : some odd news are brought me lately , which i esteem but folly , considering the proof i have had of the fidelity of your house , give me advertisement accordingly , because i ought to expect it from you , and hazard not the esteem i make of your self to the fury of a mutinous rabble , but let your wisdom comport you so , that your person may escape the danger , my council will advise you farther ; so god guard you . your cousin and king. to this letter his majesty of portugal returned answer : my cousin : my kingdom desiring its natural king , and my subjects being oppressed with taxes , and new impositions , have executed , without opposition , that which they had often designed , by giving me possession of a kingdom which appertains to me ; wherefore if any will go about to take it from me , i will seek iustice in my arms : god preserve your majesty . don john the iv. king of portugal . thus was this kingdom utterly lost to the spanish monarchy , and not onely it , but with it all that they enjoyed by that kingdom in the east - indies , the tercera islands , and other islands in the atlantick sea , the kingdom of algarve , brazile , together with all they had in africa , except the town of cexta , which was the whole remained to the spanish nation of all those great dominions . but that all men might know the greatness of their loss , and what the crown of portugal enjoyes abroad , take here a brief narration : first , those islands of the tercera , madera , and st. michael , so long time possessed by the portugal nation , which though inconsiderable to their other dominions , yet deserve to be mentioned ; next those many strong places of which they have made themselves masters in africa , as in guiana , in the kingdoms of congo and angola , the great island of st. laurence , of soffola and mozambique : on the continent thence passing the mouth of the red sea , they have setled a trade with socatra and calaite ; thence passing the bay of persia , to the mouth of the river indus , they subdued calecut , coetium , &c. the island of goa , ciaul , daman , &c. thence toward the river ganges , they possessed ceilam , malacca , sumatra , solon , larantuca , &c. thence farther they were entred into the kingdom of pegu , into iava-ma●or , and minor , into the kingdom of china where they fortified macoa : in sum , the kingdoms , provinces , islands , and cities , that the portugal nation had conquered , and were possessed of abroad , may in some measure be compared to the antient roman empire ; nor was their valor much inferior to the romans , if we consider the war they made with the king of cambaia , who for puissance and military courage , or numbers of men of war , did exceed xerxes , darius , or pyrrhus ; the battels they had with ismalucco , and idaliam in the kingdom of decam , both equal to mighty kings and their armies , consisting of the best warriors of the east ; the war they have waged with the moors of malacca , sumatra , and molucco , as also with the kings of bengala , peug , and siam , &c. with many other formidable powers . many of those places most certain it is , were lost while the catholique king had possession of portugal ; but with it he likewise lost , and king iohn the iv. had possession of above fifty towns and forts accounted impregnable , such were , mozambique , cuama , monomotasca , mombaza , masiala , dui , damam , bazaine , chiaul , onor , barcelor , mangalor , cananor , cranganor , cochim conlan , negapatan , meliapor , the isle of ceilam , the kingdom of iafanapalan , the cities of manac , and nombrede iesu ; then more northward , azarim , danue agazim , maim trapor , and many other places , in all which were maintained governors and soldiers , and a vice-roy , residing at goa , with courts of justice , &c. hither many kings of the east used to send ambassadors to maintain amity with the king of portugal , and to bring tribute to him ; thus the portugal trade in the east extendeth it self no less then four thousand leagues , by which trade all the garrisons are maintained , and all the ships , ( whereof they are oftentimes two or three fleets ) and much wealth sent home every year ; besides those aforementioned , the crown of portugal has several towns on the coast of africa , so strongly fortified , that the moors of the country could never yet recover them , such as tangeer , &c. in america they possess the famous country of brazile , which stretcheth it self one thousand four hundred leagues upon the sea coast , containing fourteen governments , and many principal cities , st. salvador , pernambuco , &c. thus great a loss did the spanish monarchy suffer by the revolt of portugal , which the catholique king phillip the fourth was very solicitous to recover , and to that end and purpose did not onely consult with the greatest statesmen at home , but likewise with those abroad , from one of whom he to that effect received the ensuing letter . by the letter which your majesty was pleased to write to me on the . of march past , i am commanded to deliver my advice touching the best expedient for the recovery of portugal ; sir , the clemency used by king phillip the second , your majesties grand-father , towards the kingdom of portugal , was a fatal presage of the present calamities , and future destruction , not onely of spain , but the whole spanish monarchy , because that kingdom was onely in name , but never really conquered , remaining rich , and abundant with the same , if not greater priviledges then before : the grandees and nobles at home , the people not at all crushed , and ( which is more then all ) the government in the hands of natives , and all his majesties other subjects excluded from all places of power , honor , or profit . sir , the holy scripture , which is the mirror and rule of our actions , teacheth , that when salmanazar conquered the kingdom of israel , he did carry away , not onely the royal family , but transported all the nobility and people into divers provinces of his kingdoms , and into the new conquests sent new inhabitants ; yet the israelites were never such inveterate enemies to the assyrians , as the portugals with devilish madness have shewed themselves against the interest and conveniencies of this monarchy . moreover in the same scripture it is read , that nebuchadonosor having conquered ierusalem , transplanted all that he found in that kingdom , leaving onely a few miserable inconsidera●le people to remain there . so athalia queen of iudah saw no other way to preserve a kingdom newly conquered , but by extinguishing all the generation , upon whom the jews could cast their eyes in hopes of revolt . and iehu , king elected by god , extinguished all the family of ahab , together with all his dependants , friends , and acquaintance , not sparing so much as the priests . these sir , are the rules that the holy scripture teacheth to be practised upon the families and people that abhor the dominion of their own soveraigns . it was , sir , very fatal to stand expecting and hoping for better times and opportunities for the securing of portugal . in the year . observing the ill affection of that nation , my advice was , that without any delay that kingdom was to be secured by force of arms ; others were of the same judgements , but fate would have it that ( for fear of new troubles ) by delays way should be made for rebellion , then which there could not have been a greater , although that form of government , which was expedient for the spanish monarchy , and was always held necessary for the preserving that crown , had been put in execution with the greatest violence imaginable . but when a jewel is gone , the main inquery should be by what means it may be found again , not how it came to be lost . the first means of recovering that crown may be ( what your majesties grand-father made use of ) to buy your rights of your own subjects by gifts and promises , wherein your majesty is to be as prodigal , as the portugals are insolent in expecting or demanding , and indeed experience teacheth that that nation is so addicted to their own interest , that more may be effected this way , then by a powerful army : to him will they be subject who will give most , or from whom most can be expected herein , prodigality will be good husbandry ; for when portugal shall be returned to the obedience of your majesty , all that wealth which hath been bestowed amongst them , will return likewise . the second means is by course of arms , but this will be difficult at present , by reason of the several engagements of this monarchy elsewhere ; i suppose sir , that in case portugal should be conquered by force , all their conquests in the east indies , &c. will remain in their hands , for thither will they all flye , and from thence will they be always ready to assist our enemies : wherefore it would be very expedient for your majesties service , that a truce were first made with the hollanders , upon condition that they make war upon the portugal in the indies , and have what ever they can conquer , whence will arise this commodity that they will want the wealth of their conquests , your majesty being disengaged with the hollander , will sooner conquer them at home , and the hollander will onely come to receive to day at the hand of your majesty , what to morrow the portugal must deliver up to them : at the same time the hollanders and flemings may scour the coast of portugal , and the english may be invited to a more frequent navigation in the east indies and china , whereby the portugal trade may easily be ruined . the third way is , that the pope be perswaded to thunder his excommunications against the house of braganza , and against the whole kingdom , as perjured and perturbators of the publique peace , animating all christian princes to assist in the regaining that kingdom , upon pretence of advancing the catholique faith. moreover , diffidencies and jealousies between the duke of braganza , and other people , may easily be fomented by means of merchants , strangers , and by flemings and burgundians , under the name of french. and to effect these diffidencies the better , a treaty may really be begun with the duke , which being discovered by the people ( though it be before the duke could know thereof ) they will destroy him and all his family , and in such case the civil dissentions will open a way for your majesty to recover your rights : desperate evils must have desperate remedies , the kingdom of portugal is the canter of the spanish monarchy ; therefore , e●se recidendum : ne pars symera trahatur . let not your majesty defer the right remedy , the greatest rigor is here the greatest charity ; and to have no charity , is to have much prudence ; to bury this hydra in its own ashes , will be triumph enough ; to live without this arm , will be better then to have it employed against ones own head : let your majesty never believe , or hope better of that nation , then you have seen these . years past ; never think to keep that country , if not planted with other people ; the detestation against your majesties government , is hereditary . the interest of the king , sir , is very ample , and hath no bounds against rebels , every action is just and honourable that tends to the recovery of the kings right . moreover , a truce is to be made with the catalonians , whereby they being freed from the tumultuous courses of war , will have time to take notice of the french insolencies , and growing weary of that yoake , will at length ea●ily embrace the next opportunity to return to their obedience , which once effected , will make the people of portugal waver betwixt hopes and fears , and beget variety of opinions amongst them , which for the conquering of kingdoms ( the emperor iulian used to say ) was much more advantageous then the force of an army , as the grand-father of your majesty found in the succession of portugal : to this may be added , that it will be very expedient that your majesty name bishops to dispose of all governments , and offices of the crown , to the most confiding persons in that kingdom , for this will beget distrust amongst them all , and the ignorant people not knowing whom to trust , will put all into confusion , whereby your majesties service will be more easily advanced . this in obedience to your majesties commands , i have imparted my weak advice , wherein if i have erred , your majesties goodness will attribute it to my want of abilities , not of affection : god preserve the catholick and royal person of your majesty , as the christian world , and we your majesties subjects have need . but notwithstanding all these endeavors , and these proposed artifices , nothing prevailed towards the king of spain's recovery of this kingdom , nor was it probable that any of these deceits ever should , whilest is considered the extraordinary love and affection which the whole nation of the portugueses bore to the family of their present king , and the inveterate hatred which did , and always have born to the castilians , which was so exceeding great , that it is believed they would rather have suffered themselves to be extirpated and routed out , then again submit their necks to the spanish yoake . and that ever the spaniard should again recover it per force , is incredible , if we either consider the union and unanimity of the portugal nation , and their resolutions to undergo the greatest miseries of war can inflict , or the interest of all the other princes of christendom , who may justly suspect the encroaching greatness of the spaniard , and therefore endeavor rather to lop off more limbs from that great body , then suffer this to be rejoyned . but it is now high time to return to a review of the actions of the grand assembly of the estates of portugal , who next resolved to dispatch ambassadors to all states of christendom , to enter into confederacies , for the better defence and establishment of the kingdom , and for the glory and reputation of the king. in the first place the father ignatius mascarenas a jesuite , with another father of the same order , was sent into catalonia , to offer them all assistance and supplies for their maintainance , and defence against the catholique king , for very well did the king of portugal know that it highly did import his interest to correspond with them , that so they might joyntly , not onely defend , but also offend the king of spain , whose country lying betwixt them both , they might at pleasure invade , or molest it , either by sea or land. this embassie of king iohn's so rejoyced and encouraged the catalonians , that the very next day after the ambassadors had audience , they obtained a most signal victory in their own defence against the spaniards , who had assaulted them with an army of twenty five thousand men under the command of the marquis de los veles . shortly after that the father ignatius mascarenas was dispatched to the catalonians , d. francisco de mello , and don antonio caelle carravallio ( persons both of excellent and admired abilities , the one for his great experience and judgement in state-affairs , and the other for his noble spirit , and eminent knowledge in the civil law ) to go on a solemn embassie to the most christian king lewis the thirteenth of france . these attended with a stately and most magnificent train , landed soon after at rochel , and on the fifteenth of march . made a solemn entrance into paris , being met and conducted in by a great number of coaches , filled with the grandees of the kingdom , besides numbers of the french nobility , who came to attend them on horse-back . thus accompanied , they were conducted to the palace appointed for the entertainment of the extraordinary ambassadors , where they were in a sumptuous and magnificent maner feasted at the kings charges . from thence they were by the duke of chevereux , and the count de brulon , conducted in the kings coaches unto his majesty then at st. germains , to receive the first audience ; which was performed with extraordinary shows of love and respect : for upon the entrance of the ambassadors into the place appointed for their audience , the king rose out of his chair of estate , and went forward three steps to receive them , nor would he permit them to deliver their embassie with their hats off , or to descend so low , as to kiss his hands at their departure , but in stead of that ceremony , he affectionately embraced them in his arms , promising them the greatest assistance his power was able to give . they were from the kings presence conducted to a sumptuous dinner provided for them , and after that brought to the queens lodging , who was set to expect their coming : at their entrance she likewise rose , and advanced three steps to meet them , receiving them with a cheerful and courteous countenance , and not permitting them to be uncovered . amongst other discourses which they had with her , d. francisco de mello told her , that he feared his embassie might not be acceptable , because the king his master had deprived her brother of one of his kingdoms . whereunto she readily replyed , that though she was sister to the king of spain , yet she was wife to the king of france . after some discourse in french , her majesty began to speak to them in spanish ; which they observing , desired to know wherefore her majesty had not vouchsafed them that favor sooner , it being a language by them better understood ? to which the queen jestingly answered , for fear they should be frighted to hear her speak spanish ; and the embassador to improve the jest , replyed , como a tam grand signora si , pero como a castiliano no , that it was true considering her greatness , but not her countrey : the queen smilingly went on , promising them all assistance possible , and wishing all prosperity to king iohn and his queen ; and so they having delivered her majesty a letter from the queen of portugal , took their leave . from her majesty they went to visit his eminence the cardinal richlieu , who being advertised of their coming , came forward to the third chamber to meet them , where he received them with expressions of great affection , and promises and proffers of services , and from thence conducted them to his own chamber . being all three sate , the cardinal ( who was the most experienced and greatest statesman of his time ) discoursed with them of divers affairs of great importance , and they endeavored to explain to his eminence what was before his sentiment , that it very much imported the two crowns of france and portugal to be united by an indissoluble league , considering that it was the chief and principal end and aim of the house of austria , ( whose branches were spread over almost all europe ) not onely to be the greatest , but to be the sole and onely monarch of christendom : that to effect those ambitious desires , he had never made scruple to usurp and seize upon kingdoms and states upon the least pretences imaginable , as had appeared in the kingdoms of naples , sicily , navarre , the dutchy of millan , and lately several states in germany , seizing upon the valtoline , whereby they had a passage open to lead an army of germans into italy at pleasure . that considering the vast power and interest that this family had , not onely in europe , but also in america , it could not but be confessed that they had a large foundation of their imaginary universal monarchy ; but that nothing gave them so great hopes , as the possession of portugal . for by the addition of that kingdom to the crown of castile , they became absolute masters not onely of all spain , but of all the east-indies , of all the eastern trade of ethiopia , persia , arabia , china , iapan , and all that incredible wealth that was raised out of the portugal traffick , whereby the austrian greatness ( if not their monarchy ) was principally sustained , that therefore it concerned all states whatsoever , not onely to put a stop to the raving tyranny of this devouring monster , but to suppress and lessen his power by all means possible . that to do this , none was more concerned , or more able , than the kingdom of france united with that of portugal : that this having bin called the right arm ( as catalonia the left ) of that great austrian colossus , now both being separated from it , and united to france , will be able to do greater service against it , than they were ever forced to do for it , not onely by assaulting the spaniard within his own doors , but by intercepting the plate-fleet ; which in its return from the west-indies , it being necessarily forced to pass by the tercera islands , must run in danger of the portuguez fleet , or be forced to be at the charge of an extraordinary convoy . these were the sum of the ambassadors discourses to the cardinal : in answer to which , his eminence made offer , not onely of all the assistance of the most christian king his master , but that he would disburse himself for the service of the king of portugal , promising that he would presently send thither a fleet of twenty sayl with his nephew , admiral and ambassador extraordinary . this treatment thus ended , the ambassadors took their leaves , his eminence waiting upon them as far as the stairs ; which when they endeavored to hinder , he replyed , that the ambassadors of the king of portugal were to be treated with as much respect as those of the emperor or pope . few days after , a iuncto of the king of france his council , were appointed to treat with the ambassadors in the house of the lord high chancellor of the kingdom , where a peace was fully concluded between the two kingdoms of france and portugal . other ambassadors were ( about the same time that the afore-mentioned were sent into france ) dispatched into england ; for it very much concerned the kingdom of portugal to maintain a good correspondence with the crown of england , both in regard of the navigation and commerce of both states , and also the better to break that amity and good understanding which was now held between the crown of spain and that state. hither therefore were sent don antonio d' almado , and don francisco d' averado leilon , both persons of exquisite parts ; who , notwithstanding that the dunkirkers chased them , arrived safe in england . and for all the sturdy endeavors of the spanish ambassadors , they were received on shore with abundance of respect ; yet his majesty of england would not give them audience , or accept of the ambassage from the king of portugal , so tender was he of his honor and conscience , till don antonio de sosa their secretary , had drawn up a paper , to satisfie him of the right and title of the duke of braganza to the crown of portugal . the sum of which was : vpon the death of king henry the cardinal , without issue , many pretended ( together with the infanta donna catherina dutchess of braganza , and grandmother to this present king ) to the crown of portugal ; but all their pretences wanting foundation , soon fell , except that of philip the second , king of spain , who propt up his with force . king henry was vncle , equally near to both , but with this difference ; catherine was the daughter of a son named edward , and philip was the son of a daughter named isabella , brother and sister to king henry . king philip pleaded , that he being in equal degree with catherine , was to be preferred for his sex. catherine replyed , that the constitution of that kingdom allowing females to succeed , and withal the benefit of representation in all inheritances , she representing edward , must exclude philip by the very same right that her father ( if he were living ) would exclude philips mother . this conclusion is infallible in jure : whereto philip answered , that successiou of kingdoms descending jure sanguinis , there was allowed no representation . catherine destroyed that foundation , alledging , that the succession by the death of the last king , was derived jure haereditatis , & non sanguinis , because the succession of kingdoms was to be regulated by that ancient way , whereby all things descended by inheritance ; the other way of succession being not known until later ages , nor ever practised either in spain or portugal in such cases . briefly in behalf of catherine it was urged , ( which by the castilians can never be denied , or answered ) that she was no stranger , but a native of the kingdom , to whom alone ( according to the laws of lamego ) the crown of portugal can appertain . the king having perused and deliberated upon this paper , gave immediately order they should be presently conducted to london , which was done withal convenient solemnity , and they logded in a palace ready prepared for them : soon after with great ceremony they received audience of his majesty , in a fair and stately hall prepared for that purpose , where his majesty sat upon a throne raised two steps , and at the entrance of the ambassador pulled off his hat , nor would be covered till they were so too . to the propositions made in the speech of d. antonia d' almoda , concerning a peace between portugal and england , his majesty replied , that he should be very glad if an expedient might be found out to renew the antient leagues of friendship between the two crowns , without the breaking with spain . some few days after , the ambassadors were conducted to give a visit to mary queen of england , who sat in a chair of estate ready to entertain them : when they came into the presence , she rose out of the chair , and came as far as the carpetting , making low reverence as the ambassadors bowed ; when they came near , her majesty made them be covered , but afterwards they spoke with their hats off . in conclusion the queen told them , that she much desired to hold correspondence with her majesty of portugal . in fine , on the th of iune . a peace was absolutely concluded with the portugal , notwithstanding the earnest endeavors of don alonzo cardenas , leiger ambassador for spain , who by gifts and promises , even as far as the restitution of the palatinate , endeavored to hinder it . the embassadors that were sent to the king of denmark ( notwithstanding the great traffick and commerce that had formerly bin held between that kingdom and portugal ) were not ( by reason of the great interest the house of austria had with those kings ) received ; yet the king gave all possible respect otherwise to them . from thence they passed into sweden , and were magnificently entertained at the yong queens court at stockholm , where a league was soon concluded , and the ambassadors dismissed , according to the custom of that nation , with gold chains , and the queens portraicture in a meddal of gold. the ambassador d. tristano de mendoza hurtada , that was sent to the states of the vnited provinces , was received with the like magnificence and seeming affection , and a truce concluded with the kingdom of portugal for ten years ; for a peace the states would not assent to , because they having conquered many places in brasile , angola , &c. which belonged to the crown and kingdom of portugal , could not make restitution of them ; by reason they now belonged to the west-india company ; nor could the king of portugal allow the conquest , as things of right belonging to his crown , and depending on it . but now we come to treat of a more solemn embassie , to wit , that to the pope : long was it debated in the assembly of estates , whether an ambassador should be sent to rome immediately , or a more opportune conjuncture of time be expected . some were of the opinion that the sending an ambassador without further delay , would be a testification of their duty , and incline the popes holiness to acknowledge don iohn the lawful heir , and rightful king of portugal , which would extreamly further and advance the affairs of the kingdom . but others there were who conceived those things rather desirable than feasable , and were of the opinion they should rather stay till a fitter opportunity , alledging , that the king of spain's present power at rome , might probably oppose the reception of their ambassador : that although the pope never was in his heart a spaniard , yet he would never yield to show himself an enemy to the catholick king : that the spaniards cunningly fomenting the opinion which all the world had entertained , that his holiness did in all things favor the french interest , would from such a reception , draw as much as ever they could ask or desire . that for this cause the pope ( that he might not seem their enemy ) had always granted them whatever they desired ; that therefore they thought it convenient first to sound his holiness , before they run the hazard of the disgrace and affront which might fall upon his majesty , and the whole kingdom ; that in case the pope should decline the reception of the ambassador , to whom could they repair or appeal to vindicate the injury done to the crown ? that many popes had been s● fascinated to the interest of their own family , that the world had very great occasion to believe , that their designs tended rather to what was best for themselves , then to what was best indeed : that the portugal nation , had as much reason to distrust the sea of rome as any , whilst they had to their cost had examples how they onely pursued their own ends . as particularly gregory the thirteenth , who at first seemed so affectionate to the kingdom of portugal , that he imployed the utmost of his power for the interest of his own family , approved of all that king had done ; that there was none who had more to give , or at least who had more to promise , then the catholique king , so that in any business of competition he must necessarily gain the better . but notwithstanding all these arguments to the contrary , upon the promises of the king of france , to be a mediator at the sea of rome , for the reception of their ambassadors , by the suffrage of some few voices , to make the major part , it was concluded , that ambassadors should immediately be sent to rome . and in pursuance of this vote , the king immediately made choice of two reverend and able persons , to wit , michael de portogallo , son to the count vimioso of the blood royal , bishop of lamego , and d. patableone rodriguiz , bishop of elvas : no sooner was the news arrived at rome of their being landed in italy , but the spaniards in rome mustred themselves together , with resolution either to oppose their entrance , or at least hinder their reception ; whilst on the other side the french , portugal , and catalonians , assembled themselves together , resolving to hazard their dearest blood in their cause . his holiness seeing these preparations on both sides , feared lest his country should be made the seat of a petty war , and considering that in any case the dishonor would accrue to him , if whilst under his command and protection , the person of an ambassador should be violated , strictly commanded all his guards to take special care to prevent the violencies in tended . the spaniards by this order hindred from what they purposed , their ambassadors openly protested , that if his holiness did receive the portugal ambassador , they would immediately leave rome . but notwithstanding these protestations , and all other opposition they could possibly make , in november . the two portugal ambassadors being met by divers cardinals , princes , and cavaliers , well armed , entred into rome , and were conducted to the palace of the french ambassador , who received them with al respect possible , still giving them the precedence . hereupon several manifesto's are scattered abroad by the two spanish ambassadors , the marquess de los veles , and d. iohn chiumarrero , labouring to prove that his holiness ought not to receive the ambassadors of the duke of braganza , as they stiled him . first because he was a tyrant , and usurper of that kingdom , which had been in the quiet possession of the catholick king these sixty years . secondly , because he was a rebel , and a perjured person having sworn allegiance to the catholique king ▪ thirdly , that the reception of these ambassadors would animate other subjects of the catholique king to rebellion . but whilst the spanish ambassadors are violently shooting such paper-bullets , the portugueses used all their endeavors , both by them selves , and the french ambassadors , ( who had express order from the most christian king his master to that purpose , ) to prevail with the pope , to give them audience , and admit their embassy : but his holiness was so fearful to displease the spaniard , lest he should afterwards take occasion to revenge himself upon his nephew 's , that he utterly declined their reception , yet not out of any of the spaniards allegations , but upon pretence that certain of the church rites had been violated in portugal ; the arch-bishop of braga , and other ecclesiastical persons , being kept in durance , though it was for very good reasons , as hereafter shall appear . yet the spaniards were not content with this resolution of his holiness , but ( whilst the portugals were endeavoring to prove their cause , by both political and legal declarations , allegations , and arguments , ) fearing lest the pope might chance to alter his mind , resolved to to make a quick dispatch of the business , and to that purpose two hundred banditi , were hired to seize upon the bishop of lamego , and carry him to naples , as the prince of sans had been before served by them , and there put to death . but this design , themselves at length could not agree upon , for the marquess de los velos , thought it would be better and less dangerous to give the portugals a publique affront in the city , which was concluded to be put in effect , and to that purpose it was communicated to the rest of the nation , ( whereof upon several occasions there are always many in rome ) who assembled together well armed at the ambassadors palace : and so great is the power of revenge : that to the end they might the better effect their design , and yet not appear as souldiers , though there were many gentlemen of quality amongst them , they condescended to go under the name of foot-men to the marquess . the popes holiness hearing of the great preparations of the spaniard , sent to them to let them know , that he could not but be very much distasted , to see such disorders attempted in a peaceable city , and therefore desiring them for his honors sake to desist , and withal sent a messenger to the bishop of lamego , to assure him that he need not fear any thing , for upon the word of his holiness , he should walk the streets undisturbed . but do the pope what he could , either by threats , desires , or perswasions , the spaniards were resolved to prosecute their de●ign , which they put in execution to their own cost , on the twenty of august . on which day the bishop of lamego going to visit the french ambassado● , one of his retinue observed , that he was dog'd by a spanish spie ; whereupon a counter-spy was sent to the marquesses to bring intelligence what they were doing there , who brought word to the french ambassadors , that there was great preparations of coaches and men : whereupon the french , portugals , and catalonians , assembled , and armed themselves with pistols and fire-locks , to convoy home the bishop . by the way they were met by the spanish ambassador , accompanied with about eight coaches full of captains and officers come from naples , and guarded with about sixty foot-men , besides divers others of that nation . no sooner came they in sight of the bishops coach , but they cryed aloud , che si fermassero all' ambasciatore di spagna ; that they should stop for the ambassador of spain : but the portugals driving on , answered , che si fermassero loro , that they should stop . hereupon both sides with their swords drawn leapt out of the coaches , and making a stand , one gun was first fired by the spaniards side , and immediately seconded with a brave volley on both sides ; when they fell into swords point the bishops side soon getting the better of it , yet there was slain a knight of malta , an italian , and a french and portugal page , but on the spanish marquesses side , there were eight killed upon the place , and above twenty wounded , the marquess leaving his coach-horses dead , escaped out of the back of the coach , which stood upon the place till next day , and got into the next shop without his hat , and trembling for fear , from whence he was carried to the spanish cardinal albornoz palace . the portuguese ambassador returned first to the french palace , and from thence went safely home . his holiness the pope was extreamly perplexed at these disturbances , and therefore to prevent the like for the future , commanded a guard of souldiers to be put upon the houses , both of the bishop and the marquess . but shortly after , when the bishop of lamego had again pressed the pope , by a large memorial of the reasons why he should be received , and was absolutely refused , he was by his master the king of portugal called home : whilst these things were acting abroad , the castilians begun to make continual in-roads into the borders of portugal , which made king iohn look more narrowly into the defence of his kingdom , fortifie all the frontiers , and train up his subjects to military excerises . the spaniards in one in-road which they made into portugal , laid waste all before them , sparing neither sex nor age wheresoever they came , which made the portugals in revenge , commit the like out rages in , an inroad they made into gallicia . but these were publick enmities , and therefore more easice to be opposed ; but there was a private serpent that lay lurking at home , which was so much the likelyer to do mischief , by how much it was more secretly hidden . some few there were who thought themselves so highly obliged to the catholick king , as to endeavour the reuniting of the crown of portugal to his vast dommions , and again inslave their country to forreigners . the principal of these was the archbishop of braga , always a great creature and favourite of the count olivares , who had at the beginning of the revolt , show'd himself so opposite to the freedom of his country , that many gentlemen were once resolved to make him suffer the same fate with vasconsello's the secretary ; nor had he ceased ever since to show visible signs of his discontentment at the government . in this archbishops head was the whole conspiracy first hatch't , and by him communicated to d. lewis de meneses marquess of villa reale , and the duke of comigna his son , two persons sufficiently ambitious , and both discontented , as not thinking themselves sufficiently rewarded according to their merit : these the archbishop tampered with , perswading them , that it was a low and unworthy thing , much beneath their birth and greatness , to suffer themselves to be subject to a fellow subject : that it would be much more noble and generous in them , to return their allegiance to the king of spain their ancient soveraign , who was able to bestow more upon a person deserving in one day , then the duke of braganza could in a hundred years . these & few other arguments were sufficient to draw those , who before out of their envy to the house of braganza , were inclinable to a change . these made sure , the arch-bishop next draws into this plot a gentleman of a noble blood , named , d. augustine emanuel , a man of excellent parts , but somewhat necessitated , nor had ever been looked upon , or put into any employment , which without any other incentives , were motives sufficient to move a man to any desperate design . next him was added to this conspiracy , pietro baeza , a lately converted jew , whom the portugueses call upstart christians ; he was famous for nothing , but his vast riches ; being a great criado of the count olivares , whose favor , he used often to say , would one day advance him to high honor , or to a high pair of gallows , which last proved very true . many private meetings had these , and some few other conspirators , where they debated to bring their designs to effect ; some were of opinion that before they could bring it to perfection , more should be acquainted with it , for it was impossible that so few should ever be able to compass it : but in this course there arose many fears and doubts , lest too many being acquainted with it , some should discover it , as had often happened in designs of that high nature : yet at length it was found necessary to draw more into the plot , for whilest they were so few , the business onely rested in imagination , but could never be put in execution . having therefore added some more to the number , their next debates were of the maner how to bring it to effect ; some advised that a power of the catholique kings was to be got in a readiness , but they then thought that the king of portugal would raise as great a force , and so prevent a sudden invasion : yet in answer to that objection , it was by some aledged , that the spaniard by way of intelligence might be let in , which again seemed as difficult , the militia being in the hands of persons most loyal and trusty to the king : others proposed , that the onely way to effect it was by a sudden and violent making away of the king ; but this advice was opposed by most , who inclined to a mediocrity , and would rather have found out a way to make his majesty renounce his own right and title to the crown , and retire himself from the dangers which should be presented unto him . but whilest they thus wavered in opinions , and inclined to that moderation , which is the ruine of all designs of this nature , they gave the king time and occasion to search out their plots ; for his majesty having always had a suspitious eye upon the arch-bishop of braga , and the marquis of villa real , and having received now private notice , that they had had sundry meetings , and were observed daily to converse with persons as discontented as themselves , endeavored by all means possible to know the depth of their counsel , and at length intercepts some of their letters to madrid , which discovered not onely the whole plot , but even the names of all the conspirators . the act of holding correspondence with the spaniard was treason in it self , sufficient to take away their lives , being contrary to his majesties express command , it 's being to this intent , made it but so much the more hainous : his majesty therefore not knowing how far it might have proceeded , made no delays , but presently by the sound of drum and trumpet ( as the custom is ) caused to be proclaimed , that he intended to go forth of the city ; upon which all the nobles and gentry , according to the usual maner , assembled at the palace , to accompany his majesty , who when he saw them all ready , commanded first that a council of estate should be called , which was done , many of the conspirators being assistant in it , who being sate , his majesty without any noise caused them to be arrested one by one , which without the taking of this course , he could never have effected ; for if the conspiracy had been detected before their persons had been seized , they had either been torn in pieces by the fury of the people , or else had some of them escaped . it was very strange that of all the plotters in this conspiracy , not one should , either by accident , or otherwise , escape , for the persons of these now taken , were no sooner imprisoned , but his majesty published a proclamation , declaring a free-pardon to all the complices in this conspiracy , that should within four days come and acknowledge their fault , and beg it ; but the kings diligence had been such before , that there was not one left to accept of this grace . shortly after those who had been taken , were arraigned according to law , found guilty of high treason , and in maner following executed . on the last day of august , . the marquis of villa reale , the duke of camigna , his son , the count de armamac , and d. augustine manuele , were led along a gallery to a scaffold erected for the purpose , with two stories , on the uppermost of which stood two chaires , on the next one , and on the scaffold it self the fourth . the first that was conducted forth to execution , was the marquis of villa reale , who was clothed in a long black bayes cloak , and his servants attending him in mourning ; being mounted to the uppermost part of the scaffold , he prayed for a good space upon his knees , and then rising up , asked , if there were no hopes of pardon ? which made the people with one voice cry out , no , let him dye , let him dye for a traytor . the next funebrious ceremony of his execution , was the proclamation , which according to the usual maner was made by the executioner , in these words ; this is the iustice that the king our soveraign lord , commands to be executed upon the person of don lewis de meneses , sometimes marquis of villa real , that his throat be cut as a traytor to his majesty , nobility and people of this kingdom , that for his crime his goods be confiscated , and his memory banished out of the world. whereat all the people cryed out , iustice , iustice. the marquis thereupon seeing no hopes of any reprieve , with a sober and becoming gravity demanded pardon of all the spectators , desiring them to assist him with their prayers to god for the pardon of this , and all his other sins ; then turning to a father jesuite his confessor , he prayed him in his behalf to present himself at his ma●esties feet , and beseech him out of his wonted goodness , to forgive him that hainous offence committed against him and the whole kingdom . having ended this speech , he very patiently sat down in the chair , and the executioner having tied his arms and legs , to the arms and legs of the chair , he leaned his neck over the back of the chair , and the executioner with his knife cut his throat , covering him afterwards with a black scarf . in the same maner his son the duke of camigna came to the scaffold , his servants all attending him in mourning ; as he came to his fathers corps he kneeled down , and several times kissed his feet , begging of the people the suffrage of one pater nostre for his fathers soul ; then after some prayers , and proclamation made by the executioner , he received the same punishment . next that suffered was the count of armamac , in the chair seated upon the lower story ; and after him don augustin manuel upon the scaffold it self ; the judges would have had all their necks cut behinde , but his majesty would not consent thereto , as a punishment too ignominious for persons of their quality . the same day pietro de baeza , and melchior correa de franca , were drawn at a horse tayl to an extraordinary high gallows , and there hanged , whilest diego de brito nabo , and antonio valente , were executed upon a lower ; the quarters of these four were set up at the gates of the city , and their heads placed upon several frontier towns. in the month of september following , for the same offence antonia cogamigne , and antonio correa , were likewise executed ; the first of which during the whole time of his imprisonment , was an example of penitence , feeding onely upon bread and water , and whipping himself very often , with continual prayers to god for pardon of that , and all his other sins . as for the arch-bishop of braga , and the bishops of martiria and malacca , and fryer emanuel de macedo , though they were the persons that had the greatest hand in the conspiracy ; yet in regard they were ecclesiastical persons , they suffered no● death , according to their deserts , but were kept in prison , till the popes pleasure were known concerning them . here must not be forgot a great example of humility and repentance in the arch-bishop of braga , not onely in his life time ( when he often writ to the king , that he might suffer , and others be spared , who were rather drawn in , in complyance and obedience to him , then out of any ill will to the king and kingdom ) but also at his death ( which happened about three years after his imprisonment ) when he gave order that as soon as he was dead , his last will and testament should be carried to the king , wherein he humbly intreated his majesty to pardon the treason committed against him , and his native country , and that he would permit his body to be buried without the church of any parish of lisbon , and that without any inscription or tomb-stone , that there might remain no memory of a man who had been a traytor to his king and country . this exemplary punishment and rigorous execution of justice upon the forementioned trayterous delinquents , established the king in his kingdom , struck a terror into his enemies , and increased his subjects love and care of him more diligently to watch his royal families , and the kingdoms safety . but in the mean time daily incursions were made upon the frontiers between the castilians and portugueses , with the same violence , cruelty and animosity , as formerly . but now come we to relate the most shameful piece of treachery ever yet heard of , acted upon that most noble and gallant prince the infante don duarte , or edward , brother to the king of portugal , who had served the emperor in his wars , with much gallantry , and no less success , long before his brother don iohn had any thoughts of a crown ; nor did he shew any endeavors to desert the emperors service , after the news arrived of the revolt of portugal , but seemed resolved to continue there , till he was betrayed by francisco de mello a portugal , at that time ambassador to the catholique king in the emperial court. this mello notwithstanding he was bound by many strong obligations to the house of braganza , yet like an ungrateful villain , having opportunity offered , now resolves to build his fortunes upon their ruine , or at least displeasure , he therefore earnestly sollicites the emperor to seize upon the person of don duarte , and deliver him up to the king of spain , alledging of what great concernment the securing of his person would be to the catholique king ; that it much behoved his imperial majesty to shew his affection to his brother the catholique king in this particular , which would not onely prove of interest to spain , but the whole house of austria : that this prince was the onely prop of the house of braganza ; that this was the onely means which god had left in the hands of the house of austria to recover the kingdom of portugal ; that it would be a great error both in prudence and policy to let ship so fair an occasion , for that if he should scape out of their hands , and get to the assistance of his brother , both his personal valor and experience in warlike affairs would very much infest the catholick king. the emperor was not onely not perswaded by this discourse of mello's , but extreamly offended at it ; returning him in answer , that he did abhor and detest so great a breach of publique faith , and violation of all laws of hospitality ; that it would be both against the liberty of the empire , and against his own honor , to imprison a prince who had committed no fault to the empire , but rather had laid innumerable obligations both upon it , and himself . nor was the detestation of the arch duke leopold to an act so foul and shameful , less then that of his brothers the emperor ; notwithstanding all which , mello was not at all discouraged , but still prosecutes his villanous design , by corrupting with great sums of money the count of tratsmandorf , and several other pensioners of the crown of spain ; but they were soon weary of so base and shameful and employment ; which made mello think of a more cunning artifice , which was to perswade the emperor to hearken to the allurements of one diego di quiroga , who of a soldier was turned monk , and was now confessor to the empress : this father who had often been called to give his judgement in affairs of state , endeavored by all means possible to perswade the emperor that he might not onely with a good conscience secure the infante , but that according to the best rules of interest of state , he ought to do it . his imperial ma●esty notwithstanding all these perswasions , was very much unsatisfied in the action , and once fully resolved not to do it ; but at length overcome by mello's importunities , and the ghostly perswasions of quiroga , he was as it were constrained to alter his resolution , and to give order to don lewis gonzaga , to go to the princes quarters at leipen , and summon him to ratisbone . in the mean time to endeavorto prevent all ●ll impressions , which an action so hainously wicked , might strike into all bosoms that had either honor or honesty ; it was given out abroad , that the infante don duarte was secretly fled for some misdemeanor from leipen , ( when he confident of his own innocency , was in his journey to ratisbone , according to the summons ) and thereupon proposal made of sixteen thousand crowns , as a reward to any man could bring him either dead or alive ; so that the prince being ignorant of any such thing , very hardly escaped their hands , who out of hopes of the money , had gone in search of him ; but missing them , he came to ratisbone ; where he was no sooner arrived , but without any reason given , he was cast into a common goal , and all his servants imprisoned . don francisco de mello having thus far brought his desires to effect , stops not here , but afresh sollicites the emperor , that the prince might be delivered into the spaniards hands , and sent prisoner to millain : but instead of assenting to this , he sends a messenger to the infante , assuring him upon his word , that he would not deliver him into the hands of the spaniards , but would speedily procure his liberty and infranchisement . yet notwithstanding these fair promises of the emperors , duarte's ill usage in prison daily and hourly increased , not could he by any means possible get audience of the emperor , not without any reason , for , no face is more terrible to the offender then the face offended ; which made the prince make his protestation , calling god and man to witness of the injury done him by the emperor , to whom he was neither subject by obligation , nor birth ; that when his brother was made king of portugal , he was in the emperors service , and wholly ignorant of any design of his brothers ; that if the king of spain were offended , he should revenge himself upon the person offending ; that that business no way concerned the emperor , &c. all these allegations the emperor confessed to be true , by a messenger sent to the infante in prison , again assuring him that he would not deliver him up to his enemies , but that he could not release him for some reason of state : which made don francisco de sosa contigno , ambassador extraordinary from portugal to the king of sweden , in the name of the king his master , represent at large to the diet at ratisbone , the whole proceedings , requiring justice and liberty for the infante : but it is in vain to plead against interest , all the manifesto's , protestations , petitions , and intercessions made , produced no other effect then the removal of the infante from place to place , that still as he was the farther off , he might have the harder usage . but hitherto the emperor seemed immoveable able in his resolution of not delivering up the infante into the hands of the spaniards , till tempted with what made iudas betray his master , and our blessed savior to death , money ; he consented to the breach of his resolve , for upon the promise of forty thousand crowns ( contrary to the immunities of the empire , to the priviledges of free princes , to the law of nations , and to his word and promise so often reirerated ) he consented that that noble and innocent prince should be sent whither the catholique king should think fit ; so away he was hurried towards the castle of millain , there to remain a prisoner . by the way as he entred into the spanish territories , he was received by the count de sirnela governor of that dukedome , where the emperors commissary took leave to return , to whom d. duarte openly said , tell thy master that i am more sorry i have served so unworthy a prince , then to see my self sold a prisoner into the hands of my enemies ; but the just judge of the world will one day suffer the like dealing towards his children , who are no more priviledged for being of the house of austria , then my self that am of the blood royal of portugal , and posterity will ●udge of him and me . the emperor had given instruction to those that convoyed the infanta , that in case their prisoner made an attempt to escape , they should kill him upon the place : being arrived in millain he was clapt in the common gate with all the rogues and banditty , having a guard lodged with him in his chamber , so rude that they would scarce admit him to take his rest . thus was this generous , but unfortunate prince rewarded , for having left his country , kindred , friends , interest ; for having at his own proper cost and charges , served the empire eight years , for having always , and upon all occasions ventured his life with the most daring , and yet expecting no other pay but thanks , nor other recompence but honor . king iohn was extreamly perplexed at this inhumane barbarism used to his brother , which he vowed fully to revenge with arms ; but he could for the present do it no otherwise , then defensively , by reason of the continual inroades the castilians made into portugal . about the beginning of the year . ( notwithstanding the truce that had been concluded between portugal and holland , and that a great fleet of hollanders had been sent to assist the portugal against the spaniard ) there passed very high acts of hostility between the two nations in africa and america , beyond the line ; for the hollanders seeing the disunion of portugal from castile , made all speed possible to perfect the conquest of those parts before a perfect peace should be concluded with portugal , that so in the treaty they might pretend reason , that all things should continue in the state they were then found . to this purpose , that is , the expediting their conquest , the hollanders treacherously ( whilest there was all quiet and peaceable commerce held between the two nations in the kingdom of angola ) surprized the portugals that were governors of the place , killed divers , and robbed all of the great wealth they there found ; of which perfidiousness , as also of the barbarous usage of the prisoners there taken , complaints were made to the states general at the hague , but no redress granted ; nor was the king of portugal of ability to force it . in the mean time the affairs in portugal were a little discomposed by the general discontent and distast taken at the secretary of state don francisco de lucena : this man had lived a long time in the court of spain , till he was by olivarez made under-secretary to vasconsellos , his readiness to proclaim king iohn , and his abilities in the place , made the king continue him in it , reposing in him so great a confidence , that though some had advertized his majesty that he kept correspondence with the court at madrid , yet the king would not suspect him , nor permit him to be brought to a trial. but about the middle of the year . the urgent affairs of the kingdom requiring a convention of the three estates , they openly refused all acts that should pass the hands of secretary lucena , positively telling his majesty , that until he were brought to tryal , no acts should pass in the assembly of estates , nor any farther proceedings be made . his majesty was very much grieved hereat , yet prudently resolved to give his subjects satisfaction , by delivering up his secretary to justice ; yet resolving he should have a fair tryal , and ●o that purpose sitting himself to hear the witnesses examined . whilest process was framed against the secretary , some secret advice came to his majesty , which caused the imprisonment of the brother , and three servants of the secretary , together with an english monck , and a cavalier of the habit : not long after the secretary was arraigned and condemned for betraying his truth , in holding correspondence with the enemy , and in neglecting timely to advertise the infanta edward to retire out of germany , &c. and according to his sentence executed in a publique place in lisbon , where at his death he protested his innocency touching any treachery towards his majesty . the death of the secretray both pleased the people , and satisfied the assembly of estates , who now according to his majesties command met on september . and being all sate , and his majesty sea●ed in his throne , d. emanuel d' acugna dean of his majesties chappel , rose up and after reverence made to the king , spake to the effect following . that in the space of sixty years that that kingdom was under the power of the kings of castile , there had bin but two assemblies of states , the first to inslave , the next to abuse them . but that since they were under the present king , within the space of two years , they had two assemblies , the former to settle their liberties , the present to beget a right understanding between the king and his people , wherein they had all freedom to demand whatever was necessary , that the world might see they are now no longer slaves but children , no longer strangers but natives , and that they are under rather a loving father , then a severe soveraign . in the former assembly , said he , his majesty took all the customs , and left the defence of the kingdom to your hands , you ordered what seemed good unto your selves , you made choice of a general assistance by way of contribution , but in the leaving thereof , the first payment was found ineffectual , the second unequal , the third insufficient ; whence arose some complaints , some imagining that the fault proceeded from the unequal division of the contribution , others from the change of value in mony and comodities , and others from the disorderly gathering and disbursing the whole : i may easily say , that if there were any errour committed , yet it might be excusable for that . never had any weighty affair it's conception and perfection at once : then shall errours cease to be in government when men shall cease to be in the world . these things are to be indured with the same patience that droughts , dearths , inundations , and such other disorders in nature , for the wit of man cannot hold forth a remedy for all diseases . but certainly they will be no ground of reprehension , ( though much of admiration ) to him that shall consider how his majesty entred upon a kingdom , exhausted by the castilians of mony and other necessaries , for offence or defence , and yet how in less then a year and a half , we should want neither shipping , nor artillery , nor horse , nor arms , nor fortification , nor armies upon the frontiers , three powerful fleets put to sea , divers honorable , and extraordinary ambassages , besides many secret ( yet necessary expences ) all which will astonish any understanding man. now to the end that the people may have full satisfaction , his majesty hath commanded , that ( before further proceeding ) it be made appear particularly how all the mony received hath been laid out , and then it is expected , and the present state of affairs requireth that we all contribute liberally , considering that these charges are but for a time , but our liberties are for ever : that we shall never have a better opportunity to destroy our enemy . that nature teacheth to hazard an arm , to save the whole body : the merchants at sea cast away some part of their goods sometimes , to save the rest ; we are now on shipboard in a storm , our goods , our lives , our liberties , our honor , our country , are all in danger . moreover the barbarous usage of the king of castile towards the infanta don duarte , calls upon this assembly for revenge , that we spend not onely our mony , but our blood in affection to him , and that we make our enemies spend theirs in satisfaction for him , &c. this speech of the deans was spoken with so much affection , that it stirred up and encouraged the states readily to give all assistance imaginable both for redressing of greivances , and for the levying arms , so that within a small time after , the king was in the head of twenty thousand foot , and three thousand horse , marching towards the frontiers of castile . whilst these great preparations for hostility were made , the queen brought forth into the world a second son to his majesty , but first childe after he came to the crown , which added to the magnificence of his christning , he was named alfonso , and his brother theodosio dying before his father , succeeded in the kingdom , and is at present king of portugal . many skirmishes had passed between the castilians and portugueses , many town had been surprized , many lands wasted , but never happened a set-battel between them till in the year . when both armies met upon the border of portugal in a field called campo major . the spanish army which for the most part consisted of strangers , was under the command of the marquess of forrecusa , and the portugal army consisting of natives , and some few hollanders , were commanded by macchias de albuquerque . this fight was maintained with all possible courage and resolution on both sides ; but the spaniards being more numerous , especially in horse , at length put the whole portuguese army in disorder , seized on their whole artillery , and baggage , and slew albuquerques horse under him , took many prisoners , and assured themselves of an absolute victory . but fortune which had thus favourably smiled upon them in the beginning of the day , frowned as harshly upon them in the conclusion ; for albuquerque being remounted , rallied again his scattered forces , recharged the pursuing spaniards , put them to a total rout , and pursued the chase for above miles . in this battel the castilians lost men upon the place , amongst which were the lieutenant general , the general of the horse , the general of the artillery , the count de montixo , five camp-masters , two adjutants of horse , three serjeant majors , three and twenty cornets , together with many knights of the order of st. iames calatrava & alcantara : there were taken about four thousand arms , and a thousand horse . on the portuguese side there were not above three hundred slain , among which were two camp-masters , one serjeant major , a captain of horse , and eight of foot , but many noblemen , commanders , and officers taken prisoners in the first encounter , were carried away by the spaniards in their flight . it was not long after this battel , that the marquess de montalban , d. george mascaneras lord treasurer , president of the council of the indies , and councellor of estate , with some others , were imprisoned upon suspition of a conspiracy against the king of portugal : but it being upon examination found that the suspition was by the spaniards cunningly raised , to deprive king iohn of his most able ministers , and to make the world believe the portuguese nobility were discontented with their king ; they were set at liberty , and their honors fully repaired by a proclamation of the kings . for the spaniards ceased not by all means and devices , which the will and policy of the most wicked states-men could invent , not onely to weaken the portuguese nation within it self , by breeding discontents ( if possible ) between the king and the three estates , but likewise to undervalue them , and make their credit be slighted and disregarded by other kingdomes and states , their confederates and allies . yet besides these subtile ambages , the king of castile did not desist the endeavoring to oppress this kingdom by force of arms ; but not onely the resolved and immutable unity of the portuguese nation , was a strong tower and invincible fortress against the spanish power , but so extreamly was the house of austria involved in wars & disasters on every side , tha● that vast body was rather in a condition to crave help and assistance from others , then indeed to oppress them . for besides the wars in catalonia , which had put it self under the protection of the most poten● king of france , in the low-countreys , which had proved so tedious and so chargeable a war to spain ; in italy , in this kingdom , and in germany , there happened several commotions and popular tumults in some of the king of spains dominions , which not onely robbed that king of a present supply of treasure , but were otherwise retardments to the prosecution of his wars in other places . the first of these commotions began in the island of sicily , where the people gathering together in a tumultuous maner , forced the viceroy to take off all new imposts and taxes which the kings present necessities had enforced him to lay upon them . this encouraged their neighbors on the adjacent continent , the inhabitants of the famous city of naples , in hopes to rid themselves of their oppressions , to rise in like maner in arms ; which they did encouraged and commanded by one thomas aniello , or vulgarly masaniello , who though of so mean and obscure a birth as a poor fisher-boy , yet to the wonder of the world for ten dayes commanded this mighty city , and freed it from all gabels , so that ever since these two kingdoms of naples and sicily have rather been a great charge , than any benefit to the spanish monarchy . these troubles , and the austrian families being every where encompassed and embroiled in wars , together with the earnest desire of the king of castile to prosecute a vigorous war against catalonia , and portugal were i suppose the motives which perswaded the catholique king to end those wars , which had lasted in the low countries for above ninety years , by owning now at last ( what he had so long refused ) the united provinces free states , so an absolute peace was concluded on , and proclaimed at all the chief towns in the netherlands , on the . of iune . a peace no less advantagious to the spaniards , then disadvantagious to the portugals , by reason of the pretences the dutch had to brazile , and other places in the west-indies . king iohn of portugal about the beginning of the year . thought his son the prince theodosio arrived at an age fitting to keep a court of himself , lodgings were therefore appointed for him , divided from the royal palace , and officers of his houshold nominated and appointed by the king , amongst whom the earls of villa nova , of miranda , of valdereis & fernando , tellez de menezez , ( who had formerly been governour of the city of port , ) were entrusted as the principal gentlemen of his chamber . the king likewise thought fit to adde a third to the two former superintendents of his revenue , whom he nominated to be d. rey de moure tellez , whose former office of steward to the queen , was at the same time conferred on d. antonio de silva lord of billas . notwithstanding the truce , the hollanders still continued their outrages on the other side the line , but principally in brazile , where they seized upon many of the portugal forts , impeded the traffick , abused and murthered the subjects , which made his majesty resolve to call the earl of castle melhor from his charge of being general of the portugal forces upon the frontiers of gallicia , and committing that to the young viscount de villanova de servera , that the earl might be imployed as viceroy to brazile , to curb the flemings insolencies , and to secure the portuguese merchants ships from their pyracies , the king appointed a fleet of forty ships of war , and six thousand men to attend that service as convoys . his holiness the popes anger as yet continued towards the kingdom of portugal , for he had not onely hitherto refused to receive ambassadors from thence but to supply those archbishopricks , bishopricks , and other ecclesiastical offices of the kingdom , which by the death of the former possessors were vacant : this the king found a great inconveniency in , and therefore thought fit once more to attempt his holiness ; and to present him the names of such of his own subjects , whose piety , learning , or other sufficiencies he thought might make them capaof such dignities ; as first for the archbishoprick of braga , ( formerly acknowledged to be the primacy of all spain , notwithstanding the pretensions of toledo ) he nominated don pedro de lancastro , president of the justice of the palace of the house of ameiro , and descended from iohn the second king of portugal . for the archbishoprick of evora , his majesty nominated d. francisco barrez bishop of the algarez , bishoprick he bestowed upon the father denis des anges an augustine monk , and confessor to his ma●esty : for the bishoprick of guarda was appointed d antonio pobo , great prior of the military order of st. iames : for the bishoprick of lamego d. antonio de mendosa commissary of the bula de la croisaida : for the bishoprick of lerida , d. deigo de souza inquifitor of the holy office : for that of conimbria , don sebastian casar de menerez , who was before nominated for the bishoprick of porto , but that was given by his majesty to d. pedro de menerez , once named bishop of miranda , of which last place d. pedro de porros tutor of the prince d. theodosio was now named bishop . these choices of his majesty , the pope after sometime confirmed d. francisco de souza , who was sent as extraordinary ambassador , notwithstanding the opposition of the spaniards received , not unlikely out of a fear that they would officiate without his confirmation , and so in a manner renounce the power of the sea of rome . but in the middest of this setling of ecclesiastical affairs , arms were not silent ; for upon the borders there happened askirmish between the castilians and portuguese about the latter end of april . lord of themer court , lieutenant general of the portuguese horse , and monsieur du quesne the commissary general gained a victory over a small army of the spaniards , defeating seven hundred of the spaniards , and taking divers prisoners , amongst whom was the nephew of the marquess of melinguen lieutenant general of the castilian army at badajox , who was after exchanged for the count fiesque lauagna , who for some years past had been prisoner in castile : in this conflict the portuguese lost but twenty five men , the chief of which was sieur de la touche , a french captain who had behaved himself most valorously . the commotions of the parisians against the king of france , had given the spaniard great hopes of better success then they had many years had , but the middle of the year . happily concluding them , the news of their pacification , and that of a great victory gained by the portugueses against the hollanders in brazile , caused a general joy over all portugal ; for the king appointed publique thanks to be given , and te deum to be sung in all churches . hopes to revenge the late defeat given by the lord therimicourt , and desire to do some valiant act before he departed from his government , made the marquess of leganez governour of the spanish forces at estramadura , give an alarum to the portuguese frontiers , and enter into the country with two thousand horse , and foot , but the valiant count of st. laurence assaulting him , forced him to retire with shame , and excuse himself that he marched out onely to meet the marquess of mortare , who was appointed to succeed him in the government . yet this small and worthless alarum , made the king of portugal , who knew that too much care could not be had of the safety of his kingdom , to send orders to the governors to look more exactly to the countries committed to their charges then formerly , and strictly to give charge to don iuan de menezez governour of porto . the viscount ponte de lima governour of the countries between douro and mimbo , to the count of arogna governor of trasmontes , and don roderigo de castro governour of beira , to repair with all expedition to their several commands . nor was his majesty less careful of his dominions abroad then of those neer home , which made him dispatch the baron of alviro to be governour of tanger , and d. franciso de norogna to mazagan , both strong forts in africa ; the last of which had been neer surprized by the moors of barbary , but the commander of that party which assaulted it , being slain by a valorous french-man , they were beaten off with loss , for which service the king bestowed upon the french-man a pension of six hundred crowns per annum . and whilst his majesty was distributing his bounties , he could not forget the lady dona maria manuel , widdow to the some-time before deceased d. antonio coello , d. caravallio , who had ever since his majesties coming to the crown , been one of his privy-councellors , and was one of the chief persons that went ambassadors into france , to renew the alliance , and conclude a firm league between the king of portugal , and lewis the thirteenth king of france ; his majesty therefore in consideration of his services , bestowed a valuable pension on his aforesaid widdow . there was almost dayly inroads made upon the frontiers in some places or other , amongst the rest the baron of themericourt entred with a strong party into the spanish territories , surprized the suburbs of the city of albuquerque , and brought away a very rich booty without the loss of so much as one souldier upon the place , and not above twenty wounded . the succor of the distressed subjects of the more distressed king of england , about the year . gave occasion to the king of portugal to manifest his affection to the english nation , which he did by giving assistance to the gallant prince rupert , who being by his majesty of england made admiral of those few ships which in the year . returned to their allegiance , had ever since been pursued by the more po●ent fleets of the english rebels , and was now by them driven to seek the protection of his portugal majesty , who notwithstanding that the fleet of the rebels with threatning bravado's , demanded the said kings leave , either to assault them in his port , or to force them to come out bravely , protected them under his castles . in revenge of which the rebels of england , who stiled themselves a parliment , proclaimed an open war with the portugal nation , which his majesty notwithstanding his great engagement at that present , both against the spaniards at home , and the hollanders on the other side the line , resolved to endure , rather then deliver up the faithful subjects of england into the hands of murther , tyranny , and treason , and therefore in part to cry quittance with the english , who had taken prize several ships belonging to this nation , he made seizure of all the english ships and goods within his whole dominions , but onely those he had before protected . but at length prince rupert finding a clear passage from out his ports , where he had for many months been blocked up , the king by reason of his other large expences in defence of his kingdom finding himself unable to maintain a war against the english , and nature dictating us to the preservation of our selves , resolved , more moved out of necessity then inclination , to send an agent into england to conclude a peace . the person deputed to go on this unpleasant imployment , ( viz , to court rebels ) was d. suarez de gimeraines , who had for his assistance and interpreter , mr. myles and english merchant , these two embarqued upon a hamburger hired for that purpose by the king of portugal , arrived in england in ianuary . about the beginning of feburary , d. suarez had audience , before a committee of the pretended parliament , to whom he made a speech in latine to this effect . the serenissimo king of portugal my master , sends me hither to the parliament of the commonwealth of england that on his behalf , and in his name , having first most friendly saluted you , ( as i now do with the greatest affection of my heart that i am able ) i may joyntly tender and make known to you , the royal desire which my master feels within himself , to conserve and more and more to knit the knot of that amity which uninterrupted hath ever been between the serenissimo kings of portugals their ancestors , and this renowned english nation . it being my part to endeavor what lies in me , to remove all obstacles that may hinder the most vigorous effect of this hearty union , and conjunction of minds , so to preserve inviolably the ancient peace between us . this i come to continue , hoping and wishing all happy success therein ; this i come to intimate and offer unto the parliament of the commonwealth of england , with that sincere and pristine affection , which hitherto the experience of many ages hath made manifest . nor shall you need to scruple the sincerity of my intention and purpose , by reason of the divers past attempts ( not to say fights ) between your power and ours , since they have not been such as have broken or dissolved our amity , nor have had their rise or approbation from the king my master , nor as we believe from the parliament of the commonwealth of england , but more probably carried on either by the impulse of their own private affections , or by the defect of that circumspection which in such cases is ever necessary . but as i hope particularly and fully to prove ( indeed to demonstrate ) this truth unto the parliament of the republique of england , so i am assured they will not onely rest satisfied therein , but shall also have accruing to them a newer force , and sence of mutual friendship between us , since the jarrs that happen amongst friends , are oftentimes justly accounted as certain redintigrations of love . and i do admire our enemies have not made this reflection , whilst fed with vain hope , they have thought it in their power to sow and foment discords between us , upon presumption of this trivial innovation . the king my master sends me to continue and preserve our common and ancient peace , whereof i am to make a render unto the parliament of the commonwealth of england in his majesties behalf , as proceeding from a perfect sincerity in his royal breast , and whereunto he is chiefly drawn by the motive of his singular esteem and love , he bears unto this english nation . and this , as the main point i shall recommend unto you , both in regard of your greater good and ours , and as a thing of highest concernment , that we reflect how little it can be pleasing to almighty god , and how derogatory it must needs be to our reputation on both sides , to give the least beginning of discord between two christian nations , so well affected to one another as we are . it is manifest unto the parliament of the commonwealth of england , and to all europe besides , in how wonderful a manner ( such as was onely possible to god , the king my master was restored to his kingdoms , and how the divine majesty ( whose handy-work this was ) doth by his especial care and grace defend and continue this restoration . which as it doth dayly more appear by the victories we have over our enemies at home , so again it is seen in our remotest and most distantial dominions in the east-indies , where even at a huge distance ( his majesty possessing the hearts of his people , enjoyes that greatest peace in the world , and is secure in affrica , relying thereupon his prosperous and happy powers . to conclude , the king my master , lest any thing should be wanting to render him compleatly happy , hath ( according to the wish of an ancient christian author , for securing the prosperity of the roman empire , a faithful senate , puissant armies , and a most obedient people , fortifications in the judgement of wisest politicians , conducing and necessary both to defend and increase empires and kingdoms . now in this good condition of not onely gaining and conserving friends , but also of vanquishing our enemies , the king my master loves and embraces peace , as the chiefest good amongst humane things , holding it forth to all kingdomes and commonwealths , but especially to this of england , with that exceeding good will which he hath hither to born , & shall ever bear unto the same , standing thereunto obliged by such bonds of love and good offices , as shall never be forgotten by his majesty . for the people of this nation are the most worthy successors of those their heriock ancestors , who by their just power and arms came freely to vindicate our crowns from the mahumetan oppressions . and are , if not the same persons , at least their children , who inflamed with a fervor and zeal of defending the crown of portugal , justly did disdain to see it in the unjust possession of a forreign prince . they are , i say , those who with so mature deliberation and resolution , endeavoured to snatch away this undue possession from the said usurper , maugre the concurrence of some ill affected portugals with our enemies ; and that they might archieve this end glorious to themselves , and to us emolumental , they are those who covered these as with their squadrons and fleets of ships , ever formidable to their most potent enemies by a new example of an unheard of valour ( had our unfortunate stars then given us leave to be happy ) come up to the very walls of lisbon . and this having formerly been between us and them most powerful english-men , and our most loving brethren , now that the crown of portugal ( for which you have fought so valiantly , when it was unlawfully detained , is happily restored to the possession of the natural , and lawful king to whom of right it appertains ) who would not admire to see you bend your equal power , ( upon no occasion given ) against the true and rightful king of portugal by joyning with , and favoring the same usurper ( beaten by us , from whom your selves did heretofore by force of your own arms in our behalfs endeavor to snatch and wrest away that crown he had unjustly seized upon , and whom indeed you have hitherto both in desire and effect opposed . it would to all the world seem a thing much removed from the innate generosity and gallantry of this your nation , and very ill suiting with your christian justice and equality , as also it would be a very unworthy requital of us ( who have deserved better at your hands , and of that benevolence and affection wherewith the whole kingdom of portugal is passionately c●rrying on towards you , wishing unto you the same happiness that we our selves desire to enjoy . let therefore these imaginary clouds of discord vanish , and be quite blown over from our thoughts , as serving onely to ecclipse with darkness , the clear light of our antient amity , which ( with what intention god almighty knows , ) the importune sagacity of our common enemy would fain deprive us of . let all obstactles be removed , and thrown quite away , wherewith the true serving politicians by their inbred ambition of an universal monarchy do conspire the ruine of us both ; aiming at nothing more then to set us together by the ears , that overthrowing each other with our own wars , we may have brests open , ( when our powers are exhausted ) to their swords and wounds , with greater advantage against our selves , and less hazard unto them . this new republique is built upon strong and sure foundations , as also our antient and restored kingdoms , let us therefore cast our eyes unto the common interest of our cause , joyning hands , and mutual benevolence to such effect , as may render both parties security , the greater forbearing , and bewaring above all things , all provocations , or irruptions of war , whereby ( besides the inconveniences , and losses which they ever draw after them , ) all our own affairs and safety may be hazarded extreamly , while their councels and endeavours will be promoted , who by hidden and wicked arts , strive to extend their own power , by the common waste they would make in ours . the king of portugal my master , hath sent me hither furnished with a firm ample plenipotentiary power , that discussing , and screwing all the just and convenient meanes , i may confer about the conservation of peace , and ( removing all emergent obstacles and scruples ) resolve , and establish with the parliament of the commonwealth of england , whatsoever shall be necessary for composing of our present affairs , and maturely to provide with the greatest security that may be possible , for their future well being . i therefore beseech the parliament of the commonwealth of england , that weighing and considering these things which i have exhibited , they would please to decree whatsoever shall seem to them most convenient and just . to this large speech of forced and known flattery , if we respect it in relation to the persons it was spoke to , ( though most true in those particulars relating to the english nation whilst monarchical ) was answered by the rebels , with a large harange of the injuries they supposed done them by the protection of prince ruperts fleet , and seizure of the english merchants ships and goods , concluding that they must have reparation made for the publique damage of the commonwealth , which they would be willing to accept of in any honorable manner , and were willing to that purpose , if the ambassador had sufficient power to treat with him to that effect . in summe , after sometime the count del sa lord chamberlain of the kingdom of portugal arrived in england , in the quality of an ambassador extraordinary , who after many conferences addresses and large offers made , obtained a peace , upon condition to repay great sums of monyes towards the satisfaction of the losses of the english merchants . during the stay of this ambassador , his brother d. pantaleon sa , knight of malta , led by i know not what frantick madness , made a great uproar upon the new exchange in london , where some english were by him and his followers murdered ; for which several of his retinve were hanged , and himself , notwithstanding the earnest solicitations of his brother , afterwards beheaded upon tower-hill , when the government of england was changed from a strange kinde of commonwealth , to a stranger kinde of monarchy , under a protector . but to return back again to the affairs of the kingdom of portugal . the earl of castle melhor who had been sent vice-roy into brazile , had so good success , that with the assistance of those portugueses before in the kingdom , he expulsed the hollanders out of all their garrisons there , except the strong fortress of recif , which was built upon a rock wholly invironed by the sea. this animated the united states of the netherlands , to endeavour a revenge and recovery of that country , and to that end and purpose , a potent fleet was set out , and notwithstanding the very earnest endeavours , and large offers of the portuguese ambassador at the hagne , set sail to reconquer that kingdom , but not with that success which was expected , for the expedition proved wholly fruitless , and after so great an expence , the states were so highly discontented , that the admiral wittison was arrested at the hague , to answer such things as should be objected against him concerning that voyage . it much concerns that king who hath to deal with enemies too potent for him , to strengthen himself with such alliance , as may most advantage him , and endammage his foe ; this consideration made king iohn of portugal , about the year . send an ambassador to the young duke of savoy , ( who by reason of the scituation of his country , had good and frequent opportunites to annoy the catholique king , ) and divert him from turning his whole force upon this kingdom ) offering reciprocal marriage between that duke and his daughter , and the young prince theodosio and savoy's sister . but this his intention , was i suppose diverted , if not wholly hindred by the great power of cardinal mazarine in france , who designed one of his nieces as a fit match for eugenius young duke of savoy . 't is not at all safe nor fit for a subject to grow too rich , at least not to exceed his soveraign in treasure , for he thereby layes himself open to the envy and suspicion of his prince , nor is it possible that any who hath managed a publique employment , can be so without faults , as that somewhat cannot be laid to his charge to render him at a kings mercy . sufficient example of this we have in d. phillip de mascarendas vice-roy of goa , in the east-indies , who having for many years officiated in that high imployment , had gathered up an infinite mass of riches , and now being called home , thought in peace and quiet to enjoy what with a penurious and industrious hand he had been many years storing up : but the king being informed that he had indeed such a vaste treasure in gold , diamonds , pearls and other jewels , as he could not with his own honor or safety permit a subject to enjoy , easily found out them who were ready to form complaints against him , which were as readily listned to by the kings councel , who presently drawing up a charge against him , for having used an arbitrary power , oppressed , and abused the subjects , and merchants trading thither , &c. caused the ship wherein he came , with all the riches laden on it , to be seized on for the kings use , and himself for sometime imprisoned , nor had it been a wonder if he had made a forfeiture of his life , as well as of the greatest part of his estate . the strength of the hollanders at sea , had been the greatest obstacle to the portuguese , not wholly regaining there ancient possession in brazile , but the wars wherein the hollanders had involved themselves with england , proving so powerful a diversion , the portuguese took the advantage to reduce recif , which with several forts that encompassed it , and some few other , were the onely places that held out against them . against this therefore with a sufficient land-force , came don francisco barreto governor of pernambuco , ( whilst the portuguese navy consisting of sayl blocked it up by sea , ) and first by storm took the fort of salines , and thence coming before that of burracco , found it already abandoned , and blown up be the defendants : he next proceeded to the new fortress , the next and strongest fort to that of recif , and well manned and munitioned . thus having made a sturdy resistance , was at length forced by the portugal , which so amazed the hollanders , that though they had fifteen hundred men , and six months provisions in recif , yet they agreed to yield it upon honorable tearms on the of ianuary . being twenty four years after they had taken it from the portugals . the conditions upon which this stronge fortess was surrendred up , were to this effect . . that d. francisco bareto should forget all acts of hostility made by the hollanders against the portugals by sea and land. . that all persons whatsoever , even the jews in recif , and maurice town , though rebells against the king of portugals , should be pardoned . . that all hollanders should be free to carry away those goods they actually possessed . . that they should have sufficient numbers of ships , able to pass the equinectial line , with iron-guns for their transportation . . that the hollanders married with portugal woman or natives there , should be dealt so withal , as if they had married dutch women , and should with the consent of the women , have power to carry them away with them . . that those who would stay there under the obedience of the portugals , should be used as well as if they were native portugals , and as to their religion , should live as other strangers do in portugal . . that all forts about recif and maurice-town , viz. the port of st. bastions , boa , vista , st. austines , convent , the castle of maurice-town , that of the three bastions , the brum , with it's redoubt , the castle of st. george , and all others should be surrended to the aforesaid d. francisco barreto governor of pernambucco , with all the ordnance and ammunition presently after the signing of these articles . . that the hollanders should be free to remain in recif and maurice-town for three months , they surrendring their arms , which should be restored to them when they took shipping , and in the mean while they should have power to buy them necessary provisions of the portugals for the voyage . . all negotiations and alienations should be made during the said three months , according to the present articles . . that the governor should quarter his forces where he pleased , and that the hollanders should be protected during those three months , and having liberty to end their private differences before their own iudges . . that they should carry away all their papers whatsoever . . that if they could not sell their goods in the said three months time , they should leave them with whom they pleased under the obedience of the portugals , to be disposed of according to their own order . . that they should have all the victuals in the store houses of recif , and the other forts for their voyage . . that as to their pretensions against the portugals , they might sue them at the king of portugals court. . that all their vessels should be restored unto them , which they might fit for their voyage . . that they might have liberty to advise all their ships upon the coast , to come and laid their goods at recif : and in the last article it was expressed that upon the demand of the hollanders , that this might not prejudice any former treaty between the king of portugal , and the states general , d. francisco barreto would not assent thereunto . there were other articles likewise granted to the military forces , the sum of which were , that all offences and hostages might be forgotten , that all souldiers should go out of recif with their arms , match lighted , bullet in mouth , flying-colours ; but coming near the portugal army , should put out the match , and lay their arms in those magazines appointed by the governour of pernambucco , to be restored to them at their departure , provided they went to nants , rochel , or to some place in in the united provinces and not to any belonging to the king of portugal ; for security whereof they should give three hostages , and all officers and souldiers should be shipt together with general sigismond schop , after the delivery of the forts of riogrando , paraiba , and tamarica . that the general should have twenty pieces of brass ordinance ; from four pound-ballet to eighteen , withal their furnitures , besides all necessary iron-guns , for the defence of the ships that should be afforded them for their transportation , with convenient supplyes of ammunition and provision , according to the thirteenth article before recited : that general sigismond , and all his officers of war , should have liberty to carry away or sell all his or their goods or slaves . that sick or wounded persons should have liberty to stay till they recovered , but the governour would not condescend to release those hollanders which were prisoners before this surrendry : a general pardon was granted to all rebells , chiefly to amboyna , mendaz , and all other indians and negroes , but they were not to have the honor to march out with their arms. in sum , the supream councel at recif , did oblige themselves for the surrendring of these places , upon the signing of these articles , and for the delivering up the island of farnam , viaca , noroga , riogrand , paraiba , and tamarica , upon the same conditions for the inhabitants , as had been granted to those of recif . these articles were signed and delivered on both sides , at the camp at taborda , on the of ianuary . and conditions on both sides punctually observed . thus did the hollanders loose all their acquists in brazile , which so exasperated those high and mighty states , that at the coming into holland of myn heer sigismondo schop , who had there been general of their militia , they caused him to be imprisoned , and tried for his life by a councel of war , but notwithstanding endeavors of his enemies , he was acquitted . nor were the portugals at home less fortunate against their neighbor enemy the spaniards , for to omit many petty skirmishes , inroades made by them withal success desirable in the summer . d. antonio d' albuquerque general of the portuguese horse , taking an advantage upon a party of castilians , which lay upon the borders neer aronches , under the command of count d' amaranthe , set upon them , slew their general amaranthe , and took six hundred horse ; and farther animated with this success , and the knowledge he had that a vigorous prosecution is the onely mother of a true victory , pursued them with a army of foot and horse , eight leagues into their own country , as far as the old and strong castle of d' oluce , while encouraging his souldiers , ( made valorous by their former good fortune ) he resolved to attacque , and with continued batteries , and storms so wearied out the enemy , that after four days siege they yeilded upon composition , and albuquerque looking upon it as a place considerable , both for the countenancing of incursions into the enemies country , and keeping in awe the town of xeres , which is hard by , having repaired it and placed in it a strong garison , returned . about the beginning of the year . d. franciso de ferrara rabella arrived in england , with commission from the king of portugal as agent , to oliver cromwel , who then swayed here under the title of protector , to make a mo●e firm confirmation of the peace with england , and to advise , i suppose , about carrying on the war with spain ; which when cromwel had given some reasons to make the world believe he would commence against that catholick monarch , and how much such a war was for the interest of portugal , none will doubt who have read the foregoing story , which made king iohn court that english usurper , with more submisness and complacency , by both harbouring his fleets , and sending presents to his generals , then otherwise his genius would have permitted him to have done , any way in prejudice of englands lawful king . in the mean time the death of pope innocentius the tenth , made d. francisco de souza ▪ ambassador at rome for the king of portugal , make new addresses to alexander the seventh his successor , for confirmation of the church officers in that kingdom , for he had never had any full grant from innocent ; but now the spanish ambassadors opposed themselves more then ever , and by meanes of the queen of sweden , who wholly imployed her in●erest for the benefit of that nations endeavoured to frustrate even the portugueses hopes , nay so desperate was the spaniards malice , that they laid several designs to murther the portugal ambassador , but all proved ineffectual . in sum , after d. francisco de souza , had spent some years in the court of rome to very little purpose , he was upon the death of king iohn the fourth , called home to be governor of the yong king alfonso . the proffered interchangeable match with savoy , not taking effect , father du rozaire , a domincan and archbishop of goa , was sent agent to france , to treat about a marriage between that king , and the infanta donna catharina , with proposals of three millions of gold for her portion , and that the king of portugal would for seven years maintain eighteen men of war at sea , for the defence and service of the french crown . long was this business in negotiation , and by many thought would have taken effect , the agent being very highly carressed both by the king and queen mother of france , but whether by reason of cardinal mazarine's dislike of it , or other reasons of state , it was prolonged by continual demurs , till after the king of portugals death , and then wholly broken off . for king iohn being now arrived to about fifty years of age , in the sixteenth year of his reign , and in the year of our lord . on the . of november , s. n. paid his last debt to nature , having a long time been troubled with an obstruction in the kidneys , occasioned by the stone and gravel , which was so sharp all the time of his sickness , that he seldom urined , and when he did it , was in so little quantity that it did scarce at all ease him , this violent pain put him into a burning-feaver , which in ten days overpressed his vitals . before his death , he appointed donna lucia his queen , to be regent of the kingdom during the minority of d. alphonso her son , recom●e●ding to her for-assistants in the management of so great burden as a crown , the reverend d emanuel archbishop of lisbon , don runlio marquess of nisa , the earl of canvandake , and some others whose abilities , love and fidelity , he had experience of . he had by his queen donna lucia daughter to the duke of medina sidonia , four children ; onely two of which survived him , to wit , alfonso who succeeded him in the kingdom , and is at present king of portugal ; and the infanta catharina , who was born the year before her father came to the crown , a princess in whom all vertues seem to flow , that can make her the worthy daughter of such renowned parents : her beauteous body being amply repleate with her generous mothers spirit , whose magnanimity and prudence , all the world have admired : his other two children were the prince theodosio , who was so unfortunate as to die some time before his father , and a daughter who died young . he was a person of a very comely presence , his countenance pleasant , but inclinning to swarthiness , his body about a middle stature , yet comely and well proportioned , nor were the lineaments of his mind less becoming then those of his body , though if ye believe common fame , he was none of the wisest kings that ever portugal could boast of : the reason that he left so much of the reins of the government to his wife , a woman of a masculine and politick spirit , from whence perhaps that jesting spaniard might take occasion to say ; that it was not the portugal force , but the spanish policy , that kept that kingdom from the catholique king , alluding to the queens being a spaniard . he was buried in the great church of st. vincenza del foro , with all accustomed and becomming ceremonies , lamented by those kings who had been his allies , especially be the king of france , who honored his memory with a most magnificent funeral solemnity , himself ( attended by most of the nobles and parliament of france , ) gracing it with his presence at the church of nostre dame , where after the singing of mass , the bishop of vance pronounced a funeral oration , suitable to so royal a subject and occasion . alfonso the vi. the two and twentieth king of portvgal . king iohn the fourth being thus deceased , his onely surviving son alphonso the th of that name succeeded , being about the age of fourteen years , his mother during his minority administring the affairs of the kingdom , and causing him to be crowned on the of november , eight days after the death of his father . the whole kingdom of portugal was in a kind of amaze at the so sudden death of king iohn , especially considering the youth of their present king , fearing lest their common enemies should now take advantage of them : but the prudent management of the most important business of state by the queen regen● , soon banished all those fancied fears . the queen being sensible , that upon this occasion of the kings death , she should have most occasion to use the souldiery , by the advice of her council , ordered all the infantry of the kingdom should have half a years pay , the better to incourage them , who were of themselves ready enough to fight against their common and inveterate enemy , the castilians . and because she knew that the king of spain would loose no opportunity to oppress the kingdom of portugal , she thought it imprudence to let any slip where any advantage might be gained upon him , and therefore all the spanish forces being drawn out of andaluzia to oppose the english , in case they should attempt to land at cadiz , ( for they then blocked up that port with a potent fleet , she commanded four thousand horse to make an inroad into that country , who plundered , and layed waste all before them , bringing away between forty and fifty thousand head of cattel , and leaving the whole soil in a manner desolate : this so exasperated the spaniards , that draining most of the garisons of his kingdom he raised a potent army , and with ten thousand foot , and five thousand horse entred portugal , and laid siege to the strong city of olivenza , which at length they reduced to that necessity that the defendants were willing to capitulate , & sounded a parly , but when they came to treat , the spaniards would not admit the king of portugal any other title then that of d●ke of braganza , which made the portugals renounce any farther treating . but at length the spaniards condescending to treat , the town was delivered upon articles : but so much did the queen regent and councel of portugal resent it , that they immediately gave order to arrest the person of don mandiol de saldagna the governour , who ( with several of his chief officers , ) was by the count de st. lorenze , general of the portuguese forces in those parts , sent prisoner to lisbon , there to answer their ill defending of that town , it appearing that at the surrendring of it , there marched our two thousand two hundred well armed foot , and one hundred horse ; nor were they reduced to that necessity that was pretended , there remaining in the stores of ammunition and provision , sufficient to have defended the town a great while longer . the loss of this place was a great blow to the portugueses , it being a strong frontier town , and giving the spaniard absolute command a great way into the country : but this the king of spain resolved should be but a beginning of his conquest ( if possible ) of this kingdom , for he still made all preparations he could to assault it with a greater force , and not onely endeavoured this with might and main to oppress it himself , but by his ambassadors solicited the states general of the united provinces to send their vice-admiral opdam with the fleet he then had before dantzick , into portugal , to demand satisfaction for the dammage the portugals had done to their west-india company in brazile , and in case the king of portugal should deny to comply with their desires , to force them to a composition . the high and mighty states easily listned to this councel , and vice-admiral opdam with a potent fleet was sent to lisbon , carrying with him some commissioners from the states to make their demands , which the queen regent and council thought so unreasonable , that they could not return any satisfactory answer to them , whereupon the commissioners departed . but opdam still stayed with his fleet to wait an opportunity of catching the brazile fleet in their return home , many of which notwithstanding the care and endeavours of the portugueses to prevent it , he made prize of , and sent into holland . by this means was the war which for many years , had been maintained between the hollanders and portugals on the other side the line , transferred to this side , which the king of france endeavoured by all meanes possible , before it's eruption to prevent , and afterwards to compose by his ambassadors monsieur de thou in holland , and the sieur de comings in portugal , but to no effect . thus assaulted by two potent nations , both by sea and by land were the portugueses , which yet made them not at all falter in their courage and resolution , the generous queen regent causing all possible leavyes to be made to oppose the castilian , sending into barbary to buy horses , and by leagues abroad endeavoring to strengthen the interest of the kingdom , an ambassador was sent to that purpose into england , to renew and confirm the amity before concluded on , and many conferences there were between the archbishop of goa , who had before been ambassador in france , and the sieur de comings , so that many were in hopes that the match between the king of france and the infanta would have gone forward , and an indissoluble league both defensive & offensive , been concluded between the two nations . and to joyn force to policy , a gallant army of about sixteen thousand foot , and three thousand horse , a●l portuguese● , took the field , and in revenge for the loss of olivenza , laid siege to mouron , which in three or four days they took by storm , putting spaniards to the sword , and resolved to proceed to the regaining of badayox , and olivenza ; and to that purpose marching without opposition by caya , ( which they left fortified ) they came to the fort of st. christopher , the strongest hold of the city of badayox , which they several days battered , and thrice stormed , but were beaten off , yet at the length they took it , and so securely entrenched themselves about the whole city . the duke of ossima general of the castilian horse , having notice of this streight siege of the city , endeavoured with sixteen hundred horse to cut off their convoys and provisions ; but the count del prado governour of elvas , receiving advice of his design , sallied out of the city with three companies of horse , and all the foot he had to prevent him , by which means ossima was encompassed on both sides , for at the same time that he was on the other part charged by don andrea d' albuquerque general of the portuguese horse , and that with so much gallantry that they presently discomfited their enemies , slew four hundred upon the place , took three hundred prisoners , and forced the duke of ossima to save himself by swinning . this happy success encouraged them to return with more alacrity to the siege , which they prosecuted with all vigor possible , and on the three and twentieth of iune , stormed and took a redoubt which was palisadosed , but at length when they had spent much time , blood , and treasure , they were enforced by the powerful army of don lewis de haro to raise their siege . for the king of spain exsperated with the loss of mouron , and fearing likewise to loose badayox , had rallyed a great army , which he committed to the care of his favorite don lewis de haro , who not onely with it raised the siege from before badayox , but likewise so straightly besieged elvas , one of the portugueses strongest frontier-towns , the taking of which might have endangered the whole kingdom , and reduced it to such necessity , that it was even upon the point of yielding . but the portugals who knew of how much importance it was to them , had ever been anxious for its relief , and therefore having at length bravely recruited their army , they advanced with full resolution to drive the spaniards out of their trenches , nor did they effect it less bravely then they had resolved it , for they totally routed their general , don lewis de haro very hardly escaping ; but in this battel the portuguez lost the worthy albuquerque general of the horse . and to counterpoise this victory , the strong fortress of mounson upon the borders of gallicia , was surrendred to the spaniards ; and a party of the portugals , not having advice that it was already possessed by the castilians , going to relieve it , were surprized and forced shamefully to retreat , with the loss of some hundreds , and this success encouraged the spaniards under the command of the marquis of viana , to besiege the onely city the portugals were possest of on the river minho , but it was relieved by the portugals . the spaniards likewise gained a signal victory over a party of portugal horse nigh alcantara ; for advice being brought to the governor of that town , that the portuguez with a party of four hundred horse were entring upon the frontiers in two bodies , he taking five hundred horse , and a select party of foot went to meet them , and so handsomly managed his business , that he surprized one whole body , scarce a man escaping 〈◊〉 commissary general , five captains , and several other officers being taken prisoners . but these things were inconsiderable disadvantages to the interest of portugal , in respect of what it was like to feel by the peace which was treating of between those two mighty monarchs of france and spain , which the queen regent and council were sensible of ; and therefore dispatcht don iohn d' acosta ambassador extraordinary to the french court , to represent unto his most christian majesty the state of the kingdom of portugal , and to insist that there might be a due consideration had of the interest of his master in the concluding of the peace with spain , seeing he had formerly approved himself so good an ally to the crown of france . but this embassie could produce no other effect , than a promise to endeavor a mediation for them with the king of spain , and procure them good tearms upon submission , which by the magnanimous portugueses was rejected with indignation . nor were they at all daunted with the great power of the spaniard which he intended to imploy against them , but manfully resolved to endure all hazards , yet would they willingly have concluded a peace with the hollanders , and to that purpose don fernando tellez de faro , duke of alvero , was sent ambassador to the states general , but he like a treacherous villain , revolted from them to the king of spain , carrying along with him the papers of his embassy ; for which , according to his desert , his effigies was executed at lisbon as a traytors ; his goods confiscated , his house razed to the ground , and his children banished and degraded of nobility . his brother don deigo de syl●a , who had served the king of portugal in the quality of general at sea , was likewise upon this occasion commanded to retire to one of his houses , and deprived of all publique employment . after him was sent don henry de susa count of miranda , to negotiate an accommodation with the netherland states , yet he prevailed little , for the pertinacious hollanders were still resolute in their unreasonable demands , computing their losses in brazile ( where they had no right to be ) to amount to no less then thirty millions . the spaniards in the mean time were forced to give the portugals some respite in the summer . but preparations were made to assault them , with the whole power of that monarchy in the spring . don iohn d' austria being called out of flanders to be generalissimo of the spanish forces , and having orders given him in april . to march directly to merida , on the frontiers of portugal , though he went not that summer . but the portugueses resolved not to be behind-hand with their enemies , and therefore made several in-roads into the spanish territories , depopulating all before them , which made the spaniards to be revenged , resolve to do the like to them ; order was therefore given to fall into the kingdom on all sides , the marquess of viana governor of gallicia , marching in that way with eight thousand foot , and eight hundred horse , and the governor of camara invading that part which was adjacent to his government . in this condition was the kingdom of portugal when his majesty charles the second , king of england was restored to his crowns and kingdoms , welcomed by his subjects with all gratulatory and submissive obedience ; the news of which was no sooner by advice from d. francisco de melo , ambassador for the king of portugal in england , conveyed to the ears of his master , but he caused all the guns of the town , castle , and ships in the road , to be fired , and for three days and nights kept solemn and magnificent rejoycings ; the portuguese nation as well as by this their joy at the restoration of king charles the second , as by their sorrow and general mourning at the death of king charles the ●irst , expressing their great affection for the english nation . but because their joy should be somewhat for their own , as well as our sakes , there at the same time arrived news at lisbon , that don alfonso turtudo general of the horse , on the frontiers of alentejo , meeting with a brigade of the enemies horse nigh to badajox , had fought and defeated them , killed and took four hundred of them , amongst whom were four captains of horse prisoners . the spaniards still continued their leavies against portugal , being resolved to employ an army of four thousand horse and twelve thousand foot constantly recruited , about the frontiers of estramadura , and another of three thousand horse , and ten thousand foot about gallicia , and a third of twelve thousand men , to serve as a reserve to the two former . in this manner were they resolved to assault them by land , while the prince of montesarchio with ten men of vvar , was appointed to coast up and down before their ports , and do them what mischief he could by sea. thus have we deduced a compendious chronicle of the kingdom of portugal , from its first original under alfonso the first , to the fourth year of the reign of the present king alfonso the sixth , anno . and are forced now to leave her strugling with spain for her liberty , which great monarch , by the prudent management of affairs by that sage and illustrious queen regent , she hath hitherto been able to resist , and will without doubt still be able to defend her self against him , especially if the match with england take effect , as without doubt it will ; our nation being like to prove a better bulwark than the fickle french , who were seldom or never constant to their friends , witness their deserting queen elizabeth when she waged vvar with the spaniards , as they did now the portugals . finis : a brief cosmographical description of all the dominions of portvgal . that part of the dominions of the king of portugal , which are upon the continent of europe , contain first the kingdom of portugal , and secondly the kingdom of algarve , or regnum algarbiorum . the kingdom of portugal is bounded on the north , with the rivers minio and avia , which part it from gallicia ; on the south , with the kingdom of algarve ; on the vvest , with the atlantick ocean ; and on the east , with the two castiles and estramadura , from which it is deduced by a line drawn from ribadonia , standing on the avia to badayox , on the anas or guadiana , it extendeth on the sea-coast from north to south , four hundred miles ; the breadth of it in the broadest place is one hundred miles , in the narrowest , eighty ; the whole circumference is about eight hundred seventy nine miles ; in which compass it containeth fourteen hundred and sixty parishes . it was first called lusitania , from the lusitans its chief inhabitants , and had the name of portugal either from the port of cale , now called caia , sometimes a rich empory or mart-town , or more likely from the haven of porto , a town standing on the mouth of the river dueries , where the golls ( or french ) used to land their merchandize , and so was called portus galliorum , and by contraction portugal . this town was given in dower to henry duke of lorain , with teresa base daughter to alphonso the sixth , king of castile , with the title of earl of portugal , whose successors coming to be kings , called all those countries they gained from the moors , by the same name . the air of the countrey is healthy , the countrey hilly and bare of corn , with which it is supplyed from france , and other northern parts ; yet that which they have is as good , if not better , than any europe affords . the soyl and people are in all parts not rich alike , for where the soyl is richest , the people are poorest , not benefited by the trade of the too-far distant lisbon ; and where the soyl is poorest , the people are richest , helped by traffick and manufactures , the chief of which are making salt and silk , which they export in great abundance ; and where there 's want of corn , that defect is supplyed with abundance of honey , wine , oyl , alume , fruits , fish , salt , white marble , and some mines of silver , &c. the people are of a more plain , simple behavior than the rest of spain , and ( if we may believe the spanish proverb ) neither numerous , nor wise , but they have found them both . they have a kinde of natural animosity , if not antipathy against the castilians , for depriving them of their native government and liberties , although they have now recovered both . they were always accounted good sea-faring men , and fortunate in discovery of forein countreys . it aboundeth with rivers of all sorts , having neer two hundred great and small . the chief are , . minius , full of red lead , and thence called minium by the latines , navigable with small vessels neer a hundred miles . . lethes , now lavada . . muliadas , now mundego . . tagus . . duerus . and . anas . these three last , common to all the rest of spain ; anas or guadiana passing by portugal onely for seven leagues , tagus for eighteen , and duero for eighty : none of these navigable for any long space , by ships of any great burthen ; all the rivers of spain being generally swift of course , restrained within narrow channels between sharp rocks , and therefore incommodious for navigation : but that want is supplyed by three excellent havens , . that of lisbon upon tagus . . porto upon duero to the north of lisbon . . that of setaval south of lisbon , scituate on a goll , twenty miles in length , and three in breadth , a place of great importance . the principal cities of this countrey are , . lisbon , seated upon tagus , a city famous for commerce , called by the latines olisippo , or ulisippo , and as some have fabulously imagined , built by ulysses in his ten years travel . it is in compass seven miles , and contains upwards of thirty parishes , in which are at least houses , neat and comely fabricks : there are on the walls seventy six turrets and towers & twen-two gates to the sea-side . towards the continent it is scituate upon five small hills , betwixt which is a valley which runs down to the river . on the highest hill stands an ancient castle , not strong , but by reason of its vicinity to the palace , serving now onely for a prison for great men . the entrance of the river is defended by the castle of cascais , and neerer the city by the fort of st. iulians , and the rock of belem , muni●ioned by twenty pieces of ordnance : this is the chamber of the kings of portugal , the sea of an archbishop , the staple of commodities for all the kingdom , and thought more worth than all the realm besides . . the second city of note is santaren , seated on the tagus , so called from sancta irene , a nun of tomar ( a monastery wherein the old kings of portugal used to be crowned ) martyred he●e by the moors : this city is called by ptolomy scavaliscus , then a roman colony . . sintr● upon the main atlantick , at the end of high mountains , called montes lunae : hither by reason of the cool refreshings of the sea , and pleasure of the woods adjoyning , the kings of portugal use to retire in the heat of summer . . corimbra , seated on both sides the river mondego , a pleasant scituation among the vineyards , and woods of olives , a bishops sea , an university , and sometime the residence of the kings . on the north side of the river duero , betwixt that and minio , is placed the city of braga , once the royal seat of the swevian kings , now the sea of an archbishop , con●ending for the supremacy with ioledo . . porto , the haven of the galls before-mentioned , standing at the mouth of duero , now vulgarly called portuport . . miranda , a bishops sea , seated also on the duero . . bragance , the dukes whereof now kings of portugal , were accounted so great princes , that it was thought one third part of portugal were their vassals , and lived on their lands : they are originally descended from alphonso natural son to iohn the first , who was first by his father created earl of borcellos , and after duke of bragance , they after came to have right to the crown by marriage of katherine , daughter to emanuel . . on the south of tagus , and betwixt it and algarve , is seated in the middest of a large and spacious plain , the city of eubora , the sea of an archbishop , and an university , the last founded by king henry the cardinal . . is portolegre , a bishops sea. . olivenza on the guadiana . . beja , called by pliny anciently pax iulia , now mean , not very well inhabited , but anciently a roman colony , and one of the three juridicial resorts of lusitania . the kingdom of algarve . the kingdom of algarve lyeth south of portugal , from which it is divided by a line drawn from aschorin , on the western sea to odochere , a castle on the guadiana , on the east bounded by andalusia , on the west and south by the main a lantick ; more wilde and barren it is then the kingdom of portugal , peopled with few towns , and those not very populous ; hilly and mountanous , but by the benefit of the sea , yielding a great trade of fishing , specially of tunny , of which there is abundance caught . it took its name from its western scituation , for so algarve signifieth in the arabick ; the utmost end of it was antiently called promontorium sacrum , now cape st. vincent , because the bones of st. vincent , religiously preserved by the christians , were here burnt , and scattered by the moors , but now vulgarly by mariners called the southern cape : the places of most importance in this kingdom , are . niebla , the seat of abed mefad , once king of this country . . sylvia , an inland city , the seat of a bishop . . villa maona , scituate beyond the cape . . tavila . . faro . . lagos , all haven towns. this country conquered by the moors , with the rest of spain , in the distractions of their power , was for a time under the soveraignity and command of the kings of sevil , recovered from the moors of sevil , by the kings of morocco : it became subject unto them till they left this country , and was after parcelled among many kings , one of which was aben mefad , reigning in niebla , and the parts adjoyning being dispossessed of his estate by alfonso the wise , most of the other towns and princes submitted unto him , and became his vassals : anno . more absolutely subdued , and made subject to the crown of portugal by alfonso the third , anno . to whom the said alfonso the renth of that name in leon , and seventh in castile , had given the same in dowry with beatrix his daughter . the azores , or tenera islands , the azores , or tenera islands , are certain islands belonging to the crown of portugal , seated in the atlantick ocean , directly opposite to lisbon , and distant from it leagues , first found out and subdued by the portugals , under the conduct of prince henry , son of iohn the first , scituate between . and . degrees of the latitude , and one of them in the first longitude , which is commonly reckoned from these islands , being the most western parts of the world , before the discovery of america . they were called azores , from the multitude of gossehawk , at first found there ( azor in the spanish tongue , signifying a gossehawk ) though at this time there are few or none found ; they were called also the flemish islands , because first discovered by them , and in the isle of faial , one of the chief , there are some families still resemble flemings , both in complexion and habit , and not far from their abode is a torrent , called by the portugals , riberados flemingos , or the river of flemings ; they were also called tercera's , from tercera the chief of them . the air here is healthful , subject to few diseases ; they all abound with flesh ; fish , and other necessaries , except salt and oyl , supplyed from portugal , wines they have for their own use , but not to be transported , by reason of their weakness ; of like nature is their wheat and o●her fruits , which hold not good above a twelve-moneth ; they are subject to earthquakes , their chief commodities for transportation are canary birds , wood for dyers , joyners-wo●k , and beeves for such ships as come there to be victualled . the inhabitants are generally laborious , excellent husbands of their grounds , insomuch , that they make vines grow out of the rocks , much given to joynery-work , making pretty knacks ; in customs they conform to the portugals , having some smattering of the flemings , which nation they seem to affect , the islands are nine in number , having their several names , viz. . tercera , the chief of all the rest , miles in compasse , well stored with peaches , apples , lemons , and orenges ; and for the kitchen , turneps , cabbages , plenty of pot-hearbs , and the best potato roots ( the inhabitants greatest food ) in the world : they have great quantity of the best woad ( called hence island woad ) used by dyers ; they have fowl for the use of man but no birds of prey ; the whole island is begirt with sharp rocks ; the places of most importance , are . praye , on the sea-side , well walled , but not very populous . . sta. barbara . . st. sebastian . . glalue ▪ and . villa nuova : all buroughs of good note . . angra , the chief , not onely of this island , but o● all the nine ; the residence of the governor , and an arch-bishops sea , who hath in it his cathedral ; 't is fo●tified with two castles , the town likewise well walled , the only port town of the island , and made safe rather by art then nature . . st. maries , so called from the saint ( as st. georges , and st. michaels are ) unto which it is dedicated , the most southern of the isles , and next to spain ▪ twelve miles in circuit , inhabited onely by spaniards , and those much given to making earthen ware , so naturally hem'd in with rocks , that it needs no other defence ; the chief town is likewise called st. maries , giving to , or taking name from the island . . st. michaels , directly north from st. maries , and little distant , the biggest of the pack , being . miles in length , but the bredth not answerable , much subject to earthquakes , and fiery vapours ; of most note among our mode●n geographers , who have removed hither the first meridian ( by which they divide the world into east and west ) from the canaries , or fortunate islands , where it was fixed in the time of ptolomy , and other ancient writers : the chief town hereof , besides many boroughs and lesser hamlets , is called punta del gada , seated upon a dangerous sea , and without any port , yet more frequented by strangers then the port of angra , because here they may go in and out as they please , but not so in the other . . fayal , seventeen or eighteen miles in length , provided with all things necessary for the use of man , and well furnished with wood , for which commodity , much frequented by the merchants of england : the chief town of it is dorta , defended with a castle , both town and island , taken by sir walter rawleigh , anno . in the famous action called the island-voyage . . gratiosa , not above five or six leagues in compasse , but so well furnished with fruits , that they send much yearly to tercera , inhabited by portugals onely , but so poor , that they are not able to bear the charge of a garrison : the chief town is called la plaia . . st. georges , twelve miles long , about three in bredth , mountainous and full of forests , but those forests well stored with cedars , they use them many times for shipping , and sometimes for fewel , the chief town is st. georges , as the island . . puo , lyeth on the south of the isle st. george , and took this name from a high hill , in the form of a pyramide , which the portugals generally call a pike , or pico , replenished with fruits , some cedars , and a tree called teixo , of great bulk , and much beauty , the wood thereof exceeding hardned within , and much waved , so admirably beautiful , that it is allowed onely to the kings officers , the other subjects being interdicted the use of it ( but upon special license ) by a publique edict ; in bigness it is second onely unto that of st. michael , if not equal to it , hardly so much in length , but of greater bredth : the chief towns of it , . st. sebastians . . callota de nesquin , both upon the sea , and in the east parts of the islands . . flores , directly east from fayal , so called from its abundance of flowers ( as gratiosa for the like flourishing verdure of it ) is in compasse not above eight miles , but plentifully furnished with cattel , and good grounds to feed them : the chief town is s ta . cruz. . corvo , the least of the nine , not above half so big as flores , from which it is scituate to the north , and but a little distant , called thus of its abundance of crows , both very unsafe and miserably poor , by reason of the many pirates which lie betwixt them , to intercept such ships as trade to america : these islands were the last of the portugal dominions which held out for d. antonio , the bastard , against phillip the second , king of spain ; against whom the island of tercera was for a while gallantly defended by emanuel desylva , with the help of the french , but taken at last by the marquis of s ta . cruz , and the french , after promise of life , cruelly murthered in cold blood . the portugals possessions in asia . so many are the forts and places possessed by the portugueses in asia , but especially in india , that to give a description of them all , would be impossible , it shall be sufficient to mention so few of the chiefest ; and . diu a peninsula , in the province of guzurate , in the kingdom of cambaia , looking towards persia , but on the east side thereof near the mouth of indus ; here the portugals built an impregnable citadel , by the leave and consent of king bacurines , thereby to buy their aid against mahomed the mogul , who had newly vanquished him : a matter of such consequence to the crown of portugal , that iohn bottelines confined to india for some crimes by him committed , undertook , in hope by the merit of that service to obtain his pardon , to carry the first news of it in a small vessel not above foot long , and but six foot broad ( the best which for the present could be provided ) which with great courage he performed , and through that large , wide , and ●empestuous ocean , came in safety with his news to lisbon , to the great joy of the king , but greater admiration of all sorts of people ; scarce was it setled in their new possession , when besieged by solyman bassa , admiral to solyman the magnificent , with a fleet of eighty ships and gallies , anno . offended with the portugals for aiding the king of persia , but rather for diverting the spice-trade from alexandria ; in which he had such ill success , that having assaulted it in vain with his land-forces , he was fain to raise his siege in such haste and tumult , that he left his great ordnance behinde him . . over against diu upon the sea-side they are possessed of damau , a beautiful and pleasant town ▪ fortified with a strong castle at the north end of it , of white chalky stone , well planted with ordnance , opposite whereunto on the south-side of the town , is a goodly church edged on the top with white , which with the houses for the most part of the same colour also , afford a pleasant prospect to the sailors by . . the next place of consequence which they possess , and indeed the chief of all their possessions in india , is the city of goa in the kingdom of decan , a sea-town , scituate in a little , but most pleasant island , called tickvarinum , fifteen miles in compass , opposite to the mouth or out-let of the river mundavo , a noted empory , and one of the keyes which unlock the indies , for number of inhabitants , pleasantness of scituation , and magnificent building , the chiefest of the countrey ; here the portugals have their arsenals and harbor for their indian fleet , by which they do command these seas , so strongly fortified , that though beleaguered by the great idalian with horse , elephants , and piece of ordnance , yet he could not force it ; made in regard of the convenient scituation and strength of it , the ordinary residence of the portugal vice-roy , who hath here his council , chancellor , and other officers , for the government of such parts of india as belong to that crown . it is also the seat of the archbishop or primate of the indian church , planted by that nation , who is hence called the archbishop of goa . . to this we may adde chiaul a sea — town , in the hands of the portugals also , and by them well fortified , insomuch as a nisamalocco assaulting it at the same time with a very great army was fain to leave it as he found it . . solsette with a peninsula about miles in compass , possessed likewise by the portugals about nine miles distant from goa , the whole peninsula containing villages and inhabitants , this stands in the province of canara . . we may adde the cittadel the portuguese have by consent of the king , built and fortified , nigh the great city of connonor , with many other fortresses and places : amongst the rest , the city of macoa in china deserves mention , a famous and known empory . the portugals possessions in affrica . the portugals had large possessions in the kingdoms of congo and angola in affrica , which were first discovered under the conduct of diego can in the year . and had fortified themselves in the kingdom of angola , from whence and congo they used yearly to transport slaves into brazile , till by the treachery of the hollanders they were anno . or thereabout , dispossessed thereof ; for the portugals having cast off the spanish yoke , a cessation from hostility with them , was proclaimed in holland , and not long after a firm peace made between the two nations . in the articles whereof it was conditioned , that this peace should not begin in the east-indies till the end of a year , nor in brazile till the end of half a year from the making thereof ; which being observed , they gave order to their fleets and forces which were abroad , to make themselves masters of any thing belonging to the portugals , which they could lay hold of ; who following the instructions , and anchoring near the fort of angola , were by the portugals received with joy into their castle , as their special friends ; which presently they possessed themselves of , turning the poor portugals in a weak barque to seek new adventures ; nor were they less kind to them in the island of st. thomas , and princes island . the islands of capo verde are still possessed by the portugals , so called , because scituate just opposite to promontorium capites viridis , in the land of negroes ; they are nine in number , to wit , st. anthony . st. vincent . buena vista . st. luci●● . insula salis , or the isle of salt. del fogo , or the isle of fire . st. nicholas . maggio , o. majo . st. iago . some have added a tenth called brava . of these onely three are inhabited , to wit , majo , del fogo , and st. iago ; of which the last is the chief , yet but seven miles long , rocky and mountainous , but full of very pleasant valleys ▪ and well peopled ; the chief town of it called riblero , or ribiera la grande , a colony of portugals , scituate on a fine river , and a beautiful h●ven , taken and sacked by sir francis drake in the year . and after by sir anthony shirly , anno . the portugals likewise possess the town of tanger , a pretty fortification on the coast of mauritania , scituate about the middle of the straits of gibraltar . brazile . brazile is bounded on the east with mare del noort , or the main atlantick ; on the west with some undiscovered countries , lying betwixt it and the audes ; on the north with guiana , from which parted by the great river maragnon ; on the south with paroguay , or the province of riodeo la plata . the reason of the name i finde not , unless it come from the abundance of the wood called brazile wood , which was found amongst them , as the famous isle of cyprus from its plenty of cypresses it reaches from the th to the th degree of southern latitude , or measuring it by miles . it is said to be fifteen hundred miles from north to south , and five hundred miles breadth from the sea to the audes , which must be understood , with reference to the whole extent of it ; for otherwise all that which is possessed by the portugals , is so short of taking up all the breadth thereof , that they possess nothing but the sea coasts , and some few leagues comparitively within the land ; the greatest part of it being conquered , that it hath not hitherto been discovered . the country is full of mountaines , rivers , and forrests , diversified into hills and plains , alwayes pleasant and green . the air for the most part sound and wholesom , by reason of the fresh winds which reign amongst them , yet in regard of its moisture , it is held more agreeable to old men , then young . the soil excessive fruitful , were it not cloy'd with too much rain , however it produces sugar-canes in such libe●al quantities , that they yearly bring out of brazile to portugal , acrobes of sugar , every arrobe containing twenty five bushels of our english measure . there is also infinite quantities of that red-wood used for dying , called brazile wood ; the trees whereof are of that incredible greatness , that whole families live on an arm of them , every tree being as populous , as the most of our villages . the people are endowed with a pretty natur●l understanding , yet generally barbarous , the men and women go stark naked , and on high festival days , hang jewels in their lips those festival days are when a company of good neighbors come together to be merry over the roasted body of a fat man , which they cut in collops , called boucon , and eat with greediness and delectation . they have two vile qualities , as being mindful of injuries , and forgetful of benefits . they cannot pronounce the letters l. f ▪ r , the reason of which one being demanded , made answer , because they had amongst them neither law , faith nor reason . the country is not divided into provinces or counties , as in other places , but into prefectures , or captain-ships , as the portugueses call them ; of which there are in all , from the province rio della plata , to that of guiana , to wit ; . the captainship of st. vincent , bordering on rio della plata , inhabited by the most civil people of all brazil ; the chief towns of which are , . sancto at the bottom of an arm of the sea , capable of good ships of burthen , but distant from the main three leagues , a 〈◊〉 of no more then . houses , yet the best of this prefecture beautified with a parish church , and two convents of fryers , taken and held two moneths by sir thomas cavendish anno . since that environed with a wall , and fortified with two castles . . st. vincents , better built , but not so well fitted with an haven , of about . houses , and one hundred inhabitants . . isange . . canavea , two open burroughs , but capable of lesser vessels . . st. paul , upon a little mountain , at the foot whereof run two pleasant rivers , which fall not far off into the river iniambis , a town of about a hundred houses , one church , two convents , and a colledge of jesuites , neighbored by mines of gold , found in the mountains called pernabiacaba . . st. phillips , a small town on the banks of iniambis , which there begins to enlarge it self , and passing thence , falleth at last into the river parana , one of the greatest tributaries to rio de la plata . . of rio de ianeiro , or the river of ianuary , so called because entred into that month by iohn diaz de solis , anno . neglected of the portugals , it was seized on by the french , under the conduct of villagag●one , employed herein by admiral chastillon , a great friend of the hugon●tes , to whom it was intended as a place of refuge ( as new - england afterwards for the like ) but within three years after their first coming thither ( anno ) regained by the portugals , and the french p●t to the sword . the places of most consideration in it , are . colignia , the fo●t and colony of the french , so named , in honor of gasper colligni ( commonly called chastillon ) by whose encouragement it was founded , scituate on the bay of the river ia●iero , which the french called ganabara . . sr. sebastians , built at the mouth of the same bay by the portugals , after they had expelled the french , and fortified with four strong bulwarks . . angra des reyes , distant twelve leagues westward from the mouth of the bay , not long since made a portugal colonie ; beside these , there are two great burroughs of the natural brazilians , in which are said to be two thousand inhabitants . . of the holy ghost ( del spiritu sancto ) one of the most fertile provinces of all brazil , well stored with cotton , wool , and watered with the river parayba , large and full of fish ; the onely town of note in it , is spiritu sancto , inhabited by about portugals , the chief building of it a church , dedicated to st. francis , a monastery of benedictines , a colledge of jesuites , the chief conveniency a safe and commodious haven , capable of the greatest vessels . . of porto seguro , the secure haven , so called by capralis , who first discovered it , when being tost at sea by a terrible tempest , he had here refreshed himself : the chief towns hereof , . porto seguro , built on the top of a white cliff which commands the haven , of more antiquity then fame , of more fame then bigness , as not containing fully two hundred families . . santa cruz , three leagues from the other , a poor town , with as poor an harbor : the patrimony and inheritance of the dukes of avero , in the realm of portugal . . santo amaro . or st. omers , once of great note for making sugars , for which use here were five ingenios , or sugar engines , deserted by the portugals for fear of the savages , against whom they had not power enough to make good the place , and the sugars destroyed of purpose , that they might not come into the hands of the barbarous people . . of des iieos , or the isles so named from certain islands lying against the bay , on which the principle town is sea●ed , called also ilheos , or the isle , the town consisting of about or families , neighbored by a great lake of leagues in compass , out of which that river doth arise , full of great , but wholesome fish , which they call monatos , some of which are affirmed to weigh twenty eight pounds : this colony much endangered by the guaymuri , a race of savages , more savage then any of their fellows , who being driven out of their own country , fell into this prefecture , and had utterly destroyed it , if some of st. georges reliques ( as the jesuites say ) sent by their general from rome , anno . had not stayed their fury , and given the portugals the better . . of todos los sanctos , or all saints , so called from a large bay of that name , upon which it hath in bredth two leagues and an half , eighteen fathom deep , and full of many little islands , but flourishing and pleasant , and well stored with cotton wooll : the chief towns hereof are , . san salvador , built on a little hill on the north side of the bay by thomas de souza , adorned with many churches , and fortified , besides the wall , with three strong castles , the one called st. anthony , the other st. phillip , and the third tapesippe . . paripe more within the land , four leagues from s. saviours . . seregippe del rey , a small town , and seated on as small a river , but amongst many rich pastures , and some veins of silver . . of pernambucco , one of the richest prefectures for tobacco , sugar , and the great quantity of brazile wood , which is brought hence yearly for the dyers in all this country , but destitute of corn , and most other necessaries , with which it is supplyed from portugal ; chief towns hereof , . olinda , the largest and best peopled of all brazile , containing above two thousand persons , not reckoning church-men , nor taking the great number of slaves , which they keep for their sugar-works in this account ; there are in it eight parochial churches , five religious houses , and some hospitals scituate near the sea , but on so uneven a piece of ground , as makes it not capable of a regular fortification , the haven being little , and not very commodio●s , but defended at the entrance by a well built castle , and that well planted with brass pieces . . amatta di brazile , ten miles from olinda , the inhabitants whereof live by selling brazile wood . . san lorenzo , a well frequented village , but as yet unwalled . . pomair , upon a river so named . . antonio de cabo , near the cape of st. anthony , both of good note for the great quantity of sugars , which are made in each . . garasu , about miles from olinda , inhabited for the most part by poor and mechanical people . . of tamaraca , ●o called from an i●l●nd of that name , distance about miles from olinda , of no great note , but for the haven , and an impregnable castle on the top of the hill for defence thereof : this is the least p●efecture in brazile , but with all the ancientest , extendeth three leagues onely in length , and but two in bredth . . of paraiba , so called from a river of that name , on whose bancks stands paraiba the chief town , inhabited by about . portugals , beside slaves and negroes , not walled , but secured by a strong castle , on the promontory called capo delo , which the hollanders often in vain attempted . . of riogrande , so called likewise of a river , but lately made a prefecture to exclude first the french , and after the savages from possessing it , it now enjoys an impregnable castle . . of siarra , so called from the haven of siarra adjoining , of no great note , being also but lately made a prefecture , the portugueses enjoying no more here but a castle , and about a dozen houses . . of maragnon , an island lying in the mouth of the river so called , a prefecture not yielding to any in brazil , if it were well manured , the so●l being very fruitful , and well inhabited both by natives and portugueses . . of para , the most northern prefecture of brazile , towards guiana , so called from the river of para , supposed a branch of the river of amazons , which runneth through it , the river at the mouth of it two miles in bredth , and in the middle of the channel fifteen fathoms deep ; on the banks thereof , but on an higher ground then the rest the portugals have built the castle of para , in form quadrangular , and well walled , except towards the river ; the coun●ry thereabouts inhabited by three hundred por●ugueses , besides the garrison . thus much for the particular governments of this country , for it self in general it has suffered the same fortune with countries of more antient discovery , viz. to have many masters , the spanish , dutch and portuguez , all claiming right to it , but the last however worried by the other two , hath hitherto kept the surest foot in it , and is still like to do so . thus much for a cosmographical description of the portugal dominions . finis . books printed and sold by h. marsh , at the princes arms in chancery-lane , neer fleet street . folio . the soveraign's prerogative , and the subjects priviledge , comprized in several speeches , cases , and arguments of law , discussed between the kings most sacred majesty , and the most eminent persons of both houses of parliament : collected by t. fuller , b. d. leonards reports — a compleat history of the wars of the greeks ; written by the learning polibius , and translated by ed. grimston , esq. serjeant at arms to his late majesty . the true portraiture of dona catherina , sister to alfonso present king of portugal , as it was presented to don francisco de mello , ambassador of portugal in london . poems of mr. i. crouch gent. quarto . the history of independency compleat , being the . . . and last part ; which may be had single by such as have bough the others . a comical history of these late times : by montelion . richard hanam's exploits . the fai●hful lapidary , being a history of all precious stones , very useful for gentlemen , merchants and others blood washt away by the tears of repentance , or the relation of butler's murdering of knight in milk-street . rumps looking-glass , or a collection of such pieces of drollery , as was prepared by several wits to purge the rump . a new discovery of the high-way thieves ; by a gentleman lately converted . a short view of the life and actions of the ilustrious iames duke of york , together with his character . in large octavo . blood for blood , or murthers revenged , lively set forth in tragical histories , some whereof have been the product of our late times , published by t. n. esq. rebels no saints . the english lovers : a romance written originally in the english tongue , by iohn dauncey in . a compendious chronicle of the kingdom of portugal , from alfonsus the first king , to alfonsus the sixth now raigning , with a cosmographycal description of that country , by iohn dauncey in . venus undrest : or the practical part of love , extracted out of the extravagant and lascivious life of a fair , but subtile female . letters of monsieur de bulza● , . . . and . parts , translated out of french into english by sir richard baker knight , and others . twelve treatises of mr. i. howel esq. royal history compleated in the life of his sacred majesty charles the d ▪ iames duke of york , and henry d. of gloucester , with their restoration , happily concluded by his excellency the lord monck , now d. of albemarle . that useful book for gentlemen and travellers , being an exact description of the several counties and shires in england : by ed. leigh , esq the rogue , or the life of gusman de alfarach , the witty spaniard , the fifth and last edition . fuller's treple reconciler . small octavo . the fanatick in his colours : or the rise , height , and fall of faction and rebellion from . unto . with an apendix concerning allegiance , government , and order , by t. f. the ra●i●yes of turkey , gathered by one that was sold seven times a slave in the turkish empire , and now made publique for the benefit of his country . summum bonum : or , a plain path-way to happiness , conducting the soul to its haven of rest , through the stormy passages of worldly troubles ; to which is added a short dialogue of that excellent vertue of the submission of mans will to the will of god. the rudiments of grammar , the rules composed in english verse , for the greater benefit and delight of young beginners , by iames sherley gent. a short view of the life of the illustrious prince hen. d. of glocester , and mary princess of orange , brother and sister to his majesty of great britain , lately deceased , by t. m. esq. modern policy compleated : or the publique actions and councels , civil and military of his excellency the lord general monck , under all revolutions since . to . with the principles moral and political , upon which ●hey were grounded ; illustrated out of the best masters of policy , ancient and modern . the compleat attorney , the fifth and last edition . the history of the affairs of scotland , under the conduct of the illustrious and truly valiant iames marquess of montrose . advice to baalam's asse , or momus catechised in answer to a certain scribler called j. heydon author of advice to a daughter . the royal buckler ; or salmasius in english. the divels cabinet-councel discovered , or the plots and contrivances of o. cromwel and the long parliament , in order to the taking away the life of his sacred majesty of blessed memory . the crafty whores ; or the mystery and iniquity of bawdy-houses , with dehortations from lust : published for the good of young men , by r. h. esq. the rump , or a collection of such songs and ballad● as were made upon them who would be a parliament , and were but the rump of an house of commons , five times dissolved ; collected by i. b. esq. cleavland's poems . — montelion's comical almanacks for , and . the baptized turk ; or the conversion of a native turk to the christian religion : by dr. warmestrey , dr. gunning , &c. dr. griffith's sermon . ascent to bliss , by steps , philosophy , history , theology , discovering mans true felicity , whereunto is added that excellent dialogue of d. thaulerus with a poor begger . shimeies curses on king david lighting on himself ; or a parallel between the sufferings of king david , and his late majesty . quarles last poems . an exact history of the life and actions of hugh peters , as also his diary now in the press . montelion's introduction to astrology ; a thing long expected , in the press now printing . large twelves . news from the pulpit , for the present age and posterity , by i. iones d. d. overbury revived : or a satyrical description of the vices of our present times , in essayes and characters . natures chief rarities : or the secret misteries of mans procreation revealed and made known , together with the exact rules of physiognomy , on every part of mans body from head to foot , by michael scotus , translated by r. c. fathers blessing , or a legacy to his son , fitting him to carry himself through the various incounters of this world . whites peripatetical institutions in the way of sir kenelm digby . hook's fatal doom to the reprobate , or an excellent comment on the of cor. . . modern policie . small twelves . reynold's word of caution , to the atheists and errorrists of our times . the christian diary ; containing the whole duty of man ; by n. causin . a physical discourse of the cure of diseases by signature ; by r. bunworth . man in paradice , a philosophical discourse . a new discovery of the french disease and running of the reins , their causes , signes , with plain and easie directions for perfect curing the same ; by r. bunworth , doctor of physick , now in the press , the d edition . in twenty fours . lucius florus . salust . — lessius of health , with cornaroes treatise of temperance . dr. warmestry on the sacrament . playes . a cure for a cuckold ; a comedy , written by iohn webster and william rowley in . the thracian wonder ; a comical history , written by iohn webster and william rowley in . gammer gurtons needle , a comedy , written by mr ▪ s. master of art in . the two merry milk-maids ; a comedy written by i. c. in . tom tyler and his wife ; a comedy in . the presbyterian lash ; or noctroft's maid whipt , a tragi-comedy , in . the merry conceited humors of botom the weaver , in . hells higher court of justice ; or the trial of the three politick ghosts of oliver cromwel , the king of sweeden , and cardinal mazarine in . a merry dialogue between band , cuffe , and ruffe , done by an excellent wit , in . troaydes . a tragedy , translated out of seneca , by sam. pordage . gent. . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e h. ● . by the protector. a proclamation of the peace made betwixt this common-wealth and portugal. england and wales. lord protector ( - : o. cromwell) this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (thomason .f. [ ]). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page image. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing c thomason .f. [ ] estc r this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (thomason tracts ; : f [ ]) by the protector. a proclamation of the peace made betwixt this common-wealth and portugal. england and wales. lord protector ( - : o. cromwell) cromwell, oliver, - . sheet ([ ] p.) printed by henry hills and john field, printers to his highness, london : [i.e. ] dated at end: given at whitehall this . of ianuary, . reproduction of the original in the british library. eng england -- foreign relations -- portugal -- early works to . portugal -- foreign relations -- england -- early works to . a r (thomason .f. [ ]). civilwar no by the protector. a proclamation of the peace made betwixt this common-wealth and portugal. england and wales. lord protector a this text has no known defects that were recorded as gap elements at the time of transcription. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion op blazon or coat of arms ❧ by the protector . a proclamation of the peace made betwixt this common-wealth and portugal . o liver lord protector of the common-wealth of england , scotland and ireland , &c. whereas we have ( by the blessing of god ) with the advice of our council , made and concluded a good , true and firm peace , betwixt this common-wealth on the one part , and portugal on the other , their lands , countries , dominions , territories , places , and the people , subjects and inhabitants thereof , by sea and land , rivers , fresh-waters , and elsewhere . by the which peace , and the preliminary articles thereof , it is , among other things , agreed , that all war and acts of hostility betwixt the two nations shall cease , and that the people and inhabitants of each party respectively , shall treat each other with mutual friendship and affection , and that neither of them , their subjects or people , shall do , or attempt any thing , in any place , by sea or land , or in the ports or rivers of either , to the prejudice of the other , nor adhere to , or entertain the rebells or fugitives of either , in any their lands or dominions . and that betwixt this common-wealth and portugal and their people , subjects and inhabitants , there shall be had and enjoyed free trade and commerce , by land and sea , in all and singular the countries , lands , dominions , territories , provinces , islands , colonies , cities , towns and ports of either , with freedome into the same to enter , and there to abide , and from thence to depart without interruption ( they observing the lawes and customes of each place respectively ) as by the articles of the said peace is more fully declared and expressed . we do therefore strictly charge and require all and every person and persons , belonging to this common-wealth , of what degree , quality and condition soever they , or any of them be , to take notice thereof , and to conform themselves accordingly . given at whitehall this . of ianuary , . printed and published by his highness speciall commandment . london , printed by henry hills and john field , printers to his highness , .