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 ...

THE VNITING OF THE REALME OF PORTVGALL TO THE CROWNE OF CASTILL. (Book 1)

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 prepara∣tiues 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 Tin∣gitana; till that (after many afflictions) this Realme was vnited to those of Spaine, vn∣der 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 acci∣dents 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) be∣hinde the mountaines Beira, and Algarues, which last hath also the Title of a kingdome. It containes in circuit 850. miles, whereof 400. 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 470. 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, to∣wards

the South, is Settuual, which hath a small Tower at the entrie thereof, with a port capable of many ships. And in Algarues is Taui∣ra, Lagos, and Villeneuue; these three are of reasonable capacitie, the rest are lesse, with many pleasant plashes. The seate of the coun∣trie 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, Bis∣cay, 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.

* 1.1 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 tem∣perate; 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 re∣fresh 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 augmen∣ted, 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 vn∣to 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 mar∣riage for a certaine tribute, to Henrie nephew to the Earle of Burgun∣die, 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 al∣though some deriue the originall of this Count Henrie from Hun∣garie, 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.

* 1.2 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 with∣out 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 ly∣mits being extended as they be at this present, and the Moores sub∣dued, who kept them in martiall exercise, they began since to make war with the Kings of Castill, although their Dominions were al∣waies 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 idle∣nes, capitall enimies to any State. Since which time they haue not re∣mained 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, be∣ing 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 ex∣tended their hopes yet further, so as the Ilands of Madera, not farre distant, and the Terceres, lying from Lishbone 850. miles, in the fortie degree of latitude (then vntilled and vninhabited) were by them discouered and peopled: And not yet content (especially the said Henry, who aspiring to higher matters, though with lesse hope then the effect which followed) they began (sailing through the O∣cean) 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 ha∣uing made peace with the catholique King Ferdinand, in the yeere of our Lord 1479. they had more leisure to think of their new conquest. It is worth the obseruing, that in capitulations then made, it was par∣ticularly specified, that the peace was concluded for a hundreth yeeres and one; naming alwaies a certaine for an vncertaine: But this prooued a prophesie: for it continued iust a hundreth yeeres & one; for so much time passed from those wars vnto this which I vndertake to write: if the words of the Treatie agree with the qualitie of the euent. The Realme was greatly strengthened both with people and wealth, and since encreased more; when as Ferdinand and Isabell, King and Queene of Castill, in the yeere 1482. expelled the lewes out of their Dominions being then in great numbers: they agreed with Iohn the second, successor to Alphonso the fifth, and obtained li∣bertie (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 en∣tred about 20000. families, and in euery one ten persons at the least: the time of their departure expired, and not performed, many remai∣ned 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 admit∣ted for citizens: And although (according vnto reason of State) this manner of peopling were not good, being of a nation different in blood and law, the which in multiplying might cause an important diuision, being many in number; yet brought it great profit to the Crowne. Since in the time of Emanuell the fourteenth King, who began to raigne in the yeere 1495. they continued their new naui∣gation, 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 Hespe∣rides, 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* 1.3 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 Al∣buquerque, 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 ma∣keth his ordinarie aboad. They haue gone along all that coast buil∣ding small fortresses, and hauing turned backe to the mouth of the said gulph, they are become Maisters of the Ile 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 Ile 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 Gan∣gis, 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 So∣matra (held also of some for Taprobana.) And passing on further,

not onely by their traffique, in the Realme of Pegu, and other coun∣tries 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 Ile 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 naui∣gations haue compassed the whole world, and ioyned East to West: They haue also in the time of Emanuell conquered (opposite to E∣thiopia, and to the Cape of* 1.4 Buena esperança) the prouince which they cal S. a Croix, commonly called Brazill, ioyning to Peru, run∣ning 1500. miles in length, yet stretcheth it not far into the maine land: they haue deuided it into eight parts, which they call Captaine∣ships, and haue in a manner giuen it to those that haue conquered it, reseruing to the King the greatest part of the iurisdiction. And al∣though for a time it did seeme of small profit, so as the criminall Iud∣ges 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 ma∣nie buildings for sugars. The principall townes be the Bay of Al∣saints and Pernanbuc: All these countries of new conquest (where∣of 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 begin∣ning by the wisest to be rash and foolish; but also giuen such testi∣monie of their Armes in those parts, that the writers hold many of

their deeds to be miraculously performed, by reason of the ine∣qualitie 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 grea∣ter 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 Portu∣gals who for the space of 460. yeeres had beene busied in these glori∣ous 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 en∣ioy their gettings, not acknowledging the benefite of the giuer of graces: and hauing conuerted the militarie reuenewes of Comman∣dries into pleasures, they became idle and vaine; attributing to themselues the honors and ceremonies which faithfull Christians re∣serue 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 impossibili∣tie sodainly to reclaime a whole people alreadie corrupted with li∣bertie, to the extreame rigor and sparingnes of these Fathers. A hard matter to performe not onely in a kingdome, but also in the pre∣cinct 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 re∣medies, prooued not onely vnprofitable and ridiculous, but did con∣firme

the opinion of such, as hold that Clergie men are as vncapable to gouerne in politique affaires, as secular magistrates be in ecclesi∣call 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 of∣fences, committed in time of prosperitie; or by his secret iudgements, when as they thought themselues most secure, their fall was the grea∣ter 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.

* 1.5 The afflictions of this Realme tooke their beginning in the twen∣tieth 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 cou∣ragious 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 con∣tend, 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 con∣sent 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 cal∣led Mauritania Tingitana, whereas the Portugals maintaine (to their great charge) vpon the borders of the Sea, those three forena∣med 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 represen∣ting vnto him a neerer, easier to effect, but more perillous. And al∣though they surmized he would not haue vndertaken it but with de∣liberation, 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 Kathe∣rine had giuen to them in charge) to this enterprise with carefull in∣structions, 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 re∣quire.

* 1.6 The which he staied not long to effect: For in the yeere 1574. 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 de∣sire 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 skir∣mishes, 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 behoo∣ued 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 dis∣quieted 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 pri∣uate souldier, to accustome his body to labour, seeming vnto him by this meanes to make himselfe more strong and better able to en∣dure the discommodities of warre. This inclination (wherein the hea∣uens 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 commande∣ment was yet remaining in them; so as by a fatall silence they suffered this yoong Prince to returne the second time into Affrick, with ap∣parant perill: wherein Peter D'Alcasoua was a chiefe actor, who ha∣uing 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 punish∣ment:

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 Car∣dinall 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 oc∣casion 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 chan∣ged the doctrine wherein he had beene nourished. But Peter D'Alca∣soua 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 Qua∣resinia, who had the office which they call Dispaccio, of great impor∣tance, beeing Controwler of the Kings rewardes, who hauing nei∣ther experience, nor authoritie to maintaine himselfe long in this de∣gree, 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 pre∣sented 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 suc∣cession; 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 comman∣demēt of Abdala, one of the sonnes of Mahamet, who succeeded his fa∣ther, & 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 gro∣wing 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 per∣formed, sodainly this newe Prince practised against his vncles, sen∣ding 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) demaun∣ding succours in vaine from Philip King of Spaine, by the meanes of Rodorike Alphonso Pimentel, Earle of Benauent, then Viceroy of Va∣lencia; he resolued to goe seeke it at Constantinople, where he at∣tended 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, be∣twixt the armies of the league and Turke, and at the taking of Go∣lette) 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 thou∣sand 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 am∣bassadors 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 Seba∣stian, 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 pro∣pounded this to his Counsell, laboring to proue that it was both pro∣fitable and honorable, whereunto (although there were some of con∣trarie 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 for∣tified in his resolution by many (who either for their owne particu∣lar, or for want of iudgement) did counsell him to warre, it was con∣cluded.

* 1.7 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 vn∣able 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 comman∣dement to treat of three points, that is, for aide in the action of Af∣frick; 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 Por∣tugals 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 him∣selfe 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 vn∣dertake Alarache in the yeere 1577. 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 pas∣sed, 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 par∣ticularly 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, accor∣ded with him in this sort. That the generall opinion being, and espe∣cially of the Duke of Alua, that this action woulde require 15000. foote, not Portugals, but of other nations, trained vp in warre, deui∣ded into Italians, Germaines, & Spaniards; that the king of Portugall should entertaine ten thousand, and the Catholique King fiue thou∣sand, 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 attemp∣ted in the yeere 1577 otherwise he should not be bound to any thing. This treatie being ended, euery one returned from whence he came.

* 1.8 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 duc∣kets a yeere: The greatest part in customes (the which be vnreasona∣ble) 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 whol∣lie 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 liberali∣tie, 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 al∣waies vnto Noblemen, who were aduanced thereunto by fauour, and not by merite, (an ordinarie custome in that countrey) they stu∣died 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 peo∣ple to contribute, and the chiefe Citizens extraordinarily: for al∣though they gathered much by this meanes, yet they did drawe vpon them the curses and exclamations of the people,

being most affecti∣onate 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 sin∣ning 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 vn∣iust, 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 im∣positions and tributes, which are paid for the warres, where of many of meaner qualitie were exempt. He laide the blame of these de∣mands vpon the sinnes of the Realme, but much more vpon such fa∣uorites as the King had about him, of whom he complained; he pro∣duced 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 necessi∣tie then at that present, he concluded (beseeching the King to consi∣der better what he did, and to imitate the example of his auncestors,

and not to leaue a woorse of himselfe to his successors.) This let∣ter, 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 defen∣ded, 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 squa∣drons, 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 Cap∣taine 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 at∣tended 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 fore∣ward. They must prouide money in Italy, to leuie the Italian foote∣men, 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 impossi∣ble, 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 al∣lowed: 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 hea∣ring 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 vnder∣stand his offer, aduising that it were a matter of consequence to keepe the Moore in hope and to send vnto him to expound his mea∣ning, 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 Catho∣lique 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 la∣boured to effect it himselfe; and seeing sommer now come, and nei∣ther 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, ac∣cording 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 Trea∣tie; 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: Vp∣on 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 dan∣ger) returned. This man he sent to Sebastian, who receiuing many fa∣uours, he informed him particularly of the state of Affrick: And al∣though 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 satis∣fie him. The King now beleeuing he should be well able to execute all he vnderstood, not knowing the difference betwixt saying and do∣ing; 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 like∣wise 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 ga∣thered 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, (where∣as 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 ex∣pence 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 enter∣prise: 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 Croy∣sada, 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 di∣uines, did interpret it to good, not for that they beleeued it, but to in∣courage 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 rea∣son 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 bro∣ther was gouernour, who seeming not absolute Master of the peo∣ple, and the Prince of Orange his aduersarie not well satisfied, desi∣ring 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, desi∣rous (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 enter∣prise, 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 de∣monstrations of King Philip were but coūterfeit, & that he wished Se∣bastian 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 Flaun∣ders: 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 labou∣red 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 se∣cretly 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 friuo∣lous

reasons, solliciting Sebastian to resolue himselfe either to enter or be excluded: After some delaies he was contented to bee compre∣hended therein. But as these Treaties were in handling, he supposed it should not any wise hinder his enterprise of Affricke: And there∣fore* 1.9 they armed their gallions at Lisbone, they stayed merchants ships, they inrolled all their shipping throughout the Realme to tran∣sport men, horse, victuals, and munition, making readie other prepa∣ratiues: 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 No∣bilitie 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 horse∣men; 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, superflui∣tie in many things, and defect in other, were infinite: The gentlemen after a new prodigious manner attired themselues like vnto the Ca∣stillians, 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 sil∣uer, & the tents lined with silke and satten were without number, eue∣ry 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 la∣den with gold.

Sebastian was carefull to whom he should leaue the go∣uernment 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 vn∣derstand, that (besides a good number of souldiers, he had already ar∣med) he was most assured, that vpon the present view of the Portu∣gals 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 enfla∣med 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 pre∣paratiues 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 inter∣cession 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 king∣dome, pretending the libertie of Religion, and complained to Pope Gregory the 13. taking for their leader the Earle of Desmond and others, as Oneale, and some other of the sauage Irish, affirming that if they were aided, they could easily drawe the whole Island from the Queenes obedience. The Pope did communicate this with the Ca∣tholique 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 Portu∣gall 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 al∣though they were no chiefe men, yet did he admire their order, their speedie discharging of their Harquebuzes, their disposition to han∣dle the pike, and their strict obedience: and hauing had some confe∣rence 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 im∣presse, 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 be∣fore 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 en∣treatie 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 accep∣ted 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 ar∣med, 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* 1.10 not obserued: So as the King going one morning in great troupe to the cathedrall church, with the Standard he ment to carrie into Af∣frick, he caused it to be hallowed with great pompe, and deliuered it to the master of his horse, and so returning (many beleeuing he would haue returned to the pallace) he went directly to the galley wherein he woulde passe, to hasten the rest, saying that he woulde presently depart: And although this were the xvij. day of Iune, in the yeere 1578. yet did he stay eight daies in the Port, and neuer disim∣barked, preparing the rest of the soldiours, who were no sooner

readie then the day after Midsommer: at what time hauing a prospe∣rous winde, the whole armie set saile, to the great pleasure and con∣tentment 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) en∣terprise, leauing the Realme emptied of money, naked of Nobilitie, without heires, and in the hands of ill affected gouernours.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The descrip∣tion of Lis∣bone.
• * 1.2

  The Portu∣gals con∣quests.
• * 1.3

  Of good hope.
• * 1.4

  Of good hope.
• * 1.5

  The life of king Seba∣stian.
• * 1.6

  Sebastians first voyage into Affrick.
• * 1.7

  Sebastians enteruiew with Phillip at Guada∣lupa.
• * 1.8

  Preparation for the war of Affrick.
• * 1.9

  Preparation for the se∣cond voyage of Affricke,
• * 1.10

  The second voyage of Sebastian with his ar∣mie into Af∣fricke.