Anno 1669.
Prince Peter of Portugal to rid himself of King Alonso his Brother, who being near at hand, might cause some trouble, gave in Charge to a Gentleman, in whom he reposed great Confi∣dence, * 1.1 to carry him to the Islands Terceras. This Gentleman the Day before he was to have departed, entred himself among the Jesuits, and took the Habit. The Prince caused the Mo∣nastery to be beset, and taking him forcibly out, cast him into Prison. Many Judgments were made upon his Imprisonment, and the Courtiers who pretend to see farther than other Men, suspected the Gentleman had Orders to kill the King by the way, and to give it out, that he had dy'd a natural Death. How true this was, is not ours to decide, God who suffers none to pass unpunished will judge of it.
Her Catholick Majesty having regard to the great Merits and extraordinary Services of D. John of Austria, was pleased to Constitute him Lord Lieutenant, and Captain General of Ara∣gon, * 1.2 and Vicar General of Valencia, Sardinia, Majorca, and the adjacent Islands of the Principa∣lity of Catalonia, and Earldomes of Rousillon and Cerdagne, with all other Dependencies upon the Crown of Aragon.
F. Everard Nitard the Queen's Confessor, and a Jesuit, being a Stranger, had many Enemies at Court, by Reason of his too great Authority and Power. Particularly D. John of Austria by Letter, ceased not to press the Queen to remove him from Court, and She to give satis∣faction * 1.3 to all that were discontented upon his Account, complyed, giving him a most honoura∣ble Discharge in such manner, as if it had been granted at his own Suit, and the Choice of being Ambassador either at Vienna or Rome. He departed the Court on the 26th Day of February, to the great Joy of many. Had he made this Retreat voluntarily, and of his free Choice, he had gone off with Honour, but staying to be thrust out, went away hated and in disgrace.
The Translation of S. Isidorus the Patron of Madrid, to a Rich Chappel built for that pur∣pose, was performed with all Pomp and Magnificence. The Feast of the Canonization of S. Peter de Alcantara, the Reformer of the Franciscans, was celebrated by that Order, during the space of 16 Days. With him was also Canonized S. Magdalen of Pazzis, a Carmelite Nun, born at Florence.