The general history of Spain from the first peopling of it by Tubal, till the death of King Ferdinand, who united the crowns of Castile and Aragon : with a continuation to the death of King Philip III / written in Spanish by the R.F.F. John de Mariana ; to which are added, two supplements, the first by F. Ferdinand Camargo y Salcedo, the other by F. Basil Varen de Soto, bringing it down to the present reign ; the whole translated from the Spanish by Capt. John Stevens.

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.

This Year at the Sollicitation of the Pope, a League was concluded among several Christi∣an Princes, for the Defence of Candia against the Turks. Also another in Flanders, betwixt the English, Swedes, and Hollanders, for the Defence of the low Countreys.

The Count de Oropesa, President of the Council of Orders, was preferred to that of Italy The Duke of Ossuna, was appointed Governour of Milan, and the Duke of Sessa, of Catalonia. D. Ambrosio Spinola Archbishop of Santiago, was Translated to the Archbishoprick of Sevil. * 1.4 The Count de Medellin, was made President of Orders, and his Place of Master of the Horse, was given to the Marquess de Caslel Rodrigo. Three new Counsellors of State were created, which were the Constable of Castile, who then governed the Low Countreys, the Marquess de Astorga Ambassador at Rome, and the Admiral of Castile.

The most sumptuous Palace begun at Barcelona by the Marquess de Castel Rodrigo, one of the most Beautiful Structures in all Europe, was this Year finished by the Duke of Ossuna. He also raised the Citadel at Palamos, a most important Sea-Port on the Coast of Catalonia, and a great Inlet into that Principality.

Notes

• * 1.1

  K. Alonso of Portu∣gal sent to the Island Tercera.
• * 1.2

  D John of Austria Ld. Lieu∣tenant and Capt. Ge∣neral of Aragon.
• * 1.3

  F. Nitard sent from Court.
• * 1.4

  Collation rf great Officers.