Part 8

[Sidenote: 1641.]

_For these Reasons therefore I challenge the said ~John~ late Duke of ~Braganza~, as being a Traitor both to God and his King, and invite him to meet me in Person, and in single Combat try our Fortune, with or without Seconds, and arm'd in_ _what manner he please; the Place shall be near ~Valentia d'Alcantra~, which is on the Frontiers both of ~Castile~ and ~Portugal~, and where I will wait for him four-score Days, from the first of ~October~ to the nineteenth of ~December~ of this present Year. The twenty last Days I will wait for him in Person, and on the time which he shall appoint I will enter the Lists; which time, though it be long, I give him, not only that he the said Tyrant, but also that all ~Europe~, nay, that the whole World may know it. To this end, I will send Ten Chevaliers a League within ~Portugal~; as also, he shall send Ten a League within ~Castile~, as Hostages, and on that day I will shew him the Heinousness and Baseness of his Crime._

_But if he the said ~John~ late Duke of ~Braganza~, should fail meeting me, to give me Gentleman-like Satisfaction, and thereby deprive me of the Opportunity of shewing my Loyalty to the King my Master, and the natural Hatred which our Family has to Traitors; I offer (with Submission to his Catholick Majesty, whom God preserve) my good Town of ~St. Lucar de Barameda~, which always has been the Seat of the Dukes of ~Medina Sidonia~, to any Man who shall kill him. To which end, I beg of his Catholick Majesty, that I may not have any longer the Command of the Army which is to march against him, being so transported with Rage, that I should not be Master of that Sedateness and Conduct, which are so necessary to_ _a General; but that his Majesty would give me leave to be only at the head of a Thousand of my own People, on whose Courage, as well as my own, I may rely, that in case the said Usurper should not accept my Challenge, we may bring him dead or alive to his said Majesty. And that I may not be thought to be wanting in my Duty to my King, I offer one of my best Towns to the first Governour, or other Officer, belonging to the Usurper, who will surrender any Place to the King my Master; never thinking that I can do enough for his Service, since to him, and to his glorious Ancestors, I owe all that I enjoy._

Given at _Toledo_ the 29th of _September_, 1641.

According to his Promise, the Duke of _Medina_ appear'd in the Lists, follow'd by Don _John de Garray_, Lieutenant-General of the _Spanish_ Cavalry; there the Duke of _Braganza_ was summon'd in a formal manner: But that Prince was too prudent to play a part in this Farce; or had the thing been of a more serious nature, a Sovereign Prince was not to venture his Life against a Subject of his Enemy.

Whilst _Olivarez_ amus'd the People in this manner, he was also taking care to turn the Resentment of the King and People upon the Marquiss _Daiamonti_, whom he intended to prove the only guilty Person: to this end he flatter'd him with the Hopes of a Pardon, and that, as well as the Duke of _Medina_, he should taste the Bounties of a merciful Prince, provided he would be open in his Confession; but that Kings, like God, whose Images they were, never forgave any, but those who heartily and sincerely repented them of their Crimes.

The Marquiss trusting to this Promise, which the Duke of _Medina_'s Example gave him no room to doubt of, sign'd a Paper which _d'Olivarez_ brought him, and which he immediately put into the hands of those who were to try him. Upon this Confession of his he was indicted, and condemn'd to be beheaded. When the Judge pass'd Sentence, he heard it without the least Concern, or so much as murmuring at _Olivarez_ or the Duke. That same Night he supp'd as heartily as usual, and when they came to lead him to Execution the next Morning, he was still asleep. He ascended the Block without speaking one word, whilst a Contempt of Death might be read in his Looks, and died with a Courage and Resolution worthy of a better Cause. Such was the end of a Conspiracy, from which the King of _Spain_ escaped meerly by Accident, or rather by a Decree of Providence, which cannot connive at Crimes of this nature, and will seldom suffer Treachery to prevail.

The King of _Portugal_ seeing this Project miscarry, resolv'd to maintain himself on the Throne no longer by such clandestine Means, but by open Force, and the Assistance of his Allies. _France_ seem'd particularly to take the House of _Braganza_ under its Protection, as being the most antient Branch of their own Royal Family.

The foreign War so employ'd the _Spanish_ Forces, that the _Portuguese_ had always the advantage over them, and they drove them still farther from their Frontiers. The King might easily at that time have enter'd into the very Center of _Castile_, had he had a good General, and disciplin'd Soldiers; but his Army was chiefly compos'd of Militia, fitter to make sudden Incursions into the Enemy's Country, than to bear the Fatigue of a regular Campaign. Another thing that hinder'd his making a greater Progress with his Army, was, that he had not Money enough to pay them, and consequently not Forces enough on foot; for as at his coming to the Crown, he had taken off all Taxes from the People, that they might the better relish his Government, and had only his own Estate to defray the Expences of the War; nor would he ever venture to lay new Taxes upon them. But this Want of his was partly recompens'd by the Necessity of _Spain_, who at that time had no better Generals than the _Portuguese_, and whose Treasures, towards the latter end of _Philip_ the Fourth's Reign, were exhausted.

On the sixth of _November_, 1656. died this Prince: in all the Encomiums and Panegyricks made upon him by the _Portuguese_, he is celebrated for his Piety and Moderation. Foreign Historians upbraid him with Cowardice, and report, that he always distrusted both himself and others; that it was a difficult point, especially for the Grandees, to get Access to him; and that he was free with no one but his ancient domestick Servants, especially with one that was always in company with his Confessor. In short, from what we can gather of his Life, he was a peaceable and religious Prince, and endow'd with Qualities which would better have became a private Gentleman than a Monarch; so that we can attribute his being rais'd to the Throne only to the inveterate Hate which the _Portuguese_ bore the _Castilians_, and to the Ambition, Courage, and Counsels of his Queen, whom by his last Will he nam'd Regent of the Kingdom during his Son's Minority; not doubting but that one who could raise herself to a Throne, would not want Courage to preserve it for her Children. He left behind him two Sons and a Daughter; the elder of the Sons was Don _Alphonso_, of a peevish and melancholy Temper, who had quite lost the Use of one Side, and was at the time of his Father's Death near thirteen Years old: Don _Pedro_, the younger, was but eight: Donna _Catharina_ their Sister, was older than either of them, and was born before the Revolution.

Don _Alphonso_ was immediately shewn to the People, and proclaim'd King, and the Queen took the Regency upon her. This Princess would willingly have signaliz'd herself by some glorious Action, but the Commanders of the _Portuguese_ Army were fitter for Soldiers than Generals, and there was not an Officer amongst them, who was Engineer enough to know how to fortify a Place, or besiege a Town. Nor was there a Man in the Privy-Council, who could be look'd upon as a Statesman; most of them could indeed make fine Speeches and elaborate Discourses upon the Necessities of the State, and the Misfortunes in which it would probably fall, but never a one of them knew how to prevent or remedy them.

* * * * *

[Sidenote: 1657.]

To these Evils we must attribute the ill Success of her Arms before _Olivenza_ and _Badajos_, where the _Spaniards_ obliged them to raise the Siege. Besides this, they had fallen out with the _Dutch_ about the Trade to the _Indies_; and the _French_, after the _Pyrenean_ Treaty, seem'd to have forgotten them.

The Queen finding herself without any regular Troops, without able Officers or good Counsellors, and without foreign Alliances, was obliged by her Courage, Capacity, and Application, to supply the want of all these; she herself discharg'd the Duty of a Secretary of State, and took care to keep a good Correspondence with all the Courts of _Europe_, which might be serviceable to her: In short, had she never encounter'd all these Difficulties, she could not have reveal'd all those _hidden Vertues, which shun the Day, and lie conceal'd in the smooth Seasons, and the Calms of Life_.

By such Care and Diligence for a long time she sav'd _Portugal_ from that Ruin which threaten'd it; but _Spain_ now pouring all its Forces in upon her, she found herself unable to resist them, unless she could procure better Officers. To this end she cast her Eyes upon _Frederick_ Count of _Schomberg_, whose Name and Valour were already sufficiently known. She would willingly have given him the chief Command of the Army, but was afraid at this juncture of disobliging her Generalissimo; wherefore she order'd the Count _de Soure_, her Ambassador in _France_, to treat with the Count _de Schomberg_ about his coming into _Portugal_, where he should have only the Title of Lieutenant-General; but in case of the Death or Resignation of the present Commander, he should be made Generalissimo of all her Forces.

The Count set out for _Lisbon_ with four-score Officers, and above four hundred Horsemen, all Veterans, who perfectly understood the Discipline of an Army, and would upon occasion make good Leaders.

Before the Count went into _Portugal_, he made a Voyage into _England_, where he saw King _Charles_ the Second, who was lately restor'd: He had private Orders from the Regent, to endeavour to discover whether King _Charles_ might be brought to marry the Infanta of _Portugal_. The Count negotiated this Business with so much Address, that he made both the King and Chancellor _Hyde_ desirous of this Alliance. The Queen, extremely satisfy'd with what he had done, desir'd him to hasten into _Portugal_, and sent the Marquiss _de Sande_ to conclude the Business.

[Sidenote: _May 31. 1662._]

But the King of _Spain_, foreseeing what might be the consequence of this Match, did all he could to prevent it; he offer'd to give any Protestant Princess Three Millions for her Portion, provided the King would marry her; and by his Ambassador propos'd the Princesses of _Denmark_, _Saxony_, or _Orange_. But the Chancellor represented to the King how nearly it concern'd him to maintain the House of _Braganza_ on the Throne, and not let _Philip_ become Master of all _Spain_ and the _Indies_. His Speech produc'd the desir'd Effect, and King _Charles_ married the Infanta. Thus did a Protestant Statesman persuade his Sovereign to marry a Catholick Princess, whilst a Prince of the _Roman_ Communion, who valued himself in a particular manner upon the Title of the most Catholick King, offer'd him vast Sums of Money, to engage him to wed a Protestant.

Shortly after King _Charles_, by his Mediation, establish'd a Treaty of Commerce between the States of _Holland_ and the Crown of _Portugal_; after which he sent a considerable Number of Troops into that Kingdom, commanded by the Earl of _Inchequin_: but having recall'd him, he order'd that the Forces should stay under the Command of _Schomberg_; so that the Count shortly saw himself at the head of the chosen Forces of three Kingdoms. Not but that there was a _Portuguese_ Generalissimo, or at least one who had the Title, but the Count had all the Authority, which he made use of to establish an exact and regular Discipline amongst the _Portuguese_: He taught them the Order of marching, encamping, besieging, and regularly fortifying a Town; so that all those Places on the Frontiers of the Kingdom, which were before naked and defenceless, soon became capable of making a vigorous Defence.

The Regent Queen, proud of having met with such a General, carry'd the War vigorously on, and her Arms were almost every where crown'd with Success; never were the _Portuguese_ Forces better disciplin'd, the People bless'd her Government, the Grandees continu'd in perfect Submission to it through Fear and Respect: but though Fortune favour'd her abroad, she met with domestick Cares and Troubles, which chang'd the face of every thing.

Whilst the Regent was taking care to place the Crown with Surety on her Son's Head, he, on the other hand, endeavour'd to make himself unworthy of it, by his irregular Manner of Living; he was mean-spirited, melancholy, and cruel, could not bear the Authority of his Mother, and despis'd the Advices of his Governours and Ministers; he always refus'd the Company of the Lords of his Houshold, and would divert himself with none but Negroes, Mulattoes, and all the Scum of the _Lisbonite_ Youth: and spite of the Care of his Governours, he had got a little Court compos'd of such like People, whom he call'd his Bravoes, with whom he us'd to scour the Streets at Night, and insult all those who unfortunately fell into his way.

This Disorder of Mind had been first caus'd by a Palsy, which had afflicted him when about four Years of Age, and which had made fatal Impressions not only on his Limbs, but also on his Brain. Whilst he was young, his Faults had been wink'd at by his Tutors, who thought that so infirm a Child could never bear the Fatigues of a severe Education, and hoped that Time would both strengthen his Body, and sweeten his Temper: but this Indulgence ruin'd him. 'Tis true, that by the assistance of Remedies, and help of Time, his Constitution grew stronger, he could fence, ride, and bear any Fatigue; but his Temper never became better. His Passions encreasing with his Age, they soon prevail'd over his Reason, which was but weak, and he gave a loose to Licentiousness and Debauchery. He would bring common Prostitutes into the Palace, fetch them himself from the Stews, and very often spend whole Nights amongst them there.

The Queen, overwhelm'd with Grief, and fearing that the Irregularity of her Son would at once destroy the Labours of her whole Life, resolv'd several times within herself to have him confin'd, and make his Brother reign in his stead; but dreading to excite a Civil War, which would have favour'd the _Spanish_ Arms, she dropp'd the bold Design: sometimes she hoped the King might yet be reclaim'd, especially if he was depriv'd of the Company of _Conti_, a Merchant's Son, his first Favourite, and Companion of all his Debaucheries. To this end she had _Conti_ privately seiz'd, and carry'd on board a Ship which was bound for _Brazil_, with Orders that he should never return to _Portugal_ on pain of Death.

The King at first seem'd very much griev'd at the Loss of his Favourite, but comforting himself by little and little, he was at last pacify'd, and seem'd very much alter'd for the better, would hearken to Advice, and paid the Queen an unusual Respect, who was congratulated by the Ministry and the whole Court, upon the extraordinary Success of her Enterprize.

But this apparent Tranquillity and Alteration of the King's, was only a Veil to cover a deep Design, and of which his Mother never thought him capable; so that this Princess, who could read in the very Hearts of the most dissembling Courtiers, was overreach'd by a half-witted Youth.

The King had complain'd of _Conti_'s Banishment to the Count _de Castel-Melhor_, a _Portuguese_ Nobleman, of an illustrious Birth, subtle and insinuating, but fitter to manage a Court-Intrigue, than a Business of Importance. The Count thought that a fair Opportunity offer'd of supplying _Conti_'s Place in the King's Favour; wherefore to ingratiate himself, he deplor'd the Exile's Misfortune, and promis'd to use his utmost Endeavours to have him recall'd. He told the Prince at the same time, that it was in his own power to remedy this, or any Grievance of the like nature; that he was of Age, and had been so a great while; that he might as soon as he pleased take the Supreme Command upon himself, then recall _Conti_, and let him triumph over the Queen, and all his other Enemies.

The King was pleas'd with this Advice, and determin'd to follow it; the Count was his sole Confidant and Favourite: however, he desir'd the King that their Intimacy should still be a Secret, that the Queen might not suspect him: but it could not be long conceal'd from this Princess, who meeting him one day in the King's Train, caught him by the Arm, and staring him in the face with that Majestick Air, which made every one tremble; "I am inform'd, Count, _said she_, that the King is wholly govern'd by your Counsels; take therefore good care of him, for if he does any thing to thwart me, your Life shall answer it."

The Count, without answering, made a submissive Bow, and follow'd the King, who call'd him. As soon as he was alone with him, he gave him an account of what the Queen had said: "I suppose, _continued he_, that I shall shorty share _Conti_'s Fate, but yet with Joy should I go to Banishment, could I at the same time see my King shake off the Authority of an imperious Mother, who will let him enjoy the Title, but never the Power of a Sovereign."

This artful Discourse threw the Prince into a violent Passion, and he would go immediately and take the Royal Authority from the Queen, by taking the Great Seal, which is the Mark of it; but the Count, who knew too well what the consequence of this would be, advis'd him to retire to _Alcantra_, and from thence to send Couriers to the Magistrates of _Lisbon_, and to all the Governours of Provinces, to let them know that he was of Age, and had taken the Government upon himself.

The King approv'd the Counsel, and having that Evening disguis'd himself, he left the Palace, follow'd only by the Count and a few Friends. That Night they arriv'd at _Alcantra_, from whence he sent Orders to the Secretaries of State, and to the _German_ Guard, to come to him; and at the same time dispatch'd Couriers to every Town of _Portugal_, to let them know that he was of Age, and by consequence the Regency of the Queen at an end.

Most of the Court set out for _Alcantra_, and the Queen saw herself in a manner forsaken; notwithstanding which, she resolv'd to lay down her Authority as became her: wherefore she wrote to the King, to ask him the reason why he took possession of the Throne like an Usurper, that had no Right to it; and added, that if he would return to _Lisbon_, she would lay down her Authority in presence of the Grandees and the Magistrates. The King accordingly return'd, and the Queen having summon'd the Grandees, Magistrates, and others of the Nobility, to attend her, in presence of the Assembly took the Seals out of the Great Purse, and putting them into her Son's Hand, "Here are, _said she_, the Seals, which, together with the Regency, were entrusted to my Care by the Will of my late Sovereign Lord: I return them to your Majesty with all the Authority, which they are the Emblems of; I heartily pray God that you may make a good use of them, and that your Reign may be as prosperous as I can wish it." The King took the Seals, and gave them to the first Secretary of State; after which the Prince, and all the Grandees, kiss'd his Hand, and acknowledg'd him their Sovereign.

The Queen Dowager had given out, that she intended in six Months time to retire into a Convent, but that six Months she would spend at Court, to see what Measures the young King would take. But the Favourite Count, who still dreaded that Princess, who knew her tow'ring Genius, and was sensible of the natural Sway which a Mother has over the Mind of her Son, persuaded the King to treat her most inhumanly, that by frequent Affronts he might oblige her to leave the Court much sooner than she intended. The Queen, who was of a haughty Temper, could not bear to be thus us'd, but immediately threw herself into a Convent; where, being fully satisfy'd of the Vanities of human Greatness, she spent the Remainder of her Time, which was scarce a Year, in preparing herself for another World, and died on the eighteenth of _February_, 1666. lamented by the whole Nation: for never was there a Princess of a more extraordinary Genius, or more amply endow'd with all the Vertues requisite to either the one or the other Sex. Whilst on the Throne, she shew'd a truly great and heroick Soul; when she quitted it for a religious Life, she seem'd entirely to have forgotten what Pomp and Grandeur were, and all her Ambition then was to deserve Heaven.

The King, who now saw himself fully at liberty, and no longer fear'd the prudent Queen's just Reproofs, gave a loose to his Passions, and indulg'd his pernicious Inclinations. He would scour the Streets at Night with his Bravoes, and abuse every one he met with; nor did the Watch fare better than their Neighbours. Never a Night did he ramble, but the next Morning tragical Histories were publish'd, of several who had been wounded or murder'd in the Streets; and People fled before him with greater Fear than they would before a hungry Lion, just broke loose from his Den.

The Count _de Castel-Melhor_ was his first Minister; he was an intriguing, insinuating Courtier, but far from being an able Statesman: haughty in Prosperity, fawning and timorous in Adversity. In his hands were the Reins of the Government, the King reserving no Authority to himself, but that of doing what mischief he pleas'd unpunish'd; nor did the Count ever make it his business to reclaim him, well knowing that the King's Follies and his Authority were inseparable.

The _Spaniards_ flatter'd themselves with the Hopes of easily reducing _Portugal_, whilst it had such a Monarch as Don _Alphonso_. To this end they sent a strong Army against it, under the Command of Don _John_ of _Austria_, natural Son to _Philip_ IV. The King of _Portugal_ sent _Schomberg_ to oppose him, notwithstanding the Count _de Villa-Flor_ had the Title of Generalissimo. And to the Count of _Schomberg_'s Courage and Conduct it was that Don _Alphonso_ ow'd the Preservation of his Crown: He beat the _Spaniards_ several times, notwithstanding what _Villa-Flor_ did; who, jealous of his Glory, endeavour'd all he could to cross his Measures, and had effectually done it, had not _Schomberg_'s Interest been greater both at Court and in the Army, which joyfully obey'd the Commands of their brave Leader, who always led them to a certain Victory.