Portugal

Sources from old books

1635. Historia mundi: or Mercator's atlas. London. by Gerhard Mercator.

PORTVGALL AND ALGARBIA. (Book Portugal)

HItherto wee have described Spaine in generall, now our Method requireth that wee should decipher it in particular and by parts. Wee said in our generall Description,* 1.1 that it was diversly divided. But wee will make a faithfull Description of the parts of Spaine, in such order as it is delineated by Hondius. Hee describeth it in sixe Tables in this order. In the first Portugall is described: in the second Biscay, Guipuscoa, and Legio: in the third the New and Old Castiles: in the fourth Andalusia, in which is the Countrey of Hispalis and Gades: in the fifth is Valentia: and in the sixth is Aragon, and Catalonia. Portugall which offers it selfe in the first place, was anciently called Lusitania, and M. Varro and Plinte doe affirme, that it received this name from Lusus the Sonne of Liber, and Lysa who was drunke with him: for it was called Lusitania, as it were, the Countrey of Lusus. Marcianus thinketh, it was called Lusitania from a River which is now called Tagus. Some suppose it was called Portugall à Portu Gallorum, which is as much to say, as the Frenchmens Haven. But Andraeas Resendius,* 1.2 whose opinion other learned men doe follow, doth observe, that the name of Portugall is derived â Portu Cale. This Countrie, if wee consider the breadth thereof from the South Northward, is greater than Old Lusitania, but if wee consider the length from the West Eastward, it is lesser. Portugall at this day runneth forth Northward, beyond the meeting of the two Rivers Minius and Avia even to the Towne Ribadania, seated on that banke of Avia which looketh toward Gallicia, and a straight line being drawne from thence Eastward, it reacheth even to Miranda, seated upon the River Durius, and from thence toward the South to the Mouth of the River Ana, on that side where it bordereth on Castile, Estremadura, and Andaluzia; on the Northwest it looketh toward the Atlantick Ocean, so that the whole compasse thereof is thought to bee 879 miles.* 1.3 This countrie hath an excellent sweete and temperate Ayre, and a cleere and fruitfull Cli¦mate. It aboundeth with Wine, Oyle, Oranges, Pome-citernes,* 1.4 Almonds, Honey and Waxe. The fruite of this Countrie doth excell that which growes in others neere unto it. And though the Inhabitants have not out of their fields sufficient store of corne, to sustaine them with foode, yet there is much transported thither out of France and Germanie. This Countrie doth breede many living creatures, especially great store of Horses, and those so swift of foote, that they imagin'd them to bee begotten by the winde.* 1.5 The Kingdome of Portugall began about the yeare 1100, for at that time it became a part of Spaine. Chronicles doe mention, that the first of the Line of the Kings of Portugall was Henry Duke of Lotharingia, Earle of Limburg, (a man of a great courage and ready of hand) who removing into Spaine, married Tyresia the Daughter of Alphonsus the sixth King of Castile and Legio, and tooke for a Dowrie that part of Gallicia and Lusitania which is now called Portugall, and which not long before, by his owne valour, hee recovered and got from the Saracens and Moores. Hee dying about the yeare 1112, there succeeded him his Sonne Alphonsus, who calling himselfe Dake of Portugall, was enstiled King thereof by his whole Armie, in the yeare 1139, having obtained a victory against Ismarius, and foure other Kings of the Siracens and Moores, leaving to posteritie five Scutcheons for their Armes, in remembrance of that atchievement. There succeeded him almost in a right line, Sanctius, Alphonsus the 2, Sanctius the 3, Alphonsus the 3, Dionysius who first began to usurpe the title of the King of the s 1.6 Algarbians, also Alphonsus the fourth, Peter, Ferdinand, Iohn, Edward, Alphonsus the fifth surnamed Africanus, Iohn the 2, Emanuel, Iohn the 3, Sebastian slaine in Africk, Henry the Cardinall, and Antonius who because hee was a Bastard was expell'd, Philip the second King of Spaine, Nephew to Emanuel by Isabel his eldest Daughter, and Father to Philip the 3, whose Sonne Philip the 4 doth now reigne. The Metropolis of Portugall is Olisippo, as it is called in the ancient faithfull copies of M. Varro, Pliny, Antoninus, and Mela. For in vulgar writings it is written sometimes Olysippo, and sometimes t 1.7 Vlysippo, and divers other wayes: now it is called Lisbone, or, as the Inhabitants doe pronounce it, Lisboa. It is a great Towne of traffique, abounding with riches, and it is a famous store-house of forraine commodities, which are brought thither out of Asia, Africk, and America. It hath a pleasant and commodious situation almost at the mouth of the River Tagus: it is now very large, being built on five Hils, and as many Vales or descents, but heretofore it was lesse, being seated onely on one hill as some doe report. On that side which is toward the Sea it hath two and twentie Gates, and on that side which is toward the Continent it hath sixteene. It hath threescore and seventeene watch-Towres upon the wals. The Parish-churches are twenty five, besides many Chappels and Churches belonging to the Monkes, the Anachorets, and the Nunnes. The Cities beyond Tagus doe acknowledge Lisbone to be the Mother-citie, as Ebora (called by Ptolemie Ebura, and now commonly Evora) Begia, commonly called Bega or Beia, and heretofore Pax Iulia, by Antoninus and Ptolemie Setubal, heretofore named (as Clusius supposeth) Salacia: Also Alcasar de sal in the Countrie of Algarbia, and Almada, which Ptolemie cals Caetobrix, and Antoninus Caetobriga. Beyond Tagus not farre from Lisbone Northward the Towne of Cascala is seated: and as you come a litle neerer to the Citie you meete with a litle Towne called Bethleem. There are also Leria, Tomar, and Guarda, all Townes of note. Not farre from Tomar lyeth Ceice, which Antoninus calleth Celium: Also Alanguera by the River Tagus, which Damianus à Goes being his owne native Towne thinketh to be so called, quasi Alankerke, (that is) the Temple of the Alanes: It was heretofore called Ierabrica, but now Coimbra, and it was heretofore the head Citie of the Kingdome of Portugall. There is also the Towne Viseum, commonly called Viseo, Plinie calleth it Vacca, but now it is called Ponte Fouga. The third Councell of Toledo doth mention Lameca commonly called Lamego. Lastly Braga which lyeth betweene the Rivers Durius and Minius, it is now so called, though Ptolemie calleth it Bracar Augusta, Antoninus Braccara Augusta, and Plinie Augusta Bracarum. It is reported, that it was built by the Gaules, surnamed Braccati, in the yeare before Christs birth 290, and the Romans having conquered it, gave it the surname of Augusta. It was heretofore so famous, that here were the seven great Assemblies or Parliaments, which were kept and held in the hithermost Spaine, so that foure and twentie Cities, as Plinie reporteth, did bring their suits and causes hither to have them tried.* 1.8 The Rivers of this Countrie are Anas and Guadiana, Tagus or Taio, Mondego or Monda, Durius or Duero, and Minius or Mino: two of these being famous, to wit, Tagus and Durius.) Portugall on the West and South looketh toward the Atlantick Ocean, which,* 1.9 besides fish which it yeeldeth in great abundance, doth afford many other commodities. This Countrey is indebted unto, and receiveth all her plenty from the Sea, which she acknowledgeth, in so much, that it may more worthily be called the golden Sea, than golden flowing Nilus, because by the helpe hereof they have commodities imported and brought in from all parts of the earth, so that it standeth in need of nothing; and againe those commodities wherewith it aboundeth, it exporteth by shipping to traffique with forraine Countries. There is also (besides the Havens which wee mentioned before) the Haven of Setubal,* 1.10 Dubal, or Tubal, which lieth Southward from Olisippo or Lisbone. Heere are few Mountaines, and those not very great, as namely those which the Inhabitants call Sierra de Monchiquo:* 1.11 de Chaldecatao, de Sordedas, called heretofore the Mountaines of the Moone, &c. And these, for the most part, are full of woods and thickets. There are also very great and thick woods, in which the Princes of Spaine are wont to hunt.* 1.12 In the litle Towne of Bethleëm, there is a Temple dedicated to the holy Virgin Mary, and built very costly: also the Monument of Emanuel King of Portugall, whiche hee appointed to bee built in his owne life-time, yet was it afterward enriched and beautified by Iohn the third the Sonne of Emanuel. There are moreover in that part of Portugall which lyeth betweene Tagus & Durius (as Vasaeus writeth) besides the Metropolitan Church of Bracara, the Cathedrall Church in Portugall, and five other Collegiate Churches, more than an hundred and thirty Monasteries, the most of which have most large revenues, and about 1460 Parish-Churches. In that part which belongeth to the Church of Bracara there are reckoned eight hundred Parish-Curches, whereby you may easily collect and know the fertility of this Countrie. I doe not mention the Hospitals for strangers, for the diseased, and for Orphanes,* 1.13 the Towre the faire houses, the pleasant gardens, and Universities which are in this Kingdome, as namely Ebora and u 1.14 Coimbra or Conimbrica; the first was lately instituted by Henry Cardinall of Portugall, and President of the same Citie; the other also was lately instituted by Iohn the second King of Portugall. The Portugals are the strongest of all the Spaniards, the quickest, the most nimble, and light of body, so that they can easily pursue or retire from the enemie. Their disposition is to be proud and selfe-conceited of themselves,* 1.15 and their owne affaires; and they say themselves, that they live by opinion and conceit, that is, they sustaine themselves more with that which they thinke themselves to be, than with that which they truly are.* 1.16 They are skilfull in sea-matters, and are famous for their Navigations to unkowne parts of the world, where they grow rich by trading and merchandizing.

Under Portugall at this time is the Kingdome of Algarbia.* 1.17 It taketh its name from the Arabick tongue, and doth signifie a happie and plentifull Field or Medow, in which are all things necessarie for traffique. A straight line drawne from the River Anas betweene the Rivers which are commonly called Vataon, and Carei-vas to the litle Towne Odeseiza,* 1.18 that is, from the East Westward, doth separate from Portugall this Kingdome of Algarbia, which is the least and unnoted'st Kingdome of all Spaine. There are carried hither out of divers parts of Spaine, downe the River Anas all sorts of Wines, Sacks, Bastards, Roman Wine, and others of the like sorts, which being shipped, are transported into France, the Low-Countries, and other parts. It hath in it the Townes of Balsa, (so called by Ptolemie, Plinie, Antoninus, and Pomponius Mela,* 1.19 but now Tavila, as Coquus supposeth) and Ossonoba, so called by Plinie & Antoninus; it is called also by Pliny Lusturia, by Ptolemy Ossonaba, by Pinetus Gibraleon, by Clusius Exuba, by Varrerius Estombar, as also by Moralis, and it is thought to bee the same which is now called Silvis or Selves. There was also in the same place neere the Holy Promontory the Citie which Pomponius calleth Lacobriga, the ruines whereof are yet to be seene neere the Sea-Towne Lagos, at a Village which is called in the Portugall language Lagoa, as Vasaeus writeth. Algarbia at the first was given in dowry by Alphonsus the 10 King of Legio or Leon, (as ancient Annals doe report) unto Alphonsus the third King of Portugall,* 1.20 when hee married his daughter Beatrice, which hee begate on a whore. Dionysius was derived from this marriage, who first of all began to usurpe the title of King of Algarbia. But thus much shall suffice concerning Portugall & Algarbia, I passe to the other parts of Spaine.

1682. Cosmography and geography in two parts by Richard Blome.

The Estates of the Crown of PORTUGAL, are

• In EUROPE, the PORTUGALS or Kingdom of PORTUGAL comprehendeth three Regions, six Provinces, twenty Almoxarifatz; (that is, Courts of Audience, or for the Receipt of the Kings Revenue) 18 Cities, more than 400 walled Towns, 200 Boroughs, 4000 Parishes. The Regions are
  • Between the Rivers MINHO and DOURO; where are the Provinces of
    • Between the Rivers MINHO and DOURO, which comprehend the Almoxarifatz of
      • Porto, — Porto.
      • Viana de Foz,
        • Caminha,
        • Viana de Foz de Lima,
        • Barcelos.
      • Ponte de Lima, — Ponte de Lima.
      • Guimaranes,
        • Braga,
        • Guimaranes.
      • TRA-LOS MONTES, which comprehendeth the Almoxarifatz of
        • Miranda,
          • Miranda,
          • Bragansa.
        • Torro de Mencorvo,
          • Torre de Mencorvo,
          • Chiaves.
        • Villa Real,— Villa Real,
        • Pinhel,
          • Castel Rodrigo,
          • Pinhel.
    • Between the Rivers DOURO and TAJO; where are the Provinces of
      • ESTREMADURA, which containeth the Almoxarifatz of
        • Lisbona, — Lisbona.
        • Santarein, Santarein.
        • Tomar, Tomar.
        • Alenquez,
          • Alenquez,
          • Sintra.
        • Leiria, — Leiria.
        • Setubal,
          • Setubal,
          • Cezimbra,
          • Almada,
          • Palmela,
          • Alcazer do Sal.
      • BEIRA, which holdeth the Almoxarifatz of
        • Coimbra, — Coimbra.
        • Guarda, Guarda.
        • Lamego, Lamego.
        • Viseu, Viseu,
        • Aveiro, — Aveiro.
        • Castel Branco,
          • Castel Branco,
          • Salvatierra,
          • Indanha.
    • ALENTAJO, or between the Rivers TAJO and GUADIANA; where are the Provinces of
      • ALEN-TAJO; which holdeth the Almoxarifatz of
        • Evora, — Evora.
        • Beja,
          • Beja,
          • Serpa,
          • St Jago de C•cem,
          • Mertola,
          • Ourique.
        • Elvas,
          • Elvas,
          • Olivensa,
          • Mouraon.
        • Portalegre,
          • Portalegre,
          • Crato.
        • Estremoz, — Estremoz, and Avis.
    • ALGARVE; and the Almoxarifatz of
      • Tavila,
        • Pharo,
        • Tavila.
      • Lagos, — Silves, and Lagos.
• Divers Estates, Kingdoms, Isles, Cities, &c. in the other parts of the one and the other Continent; among the which are
  • In AFRICA; and
    • On the Coasts of
      • The Kingdom of Fez, — Centa.
      • The Kingdom of Morocco, Mazagan.
      • The Countrey of Negroes, Arguin.
      • Sierre Leone, Cachieu.
      • Guinee, St. George de la Mina.
      • The Kingdom of Angola,
        • St Pol de Loanda,
        • Cambambe.
      • Caffreria, or Cafres, Cuama, or Sofala.
      • Zanguebar,
        • Mozambique,
        • Malinde,
        • Monbaza.
    • The Isles of
      • Madera, — Funghal.
      • Azores, Angra.
      • Cape Verd, St. Jago.
      • St. Thomas, &c. Pavoasam.
  • In ASIA; and
    • On the Coast of
      • Arabia, — Mascate.
      • Persia, Ormus.
      • Cambay,
        • Diu,
        • Daman,
        • Bazaim.
      • Decan, Chaul.
      • Cuncan, Goa.
      • Canara, Barcelor.
      • Malabar,
        • Cananor,
        • Cranganor,
        • Cohin,
        • Coulan.
      • Choromandel,
        • Negapatan,
        • Mal•apour, or St. Thomas:
      • Pegu, Sirian.
      • Malacca, Malacca.
      • China, Macao.
    • The Isles, or part of the Isles of
      • Ceylan, Colombo.
      • Manar, Manar.
      • Moluccoes, Nostro Seniora del Rozaria.
      • Japon, Meliapon.
  • In AMERICA; and In BRAZIL, the fourteen Capitanies, or Governments of
    • Para, — Para.
    • Maranhan, Maranhan.
    • Ciara, Ciara,
    • Rio Grande, Rio Grande, or Potengi.
    • Parayba, Paraba.
    • Tamaraca, Tamaraca.
    • Fennambuco, Olinda.
    • Seregippa, Seregippa.
    • Bahia de Todos los Santos, St. Salvador.
    • los Isleos, los Isleos.
    • Porto Seguro, Porto Seguro.
    • Spiritu Santo, Spiritu Santo.
    • Rio Janiero, St. Sebastian,
    • St. Vincent. Santos.

This Kingdom of Portugal, as united with that of Algarve, and divided from the Dominions of Castile, contains the Kingdoms of Portugal and Algarve. It enjoyeth a sweet and healthful Air; for most part is hilly, and not very grateful to the Husbandman; but that defect is recompenced by their abundance of Wine, Oil, Fruits, Hony, Fish, White Marble, Salt,* 1.15Allom, &c. which are the product of the Country.

This Kingdom is about 320 Miles in length, and about 120 in breadth,* 1.16 in which compass are said to be about 1460 Parishes, and many Nunneries and Religious Houses. Its Fruits are excellent, by reason of which here are abundance of Confectioners: It is well watered with Rivers, having near 200 great and small, the chief of which is the Tagus.

The People are esteemed more honest, plain,* 1.17 and of a simpler behaviour than the rest of Spain, and more devout in matters of Religion.

The chief Places in thir Kingdom are 1. Lisbona, said to be built by Ʋlysses in his ten years Travels, seated on the Tagus convenient for Navigation, and of a great resort and trade; it is in compass about seven miles, in which may be numbred about twenty thousand well built Houses, and hath thirty and odd Parish Churches; and on its Walls are about sixty Turrets and Towers, which renders a pleasing shew to the Beholders; towards the Continent, it is seated on five small Hills, betwixt which is a Valley which runs down to the River Duero, whose entrance is defended by a Castle: and this City being the Metropolis of the Kingdom, is the residence of the Kings of Portugal, and the See of an Archbishop. 2. Braga, once the chief of the Kingdom, now dignified with the See of an Archbishop. 3. Miranda, seated on the Duero, an Episcopal See. 4. Santaren, seated on the Tagus. 5. Sintra, upon the main Atlantick, at the end of high Mountains; which for the pleasure of the Woods here adjacent, as also for the refreshings which come from the Sea, is the usual retirement of the Kings of Portugal in the heat of Summer. 6. Coimbra, seated on the River Mondego, of a pleasant scituation, being amongst Vineyards and Woods of Olives, dignified with an Episcopal See, and a famous Ʋniversity. 7. Porto, seated at the mouth of the Duero, now called Portuport, a Town of good Trade, and affords an excellent strong Wine. 8. Bragansa; 9. Lamego; 10. Guarda; 11. Evora; 11. Portalegre; and 13. Leiria.

South of Portugal is ALGARVE, which was united by the Marriage of Alphonso, the Third of Portugal, who had it in Dowry with his wife Beatrix, Daughter to Alphonso the Fourth of Castile, and Tenth of Leon. Its chief places are, 1. Pharo, a Port-Town towards the Streights of Gibraltar and Silvis, anciently the Seat of its Kings within Land. The utmost end 〈◊〉 this Country, is called the Cape of St. Vincent, because the Bones of St. Vincent, which the Christians kept sacred, were by the Saracens (the then Masters of the Country) burnt and scattered about the Earth.

This Kingdom of Portugal is much coveted by the King of Spain, who esteems it the chiefest Pearl of his Cabinet, and as the chiefest Flower in his Garland; and which to regain, he hath oft times waged War against them, but to no purpose.

• 1.18ANDALOƲSIA. the most rich and fruitful Country in all Spain, and well watered with Rivers: It hath on the East and South, Granada and the Sea, and adding the Country of Estremadura, it reacheth Northwards to the Castiles. The chief Places are, Sevilla, or Sevil, the most beautiful of all this Continent: It is in compass six Miles, and environed with stately Walls, and adorned with no less magnificent Buildings, as Palaces, Churches, and Monasteries. It is severed in two parts by the River Boetis, which are joyned together by a stately Bridge. From this place the Spaniards set forth their West-India Fleet, and do hither return to unlade; and the Trade of this City is of that greatness that some have dared to say, that the Customs are worth to the King of Spain the yearly Revenue of about half a Million of Gold; and indeed this City, and Lisbon in Portugal, may be said to be the chief Cities for Trade in this Continent; this for the West-Indies, and Lisbon for the East. It is dignified with a flourishing Ʋniversity, and the See of an Archbishop, whose Revenue is said to be 100000 Crowns yearly, and is esteemed the next to him of Toledo. In this City are said to be kept 30000 Genets for the service of the King of Spain, which are ready upon all occasions. And here resteth the body of Christopher Columbus, famous for his Navigations and discoveries of the New World. 2. Cordova, once the Royal Seat of the Moorish Kings; from hence cometh that excellent Cordovant-Leather, Not far from this City was fought that famous Battle between Coesar and the Sons of Pompey, where Caesar gained the day, and made an end of the Civil Wars. 3. Marchena, famous for its Genets. 4. Medina Sidonia, whose Duke was General of the Invincible Armado, in Anno 1588. 5. Xeres de la Fontera, a Sea-port Town, from whence comes our Sherry Sack: and 6. Cadiz, seated in an Isle below Sevil, a Colony of the Carthagenians.

• 1.19ESTREMADƲRA, Whis is part of Andalousia, hath for its Chief places, 1. Merida, built and made a Colony by Augustus; and 2. Guadalcanal, famous for its Mines of Silver.

• 1.20GRANADA, bounded on the South with the Mediterranean Sea: Its Chief places are Granada, a stately City, where is yet to be seen the Palace of the Moorish Kings, indented with Mosaical work, and guilt; its Buildings are of Freestone, fenced about with a strong Wall, on which are 130 Turrets. It is an Inland Town, yet famous for being the residence of the Parliament, and Court of Justice for all the Southern parts of Spain, as Valadolid is for the North. 2. Malaga, a famous Sea-port Town seated on the Mediterranean, abounding in Raisins, and a rich Wine called Malaga Sack. 3. Almeria, seated on the Sea-shoar.

This Country was the last that the Moors were expelled out of, which may be attributed to its barrenness, and being so Mountainous.

• 1.21MƲRCIA, bounded on the East with the Mediterranean Sea, a fertile Country, and well stored with Fruits: Its Chief places are, 1. Alicant, seated on the Mediterranean, where it enjoyeth a commodious road for Shipping, is a place well frequented, enjoyeth a good Trade, and affordeth for Merchandize great quantities of excellent Wines, and several good Commodities. 2. Cartagena, seated also on the Mediterranean Sea, built by Asdrubal of Carthage, at present one of the most famous Havens in Spain: and 3. Murcia, which takes its name from the Country, a City of good account.

• 1.22ARRAGON, divided in the midst by the River Iberus; the Chief places are, 1. Caragosa, or Saragoz, seated on the Iberus or Ebro, anciently called Caesar Augustus, by whom it was first founded: It is a famous Ʋniversity, and once the Seat of the Moorish Kings. 1. Lerida, seated on the River Cinga, which hath its Spring-head in the Pyrenaean Hills; it is an Ʋniversity. 3. Huesca, also an Ʋniversity. 4. Mosons, which gives entertainment to the King of Spain every third year, at which time the People of Arragon, Valentia, and Catalonia, make the King a Present of 600000 Crowns; and this is all the Taxes or Moneys they pay to the King for three years. 5. Jacca; 6. Borio; 7. Galajud; and 8. Daroca.

• 1.23CATALONIA, near the Pyrenaean Mountains on the North; Its chief places are, 1. Barcelona, seated on the Mediterranean shoar, a place of good strength and Antiquity, being built out of the ruins of Rubicata, an old Colony of the Africans, and now dignified with the Seat of the Vicegerent. 2. Girona, seated on the River Baetulus, the ancient Seat of the Arragon Princes.

• 1.24VALENCE, or VALENCIA, encompassed with Murcia, Castile, Arragon, and the Sea. Its chief places are, 1. Valencia, scituate near the mouth of the River Guadalangar, and about two miles from the Sea, where there is an open, but ill commodious road for Ships, called la Greno; yet, as being the chief City in the Country, enjoyeth a good Trade. Here is an University in which St. Dominic, the Institutor of the Dominican Order, studied: 2. Morvedre; 3. Segobre; and 4. Zativa.

1685. Geographia universalis: the present state of the whole world by Pierre Duval.

Portugal is a Kingdom, ancient for above five hundred years in the Western part of Spain, where was formerly Lusitania. In all probability, this Name of Portugal came from that of Porto, a Town considerable for its Commerce, and from that of Cale a small Place near it. It is, from the South to the North, about a hundred and twenty Leagues in length; in breadth five and twenty, thirty, and sometimes fifty. Its Situation upon the Ocean, and the experience of its Inhabitants in point of Navigation, has given occasion to them to make Conquests in the four parts of the World, and principally in the East-Indies. Their Conquests have been in above five thousand Leagues of Coast, in Brasil, in Africa and Asia: All their Places were near the Sea, for they had no other design than that of rendring themselves Masters of Commerce. True it is, that, during the War, they were oblig'd to sustain against Spain for eight and twenty years together, and by reason of the great Garrisons they were oblig'd to keep, in those parts against the Hollanders, whom they have nevertheless drove entirely out of Brasil, they made but small profit, and this moved them to give some places to the English, by the Marriage of the Infanta of Portugal with Charles the Second, King of England. The Portugal Provinces have all their peculiar Commodities: they afford, among other things, Lemons, and excellent Oranges. They have Mines; the Greeks and Romans went to seek in Portugal, the Gold which the Portuguese go to seek in the Indies. They are so populous, principally towards the Sea, as that there are reckoned above six hundred Cities, or priviledged Burroughs, and above four thousand Parishes. The Roman Catholick Religion is only receiv'd in this Kingdom; those, who are of the Jewish Race, have been constrained to be baptized, and are now known under the Name of New Christians. There are three Arch-bishopricks, Lisbon, Braga, and Evora; ten Bishopricks. The Arch-bishopricks of Lisbon, and Evora, have each of 'em full two hundred thousand Livers yearly Income. Inquisitions are at Lisbon, at Coimbre, at Evora; the Assembly of the Cortes, or Parliaments, at Lisbon, at Porto. Twenty seven Places have Generalities, which they call Comarques, and Almoxarifats. The Order of Christ, which resides at Tomar, is the most considerable of the Kingdom: the Kings are the Masters and Heads of it; for on this Order depend all the Foreign Conquests: Its Knights wear the Red and White Cross in the Middle, whereas those of Avis wear it green, those of St. James red. These have their Residence at Palmella, near Setuval. The Revenue of the Kingdom, without reckoning that of the Indies, is said to exceed ten Millions of Livers: I can hardly believe what the Portugals say, that their King, Don Sebastian, was at the Charge of a Million of Gold upon the Harness of a Horse; that the Trappings of the European Ladies, were only the remains of those of Portugal. In the Year 1640. this Kingdom withdrew it self from its Obedience to the King of Spain: Then was admired the Great Secresie that was kept in that Affair, among above two hundred persons, for above a Year together. The principal Motives of this Resolution, were, the Permission which his Catholick Majesty gave to others, than to the Portugals, of trading to the East-Indies; the Tribute of the fifth, that was proclaim'd in the Year 1636. by which the Government exacted five in the hundred, of all the Revenues and Merchandizes in the Kingdom. The Duke of Braganza was proclaimed King, under the Name of John the Fourth. This Prince reigned sixteen Years, and had for his Successour, Alphonso the Sixth; who was deposed in 1667. His Marriage having been declared null, Pedro, his Brother, married the Queen, was made Regent of the Kingdom, and made Peace with Spain. The Conspiracy, in the Year 1673. against this Prince, obliged him to have the King fetch'd back from the Terzera, and put into the Fortress of Sintra, near Lisbon: About two Years since, a Marriage was concerted betwixt the Infanta, and Victor Ame, Duke of Savoy; but that Match is now wholly broke off, and a new Treaty now on foot, for the same purpose, with the Prince of Tuscany. This Kingdom contains six Provinces, which are as many general Governments. Entre Doaro and Minho, Tralos-Montes, Beyra, Estremadura, Alen-Teyo and Algarve. Entre Douro and Minho, is the most delicious, and so populous, that in the space of eighteen Leagues in length, and twelve in breadth, it has above a hundred and thirty Monasteries, well rented; fourteen hundred and sixteen Parishes; five thousand Fountains of Spring-Water; two hundred Bridges of Stone, and six Sea-Ports. Some call it the Marrow and the Delight of Spain. Porto, a City of four thousand Housholds, drives a great Trade; Bragra is renowned for the holding of several Councils, by the Pretension of its Archbishop, who styles himself Primate of the Spains. Tralos-Montes has Minerals, with the City of Braganza, the Capital of a Dutchy of forty thousand Ducates Revenue, wherein there are full fifty small Cities, and other Lands, which make the Duke of Braganza thrice Marquis, seven times a Count, and several times a Lord. The Princes of that Name, now in possession of the Crown, remain'd commonly at Villa Viciosa, and had the Prerogative, to the Exclusion of the Grandees of Spain, to sit in publick, under the Royal Canopy of the King of Spain. Beira is fertile in Rye, Millet, Apples, and Chestnuts. Its City of Coimbra, formerly the abode of Alphonso, the first King of Portugal, is famous for its University, for its Bishoprick, which is said to be worth above a hundred and fifty thousand Livres yearly Rent. Estremadura, another than that of Castile, produces Wine, Oyl, Salt, Honey, which the Bees make there of the Flowers of Lemmons and of Roses. Its City of Lisbon is the Capital of all the Kingdom, one of the richest, greatest, most beautiful, and most populous Towns of all Europe: It has above thirty thousand Houses, and an admirable Port, with the conveniency of the ebbing and flowing of the Sea: It particularly drives the trade of Brasile, and of the East-Indies. The small City of Belem, which is near it, is the Mausoleum, or the place of burial of several Kings of Portugal. Santaren has so great a number of Olive-Trees in its Dependencies, that the Inhabitants boast of being able to make of their Oyl, a River as great as the Tagus. Setuval, which the Flemmings call St. Hubes, is well situated, well built, and of great trade: It has the best Harbour in all the Kingdom, thirty Miles in length, three in breadth. Its Salt-Pits and Fishery, according to what the Portuguese say, raise a greater Revenue to their King, than all Arragon does to the King of Spain. Alen-Teyo, by reason of its Corn, is reckon'd for the Granary of Portugal: Its City of Evora pretends to the first rank after Lisbon. In the Year 1663. the Portuguese gain'd a famous Battel over the Spaniards in its neighbourhood. Elvas is known for its excellent Oyls; for the Sieges which it has happily sustain'd against the Castillians. Ourques, in the Year 1139. saw that famous Battel fought, which gave occasion to the proclaiming the first King of Portugal. Algarve, tho' of small extent, has the Title of a Kingdom; It was reunited to the Crown, by the Marriage of Alphonso the Third, with Beatrix of Castile. it affords Figs, Olives, Almonds, and Wines very much esteemed: the Name of Algerbia, in the Moorish Tongue, signifies a fertile field.