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On King Sebastiao of Portugal (1554-1578)

MESA, Sebastian de.
Iornada de Africa por el rey Don Sebastian y union del reyno de Portugal a la corona de castilla.






Barcelona, por Pedro Lacavalleria, 1630. 4to. Contemporary gilt calf, gilt spine in six compartments, double gilt fillet border and small gilt coat of arms of the Mazarin family in centre of both sides, red mottled edges. (2), 169, 1 leaves.

First edition of a work on the life, death, and succession of King Sebastiao of Portugal (1554-1578), written by Sebastian de Mesa. Sebastiao became king of Portugal at the age of three, after the death of his grandfather John III. He was under the regency of his grandmother and uncle Henry, cardinal and later king, until he was declared of age in 1568. Sebastiao, educated by the Jesuits, combined religious fanaticism with an unlimited admiration for the military. He thought of himself as a Christian knight, who was going to fight and rescue the 'misguided' muslims in Africa from their faith. He was given a chance to do this, when a Moroccan throne pretender asked him for help. The king gathered a large and expensive expedition against Morocco, where he landed in 1578. Due to his inexperience he was killed quickly in the bloody and disastrous Battle of the Three Kings at Alcazarquivir in the north of Morocco. However, it was not known that Sebastiao had died, and many believed he was only captured and would return. This resulted in Sebastianism, a messianic religious belief, which lasted until well into the 19th century. Sebastiao was succeeded by his uncle Henry and after his death in 1580 the Portuguese crown went to Philip of Spain.
The coat of arms on the binding is that of the Mazarin family. The most famous family member was cardinal Jules Mazarin (1602-1661). He established the French Bibliothèque Nationale.

Good copy with coat of arms of the Mazarin family.- (Binding rubbed; sl. browned in the beginning).
Diaz 5661; Palau 166152; 2 copies in BMGC; not in Gay nor NUC.

Related Subjects: Armorial Bindings  Bindings  Cartography  History  Portugal  Spain 

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