Count of Vila Franca

[1] Following the king's death several pretenders lined-up to assume the monarchy, including Philip II of Spain, António, Prior of Crato and the Infanta Catherine, Duchess of Braganza, among others.

[1] The selection of the designation was specifically chosen to privilege the nobles of the island of São Miguel, where the provincial capital had been of Vila Franca do Campo until 1522.

[3] Many of the islands of the Azores acclaimed the truly Portuguese monarch (in 1641), and Rodrigo da Câmara (3rd Count of Vila Franca) eventually accepted his governance following the defeat of the Spanish at the fortress of Terceira and a personal letter from John IV.

[4] Rodrigo kept his titles and privileges following the defeat, but, in 1650, the Inquisition investigated and arrested the Count from several complaints raised against him associated with sexual escapades (a scandal at the time).

[4] His possessions, privileges and titles were confiscated and his family's position was in crisis: the noble eventually died a miserable death in the Convent of Cape St. Vincent in 1601.