He was named after his renowned grandfather, Duarte de Menezes, 3rd Count of Viana, captain of Alcácer-Ceguer.

Duarte de Menezes left Lisbon in April, 1521, with an armada of 11 carracks destined for India.

On the outgoing leg, Menezes's armada was joined by a squadron of four ships, commanded by Martim Afonso de Mello, destined for China.

[4] He was imprisoned for nearly seven years in the castle of Torres Vedras, before being finally released by the intercession of powerful friends[5] including D. António de Ataíde, Count of Castanheira.

[1] The rehabilitation of Duarte de Menezes was sufficiently complete that in October 1536, he managed to be appointed to his old post as governor of Tangier.