[4] Vasconcelos assumed the post of Secretary of State in January 1635, serving under Margaret of Savoy, Vicereine of Portugal, the Duchess of Mantua, a cousin of King Philip III.

[6] Bolstered by the powerful Spanish minister Olivares, Vasconcelos and Soares effectively controlled the entire administration of Portugal.

[11][12] The Count of Linhares, a member of the Council of Portugal, blamed the riots on the tyrannical government of Vasconcelos and Soares and urged Olivares to dismiss them, arguing that it was better to discharge two unpopular ministers than run the risk of losing the kingdom.

[15] On the morning of 1 December 1640, while Spanish royal troops were occupied with the Catalan Revolt, a group of Portuguese noblemen known as the Forty Conspirators stormed the viceregal palace in Lisbon and arrested Margaret of Savoy.

[19] John, 8th Duke of Braganza was proclaimed king of Portugal soon after, marking the end of sixty years of Habsburg Spanish rule.