Following the death of his father in 1578, who was buried in almost monarchical fashion, the new Captain-Donatário departed for Lisbon, where he hoped to join King Sebastian of Portugal on his adventure into North Africa.
But, quickly, the defeat of Luso-French forces, commanded by Filippo Strozzi on 26 June 1582 (at the Battle of Vila Franca), put São Miguel definitively in the hands of the faction supporting Phillip II.
By royal decree, the donatary captain, Rui Gonçalves da Câmara, departed with a squadron of Castilian forces ordered to proceed to occupy the Azores, launching on 23 June 1583.
But, his Spanish connections and recent elevation to Count did not make him popular with the local populous: the municipal council in Vila Franca imposed embargoes after the granting of the title, alleging that it violated its historical privileges.
[1] This was important, since his allegiance to Phillip II made him an indirect enemy of France and England: the island was, therefore, threatened with increased attacks from English and French forces, including Francis Drake.