Discontent of the Portuguese at the rule of the Spaniards--Fostered by Richelieu--The Duke and Duchess of Braganza--The Duchess of Mantua, and her advisers--Preparations for revolt--The leaders--The Revolution of December 1, 1640--The Duke of Braganza crowned as John IV.--He obtains help from Holland and France--The “Caminha” conspiracy--The victory of Montijo--Brazil expels the Dutch--War with Holland--The King despairs, and offers to abdicate--Treaty of alliance with France--Death of John IV. XV. THE ENGLISH ALLIANCE 326 The Queen as Regent--Schomberg organizes the army--Victory of Elvas--Marriage of Charles II. of England to Catherine of Braganza--Affonso VI. declares himself of age--The Ministry of Castel Melhor--Victories of the Portuguese--Court revolution--Dom Pedro regent--Peace with Spain--The rule of Pedro II. as Regent and King--His foreign policy--Death of Charles II. of Spain--The Methuen treaty and its results--The war of the Spanish Succession--Death of Pedro II.--The decline of the Portuguese power in Asia--Prosperity of Brazil--Discovery of gold there. XVI. PORTUGAL IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY--THE MARQUIS OF POMBAL 349 Portugal in the eighteenth century--Accession of John V.--End of the war of the Spanish Succession--Peace policy of the King--His long and prosperous reign--Accession of Joseph--Early career of Pombal--The earthquake of Lisbon--Pombal, prime minister--He attacks the Jesuits--The “Tavora” plot--Banishment of the Jesuits--Short war with Spain--Suppression of the Jesuits--Death of Joseph--The administration of Pombal--His great reforms--Accession of Pedro III. and Maria I.--Disgrace of Pombal--The reign of Pedro and Maria--Death of Pedro III.--The Portuguese in India in the eighteenth century--The prosperity of Brazil--Discovery of diamonds there--Literature in the eighteenth century. XVII. THE ERA OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION--THE PENINSULAR WAR 382 The French Revolution--Persecution of sympathisers with it in Portugal--Dom John sends help to Spain in the war against France--Deserted by Spain at the Treaty of Basle--The Treaty of San Ildefonso--Alliance with England--Dom John declared Regent--The war of 1801--The Treaty of Badajoz--Policy of Napoleon against Portugal--Mission of Lannes--Treaty of Fontainebleau, 1807--Junot invades Portugal--The Regent escapes to Brazil--Junot’s rule--Forms the Portuguese Legion--General insurrection against him--The Portuguese appeal to England--Victory of Vimeiro and Convention of Cintra--Soult occupies Oporto--Expelled by Wellesley--Beresford reorganizes the Portuguese army--The Regency--Masséna before Torres Vedras--The Portuguese troops during the Peninsular War--Conclusion of the War--Death of Queen Maria Francisca. XVIII.