Luís de Vasconcelos e Sousa

Timeline

1. 1657–1661Portugal · PortugalBetween 1657 and 1659 Vasconcelos took part in Portugal's Restoration War, gaining military experience and coming to the attention of the court. In 1660 he was created 3rd Count of Castelo Melhor, laying the groundwork for his later proximity to royal power.
2. 1662–1667Lisbon · LisbonAfter Afonso VI assumed personal rule in 1662, Vasconcelos persuaded the king to send his regent mother Luísa to a convent and was appointed escrivão da puridade, effectively controlling domestic and foreign policy. He reorganized the army and relied on British troops obtained through the Anglo-Portuguese marriage, bringing the war against Spain into its victorious phase of 1663–1665.
3. 1663–1665Ameixial · SpainDuring Vasconcelos's tenure the army was reorganized and British troops from the Anglo-Portuguese marriage were employed, pushing the war against Spain into a victorious phase. The front was commanded by the Count of Vila Flor Sancho Manuel, the Duke of Schomberg, the Count of Ericeira, and the Marquis of Marialva: the Battle of Ameixial on June 8, 1663 and the Battle of Montes Claros on June 17, 1665 defeated Spanish forces, creating the conditions for the 1668 Treaty of Lisbon recognizing the Braganza dynasty. "Battle of Amarante" and "Afonso de Amaral" lacked core verification and were deleted.