CONESTAGGIO (Girolamo Franchi di).
Dell' Unione del regno di Portogallo.
Rare first edition of this work which Brunet calls “ouvrage curieux, qui a beaucoup de succès dans le temps”. Written to celebrate the unification of the crowns of Portugal and Castille, this comprehensive history of the Portuguese empire includes a chronology of Portuguese kings since 1090.
The first book mentions Columbus and the Portuguese settlement in Brazil and also reports on Portuguese activities in Africa and India. In addition, the role of the Jesuits is discussed at length. It also discusses China, Japan, France and the Low Countries.
Brunet believes that the name of Conestaggio was a pseudonym and that the work was written by Juan de Silva, condé de Portalegre, who had accompanied Dom Sebastian to Africa as Spanish Ambassador. Adams C2502; Brunet II, 217; not in Borba.
