Brás Garcia de Mascarenhas facts for kids

Brás Garcia de Mascarenhas (born on February 3, 1596, in Avô, Portugal, and passed away on August 8, 1656, in the same town) was a Portuguese soldier, a talented poet, and a writer. He is best known for his long poem called Viriato Trágico.

Early Life and Adventures

When Brás Garcia de Mascarenhas was young, he traveled quite a bit. He visited the Portuguese colony of Brazil across the ocean. He also explored parts of Europe, including France, Italy, and Spain. These travels likely gave him many ideas and experiences that helped him later in his writing.

A Soldier and a Poet

Brás Garcia de Mascarenhas was also a brave soldier. He fought in an important conflict called the Portuguese Restoration War. This war was about Portugal becoming independent from Spain again. During this time, he put together a special group of volunteer soldiers. They were known as the Company of the Lions of Beira.

Because of his good service in the war, he was given an important job. He became the governor of the Castle of Alfaites, which was a castle located near the border of Portugal.

His Famous Poem

Later, Brás Garcia de Mascarenhas faced a challenge. He didn't follow an order from the general of the Beira province, Sancho Manoel de Vilhena. Because of this, he was arrested and held at the Castle of Sabugal.

While he was there, he wrote his famous long poem, Viriato Trágico. He wrote it to explain his actions and to ask for forgiveness from the king, John IV of Portugal. The king was very impressed by Brás Garcia de Mascarenhas's writing skills and talent. Because of the poem, the king decided to set him free.

Legacy

Brás Garcia de Mascarenhas's great poem, Viriato Trágico, was published after he died, in the year 1699. It was so popular that it was printed again in 1846.

He married Maria da Fonseca da Costa on February 19, 1645.

See also

• In Spanish: Brás Garcia de Mascarenhas para niños