Francisco de Lucena facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Francisco de Lucena
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| Secretary of State | |
| In office 1640–1642 |
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| Monarch | John IV of Portugal |
| Preceded by | Miguel de Vasconcelos |
| Succeeded by | Pedro Vieira da Silva |
| Secretary of the Crown Council | |
| In office 1614–1631 |
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| Monarch | Philip II of Portugal and Philip III of Portugal |
| Preceded by | Fernando de Matos |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1578 |
| Died | 28 April 1643 Limoeiro Prison, Lisbon |
| Spouse | D. Francisca de Castro |
| Children | D. Afonso de Lucena Martim Afonso de Lucena Fernão de Matos de Lucena Guiomar de Lucena Isabel de Lucena Leonor de Lucena Antónia Maria de Ataíde Joana de Mendonça |
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Francisco de Lucena (born around 1578 – died April 28, 1643) was an important Portuguese nobleman. He served as the first Secretary of State for King John IV of Portugal. This was a very high position, like being the head of the government. He took on this role right after Portugal gained its independence from Spain in the Portuguese Restoration War. During his time in office, he made some powerful enemies. There were also rumors that he was secretly helping the Spanish. These rumors led to his arrest and, sadly, his execution.
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Biography of Francisco de Lucena
Early Life and Career
Francisco de Lucena was likely born around 1578 in Vila Viçosa, Portugal. He married D. Francisca de Castro. He also became a Knight of the Order of Christ, which was an important honor.
In 1614, he took over from his uncle, Fernando de Matos. He became the Secretary of the Crown Council for the Spanish King, Philip II of Portugal. At this time, Portugal and Spain were united under one ruler. Francisco de Lucena lived in Madrid, Spain, for 17 years while holding this job.
Serving as Secretary of State
Francisco de Lucena had family connections to the House of Braganza, the royal family of Portugal. His father, Afonso de Lucena, was a lawyer. When John IV became King of Portugal, Francisco de Lucena was chosen for a very important role. He was made the King's Secretary of State, serving from 1640 to 1642. This job meant he was a top advisor and helped run the government.
He was a skilled diplomat, meaning he was good at dealing with other countries. He advised King John IV to let people keep their titles and special rights. This helped prevent new rebellions against the new king. However, he also suggested that people who helped King John during the war were not always rewarded. When some important people were accused of working against the new king, Francisco de Lucena agreed they should be punished.
Imprisonment and Death
While in office, Francisco de Lucena made many powerful enemies. These included some generals and members of the Jesuit order. In 1642, rumors spread that he was secretly communicating with Spain. He was then accused of treason, which means betraying his country.
King John IV knew that Francisco de Lucena's letters were not meant to harm Portugal. They were actually part of a plan to free his son from a Spanish prison. In return, a Spanish prisoner in Portugal would be released. Because of this, the King did not want him to be sentenced to death. Instead, Francisco de Lucena was put in Limoeiro Prison in Lisbon.
However, he was later falsely accused by the Jesuits and his replacement, Pedro Vieira da Silva. They claimed he had given up the Santa Luzia Fort to the Spanish. Because of this false accusation, he was finally sentenced to death. Francisco de Lucena was executed on April 28, 1643.
