João da Costa

João da Costa, first Count of Soure, (1610 in Lisbon – 22 January 1664 in Lisbon) and served in Tangier, was one of the Forty Conspirators who acclaimed King John IV king of Portugal on 1 December 1640, thus ending 60 years of Philippine rule over Portugal.

As soon as Miguel de Vasconcelos was killed, he went out to the Terreiro do Paço with Luís de Almada and other noblemen to rally the people, shouting Liberdade! (Freedom!).

The following day, on 2 December, he boarded a galley with João Rodrigues de Sá and went to summon the Spanish galleons to surrender.

He was then immediately sent to the Alentejo, specifically to Elvas, from where he managed to repel several Spanish attacks. He was appointed a member of the Council of War in 1642. There he came face to face with the Cardinal Prime-Minister Mazarin who, by wanting to make peace with Spain, was putting Portugal in danger. The Count commissioned his secretary, Duarte Ribeiro de Macedo, to write a manifesto outlining France's obligations to Portugal, a document that greatly upset Mazarin.

In 1660, he returned to Portugal, where he was still President of the Overseas Council, but was banished to Loulé after gaining another enemy, the Count of Castelo Melhor.

He only returned to Lisbon for the wedding of King Afonso VI.

He was buried in the chancel of the College of St Anthony of the Hermit Friars, which he patronised.

Commendations He was a commander of Castro Marim, of São Pedro das Várzeas in the town of Soure, and of Santa Maria da Beselga, all of the Order of Christ.

Title He received the title of Count of Soure by letter from King João IV, dated 15 October 1652.

Genealogy Son of Gil Eanes da Costa, commander and mayor of Castro Marim, and Francisca de Vasconcelos.

He married Francisca de Noronha, aunt and chambermaid of the Infanta Isabel Josefa, daughter of D. Pedro de Noronha, 11th Lord of Vila Verde dos Francos, and Juliana de Noronha, heiress daughter of Vasco Martins Moniz, Lord of Angeja.

Children;

Gil Eanes da Costa (1652–1680), who succeeded him in the title (confirmed by letter from King Afonso VI on 20 March 1664) and was a Royal Councillor and Councillor of the Lisbon City Council, with descendants. Rodrigo da Costa (1657–1722), governor of Madeira, Brazil and Viceroy of India.