Miguel de Vasconcelos

Miguel de Vasconcelos (or Vasconcellos) e Brito (c. 1590 – 1 December 1640 in Lisbon; Portuguese pronunciation: [miˈɡɛɫ dɨ vaʃkõˈsɛluʃ]) was the last Secretary of State (Prime Minister) of the Kingdom of Portugal, during the Philippine Dynasty, in which both kingdoms of Portugal and Spain remained separated but united by the same king and foreign policy.

Death of Miguel de Vasconcelos
Miguel de Vasconcelos
Secretary of State
In office
1635–1640
MonarchPhilip III of Portugal (Margaret of Savoy, Vicereine of Portugal)
Preceded byFilipe de Mesquita
Succeeded byFrancisco de Lucena
Personal details
Bornc. 1590
Died1 December 1640
Lisbon
Signature

He was in office from 1635 to 1640, serving under Margaret of Savoy, Vicereine of Portugal, the Duchess of Mantua, a cousin of King Philip III.

He was probably the most hated collaborator with the Spanish, considered a traitor during the last years of the Philippine Dynasty, especially after the revolts of 1637. On the morning of 1 December 1640, a group of Portuguese noblemen who wanted to restore full independence started a revolution, immediately supported by the people of Lisbon. After entering the palace, the conspirators sought Miguel Vasconcelos, but saw no sign of him. They would eventually find Miguel de Vasconcelos hidden in a closet with a gun. His movements within the small closet and the rustling of papers inside gave away his position. He was shot to death and defenestrated, leaving his corpse to the angry public.

See also

Preceded by
Filipe de Mesquita
Prime Minister of Portugal
(Secretary of State)

16351640
Succeeded by
Francisco de Lucena


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