Castelo Branco (Camilo)
Notes the Madeiran references in works of the novelist Camilo Castelo Branco, including his polemic with Pinheiro Chagas on the Machim legend and a novel set largely in Funchal.
Our great novelist, in his book Eusebio Macario (we refer to the 3rd edition), added some pages on various points of poetic history; pages 245 to 275 contain an interesting chapter entitled A Lenda de Machim. Reflexões á vida do infante D. Henrique, por Mr. Richard Henry Major. This article includes the polemic between Camilo and Pinheiro Chagas over the legend of Robert Machin and, in particular, over the origin of the name Machico, which is exceptionally interesting.
The action of the novel O Santo da Montanha takes place largely in Funchal and refers to Madeiran people and things. The novel O Regicida contains a curious note on the ancestry of the Bishop of Funchal, Dom Jerónimo Fernando, who was a great-great-grandson of Infante Ferdinand, father of King Manuel I.
In this article
Place
Places mentioned · 02
- Funchal
Setting of much of the novel O Santo da Montanha.
The capital of the archipelago and seat of the principal captaincy, where settlement began; it was made a vila c.1451–52. Its bay, the widest in the archipelago, lies between Ponta do Garajau and Ponta da Cruz and offers sheltered anchorage, though its harbour had never been studied oceanographically. The Elucidário discusses it as a health resort with climate data and records the January 1906 disturbances, the Danish prince's visit in May 1846 and recent volcanic cones in the area.
- Machico
Its name's origin was debated by Camilo and Pinheiro Chagas.
The parish of Machico was the landing place of the discoverers Zargo and Tristão Vaz and the seat of the captaincy of Machico; the parish was founded c. 1450. The Elucidário covers its clergy and stipends, chapels, historical events, mineral springs, localities, population and notable natives.
People
People mentioned · 08-
Portuguese novelist whose works touch on Madeiran history and settings.
- D. Jerónimo Fernandod. 1650
Bishop of Funchal whose ancestry is noted in Camilo's novel O Regicida.
- Henry the Navigator1394–1460
Prince Henry the Navigator, subject of Major's work.
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Father of King Manuel and ancestor of Bishop Jerónimo Fernando.
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King of Portugal, son of Infante Fernando.
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Portuguese writer who debated with Camilo over the Machim legend and the origin of the name Machico.
- Richard Henry Majord. 1901
English author of a life of Prince Henry discussed in Camilo's chapter on the Machim legend.
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Legendary Englishman said to have reached Madeira before the Portuguese.