Ega (Count of)
Original title: Ega (Conde da)
Biography of Aires José Maria de Saldanha Albuquerque Matos e Noronha, 2nd Count of Ega, born in Funchal in 1755 while his father was governor of Madeira; a diplomat best remembered as husband of the countess who was Junot's mistress.
Aires José Maria de Saldanha Albuquerque Matos e Noronha, 2nd Count of Ega, was the son of Manuel de Saldanha de Albuquerque. He was born in Funchal on 29 March 1755, while his father was serving here as governor and captain-general of this archipelago, and was baptised in the chantry (capela) of the Palácio de São Lourenço (St Lawrence Palace) on 27 May of the same year. He held high public office, including that of Portuguese ambassador in Madrid, but his name became better known because he was the husband of the celebrated Countess of Ega, who was the mistress of General Junot when the latter entered Portugal at the head of the troops of the first French invasion. When Napoleon’s troops left Portugal in 1811, the whole family of the Count of Ega went to France, where the count received from the emperor a pension of sixty thousand francs a year, which he enjoyed until Napoleon’s fall. Our government then took proceedings against the Portuguese who had been in France, and the Count of Ega was sentenced to death. This sentence was never carried out, however, and in 1823 he was acquitted of the crimes imputed to him.
In this article
Time
Years mentioned · 03Place
Places mentioned · 04
Abroad
- France
Where the count's family went in 1811.
France is a country where several Madeirans fought and died in the First World War, including Gabriel Rocha de Gouveia and João Paulo da Veiga Pestana. It was also a place of study, of exile and of refuge for Madeirans. It was the origin of the expedition behind the Saque dos Franceses and the intended destination of the fugitives in the Machim legend.
- Funchal
Birthplace of the count.
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.
- Madrid
Spain. Where he served as Portuguese ambassador.
The Spanish capital, where the Conde da Ega served as Portuguese ambassador and other Madeirans served at the Portuguese legation. Franco de Sousa and Miguéis went there in 1912 on the Valmor grant, and Dr Jacinto António de Sousa visited it for its scientific establishments.
- São Lourenço Palace
Funchal. The count was baptised in its chapel.
The Palácio de São Lourenço, the governors' palace-fortress in Funchal, was the scene of beija-mão ceremonies, receptions, balls and dinners, and of the 1861 exhibition. The Elucidário records a great fire there in 1699, a natural history museum in 1850, and an attempt by soldiers to enter it in 1829. The Teatro Grande stood opposite it.
People
People mentioned · 05-
Second Count of Ega, born in Funchal and Portuguese ambassador in Madrid; sentenced to death for collaboration with Napoleon but absolved in 1823.
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Wife of the 2nd Count of Ega, famous as mistress of General Junot.
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French general who led the first French invasion of Portugal.
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Governor and captain-general of Madeira and father of the 2nd Count of Ega.
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French emperor who granted the count an annual pension of sixty thousand francs.