to establish a foothold in Portugal. Knowing that soon the Portuguese would need to find a new leader, he began to make plans so that he would be able to step in as quickly as possible once the Cardinal passed away.Phillip was already a strong candidate for successor without him having to act at all, mainly due to his mother, Isabella’s, influence over the principality. He was widely supported by both nobles and clergy, in particular the influential religious order of the Jesuits. This support had been mostly achieved by Phillip’s forward planning, in the payment of ransoms to the Moors to release said clergymen and nobles after the Battle of Alcazarquivir, and so ensuring their backing and political hospitality. Aides of Phillip were also sent into Portugal long before Henry’s death to pay necessary bribes to people of standing and influence who would go towards providing Phillip’s road to the throne. He had also made certain of the support of trading merchants who would benefit from increased trading opportunities from the Americas once Portugal’s empire had been assimilated into his own. These quick and pre-emptive decisions played a strong role in the eventual success of Phillip, as it was this decisiveness which would give him the edge over his rivals.His main challenger to the throne was Antonio, Prior of Crato, who was the illegitimate son of Cardinal Henry’s brother. Phillip had begun to gather an army, under the command of the Duke of Alba in the event that an invasion proved necessary, which it soon did. When Henry died, no decision had yet been made about his successor, so Phillip stepped in with force. He soon captured Lisbon and defeated Antonio’s less prepared army, who was then forced to flee to France. Portugal had become part of Phillip’s empire.Once he was ruler of Portugal he made every effort necessary to ensure that he retained the respect and support of his ...
