Francisco de Mascarenhas

Who is Francisco de Mascarenhas?

Francisco de Mascarenhas was the 1st count of Vila da Horta, the 1st count of Santa Cruz and the 13th vice-regent of Portuguese controlled India from 1581 until 1584, captain of donatary of the islands of Flores and Corvo.

The Count of Vila da Horta was a title created by Philip I of Portugal in 1585 in favor of Francisco. The first count was lost the captaincy of the island of Fail and demanded with the Royal Family, Philip I substituted the title with the count of Santa Cruz conceded the title as a captaincy of donatary in the islands of Corvo and Flores.

Count of Santa Cruz was a Portuguese title of nobility created by a royal decree of King Philip I of Portugal, dated from October 3, 1593, and granted to Francisco de Mascarenhas, nephew of Dom Pedro de Mascarenhas, 6th Viceroy of Portuguese India.

Through a remarkable marriage policy, this family inherited several other titles and estates, such as Marquis of Gouveia in 1686, and Duke of Aveiro in 1745.