1645 Revolts against Dutch rule in Brazil and consequent breach with Holland.
1648 Benguela and Angola recovered from the Dutch.
1650 The revolted English fleet under Prince Rupert takes refuge in the Tagus. The Portuguese refuse to allow the parliamentary admiral Blake to enter the river. Blake attacks Portuguese merchantmen.
1652 Commercial treaty with England, greatly in the latter’s favour.
1654 The Dutch expelled from Brazil.
1656 João IV dies and is succeeded by his thirteen-year-old son Alfonso VI. Marshal Schomberg with a picked band of French officers comes to the assistance of Portugal.
1658 The Dutch take the last Portuguese stronghold in Ceylon.
1659 Menezes defeats the Spaniards at Elvas. In the treaty of the Pyrenees, France promises Spain to abandon Portugal.
1661 Spaniards invade Portugal.