Three Royal Charters by D. João III, King of Portugal Set of three royal letters addressed to D. Gil Eanes da Costa, Ambassador at the Court of Emperor Charles V (and eldest son of the Armador-Mor of Portugal, D. Álvaro da Costa), on various subjects, some secretly alluded. Referring to the loan of 300.000 cruzados (ancient Portuguese currency) made by D. João III to Charles V, the inadequate income of towns and places given in dowry to Princess D. Maria Manuela of Portugal (bride of Philip II), the periplus of the Emperor across Northern Europe during the conflict with the protestants, the Portuguese trade with the vassals of Francis I of France and the need "letters of marque" in France for the sake of the Portuguese maritime trade. The first document with central bookworm cut, undermining a word; three of them with slight handling and some irregularities but all fully readable. Autograph signatures: Rey (King). Documents dated from Almeirim, January 31, and Évora, July 5 and December 3, 1544