Antão de Almada, 7th Count of Avranches


Antão Vaz de Almada is a Portuguese national hero due to his involvement in the Restoration of Independence in 1640, as one of the Forty Conspirators. During the coup d'état, he was responsible for the arrest of the Duchess of Mantua, then the Vicereine of Portugal.
In 1641-42, he was sent as ambassador to England to secure the recognition of Portugal's independence abroad.
Antão de Almada was the 7th holder of the title of Count of Avranches by virtue of inheritance under the salic law, even though he did not make use of it.