Constantino de Sá de Noronha

Constantino de Sá de Noronha was the 6th and 8th Governor of Portuguese Ceylon. De Noronha was first appointed in 1618 under Philip II of Portugal, he was Governor until 1622 and then in 1623 until 1630. He was killed during the Battle of Randeniwela in a last stand after refusing to abandon his troops.[1] Several accounts, though varying in accuracy, describe the moment of his death in detail.

Constantino de Sá de Noronha
6th & 8th Governor of Portuguese Ceylon
In office 1618–1622
Monarch	Philip II of Portugal Philip III of Portugal
Preceded by	Nuno Álvares Pereira
Succeeded by	Jorge de Albuquerque
In office 1623–1630
Monarch	Philip III of Portugal
Preceded by	Jorge de Albuquerque
Succeeded by	Filipe Mascarenhas

The Journal of Robert Knox (1681);

"The General, seeing that defeat, and himself like to be taken, called his black boy (slave) to give him water to drink, and snatching the knife that stuck by his boy’s side, stabbed himself with it" [2]

The Journal [3] of João Ribeyro (1681);

"The General, having done his duty as a chieftain and a soldier, threw himself in the midst of the enemy and cut down all who were bold enough to remain near him, till pierced with balls and arrows he fell dead on a heap of enemies whom he had slain."

He was succeeded by Jorge de Albuquerque and Filipe Mascarenhas respectively.[4]

References

1. Rasin Deviyo Archived 2015-12-22 at the Wayback Machine - Chandra Tilake Edirisuriya (Ceylon Today) Accessed 2015-12-13
2. Knox, Robert (1672). "An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies". An Historical Relation of the Island Ceylon in the East Indies. I: 359 – via Google Books.
3. Ribeyro, João (1681). "History of Ceylon". History of Ceylon. I: 109 – via Archive.org.
4. Cahoon, Ben. "Governors". Sri Lanka. Worldstatesmen. Retrieved 14 July 2012.