English: Luís Monteiro Coutinho battling an Acehnese Captain, severing the trunk of his elephant. Description of the source:
Original autograph manuscript, dedicated to D. Aleixo de Meneses (1559-1617), Archbishop of Goa, and Viceroy of Portugal.
A historical-biographical work, it describes the main episodes in the life of Luís Monteiro Coutinho, and the events that led to his death in 1588, by order of the king of Acem; it reveals concerns in terms of historical accuracy, evident in the detailed descriptions of the places and fortresses where the events took place, as well as transcripts of official documents regarding the biographed person.
It contains seven watercolor drawings, successively representing the martyrdom of Luís M. Coutinho's companions, the naval battle in front of the fortress of Malacca, scenes of the fight between Monteiro Coutinho and Captain Achém, the shipwreck of M. Coutinho off the fortress of Solor, the martyrdom of Monteiro Coutinho, the squadron of Matias de Albuquerque, the captain of Malaca and Ormuz, and Monteiro Coutinho's battery firing against the "castle of the renegades".
The protagonist, Luís M. Coutinho (1527-1588), embarked for India, to serve in various military campaigns and expeditions; he visited Akbar's court and in 1576 traveled to Malacca, having been appointed Captain General of the Sea of Malacca; after having participated in several disputes with the achéns (indigenous people of achém, a kingdom located in the northwest end of Sumatra), he was assassinated with a cannon shot for refusing to deny the christian faith. His companions were martyred (March 24, 1588).