Arrival in Lisbon and First Encounters
This chapter discusses the first several weeks of the Vietnamese delegations time in Lisbon. It describes their use of deliberately exotic gowns to attract the attention of the court and the ruler, a strategy that proves very effective. The chapter describes the deliberations about where to house the men, and the final decision to place them in the Necessidades Convent of the Oratorian congregation. The chapter then briefly gives a background on the Oratorians as well as the status of Catholicism in late eighteenth-century Portugal. It then introduces the Portuguese royal family, Binh’s potential patrons, and in particular the ruler, Dom João. It points out the numerous weaknesses of the Portuguese court and its ruler, crippled by an indecisive personality, and a precarious political position cause by his serving as regent to the Queen, who recently plunged into madness. Her insanity had been caused by the sudden death of her eldest son, which had thrust the unprepared Dom João into the position of crown prince. It concludes by discussing the first formal audience given to the Vietnamese delegation, when the met the prince and his wife at his Queluz palace, presented their gifts, and briefly described the nature of their mission.