Case file · Folklore / legend
The 'King of Ericeira'
In 1585 a hermit, Mateus Álvares, claimed at Ericeira to be King Sebastian, who had vanished at the Battle of Alcácer Quibir in 1578; he gathered followers before being executed.
1585 CE · 38.96, -9.42 · status: hoax
The account
King Sebastian's disappearance produced a messianic belief, Sebastianism, that the 'Hidden King' would return out of the fog. Several impostors followed.