In the first half of the 17th century, D. Antônio de Mariz, a Portuguese nobleman, carried out colonization in Brazil in the strictest spirit of obedience to his homeland. His stronghold, on the banks of the Pequequer, a tributary of the Paraíba River, is a shelter for illustrious Portuguese, in tune with the same patriotic and colonizing spirit, but initially welcomes, with naive cordiality, bands of mercenaries.