Costa, Andrea Mendes Da

Chamberlain of Queen Catherine of Bragança, wife of Charles II. of England; flourished about 1665. His position at court was due to the influence of his brother, Antonio Mendes, who had cured Queen Catherine, while in Portugal, of erysipelas. The queen had persuaded Antonio and his brothers to accompany her to England, where they all became members of her household. After their arrival in London they openly proclaimed themselves Jews. Andrea Mendes, as well as his brothers, is said to have taken an active interest in the affairs of the Jews of London, and frequently influenced Charles II. on their behalf.

Bibliography:

  * J. Picciotto, Sketches of Anglo-Jewish History, p. 44;
  * Da Costa, Israel and the Gentiles, p. 455;
  * Lindo, Jews in Spain and Portugal, p. 350;
  * Jacobs and Wolf, Bibl. Anglo-Jud. p. 138.



J.M. Sel.