Jose de Mascarendas was the Duke of Aveiro 1708-1759, and was executed by the Marquis_of_Pombal under orders of Joseph_I_of_Portugal. At least 5 of his in-laws were also tortured and executed as what is now known as the Tavora_affair. The King was returning from an affair with Luis Bernardo de Tavora's wife, Teresa Leonor and was ambushed and shot in the arm but survived. The Marquis of Pombal, or Marquês de Pombal, (13 May 1699 - 15 May 1782) was a Portuguese politician and statesman, prime minister of king Joseph I of Portugal throughout his reign. ... Joseph I (Portuguese José), the Reformer (Port. ... The Tavora affair was a political scandal of the 18th century Portuguese court. ... A pistol or handgun is a usually small, projectile weapon, normally fired with one hand. ...