They Went to Portugal

They Went to Portugal by Rose Macaulay presents a captivating journey through the experiences of British travellers in Portugal over the centuries. The narrative starts with Henry Fielding, who sailed to Portugal with his household in search of a cure for dropsy, jaundice, and asthma. Meanwhile, fellow novelist William Beckford was lured by the promise of orange-scented and wine-soaked afternoons, and Byron was famously incensed when the locals failed to greet his arrival with the expected level of fanfare.

Novelist Rose Macaulay first travelled to Lisbon in March 1943 to escape the misery of London and the loss of her bombed flat. She delved into letters, diaries, and travelogues to compile the reactions of many British travellers who had come before her, weaving these narratives into a rich tapestry. They Went to Portugal spans the ages, bringing to life voices from pirate crusaders to ambassadors, clergymen of all denominations to port-wine trading pioneers, and aesthetes to the Romantics.