António José de Sousa Manuel de Meneses Severim de Noronha was born in Lisbon, on 18 March 1792, first son of António de Sousa Manuel de Meneses Severim de Noronha, 6th Count of Vila Flor, and Maria José de Mendonça, 6th daughter of the Count of Vale de Reis. Born into a noble family, he was automatically hereditary heir to historic possessions and properties of one of the oldest and wealthiest families in Portugal.
He was just two years old, when in 1795, his father died, leaving him the title of Count of Vila Flor servant to the Queen, thus inheriting an immense fortune, that included real estate and a personal income. Among others, he inherited the commendations to Santa Maria de Pereira, São Pedro de Calvelo, São Tiago de Cassourado, São Vicente de Figueira and de São Geris de Arganil, as well as various annuities (such as 200$000–500$000 réis in his post as fishing sheriff of Lisbon). Similarly, he became patron of the Convent of the Order of Capuchin Friars Minor of Nossa Senhora dos Anjos, in Sobralinho, the chapel of Nossa Senhora do Pópulo (within the Convent of Boa Viagem), the hermitage of Nossa Senhora da Conceição do Portal, in the town of Alhandra, and the administration of various morgadios (that included two estates in Alverca do Ribatejo, the Lezíria da Corte da Vila and Casal de Borges, in Azambuja, the Herdade da Aravia, in Avis, and the houses of São João da Praça and morgado of Braço de Prata, in Lisbon.
Destined to a life at Court, he was instructed in the typical teachings bestowed on children of the Portuguese high nobility for the period, that included military arts and political life. In this context, in 1797, with less than four years of age, he received a commendation in the Military Order of Christ. Later, at the age of 12, he would profess religious orders (as a friar in the Order) at the Convent of Nossa Senhora da Luz.
Meanwhile, on 10 February 1802, the nine-year-old António José, had joined the 4th Regimental Cavalry as a cadet, to which he would be promoted to ensign by 24 June 1807. It was in this commission that Noronha was assigned, when on 20 November 1807, French troops invaded, under the command of Jean-Andoche Junot to begin the Peninsular War. Not prepared to submit to the French, he resigned his commission in the army, accepted by D. Pedro de Almeida Portugal, 3rd Marquis of Alorna, then commander of Portuguese forces.
Peninsular War
With expulsion of French forces, the Count of Vila Flor returned to the army, in the same position he held until his departure. On 6 December 1809, he was promoted to lieutenant, later to captain of the 5th company of the 4th Regimental Cavalry. During this period, that corresponded the later invasions of the Peninsular War, he actively participated the campaign.
On 5 August 1811 he married his cousin, Maria José do Livramento e Melo, daughter of the Marquess of Sabugosa, strengthening his alliance with the principal families of the high nobility. From this marriage, he had a son, who would become the 7th Count of Vila Flor (but who died at 15 months).
He began to serve as adjutant under General António José de Miranda Henriques, 1st Viscount of Sousel, and after 26 March 1813, Marshal William Carr Beresford, then supreme commander of the Portuguese Army. He was, therefore, promoted to Major, and distinguished himself during the Peninsular campaigns, and in particular the battle of Vitória, of which he was honored to be sent as dispatch to London, to announce its victory. He was highly praised by General Arthur Wellesley, later Duke of Wellington, in a letter written to the future king John VI, then prince regent, when the General recounted the triumph. Arriving as the messenger of the Portuguese victory, he was enthusiastically greeted and lauded, but immediately promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel (August 1813). Returning to Portugal, after the Peninsular War (he was 22), he was promoted to Colonel and in December 1815, decorated Knight of the Order of the Tower and Sword, for his valor during the campaigns.
Liberal Wars
He held the island of Terceira, in the Azores, for the rightful Queen Maria II of Portugal, when her uncle Miguel of Portugal usurped the Portuguese throne in 1828.
He was the leader of the army of Pedro IV of Portugal, former Emperor of Brazil and King of Portugal, father of Queen Maria II, in his attempt to defeat the usurper, and with him endured the siege of Oporto, 1832–1833. After the Battle of Ponte Ferreira on 23 July 1832, he offered to resign his command but was confirmed and created Duke of Terceira.
In July 1833, having been transported with half his army to the Algarve by Admiral Charles Napier, he was victorious at the Battle of Almada which caused the Miguelites to abandon Lisbon, and with the Duke of Saldanha was in charge of the concluding campaign against Miguel's forces, and dealt them their final defeat at the Battle of Asseiceira.
