98 - Concerning the abilities and character of Prince João of Portugal

Summary

As we have ended the story of King Fernando's negotiations with King Enrique and also with the King of Aragon, and since we cannot find anything else necessary to chronicle, it is fitting to say something about other subjects related to our tale, as promised in the chronicle of the reign of King Pedro, where we said that we would speak of Princes João and Dinis when it was appropriate to analyse their deeds. In order to be brief, we will leave out Prince Dinis completely, as he is already in Castile, and speak of the reason why Prince João afterwards left Portugal and also went to Castile. Before we refer to this, may your ears not be annoyed by hearing a brief account of a few of his habits and abilities, if only to honour his person.

This Prince João was a very well-proportioned man in both body and looks, well-made in appearance and features and possessing very good abilities, very measured and courtly. He was hospitable towards many nobles of the kingdom and foreigners, and very generous in offering wealth to whosoever came asking, giving them horses and mules, weapons and clothing, cash, birds for hunting, alaunts and whatever else it was in his power to give. He was a very great friend of his brother Dom João, the Master of the Order of Avis: as King Pedro had ordered them always to accompany each other when they were at Court, thus they were never apart when hunting, eating and sleeping, and in all the conversations held by those who love one another well. They were so close that, one time, when Prince João had been appointed with his brother the Master of Avis to be in charge of the távola at a great joust held by King Fernando, during a feast organized by the Count of Viana, the son of the old count, the prince came to his assistance even though he lay very ill in Évora after a great accident that he had had. A fight broke out at the jousting between Vasco Porcalho, the grand commander of the Order of Avis, and Fernando Álvares de Queirós, who was on the counts’ side.