8 - Concerning the towns and villages which surrendered to the constable without resistance and of their own accord

Summary

Three days after the constable had captured Viana and, having requested the inhabitants of the town to remain both resolute and calm in the service of their liege lord the king and to install magistrates and officials in his name, he then decided straightaway to head into Galicia, which was Castilian territory. He made for Santiago, just as he had intended. While he was on his way there, the leading citizens of Vila Nova de Cerveira, 4 leagues away, and of Caminha, well aware that, despite their strength, he had taken Viana and the castle of Neiva by force, and fearful lest he should now attack them in turn, sent him a message, pleading with him not to do so; rather, they begged him to send men to receive control of their townships, for they would hand them over at once. They said they were Portuguese and wished to continue to be Portuguese and to serve both the king and his kingdom. The count was delighted at this and gave deep thanks to Almighty God for directing his achievements so well. He sent them elements of his forces to receive control of these townships and to install a guard there, as befitted the king's service.

Heading onwards, he reached the River Minho. As he could not cross the river, he lodged in a good village nearby. There he received a message from Monção, which had also declared for Castile, in which he was informed by its inhabitants that they had been told he was intending to attack the township; they begged him not to go there, for they were true Portuguese and wished to continue to be Portuguese. They urged him to send men to receive the township on behalf of the king, for they would willingly and immediately hand it over to them. He therefore sent men to receive the township, which was duly handed over, and a guard was installed as appropriate for its safety.

Let the count remain in the aforementioned village, keenly seeking how to ford the river, and let us go and fetch the king in Coimbra and bring him to Oporto.