104 - How Prince João was pardoned and how he came to see the king and queen

Summary

This occurrence became known across the kingdom, and the death [of Dona Maria] caused grief to many people, especially when it became known how it happened without any fault on her part. When the queen heard about it, she made out that it pained her greatly, putting on mourning. However, she told the king that he should not concern himself with it or suffer grief from it as such things happen in this world. After things had cooled down, while the prince was wandering in Beira along the River Coa near the borders, he made it known to the king and queen that it did not suit him to live in their land without their favour and against their will. If it did not please them to pardon him and his men, he would make arrangements to go and seek his fortune in another kingdom where he could live without fear of anyone.

There was no lack of ambassadors coming and going in these negotiations: sometimes they brought good news, sometimes sad news, saying that the Master of the Order of Christ, Count João Afonso, Dom Gonçalo and the Count of Viana, all cousins, were banding together to seek out him and his men. Thus the prince and his men feared everybody, whichever side they turned to, except Count Álvaro Pérez, the prince's uncle, who negotiated with the old count for the prince's pardon. Through them and through the Prior of the Hospitallers, Dom Álvaro Gonçalves, and Dom Aires Gomes da Silva, of whom the king was fond, and through the queen, whose voice counted most of all, the prince and all who were with him were pardoned.

Having seen the letters of pardon sent to him by the king and queen, the prince left in safety for the Court and arrived in Santarém with 150 mounted men. From there, he sent to ask the king, who was 4 leagues away at Salvaterra de Magos, if he agreed that he should go and see him with all those who were accompanying him, or with no more than a few of his men. The king sent a message to tell him that it would please him, and that he should come with as many as he had with him and more if he wished to bring more.