113 - How the king passed through Ciudad Rodrigo and arrived in Portugal

Summary

As the king was travelling with his army along that road to Ciudad Rodrigo, Prince João, Martim Eanes the Master of Alcántara, García González de Grijalba and other captains, both Castilian and French, of those who were stationed along the border, with probably about 4,000 lances, heard the news that many of those in the camp were ill. They gathered together with their men, and all advanced by night along various roads towards Ciudad Rodrigo with the intention of doing battle with the king.

When morning had come and they were all outside the town, they alighted and remained on foot at some distance from the town, about two crossbow shots away, waiting for the army, which was approaching a good league away. The constable was advancing with the vanguard and the wings, all in proper battle order. The Castilians, seeing them approach in this manner, believed that there were no more of them, because the rearguard was not yet in sight, and resolved to do battle with them.

The count had to cross a narrow bridge over a small river that flowed through there; this was already guarded by the enemy, both men-at-arms as well as foot soldiers and crossbowmen, so as to prevent the crossing. Martim Gonçalves, the Grand Commander in the Order of Christ, with the men of the Master [of the Order], their tall plumes serving as a banner, along with others, reached that spot and, all on foot, forced the enemies to abandon the crossing against their will. The count crossed the little river, and took up battle formation, because he did not know what the Castilians meant to do. At this point the king came into view with the rearguard and was seen by the enemy. Then they said to each other, ‘There are more men than we thought. It is not wise for us to contend with them.’ García González said to Prince João at this point that it would be better for them to take refuge in the city, since their enemies were so numerous. The prince responded, ‘Set your feet firmly in the stirrups if they are not firm enough, for to me it still seems too soon for us to turn back.