Chapter 16 - How the queen left Lisbon for Alenquer, and concerning the manner of her departure

Summary

Owing to the discord stirred up among the people, as we have mentioned, and to the efforts of those who supported it to promote their point of view, the queen was plunged into deep reflections mixed with an element of fear. Not only was she unsure of how the Master wished to proceed in her regard, but also she feared the city dwellers, both men and women, who, as she knew, spoke against her very harshly. For these reasons she was uncertain of the best way in which to preserve her life and honour. Having considered many different possibilities she concluded that the best solution for the time being was to leave the city for somewhere safer. She then decided to make for a town of hers called Alenquer, some 8 leagues distant from Lisbon.

She left mid-morning, accompanied by all the ladies and damsels of her household and by all her supporters, namely: Count João Afonso, her brother; the Master of Santiago, Dom Fernando Afonso; the Admiral Master Lançarote; Gonçalo Mendes de Vasconcelos, the queen's uncle; Martim Gonçalves de Ataíde; Pedro Lourenço de Távora; João Afonso Pimentel; Vasco Peres de Camões; Aires Vasques de Alvalade; João Gonçalves [Teixeira], commander-in-chief of the crossbowmen; and Lourenço Eanes Fogaça. She was also accompanied by all King Fernando's ministers, such as Álvaro Gonçalves, the comptroller of finances, Gil Eanes, the chief justice, and many other criados of the queen and of King Fernando.

As for Dom Yehuda, the king's former chief treasurer and comptroller of finances, who was afraid of the people owing to the huge grievances which he had caused them when he had occupied those offices, he dared not venture out in public quite as other people would. He put an arming cap on his head and took hold of a lance, as if he were a page, so as not to be recognised.

Basquin [de Sola] and Martin-Paul, two Gascons who had remained from King Fernando's day, brought up the rear, along with a number of lances, to protect the mules, for fear that the people of Lisbon would be on their heels.