101 - How the queen spoke of the matter to Count João Afonso and concerning the conversations that the count had with Prince João

Summary

This event remained highly confidential, but as is often the case over time when a secret goes beyond two people, it was inevitable that gossip and rumour would rise up about the prince sleeping with Dona Maria and about her being his acknowledged wife. Rumours spread so much from person to person that the king and queen came to learn of it. It displeased both of them very much, especially the queen who said that she would rather see her sister marry a simple knight than the prince. The king said that since they were both happy it should not trouble her as it weighed little on him. The reason why the queen was very displeased by this was the extent to which she saw her sister admired by all and Prince João as much loved by the people and the nobles as the king. She thought that it could so happen that Prince João would come to reign and her sister would be queen, she herself losing her power and throne, particularly as the king was not well and more likely to last a short time than live a long life. For these and other reasons, seeing her sister's status likely to rise high, the queen could not avoid the poison of envy. She started to show her sister less favour than usual, nor was the king as generous to the prince as had been his previous custom. Not only did this affect them, but the king and queen also showed a less fair countenance to the Master of Avis, the prince's brother, owing to the great love and affection they saw he had for Prince João.

This situation lasted for some time, and the queen did not forget the matter of her sister and the prince, always thinking about how such a marriage could lead to the undoing of her honour and estate. In order to avoid this at all costs, the queen planned to make the prince understand that it would please her to see him married to her daughter, Princess Beatriz. She spoke of her concern to her brother Dom João Afonso Telo, who was very obedient to her because of the great favours he often received from her, so that he would ensure that the prince had some awareness of this.