Chapter 89 - Concerning the instructions which the Master gave to Nuno Álvares, and how he took his leave

Summary

Great affection and goodwill had grown up between Nuno Álvares and the Master ever since he first arrived and began to serve the Master. This was, according to what a number of authors have written, because both of them were men of great courage and led virtuous lives. Furthermore, since there is nothing which produces a greater bond between men than sharing the same noble objectives, the Master was reluctant to let Nuno Álvares take his leave of him in Lisbon when setting out from the city. Rather, when Nuno Álvares made his way via Almada and then on to Coina, which lies 3 leagues further on, the Master arrived aboard a galley and ate that day with him.

After they had eaten, the Master made for a spacious area nearby, taking with him Nuno Álvares and all his company. When they were all assembled, the Master addressed Nuno Álvares in such a way that many of those present heard what he had to say, as follows: ‘Nuno Álvares, you know well the messages which have reached me from the Alentejo concerning those great lords and forces from Castile which are invading that region to wreak havoc there; you also know that the towns and villages which have declared for me have written pleading with me to send them a captain with whom they could join, in order to prevent the Castilians from wreaking any more havoc than what they have begun to do. Since I love and trust you, and because you are valiant and suited for this task, I have chosen you from among all the others, in order to send you to that region. As your companions I have given you these brave troops which are here present, for they are true Portuguese, and some of them are from my own household. It is my firm belief that, in whatever you happen to set your hand to, they will loyally follow you and will help to fulfil everything which is in my interests and to your greater honour. That is what I beg and order them to do, urging them to obey you and carry out your commands in everything you say, just as they would for me. I shall deem it a great service to me and, for acting in that way, I shall confer on them great favours.’