33 - Concerning the message which the King of Portugal sent to the King of Castile, and how he reached the field where his men drew up their battle formation

Summary

Similarly, despite what that squire had to say, so as to be more positively informed about the forces which the King of Castile had at his disposal, the king dispatched to his camp, with a message delivered by mouth, a squire named Gonçalo Eanes Peixoto, to whom the king gave orders that he should closely observe what troops there were, how well they were prepared and equipped, and how they were organised. The squire arrived at the enemy encampment and, having been ushered into the King of Castile's presence, he addressed him as follows:

Sire, the King of Portugal, my liege lord, sends me to say that you will be well aware that on a number of occasions you have invaded this realm, causing havoc and destruction and doing as much harm to it as you were able in your efforts to seize it for yourself, as though it were property that you had inherited, while knowing full well that you have no rightful claim whatsoever; moreover, that if you formerly had any such claim, you have totally forfeited it by infringing and breaking treaties. Now you have come again, to bring the realm more havoc and destruction, which is something that if you reflect on it carefully, you ought not to involve yourself. Accordingly, should it please you, in order not to lay waste the land nor to bring suffering to all the people who may perish in such an undertaking, the King of Portugal, in due protection of his honour, is willing to be your friend and enemy of your enemies. In addition, this he proposes not out of fear or apprehension of your army, but solely to avoid the spilling of so much blood on both sides as is about to be shed, of which he does not wish to be the cause. He therefore requests you in the name of Almighty God and of the martyr Saint George not to pursue any other approach to this matter.