Chapter 182 - Concerning the talks that took place before the Cortes started, and the names of some of those who were present

Summary

When those prelates and noblemen who intended to defend Portugal had gathered there, together with a number of proctors from certain towns and cities throughout the realm, they began to speak to one another, knights and squires as well as other ordinary folk, both in public and in private, about the governance of the land and who should rule.

Those who were in favour of Prince João, who was being held prisoner in Castile, formed a faction on his behalf; and, having no doubt with regard to that, were ready to give him the kingdom through direct line of succession and with immediate effect, saying that he alone and no other man should reign; and that the Master should rule and govern the realm until the prince was freed and released, or something else should happen to him. If he were to die, then either his brother Prince Dinis, or the Master, or whoever was deemed to be the most appropriate person to rule for the benefit of the realm, was to reign. But, they said, electing another king, seeing the juncture at which they were, was a very wrong thing to do, and it was not to be accepted. This party had the support of certain noblemen who declared themselves openly and others privately, especially Martim Vasques da Cunha and his brothers and some of their followers.

The greatest number of the other noblemen and common people were completely against this intent and gave many reasons why it should not be so. They said that one of the princes was imprisoned and would never be released. Besides, he had come to make war against the kingdom. The other had done the very same thing at the time of King Enrique. Therefore, it behoved them to elect such a man as would rule the kingdom and dedicate himself to it, and they should not think of any other heirs there might be. They spoke about this matter so often, putting forward their conflicting opinions and sometimes using such harsh words, that it was soon well known to all which noblemen were opposed to the Master becoming king and which defended his party, so that they were ranged in two opposing parties, of which the Master had already been notified.