Chapter 191 - How all the noblemen and the people agreed to raise the Master of Avis to [the rank of] king

Summary

Having thus shown clearly how these matters developed concerning this great and weighty question, an issue which threw numerous people into doubt, everyone was very surprised at hearing things that they had known nothing about. Consequently, many who were inclined to believe this [the legal evidence against the marriage] had their previous suspicions confirmed and those who were totally against this conviction now held a new and rational belief, having all their doubts dismissed, such as Martim Vasques da Cunha and all who were of his party. Having then put forward many arguments which we shall leave aside for the sake of brevity, and since the cause of contention had been removed as a consequence of sufficiently clear evidence, they arrived, through meek and peaceful concord, at an honourable and definitive decision, namely, that they should elect their king.

The good doctor said:

Now, my lords, since what you were so uncertain about has now been made clear, and it has pleased God that you should know that the throne of these realms is totally vacant and placed at our disposal for us to elect someone who will defend and rule them, let us not trouble ourselves any further with old tales that we might appropriate for our own ends. Moreover, since these kingdoms have always been defended and held by a king, and since we cannot do so by ourselves in an adequate manner, as demanded by our present necessity, in such circumstances we need to elect a king who will carry out all that behoves him, so that we do not fall into the subjection of our schismatic enemies, who do all they can to prejudice and ruin not only us but also the Holy Church and our lord the Pope, whose main enemies they are. As the person who is to be elected is of no less consideration than the benefit for the realm that will ensue, let us first examine the conditions that are required of him; if we find them in the one we are to elect, our election will be prudent and in no way reprehensible.