119 - How King Fernando ordered the officers of the marches in the Alentejo to go and fight the Castilian Master of Santiago

Summary

King Fernando was in Santarém awaiting news when he was told that the Castilian Master of Santiago wanted to invade his kingdom, as you have heard, believing what everyone thought, namely that those great lords and soldiers who were along the frontiers would confront him. With regard to this, some say that, when Master Fernando Osórez, who was a very noble knight, was to make that incursion, he sent word to all those who were officers of the marches in that district to be prepared, because he wanted to enter the country on a certain day; and that they all gathered to discuss it, some saying they should challenge him in battle, whilst others agreed not to do so. At this point, he entered in the manner we have recounted.

When the king heard that the Master of Santiago had made an incursion and that his men were charging through the land plundering it, he was greatly aggrieved that they had been allowed to enter in that way, but he was confident that on the way back the Portuguese would attack them. When he found out that the master had returned safely with so much booty from his land, he was greatly perturbed and ordered all the great lords and knights who were on that frontier to join forces and go to Badajoz to fight Master Fernando Osórez. He also sent Gonçalo Vasques de Azevedo, his trusted counsellor, to go and accompany them in that task. Rumour had it that he was sending him as captain over all of them and that they should follow his orders; but this was gossip and untrue, because it was neither right nor appropriate that a man such as he, however good and great he might be, should be charged with the captaincy of such great lords and noblemen as were there. However, those who believed the rumour circulating on this matter got very angry. Nonetheless, on Sunday, 7 July, all the officers of the marches gathered together in Vila Viçosa, and Gonçalo Vasques de Azevedo with them. In all, there were some 1,000 worthy lances and many archers and foot soldiers.