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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 December 2023
Before leaving that area, Nuno Álvares at once appointed his officers. One squire, Diogo Gil by name, he installed as his standard bearer; he also appointed a bailiff, a magistrate, a jailer and a treasurer to receive monies from the Master's treasurer. He made arrangements for his chapel and appointed a preacher. He attended Mass twice a day, something which no king or great lord was previously in the habit of doing.
Nuno Álvares then left with his troops and made his way to Montemor-o-Novo, where he halted for one day, because the honourable citizens of the town were not yet wholly committed to the Master's service. He spoke to them, advancing many arguments on the Master's behalf, with the result that they were happy in their resolve to declare their allegiance to him.
Next day, Nuno Álvares left Montemor and made for Évora, where he was well received and highly honoured. He discussed with the townsfolk what was needed for the town's protection and for the defence of the realm, at which they were very pleased, owing to his gracious words and warm approach to them; they were all happy to obey him, as though he had been their liege lord for a long time. From Évora he at once sent out letters to all the towns and villages in that area, summoning their people, with weapons at the ready, as behoved them, but without declaring to them what he wanted to do.
Despite the fact that he wrote to them that they should come to him with all due haste in the service of his lord the Master, there appeared only 30 lances, which with his own 200 lances, made a total of 230. As for foot soldiers and crossbowmen, his total force came to 1,000. With these forces he immediately left Évora and made his way to Estremoz. There he received definite news that those great lords from Castile, along with their forces, were all assembled in the town of Crato, which had declared for Castile, and were heading to lay siege to Fronteira. There were great numbers of them, and they were well equipped.
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