Chapter 106 - How Payo Rodríguez captured Gil Fernandes of Elvas

Summary

While these events were happening, the Master wrote from Lisbon, where he was at the time, to Gil Fernandes of Elvas, telling him to go and speak with Payo Rodríguez Mariño, the Governor of Campo Maior, to persuade him to declare loyalty to the Master, who would grant him many favours.

Gil Fernandes rode off at once, taking fifty men-at-arms with him, and went to Campo Maior. When outside the town next to a church that stands there, he sent a message, asking Payo Rodríguez to come forth from the castle and speak with him concerning things that were for his honour and advantage. Payo Rodríguez said that he would not come forth, but that Gil Fernandes should come to a place between the castle wall and the outer fortifications of the castle, and bring ten men-at-arms with him.

Gil Fernandes said that he was content at that, but on condition that on both sides there should be granted a guarantee of safe passage, so that each would be safe from the other. Payo Rodríguez said that he too was content, and thus it was confirmed and agreed between them. Then Gil Fernandes selected ten men-at-arms, and went to the outer wall of the castle where they were to speak, and found Payo Rodríguez already there. When they came to embrace each other, Payo Rodríguez threw his arm around the shoulder of Gil Fernandes, so as to hold him, and with the other hand he removed his sword, saying, ‘You’re under arrest.’

Gil Fernandes was shocked when he heard this and had no way to defend himself, for Payo Rodríguez had so many men, who were so stationed that his ten squires could not help him. Rather, making an effort to flee when they saw what was happening, five of them were taken captive: Gonçalo Casco, Martim Vasques and Gil Lourenço, who were Gil Fernandes's cousins, and two others. While these were being captured, the other five jumped over the outer wall and went to join those who had remained outside. All of them, shocked by such treachery, returned to Elvas.