Chapter 70 - How the Count of Mayorga sent a challenge to the Master, and how Nuno Álvares answered it

Summary

Among the great lords who accompanied the King of Castile was a certain Count of Mayorga, Don Pedro Álvarez de Lara, the bastard son of Don Juan Núñez de Lara. He was a great man-at-arms and a valiant knight of vast renown.

In this regard some writers say, when praising the feats of Nuno Álvares, that, when he was with the Master in Lisbon and heard about the count's repute and prowess, it occurred to him to challenge him to mortal combat, with thirty men against thirty. They say that he sought the Master's permission and that he explained why he was inclined to do this, adding that the Master consented. They further relate that Nuno Álvares sent a challenge to the count, which the count duly received, that the day and place were arranged, and that Nuno Álvares was in readiness. However, the Master later realising how their toils and troubles were ever increasing forbade Nuno Álvares to go ahead; for that reason he did not proceed with his challenge.

Nevertheless, another historian, whose account is in our view more reliable, narrates the story quite differently, and we think this version is more satisfactory. He tells us that a minstrel, Anequim by name, who had been a member of King Fernando's household and had stayed on in that of Queen Leonor, often visited the King of Castile's lodgings. This man was in the habit of addressing everybody he knew as ‘my dear friend’ and was addressed by them in the same way. As he customarily visited the houses of great lords, he announced one day that he wanted to go to Lisbon to see the Master of Avis and to entertain him. When the Count of Mayorga heard about this, he summoned him into his presence and said:

‘My dear friend, is it true, as they say, that you’re going to Lisbon?’

‘Yes’, he said, ‘I want to go there to see the Master.’