Chapter 8 - How the death of Count Juan Fernández was arranged, and how the Master left Lisbon with no intention of killing him

Summary

When we look up the accounts provided by those who have written books on these matters and who have drawn on the evidence provided by those who were present at the time, then, according to what most of those witnesses say, the Master, having agreed with Álvaro Pais to kill Count Juan Fernández, immediately communicated this secret to the Count of Barcelos, Dom João Afonso, as well as to Rui Pereira and others. They all assured him that they would be with him in readiness when once he chose to set his hand to the task.

While the queen was busy with the governance and provisioning of the realm, matters in which the Master was nevertheless constantly involved, he frequently made his way to the house of Álvaro Pais, sometimes accompanied by the count, sometimes on his own, in order to discuss bringing about the death of Count Juan Fernández. They particularly discussed how they could turn to the people to assist them in this matter. Álvaro Pais, who was very eager to see the deed carried out, assured him that in all certainty the people would help. It was not that he would reveal their secret intention to anybody, but rather that he believed it to be certain that the lack of goodwill felt by ordinary folk towards the queen and Count Juan Fernández would cause them to react against them, once they realised that the time and the place were appropriate.

They agreed that, in order to do things in the best way possible, as soon as the Master reached the palace and began to set his hand to the task, Gomes Freire, his page, mounted on his horse, would at once gallop through the city to the house of Álvaro Pais, yelling out at the top of his voice that people should go to the aid of the Master of Avis, because he was about to be killed.

Álvaro Pais would then rush forth with his men as if in a rescue party, calling out to any people he came across in the streets, who would willingly accompany him once they heard his appeals, and in that way the whole city would come together to help the Master.