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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 January 2024
As the king was in such a relaxed state, freed from matters of war, he thought to improve certain things that seemed to him worthy of amendment in his household and lands. He talked about it all to the constable, telling him the way in which he meant to have it done and how he wanted everything concerning the kingdom and the great expenditure of his household and that of the queen his wife to be decided and ruled by him and the members of the royal council. He especially spoke at length to him about the question of justice, which the circumstances of the recent war had caused to be more and more faulty and thrown into disarray, with men daring to commit much mischief and thinking that by serving in the war they would be pardoned, putting themselves under the protection of captains who obtained pardon for their crimes.
The king had this to say: ‘Although I know that it was wrong to do so, it suited me to grant pardons during that period in order to please the nobles who petitioned me. However, I believe justice to be one of the things which my soul is most obliged to maintain, as far as God and the world are concerned, for it is so highly commended to kings by God.’ Accordingly, he requested of the constable that, just as he had helped him and been his partner in winning the kingdom and had aided him in defending it, so might he now help him to govern it in good and righteous justice, by taking charge of judicial matters in the Alentejo and also in the kingdom of the Algarve. The king would not intervene in this; everything should be decided only through the constable's wise judgement and mature discretion in that region; thus he would bring the king pleasure, do him a service and be of great assistance in alleviating his conscience.
‘Sire’, said the count, ‘I understand well your desire, and may God be greatly praised for causing you to think in this way.
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