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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 December 2023
With no hope on the horizon and ill fortune having prevented the arrival of the human assistance that the Master sought from those places and people able to supply it, as you have heard, and since he did not value any agreement that the King of Castile might offer him, he took the resolute decision never to consent to any terms of agreement that might be offered to him. Rather, he would either put the realm and his honour, life and status in the hands of destiny, or he would work for its defence in such a way that it would never be subjugated by Castile.
Seeing that the provisions were exhausted, and likewise the other things that have been mentioned, as well as others that you will hear of in greater detail later on, he resolved to do something that would not befit any but a great and strong heart: before the famine became more acute, and other things might come to pass, they should all assemble and go to do battle with the King of Castile. If the king were defeated by them, as they trusted in God he would be, they would win such great honour as had not been heard of for many years. If matters turned out differently, which was possible, they would die valiantly and honourably, rather than be subjugated by one who had no right over them. Although they beheld the numerous cavalry of their adversaries, and many and notable dangers facing them in such an attempt, they agreed nevertheless that the last resort in this situation was to do battle with the King of Castile, accepting whatever fortune God wished to give them, hoping that it would be good. Regarding the battle, however, they argued in various ways.
Some said that Nuno Álvares should come from the Alentejo with his men, and they should all go out together to do battle with the king. But that was difficult to do because there were no means by which they could cross the river [Tagus] in secret other than in a few small boats, which could not hold very many men at one time. Even if there had been enough boats in which to cross, it would be with great fear and in great peril, because of the Castilian fleet, which controlled the river.
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