Chapter 110 - How the Master ordered several galleys to be fitted out in Lisbon

Summary

The Master and those of his council realised how the King of Castile was coming with all his forces, and were aware of the great fleet of naos and galleys that he had ordered to be fitted out to descend upon Lisbon, in order to blockade its port so that it could not be relieved by supplies from anywhere. For these reasons they agreed to fit out the naos and galleys that there were in the city, so that they would be ready. If a small number of ships should come in the meanwhile, they could prevent their arrival, and obtain supplies from the Alentejo without hindrance, both to supply the city, and to protect those who came from that direction to aid in its defence. When once they learned that the Castilian fleet was coming in full force, the naos and galleys would go to Oporto and join up with the others that were already there. Then they would all come together to do battle with the Castilian fleet.

The responsibility for fitting out the galleys was given to Dom Lourenço, who was at that time the Archbishop of Braga, and who accepted it very willingly. He began at once to order the vessels to be put in the cradles and launched. He applied so much effort and so many people to this task, that most of the galleys were launched by hand, without a capstan. He rode through the city on a horse, wearing two coats of mail and his rochet over them, and a lance in his hand, with the blade always pointing forward.

Even though the men of the city volunteered with goodwill for that work, he still urged them on, not sparing anyone, regardless of his status; thus no priest or friar was left out, nor any other person, but all were obliged to show up there. If anyone said he was a priest, the archbishop responded that he was just as much of a priest; if anyone said he was a friar, he would say, ‘And I am an archbishop, which is better than a friar.’ He made such haste in fitting out the galleys, that in a few days twelve were ready for battle; in addition, another galley and a galliot came in from the Algarve.