Chapter 164 - How the Master went to take Sintra and could not get there because there was too much rain

Summary

In so far as we were able, in these more recent times, we have set down the names of a number of places that declared for Portugal and also those of certain people who helped in its defence, not because of some spiritual benefit that might accrue to the dead from such remembrance, but to provide an opportunity for those who hear this to follow the good and honourable deeds through which those of their lineage won great and noteworthy fame. That is because there are no surer nor better lessons to be had regarding deeds of chivalry than for men to consider the works through which former people excelled or had some setback, whereas if men ignore them they will be nearly blind as to how to act in the future. Therefore, without prolonging this explanation even further, you should briefly know that, with certain nobles and citizens from among those whom we have named, plus another group of worthy people, the Master began his great military campaigns.

The first thing that he strove to do after the King of Castile raised the siege was to capture the places around the city [of Lisbon] that had declared for Castile. He held talks with a number of people from Sintra – where Count Enrique Manuel was stationed as Lord of the Marches – some 5 leagues from Lisbon, asking them to give him the castle of that place, a great fortress on a high craggy mountain with a town at its foot without any circuit of walls to defend it. On Monday, 24 October, which was the day arranged between them, a little later than the hour of vespers, the Master ordered those few horsemen that he had and other armed men and foot soldiers to sally forth from the city to a square nearby that is called Santa Bárbara, indicating that he wanted to muster the troops.

After they had all assembled, the Master took aside some nobles such as Count Gonçalo and Archbishop Lourenço and as many other troops whom it pleased him to take; the others returned to the city. The Master left this place with them, none knowing where they were going save those with whom he had spoken. The majority went on foot, owing to the lack of mounts, which was a result of the siege they had been placed under.