Prologue

Summary

Prince Fernando, the first-born son of King Pedro, began his reign after the latter's death; at that time he was twenty-two years, seven months and eighteen days old. He was a doughty, jovial and amorous young man, fond of women and greatly drawn to them. He was well-built, reasonably tall, of handsome appearance and so very good-looking that, when in the company of many other men, even if people did not know who he was, they would immediately judge him to be king over the others.

He created many noblemen and enjoyed their company. He was so affectionate towards all those who lived in his entourage that, when one of his squires died, he wept no less than if he were his own son. He was unable to believe anything ill that was said about anyone of whom he was fond but, rather, greatly cherished them and everything to do with them.

He was a great horseman and participant in tourneys, a keen jouster and hurler of his lance at targets. His arms were very powerful, and in this no man could exceed him. He cut deep when wielding a sword and handled his lance well when on horseback.

He loved justice, was obliging, generous and very liberal towards everyone, and gave a warm welcome to foreigners. He made many land grants to the nobles in his realm, very many more than any king who had preceded him. He loved his people and strove hard to govern them well. Everything that he commanded to be done, both in his own best interests and in order to defend the realm, was based on sound reasoning and was very justly ordained.

All this fell away when the war began, and when another new world came into being that was quite the opposite of the one that had preceded it, for long gone were the carefree years of his father's reign. Then came a huge sequence of sombre events, causing many to lament their wretched misfortune. If he had been content to live in peace, with his abundant revenue, and with the vast treasure bequeathed to him by his forebears, nobody in the whole world would have lived more happily nor passed his days more pleasurably. But that, perhaps, was not ordained from above.