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93 - Concerning the agreements which the king and the duke negotiated together
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 January 2024
Summary
Some writers have offered differing accounts of the alliances and agreements which the king and the duke negotiated, but the truth, which admits of no error, assures us that they were as follows:
The king and the duke, together with the prelates and barons who were privy to their council, having discussed matters at length, joined in decreeing that, for the good and honour of their people and the well-being of their kingdoms, both of them and their successors and the people subject to them would be good and loyal friends, without malice or deceit. They also decreed that this alliance and friendship would be formed and confirmed in such a way that they would mutually assist one another, as would their heirs, against any people who sought to conquer their kingdoms, or any part thereof, and would do so as promptly and swiftly as they could.
The King of Portugal would be bound to aid the duke in the war of conquest for which he had come, manifestly making war against the usurper of Castile, and would openly proclaim his campaign against both him and his followers; under no circumstances would he cease to do so, nor would he make peace or reach a truce with him. This commitment would continue for as long as the duke or his successors were to remain in the land, in order to strive for and bring about its conquest.
Likewise, it was agreed that the aforesaid lord duke and his heirs would openly make war on behalf of the aforesaid King João or his descendants against any people seeking to seize and occupy the kingdoms of Portugal.
Furthermore, they decreed and set down in writing that the King of Portugal in person, with an army of 2,000 lances, 1,000 crossbowmen and 2,000 foot soldiers, would assist the duke against the usurper of the said kingdoms and against any of his supporters. This assistance which the King of Portugal undertook to provide would be entirely at his own expense, and it is incorrect to say that the duke would have to pay wages or anything else to the king and his soldiers, as some writers have erroneously alleged.
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- Information
- The Chronicles of Fernão LopesVolume 4. The Chronicle of King João i of Portugal, Part II, pp. 222 - 224Publisher: Boydell & BrewerPrint publication year: 2023