This noble king was eager to hold that meeting, there to decide what we have expounded; but having been ill for some days, he was overtaken by death, which took him away before fulfilling his intention. He left a son of very tender age, Prince Juan, who is now reigning. The prince's mother kept him in her charge, lest he be brought up by anyone else but her, as had been stipulated in the will which had been agreed. Ruling the kingdom on his behalf were this Queen Catalina and his uncle, Prince Fernando, the brother of the previous King Enrique, as the young king's tutors and guardians, which indeed they were.

The queen and this prince had charge of everyone, as was fitting, and realised that the young king was bound by his father's promises, one of which was that the peace process should be discussed once the handovers had been made. To fulfil that commitment, they made it known to the King of Portugal when and where these discussions were to occur. They agreed that they should take place between San Felices [de los Gallegos] and Castelo Rodrigo, on the border between both kingdoms. The Castilian delegation was made up of Don Juan, the Bishop of Sigüenza; Pedro Viegas, the Chief Provincial Governor of Córdoba; and a doctor called Pero Sánchez. The Portuguese delegates were Dom João, the Archbishop of Lisbon; Martim Afonso de Melo, and a doctor by the name of Gil Martins.

Because over four years had elapsed since the truce was proclaimed, and thereafter so much time passed that nine years had elapsed by the time peace was agreed upon, any sensible person is likely to wonder how these delays came about or could have led to such a long postponement. You need to be aware that there were two main causes. First were the illness of King Enrique and the death that overcame him, which gave rise to so many doubts and alarms in the kingdom of Castile about the upbringing and safekeeping of the new king, as well as other matters.