Inasmuch as, through hearing the great adventures, bold deeds, and fair exploits of those who in former times undertook voyages to conquer the heathen in the hope of converting them to the Christian faith, many knights have taken heart and sought to imitate them in their good deeds, to the end that by eschewing all vice, and following virtue, they might gain everlasting life; in like manner did Jean de Bethencourt, knight, born in the kingdom of France, undertake this voyage, for the honour of God and the maintenance and advancement of our faith, to certain islands in the south called the Canary Islands, which are inhabited by unbelievers of various habits and languages. Of these the Great Canary is one of the best, largest, and most amply supplied with men, provisions, and everything else. For this reason this book is called the Canarian book; and in it, if so it please God, will be found things which in time to come will be thought very remarkable.

We, Brother Pierre Bontier, monk of St. Jouin de Marnes, and Jean le Verrier, priest, servants of the aforesaid de Bethencourt, have begun to set down in writing most of what happened to him at the outset, and also the form of his government, which we had the opportunity of being thoroughly acquainted with, from the time of his leaving the kingdom of France until his arrival at the islands on the 19th day of April, 1406.