As we have enough heirs from among whom to choose one that we prefer, it now remains to go through the detailed process of explaining which of them must be chosen, so that he can rule rightfully, in accordance with the dictates of law. To spare you this task, I wish to show you through real facts and the law that the throne of these kingdoms is now truly vacant, and that not one of those I have named must or can be successor thereto, even though for some of you the opposite may seem to be true, for the reasons I have mentioned relating to them.

In order that you, my lords, can see this clearly, it behoves you first of all to free yourselves of any affection and goodwill you may have towards any of those people, as such feelings should have no voice in these Cortes or dwell inside any of you. According to what wise men say, affection must be totally set aside by all men, for through it the mind loses its rational judgement and judges not according to what it impartially understands but according to what it loves, thus corrupting the judgement of reason. Therefore, leaving aside ties of affection, let us all see what is most beneficial, according to what our present needs dictate, so that, with the grace and help of Almighty God, who gave our undertaking a good start, this matter may be brought to a good conclusion for His glory and service and for the honour and preservation of these realms.

Now, my lords, I said we had enough heirs from whom to choose the one we prefer, and I first named the King of Castile, pointing out that he was first cousin to King Fernando, the last king to reign over these realms; and because of this kinship as well as of the part of the queen his wife, the daughter of King Fernando, he was the rightful heir to them. I will not bother with the kinship because there are other closer relatives, namely the brothers of King Fernando.