Book contents
102 - How Álvaro Gomes and a Castilian jousted together
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 January 2024
Summary
The following day was Easter Sunday. While the defenders and their assailants were talking together, as is the custom when under safe conduct, it so happened that a certain Álvaro Gomes, a criado of the constable, and another squire, a Castilian, challenged one another to a joust. They were to joust on horseback, wearing bascinets of camail but not bearing shields, and there were to be only three charges. Similarly, a challenge was issued and accepted between one of the duke's Gascon knights, named [Sir John] Mauburney, and Sir Robert [de Braquemont], who was in the town.
Álvaro Gomes was the first to arrive on the field, along with his adversary. He wore a coat of plates but chose not to wear a fauld, though many urged him to. He had all the appearance of a gallant knight, whereas the Castilian had not. At the first onset, Álvaro Gomes caught him in such a way as to knock him to the ground, whereupon the Castilian remounted and they charged again. However, as the Castilian failed to grip his lance adroitly, he accidentally caught Álvaro Gomes low down, inflicting on him a wound from which he later died. Consequently, there was no further jousting [that day].
While the jousting was taking place, the king gave safe conduct to all those who wished to come from the town to witness it, and many came forth on that account. Among their number was a well-dressed squire of some standing, who wore a silver chain about his neck. While he was watching and talking to some Portuguese, he uttered a number of ill-judged words against the king, merely referring to him as ‘the Master’. Indeed, when seeking to be very polite, he referred to him as ‘the Master, your lord’, along with similar disrespectful utterances. Those who heard them were very irritated, but no one dared to answer back, as the king had given the townsfolk safe conduct and was nearby watching the jousting with everyone else.
That night, when the king sent for wine and fruit, a number of people could not resist discussing the matter and telling the king what had happened and how they had not dared to contradict the squire for fear of annoying the king, owing to the safe conduct he had issued to the townsfolk.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- The Chronicles of Fernão LopesVolume 4. The Chronicle of King João i of Portugal, Part II, pp. 236 - 237Publisher: Boydell & BrewerPrint publication year: 2023