The king left Guarda at once, made a pilgrimage to Santa Maria de Açores, had a midday meal there and went on to spend the night in Celorico, a township which Martim Afonso de Melo had already ceded to him. There he remained for four days before setting off again and making his way to Coimbra, which was held by Count Gonçalo, who was the brother of Queen Leonor. Her uncle, Gonçalo Mendes de Vasconcelos, was also there.

However, these men did not go out to [meet] the king, nor did they welcome him into the city, thus revealing their displeasure towards him. Consequently, he made his way to Miranda [do Corvo], which was where the Count of Viana lived. The count went forth to welcome him, became one of his supporters, and there the king stayed for one day. Next day he left early in the morning and went to spend the night at Chão de Couce. The following day he ate at Ceras and spent the night in Tomar. There the king assumed that he would be joined by the Master of the Order of Christ, who was the nephew of Queen Leonor, being her sister's son. When the king reached Tomar and discovered that he had left, he was furious, because it was his belief that he would become one of his supporters, just like the others. Nevertheless, the king installed himself in the Master's residence in the main square.

According to the account of a certain author, what actually happened was that the Master was on his way to join the king, in order to offer his allegiance and serve him. However, a knight of his Order, seeing him set out and knowing what he intended to do, addressed him as follows: ‘My lord, I believe that you are going out to welcome the King of Castile, to join with him and to offer him your allegiance. Yet, my lord, if you consider this matter carefully, it is plainly something which you should avoid doing until you can see what outcome all this is likely to have. Once you see the direction things are taking, you will then be in a position to do what you feel is right in order to preserve your honour and best interests and remain free of recrimination.’