We have recounted how the Master, while besieging Alenquer, negotiated with Vasco Peres de Camões that he would give him the town, subject to certain conditions on which they agreed, Vasco Peres and his father-in-law Gonçalo Tenreiro receiving cash from the Master. Having thus declared for Portugal, Vasco Peres learned how García González had died at the stake and how that malicious conspiracy of theirs had been discovered, which he and the others had kept secret among themselves. Vasco Peres sent his father-in-law Gonçalo Tenreiro to the Master with a message about certain things, and when he returned from Torres Vedras it seems that Vasco Peres was not happy with the answer that he brought; or perhaps he had in mind to do what he did and sought thereby an opportunity to do it with less blame attaching to him.

Vasco Peres then ordered all the notables in the town to be summoned, both those of highest status as well as those of other ranks, giving them to understand that he wanted to take counsel with them. Moreover, he did it to find out what they intended to do. Consequently, in the presence of them all, he proposed the following: ‘My friends and lords, in view of the things that you see have happened, I would like to know from you what your wishes are or what you want us to do. Does it please you that we take the side of the King of Castile, or should we maintain our support for the Master? This is what I think: I see that the best captains that he brought with him have left the Master: such as Count Pedro, Dom Pedro de Castro, Juan Alfonso de Baeza, Count Gonçalo, whom he ordered to be imprisoned, and Aires Gonçalves as well. Thus, with him no longer remain men who are of any account or value, the fact being that without [such] men he is not able to defend himself from his enemies and adversaries. Moreover, all these towns around and about are for the King of Castile, of whom I have reliable news that he will be here in a very few days with all his might in order to take possession of this kingdom, which he says is his by right.