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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 28 December 2023
You have heard in the first chapter of this story how, after the death of Dona Inês, the king, while he was a prince, never wanted to marry, nor would he take a wife after he came to the throne, but he did have a son by another woman. His name was Dom João. The king entrusted this boy to Nuno Freire, the Master of the Order of Christ, who raised him and cared for him. It so happened that, when the boy reached the age of seven, Martim de Avelar, the Master of [the Order of] Avis passed away. The Master of the Order of Christ, as soon as he learned of this, went at once to King Pedro, who was staying in Chamusca at the time, and requested the title of Master [of Avis] for that son of the king, whom he had brought with him. The king was very pleased at this request, and even more pleased to grant it to him.
Then the master held the boy in his arms, and while he was holding him the king buckled on his sword and dubbed him a knight and kissed him on the mouth, giving him his blessing. He wished that God might make him grow from good to better and give him as much honour in deeds of chivalry as He had given to his grandfathers; this blessing was well fulfilled in him, as you will hear later. Then the king declared to the master:
Let the boy have this for the time being, for I know that he is destined to rise higher, if this is the son João of whom I have heard tell on several occasions, although I should have preferred the prophecies to be fulfilled in my son Prince João rather than in him. The truth is, I was told that I have a son named João who is destined to rise very high, and through whom the kingdom of Portugal will win great honour. Since I do not know which João it will be, and no one can know for certain, I will arrange that these sons of mine, both having the same name, will always be attended upon to an equal degree. Let God choose one of them for this destiny, according to His grace.
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