At this time the King of Portugal was staying in the palace of Valada, which is near a town called Santarém; this was in the month of May. By the time King Pedro [of Castile] sent his daughter Princess Beatriz to marry Prince Fernando, as you have heard a little earlier, with the purpose of getting better aid from his uncle the King of Portugal, news had previously arrived in Valada, where the King of Portugal was staying, that the King of Castile was sending him two of his daughters who were already in Alcáçovas, 20 leagues away. But no one could say with certainty why the king was sending them or with what intention. The King of Portugal, who had not heard that the king his nephew was in such a predicament, supposed that the princesses were coming for a different reason, even though there was no other reason besides that one, and ordered suitable lodgings to be made ready in his palace.

The King of Castile left his kingdom, and made such haste along the way, without stopping anywhere, that before his daughter Princess Beatriz could come to where the King of Portugal was, he caught up with her on the road along which she was travelling. King Pedro [of Castile] came to Serpa, and from there to Beja, and from there to Coruche, which was 6 leagues from the place where his uncle the King of Portugal was staying. From there he sent word to him that he was coming, with a message about the aid and support that he needed from him, and also about the marriage of his daughter to Prince Fernando, his son. When he learned of this, the King of Portugal was perplexed, and sent to tell King Pedro not to come any further and to remain where he was until he received a message from him.

The King of Portugal summoned his son Prince Fernando, who was not there, and discussed the matter with him and his counsellors. Some said that he should see King Pedro, give him shelter in his kingdom and help him to recover his lands.