ABSTRACT
And when the feast was over, the Lord King of Aragon took him into a chamber and said to him : “ Nephew, I believe you have heard how the Church, without any cause has given sentence against U s ; and this has come about through the Pope,2 who is French ; and so you may well believe that, because he is of the nation of King Charles, he will grant him every favour and every aid. And you can see this now, for he has condemned Us without summoning Us. And so likewise the King of France, Our brother-in-law, who has great covenants with Us, he also has proffered support to
King Charles, his uncle. Full well has he demonstrated all his mind, for he came against Us to Bordeaux, to accompany King Charles, with twelve thousand armed horse. I believe for certain that We have now a war with the Church and with France; and so I wish to know from you what is your intention in this.” The King of Castile answered : “ Uncle, all you have said I know for certain and, amongst other things, it is why I have begged you for this interview ; and I hear that you have sent them messengers and I believe full well that these messengers will bring you news of war. And I, Sir Uncle, promise you, by the covenant which is between you and me, which I now here ratify with oath and homage of mouth and hand, that I shall not fail you in person, nor with all Our territory, and that you shall have me for all aid, with all my power, against every man in the world. And so when your messengers have returned, let Us know what they bring you, and if they bring you war We shall prepare for it. It seems that, between you and Us and the King of Mallorca and the King of Portugal, we can defend ourselves against them. Rather, I believe that if we conduct this war vigorously, we shall recover Navarre at once and then the country beyond. And so, Sir Uncle, be comforted and of good cheer and be content.” And, assuredly, he spoke the truth ; if these four Kings of Spain whom he named, who are of one flesh and blood, held together, little need they fear all the other powers of the world.
