ABSTRACT
W e were greatly to be blamed did we not relate what we can remember of the things we have seen in our time and what we can with truth set forth, for those are still alive whose glory deserves to last as long as the knowledge of their great achievements endures; such princes deserve fame and praise befitting their deeds, and although this applies to all, it is especially true of those whose deeds are worthy of our notice. Therefore we must not forget the late most serene prince, King Afonso V of Portugal, for we have seen what an excellent and truly magnanimous man he was and what immortality he gained for himself, for which reasons his fame should be perpetuated. But since time and change obscure and obliterate our knowledge of things, we must make a record of this serene sire so that his fame may endure from generation to generation. For he ruled these realms for thirty-two years1 in justice and equity and was not less praised for the feats of arms which he performed than in the government of the State which he ever greatly honoured. The truth compels us to assert that he was an eminent and exceedingly liberal-hearted man; Our Lord endowed him with such grace and nobility of character that he was universally loved by his subjects for his goodness. His fame spreading through many provinces and regions, the Holy Father Pope Pius II elected him as captain for the Church and Christendom of a large fleet which he was equipping against the Turks and
1 From 1449 to 1481. King Duarte died in 1438 while Alfonso, the heir apparent, was still a boy of six. From 1438 to 1440 his mother was Regent and from 1440 to 1449 Prince Pedro, Duarte’s brother.
