The King of Portugal had fled from the plague ¹ in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, where he kept his court, to a town called Ebor [Evora]. This town lies close to the heathen lands and is situated on the sea. It lies in a wild, waste and uncultivated country. There we suffered great hardship, both man and beast, with lack of food and drink or lodging until we reached Ebor. There we found the King of Portugal. My page was taken ill on the way and no one thought he would live. I suffered great hardship, what with the excessive heat, the horses and the sick page, so that it was a marvel that I could keep alive.