It is true that they cut a dash on horseback and are arrogant, courageous and haughty in their first charge if they have the advantage. They fight rather well when mounted, but as soon as they have thrown two or three spears and struck a blow or two with the sword and they see that their enemies are not overcome, they become fearful, pull their horses around, and then it is every man for himself. They did this very same thing here, for they saw that their enemies were strong and tough and as fresh for battle as they had ever been, which astounded them especially as they still had not heard any news of the vanguard or about what had happened to them. The
Spaniards were in for a hard evening's work; the fortune of battle was against them and they were in danger because all those who boldly entered the
Lisbonners' stronghold to accomplish feats of arms were killed. No man was held to ransom, however noble, so went their orders, because they did not wish to burden themselves with prisoners. Of the
king of Castile's men who died in that place, many were great barons as follows:
Sir Diego Gómez Manrique,
Sir Diego Gómez Sarmiento,
Sir Pero Ruiz Sarmiento,
Sir Manriquez d'Averso, the
grand master of Calatrava and his brother, who had been made a knight earlier that day, named
Sir Diego Mores; also
Sir Pero de Mendoza,
Sir Pero de Vallasco,
Sir Pero González Carrillo,
Sir João Rodrigues, the
grand master of Santiago,
Sir Rodrigo de la Roselle, and at least sixty Spanish barons and knights. Not even at the
battle of Nájera, where the
prince of Wales defeated
king Enrique, did so many noble Castilian men meet their end as did at the
battle of Aljubarrota which took place in the year of grace and of Our Lord 1385, on a Saturday, the feast of
Our Lady in mid-August.
SHF 3-42bis syncWhen the king of Castile heard and saw that his men were being overcome in this way, that the vanguard had been comprehensively defeated without hope of recovery, and that his marshal Sir Arnaud Limousin was dead along with the flower of chivalry of his own kingdom and of France who had come so willingly to serve him, he was bitterly angry and did not know which counsel to take, for he saw his men fleeing in all directions and defeated, and heard people urging him,
"My lord, you must leave, it is time. We are overwhelmed. You cannot defeat your enemies all alone, nor recover your losses. Your men are taking flight in all directions, each intent on saving himself. You would be wise to save yourself too! If fortune is against you today, it will be more favourable another time."
The king of Castile followed this advice, changed his horse and mounted a fresh courser provided for him which nobody had ridden that day, and it was fast and light. The king spurred his horse, turned his back to his enemies and returned towards Santarém to which those taking flight were also returning, and those eager to save themselves. It so happened that the king of Castile had with him that day a knight of his household named Sir Martin Harens.
pb 242 r