How the Infant Don Henry sent his embassy to the Holy Father, and of the
answer that he had.
Although the language of those captives could not be understood by any
of the other Moors who were in this kingdom, either as freemen or
captives, it sufficed, for a beginning, that the noble whom Antam
Gonçalvez had brought could recount for the understanding of the Infant
a very great part of the matters of that land where the aforesaid noble
dwelt. And considering how it was necessary that he should often send
his ships, manned with his people, where of necessity they would have to
fight with those infidels, he determined at once to send an embassy to
the Holy Father, to ask of him to make a partition with himself of the
treasures of Holy Church, for the salvation of the souls of those who in
the toils of that conquest should meet their end.
And on this embassy he sent an honourable cavalier of the Order of
Christ, called Fernam Lopez d'Azevedo, a man of great counsel and
authority, on account of which he had been made Chief Commander in the
same Order and was of the Council of the King and the Infant.
He had it in charge also to ask from the Supreme Pontiff other things of
great importance, as for instance the indulgences of St. Mary of Africa,
in Ceuta town, with many other graces that were to be requested of the
Pope, the true form of which you can find in the general history of the
kingdom.
And as for that part of the business that needeth to be recorded here,
the Holy Father was very glad to grant him such a grace as he was
requested; as you may see more fully in this transcript of his letter,
which we have set down here for your better understanding.
"Eugenius the Bishop,[N67] servant of the servants of God,
etc. For an abiding memorial and remembrance. As, without
any merit of ours we have the authority of Jesus Christ our
Lord, who refused not to be sacrificed as the price of human
salvation, by continual care we strive for those things that
may destroy the errors and wickednesses of the infidels and
by which the souls of good and Catholic Christians may the
more speedily come to Salvation;
"And as it hath now been signified to us by our beloved son
and noble baron Henry, Duke of Viseu, and Governor in
spirituals and temporals of the Knighthood of the Order of
Christ, that confiding firmly in the aid of God, for the
destruction and confusion of the Moors and enemies of
Christ, and for the exaltation of the Catholic faith, he
purposeth to go in person, with his men at arms, to those
lands that are held by them, and to guide his army against
them; And howbeit that, for the time he is not personally in
the field, yet as the knights and brethren of the said
order, with all other faithful Christians, purpose to make
war under the banner of the said order against the said
Moors and other enemies of the faith--to the intent that
these faithful Christians may bestir their minds with the
greater fervour to the aforesaid war--
"We now do concede and grant, by apostolic authority and by
the tenor of these present letters, to each and all of those
who shall be engaged in the said war, Complete forgiveness
of all their sins, of which they shall be truly penitent at
heart and have made confession by their mouth.
"And let no one break or contradict this letter of mandate,
and whoever presumeth to do so let him lie under the curse
of the Almighty God and of the blessed Apostles St. Peter
and St. Paul. Given, etc."
Also the Infant Don Pedro, who at that time ruled the Kingdom in the
name of the King, gave the Infant his brother a charter by which he
granted him the whole of the Fifth that appertained to the King and this
on account of the great expenses he had incurred in the matter.
And considering how by him[W] alone the discoveries were enterprised and
made, not without great trouble and expense, he granted him moreover
this right, that no one should be able to go there[X] without his
license and especial mandate.[N68]
[Footnote W: The Infant Henry.]
[Footnote X: To the new found parts.]