As intelligent people commonly seek advice and avoid relying solely on their own judgement when they undertake great deeds, the Master decided that it was appropriate to consult religious people, and not just to count on what had been said to him by Álvaro Vasques, Rui Pereira and others. That was because, in order to undertake the task which they were asking of him, it was essential to have not only the support of the people, but also the prayers of the righteous and the help and grace of God.

Accordingly, the Master went to consult Friar João da Barroca, because of the great reputation accorded to him throughout the city on account of his righteous way of life and the sound advice that he gave to those who went to visit him.

Some say that this conversation took place at the request of the virtuous Friar João, with whom Álvaro Pais had spoken, telling him how perturbed he was that the Master was set on leaving the country. Moreover, Álvaro Pais told Friar João that he should by all means advise the Master not to leave, because God wanted him to be the ruler and lord of this land. Others relate that the Master simply went to talk to Friar João in order to receive useful advice as to what he should do.

Whichever is the case, the Master went to see him, explained to him his position and told him everything that had transpired between him and the people of Lisbon. He told him how they were all insisting on having him as their liege lord and were urging him not to leave the kingdom. He told him all the other reasons that had been advanced in his consultations with many of them as to why he should nevertheless remain in the country. He went on to say that, in spite of that, he could not see any way in which this could be done without endangering both himself and the people of the city. That was because the King of Castile was heading for the realm with a huge army and because most of the towns and castles had already declared for him.