After the conclusion of the matters about which you have been hearing, the Master announced that one of the obstacles which he had to confront was the city's castle, for it stood against him and was loyal to the queen. It was essential to capture it, in order to prevent the city from harmful attack from any of the forces in the castle, should they wish to mount such an assault on the city. Nuno Álvares and the other members of his council said that he should not feel hampered by such an obstacle and should not be troubled about it, because God, Who had given him the city, would likewise give him the castle.

Now it happened that, when the queen pondered on past events, her heart was often filled with sombre thoughts; while still in Alenquer at that time and fearful about what was later to ensue, she spoke to Count João Afonso, her brother, who was the Governor of Lisbon and who had many honourable vassals in the city, requesting him to send them a message urging them to take refuge in the castle, along with their squires, in order to be safe from anything that might happen.

The count agreed that this was a good step to take and spoke to Afonso Eanes Nogueira, who was there present and was one of his vassals, telling him to make his way to the city and to urge those who were his followers to take refuge in the castle. Afonso Eanes went to Lisbon, but all those to whom he was due to speak were secret disciples of the Master and held opinions greatly contrary to what they had formerly believed, as they now supported him against the queen. When Afonso Eanes spoke to Estêvão Vasques Filipe, as well as to Afonso Furtado, Antão Vasques and other honourable knights in the city, he found that they had shifted away from what he expected to hear from them. Deciding not to broach the matter with others, he headed for his lodgings, got himself ready as best he could and took refuge in the castle through the postern gate, accompanied by ten to twelve squires.