While the Master was getting ready to leave, provisions having been loaded onto his ships and mangers installed for the animals, all the city folk, both the people of standing and those of little account, were filled with apprehension.

Many factors were seen by them as clear signs of another war, but nobody could anticipate with any degree of certainty just what outcome recent events would have. The country's population and especially the people of Lisbon were greatly troubled when they realised the very unpredictable nature of these circumstances, which gave grounds for the expectation that the country would be laid waste.

Could there be anybody in the city who at that time felt safe and free from fear on recognising that the queen had left the city bearing them all such a deep grudge for the way in which they had rallied to the Master on the occasion of the death of Count Juan Fernández? This was all the more the case when, as people said, she had written to the King of Castile, urging him to head for the kingdom at once and with all due speed. Everyone understood that the sole purpose of his coming was to make them his subjects and to destroy both those who had been against the queen and those who had participated in the death of the bishop. The hearts and minds of everybody in the city were given up to profound thoughts, as they pondered on the conflicting results, both good and bad, which could ensue from these events.

One source of their concern was that, in consequence of the death of King Fernando, they found themselves to be bereft of any firm assurance that peace would continue, as the King of Castile had no desire to honour what was contained in the treaties and was heading for the realm with every intention of seizing it. A second cause for concern was that they expected to be subjected to the power of the Castilians and feared that they would be subjugated by them, as though by mortal enemies.

On the other hand they greatly feared the queen when they recalled the dreadful harm which earlier had been inflicted on those who had opposed her marriage to King Fernando.