It has been related so many times and has so often been heard that, when Nuno Álvares went to capture Vila Viçosa, which Vasco Porcalho had given to the Castilians, his brother Fernão Pereira died when entering the town, that no one doubts this at all. But, concerning why he went there in the way he did, the divergence among historians places on us a burdensome task.

Some say that Nuno Álvares knew that the commander had organised the wedding and provided a household for one of his criados called Álvaro Machado, arranging a great feast and entertainment to take place on that day. Nuno Álvares thought that, while the bride and groom were in the church and most of the people with them, he could suddenly take the place by assault. It was because of this that he left for Vila Viçosa.

Others recount that certain worthy men of Vila Viçosa had sent word to Nuno Álvares that, if he went there, they would ensure that he could avail himself of a town gate by which he might enter. Being very happy with such an embassy, he immediately planned to put the idea into action. He left with his men at night, pretending that he was going somewhere else. While leaving by the town gate [of Elvas] the standard-bearer [accidentally] broke his banner-pole. Everyone present took it as a bad sign, telling Nuno Álvares that he should in no way leave and that he should decide against travelling to where he wanted to go. He did not heed anything they said, ordered the banner to be placed on another pole, and went on with the plan that he had begun. Having travelled the 4 leagues between one place and the other, he arrived near Vila Viçosa and lodged nearby in a place called Orelhal, noiselessly and with everyone keeping very quiet.

The following morning, Nuno Álvares decided to take the town, in accordance with the information that had been sent out to him. He sent ahead his brother Fernão Pereira and Álvaro Coitado, along with certain others, all of whom went off on horseback, armed and wearing bascinets as such a deed demanded.