Boniface, bishop, servant of the servants of God, to all those who may see and wish to consider these letters, health and apostolic blessings.

Since it is reasonable and honourable that those favours granted by the Roman pontiff should achieve their intended effect and come to public knowledge, even if it should happen that the letters regarding such matters have not been issued, therefore, to all in general we give notice and make clear by means of this present letter that recently our honourable brother, the Bishop of Évora and other ambassadors, on behalf of our beloved sons, the prelates, noblemen and people of the kingdoms of Portugal and the Algarve, brought a petition to Urban VI of happy memory, our predecessor. They presented clear reasons and evident causes, primarily that Juan Enríquez, who held the kingdoms of Castile and León, was attempting to subjugate and destroy these kingdoms of Portugal and the Algarve, which were without a king who could defend them. Solicitous for the honour and well-being of the said kingdoms and opposing the wrongful wishes of Juan Enríquez, a ruthless persecutor both of them and of Holy Church, the Bride of Jesus Christ, they all with one heart and will requested and accepted our well-beloved son João, natural son of Pedro of happy memory, at that time Master of the Order of the Knights of Avis, as the king and liege lord of the said kingdoms, seating him on the royal throne and arraying him in royal vestments, following in this matter all the proper and customary honours and solemnities.

When João had been made king in this way, and his reception, succession to the throne and other ceremonies had been carried out as has been stated, then, on account of the great needs and for the clear benefit of these kingdoms, which had been laid waste and occupied by the aforementioned Juan Enríquez, King João accepted and agreed to abandon the habit of the said order, and wear royal vestments, as indeed he was already wearing. For the defence of these kingdoms he took part in feats of arms, during which there ensued burnings and the slaughter of people, both religious and secular, as well as many other violent acts.