While the constable was preparing to invade and his enemies were in readiness to confront him, the constable left Estremoz for Vila Viçosa, and then made his way to Elvas, bound for Castile. On Monday, 2 October, he journeyed alongside the River Guadiana, close to the enemy town of Badajoz, 1 league from the border. There he lodged that day, without anybody from that town hindering his approach. While he was setting up his tent, a huge boar appeared in his encampment and was swiftly killed. Everybody was delighted at this, regarding it as a good omen, as is the practice, declaring that some great Castilian lord was bound to die during the invasion, as indeed happened later.

Next day the constable left and went to spend the night at Almendral in the Badajoz area, a village of 300 inhabitants situated 6 leagues away from the town. That night there was a mighty commotion among the troops in the camp, as a result of the many wines which they found there. This greatly displeased and worried the constable.

The following day, before leaving, he drew up his battle array, with vanguard, rearguard and left and right wings. In the vanguard he placed men on whom he could rely and nobody else. In the rearguard were posted the Prior of the Order of the Hospitallers, along with certain knights and other troops. One of the flanks was led by Gonçalo Eanes of Castelo de Vide, and the other by Martim Afonso de Melo. The baggage train was located in the middle, with foot soldiers and crossbowmen duly drawn up in their places. Thus arrayed, they all advanced at their ease wherever the constable chose. He then left Almendral and arrived at another village, named Parra, located 11 leagues from the border, a very attractive township of 400 inhabitants, lying on a hillside.

While he was in that spot, there suddenly arrived in the vicinity the Master of Alcántara, Martim Eanes de Barbuda, who took up his position with 300 lances half a league away in the castle of Feria, showing that he was intent on attacking the pack animals of the [constable’s] army, which were out grazing.