After this, in the presence of the King of England, his royal council and other great lords, who had assembled that day for the purpose, the duke described his many services to the realm, how he had always played his part in major undertakings, both in the life of his own father the king and ever since his nephew had begun his reign, and how he had done these things in order to further the honour and noble standing of the House of England. Although he was right in doing so because of the strong family ties which bound that house and because the king was not as yet of an age as to become personally involved, at this point, he did not believe he was acting wrongly in any way for presenting his record of these services to win the king's favour.

The duke then went on to say that everyone was well aware that he was married to the elder daughter of Don Pedro, the former King of Castile, and that the realm rightfully belonged to her and not to the man who held it by force. Accordingly, some days previously, he, the duke, had taken on the title of King of Castile and his wife the title of queen, determined as she was, with the help of God and of her husband, to go and conquer that realm. However, because of the aforesaid wars, in which till then he had been involved, he had been unable to do so. But since his affairs were now, thank God, more settled, it was his wish to go and claim the realm which belonged to him and his wife. This was something he could well achieve, because he had the assistance of the King of Portugal, who was at war with their adversary. Consequently, he was requesting King Richard's gracious permission and help, so as to enable him to go to Spain and bring this undertaking to a conclusion, for this would bring great honour both to him and to the House of England.

The king, who at that time would have been little short of twenty years of age, discussed the matter with those most fitted to do so.