your subjects that defend and enlarge the commonwealth by deeds of
arms, and those who adorn the same by means of learning.

All these heroic virtues of your highness being well known to me, have
encouraged me to publish this work and others, which have some taste
of learning, that they may remain a perpetual memorial of the noble
deeds of so many gentlemen and knights of Portugal, your subjects. In
this I have been much forwarded by having been in India, where I
sojourned with my father, who was sent into that country by your
highness as a judge. I spent all my youth in the pursuit of learning,
and in the study of ancient historians. Being in India, I set myself
with all diligence to learn and understand all that had been done in
regard to the discovery and conquest of that country by the Portuguese,
with the intention of making the same known and common to all men. By
my inquiries, and through the information derived from sundry
gentlemen and captains, both such as were actually present in the
various transactions, and employed in their execution, as by others
who were engaged in counselling and preparing the means of their being
performed, I have derived much authentic information; as, likewise, by
the perusal of many letters and memorials, which were written by men
of credit and reputation, all of which I have examined as evidences of
the authenticity of my work, both while in India and since my return
into Portugal. As the matters I meant to write of were many, so it
became necessary for me to acquire information from many sources; and
as those whom I examined were upon oath, it is lawful for me to bring
them forward as sure evidence. In these researches some of these men
had to be sought after in almost every part of Portugal; and being
separated in sundry places, my inquiries have occasioned great travel
of my person, and much expence; to which I have devoted the greater
part of my life, and have constituted the preparation for this work my
sole recreation. Since my residence in the university of Coimbra, in
the service of your highness, I have joined together all these
informations; which, together with the duties of my office, have
caused much toil both of body and mind. Having now accomplished the
composition of this book and others, I most humbly offer the same to
your highne