Rui de Pina's chronicle picks up the story of King Afonso V, known as 'the African,' as he tries to secure his legacy. This isn't a simple list of dates and battles. Pina shows us a king pulled in two directions. On one hand, Afonso is driven to conquer territories in North Africa, dreaming of military glory and expanding Christendom. We follow his campaigns, the victories and the brutal setbacks.

The Story

The plot is the messy reality of 15th-century kingship. Afonso wins battles abroad, but his absence creates power vacuums at home. Powerful noble families jockey for influence, domestic policies stall, and the treasury groans under the cost of constant war. The king is a man caught between his idealized vision of himself as a crusading monarch and the daily grind of administration. Pina documents it all: the council meetings, the diplomatic marriages, the rebellions, and the personal toll it takes on Afonso. It's a story about the gap between ambition and achievement.

Why You Should Read It

You should read this because it destroys the myth of the all-powerful, decisive king. Afonso V feels real. He's hesitant, he makes mistakes based on pride, and he's often reacting to crises rather than commanding his fate. Pina's perspective is key—he was a royal secretary, so he saw the paperwork and heard the arguments firsthand. This gives the narrative an authentic, almost gossipy feel at times. You're not getting a polished legend; you're getting a report from the room where it happened. The themes are timeless: the loneliness of leadership, the weight of expectation, and how the pursuit of a grand legacy can sometimes undermine the kingdom you're trying to build.

Final Verdict

This is perfect for anyone who loves character-driven history or biographies of complex leaders. It's not a light read—the language is of its time—but it's a rewarding one. Think of it as the original, historical version of a prestige TV drama like The Crown or Game of Thrones, but with real stakes and consequences. If you've ever wondered about the human being behind the title 'Your Majesty,' this chronicle offers a fascinating, ground-level look.