Audience with King Afonso VII
At least once every week, the King spends one whole day holding an audience with any person of any rank. As the chief judiciary and agent of impartiality, this ancient rite is held with great pride even if many of the petitioners are not bringing major matters to His Majesty's attention. Each one of them are recorded by a royal scribe to be collected and organized for future records. This excerpt from DECEMBER 19th, 1133 has been made available by His Royal Majesty for the purpose of illustrating the purpose of this long-loved tradition for foreign audiences. Furthermore, it will be annotated more than the official records for this purpose. WARNING: It contains sensitive material, so caution is advised for the vulgarity.
ENTER MIGUEL OLIVIERA
Miguel bows before his Royal Majesty, after entering the room. Afonso raises his right hand to signal the man forward in silence and Miguel Kneels before him before arising to his feet.
Afonso VII: "Your name, noble soul?"
Miguel Oliviera: "Miguel Oliviera, your Royal Majesty!"
A: "We welcome thee humbly, Miguel, to our presence. Pray tell us thy purpose for thy audience?"
M: "Your Royal Majesty, I wish to report a crime committed by one our thy servants against my daughter Maria!"
A: strokes his beard "Indeed, this seems to be quite the issue if true. We must assume that the reason thou hast not brought this to the attention of local magistrates is likely malice on the regard of the local authorities?"
M: "No, your Royal Majesty! Though I greatly fear for my own life should I have brought it to anyone else for it is a man of great power!"
A:"Is that so? Regardless, we thank you for having the bravery to bring this to us to handle. But as thy know, this is a major charge that is leveled and we have had several gentlemen over the years make false allegations. You understand that false allegations bring death and that what makes a false allegation is not bringing the charge to us, but bringing an actual lie before us as would be shown by evidence correct?"
M: "Yes, your Royal Majesty."
A: "Very well, tell us then, good man what has happened."
M: "My daughter Maria, was abducted and raped by Duke Pedro of Viana. starts to cry He demanded her to give him "tribute" for her service as a maid to him, and she refused; thus it happened, o Noble King Afonso, s-so help me Kaela"
A: Stands up and puts his hand on the shoulder of Miguel "Such a crime, if true, shall not go unpunished and if it is found to be true then I will have Pedro executed for his wickedness as is the law of the land!"
M: "Your Royal Majesty, I feel as if your words as true but also false, for there hasn't been a lord of his statured punished for 50 years."
A: "Your concern is understandable, and justice cannot always be delivered without sufficient proof of the wicked act. However, if such proof is available, then the Sword of Justice will be used. Bringing the charge to us is the righteous thing to do, and we will look into the matter. But we must ask you further questions that may pertain to this. The first being if your daughter can deliver us a testimony, and if there were any witnesses to the crime?"
M: "Yes, your Majesty. She can deliver you a testimony and I know several witnesses that can be called on but are likely afraid."
A: "Tis understandable. Do you know how to read and write?"
M: "No, your majesty and neither does my daughter."
A: "That is no issue, we will have my Chamberlain detail your account in full and send for your daughter to be brought here given the seriousness of the matter along with witnesses."
M: "Thank you, your Majesty."
A: "It is our object blessing to serve thee, and furthermore We wish to grant thee as we grant all dutiful subjects who bring their real concerns to us a gift of kindness, please take these 50 florins."
M: Bows and kneels before the King, who grants him his 50 gold coins.
A: "May Kaela show you mercy and through her divine guidance may justice be delivered.
M: led away and bows as he leaves the room before the next person is lead in.
EXIT MIGUEL OLIVIERA
Notes: Indeed, as it would turn out the Duke of Viana was found to be guilty of this crime as substantiated by 2 witnesses and the girl herself, and he was executed for treason. Miguel and his daughter were awarded 25 acres of his land and 25 pounds of gold for their troubles.