This isn't your typical history book. Chronica de el-rei D. Affonso V (Vol. II) is a firsthand account written by Rui de Pina, a man who served as a royal chronicler and secretary. He wasn't just observing from a distance; he was in the room where it happened, taking notes on the reign of one of Portugal's most pivotal kings.

The Story

The book picks up in the middle of Afonso V's long reign. We see him dealing with the fallout of earlier decisions and pushing Portugal's influence in North Africa. There are military campaigns, yes, but Pina spends just as much time on the king's domestic challenges. We read about tensions with the nobility, the complex dance of royal marriages and alliances, and the constant pressure to live up to the "African" title he earned. The plot, in a sense, is the slow, grinding pressure of ruling—the victories that feel hollow, the setbacks that threaten the kingdom's stability, and the personal toll it takes on the king himself.

Why You Should Read It

You should read this because it has the gritty authenticity of a diary. Pina's perspective is priceless. He doesn't paint Afonso as a perfect hero or a villain; he shows us a ruler who is sometimes decisive, sometimes hesitant, and always human. You get a sense of the king's frustrations, his moments of doubt, and the sheer exhaustion of leadership. It breaks down the myth of the all-powerful monarch and replaces it with a much more relatable figure: a man with a very difficult job. The real theme here is the burden of power and how it shapes a person over decades.

Final Verdict

This is perfect for anyone who loves character-driven stories, even if they're set in the 1400s. It's for readers who enjoy political intrigue and want to understand history from the inside out, not from a modern textbook. It’s not a light read—the language is of its time—but it’s a profoundly rewarding one. If you've ever watched Game of Thrones and wished you had a primary source from King's Landing, this is about as close as you can get to the real thing. A fascinating, intimate portrait of a king and his court.