Why did King Manuel I of Portugal refuse Ferdinand Magellan’s request for a larger pension?

King Manuel I of Portugal refused Ferdinand Magellan’s request for a pension increase because of reports of irregular conduct that had reached the king. Specifically, following the siege of the Moroccan stronghold of Azamor, Magellan was accused of having sold a portion of the war spoils back to the enemy.1

When Magellan returned to Lisbon in 1514 to petition for a reward, the king denied the request and ordered him back to Morocco. When Magellan renewed his petition in 1516, the king refused once more and told him he was free to offer his services elsewhere, which ultimately led Magellan to seek support from Spain.12