The patrimonial network and heritage of the Order of St John in Portugal in the Late Medieval and Early Modern Period

• Type: Chapter or Part of a Book
• Date: 2025

Authors

Costa, Paula Pinto (Author) FLUP

Book

Title: The land and the cross: properties of the Order of St John between centre and periphery (16th-18th centuries)

ISBN: 978-1-032-15452-7 (hbk); 978-1-032-15453-4 (pbk)

Electronic ISBN: 978-1-003-24422-6

Publisher: Routledge e Taylor & Francis

Indexing

Crossref

Other information

DOI: 10.4324/9781003244226-13

Abstract (EN): A wide overview of the patrimonial network and heritage of the Order of St John in Portugal in the late medieval and early modern period sheds light on the singularity of the Priory of Crato, which consisted of approximately 60 identified commanderies. The process of territorial incorporation towards the south of the kingdom took place in stages with the foundation and development of these territorial units. The Portuguese commanderies were organised in strategic locations and served different purposes over time. Initially aimed at supporting the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, they were later strategically equipped and incorporated into the war effort during the Reconquista as well as the protection of the territory. Progressively, the increasing dependence on the monarchy and the aspirations of certain families linked to the Order would exert a significant influence on this system. In addition to economic and administrative platforms, the commanderies were the symbolic projection of the Order beyond its central Convent. Thus, they exceeded their local dimension and drew larger social and political interests. Through extensive research in archival sources, this chapter provides a precise analysis of the Hospitaller patrimonial network in Portugal and its transformation from the Mediaeval to the early modern period.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 17