Analysis of the Commitment of the Confraternity of Nossa Senhora da Concórdia da Caparica (16th century)

Abstract

The confraternities, which had emerged in Portugal since the 12th century, are associations of believers whose main purpose is charity and worship. Their structure and procedures are usually described in the regulations drawn up when they set down. The regulations under analyse is that of the Confraternity of Nossa Senhora da Concórdia da Caparica, which is part of the Archive of the University of Coimbra by donation of Martinho da Fonseca, a erudit who, throughout his life, has collected a large number of documents.