Quod non est in actis, non est in mundo: mecanismos de disciplina interna e externa no Auditório Eclesiástico de Coimbra

Abstract

This paper envisages the analysis of a tool of social monitoring and discipline of the modern world, virtually disregarded until now: the ecclesiastical courts, commonly called Auditorio. Essentially focusing on the ecclesiastical court of Coimbra, this paper seeks primarily to assess historiographic developments in this area. This is followed by an assessment of the internal dynamics of this court, in view of understanding its modus operandi. Finally, it scrutinises one of the mechanisms used to purge the ecclesiastical justice of all corruptive and illegal behaviour, the devassas (investigation), namely the one commisssioned in 1741 by D. Miguel da Anunciação.