The Borges of Carvalhais, Lords of Ferreiros, Avelãs de Cima and Ílhavo

Abstract

The vast seigniorial domain of Carvalhais was held by the Borges family and descendants from the mid-fifteenth century until the liberal reform. It integrated the old counties of Ferreiros, Avelãs de Cima and Ílhavo, in the modern district of Aveiro. There are no in-depth studies on the history of this seigniorie. The chronological series of the so-called “lords of Carvalhais” is only well known from António Borges de Miranda, 3rd lord of Carvalhais in the Borges line, an individual born around 1470. In this article, the series of lords of Carvalhais in the Borges lineage is studied in the historical context of the 15th and 16th centuries.