Câmara Municipal de Montemor-o-Novo
Item
Country
PT
Name of institution (English)
Montemor-o-Novo City Archive
Name of institution (official language of the state)
Language of name of institution
por
Contact information: postal address
Largo de S. Francisco, 7050-160 Montemor-o-Novo
Contact information: phone number
00351 266898100
Contact information: web address
https://www.cm-montemornovo.pt/locais/arquivo-municipal/
Contact information: email
arquivo@cm-montemornovo.pt
Reference number
PT/CMMN-AMMN
Type of reference number
Archival reference number
Title (English)
Municipality of Montemor-o-Novo
Title (official language of the state)
Câmara Municipal de Montemor-o-Novo
Language of title
por
Creator / accumulator
Câmara Municipal de Montemor-o-Novo
Date(s)
1422/1969
Language(s)
por
Extent
1,968 storage units (1,432 books, 438 folders, 98 bundles)
Type of material
Textual Material
Physical condition
Satisfactory
Scope and content
The Câmara Municipal de Montemor-o-Novo fonds comprises documentation related to this municipality from the 15th century onwards. Among its early records, there are some pieces of evidence on the Jewish community settled in this village in Alentejo (Southern Portugal), namely in the 15th-century "Livros de vereação" (Council meetings minute books), the "Livros de Receita e Despesa" (Books of revenue and expense), and "Cartas-missivas, alvarás e outros documentos enviados ao Concelho pela chancelaria régia" (royal correspondence sent to the city council).
A record of the "Livro de vereação" of 1443, dated August 21, reported the prohibition decreed by the municipality of some traders ("rendeiras, marçeiras e espiçieiras") selling their goods outside the "judiaria" (Jewish quarter) on Sundays and during religious celebrations (A1 B1, fol. 7). Another record from October 26 mentioned that a Gonçalo Lopes was forbidden from buying coal from Jewish blacksmiths (A1 B1, fol. 14). These and other documents reveal a growing tension between the local authorities and the Jewish minority living in Montemor-o-Novo.
The 15th-century "Livros de vereação" of Montemor-o-Novo were transcribed and edited by Jorge Fonseca (Montemor-o-Novo no século XV).
The early 16th-century "Livros de vereação" contain some information on the fate of the synagogue and of Jewish properties after the late-15th century expulsion. In 1504, the council decided to convert the former synagogue into a prison (A1 B3 f. 33). Years later, in 1520, King Manuel I authorised the council to build two stone arches in the building (A1 C2–36).
An entry in the "Livro da receita e despesa" of 1460 refers to the lease of a vineyard in Montemor-o-Novo to a Jew named Josepe Gabai (fol. 7v).
This fonds also contains a deed dated August 31, 1493, involving Jewish people. Mestre Monsem Cesaquim, the guardian of Salomão Azequim's children, had given power of attorney to Josepe Bentes, a merchant from Montemor-o-Novo, to sell the properties that the orphans owned in the village. Then, Bentes sold a vineyard in Montemor's outskirts for 1800 reais brancos (currency).
A record of the "Livro de vereação" of 1443, dated August 21, reported the prohibition decreed by the municipality of some traders ("rendeiras, marçeiras e espiçieiras") selling their goods outside the "judiaria" (Jewish quarter) on Sundays and during religious celebrations (A1 B1, fol. 7). Another record from October 26 mentioned that a Gonçalo Lopes was forbidden from buying coal from Jewish blacksmiths (A1 B1, fol. 14). These and other documents reveal a growing tension between the local authorities and the Jewish minority living in Montemor-o-Novo.
The 15th-century "Livros de vereação" of Montemor-o-Novo were transcribed and edited by Jorge Fonseca (Montemor-o-Novo no século XV).
The early 16th-century "Livros de vereação" contain some information on the fate of the synagogue and of Jewish properties after the late-15th century expulsion. In 1504, the council decided to convert the former synagogue into a prison (A1 B3 f. 33). Years later, in 1520, King Manuel I authorised the council to build two stone arches in the building (A1 C2–36).
An entry in the "Livro da receita e despesa" of 1460 refers to the lease of a vineyard in Montemor-o-Novo to a Jew named Josepe Gabai (fol. 7v).
This fonds also contains a deed dated August 31, 1493, involving Jewish people. Mestre Monsem Cesaquim, the guardian of Salomão Azequim's children, had given power of attorney to Josepe Bentes, a merchant from Montemor-o-Novo, to sell the properties that the orphans owned in the village. Then, Bentes sold a vineyard in Montemor's outskirts for 1800 reais brancos (currency).
Archival history
The Câmara Municipal de Montemor-o-Novo fonds is part of the original collection of the Arquivo Municipal de Montemor-o-Novo. The initial collection was gathered in the Middle Ages and stored in the Paços do Concelho (City Council Palace). In the 18th century, the collection was relocated to the new building of the Senado Municipal (Municipal Senate) in Terreiro do Poço Tapado (at presente, Largo dos Paços do Concelho). After the Liberal reform and the extinction of the Lavre and Cabrela municipalities, the fonds was enriched with their archival fonds. In the 1930s, the archive lost several precious documents that were robbed and sold. Other losses occurred in the 1960s when the archive was moved to the Cine Teatro Curvo Semedo due to the reconstruction works in the Paços do Concelho. Then, several documents were damaged because of poor conditions of transport and packaging.
The final organisation of the archive started in 1982, with the incorporation of new collections and the most recent municipal documents.
The final organisation of the archive started in 1982, with the incorporation of new collections and the most recent municipal documents.
Administrative / Biographical history
The Câmara Municipal de Montemor-o-Novo fonds is part of the original collection of the Arquivo Municipal de Montemor-o-Novo. The oldest reference to a municipal archive dates from 1443 and can be found in the "Livro de Vereações" (city council meetings' minutes): it is a transference of responsibility for the council of documents and other assets, and it includes the list of items. It precedes the procedure established during the "Cortes" (national assembly) of Lisbon of 1498, determining that all city councils should store their documentation in an ark locked with two keys, one given to the notary and the other to the "vereadores" (councillors).
The archive remained in the Paços do Concelho (City Council Palace) until its move to a new building outside the walls in the 18th century. After the Liberal reform and the extinction of the Lavre and Cabrela municipalities, the fonds was enriched with their archival fonds. By then, the collection had already been organised by the judge José António de Leão in 1815. Another organisation work was undertaken in 1930 by Manuel Nunes Claro. In the 1930s, some precious documents were robbed and sold. Other losses occurred in the 1960s when the archive was moved to the Cine Teatro Curvo Semedo due to the reconstruction works in the Paços do Concelho.
In 1974, the historian António Alberto Banha de Andrade undertook the reorganisation and inventory of the archive collection. This effort made way to the final organisation of the archive, which started in 1982. In 1983, the Arquivo Histórico Municipal (City Historic Archive) opened in the former Convento de São João de Deus, which also hosted the Municipal Library. The Arquivo Municipal was relocated to the reformed building of the former prison of Montemor-o-Novo in 2008, where it remains at present.
The archive remained in the Paços do Concelho (City Council Palace) until its move to a new building outside the walls in the 18th century. After the Liberal reform and the extinction of the Lavre and Cabrela municipalities, the fonds was enriched with their archival fonds. By then, the collection had already been organised by the judge José António de Leão in 1815. Another organisation work was undertaken in 1930 by Manuel Nunes Claro. In the 1930s, some precious documents were robbed and sold. Other losses occurred in the 1960s when the archive was moved to the Cine Teatro Curvo Semedo due to the reconstruction works in the Paços do Concelho.
In 1974, the historian António Alberto Banha de Andrade undertook the reorganisation and inventory of the archive collection. This effort made way to the final organisation of the archive, which started in 1982. In 1983, the Arquivo Histórico Municipal (City Historic Archive) opened in the former Convento de São João de Deus, which also hosted the Municipal Library. The Arquivo Municipal was relocated to the reformed building of the former prison of Montemor-o-Novo in 2008, where it remains at present.
Access points: locations
Access points: subject terms
Access points: document types
System of arrangement
The fonds is organised into 10 sections. The "Actas das vereações" (Council meetings minutes) are part of the "Órgãos do Município" (Municipal bodies) section, and it includes records from 1443 to 1949, arranged chronologically. The "Livros de Receita e Despesa" are part of the "Serviços Financeiros" (Financial services) section; records from 1422 to 1922. The "Procuração" is in the "Controlo das Actividades Económicas" section.
Links to finding aids
Author of the description
Carla Vieira, 2021
Bibliography
Published primary sources
Linked resources
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| Title | Alternate label | Class |
|---|---|---|
| Arquivo Municipal de Montemor-o-Novo | Collections (official language of the state) |