Arquivo Histórico Municipal de Évora
Item
Country
PT
Name of institution (English)
Évora District Archive
Name of institution (official language of the state)
Language of name of institution
por
Contact information: postal address
Largo dos Colegiais 3, 7000-812 Évora
Contact information: phone number
00351 266006600
Contact information: web address
Contact information: email
mail@adevr.dglab.gov.pt
Reference number
PT/ADEVR/AL/AHMEVR
Type of reference number
Archival reference number
Title (English)
Évora City Historical Archive
Title (official language of the state)
Arquivo Histórico Municipal de Évora
Language of title
por
Creator / accumulator
Câmara Municipal de Évora
Date(s)
1167/1970
Language(s)
por
Extent
65 linear metres (1,243 storage units)
Type of material
Textual Material
Physical condition
Satisfactory
Scope and content
The Arquivo Histórico Municipal de Évora fonds comprises documents produced by the municipality of Évora along its history. It is organised in five series: "História do Município" (History of the Municipality); "Religião, cultura, assuntos militares" (Religion, culture, militar affairs); "Posturas, licenças e aforamentos, instrumentos de propriedade, tombos, inventários, escrituras, etc." (Orders, licences and emphyteusis, property records, inventories, deeds, etc.); "Artes e ofícios" (Crafts and professions) and "Livros de receitas e despesas" (Books of revenue and expenditures).
The medieval records are particularly rich in information on the Jewish community of Évora before the late 15th-century expulsion.
It is the case of the "Livros de Originais" (Books of Originals), which contains copies of royal documents (licences, letters, allowances, etc.) related to the city of Évora, some of them dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries. Some examples of references to the Jewish community of Évora are the following:
Livro 3º de Originais (PT/ADEVR/AL/AHMEVR/0076), fol. 129: Letter by Queen Leonor to D. Fernando de Castro with recommendations to avoid offences made by residents of Évora against the Jewish "comuna" (commune). October 24, 1495.
Ibidem, fol. 212-214: King João II replies to a complaint by the councillors of Évora about the arrival of many Spanish Jews to the city in transit to Lisbon at a moment when a plague raged in several regions of Spain. The king ordered that the Jews should be allowed to enter the city if they did not come from plagued places (December 9, 1492). However, the councillors of Évora did not comply with the royal order and formed an armed force to block the access of Jews to the city.
Ibidem, fol. 214: reference to an "arraial" (refugee camp) in Castelo de Vide of Spanish Jews who had entered Portugal via Marvão after the expulsion in 1492. According to this testimony, it hosted about 4000 to 5000 refugees.
The collection also includes 5 volumes entitled "Livros de pergaminhos" (Parchment books) with records from the 15th and 16th centuries, some of them related to Jews of Évora. The first book (Livro 1.º de Pergaminhos) is particularly rich in information. See the survey of references to Jews of Évora in Ferro Tavares (1984, 2nd volume).
Another document with relevant information on the Jewish community is the "Livro de Posturas Antigas de Évora" (Book of old orders) of the late 14th century, whose 17th-century copy is conserved in this fonds (PT/ADEVR/AL/AHMEVR/0202). It includes some "posturas" (orders) directed at the Jewish and Muslim minorities settled in the city. It was transcribed and published by Maria Filomena Barros (2018).
In the 19th century, Joaquim Heliodoro da Cunha Rivara, director of the Biblioteca Pública de Évora (Évora Public Library) organised a series of volumes with abstracts and copies of documents from the Arquivo Municipal de Évora's collection. The result was the manuscript volumes entitled as "Colecção de extractos de documentos do Arquivo Municipal" (collection of excerpts, which was published in the 1960s in the journal A Cidade de Évora) and "Colecção de treslados de documentos do Arquivo Municipal" (collection of copies). These volumes are also part of the Arquivo Histórico Municipal de Évora's fonds. The first three volumes of the "Colecção de treslados" comprise documentation from before the 16th century and include some records related to the Jewish community. For instance, the first volume (PT/ADEVR/AL/AHMEVR/0156), with copies of records from 1167 to 1449, contains a royal order (April 23, 1408) on the extension of the Jewish quarter of Évora; a confirmation of provisions given to the physician and the arrabi (Mestre Faym) of the Jewish "comuna" in 1432; and a royal letter to the "almoxarife" of Évora concerning a complaint by the Jewish comuna of Évora about the abusive collections of the "serviço real" (tax) in 1433. The second volume (PT/ADEVR/AL/AHMEVR/0157), which contains copies of documents from between 1450 and 1485, includes a letter by King Afonso V on May 23, 1480, prohibiting pledges in the synagogue of Évora, namely of Torahs and liturgical objects. These documents were transcribed and published by Gabriel Pereira (1885-91).
The medieval records are particularly rich in information on the Jewish community of Évora before the late 15th-century expulsion.
It is the case of the "Livros de Originais" (Books of Originals), which contains copies of royal documents (licences, letters, allowances, etc.) related to the city of Évora, some of them dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries. Some examples of references to the Jewish community of Évora are the following:
Livro 3º de Originais (PT/ADEVR/AL/AHMEVR/0076), fol. 129: Letter by Queen Leonor to D. Fernando de Castro with recommendations to avoid offences made by residents of Évora against the Jewish "comuna" (commune). October 24, 1495.
Ibidem, fol. 212-214: King João II replies to a complaint by the councillors of Évora about the arrival of many Spanish Jews to the city in transit to Lisbon at a moment when a plague raged in several regions of Spain. The king ordered that the Jews should be allowed to enter the city if they did not come from plagued places (December 9, 1492). However, the councillors of Évora did not comply with the royal order and formed an armed force to block the access of Jews to the city.
Ibidem, fol. 214: reference to an "arraial" (refugee camp) in Castelo de Vide of Spanish Jews who had entered Portugal via Marvão after the expulsion in 1492. According to this testimony, it hosted about 4000 to 5000 refugees.
The collection also includes 5 volumes entitled "Livros de pergaminhos" (Parchment books) with records from the 15th and 16th centuries, some of them related to Jews of Évora. The first book (Livro 1.º de Pergaminhos) is particularly rich in information. See the survey of references to Jews of Évora in Ferro Tavares (1984, 2nd volume).
Another document with relevant information on the Jewish community is the "Livro de Posturas Antigas de Évora" (Book of old orders) of the late 14th century, whose 17th-century copy is conserved in this fonds (PT/ADEVR/AL/AHMEVR/0202). It includes some "posturas" (orders) directed at the Jewish and Muslim minorities settled in the city. It was transcribed and published by Maria Filomena Barros (2018).
In the 19th century, Joaquim Heliodoro da Cunha Rivara, director of the Biblioteca Pública de Évora (Évora Public Library) organised a series of volumes with abstracts and copies of documents from the Arquivo Municipal de Évora's collection. The result was the manuscript volumes entitled as "Colecção de extractos de documentos do Arquivo Municipal" (collection of excerpts, which was published in the 1960s in the journal A Cidade de Évora) and "Colecção de treslados de documentos do Arquivo Municipal" (collection of copies). These volumes are also part of the Arquivo Histórico Municipal de Évora's fonds. The first three volumes of the "Colecção de treslados" comprise documentation from before the 16th century and include some records related to the Jewish community. For instance, the first volume (PT/ADEVR/AL/AHMEVR/0156), with copies of records from 1167 to 1449, contains a royal order (April 23, 1408) on the extension of the Jewish quarter of Évora; a confirmation of provisions given to the physician and the arrabi (Mestre Faym) of the Jewish "comuna" in 1432; and a royal letter to the "almoxarife" of Évora concerning a complaint by the Jewish comuna of Évora about the abusive collections of the "serviço real" (tax) in 1433. The second volume (PT/ADEVR/AL/AHMEVR/0157), which contains copies of documents from between 1450 and 1485, includes a letter by King Afonso V on May 23, 1480, prohibiting pledges in the synagogue of Évora, namely of Torahs and liturgical objects. These documents were transcribed and published by Gabriel Pereira (1885-91).
Archival history
The city archive of Évora was created to gather and conserve documents produced or delivered to the city council and ensure their good condition to be consulted where required. Already in medieval times, there was a concern to organise the municipal documentation. Proof of that is the first "Inventário do Cartório Comarcão" (Inventory of the District Registry) composed in 1392 by the notary João Afonso. During the reign of King João III (1502-1557), a new "Inventário do Cartório da Câmara de Évora" (Inventory of the Municipality of Évora's Registry) was produced, which had a supplement in 1584. Renewed efforts for the organisation of the archival collection were undertaken in the 17th century. In 1651, judge Francisco Cabral de Almada organised the medieval "posturas" (by-laws) of Évora, copied damaged documents and ordered the binding of the most important documents. In 1696, notary Luís da Cunha Estibeiro composed a new "Inventário da Câmara de Évora” (inventory of the city council of Évora).
In the late 18th century, priest José Lopes Mira gathered hundreds of documents from 1166 to 1635 from the city archive, and others from the Évora Cathedral registry and the Torre do Tombo. In the 19th century, Joaquim Heliodoro da Cunha Rivara, the director of the Biblioteca Pública de Évora (Évora Public Library), undertook an extended work of transcriptions and systematisation of the municipal documents, which resulted in 19 volumes of manuscript copies of about 12,000 documents, at present part of the Arquivo Histórico Municipal de Évora fonds. After the transference of the archive to the facilities of the Biblioteca Pública e Arquivo Distrital de Évora (Public Library and District Archive of Évora) in the Convento dos Lóios, the documentation was disorganised and stored without any order. When it moved to the "Casa Forte" (vault) of the Biblioteca Pública e Arquivo Distrital de Évora in 1944, it was reorganised and prepared for public consultation. In the sequence of this process, Túlio Espanca composed its definitive inventory in 1949 ("Inventário dos Antigos Arquivos da Câmara e do Real Celeiro Comum de Évora").
Since 1997, the Arquivo Distrital de Évora, which was separated from the Biblioteca Pública de Évora in 1963, has the custody of the Arquivo Histórico Municipal fonds.
In the late 18th century, priest José Lopes Mira gathered hundreds of documents from 1166 to 1635 from the city archive, and others from the Évora Cathedral registry and the Torre do Tombo. In the 19th century, Joaquim Heliodoro da Cunha Rivara, the director of the Biblioteca Pública de Évora (Évora Public Library), undertook an extended work of transcriptions and systematisation of the municipal documents, which resulted in 19 volumes of manuscript copies of about 12,000 documents, at present part of the Arquivo Histórico Municipal de Évora fonds. After the transference of the archive to the facilities of the Biblioteca Pública e Arquivo Distrital de Évora (Public Library and District Archive of Évora) in the Convento dos Lóios, the documentation was disorganised and stored without any order. When it moved to the "Casa Forte" (vault) of the Biblioteca Pública e Arquivo Distrital de Évora in 1944, it was reorganised and prepared for public consultation. In the sequence of this process, Túlio Espanca composed its definitive inventory in 1949 ("Inventário dos Antigos Arquivos da Câmara e do Real Celeiro Comum de Évora").
Since 1997, the Arquivo Distrital de Évora, which was separated from the Biblioteca Pública de Évora in 1963, has the custody of the Arquivo Histórico Municipal fonds.
Administrative / Biographical history
Évora has an old history, dating back to before the Roman occupation. In 1165, it was conquered by King Afonso I and became part of the kingdom of Portugal. In the following year, the king granted the city a "foral" (city charter). For centuries, Évora played a central role as one of the principal cities of the kingdom. The city expanded outside the walls in the medieval era. The Jewish and Muslim minorities settled in the "arrabaldes" (suburbs) and formed quite significant population cores. The "judiaria" of Évora became one of the biggest Jewish quarters in Portugal. In the mid-14th century, a new wall was built, which comprised this suburban area.
Évora reached its economic and political peak in the 16th century when it was chosen as the base of the royal court for some periods. It led to the construction of the "Paço Real" (Royal Palace) and the foundation of the University.
The archive of the municipality of Évora was stored in a room of the Paços do Concelho (City Council Palace) until 1917. One year before, a law decree had settled the creation of district archives attached to the public libraries. In the sequence of this decree, the municipal archive was transferred to the facilities of the new Biblioteca Pública e Arquivo Distrital de Évora (Public Library and District Archive of Évora) in the former Convento dos Lóios. In 1944, new director Armando Nobre Gusmão, aware of the poor conditions of housing and conservation of the documents, ordered their transference to the "Casa Forte" of the Biblioteca Pública e Arquivo Distrital. When the Arquivo Distrital (District Archive) was separated from the Biblioteca Pública de Évora in 1963, the historical collection of the municipal archive followed its move to the Colégio do Espírito Santo. In 1982, the collection was moved to the Paços do Concelho facilities and gathered with the most recent municipal records. In 1997, the custody of the historical municipal collection, the Arquivo Histórico Municipal fonds, was delivered to the Arquivo Distrital de Évora, where it remains at present.
Évora reached its economic and political peak in the 16th century when it was chosen as the base of the royal court for some periods. It led to the construction of the "Paço Real" (Royal Palace) and the foundation of the University.
The archive of the municipality of Évora was stored in a room of the Paços do Concelho (City Council Palace) until 1917. One year before, a law decree had settled the creation of district archives attached to the public libraries. In the sequence of this decree, the municipal archive was transferred to the facilities of the new Biblioteca Pública e Arquivo Distrital de Évora (Public Library and District Archive of Évora) in the former Convento dos Lóios. In 1944, new director Armando Nobre Gusmão, aware of the poor conditions of housing and conservation of the documents, ordered their transference to the "Casa Forte" of the Biblioteca Pública e Arquivo Distrital. When the Arquivo Distrital (District Archive) was separated from the Biblioteca Pública de Évora in 1963, the historical collection of the municipal archive followed its move to the Colégio do Espírito Santo. In 1982, the collection was moved to the Paços do Concelho facilities and gathered with the most recent municipal records. In 1997, the custody of the historical municipal collection, the Arquivo Histórico Municipal fonds, was delivered to the Arquivo Distrital de Évora, where it remains at present.
Access points: locations
Access points: subject terms
Access points: document types
System of arrangement
The collection conserves the original organisation as received from the Câmara Municipal de Évora.
Finding aids
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 Distrital de Évora | Collections (official language of the state) |