Mosteiro de São Vicente de Fora de Lisboa
Item
Country
PT
Name of institution (English)
The National Archive of Torre do Tombo
Name of institution (official language of the state)
Language of name of institution
por
Contact information: postal address
Alameda da Universidade, 1649-010 Lisbon
Contact information: phone number
00351 210037100
Contact information: web address
Contact information: email
mail@dglab.gov.pt
Reference number
PT/TT/MSVFL
Type of reference number
Archival reference number
Title (English)
Monastery of São Vicente de Fora of Lisbon
Title (official language of the state)
Mosteiro de São Vicente de Fora de Lisboa
Language of title
por
Creator / accumulator
Mosteiro de São Vicente de Fora de Lisboa
Date(s)
1162/1834
Language(s)
lat
por
Extent
154 books, 40 bundles and 33 boxes
Type of material
Textual Material
Physical condition
Good
Scope and content
The Mosteiro de São Vicente de Fora fonds comprises documentation related to or produced by this monastery of Lisbon, including records resulting from its administration, papal bulls with privileges granted to the monastery, donations, deeds of sale, rentals, "emprazamentos" and "aforamentos" (emphyteusis contracts) and other property related records, wills, inventories of assets, tax records, as well as documentation regarding the members, churches and chapels under the jurisdiction of the monastery. The properties of the monastery were located in various parishes of Lisbon and its outskirts, Sintra, Almada, Alenquer, Santarém, Montemor-o-Novo, Guarda and Castelo Mendo. Therefore, this fonds contains rich information related to the urban environment of Lisbon, its neighbourhoods and streets, and the population living there, inclusively the city's religious minorities, in particular, the Jewish community.
Here are some examples of records with references to the Jewish community and the "judiarias" (Jewish quarters) of Lisbon.
PT/TT/MSVFL/1M03/32: deed of sale with information regarding the early location of the Judiaria Grande (Great Jewish quarter). This is one of the first references to the Jewish quarter of Lisbon in the documentation. 1228.
PT/TT/MSVFL/1M32/19: nomination of a third person for the "emprazamento" (emphyteusis contract) of houses in the Jewish quarter of Alfama, which were leased to Judia Viana, a Jewish widow. She nominated her grandson. August 12, 1462. This document was transcribed by Ana Pereira Ferreira (2018).
PT/TT/MSVFL/005/L084: book recording "emprazamentos" (emphyteusis contracts) made by the Monastery in Lisbon and its outskirts that contains information on contracts signed with Jews. Here are some examples:
Fols. 43-44: “emprazamento" in three lives of some houses in the Jewish quarter of Alfama to Judas Faquim Bom Dia, a Jewish tailor, and his wife Palomba. The houses were near the tower of the church of São Pedro de Alfama and were composed of shop and its upper floor. They had previously belonged to Judas Simeão, also a Jew. Judas Faquim Bom Dia was bound by the contract to rebuild the houses within two years and pay a half-crown gold coin and a couple of hens per year at Christmas. October 6, 1412. Later, on July 8, 1418, Bom Dia renounced this contract. Then, the Monastery leased these houses to Isaque Toledão, a Jewish shoemaker, and his wife Doona, under similar conditions (fols. 171v-172v).
Fols. 159-160: "Emprazamento" in three lives of some houses in the Jewish quarter of Alfama, Lisbon, to Tamuiz, a Jewish tanner and parchment maker. The houses were located near the synagogue and other houses of the monastery leased to another Jew, Isaque o Rico. These houses were mostly destroyed, thus, the contract settled the condition that, if Tamuiz undertook improvement works over the following five years, he would be exempted from the rent. December 22, 1417. An abstract of this document is on fol. 20. A digital copy of this book is available online.
Here are some examples of records with references to the Jewish community and the "judiarias" (Jewish quarters) of Lisbon.
PT/TT/MSVFL/1M03/32: deed of sale with information regarding the early location of the Judiaria Grande (Great Jewish quarter). This is one of the first references to the Jewish quarter of Lisbon in the documentation. 1228.
PT/TT/MSVFL/1M32/19: nomination of a third person for the "emprazamento" (emphyteusis contract) of houses in the Jewish quarter of Alfama, which were leased to Judia Viana, a Jewish widow. She nominated her grandson. August 12, 1462. This document was transcribed by Ana Pereira Ferreira (2018).
PT/TT/MSVFL/005/L084: book recording "emprazamentos" (emphyteusis contracts) made by the Monastery in Lisbon and its outskirts that contains information on contracts signed with Jews. Here are some examples:
Fols. 43-44: “emprazamento" in three lives of some houses in the Jewish quarter of Alfama to Judas Faquim Bom Dia, a Jewish tailor, and his wife Palomba. The houses were near the tower of the church of São Pedro de Alfama and were composed of shop and its upper floor. They had previously belonged to Judas Simeão, also a Jew. Judas Faquim Bom Dia was bound by the contract to rebuild the houses within two years and pay a half-crown gold coin and a couple of hens per year at Christmas. October 6, 1412. Later, on July 8, 1418, Bom Dia renounced this contract. Then, the Monastery leased these houses to Isaque Toledão, a Jewish shoemaker, and his wife Doona, under similar conditions (fols. 171v-172v).
Fols. 159-160: "Emprazamento" in three lives of some houses in the Jewish quarter of Alfama, Lisbon, to Tamuiz, a Jewish tanner and parchment maker. The houses were located near the synagogue and other houses of the monastery leased to another Jew, Isaque o Rico. These houses were mostly destroyed, thus, the contract settled the condition that, if Tamuiz undertook improvement works over the following five years, he would be exempted from the rent. December 22, 1417. An abstract of this document is on fol. 20. A digital copy of this book is available online.
Archival history
Most documents of the registry of the Monastery of São Vicente were arranged into 44 cabinets. At some point, its organisation seems to follow a geographical, typological, and thematic order. The organisation of the cabinets was as follows: cabinets 1-3 with confirmations of jurisdiction, privileges, goods and donations; 4-12 with records regarding the management of rural properties; 14 with receipts for various payments and taxes; 15, 33 and 35 with records related to the monastery; 20 with interest bills; 21 and 22 with wills and records of assets donated to the monastery; 23 with records related to the purchase of assets; 30 with deeds of exchange; 31 with letters of sale and auction; 34 with documents related to chantries and graves; 36-38 dedicated to specific churches; 39-44 with records on the management of properties in Lisbon. Over the years, several original documents were gathered and bound together, which gave origin to the books of the cabinets 3, 31 and the Livros dos títulos extravagantes.
When the Monastery of São Vicente joined the Congregation of Santa Cruz, some records, both copies and originals, were sent to the Monastery of Santa Cruz in Coimbra. The documentation produced during the period of union with the Monastery of Mafra in 1772 was integrated into the registry of the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora. In the 18th century, many documents were transferred from the cabinets and composed the Livros Novos (New Books) series. The records were renumbered, discarding the numbering of the original cabinets.
After the extinction of the religious orders in 1834, the assets of the Monastery of São Vicente were transferred to the Direcção Geral dos Próprios Nacionais (General Directorate of National Assets).
The documents were collected and moved to the extinct Convent of São Francisco in Lisbon. An inventory made at the time noted that documents and books were mixed up and disorganised.
In 1876, following a government order, 309 books, 81 bundles and one box from the Monastery of São Vicente collection were sent to the Torre do Tombo. These items constituted the so-called "1.ª incorporação" (first incorporation). Some books entered the Manuscritos da Livraria (Manuscripts of the Library) collection.
The numbering of the books (127 to 142) that came from the Direção dos Próprios Nacionais was maintained. The oldest documents were transferred to the Colecção Especial (Special Collection) and ordered chronologically.
In 1894, 14 books and a folder from the Direcção Geral dos Próprios Nacionais were incorporated. Most of them contained records about privileges and the monastery's assets. Other documents from the Direcção Geral were successively transferred to the Torre do Tombo between the late 19th and the early 20th centuries.
Between 1938 and 1990, the Colecção Especial was reevaluated and its records were gradually incorporated into other fonds in an effort of recreating the original fonds. The only records that were not reintegrated in the Monastery of São Vicente fonds were the papal bulls that previously belonged to cabinets 1, 15, 17, 24, 27, 33 and 36.
When the Monastery of São Vicente joined the Congregation of Santa Cruz, some records, both copies and originals, were sent to the Monastery of Santa Cruz in Coimbra. The documentation produced during the period of union with the Monastery of Mafra in 1772 was integrated into the registry of the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora. In the 18th century, many documents were transferred from the cabinets and composed the Livros Novos (New Books) series. The records were renumbered, discarding the numbering of the original cabinets.
After the extinction of the religious orders in 1834, the assets of the Monastery of São Vicente were transferred to the Direcção Geral dos Próprios Nacionais (General Directorate of National Assets).
The documents were collected and moved to the extinct Convent of São Francisco in Lisbon. An inventory made at the time noted that documents and books were mixed up and disorganised.
In 1876, following a government order, 309 books, 81 bundles and one box from the Monastery of São Vicente collection were sent to the Torre do Tombo. These items constituted the so-called "1.ª incorporação" (first incorporation). Some books entered the Manuscritos da Livraria (Manuscripts of the Library) collection.
The numbering of the books (127 to 142) that came from the Direção dos Próprios Nacionais was maintained. The oldest documents were transferred to the Colecção Especial (Special Collection) and ordered chronologically.
In 1894, 14 books and a folder from the Direcção Geral dos Próprios Nacionais were incorporated. Most of them contained records about privileges and the monastery's assets. Other documents from the Direcção Geral were successively transferred to the Torre do Tombo between the late 19th and the early 20th centuries.
Between 1938 and 1990, the Colecção Especial was reevaluated and its records were gradually incorporated into other fonds in an effort of recreating the original fonds. The only records that were not reintegrated in the Monastery of São Vicente fonds were the papal bulls that previously belonged to cabinets 1, 15, 17, 24, 27, 33 and 36.
Administrative / Biographical history
The Monastery of São Vicente de Fora was founded by the first King of Portugal, D. Afonso Henriques, in order to fulfil a promise he had made before the siege of the city: if the conquest was successful, he would build a Monastery dedicated to Saint Vincent. The Monastery was built outside the walls and, thus, it is known as Mosteiro de São Vicente de Fora (Outside Monastery of São Vicente).
The Monastery was occupied by Canons Regular of Saint Augustin. In 1206, it became independent from the control of the Bishop of Lisbon. The Pope confirmed that the Monastery did not have to pay the custom clerical tax, the "dízimo", (tithe). Therefore, the jurisdiction was mostly held by the prior.
After receiving the relics of the martyr Saint Vincent in 1173, the Monastery was turned into a place of pilgrimage. Then, a hospital and a lodge were built in order to accommodate the pilgrims. Various other sections were added to the Monastery over the centuries, such as the sacristy, chapel, infirmary, closet, etc.
In the second half of the 13th century, the Monastery opened for nuns as well. From then on, they inhabited the Monastery and had their own houses in its facilities. They were under the rule of their prioress, but they should follow the orders of the Prior of São Vicente.
The Monastery became the home of various notorious figures, such as Saint Anthony of Lisbon. It also played a crucial role for the Crown, since it enjoyed exclusivity over the printing of royal ordinances.
In the 16th century, following the provisions of the Council of Trent, the monasteries in Portugal entered a time of reform and were grouped in confederations of the same religious order. Thus, the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora joined the Congregation of Santa Cruz of Coimbra, headed by the Monastery of Santa Cruz.
At the end of the century, the monastery was reconstructed and the new building came to be one of the greatest examples of Mannerism in Portugal. Furthermore, King João IV also made a symbolic decision by choosing the Monastery as royal pantheon.
In 1612, the goods and privileges of the Monastery of Santa Maria de Oliveira in Vermoim, Famalicão (northern Portugal), were transferred to São Vicente and its clerics moved to the Lisbon monastery. In 1772, following a papal order, São Vicente and other nine monasteries of the same congregation were unified with the Monastery of Mafra. The following year, the Pope bestowed the Church and Monastery of São Vicente on the Patriarchal Church and its rights and incomes to the Monastery of Mafra. These circumstances changed in 1790, when the General Inquisitor, D. José Maria de Melo, ordered the restitution of all goods to the Monastery, with the recognition of the Pope two years later.
In 1794, the Monastery of São Vicente received the assets and incomes of the extinct Monasteries of Salvador of Moreira, Santa Maria of Landim, São Miguel of Vilarinho and Santa Maria of Vila Boa do Bispo, and part of those from the Monastery of São Jorge of Coimbra.
In 1834, religious orders and male monasteries were extinguished in Portugal by the new Liberal regime. During the 19th century, the Monastery was the home of a secondary education school, the Liceu Gil Vicente. Nowadays, it is the headquarters of the Patriarchate of Lisbon.
The Monastery was occupied by Canons Regular of Saint Augustin. In 1206, it became independent from the control of the Bishop of Lisbon. The Pope confirmed that the Monastery did not have to pay the custom clerical tax, the "dízimo", (tithe). Therefore, the jurisdiction was mostly held by the prior.
After receiving the relics of the martyr Saint Vincent in 1173, the Monastery was turned into a place of pilgrimage. Then, a hospital and a lodge were built in order to accommodate the pilgrims. Various other sections were added to the Monastery over the centuries, such as the sacristy, chapel, infirmary, closet, etc.
In the second half of the 13th century, the Monastery opened for nuns as well. From then on, they inhabited the Monastery and had their own houses in its facilities. They were under the rule of their prioress, but they should follow the orders of the Prior of São Vicente.
The Monastery became the home of various notorious figures, such as Saint Anthony of Lisbon. It also played a crucial role for the Crown, since it enjoyed exclusivity over the printing of royal ordinances.
In the 16th century, following the provisions of the Council of Trent, the monasteries in Portugal entered a time of reform and were grouped in confederations of the same religious order. Thus, the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora joined the Congregation of Santa Cruz of Coimbra, headed by the Monastery of Santa Cruz.
At the end of the century, the monastery was reconstructed and the new building came to be one of the greatest examples of Mannerism in Portugal. Furthermore, King João IV also made a symbolic decision by choosing the Monastery as royal pantheon.
In 1612, the goods and privileges of the Monastery of Santa Maria de Oliveira in Vermoim, Famalicão (northern Portugal), were transferred to São Vicente and its clerics moved to the Lisbon monastery. In 1772, following a papal order, São Vicente and other nine monasteries of the same congregation were unified with the Monastery of Mafra. The following year, the Pope bestowed the Church and Monastery of São Vicente on the Patriarchal Church and its rights and incomes to the Monastery of Mafra. These circumstances changed in 1790, when the General Inquisitor, D. José Maria de Melo, ordered the restitution of all goods to the Monastery, with the recognition of the Pope two years later.
In 1794, the Monastery of São Vicente received the assets and incomes of the extinct Monasteries of Salvador of Moreira, Santa Maria of Landim, São Miguel of Vilarinho and Santa Maria of Vila Boa do Bispo, and part of those from the Monastery of São Jorge of Coimbra.
In 1834, religious orders and male monasteries were extinguished in Portugal by the new Liberal regime. During the 19th century, the Monastery was the home of a secondary education school, the Liceu Gil Vicente. Nowadays, it is the headquarters of the Patriarchate of Lisbon.
Access points: locations
Access points: subject terms
Access points: document types
System of arrangement
This fonds has a total of 154 books, 40 bundles and 33 boxes. The books are organised into 19 series, arranged thematically. The 40 bundles are part of the first incorporation and are generally arranged chronologically. The 33 boxes are part of the second incorporation and are arranged chronologically as well.
Access, restrictions
The consultation of some documents requires special authorisation. Records in poor condition or available in digital format are not available for consultation.
Finding aids
Unpublished finding aids available in theTorre do Tombo:
Catalogues of maços (bundles) 1 to 18, 1.ª incorporação (first incorporation). (C 363-C 368).
Catalogue of maços 19 to 21, 1.ª incorporação, and 22 documents and 5 reels of parchments in caixa (box) 31, 2.ª incorporação (second incorporation). (C 369)
Catalogues of documents of caixas (boxes) 1 to 29, 2.ª incorporação (second incorporation). (C 370-C 386).
"Catálogo dos documentos da cx. 30 do Mosteiro de São Vicente de Fora, e descrição sumária de 80 votos de profissão de frades do mosteiro da cx. 31, 2.ª incorporação" (Catalogue of the documents of box 30 of the Monastery of São Vicente de Fora and summary description of 80 vows of the monastery's friars in box 31, second incorporation) (C 387).
"Catálogo dos documentos das cx. 1, 14, 15, 16 do Mosteiro de São Vicente de Fora, 2.ª incorporação, relativos a Sintra, Cascais, Colares, e seus termos (1192-1806)" (Catalogue of the documents of boxes 1, 14, 15 and 16, second incorporation, related to Sintra, Cascais, Colares and their outskirts (1192-1806)). Organised in chronological order. 1978 (C 1075).
"Índice (inventário) dos livros de diversos conventos, ordens militares e outras corporações religiosas guardadas no Arquivo da Torre do Tombo" (Inventory of books of diverse convents, military orders and other religious organisations kept in the Archive of Torre do Tombo), "Conventos Diversos" (Diverse Convents), caderneta (booklet) 5. It describes 78 books. (C 272), fols. 46-170.
"Inventário das Corporações Religiosas, desintegrado da antiga Colecção Especial" (Inventory of Religious Organisations extracted from the former Colecção Especial). It described 40 bundles of the first incorporation. (L 208), fols 4-4 v.
"Relação de documentos vindos da Direcção-Geral dos Próprios Nacionais, em 14 de Maio de 1894" (Inventory of documents coming from the Direcção-Geral dos Próprios Nacionais on May 14, 1894). Topographic organisation. It describes 15 books and a folder of various documents that are part of the box 31 of the second incorporation (C 278), fols. 143-158.
"Relação de documentos pertencentes aos cartórios do Convento da Piedade de Cascais, do Mosteiro de São Vicente de Fora, do Mosteiro de São Dinis de Odivelas, do Convento de Nossa Senhora dos Anjos de Torres Vedras, do Convento do Varatojo, do Mosteiro de Vairão, do Convento da Visitação de Vila Verde dos Francos, transferidos da Direcção-Geral dos Próprios Nacionais para o Arquivo da Torre do Tombo" (Inventory of documents belonging to the Convent of Piedade of Cascais, Monastery of São Vicente de Fora, Monastery of São Dinis of Odivelas, Convent of Nossa Senhora dos Anjos of Torres Vedras, Convent of Varatojo, Monastery of Vairão, Convent of Visitação of Vila Verde dos Francos, transferred from the Direcção-Geral dos Próprios Nacionais to the Archive of Torre do Tombo). It described 89 documents. (L 287), fol. 5.
"Suplemento da Colecção Especial: relações sumárias das bulas, cx. 1-15, breves, cx.16-22, de sentenças apostólicas, cx. 23-24, sentenças executoriais, cx. 25-26, "Miscelânea eclesiástica", cx. 27, diplomas emanados do poder real, cx. 28-72, de príncipes, infantes, duques de Bragança, rainhas, cardeais, arcebispos, bispos, de patriarcas (...), e relações de unidades de instalação respeitantes a instituições eclesiásticas regulares e seculares" (Supplement of the Colecção Especial: summary inventories of bulls, cx. 1-15, briefs, cx.16-22, apostolic sentences, cx. 23-24, executory sentences, cx. 25-26, "Ecclesiastic miscellany", cx. 27, diploms issued by the Crown, cx. 28-72, princes, dukes of Bragança, queens, cardinals, archbishops, bishops, patriarcs (...), and inventories of installation units related to ecclesiastic institutions). It described the first 21 bundles of the first incorporation that previously belonged to the Colecção Especial. (L 207), fol. 13.
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