Hospital Real de Coimbra
Item
Nota de estado
Finalizado
Country
PT
Name of institution (English)
University of Coimbra Archive
Name of institution (official language of the state)
Language of name of institution
por
Contact information: postal address
Rua de S. Pedro 2, 3000-370 Coimbra
Contact information: phone number
00351 239859855
Contact information: web address
Contact information: email
auc-geral@auc.uc.pt
Reference number
PT/AUC/HOS/HRC
Type of reference number
Archival reference number
Title (English)
Royal Hospital of Coimbra
Title (official language of the state)
Hospital Real de Coimbra
Language of title
por
Creator / accumulator
Hospital Real de Coimbra
Date(s)
1448/1772
Language(s)
lat
por
Extent
380 books, 12 bundles and 5 folders
Type of material
Textual Material
Physical condition
Poor
Scope and content
The Hospital Real de Coimbra fonds comprises regulations, letters, royal decrees and provisions relating to the foundation, privileges, and management of the Royal Hospital. It also includes records on the election of officers, salaries, admission and discharge of patients, as well as documents related to the Hospital's estates and assets (books of deeds and "emprazamentos" (emphyteusis contracts), property measurement and demarcation deeds, rent registry books, ledgers, etc). Some of these properties were located in the place of the former "judiaria" (Jewish quarter) of Coimbra and, for this reason, this collection contains records mentioning Jewish and New Christian owners or tenants. An example could be found in a record of the Tombo Velho do Hospital Real (Old Inventory of the Royal Hospital) dated from January 2, 1504, related to the "aforamento" (emphyteusis contract) of a house in the Rua Nova, where the "judiaria" of Coimbra was previously located (dep. IV, 2.º E-7, Tab. 5, N.º 1, fols. 8-8v). According to the record, the house was situated next to another house belonging to Mécia Rodrigues, a New Christian who is presented as Mestre Abraão's wife. This document was published in Gomes (2013).
Archival history
The Hospital Real de Coimbra fonds underwent various changes before being definitively incorporated into the Arquivo da Universidade de Coimbra. Unfortunately, its constant relocation and change of custody led to a loss of documentation. By comparing the current collection with the inventory of the fonds composed in 1698, it is possible to find the loss of some volumes.
The collection was initially stored in the Hospital's registry. After the Hospital Real's extinction in 1772, a large part of the documentation was transferred to the registry of the University of Coimbra. At the end of the 18th century, the collection was relocated to the University's Treasury Office, where it received archival processing.
In 1852, the Secretary-General of the Governo Civil (Civil Government) of Coimbra authorised the collection's relocation to the Governo Civil. At that time, the documentation was disorganised.
In 1934, a part of the Hospital Real fonds, together with records from the former São Lázaro Hospital, was transferred to the University's registry. Finally, the fonds was transferred to the new building of the Arquivo Histórico da Universidade de Coimbra, inaugurated in 1948.
The collection was initially stored in the Hospital's registry. After the Hospital Real's extinction in 1772, a large part of the documentation was transferred to the registry of the University of Coimbra. At the end of the 18th century, the collection was relocated to the University's Treasury Office, where it received archival processing.
In 1852, the Secretary-General of the Governo Civil (Civil Government) of Coimbra authorised the collection's relocation to the Governo Civil. At that time, the documentation was disorganised.
In 1934, a part of the Hospital Real fonds, together with records from the former São Lázaro Hospital, was transferred to the University's registry. Finally, the fonds was transferred to the new building of the Arquivo Histórico da Universidade de Coimbra, inaugurated in 1948.
Administrative / Biographical history
The Hospital Real de Coimbra was founded by King Manuel in 1504. Four years later, the Hospital received its first statutes, which were renewed shortly after, in 1510. To expand its assets and assistance capacity, the Hospital incorporated the properties of some small "albergarias" (hostels) and hospitals that were extinct in 1508.
Initially, the Hospital Real received 17 patients. It had two wards, one chapter, a hostel and a kitchen, and it was managed by a "provedor" (administrative officer) and an "almoxarife" (treasurer). It was also in the Hospital Real that the practical classes of the University of Coimbra's Medicine course took place.
The Hospital was economically supported by revenues from its rural and urban properties in Coimbra, Montemor-o-Velho, Alvoco da Serra and Seia. In 1514, King Manuel also donated 1% of the "almoxarifados" of Coimbra and Aveiro's incomes to the Hospital.
The Hospital Real, then known as Hospital de Nossa Senhora da Conceição, was closed down by the Marquis of Pombal's provision of October 21, 1772. Then, the "corregedor" (chief justice) of Coimbra's district took possession of the Hospital's assets and handed them over to the University's Treasury Board.
Initially, the Hospital Real received 17 patients. It had two wards, one chapter, a hostel and a kitchen, and it was managed by a "provedor" (administrative officer) and an "almoxarife" (treasurer). It was also in the Hospital Real that the practical classes of the University of Coimbra's Medicine course took place.
The Hospital was economically supported by revenues from its rural and urban properties in Coimbra, Montemor-o-Velho, Alvoco da Serra and Seia. In 1514, King Manuel also donated 1% of the "almoxarifados" of Coimbra and Aveiro's incomes to the Hospital.
The Hospital Real, then known as Hospital de Nossa Senhora da Conceição, was closed down by the Marquis of Pombal's provision of October 21, 1772. Then, the "corregedor" (chief justice) of Coimbra's district took possession of the Hospital's assets and handed them over to the University's Treasury Board.
Access points: locations
Access points: subject terms
Access points: document types
System of arrangement
The fonds is organised into seventeen documentary series, according to its typological character, and a collection of parchments. Records are arranged chronologically.
Finding aids
Links to finding aids
Author of the description
Mariana Lourenço dos Reis, 2021
Published primary sources
Linked resources
Filter by property
| Title | Alternate label | Class |
|---|---|---|
| Arquivo da Universidade de Coimbra | Collections (official language of the state) |