Casa de Povolide
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
http://antt.dglab.gov.pt/contactos/
https://digitarq.arquivos.pt/
Contact information: email
mail@dglab.gov.pt
Reference number
PT/TT/CPV
Type of reference number
Archival reference number
Title (English)
House of Povolide
Title (official language of the state)
Casa de Povolide
Language of title
por
Creator / accumulator
Casa de Povolide
Date note
15th century/20th century
Language(s)
por
Extent
139 boxes, 165 bundles and 16 books
Type of material
Textual Material
Physical condition
Good
Scope and content
The Casa de Povolide fonds comprises documentation produced by or related to the House of the Counts of Povolide, particularly records regarding genealogical matters and acquisition and management of properties and incomes. It includes genealogical records, records related to the possession of goods and rights, and administration documents, such as licenses, donations, wills, ordinances, sales, purchases, emphyteusis contracts, rolls of properties, sentences, records of “morgadios” (entails), etc. The documentation mentions several locations, mainly in central and southern Portugal, such as Lisbon, Povolide, Atouguia da Baleia, Trancoso, Fonte do Louro, Évora, Casal de Santinheira, Tinhoseira, Azeitão, Pinhel, Paradela, Santar, Peniche, Loures, Santarém, Santa Maria de Antimes, Moimenta da Beira, and Cães de Baixo. The fonds also includes inventories of goods like jewellery, silverware, furniture, clothes, and memoirs and letters from members of the house of Povolide. As to Jewish-related documentation, it should be highlighted a deed in which Fernão Gil, the prince's treasurer, exchanges a house in the "judiaria" (Jewish quarter) for a rural property with a vineyard and olive trees near Fonte do Louro, in the outskirts of the city (maço 25, doc. 6). The deed is dated May 30, 1433, and has attached the copy of the "aforamento" (emphyteusis contract) of the aforementioned house that Gil had contracted with Josepe Bom Judeu on behalf of the Jewish "comuna" (commune) on May 2, 1432. This contract includes the power of attorney given to Bom Judeu by the Jewish “comuna” of Lisbon, written by its notary, Joane Zaaboca, in the synagogue of the Judiaria Velha (old Jewish quarter) on April 1, 1432. The “comuna” was represented by several members, whose names are listed: Abraão de Narbon and Necim Fayom, both merchants and rabbis of the comuna; Abrahão Valencim; Michael and Josepe Amado; Josepe Vidal; Isaque Arame; Cerlema Colcheiro; Mousem Muam; Judas Abraque and Judas Abraão Dino. The deed was witnessed by Abraão Huys, Josepe Necim and Navarro Porteiro.
We thank Pedro Pinto for bringing this document to our attention.
We thank Pedro Pinto for bringing this document to our attention.
Archival history
The archive of the House of Povolide was transferred to Aveiras de Baixo (about 60 km from Lisbon) after the marriage of Pedro José Maria do Rosário da Silva Telo e Noronha, Count of Aveiras and Povolide, in 1940. In 1982, the Instituto Português do Património Cultural (Portuguese Institute of Cultural Patrimony) purchased the archive to José Maria da Silva Telo de Noronha, member of the family and heir of the collection. The records entered the National Archive of Torre do Tombo on January 27, 1983.
Administrative / Biographical history
The first Lord of Povolide was João Lourenço Ferreira Amado (b. 1395), whose title was granted by King João I for his military services in the North African military campaigns. His son, Pedro Lourenço Ferreira (b. 1420), was known as the “Mata-Judeus” (the Jews' Killer). The origin of this name dates back to the time when he was the lord of the "judiaria" (Jewish quarter) of Trancoso. The members of the Povolide family served the Crown for years.
The title of Count of Povolide was finally granted to Tristão da Cunha de Ataíde e Melo (1655-1722). He was son of the Lord of Povolide and nephew of the Count of Pontével. Tristão was the president of both the Misericórdia of Lisbon and of the Council of the King. His son Luís Vasques da Cunha Ataíde presided the Junta do Tabaco (council that supervised the tobacco trade) and his grandson José da Cunha Grã de Ataíde e Melo (1734-1792) was governor and “capitão-general” (general captain) of Pernambuco and Bahia, president of the Senate of Lisbon and governor of Brazil. The autonomy of the House ended shortly after, as the fourth Count of Povolide died without children in 1833. The Counts of Valadares took over the representation of the House, following the marriage of the sister of the fourth Count of Povolide with D. Pedro António de Noronha, eighth Count of Valadares. However, his son died with no direct heirs and both Houses went under the wing of the Marquis of Vagos and Counts of Aveiras. Their patrimony included assets in Povolide; Castro Verde; Paradela; the “reguengos” (royal demesnes) of Cais, Passos and Moimenta; and estates in Barda, Pinhel, Codeceiro and Vale da Madeira.
The title of Count of Povolide was finally granted to Tristão da Cunha de Ataíde e Melo (1655-1722). He was son of the Lord of Povolide and nephew of the Count of Pontével. Tristão was the president of both the Misericórdia of Lisbon and of the Council of the King. His son Luís Vasques da Cunha Ataíde presided the Junta do Tabaco (council that supervised the tobacco trade) and his grandson José da Cunha Grã de Ataíde e Melo (1734-1792) was governor and “capitão-general” (general captain) of Pernambuco and Bahia, president of the Senate of Lisbon and governor of Brazil. The autonomy of the House ended shortly after, as the fourth Count of Povolide died without children in 1833. The Counts of Valadares took over the representation of the House, following the marriage of the sister of the fourth Count of Povolide with D. Pedro António de Noronha, eighth Count of Valadares. However, his son died with no direct heirs and both Houses went under the wing of the Marquis of Vagos and Counts of Aveiras. Their patrimony included assets in Povolide; Castro Verde; Paradela; the “reguengos” (royal demesnes) of Cais, Passos and Moimenta; and estates in Barda, Pinhel, Codeceiro and Vale da Madeira.
Access points: locations
Access points: corporate bodies
Access points: subject terms
Access points: document types
System of arrangement
The records are arranged according to organic and functional criteria.
Access, restrictions
No restrictions, except for records in poor condition or available in digital format.
Finding aids
Typewritten finding aids available in Torre do Tombo:
"Arquivo da Casa dos Senhores e Condes de Aveiras e dos Marqueses Vagos". (L 518).
Published finding aids:
Links to finding aids
Author of the description
Inês de Sá, 2021
Linked resources
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| Title | Alternate label | Class |
|---|---|---|
| Arquivo Nacional da Torre do Tombo | Collections (official language of the state) |