Rewriting the Middle Ages in the Twentieth Century. II National Traditions

To write an imellectual biography of Oliveira Marques is, to some extent, to trace the evolution of medieval Pormguese historiography since the i96o's, within the scope of economic and social history and studies in local and regional history. Consequently, the aim of this text is to highlight the contribution of Oliveira Marques to the renewal of Portuguese historiography in general and the effects of his opus major as a Medievalist, touching on the innovative nature of the themes he explored, the topicality of his historical conceptions and the impact his work had within the community of Clio professionals and the less-specialised public. ln this context, the focus will obviously be on new scientific approaches, the relation with the dominam historiographic tendencies at the time and the way in which he interpreted highly diverse historical realities, showing himself to be proof against historiographic « fashions ».