Medieval and Renaissance Studies

The main aims of this group are to carry out research projects focusing on political societies and Religious and Military Orders; the study of the political society and the power exerted in its context in the Middle Ages, the study of the social and economic dimensions of the Orders, as well as the relations between these institutions and the Portuguese Monarchy during the Middle Ages; to study the conceptual notions that explain the structure of the Orders, such as commandaries, the lands and rents collected by them, families and power strategies, or the role of the church; to carry out the documentary and bibliographic survey in archives and national and international libraries; to participate directly in post-graduation processes (Master’s and PhD thesis), through lectures, seminars and scientific guidance of academic dissertations; to publish documentary sources on Military Orders, royal inquiries and local powers; to organize scientific meetings on the above mentioned themes and to participate in international seminars with the presentation of papers, followed by their publication.