For the Honor of Her Lineage and Body: the Dowers and Dowries of Some Late Medieval Queens of Portugal

• Autores: Ana Maria S. A. Rodrigues
• Localización: e-Journal of Portuguese History, ISSN-e 1645-6432, Vol. 5, Nº. 1, 2007
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • In this article, we analyse the royal matrimonial contracts of the 15th century in order to evaluate their contribution to the autonomy, influence, power, and affluence of the queens of Portugal.

    The huge amounts of money promised in them as dowries and dowers remained in the hands of the kings and were paid to their spouses only in case of widowhood. But the queens were also entrusted with regular revenue that allowed them to have a consistent household and to be patrons of the arts and of the Church. And they received a certain number of towns where they could collect taxes, recruit troops, judge by appeal and appoint the local officials and priests.