Entangled Inheritances: Confraternities as Ritual Heirs. Some Examples from the Misericórdia of Porto (16th-17th Centuries)

L'Atelier du CRH

关键词: Inheritances;    Confraternities;    Portuguese Misericórdias;    Charity;    Donors;    Ritual Inheritances;   

DOI  :  

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

In the Portuguese inheritance system only kin in vertical line were mandatory heirs, thus creating a pool of heirless testators who could dispose freely of their assets. Not only the institutions of the Catholic Church benefitted from them, but also confraternities such as the Misericórdias received property in exchange for salvific rituals such as masses for their souls or charity to the poor. The analysis of single case studies from the Misericórdia of Porto demonstrates that in case of litigation the court favoured the confraternity, on account of its role as provider of charity to the poor. However, the fact that the Misericórdia was under the king’s protection also meant that the latter could use inheritance money in case of financial crisis.

【 授权许可】

Unknown