Abstract:
The studies of queenship intend to identify the nature of the queens’ legitimate power and its range of action. Concerning the situation in Portugal, the organization of the House of the Queen, with her dominion over certain lands, which granted economic resources and the power of justice to the queen, is clear in the XV century, but it has its bases originated in the beginning of the reign. The stability of certain villages reserved to the queen, as well as her civil and criminal jurisdiction over them, show this slow demarcation of such powers. These economical resources and jurisdiction are important bases for other power considered legitimate of the Portuguese medieval queen, related not only to matrimony, to lineage and maternity, but also to patronage, religious piety and intercession concerning to the king, including warlike matters. The chronicles of the kingdom are an important source for the analysis of such power.
Keywords:
Queen; Power; Jurisdiction