Attempts to define the meridian of the Treaty of Tordesillas. 1. The context and structure of the Treaty. The Treaty of Tordesillas stipulated that the demarcation of the 370 leagues west of Cape Verde would be carried out by pilots, astrologers and sailors from both parties. Within ten months of […]
The Treaty of Tordesillas (1494) divided overseas territories. 1. Context King John II protested to the Roman Curia and neighbouring kings who benefited from the bulls issued by Alexander VI. He sent agents to Spain to propose a new dividing line for the overseas territories that was less harmful than […]
The bulls of Alexander VI and the dispute between Spain and Portugal over the new lands (1493). This text explains the papal bulls issued by Alexander VI in 1493, particularly Inter caetera, Eximie devotionis and Dudum siquidem, and their influence on the dispute between Spain and Portugal over the newly […]
1 — Ratifications of Portuguese expansion by the Holy See 1. Context and authority of the Holy See In the Middle Ages and early Modern Age, the Holy See occupied a position superior to other Christian nations. As a supranational authority, its moral influence was recognised and reaffirmed — including […]
Hereditary captaincies created between 1534 and 1536 Implementing the plan announced to Martim Afonso de Sousa in 1532, King João III created,
To populate the deserted Atlantic Ocean islands discovered in the 15th century, such as Madeira, Porto Santo, the Azores, Cape Verde and São Tomé,
Context and controversy Several authors have debated the similarities and differences between the Hereditary Captaincies and medieval feudalism,
Hereditary Captaincies in the 16th Century: Background to their Creation Despite being a small country with limited resources, Portugal distinguished
The return of Martim Afonso de Sousa to Portugal A brief account of Martim Afonso’s return to Portugal after completing his work in São
Martim Afonso’s voyage to Brazil (1530–1532) and Pero Lopes’ return to Portugal. The expedition led by Martim Afonso de Sousa to Brazil
Olinda was the birthplace of Franciscanism in Portuguese America, as well as being the starting point for the expansion of convents in
Martim Afonso de Sousa’s voyage to Brazil was a maritime expedition involving military, exploratory and colonising activities along the coast
Located a few kilometres between Pipa and Baía Formosa, Sibaúma is a pristine coastal village in Rio Grande do Norte. It is the perfect destination
Praia dos Carneiros is a photogenic beach located about an hour from Recife. Just a few kilometres from Recife, the beach of Praia dos Carneiros in
Discover the best beaches in the northeast for relaxation, with three perfect getaways offering stunning scenery, high-end accommodation and
To understand frevo is to reconstruct the history of Recife’s working classes and the city’s urban development between the late 19th and
According to many scholars, music and dance have been part of Brazilian culture since its inception, providing an outlet for the tensions arising
The expedition of Martim Afonso de Sousa: towards the colonisation of Brazil. Martim Afonso de Sousa came from one of the most notable families in
The colonising expedition led by Martim Afonso de Sousa and sent by the King of Portugal in 1530 was the first official attempt at permanently
From the start of the 16th century until its midpoint, the Brazilian coast saw frequent passages and incursions by Spanish navigators, either en
European interest in and conflict over Brazilwood in the 16th and 17th centuries. This chapter examines the exploitation and trade of Brazilwood
The Portuguese expedition to Brazil in 1503: discoveries, controversies and developments. Several printed and handwritten sources from the early
The captains of Pedro Álvares Cabral’s fleet proposed sending an expedition to explore the new land further. In 1501, King Manuel accepted the
The Portuguese intention behind Cabral’s discovery of Brazil. Some historians debate whether it was Spanish sailors or the Portuguese who first
