The commanderies of the Military Order of Santiago around Campo de Ourique (Portugal) in the Middle Ages

Abstract

This chapter focuses on a broadly neglected area of the Portuguese historiography on the Military Orders: transhumance. During the first half of the fourteenth century, the Order of Santiago was able to set up and organize its own domain in Portugal, composed of extensive land holdings located mainly to the south of the Tagus estuary. The Order both established coastal commanderies and developed pasture lands in an area where cross-border cattle movements from Castile would provide an important source of income. Focussing in particular on the Military Order of Santiago, there is a confirmed presence of the Order in what is Portuguese territory from 1172, when the king bestowed upon the Order possessions in Monsanto and Arruda, followed by Abrantes, in recognition of its participation in the Reconquest campaigns. In 1329, the Military Order of Santiago renounced its rights over the commandery of Arruda in exchange for properties and lands in Odemira, adjoining Campo de Ourique.