(C. 1385-1464) 2007 - Departamento de História - Universidade ...

ABSTRACT
This historical research tried to understand the alliance strategy between the nobility and the Portuguese
monarchy in the 14th and 15th century. For such study, the research used Crónica de D. João I, written by
Fernão Lopes, and Crónica da tomada de Ceuta, Crónica do Conde Dom Pedro de Meneses and Crónica do
Conde Dom Duarte de Meneses, written by Gomes Eanes de Zurara. Analyzing the chroniclers’ arguments to
write such texts, it is noticed that they knew the chronicler occupation as the story of the past with a true
value, or still, the status of historicity was marked exactly for the compilation of such documents. In the
study of context of dynasty changing in the kingdom, it is noticed that a plenty of nobles approached
concerned to have political space with the new dynasty arrangement. From peace agreements with Castile
kingdom, an obstacle was raised to nobles who wanted to receive chivalry armament, because there wouldn’t
be a place to such nobility prerogatives. The Celta site, in the northwest of Africa, was chosen as a possible
place, therefore through the arguments of fight against the Muslim, identified as unfaithful, the attack to such
locality was legitimized. After the conquest, there was an investiture ceremony, but such symbolism would
only have meaning if the place was kept under Portuguese command, and in the search for possible captains,
the name of Conde Dom Pedro de Meneses was mentioned. About this noble, the search identified the
possibility of him acquiring prestige and power due to this nomination, being the border region a space of
political rise. And finally, the search identified that the writing of the chronicles happened in different
contexts, considering that the making contexts and its thematic emphases was analyzed. About Fernão Lopes’
texts, the study identified that king Dom Duarte wished a compilation of the kingdom’s history, considering
that Fernão Lopes’ texts can compare kings and their behaviors, raising the actions of Avis dynasty ahead of
Borgonha dynasty. In the case of Gomes Eanes de Zurara chronicles, the request of king Dom Afonso V,
suggests the concern to know the past actions, and from this, repay the nobles. The prescript elements, that
identify a stereotype, are mentioned in the analyzed chronicles, being able to be a trace of behavior expected
by the Portuguese political corp. At this mean, the chronicles represent memories, which justify their
compilation to keep personal practical.
Key-words: late medieval chronicles, Fernão Lopes; Gomes Eanes de Zurara; Portugal; 15th century; Ceuta;
border; power relations.
vi