The Portuguese "juiz do povo," or tribune of the people, had an important place in the social history of the once world-wide Portuguese Empire. He was the chief officer of the guilds, annually elected representative to the city council and Chairman of the Guildhall. The Guildhall was a sort of electoral college on the city level: an early representation of a democratic system. This book explores the role of the guildsmen as a political labor force, whose "juiz do povo" could, and did, speak out loudly and clearly as a voice of the people. He held a wide range of civic and guild dutiesoin matters of government, public order, markets, and celebrations. His position and prestige grew to such an extent that he was equated with the Provost of Paris and the Lord Mayor of London. This study of the Portuguese "juiz do povo" takes us into a rich and often animated guild scene. It is the world of the common man, not cut off from the society around him, but reaching up through the "juiz do povo" to touch the city council, the Church, and the Crown. Co-published with Atlantic Research and Publications, Inc.
- ISBN10 0819172359
- ISBN13 9780819172358
- Publish Date 28 February 1989
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 4 August 2021
- Publish Country US
- Imprint University Press of America
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 196
- Language English