Bonding the ‘Nação’ with Fun

Description

While scholarship has paid much attention to the role of endogamy in strengthening the social fabric of diaspora, this presentation highlights the critical role of leisure to socialization that reinforced the constitution of the converso “Nação.” In Inquisition files, leisure and fun features prominently amid confessions, denunciations and defense claims against potential accusations. According to Inquisition records, men usually met at night to gamble; and women visited each other during daytime. People often took walks in the cities’ bucolic surroundings. On the meadows outside the city walls, they watched the River Douro and the city. They also took boat trips on the river, which sometimes were followed by picnics. They rested on the river’s banks, pitching tents and watching the fishermen in their boats fishing lamprey. During these promenades, individuals and groups often encountered their fellow townspeople. On the other hand, enmities arising around gambling tables were among the most common defense allegations raised by Porto New Christian merchants against their presumptive accusers. Mingling, fun and friction were different aspects of the same phenomenon.

Source 1 Translation

Arquivo Nacional da Torre do Tombo (Lisbon, Portugal)

Inquisição de Coimbra, processo 1322:

“[fol. 131v.] [Two years before the imprisonment of the defendant,] the following people passed by the defendant’s shop: Luis Mendes, New Christian merchant and son of the aforesaid Manuel Mendes, and his wife, Francisca Dias, who live at the Fonte Dourina [Taurina], and who are not relatives of the defendant but his acquaintances and friends. They entered into the shop and let him know that they were about to have a leisure time by the River Douro. Among other conversations they then had, they came to talk about things of the Law of Moses, but he does not remember on what instance or which of them started the conversation either. On that occasion, they declared [to believe in the Law of Moses]”.

“[fol. 149v.] he also recalled that six years ago, which six years will be completed around next the month of September, he, the defendant, was in the city of Porto, on the Fields of the Olival. He does not remember on what day in the aforesaid month, but it was the same one on which the Fast of the Great Day is celebrated. He then said that he recalled that it was October 4 [1612], because on that day the Fast of the Great Day fell. He was then with Francisco Nunes Preto, New Christian, bachelor and son of Luis Nunes, with whom he lives, and with Jorge Mendes, New Christian who passed away […]. The aforesaid Francisco Nunes asked the defendant if he fasted on that day because it was the Great Fast, and he replied that he did. On this occasion, they declared [to believe in the Law of Moses] = He also said that [fol. 150] about three years ago, he, the defendant, went, in the city of Porto, to the house of Diogo Gomes, New Christian and cloth merchant on the Rua da Fonte Dourina [Taurina], and son of the Papa-Robalos. There, he found, together with the said Diogo Gomes, his sister, Francisca Dias [and then they declared to believe in the Law of Moses]”.

“[fol. 150] [Six years ago, in Porto,] the confitent was strolling around the Adro [Arcades] of Saint Dominic with Jerônimo Dias, New Christian, who does not have a profession, and lives on the Rua de Belmonte, and there is no one with the same name who lives there. Then, the confitent asked him – he does not remember on what instance – whether he knew when the Fast of Queen Esther fell, and the aforesaid Jerônimo Dias told him. On this occasion, they declared [to believe in the Law of Moses].”

Inquisição de Coimbra, processo 6070

“[fol. 55v.] = He said further that a year ago, and three months, more or less, he does not remember the exact month or day, in the city of Porto, the confitent promenaded around the [Adro/Arcade] of Saint Dominic in the company of Domingos Lopes Vitoria, New Christian, merchant, who lives on the Rua da Ferraria. When both were alone, they let each other know that they believed in and lived by the Law of Moses. He does not remember on what instance or which of them started the conversation […].”

Inquisição de Coimbra, processo 8461

“[ Confession Session of March 24,1620, fol. 4v. of the session] Three years ago, more or less, in the city of Porto, he, the confitent, was promenading on the Saint Dominic Square with Henrique Fernandes […] and with Luis Mendes, New Christian, bachelor, son of Francisco Mendes, deceased merchant, and of Maria Mendes, widow, with whom he now lives on the Street of São Miguel in this city of Porto. Because they are very good friends, he, the confitent, invited them to go to his house, where he would order some pastries for a snack. Then, one of them, whom he does not recall which, said: – Pastries, no! And the other one said: – Yes, order them to be bought! The first one then replied that they should not be brought in because they have [animal חלב] fat. The other one asked whether he ate it. On that instance, all came to say that they did not eat fat and that it was not clean [fol. 5] to eat it; and they told each other [that they believed in the Law of Moses].”

Inquisição de Lisboa, processo 3080

“[Denunciations Session of November, 11, 1621] – he said that […] he also remembers that seven or eight years ago, in a [damaged] in the morning, he, the confitent, was on the Adro of Saint Dominic in the city of Porto with Jerônimo da Fonseca, bachelor, who is older than thirty years old, son of Diogo Fernandes Pina. Both were promenading alone and read some sepultures that are set in the aforesaid arcade. On that instance, they spoke about the Law of Moses, and declared to each other [to believe in it].”

Inquisição de Coimbra, processo 6987

Four years ago, “[fol. 62v.] he, the confitent, was in the city of Porto and went to the house of Ana da Fonseca, New Christian, his first-cousin, wife of Miguel de Carvalho, they staying in Brazil. Both were alone, she and he, the confitent, let each other know [that they believed in the Law of Moses].”

Inquisição de Coimbra, processo 8658

Eight years ago, in the city of Porto, during a holiday, at the time that Miguel de Araujo served as a court official, he invited the confitent and “[fol. 69v.] Antonio Tomas, New Christian, son of “the Navarro” already deceased, merchant, and resident on the Fonte Dourina [Taurina], together with Miguel Dias, New Christian, merchant, resident on the Fonte Dourina [Taurina], nicknamed “Papa-Robalos,” married to a daughter of Jorge Fernandes, merchant, resident on the aforesaid street, and other people of that city to have lunch in the villa of Miguel de Leão, citizen of that city, which is next to the [Collegiate Church of] Cedofeita. After lunch, everyone started to retire to their own homes. The aforesaid Antonio Tomas and Miguel Dias accompanied him, the confitent. Along the way, among other discussions, he, confitent, said: – The court official has served us well at lunch. Then, they replied: – He did well, but he gave us some loins full of fat that could not be eaten. Then, he, the confitent, dissimulated and told them: – Because fat loins are not good. Then, the aforesaid people laughed to each other.”

Inquisição de Lisboa, processo 11260, fl. 145.

“[fol. 145] 3 He will prove that [Manuel da Fonseca Soares and Domingos Henriques were neighbors and shared a wall], and they met in banquets and other gatherings that they had among themselves. Thus, they all and each of them individually were enemies of Afonso Cardoso, brother of him, defendant, and of him, the defendant.”

Inquisição de Lisboa, processo 728

“[fol. 139v.] – Asked if any person hated the defendant, he said that he believed that Paulo Lopes da Cunha and his brother, Dr. Luis da Cunha, were his enemies, because Paulo Lopes da Cunha gambled sometimes with the defendant, and they had many arguments concerning the games. They cursed each other and even squabbled.” Furthermore, the wife of Paulo Lopes da Cunha disliked the fact that her husband went gambling at the house of the defendant. Sometimes, she went to the window “[fol. 140] that turned to the defendant’s and called him ill-said things. He called him ass and bold. Because the defendant did not want to have differences with the wife of the aforesaid Paulo Lopes, neither appreciate[?] with him, he told the said Paulo Lopes not to come back to his home. Nevertheless, the aforesaid Paulo Lopes continued to visit the house of the defendant. Although that annoyed the defendant, he did not say anything to Paulo Lopes because he did not want to have conflicts with him.”

Inquisição de Lisboa, processo 3080

“[fol. 2 of the session of November 17, 1621] – he further said that thirteen or fourteen years ago, in Pernambuco, he does not recall the day or month, he, the confitent, was at home or in the house where Diogo Cardoso Nunes sojourned. The latter is a New Christian merchant, who is not his relative, and is married to so-and-so Nunes. Diogo Cardoso Nunes lived in Porto but went to Pernambuco for trade. Being both alone, […] they let each other know [that they believed in the Law of Moses] […] [2v.] […] later, in the city of Porto, they both communicated again the belief in the aforesaid Law of Moses many other times […] one of those occasions took place in Porto around six or seven years ago, […] being both on the [top of the] wall in the company of Lucas Mendes, New Christian merchant […], Manuel da Fonseca Soares, New Christian lawyer […], Alvaro Gomes Bravo, New Christian […], Alvaro Lopes, merchant […] and then they declared [their belief in the Law of Moses].”

“[fol. 3 of the session] – He further said that six or seven years after he, the confitent, returned from Brazil, he does not remember the day or month, in the city of Porto, he believes that it took place [fol. 3v.] while relaxing on a boat trip along the river, or after they landed. Then, he, the confitent, and Francisco Rodrigues Vilareal, physician, and Alvaro Eanes, New Christian merchant, and Pedro Aires Vitoria his brother [Alvaro’s] and merchant, and Manuel de Andrade, also merchant […] let each other know there [that they believed in the Law of Moses].”

Inquisição de Lisboa, processo 12621

“[fol. 12v.] And then, two years ago, he does not remember which day and month, he the confitent was with the aforesaid Manuel Campos and Diogo Fernandes, New Christian silk-maker, bachelor, son of Violante Gomes – who came to this city [Coimbra] two months before the confident was arrested to collect debts, according to him [Diogo Fernandes]. Diogo Fernandes is over thirty years old, slim, short, ugly, and has a black beard. Diogo Fernandes is not a relative of the confident. Jane Mendes was also with them. Jane Mendes is a New Christian merchant who exported [fol. 13] sugar to Castile, as a merchant from Beira [referring to the border sector of the region] but whose exact place of resident he does not know. Jane Mendes was an acquaintance and friend of the aforesaid Manuel de Campos, who brought him along. Jane Mendes was a 27-years old bachelor, very tall and thin, with googly eyes and black beard. The four of them went […] on a boat up the river [Douro] of Porto to have fun. After jumping on land to have a snack, they came to talk about the Law of Moses. Then, they said to each other that they believed and lived [in the Law of Moses].”

Source 1 Original Text

Arquivo Nacional da Torre do Tombo (Lisbon, Portugal)

Inquisição de Coimbra, processo 1322

“[fol. 131v.] [Dois anos antes de sua prisão dele Réu,] passando por junto de sua tenda na dita Cidade do Porto luis mendes xpão novo mercador filho do sobredito m.el mendes E francisca dias xpãa nova sua molher os quaes vivem na fonte dourina E não são parentes delle confitente mas sam seus conhecidos E amigos entrarão na dita tenda lhe deram conta a elle confitente como hyam folguar ao douro E entre outras praticas que aly tiveram vieram a falar nas cousas da lej de Mojses não lhe lembra a q proposito n~e qual delles começou a pratica E cõ esta ocasiam se declararam […].”

“[fol. 149v.] era de mais lembrado que avera seis anos E os fara pello mes de setembro que vem estando elle confitente na Cidade do Porto no Campo do olival não lhe lembra a quantos dias do dito mes, por ̃e era no mesmo em que se Celebra o Jejum do dia grande tornou a dizer q agora era lembrado que fora a quatro do mes de octubro [1612], por que no tal dia dia Caira no dito ano o Jejum do dia g.de, Com francisco nunes preto, xpão novo solteiro filho de luis nunes mercador que vive E com Jorge mendes xpão novo jaá defunto […] o dito fr.co nunez perguntou a elle confitente se Jeiuava naquelle dia porque era o Jeium grande E respondendo elle confitente q sy cõ esta ocasiam se declararam […] = E disse mais que avera [fol. 150] tres anos pouco mais ou menos foi elle confitente na dita Cidade do Porto a Casa de Diogo gomez xpão novo mercador de panos na Rua de fonte dourina filho do papa Robalos, E cõ o dito Diogo gomez achou a sua Jrmãa fr.ca dias solteira […- declaração].”

Haverá seis anos no Porto “[fol. 150] estando elle confitente passeando no Adro de sam domingos com Jeronimo dias xpão novo que não tem off.o E vive na Rua de belmõte onde não ha outro deste nome, lhe perguntou elle confitente não se lembra a que proposito se sabia quando via Jeium da Rainha Hester E o dito Jeronimo dias lho disse E cõ esta ocassiam se declararão.”

Inquisição de Coimbra, processo 6070

“[fol. 55v.] = E Disse mais q avera hũ anos, e tres meses pouco mais ou menos, não lhe lembra o mes, nẽ dia Certo, na Cidade do Porto andando elle Confitente passeando Junto a Sam domingos em Companhia da D.os lopes victoria xpão novo mercador que vive na ferraria, ambos sos se deram conta hum ao outro Nam lhe lembra a que proposito nem qual delles começou a pratica de Como Criam E viviam na lej de Moyses […].”

Inquisição de Coimbra, processo 8461

“[Sessão de Confissão (24.03.1620), fol. 4v. daquela sessão] avera tres anos pouco mais ou menos na cidade do porto andando Ele Confitente na terreiro de S. Domingos paseando com Anrique frz’ […] E com luis Mendes xpão novo solteiro filho de francisco mendez mercador defunto E de Maria mendez viuva com que agora vive na rua de S. Miguel da dita cidade do porto E per serem muito amigos dizendo lhes Ele Confitente q fosem pera sua casa que mandara comprar dos pasteis pera merendarem dise hum deles não se lembra qual [“]pasteis não[”], E o outro disse si Mandaios comprar E tornando a dizer o primeiro que não viersem q tinha sevo perguntou o Outro se o Comia E todos com Esta ocasiam Vierão a dizer que não comiam Sevo nem Era limpeza [fol. 5] Comelo E se deram Conta […].”

Inquisição de Lisboa, processo 3080

“[Culpas, sessão de 21.11.1621] – disse que … era mais lembrado que avera sete pera oito annos em h~u [demaged] pella manha achandose elle confitente no adro de Sam domingos da cidade do porto com Jeronimo da fosequa solteiro que passa de trinta annos filho de dioguo fernandes pina, e andando ambos sós passenado e lendo alguãs sepulturas que estam no ditto Adro com esta ocasião falarão na ley de Moyses, e se declararão.”

Inquisição de Coimbra, processo 6987

“[fol. 62v.] [Há quatro anos,] foi elle Confitente, na dita Cidade do porto, a Caza de Anna da fonseca xpam nova sua prima Com jrmam molher de miguel de Carvalho estante no Brazil e estando ambos sós, ella, e elle Confitente, se deram conta […].”

Inquisição de Coimbra, processo 8658

“[fol. 69v.] [Há oito anos no Porto, em um dia santo, servindo de Meirinho na cidade, Miguel de Araujo, que convidou ao R. e] Antonio Thomas xpão novo solteiro[,] filho de Navarro yaa defunto1[,] mercador morador a fonte dourinha [sic.]: E a Miguel dias xpão novo mercador morador a fonte dourina o papa Roballos dalcunha casado com huã filha de Jorge frz’ mercador na dita Rua E a outras pessoas da dita cidade pera Jantarem em huã quinta que esta Junto a Sedofeita de Miguel de leão Cidadão da dita Cidade e despois de Jantarem vindo se recolhendo Cada hu per sua Casa viera Juntamete com elle Confitente os ditos Antonio thomas, E Miguel dias aos quais no Caminho entre outras praticas disse elle Confitente: bem nos deu o Meirinho oje de jantar: E elles responderão bem, mas deu nos aly h~us lombos tam cheos de sevo E gordura que se não podiam Comer: E elle Confitente dessimulando lhes disse porq’ lombos gordos não sam boõs E os sobreditos se rirão [fol. 70] hum pera o outro [declaração].”

Inquisição de Lisboa, processo 11260

“[fol. 145] 3 P q [Manoel da Fonseca Soares e Domingos Henriques eram vizinhos de parede e meia] E se aiuntavão em banquetes E aiuntam.tos q todos entre si fazião, E pello conseguinte, todos iuntos E cada hum per si inimigos de Afoço cardoso irmão delle R., E delle R.”

Inquisição de Lisboa, processo 728

“[fol. 139v.] – sobre se alguma p.a tinha ódio ao R.: disse que achava que Paulo Lopes da Cunha e seu irmão o Dr. Luis da Cunha o erão, pois Paulo Lopes da Cunha jogava algumas vezes com o R. e tinham diferenças sobre o jogo, chamando-se nomes e vindo a pancadas.” Ademais a mulher de Paulo Lopes da Cunha desgostava do fato de seu marido ir jogar à casa do R. e às vezes ia à janela “[fol. 140] que pousava defronte do dito Reo, chamandolhe digo, cousas mal ditas contra o Reo, chamandolhe Asno E pellado, E o Reo por nam ter defferenças com a molher do dito Pualo lopes, nem apresiar [?] com elle, disse ao dito Paulo lopes que nam viesse mais a sua casa, mas sem embargo o dito Paulo lopes vinha a casa do ditto Reo, E posto que o Reo se enfadava com isto nam desia nada ao dito Paulo lopes por diser que nam queria ter com elle differenças.”

Inquisição de Lisboa, processo 3080

“[fol. 2 da sessão de 1621.11.17] – disse mais que avera trese pera quatorse annos em pernãobuco, não lhe lembra nem o dia, nem mes se achou elle confitente em sua casa, ou na que pousava dioguo cardoso nunes, christão novo que lhe não he nada casado com huã fulana nunes morador no porto que tinha ido a pernãobuco mercador, estando ambos sós […] se derão conta […] [fol. 2v.] […] e depois na cidade do porto por outras muitas veses [o R e Diogo Cardoso Nunes], tornarão ambos a comunicar na ditta crença da ley de moyses […] e huã destas veses foi no porto havera seis ou sete annos […] achandose ambos no muro em companhia de lucas mendes christão novo mercador […] manoel da fosequa soares advogado christão novo […] Alvaro gomes bravo mercador christão novo […] alvaro lopes mercador […] e se declararão…”

“[fol. 3] – Disse mais que avera seis ou sete annos depois de elle confitente vir do Brasil, não lhe lembra o dia nem mes na cidade do porto, e parecelhe [fol. 3v.] que foy indo pello rio folguar no barco, ou de pois de sairem em terra elle confitente, e francisco rodrigues villa real, medico e Alvaro annes christão novo mercador, e pedro aires vitoria seu irmão mercador, e Manoel dandrade tambem mercador […] e aly se derão conta […]”

Inquisição de Lisboa, processo 12621

“[fol. 12v.] E depois avera dous annos hum dia que lhe não lembra nem de que mes, se forão elle confitente E o ditto Maonel de campos E dioguo frz’ christão novo Cirgueiro solteiro filho de violante guomes que dous meses antes delle Confitente ser preso se tinha vindo a esta cidade, E disia q a cobrar dividas, E sera de idade de mais de trinta annos magro E baixo do corpo e feo barba preta que lhe não he nada, E Jane mendes christão novo mercador que andava [fol. 13] fasendo açuqueres para Castella como mercador da beira e não sabe de que luguar Conhecido e amiguo do ditto Manoel de Campos que o levou, E era solteiro de vinte e sete annos de idade muito alto do Corpo e magro olhos espantados, barba pretta, E indo todos quatro […] em hum barco pelo rio do porto acima folguar vierão a fallar na ley de moyses[,] estando em terra onde tinham saltado a merendar, E disseram hum aos outros que Criam e viviam […].”

Footnotes

Footnotes

  1. Não era filho de Manuel Tomas, xv??? ↩