The Portuguese Medieval Studium: Singularities of a Peripheral Case

In this paper we address some aspects of the history of the Portuguese medieval university, namely its foundation, position in urban topography, buildings and economics. The Studium was created by the will of the royal and ecclesiastical power, which, as we shall see, will support it throughout the ages, the protection of the former being very pronounced. The Studium very peculiar itinerancy between Lisbon and Coimbra in the 14th century will be highlighted and some hypothesis to explain will be proposed. We will also discuss the specific characteristics of the location of its facilities in the urban geography of the two cities. The weight of the privileges of accommodation, supply and ecclesiastical forum in the tense relation between urban powers and the Study will also be evaluated. Finally, economic issues regarding its funding will be discussed in the framework of a structural lack of financial autonomy. Through these issues we aim to test the similarities and particularisms of the Portuguese General Study in the context of medieval university institutions.