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 dutiesóin 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...
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