The Daily Life of the Franciscan Male Community in Madeira, in the 18th and 19th Centuries: Part II – Material Aspects

Abstract

This article aims to follow up another already published regarding the Franciscans communities in the Madeira archipelago during the 18^th and 19^th centuries. Based on the economical records from five convents, in Funchal, Câmara de Lobos, Calheta, Santa Cruz and Ribeira Brava, one must try to reconstruct the daily life of Franciscans in Madeira. In the previous study, the administration and religious matters were the main focuses, but nonetheless, the present article enlightens the mundane traits, the nurture of personal bodies and of conventual spaces, and the daily life activities. Hence, spaces such as dormitories, cells, kitchens, dining halls, stores, storing units, vegetable-gardens and so on were described, referring multiple objects associated with theses spaces. Moreover, one must delve into the clothes and footwear, the means of transport, and the results of alms. Finally, it is important to refer to the food produced and consumed within the convents, with special regard to the wine, cereals, vegetables, fruits, confectionery, and tobacco.

Keywords

Madeira; Franciscans; Convents; Daily Life; Conventual Spaces; Food.