wills and testamentary executors in medieval portugal of the Holy Trinity, and therefore appoints the provincial of that order as her first executor; as second executor, she chooses a professional colleague of her husband’s; and as third, still not her husband (as might have been expected) but a woman whose connection with the testator is unknown. A document from 1295, around a century earlier, is exceptional on various levels. It is the will of analcaide29 of Coimbra who had previously been a canon of the cathedral. He names his wife and nephews as executors and heirs, with these words: “my wife Sancha Anes, whom I loved and in whom I had and have great confidence, and Afonso Rodrigues and Martim Rodrigues my nephews, whom I have raised and I trust”.30 In a document of 1267, a canon of Viseu calls one of his executors “my dear”(“dilectum meum”) and uses the superlative regarding the other one: “my dearest in whom I have great faith” (“dilectissimum meum de quo fiduciam magnam gero”).31 In 1273, a canon of Coimbra appoints as executors of his last wishes the dean, whom he respectfully calls “my lord” (“dominummeum”), and a clergyman he dubs “my friend” (“amicum meum”)32. In 1298, another member of the chapter of Coimbra calls his executor “my special friend of body and soul” (“meu amigo special do corpo e da alma”).33 In 1318, the dean of Silves chooses his executors “for the good [bond of] love that I have with them” (“polo boom amor que com eles hey”).34 Regarding royal wills, those of kings AfonsoIIIand Dinis provide interesting examples. AfonsoIII named his wife as executor, stating: “Queen Beatriz my wife, for the upbringing I gave her and whom I trust more than anyone else in the world”.35 Their son, Dinis, also attributed a spe284 29 The alcaide was a royal official exercising military, administrative, and judicial powers in Portuguese medieval cities and towns. See Costa, Farelo, Silva 2023, 219. 30 Will of Vasco Afonso; Morujão 2010, doc. 2.37. Original quotation: “Sancha Annes mha molher [que eu] amey e en que ouvy e ey gram fiusa e Affonso Rodriguiz e Martin Rodriguiz meus sobrinhos que criey e de que confio”. 31 Will of Lourenço Gonçalves (Morujão 2010, doc. 9.8). 32 Morujão 2010, doc. 2.36. 33 Morujão 2010, doc. 2.40. 34 Morujão 2010, doc. 8.2. 35 Will of 1271, published by Sousa 1739, pp. 54–57. Original quotation: “Reginam Beatricem uxorem meam pro criança quam feci ei, & quia confido de ea plus quam de omnibus rebus mundi”.
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