maria helena da cruz coelho & maria do rosário morujão The documents show that from the thirteenth century onwards after the institution of wills, the figure of the executor, or of the heir entrusted with that role, became a constant. They were usually named at the end of the dispositive text, sometimes before the listing of debtors and creditors, or more sporadically at the beginning of the disposition, or even in the eschatocol. The social category of executors and their relationship to the testator is one of the most well-established themes, not least because of the testamentary formulas in which the bonds of love, friendship, and fidelity that are expressed. In the same way, the powers of the executors – which were enshrined in a precise form ever since the end of the thirteenth century – and consequently the arduous work they had to do in executing a will are well understood. Their work justified recompense, which varied according to the desire, wealth, and liberality of the testator. It is also clear that testators were determined to ensure the execution of their last wish-es, leaving that responsibility in the hands of a variety of people, often of the highest rank, such as popes, kings, or bishops, and had their wills copied into books for a more lasting memorial, or to establish a deadline for the job to be concluded. Although most of the questions in the initial questionnaire have been answered and some progress has been made in the knowledge of testament executors, the door undoubtedly still remains open for further studies. 293
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