O contrabando na fronteira Galaico-Lusitana durante o século XV

Abstract

The lack of precision in the border of Galicia and Portugal in the area of Alta
Limia and Tras Os-Montes made this territory a region of contact more than a separation among the towns of both territories. Since the late XIV century, the monarchy power favoured the relations between the two areas by means of numerous agreements that pretended to promote economic transactions. Nevertheless as the trade was increasing, an intense crime activity was developing due to import and export of forbidden goods. The aim of the present article is exactly to make an analysis of smuggling activities that took place in the border territory during XV century, trying to assoss its effects in the economy of both regions. To that respect, a careful revision of different commercial treaties was carried out by the main leaders of the crowns of Castilla and Portugal, as well as the town documents edited by Concello of the city of Ourense, all the century long, with the aim of finishing with this illegal smuggling of forbidden goods.