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🔥 Consignment 🔍 We need to check the availability. A rare handwritten book from 1731-1735, titled "Tombo Archive Comenda Pombal," associated with the Military Order of Christ, successor to the Knights Templars. The book, written by the judge of Comenda, contains approximately 100,000 words and focuses on court cases and their sentences. The Comenda was a jurisdictional benefaction centered in the church of Sao Martinho in Pombal, Portugal. The Order of Christ, a military order, inherited the Templars' legacy and controlled the Comenda de Pombal. The title page provides details about the book's origin, including the request of the Count of Calheta, Afonso de Vasco Cellos Esouza, and the author, Dr. Antonio Vieira de Freitas. Rare handwritten Book / THE KNIGHTS TEMPLARS - MILITARY ORDER OF CHRIST 1731 / UNIQUE MASSIVE EARLY PORTUGUESE BOOK FROM THE MILITARY RELIGIOUS ORDER OF CHRIST, SUCCESSOR TO THE KNIGHTS TEMPLARS, 1731-1735. This entirely handwritten book is the official archives of the Comenda of Pombal, Portugal under the jurisdiction of the Order Of Christ, the successor order to the Knights Templars which had also been centered in this area. The book is a massive handwritten document of around 100,000 words, written by the judge of the Comenda. Much of the text deals with court cases brought before the comenda and the resulting sentences. On the spine: Tombo Archive Comenda Pombal 1731. A Comenda was a benefaction given by the King, which entailed jurisdiction over a certain area with responsibilities for its well being. The Comenda here had its jurisdictional center in the church of Sao Martinho (Saint Martin) in the village of Pombal, the modern town of Pombal in North central Portugal. The Comenda de Pombal was associated with the Ordem de Cristo. This Order of Christ was a Military Order, like the Templars. In fact they were the perpetuation of the Templars. When the Templars were disbanded by the Pope the Portuguese king at the time managed to transfer their goods to this new Military Order he founded. The area around Pombal had a long association with the Templars and then the Order of Christ. The title page reads: TOMBO DA COMMENDA DE SAO MARTI NHO DA VILLA DE POMBALFEYTO NO ANNO DE MILE SETECENTOS TRINTA E TRIS A INSTANCIA do EXCELLENTISSIMO CONDE da Calheta Reposteiro mor (an honorific title of the Count of Calheta which literally means the one in honorific charge to open the doors and windows to the king) AFONSO DE VASCO CELLOS ESOUZA COMMENDADOR da mesma comenda de que soy Juiz O DOUTOR ANTONIO VIEIRA DE FREITAS. This translates as: Archive of the Commenda of Sao Martinho of the village of Pombalfeyto in the year of one thousand seven hundred thirty and three by request of the most excellent Count of Calheta Afonso de Vasco (this was Afonso de Vasconcelos e Sousa Cunha Camara Faro e Veiga, 5th Count of Calheta, a town of the island of Madeira, born 17.1.1664, died Lisboa, S. Jose 2.2.1734) Celios e Souza, director of this same Comenda of which I am the judge the Doctor (of law) Antonio Vieira de Freitas (the writer of this archive) A massive and unique one of a kind early handwritten historical document from the Order of Christ, the famous military religious order and direct successor to The Knights Templars. Dimensions: 12 x 17 x 4 inches. Weight: 15 lbs. In generally excellent condition with tight binding and all text legible. Provenance: An extensive North Eastern collection, acquired at an upscale estate sale in the 1980's.

During the period from 1731 to 1735, the Military Order of Christ, which was the successor to the Knights Templar, continued its existence and activities in Portugal. The order was founded to preserve the Templars' legacy after their disbandment by the Pope. Under the jurisdiction of the Order of Christ, various administrative and military responsibilities were carried out. The Comenda de Pombal, located in the village of Pombal, played a significant role during this time. It served as a benefaction given by the King, granting jurisdiction over a specific area and responsibilities for its well-being. The Comenda's jurisdictional center was the church of Sao Martinho, and it was associated with the Order of Christ. The Knights Templar of Portugal were a branch of the renowned medieval military order known as the Knights Templar. The Templars were originally founded in the early 12th century in Jerusalem to protect Christian pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land. They quickly gained immense wealth and power, becoming one of the most influential and formidable military orders of the time. In Portugal, the Templars played a significant role. They were actively involved in the Reconquista, the centuries-long campaign to reclaim the Iberian Peninsula from Muslim rule. The Templars established several strongholds and commanderies across Portugal, and their military prowess and financial resources greatly contributed to the Christian efforts against the Moors. In 1312, Pope Clement V disbanded the Templars under pressure from King Philip IV of France, who sought to eliminate the order and seize its wealth. However, in Portugal, King Denis I resisted the dissolution of the Templars and instead reformed them into a new order called the Order of Christ in 1319. The Order of Christ in Portugal became the official successor to the Knights Templar. King Denis I intended for the new order to continue the Templars' mission and maintain their vast properties and wealth. The Order of Christ was both a military and religious order, and its members, including knights, took vows of chastity, poverty, and obedience. Under the patronage of the Portuguese monarchy, the Order of Christ played a crucial role in the Age of Discoveries, funding and supporting numerous voyages of exploration. Notable members of the order, such as Prince Henry the Navigator, played instrumental roles in Portugal's maritime expansion and overseas empire. The Order of Christ continued to exist in Portugal even after the dissolution of the Templars in other countries. It retained its military and religious character, and its influence endured until the 19th century when it was finally abolished during the liberal reforms of the 19th century. Today, the legacy of the Knights Templar and the Order of Christ can still be seen in the historical sites, symbols, and traditions of Portugal.