The Fair Charter of 1273 (Torres Novas Medieval Fair 2024)

29 May to 2 June

Afonso III had reigned in Portugal for around 30 years. After several disputes with his late brother, Sancho II, and after the definitive conquest of the Algarve, he pacified the territory and put an end to the fighting with Castile by marrying Beatriz, daughter of Afonso X of Castile, the Wise. He organised the territory administratively. He made new laws. He ordered them to be publicised and enforced. She minted a new currency. Lisbon was now the capital of the kingdom.

And he ordered fairs to be held, awarding Fair Charters to various towns and cities in Portugal. Fairs brought cohesion to the territory, brought people and neighbours closer together. They contributed to the economic development of the land.

The town of Torres Novas soon received its Fair Charter. It was the distant year of 1273.