Manueline Charter of Canha, Municipal Museum of Montijo: 16th century AD

Charters regulated taxes, fines, military service, privileges, the use of common land and many other aspects affecting people's rights within a particular territory, settlement or municipality. These rights were granted by the King or by an overlord (there was no Parliament in Portugal at this time).

King Manuel I, carrying his predecessor's centralising politics, tried to submit the entire nation to the same judicial ruling, and, by this, he reformed the charters.