Abstract
The intention of this article is to link a practical experience, the one of the Junta do Código Penal Militar e de Melhoramento das Coudelarias do Reino, established by the Prince Regent d. John in 1802, to a set of reflections on the military forum and its role in the structuring of military institutions, especially the Army. Considering that political spaces, as well as the record of what took place there, were at the time subject to strict etiquette, we will turn to the political memories and articles of the Jornal de Coimbra as “places of speech”, where ideas, arguments and criticisms were more widely developed. We believe that this debate on legislation, justice and hierarchy puts into question the very structuring of a military profession.
Key-words:
Military justice; military criminal code and political disputes