Nobility and Local Elites. Portuguese America, 17th and 18th Centuries

The article analyzes the formation of the colonial nobility through royal decrees, from the concessions of the title of Nobleman, of the titles of Knight of the Military Orders, and of coats of arms. These honors, however, did not originate the nobility of blood. In fact, few families were able to maintain the honors and privileges of nobility for a long time. Overseas, the “local nobility” did not rely on titles, but on assets, on the control of the local administration posts and, above all, on military ranks. Using documents and historiography, the article intends to prove that the titles were not a prerequisite for upward social mobility within colonial society. In general, only at the end of their successful lives did the overseas subjects claim and receive the honors of the monarchy.

Keywords:
nobility; upward social mobility; local elites