Terminology on defensive structures in Portuguese medieval documents

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to study the terminology related to the defensive elements used, mentioned, or included by the Medieval Portuguese documents. In particular, we will focus on the area of the Diocese of Oporto (North of Portugal) between the 11th and 12th century. The words used to identify these elements are not always obvious. In particular, the term mons calls for a specific analysis, the results of which could have, in part, criticized the traditional Portuguese historiography on castelologia. The comparison between the case of Oporto and another European reality - the micro-region of Brianza (North of Milan, Lombardy, Italy) – will highlight its peculiarity.