Ordenanças
| Ordenanças | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1570-1831 |
| Country | Portugal |
| Allegiance | King of Portugal |
| Type | Militia and home guard |
| Role | Territorial reserve and defense |
| Anniversaries | 10 December |
| Engagements |
Battle of Alcácer Quibir War of the Portuguese Succession Portuguese Restoration War War of the Spanish Succession Seven Years' War War of the Oranges Peninsular War Liberal Wars |
The Ordenanças (meaning literally "Ordinances" in Portuguese and sometimes misspelled Ordenanzas in English language literature) were a militia-type traditional military territorial organization that existed in Portugal and in some parts of the Portuguese Empire (especially in Brazil), between the 16th and the 19th centuries.
In the 17th century, the Ordenanças became organized as a kind of third line and territorial recruitment reserve of the Portuguese Army.
After some failed attempts made before, the Ordenanças were created on the 10 December 1570, by King Sebastian of Portugal, as the basis of what would be a national army. They were organized in territorial captaincies (capitanias), each under charge of a captain-major (capitão-mor). Each captaincy covered the area of a city, town or municipality and included several Ordenanças companies. The captain-majors were appointed by the respective municipal councils or, in areas where an alcaide (castle governor) existed, he assumed that role. In each region, the organization of the Ordenanças would reflect the local social organization, with the command roles being usually assumed by the most notable local residents.
The base of the Ordenanças organization was the company of 250 men. Each company was headed by a captain, assisted by an ensign (alferes), a sergeant, a marshal (meirinho) and a scrivener. It was divided in 10 squads, each one headed by a corporal (cabo de esquadra).
For the King Sebastian's Morocco Campaign of 1578, the organization of the Ordenanças is already able to mobilize 32 active companies with a total of around 8000 men, that constitute four terços (regiments) of the Portuguese expeditionary army.
...
Wikipedia