The Portuguese Royal Chapel in the Early Fifteenth Century

This chapter sheds light on the musical practices and religious devotion within the Portuguese chapel royal during the early fifteenth century, under the reigns of João I and Duarte. The royal chapel was then a significant cultural institution, influenced by European musical traditions. The chapter discusses its historical background, starting from the twelfth century, and (despite the scattered evidence) shows the gradual establishment of a structured chapel with a sizeable group of courtly chaplains responsible for liturgical services. The chapter looks at the musical landscape of the court, including awareness of Guillaume de Machaut’s music, the presence of a composer named Hubert de Salinis in Portugal and the survival of polyphonic music fragments in Lisbon. King Duarte’s chapel rites were influenced by the Sarum tradition, as evidenced by his mother’s practices. Indeed, Queen Philippa became heavily involved in the chapel’s devotional practices, having her clerical personnel, and following the Salisbury custom of chanting the canonical hours. Finally, an appendix with a transcription and facing translation of King Duarte’s ordinances (an important document, beforehand unavailable in English) provides insights into polyphonic performance, practical advice on singing, attention to decorum and details on liturgical customs observed in the chapel, including ceremonies for Good Friday and Easter. These ceremonies reflected a blend of Roman and southern liturgical traditions, implying a lesser influence from Salisbury than claimed by previous authors.