Capitães-mores das Capitanias do Norte: perfis, trajetórias e hierarquias espaciais no Rio Grande e Ceará (1656-1755)

Abstract

This study had as objective to analyze the profile and a trajectory of the captains-major of Rio Grande and Ceará between the years of 1656 and 1755, as well those who tried to occupy this position, but did not succeed. The temporal cut is explained by the need to compare two captaincies in different political statutes throughout the period, with Ceará being a captaincy annexed to Pernambuco since 1656, while Rio Grande only acquired such status in 1701 acquired such status. Therefore, it was intended to compare the profile and a trajectory of the rulers of the captaincies when one was annex and another not and, then, when both are annexes. Based on this comparative study, it was possible to better understand the distribution of the royal agents according to a hierarchical spatial logic adopted by the Portuguese Crown.