Alimentar la red urbana: las villas y ciudades portuarias del Algarve y el abastecimiento cerealista a finales de la Edad Media

Abstract

In Portugal, famines, food crises and the cereal supply of the medieval towns represent a rich and promising field of studies, which is still little explored, in spite of the pioneering works of some historians. Thus, this work aims to contribute to know the capacity of Algarve port towns to respond to cereal crises and ensure the supply of this product. In this sense, I will present the first results of the research on the cereal crises suffered by Algarve port towns; the strategies that the municipal governments used to solve this problem, and, finally, reflect on its effects and the degree of success of its policies.