Soap works
Original title: Saboarias
History of the soap monopoly in Madeira, from its 15th-century grant to the Câmara family to its abolition in 1857–58.
Frutuoso states in ‘Longing for the Homeland’ (Saudades da Terra) that Afonso V confirmed in 1469 the grant that Infante Ferdinand had made to Luís Gonçalves da Câmara of the black-soap works of the whole island of Madeira. The charter (foral) of the city of Funchal and of the towns of Ponta do Sol (‘point of the sun’) and Calheta (‘small cove’), dated 1515, records that black soap was to be sold at 10 réis (old Portuguese money of account; 1$000 = 1,000 réis, 1:000$000 = one conto = 1,000,000 réis) the arrátel (old pound, about 459 g) and white soap at 12 réis.
In Madeira, as in Portugal, there was a soap monopoly lease (contracto), but the last one concluded ceased to be in force on 1 July 1858, and from then on the manufacture of and trade in this product were open to all. It was the law of 25 April 1857 that abolished the soap monopoly, which had brought so many hardships to the people of this island.
In this article
Time
Years mentioned · 04-
Afonso V confirmed the grant of Madeira's black soap works to Rui Gonçalves da Câmara.
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King Manuel granted a common foral to Funchal, Ponta do Sol and Calheta, fixing tithes, the fifth of sugars, alcaidaria revenues, soap prices and other dues.
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A law abolished the soap monopoly.
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The last soap monopoly contract expired, freeing soap making and trade in Madeira.
Place
Places mentioned · 03
- Calheta
Town covered by the 1515 charter.
Calheta is a town, parish and municipality on Madeira's south-west coast and one of the island's oldest settlements. The Elucidário covers its name, early settlers such as Pedro Berenguer, its church and many chapels, including one of a former Franciscan convent, and the 1834 riot.
- Funchal
City whose 1515 charter fixed soap prices.
The capital of the archipelago and seat of the principal captaincy, where settlement began; it was made a vila c.1451–52. Its bay, the widest in the archipelago, lies between Ponta do Garajau and Ponta da Cruz and offers sheltered anchorage, though its harbour had never been studied oceanographically. The Elucidário discusses it as a health resort with climate data and records the January 1906 disturbances, the Danish prince's visit in May 1846 and recent volcanic cones in the area.
- Ponta do Sol
Town covered by the 1515 charter.
South-coast parish and municipality, settled from about 1440 by Rodrigo Enes 'o Coxo'. Its parish church of Nossa Senhora da Luz holds a triptych. The Elucidário also records its quay of 1848, paid for by the council, and the royal visit of 1858.
People
People mentioned · 04-
King of Portugal who confirmed the soap grant in 1469.
- Gaspar Frutuoso1522–1591
Chronicler whose Saudades da Terra records the soap grant.
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Lord of Madeira who granted the black-soap monopoly to Rui Gonçalves da Câmara.
- Luís Gonçalves da Câmarad. 1497
Recipient of the monopoly of black soap works across Madeira.