Demographic patterns and rural society in Portugal: implications of some recent research

"The essay outlines some possible implications of recent research on demographic patterns for the historical study of rural society in Portugal. The first part is devoted to a summary of population trends since the 16th century, and the need for aggregative studies based on parish registers is emphasised." The author argues "that the available evidence suggests the pertinence of a regional perspective, in which variation across space is given as much prominence as change over time. A number of regional patterns--in mortality, fertility and nuptiality--are described and shown to be associated with regionally specific patterns of household organization. Some implications are suggested of the fact that this regional configuration of family forms and demographic patterns appears to have been in existence and to have persisted since the 16th century." (summary in FRE, GER)