Diffiniçoens, & estatutos dos cavalleyros, efreyres da Ordem de Nosso Senhor Jesu Christo, com a historia da origem, & principio della, offerecidos ao muyto alto, epoderoso rey d. João V. nosso senhor.

Sm. folio: [60]-180 pp. (sm. stain in bl. lower corner).

Contemp. limp vellum, flat spine (sm. def. at spine, front hinge loose, ms. title on front cover). Good copy.

Rare 3rd ed. (1st 1628) of this work on the powerful military Order of Christ, the continuation of the Knights Templar since 1319, always closely connected to the Portuguese crown and the Portuguese Age of Discovery. Contains papal bulls regarding the establishment of the Order, its union with the crown, its history, the duties and obligations of the masters and brothers, explanations of the habits, badges, insignia, privileges, rights and ecclesiastical jurisdiction, and a list of comendas. 4 full-page woodcuts printed in red (showing crosses of the Order). Woodcut initials and head- and endpieces. Title in red and black.
Ref. Not in BnP.