A plebe do açúcar: A população livre na retomada da jurisdição Portuguesa na capitania de Pernambuco (Séc. XVII-XVIII)

Abstract

This paper is an analysis of the social structure of the Pernambucan sugar society stemming from the recovery of the Portuguese jurisdiction of the captaincy of Pernambuco in 1654, and focusing specifically on the free urban social groups that had developed significantly under Dutch administration. Taking into consideration chroniclers' accounts, inquisitorial data and official documents, we seek to analyze the social changes that had surged during the new Portuguese government of the late 17th century in Pernambuco.