A Junta do Código Penal Militar de 1802

perspectivas, dilemas e resistências à reforma militar na corte de D. João

Abstract

The intention of this article is to link a practical experience, the one of
the Junta do Código Penal Militar e de Melhoramento das Coudelarias do Reino,
established by the Prince Regent d. John in 1802, to a set of reflections
on the military forum and its role in the structuring of military institutions,
especially the Army. Considering that political spaces, as well as
the record of what took place there, were at the time subject to strict
etiquette, we will turn to the political memories and articles of the Jornal
de Coimbra as “places of speech”, where ideas, arguments and criticisms
were more widely developed. We believe that this debate on legislation,
justice and hierarchy puts into question the very structuring of a military
profession.