People’s everyday life in Lisbon, through «Subversive songs» (1828-1832)

Abstract

The political processes of D. Miguel’s reign regarding prisoners in the city of Lisbon for the crime referred to as «Subversive songs» allow us to know a little about the time in which they took place in two aspects: political and social. In the first, they confirm the  persecutory and intimidating atmosphere characteristic of this reign. On the social level, they show us a noisy and cheerful popular Lisbon, which sang and danced during the day and especially at night. The liquor stores were the most frequent socializing places, where people ate, drank and played. They also used to get together at home and on the public road. Excessive alcohol intake was common among the people, and drunken men and even some women were frequently seen. They also allow us to know the geographical origin and some of the economic activities of the working people, as well as the busiest places in this popular Lisbon.