The New-Christian and the book trader: fragments of the history of Maria and Francisco Fernandes in sixteenth-century Lisbon

Lisbon, throughout the 16th century, established itself as one of the most important cities in Europe. It was the effervescent center where, along with trade and business that marked relationships, dynamics and landscapes, women's stories unfolded, such as that of Maria Fernandes, a New Chris-tian, haggler, seller of onions, garlic and oranges in Ribeira and resident of beco da Tinturaria. Her process is unique, because even though she was arrested and accused of Judaism, a "crime" for which severe penalties were imposed, she was sentenced in an auto da fe with determination of release after payment of the term of imprisonment surety by Francisco Fernandes, New Christian, book merchant. Taking aspects of the inquisitorial process of Maria Fernandes, this article intertwines two New Christians in a story of solidarity, in the face of the tension pro-voked by the actions of the Tribunal of the Holy Office.