ROYAL COLLEGE OF MAFRA

Cardinal Cunha established it in accordance with the Bull Sacrosantum Apostulatus Ministerium of Clement XIV (4 July 1770). King José approved its statutes and took it under his protection by charter on 18 August 1772. It was handed over to the administration of the Canons Regular of St Augustine in September 1772.

The Statutes of the Royal College of Mafra, annexed to the Royal Charter, modelled on those of the College of Nobles and adapted to the specific purposes of the institute created at the time, aimed to educate the "Youth of the Civil Nobility, and of Honourable Families, who live with decency", stipulating that "the principle of all wisdom is the fear of God and the observance of his precepts and his Church, and it is not enough that the Fine Arts flourish in the College if good customs are not learnt and cultivated with them". They also established the foundation of a library and a physics laboratory, as well as the positions of: Rector, always joined to that of the Priory of the Monastery of Mafra, whereby the appointment of the Dom Prior would encompass that of Rector of the Royal College, depending, however, on royal confirmation every three years; The Vice-Rector, Prefect and Vice-Prefects (four in number) would be appointed every three years from among the Canons of the Monastery of Mafra or of the Congregation, the former from among the wisest, most virtuous and prudent, the latter from among the wisest and most well-educated in languages, the Fine Arts and philosophical disciplines professed at the College, of "exemplary behaviour, gravity, and with the skills necessary for the direction of youth".

D. Maria I renewed and extended its statutes on 27 October 1780. It closed definitively in 1820, despite the reform of the study plan sponsored by King João VI in 1805, which came into force in January of the following year.

Not to be confused with the Royal Studies of Mafra, created by Dom João V, which were inaugurated with great solemnity on 14 February 1737 in the presence of the founder, before whom prayers were said in praise of him and Wisdom.