Important dates in the history of the bobbin lace

1616
May, 4 The lace making trade is subject at the Town-Council meeting. This is the older reference to the Vila do Conde Bobbin Lace.
This registration also corresponds to the recognition of the economic interest of this activity.

1709
According the Town-Council book n.er 18, of the Vila do Conde Town Hall Archive, the lace makers contributed for the Corpus Christi procession.
This fact showed that this activity had a big economic importance in Vila do Conde.

1749
May, 24 The King, D. Joao V edited a law to forbid the use of the lace which caused serious damages for the bobbin lace manufacture.

June, 19 The Vila do Conde Town Council decided to argue against this law.
Joana Maria de Jesus a Vila do Conde lace maker, went to the court, to represent the lace makers centers of the north of Portugal, in order to expose to the King how this law could affect a lot of families in the north.

September, 19 As a result of the diligences of Joana Maria de Jesus the King published an edit to diminish the damage of the previous law.

1751
April, 21 The King D.Jose edited a new charter which determined that the use of Bobbin lace was free.