[fernando]

This is somehow ironical.
More than once discussions have taken place about the length of swords, the Kings having to issue severe laws to limit their dimensions.
Now we find that, with portable firearms, was the other way round.
Here is a law published in 1557, under King Dom Sebastião rule, in which haquebuts could not be shorter than two palms in barrel. Offenders were passive of terrible penalties, including floging, condemnation to the Royal galleys or permanent exile to Brazil, depending on their social 'quality'.
The law acknowledges that, there are persons circulating in the Kings lands with small haquebuts and, their intentions being the practice of crimes and offenses, bringing the said haquebuts hidden, they will easier be able to do it.

(Collection Rainer Daehnhardt).

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