[4] Roman legions of Décimo Junius Brutus[5] occupied the territory, following the Tagus upstream and disembarking in Santarém, where they left their marks.

This included the development of agriculture (particularly wheat and olive orchards) and raising of cattle, supporting the establishment of Almeirim along the margins of the Tagus.

[4] Almeirim, therefore, became an ideal place for relaxation, palace intrigue and romantic encounters in the royal gardens, mixed with resolutions of important negotiations.

[4] King John I, between 1411 and 1423, ordered the construction of a (castellated) royal palace and first residences that contributed to the establishment of the town, with the work to the Al-meirim, that included landscaping, drainage and earthen-works.

[4] During the Cortes, Febo Moniz, as magistrate of Lisbon, directed his response to the Cardinal, stating "Give this your Highness to a Portuguese prince and all will kiss his hand".

[4] But, little was resolved, and the Kingdom eventually began to be governed by Philip II of Spain, beginning the reign of Phillipian Dynastic Union, until 1 December 1640.

[6] The municipal assembly approved ARU02, designating the Área de Reabilitação Urbana (Urban Rehabilitation Area) for Almeirim (8902/2014, Diário da República, 147, Série 1) in order to modernize and recuperate many of the historic buildings in the town.

[7] The mainstay of the economy is agriculture, including wine making and modern industry of alimentary products such as fruit juices, processed tomato and canned vegetables (Compal).

With arched eyebrows and curious glances, the family invited him into their home and set up a large pot over flickering flames and filled with water.

Slowly walking up to the iron clad cauldron, the friar reached into his deep pocket to produce a smooth and well-cleaned stone that he promptly dropped into the boiling water.