The main aim of the Luís Krus Prize is to commemorate Professor Luís Krus, who was the founder of the Institute of Medieval Studies (IEM) and the first editor of Medievalista, the Institute’s online journal.

Within the framework of the Multi-Annual Financing Contract for R&D Units (2020-2023), signed between the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology and NOVA University  (IEM NOVA FCSH), the Luís Krus Prize seeks to value the work and merit of young researchers in this area of study, both national and international, by annually awarding a prize for the best article published by young researchers in Medievalista in the preceding year.

Awarded to António Oliveira for his article “Uma peça muito preciosa de significado ainda desconhecido”: Decifrar o termo gibanete” («”A very precious piece of yet unknown meaning”: Deciphering the term gibanete», the author will be awarded a Luís Krus Prize Certificate and an invitation to host a panel at one of IEM’s major scientific events or, alternatively, to prepare a seminar within the scope of IEM activities, endowed with the sum of 1,200 euros (one thousand and two hundred euros). This value is attributed in the form of travel and expenses for the author and/or invited researchers and meeting the cost of other goods and services necessary to staging the aforementioned initiative.

Article abstract:

In  spite  of  the  frequency  with  which  it  appears  in 15th century  documentation,  the Portuguese term  “gibanete” remains  vague  and  problematic.  The  aim  of  this  article  is  to define  exactly  what  a  “gibanete”  is, what  piece  of  armament  it corresponds  to,  and  what implications this definition might havefor the study of military equipmentin 15th century Portugal. This research will make use of both Portuguese and foreign sources from the 14th to 16th centuries, allowing us to compare how these pieces evolved in Portugal vis-a-vis their European counterparts. It will be complemented by contemporary Portuguese and foreign studies which will allow for systematising and sorting this piece in the general framework of  late  medieval  Portuguese  armaments and  in  the  broader  context  of  late  medieval European armour.