Ordenanças
| Ordenanças | |
|---|---|
An officer of an ordenanças unit in colonial Brazil (1770s) | |
| Active | 1570-1831 |
| Country | Kingdom of Portugal |
| Allegiance | King of Portugal |
| Type | Militia |
| Anniversaries | 10 December |
| Engagements | Battle of Alcácer Quibir War of the Portuguese Succession Portuguese Restoration War War of the Spanish Succession Seven Years' War War of the Oranges Peninsular War Liberal Wars |
The ordenanças (English: ordinances) were a type of militia unit which existed in the Portuguese Empire between the 16th and 19th centuries. By the 17th century, the ordenanças had become the de facto home guard and military reserve force of the Kingdom of Portugal. The last ordenanças units were disbanded in 1831.