A mixture of Roman law and common law: one of the first constitutions of Europe and the basis for the heyday of the Kingdom of Navarre
First Constitution of Navarre

First Constitution of Navarre
A relatively small kingdom, Navarre was dominated by its more powerful neighbors for much of its existence
King Sancho VI (1132–94) the Wise brought lasting strength and stability to Navarre by issuing its first constitution
The contents of the early vernacular document resemble a blend of Roman and customary law
First Constitution of Navarre
- Primera Constitucion de Navarra, Fueros de Navarra
Short Description
King Sancho VI earned the epithet “the Wise” for his accomplishments while ruling the Kingdom of Navarre. The King strengthened his realm through marriage alliances and by creating one of the world’s first constitutions to ensure good rule. Furthermore, it represents one of the first documents to be written in vernacular, making it significant to linguists as well as historians.
First Constitution of Navarre
The Kingdom of Navarre, located in the Basque region of Spain’s Pyrenees Mountains and centered on its capital of Pamplona. A relatively small kingdom, it was dominated by its more powerful neighbors for much of its existence, originating as a buffer region between the Franks to the north and the Moorish Umayyad Emirate that controlled most of the Iberian Peninsula from its capital in Córdoba. Later, Navarre found itself between the growing powers of Castile to the west and Aragon to the east, and still pressured by France. However, amid this tumult, the Kingdom of Navarre enjoyed a period of political and military strength that began with the reign of King Sancho VI (1132–94) the Wise. Aside from being the first to take the title “King of Navarre” instead of “King of Pamplona”, the King saved his realm at a time when it was about to be divided and devoured by its neighbors by marrying the daughter of King Alfonso VII of Castile (1105–57) and accepting him as his overlord. Sancho VI brought lasting strength and stability to Navarre by issuing its first constitution, which was written in the Romance dialect of his homeland, making it an early vernacular document. The contents of the Fueros de Navarra resemble a blend of Roman and customary law. It later served as a foundation for subsequent Spanish constitutions and marked the Kingdom of Navarre.
Codicology
- Alternative Titles
- Primera Constitucion de Navarra, Fueros de Navarra
- Style
1 available facsimile edition(s) of „First Constitution of Navarre“
Primera Constitucion de Navarra, Fueros de Navarra
- Publisher
- Editorial Mintzoa – Pamplona
- More Information
- Reproduction of the entire original document as detailed as possible (scope, format, colors). The binding may not correspond to the original or current document binding.
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