Proclaimed in 1261 by the first king of Valencia, James I the Conqueror: a proto-constitution, some regulations of which are still valid today
Furs e Ordinacions del Regne de Valencia

Furs e Ordinacions del Regne de Valencia
The political and historical significance of this influential codex is immeasurable for European legal history
King James I (1208–1276) introduced the law code in the same year as a parliament was founded
It was first published in the Valencian dialect on April 4th, 1482 by the German printer Lambert Palmart (b. 1440)
Furs e Ordinacions del Regne de Valencia
- Furs e Ordinacions del Regne de Valencia
Short Description
The so-called Furs de Valencia are a collection of legal norms and precepts establishing political and legal life in the Kingdom of Valencia during the Middle Ages. The code of laws came to be over many years and was first officially read out in the year 1261, as James I of Valencia (1208–1276) swore his oath of office. This incunabulum (pre–1501 printed book) is the first print edition of the work and was published in the Valencian dialect on April 4th, 1482 in the Valencian printing house of Lambert Palmart (b. 1440), who supposedly originated from Cologne. Aside from the historic legal text it contains, the codex is distinguished as one of the earliest books to be printed in Spain.
Furs e Ordinacions del Regne de Valencia
The so-called Furs de Valencia are a collection of laws which were in effect in the Kingdom of Valencia during the Middle Ages and the Early Modern Period. The legal code was a compilation of numerous legislative contracts and can be compared with a modern constitution. The Furs are one of the few surviving documents in existence that is a source about the separation of power, the monarchy, and the system of rights in medieval Europe. The political and historical significance of this influential codex is immeasurable. Originally appearing in manuscript form, the historic legal document was first printed in the specimen at hand. The incunabulum, a book printed before 1501, was published in the Valencian dialect on April 4th, 1482 in the Valencian printing house of Lambert Palmart (b. 1440), who supposedly originated from Cologne. The text is beautifully printed in Gothic script, which is in turn adorned with intricately designed initials presented in red, black, blue, and violet inks as well as gold leaf. In this way, a historic text originating from the 13th century appears in the revolutionary form of an early printed book from the late–15th century.
A Document of Historical Significance
The laws contained in the Furs de Valencia are based on various legal norms, which had already manifested themselves in Catalonian society before the beginning of the Middle Ages. The most important foundation thereof was the so-called Customs of Barcelona, which recorded the basic laws and rights of the citizens of Catalonia. Also, the common law of Lleida and the laws of Aragon were included in the creation of the handwritten list of rights. The Furs were officially proclaimed in the year **1261 by the first King of Valencia, James I the Conqueror (1208–1276). In a solemn ceremony, he read the code of laws before the people and thereupon swore his oath of office as King of Valencia before the parliament that had been founded in the same year.
The Law of Catalonia
The Furs de Valencia regulated all aspects of political life in the Catalonian kingdom. It specified the succession to the throne, as well as regulating the separation of powers between the royal family, the nobility, the princes of the Catholic Church, and those in the legal field. This legal code remained in effect for more than four hundred years. In the year 1707, the Furs were finally replaced by the Decretos de Nueva Planta – literally translated as the ordinances for complete renewal – which were signed by Philip V of Castile (1683–1746). Only recently, in the course of the amended agreement concerning the autonomy of the community of Valencia in the year 2006, a few precepts of citizenship from the Furs have been made binding once again.
Codicology
- Alternative Titles
- Furs e Ordinacions del Regne de Valencia
- Style
1 available facsimile edition(s) of „Furs e Ordinacions del Regne de Valencia“
Furs e Ordinacions del Regne de Valencia
- Publisher
- Vicent Garcia Editores – Valencia, 1992
- 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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