Grievances of Guitard Isarn

Grievances of Guitard Isarn – Millennium Liber – Pergamí 1910 (4-III-4) – Biblioteca Nacional de Catalunya (Barcelona, Spain)

Spain — 1080–1095

The oldest known, non-literary text in Catalan: the complaints of the nobleman Guitard Isarn about his defaulting vassals as an glimpse into medieval feudalism

  1. The oldest known, non-literary Catalonian text is an 11th century list of grievances by the nobleman Guitard Isarn

  2. The letter is a prime example of one of the most common medieval juristic documents, a so-called "rancures"

  3. The document speaks to the surprisingly complicated and often litigious nature of medieval Feudalism

Grievances of Guitard Isarn

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  1. Description
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Description
Grievances of Guitard Isarn

Stored in the Biblioteca de Catalunya in Barcelona, the so-called Grievances of Guitard Isarn is of great significance for the history of the Catalonian language. It is the oldest known, non-literary Catalonian text! Guitard Isarn, a nobleman from Caboet, wrote a letter from the late 11th century telling of his demands for reparations of some injuries and insults, which were brought about by his vassals. Such a juristic documents, so-called rancures were common practice by 11th century feudal lords. The Grievances of Guitard Isarn are nevertheless a unique historical document because of their special language!

Grievances of Guitard Isarn

Stored in the Biblioteca de Catalunya in Barcelona, the so-called Grievances of Guitard Isarn is of great significance for the history of the Catalonian language. It is the oldest known, non-literary Catalonian text! Guitard Isarn, a nobleman from Caboet, wrote a letter from the late 11th century telling of his demands for reparations of some injuries and insults, which were brought about by his vassals. Such a juristic documents, so-called rancures were common practice by 11th century feudal lords. The Grievances of Guitard Isarn are nevertheless a unique historical document because of their special language!

A Special Specimen of Rancure

Señor de Caboet, Guitard Isarn demands reparations for these damages and indignities, which have been inflicted upon him by his vassals. Such co-called rancures were letters, in which feudal lords demanded compensation for damages, which they saw as a breach of contract. In the case of Guitard Isarn, he accuses the castellan of Cabò, Guillelm Arnall, and his son of breaking their oaths and demands reparations. The noble family of Caboet originated from Cabò and were of particular significance for the history of Andorra!

Dating to the 11th Century

The Grievances of Guitard Isarn has been dated by researchers to ca. 1080–1095. This limited space of time for the period of origin was ascertained by means of information about the people mentioned in the text and because of historical documents from the 11th century archive of the abbey church of Organyá. Today, the document is stored in the Biblioteca de Catalunya in Barcelona.

The Significance for Catalonian

The discoverer of this historical document was the historian Joaquim Miret i Sana. The vellum manuscript measuring 53 x 10 cm is considered to be the oldest known, non-literary Catalonian text! Consequently, the document also holds an exceptional place in the history of the Catalonian and Spanish languages.

Codicology

Alternative Titles
Greuges de Guitard Isarn de Caboet
Beschwerde von Guitard
Beschwerden von Guitard Isarn
Greuges de Guitard Isarn
Greuges di Guitard Isarn
Origin
Spain
Date
1080–1095
Style
Language
Illustrations
Initial at the beginning of the document
Content
Letter of complaint by Guitard Isarn to his vassals
Artist / School

Available facsimile editions:
Grievances of Guitard Isarn – Millennium Liber – Pergamí 1910 (4-III-4) – Biblioteca Nacional de Catalunya (Barcelona, Spain)
Millennium Liber – Madrid, 2013
Detail Picture

Grievances of Guitard Isarn

Guitard Isarn and Guillelm Arnall

"Hec est memoria de ipsas rancuras que abet domnus Guitard Isarnus, senior Caputense, de rancuras de filio de Guillelm Arnall et que ag de suo pater, de Guilelm Arnall."
As was common in deeds and other legal documents of the Middle Ages, the document begins by identifying which persons are at issue: in this case, it is pointed out that Guitard Isarn, Señor de Caboet, is making demands on Guillelm Arnall, Castellan of Cabó, and his son. This first phrase is traditionally introduced by a simple initial, which is followed by neatly written lines.

Grievances of Guitard Isarn – Millennium Liber – Pergamí 1910 (4-III-4) – Biblioteca Nacional de Catalunya (Barcelona, Spain)
Facsimile Editions

#1 Greuges de Guitard Isarn

Millennium Liber – Madrid, 2013

Publisher: Millennium Liber – Madrid, 2013
Binding: Presented in an elegant red case
Commentary: 1 volume by Joan A. Rabella
1 volume: Exact reproduction of the original document (extent, color and size) 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.
Facsimile Copy Available!
Price Category: €€€€€
(over 10,000€)
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