Llibre verd de Barcelona

The Llibre Vert de Barcelona, or “Green Book of Barcelona,” is named after its binding, which has always been green and was last renewed in 1848
In 1346, the notary and scribe Ramon Ferrer was commissioned by the Barcelona City Council to compile the Catalan law and the privileges of Barcelona
The manuscript was additionally illuminated with colorful miniatures, beautiful borders, and historiated and ornamental initials

Llibre verd de Barcelona

Arxiu Històric de la Ciutat de Barcelona (Barcelona, Spain)

Description

Llibre verd de Barcelona

The Llibre verd de Barcelona, named after its green binding, is one of the most historically significant collections of medieval legal texts concerning Catalonia and, at the same time, a beautifully illuminated testimony to 14th-century Catalan book art. The commission for this valuable book of privileges was given on January 1, 1346, by the Barcelona City Council to its scribe, the notary Ramon Ferrer. He was to compile and copy all the privileges then in force in Barcelona, i.e., documents guaranteeing a person a certain right or property. This main section follows a general collection of legal texts valid throughout Catalonia. The manuscript begins with an introduction that also includes a copy of the document commissioning Ramon Ferrer. This legal collection was magnificently illuminated by the workshop of the illuminators Ferrer and Arnau Bassa with colorful miniatures, borders, historiated and ornamental initials. The “green book” has lost none of its symbolic value since then and still receives the official oaths of the members of the Barcelona City Council.

Codicology

Alternative Titles: The green Book of Barcelona
Das grüne Buch von Barcelona
Type: Manuscript on parchment
Origin: Spain
Date: Between 1346 and 1370
Epochs: Late Middle Ages Onwards
Style: Gothic
Genre: Law / Deeds / Rules
Language: Catalan
Script: Gothic Textura
Illustrations: 50 illuminations
Content: Introduction with transcript of the document authorising the compilation of the manuscript, Catalan law, 182 Barcelona privileges and similar documents from the period between 1025 and 1383
Patron: Council of One Hundred (historic, democratic governmental institution in Barcelona)
Artist / School: Ramon Ferrer (compiler and scribe)
Workshop of Ferrer and Arnau Bassa (illuminators)
Arnau de la Pena (scribe and illuminator)

Available facsimile editions:

Facsimile Editions

#1 Llibre verd de Barcelona I

Limited Edition: 1198 copies

Binding: Replica of the original binding from 1848: Green velvet cover with golden fittings. Facsimile and commentary come in a wooden, green slipcase.

Commentary: 1 volume by Sebastià Riera, Manuel Rovira, and Tomàs Montagut i Joaquím Yarza
Language: Catalan

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. The facsimile edition comprises the first of a total of four volumes of the Llibre verd de Barcelona.

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Llibre verd de Barcelona