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
Size / Format: 804 pages / 38.5 × 27.5 cm
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:

Detail Picture

Llibre verd de Barcelona

Libellus de batallia facienda

This historiated initial marks the beginning of a remarkable guide to carrying out a duel as a legally binding procedure for resolving a dispute in the absence of clear evidence. According to this concept, the verdict was rendered by God in favor of the victor of the duel. The text describes all the regulations in great detail. Meticulous care was taken to ensure that the two combatants faced each other under equal conditions. To this end, even their bodies were accurately measured, and the position of the sun was taken into account so that it would not blind either of them on the dueling ground, which was specially prepared according to established regulations. With his defeat, the losing duelist not only lost the legal dispute but was also required to cover all costs incurred in the case—from travel expenses and the costs of setting up the battlefield to the payment of all medical treatment. In addition, he had to surrender all the weapons he used in the duel, his armor, and his horse to the victor.

Single Page

Llibre verd de Barcelona

Introduction

The manuscript begins with a copy of the document confirming the agreement to produce the manuscript. Ramon Ferrer, the notary and scribe commissioned for this task, is depicted in the historiated initial “H” just below the miniature showing the Council of One Hundred, Barcelona’s city council at the time.

The Council of One Hundred (Catalan: Consell de Cent) was composed of three different entities: one to four “paers” presided over the council—the number varied over time; the miniature depicts one—and elected eight councilors. Together, they led the assemblies of 200 respected and wealthy merchants of the city.

Facsimile Editions

#1 Llibre verd de Barcelona I

Editorial Base – Barcelona, 2004

Publisher: Editorial Base – Barcelona, 2004

Limited Edition: 1198 copies

Binding: Green velvet binding with golden fittings, reproducing the original of 1848; facsimile and commentary in a green wooden slipcase

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

Complete color reproduction of the original “Llibre verd de Barcelona” at its original size. The facsimile aims to reproduce the original’s appearance, feel and physical characteristics as faithfully as possible. The pages are trimmed to the original format. The binding may differ from the original’s present-day binding. The facsimile edition comprises the first of a total of four volumes of the Llibre verd de Barcelona.

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Codicology

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Libellus de batallia facienda

Llibre verd de Barcelona

Introduction

#1 Llibre verd de Barcelona I

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