Trobes dels Linages

This rare 17th century manuscript from Valencia addresses the idea of nobility as well as tracing various lineages and explaining heraldry. Historians are unable to agree about the two possible authors of this truly noble book, but whoever they were, they possessed tremendous historical knowledge. The text, written either by Jaume Febrer or Jaume Esquerra, bears the full title Trobes que escrigue mosen Jaume Febrer cavaller dels linages dels nobles de la ciutat y reyne de Valencia and begins with a definition of nobility. He then systematically examines various titles and forms of address, as well as exploring heraldry, which is aided by graphic explanations of the meanings of the various components of a coat-of-arms, which are drawn in ink. This is followed by an alphabetical index of names and lineages associated with the conquest of the Kingdom of Valencia as well as an introduction to troubadour poetry. A thorough examination of the “A” section has revealed both the accuracy and breadth of the author’s knowledge. The lineages are adorned with a watercolor of their coat-of-arms and an eleven-line verse, supposedly at the suggestion of the Spanish Infante Don Pedro. This Early Modern manuscript represents a splendid look back into the noble history of the Kingdom of Valencia.