Details

Subject(s)

• Power (Social sciences)—Spain—Catalonia—History—To 1500 [Browse]
• Juristic acts—Spain—Catalonia—History—To 1500 [Browse]
• Oaths—Spain—Catalonia—History—To 1500 [Browse]
• Feudalism—Spain—Catalonia—History [Browse]

Series

• Cambridge studies in medieval life and thought ; 4th ser., 51. [More in this series]
• Cambridge studies in medieval life and thought ; 4th ser., 51 [More in this series]

Summary note

This study examines the role of written agreements in eleventh- and twelfth-century Catalonia, and how they determined the social and political order. By tracing the fate of these agreements - or convenientiae - from their first appearance to the late twelfth century, it is possible to demonstrate the remarkable stability of the fluid structures which they engendered in what is generally thought of as 'feudal society'. The process of documentary change reveals the true nature and pace of the 'transformation of the year 1000'. Analysis of the convenientia as an instrument of power and its interaction with oral practices contributes to a deeper understanding of the role of the written word in medieval societies. Finally, a broad historiographical context establishes the significance of this study of Catalonia for a more general appreciation of the medieval Mediterranean world.

Notes

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).

Contents

• 1. The First Convenientia: Social and Documentary Change Around the Year 1000. The documentary context. Early Catalan convenientiae, c. 1021-50. Convenientiae and the "crisis" of Catalan society
• 2. Making Agreements. Castle tenure and military service. Structures of power in convenientiae. Treaties. Dispute settlement. Exploiting the land. Family settlements. Promises
• 3. Keeping Agreements. Penalty clauses. Sureties. Procedure. Case studies: Pallars and Empuries/Rossello. Oaths
• 4. Foundations (The Eleventh Century). Counts. Lay aristocracy. Episcopal castles. Monastic military lordship
• 5. Fortunes (The Twelfth Century). Renewal. Conflict. Change
• 5. Writing and Power. Administration. The Usatges de Barcelona.

Show 3 more Contents items

Other title(s)

Cambridge University Press. History.

ISBN

9780511496530 (ebook)

Statement on language in description

Princeton University Library aims to describe library materials in a manner that is respectful to the individuals and communities who create, use, and are represented in the collections we manage. Read more...