Visigothic and Arab Influence in Medieval Catalonia
Visigothic Influence in Catalonia
In 395, the Roman Empire was divided into two: the Western Roman Empire (Rome) and the Eastern Roman Empire (Istanbul). Due to the weakening of its unity, at the beginning of the 5th century, Germanic peoples began expanding their territories. By 415, the Visigoths, who were Roman allies, lived in the lands of the former Roman province of Tarragona. They had Barcelona as a capital and adopted Latin and Christianity. In 476, with the disintegration of the Western Roman Empire, the Franks forced the Visigoths to leave southern France. The Visigoths then settled in Toledo between 554 and 771.
Arab Influence in Catalonia
From 711, the Arabs seized Visigothic territories until 752, when their control became absolute. This led to Arabization, which was not uniform. It was much stronger in the open border areas of Valencia, the Balearic Islands, and the south of Catalonia. The Battle of Poitiers in 732 marked a turning point. After this battle, Christians began to recover the first three northern territories. The Arab legacy includes varied lexical items, place names, agricultural techniques, and domestic utensils.
The Four Great Chronicles
Four major chronicles were written during the expansion of the former Crown of Aragon, between the 13th and 15th centuries:
- Chronicle of James I: Told in an autobiographical style, it narrates the life of James I from his birth. It focuses on the events of his reign, his conquests, intimate memories, and *chansons de geste*. It conveys a deep religious meaning and didactic intention, expressed in the first person plural.
- Chronicle of Bernard Desclot: Written by an official with access to royal archives, this chronicle aims to glorify King Peter II. It explains his reign and the battles against the Italians and French. It contains *chansons de geste* and boasts high historical accuracy, as Desclot drew inspiration from official documents and his own experiences.
- Chronicle of Ramon Muntaner: Written in Xirivella as a book of memoirs, it is the most extensive of the four. It displays strong patriotism and exalts the kings of the Crown of Aragon and the Catalan language. Written to be heard, it justifies the use of *joglaresque* forms to maintain the audience’s attention.
- Chronicle of Peter IV of Aragon: Written in an autographic form to justify his policies, it is the only one that does not include *chansons de geste*. The book focuses on his reign, including the incorporation of Majorca. Episodes in which the king administers justice often reflect great cruelty and cold-bloodedness.
Language in Medieval Society
First Texts (Late 12th – 13th Century)
- Homilies d’Organyà (sermons)
- Furs de València (laws)
- Llibre del Consolat de Mar (laws of maritime trade)
Languages
Aragonese, Catalan, Latin.
Religious Groups
Jews, Muslims, Christians.
Religious and Moralizing Prose
Key figures include Francesc Eiximenis, Anselm Turmeda, Vicent Ferrer, and Isabel de Villena. Their works reflect a shift from a focus on humanity to placing God at the center of the universe. They denounce the sins and vices of their contemporaries and emphasize the idea of Doomsday and divine punishment.
Francesc Eiximenis
Born in Girona between 1330 and 1335, Francesc Eiximenis joined the Franciscan order at a young age. He studied and traveled throughout Europe. After a stay in Barcelona, he moved to Valencia. He dedicated his work *Regiment de la Cosa Pública* to the city, offering enthusiastic praise for Valencia. He is also the author of *Lo Crestià*, an extensive didactic and moralistic novel in 12 books, intended to teach the knowledge of his era.
Vicent Ferrer
Born in 1350 and died in 1419, Vicent Ferrer devoted himself to preaching. He did not write his sermons beforehand, but they were later transcribed while he delivered them. The sermons typically follow this structure: introduction of the topic, division of the topic. They are characterized by their popular appeal, aimed at a less cultured audience. Ferrer frequently used diminutives, augmentatives, onomatopoeia, interjections, phrases, gestures, and other resources to ensure understanding.
Anselm Turmeda
Works include: *Disputa de l’ase contra frare Anselm*, *Llibre de bons amonestaments*, and *Verses on the Division of the Kingdom of Majorca*.
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