Making agreements in medieval Catalonia : power, order, and the written word, 1000-1200 / Adam J. Kosto.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Kosto, Adam J., author.

Series:

Cambridge studies in medieval life and thought ; 4th ser., 51.

Cambridge studies in medieval life and thought ; 4th ser., 51

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Power (Social sciences)--Spain--Catalonia--History--To 1500.

Power (Social sciences).

Juristic acts--Spain--Catalonia--History--To 1500.

Juristic acts.

Oaths--Spain--Catalonia--History--To 1500.

Oaths.

Feudalism--Spain--Catalonia--History.

Feudalism.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xix, 366 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 2001.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

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.

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.

Notes:

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

Includes bibliographical references (p. 318-345) and indexes.

ISBN:

9780511104947

0511104944

9780511156489

0511156480

9781280159312

1280159316

9780511119040

0511119046

9780511496530

0511496532

9780511325434

0511325436

9780521792394

0521792398

9780511047039

0511047037

OCLC:

52472595

Publisher Number:

2027/heb06697 hdl