‘The proconsul ruling the city called Carcassonne’: memory, title and the Trencavel viscounts, 1068–1209
Elaine Graham-Leigh
Abstract In 1146, the Trencavel viscounts of Carcassonne, Béziers, Albi and Razès began using title ‘proconsul’ in some their charters. Their assumption is considered context other twelfth-century efforts to construct history through both memory written records, considers aspirations own comital title. The use sprang from enthusiasm for Roman past but also connected authority previous rulers Languedoc while avoiding own, less glorious past, particularly dubious acquisition Carcassonne 1068.
Historical Research