Ecrire et lire en Catalogne (IXe-XIIe siecle) (review)
Paul Freedman
Reviewed by: Écrire et lire en Catalogne (IXe–XIIe siècle) Paul Freedman siècle). By Michel Zimmermann . 2 vols. [ Bibliothèque de la Casa Velázquez, Volume 23.] ( Madrid: Velázquez. 2003. Pp. xxii, 613; 614–1403. €64.) About 7,000 records of the ninth and tenth centuries survive in Catalan archives, something on order twice that number are extant from eleventh century. These quantities impressive although not unique. As Pierre Toubert points out his introduction to this massive study, Bavaria, Sabina, Vendômois also produced thousands documents period collected cartularies other later compilations. There three unusual features early regions: diversity transactions, their survival single-sheet original form, preponderance agreements between laymen. factors crucial for understanding importance Zimmermann's exploration written communication incorporation Spanish March into Carolingian Empire until formalization notarial practice thirteenth The archival wealth Catalonia is accompanied by an almost total absence narrative texts such as chronicles or hagiographies, so problems opportunities studying world Pyrenean counties twelfth peculiar. An exhaustive analysis different scribes, writing styles, transaction types (wills, sales, leases, feudal agreements, donations) makes it possible come some remarkable conclusions about society its formative period, accomplishment achieved here through rigorous disquisitions how why these were drawn up. ambition utilitarian one describing a social system [End Page 355] records, but rather focus act implications, expense producing unacknowledged ubiquitous influence Isidore Seville's Sententiae Etymologiae. findings reveal sharply vividly (if brief flashes) lives behind mass routine transactions. Anyone who has worked with material will have wondered things Latin oddly defective, oaths fealty undated, autograph signatures (sometimes poetic tags) abound certain kinds records. Why many topographical listed land sales donations? When Judas singled closing maledictions exemplary transgressor opposed Datan Abiron (from Numbers 16:1–33)? Beginning tools writing, then describes requested composed process answers every conceivable question concerning format, language, appearance, typology documents. From carefully constructed foundation he elaborates literary atmosphere era, collecting books, structure education, reciprocal cultural rest Europe. contains just over 1,000 pages text, twenty-six appendices concerning, example, activities individual notaries, mention payments evidence books readers culled donations, wills, library catalogues. imposing work grand tradition now abolished French thèse d'état, which last examples, presented at end 1992. Although book sumptuously (in addition there maps, color plates, detailed summaries four languages), text been updated essentially thesis. In introduction, author explains was initially reluctant thesis made all, persuaded others including publishers, school Madrid (Casa Velázquez). He determined effort incorporating new would be excessive, somewhat odd result voluminous citations specific don't take account rapid pace printing during eleven-year interval. Records dated before 1000 the...
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