The Four Great Catalan Chronicles: History and Feats
The Four Great Catalan Chronicles
Book of the Facts of James I
The narrative of the reign of James I. The king died in 1276, and the text was likely finished shortly thereafter. The chronicle is written in the form of an autobiography and gives special importance to the conquest of the Kingdom of Majorca. It was written so that “men would know what we did after this mortal life, what we should have done.” The king presents himself as a heroic and providential figure. This work of justification of his reign is noted for being truthful, direct, passionate, and intimate in its writing.
Book of King Peter Bernard Desclot or Chronicle
The author of this chronicle is probably Bernard Escrivá Desclot, a royal treasurer believed to be from the house of Rosselló. The chronicle has two distinct parts: the events before and during the reign of James I, and, as a core, the main events of the reign of Peter the Great. The characteristics of this chronicle are objectivity, accuracy, and richness of information.
The Chronicle of Peter IV of Aragon
Peter IV reigned between 1336 and 1387. During this period, he promoted a strong cultural movement: he ordered the organization of the royal archive and created a body of scribes and translators, thus introducing Humanism to the Crown of Aragon. This chronicle, the later of the four, was written between 1359 and 1372 by scribes from the Chancery using official documents. Peter IV expresses himself directly, frankly, and lively, revealing a certain cynicism. The objective of the chronicle is to reaffirm the power of the monarchy and justify the monarch’s policy decisions.
History and Songs of Feats
Literary first samples of almost all European cultures are usually present in verse narratives of historical facts and legends of its past heroic. One of the functions of minstrels was reciting this type of anonymous narrations. They received the name of caçons de gesta (songs of feats).
The Chronicle of Ramon Muntaner
Ramon Muntaner was born in 1265 in the village of Perelada. He actively participated in the conquest of Menorca and, after retiring, lived for twenty years on his Xirivella Possession in Valencia, where he devoted himself to writing his chronicle. He finished writing it around 1328 and died in Ibiza in 1336.
Content and Style of the Chronicle
Ramon Muntaner recounts the events he lived through during the reign of five kings (from James I to Alfonso of Aragon) and aims to give evidence of his services to the monarchs of Aragon and praise their greatness. The author explains the facts and military career of arms and adventures in which he participated. The work seems more like a memoir than a chronicle. Ramon Muntaner is very aware of his audience and always tries to capture their attention through the use of oral recitation formulas. Of the four chronicles, Muntaner’s is the most notable for its literary quality and the use of popular forms. The text of the chronicle is characterized by being lively and entertaining, adding incalculable value to its historical worth.