Libre dels Feyts

Libre dels Feyts

A truly unique historical manuscript originated from the Royal Abbey of Santa Maria de Poblet near Valencia. It is the so-called Book of Facts. The astounding manuscript can be regarded as the first autobiography of a medieval king worldwide. The events reflected in the work were entirely told from the first person perspective of King Jaime I of Valencia, all things considered it has been proven that the King himself was not the author of this life story. The biography was produced by gifted monks of the Spanish Poblet Abbey and is furnished with fantastic miniatures, playful historiated initials, and plant tendrils with animals in rich colors with gold adornment.

A Man of the People

The Book of Facts is dedicated completely to the first King of Valencia, Jaime I, who earned the epithet “the Conqueror”. Jaime was simultaneously the King of Aragon and Mallorca, Count of Barcelona and Montpellier. Consequently, he was one of the most powerful men of medieval Spain. The most important events of the King’s reign are assembled in the book and represented in chronological order. Catalan is the language of the work and it is recorded in a very vernacular and informal tone. The spoken language of the people was reproduced here in a very direct style. In this way, the closeness of the beloved King to his people is expressed.

Jaime the Conqueror

According to sources, King Philip II is reported to have said at the grave of Jaime I: “He was one of the greatest kings and captains that the world ever had…”. This quote comes from a time when Jaime had already been dead for more than 300 years. Nonetheless, his exceptional reign has remained unforgotten to this day. With the help of successful military campaigns and good, thoughtful government, the great King released two realms – namely Mallorca and Valencia – from Muslim rule and incorporated them into his own kingdom. The Book of Facts not only relates his own political feats, but also tells of memories from his childhood, his everyday life, and his death. The enchantingly colorful and gold-decorated miniatures of the work illustrate the entertaining stories in a thrilling way.