The Historian's Notebook

In the Crown of Aragon, 639 years ago, Violant attempted to obtain the Cigonina, a book of magical counter-spells, presumably to help Joan recover from his illness.

Read more about this document on the episode page on Jonathan's website, https://jonathanseyfried.net/historians-notebook-s1-episodes/e152-may25

Today's Document:

• Subject: seeking a book of counter-spells written by a Valencian bishop
• Date: May 25, 1387
• Day of the Week: Saturday
• Language: Catalan
• Archival Reference Number: ACA CR R2056 f16r
• Link to PARES
• Place: Barcelona
• Sender: Violant
• Recipient: Jorda de Sobra, a doctor of law in Valencia

Music Credits

The music in this episode is from The Troubadour Dance Instrumental by Melody Ayers-Griffiths

In the Crown of Aragon, 639 years ago, Violant informed the aljamas of Teruel that they will need to pay an extra tax.

Read more about this document on the episode page on Jonathan's website, https://jonathanseyfried.net/historians-notebook-s1-episodes/e151-may25

Today's Document:

• Subject: financing the state in an interfaith context
• Date: May 24, 1387
• Day of the Week: Friday
• Language: Aragonese/Castilian
• Archival Reference Number: ACA CR R2053 f11r
• Link to PARES
• Place: Barcelona
• Sender: Violant
• Recipients: officials of the Jewish and Muslim aljamas of Teruel

Music Credits

The music in this episode is from The Troubadour Dance Instrumental by Melody Ayers-Griffiths

In the Crown of Aragon, 639 years ago, Violant exchanged pleasantries with her daughter's future groom, Louis II of Anjou, and his mother, Marie de Blois.

Read more about this document on the episode page on Jonathan's website, https://jonathanseyfried.net/historians-notebook-s1-episodes/e150-may23

Today's Document:

• Subject: another avenue of influence in the marriage negotiation process
• Date: May 23, 1387
• Day of the Week: Thursday
• Language: Catalan
• Archival Reference Number: ACA CR R2053 f9v-10r
• Link to PARES
• Place: Barcelona
• Sender: Violant
• Recipients: Louis II of Anjou and his mother Marie de Blois

Music Credits

The music in this episode is from The Troubadour Dance Instrumental by Melody Ayers-Griffiths

In the Crown of Aragon, 639 years ago, Joan ordered a merchant in Zaragoza to pay money to Johan de Muntros, citing an authorization from the Pope on February 23rd.

Read more about this document on the episode page on Jonathan's website, https://jonathanseyfried.net/historians-notebook-s1-episodes/e149-may22

Today's Document:

• Subject: addressing a lack of compliance with the new tax collection in Aragon
• Date: May 22, 1387
• Day of the Week: Wednesday
• Language: Catalan
• Archival Reference Number: ACA CR R1751 f60v
• Link to PARES
• Place: Barcelona
• Sender: Joan
• Recipients: Berengario de Corrilles, a merchant of Zaragoza

Music Credits

The music in this episode is from The Troubadour Dance Instrumental by Melody Ayers-Griffiths

In the Crown of Aragon, 639 years ago, Joan wrote to the Bishop of Elne to release a prisoner who Joan says is one of his domestics, in the service of the Crown of Aragon.

Read more about this document on the episode page on Jonathan's website, https://jonathanseyfried.net/historians-notebook-s1-episodes/e148-may21

Today's Document:

• Subject: claim that Guillem Ribes was imprisoned wrongfully
• Date: May 21, 1387
• Day of the Week: Tuesday
• Language: Catalan
• Archival Reference Number: ACA CR R1825 f146r
• Link to PARES
• Place: Barcelona
• Sender: Joan
• Recipient: the Bishop of Elne

Music Credits

The music in this episode is from The Troubadour Dance Instrumental by Melody Ayers-Griffiths

In the Crown of Aragon, 639 years ago, Violant sent out letters to 39 localities to let them know her alguatzir is coming to collect funds from them.

Read more about this document on the episode page on Jonathan's website, https://jonathanseyfried.net/historians-notebook-s1-episodes/e147-may20

Today's Document:

• Subject: taxation procedures, possibly for an extra levy of funds for the royal treasury
• Date: May 20, 1387
• Day of the Week: Monday
• Language: Catalan
• Archival Reference Number: ACA CR R1819 f100r
• Link to PARES
• Place: Barcelona
• Sender: Violant
• Recipients: Prohomens and other local authorities throughout the realm

Music Credits

The music in this episode is from The Troubadour Dance Instrumental by Melody Ayers-Griffiths

In the Crown of Aragon, 639 years ago, Joan exchanged falcons and hunting dogs with the head of the Knights Hospitallers, Juan Fernández de Heredia.

Read more about this document on the episode page on Jonathan's website, https://jonathanseyfried.net/historians-notebook-s1-episodes/e146-may19

Today's Document:

• Subject: saker falcons and hunting dogs from Turkey
• Date: May 19, 1387
• Day of the Week: Sunday
• Language: Aragonese
• Archival Reference Number: ACA CR R1952 f20r
• Link to PARES
• Place: Barcelona
• Sender: Joan
• Recipient: Juan Fernández de Heredia, Master of Rhodes

Music Credits

The music in this episode is from The Troubadour Dance Instrumental by Melody Ayers-Griffiths

In the Crown of Aragon, 639 years ago, Joan instructed his chamberlain to purchase at least five hunting dogs from Savoy.

Read more about this document on the episode page on Jonathan's website, https://jonathanseyfried.net/historians-notebook-s1-episodes/e145-may18

Today's Document:

• Subject: procurement of hunting dogs from Savoy
• Date: May 18, 1387
• Day of the Week: Saturday
• Language: Catalan
• Archival Reference Number: ACA CR R1751 f57v-58r
• Link to PARES
• Place: Barcelona
• Sender: Joan
• Recipient: Pere d’Artes, a royal chamberlain

Music Credits

The music in this episode is from The Troubadour Dance Instrumental by Melody Ayers-Griffiths

In the Crown of Aragon, 639 years ago, Joan told his procurator in Mallorca to continue purchasing falcons and hunting birds from India.

Read more about this document on the episode page on Jonathan's website, https://jonathanseyfried.net/historians-notebook-s1-episodes/e144-may17

Today's Document:

• Subject: shopping for falcons in Mallorca
• Date: May 17, 1387
• Day of the Week: Friday
• Language: Catalan
• Archival Reference Number: ACA CR R1751 f56v
• Link to PARES
• Place: Barcelona
• Sender: Joan
• Recipients: Berenguer Lobet, Procurador

Music Credits

The music in this episode is from The Troubadour Dance Instrumental by Melody Ayers-Griffiths

In the Crown of Aragon, 639 years ago, Violant provided cover letters for her Avignon Ambassadors for when they tell the Pope and the Master of Rhodes about the involvement of evil magic in Joan's recent illness.

Read more about this document on the episode page on Jonathan's website, https://jonathanseyfried.net/historians-notebook-s1-episodes/e143-may16

Today's Document:

• Subject: authorization for the Ambassadors to speak for the Queen when they visit the Pope and the Master of Rhodes
• Date: May 16, 1387
• Day of the Week: Thursday
• Language: Latin & Catalan
• Archival Reference Number: ACA CR R2056 f97v
• Link to PARES
• Place: Barcelona
• Sender: Violant
• Recipients: Avignon Pope Clement VII and Juan Fernández de Heredia, Master of Rhodes, head of the Hospitallers

Music Credits

The music in this episode is from The Troubadour Dance Instrumental by Melody Ayers-Griffiths