The only territory under Norman rule in the Iberian Peninsula was established by Robert Burdet (d. around 1159). He probably descended from the lesser nobility and came to Aragón and Catalonia in the retinue of Rotrou de Perche. He enjoyed success in battles. Around this time, the ancient episcopal see of Tarragona was captured by the count of Barcelona, who gifted the town to Oleguer, Bishop of Barcelona. Oleguer was then appointed archbishop of Tarragona. For his efforts to rebuild and administer, he required support and entrusted this task to Robert Burdet. Robert had free reign, as the ecclesiastic town lord resided in Barcelona. However, he failed in his attempts to establish a permanent dominion for himself and his sons. Oleguer’s successor together with the count of Barcelona thwarted these plans.
Santa Maria de Besalú, Catalonia
1137–1167/1171
Travertine
Barcelona, Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, Inv. 200688-000
The Catalan monastery of Santa Maria in Besalú was part of the Catalan counties, but in 1084 it was placed under the control of regular canons from Avignon. The influence of the arts and crafts from Provence and Languedoc is evident in the capital presented here. On each side a stylised figure with a tunic, protruding chin and wide open eyes is depicted. The figure holds croisiers in both hands marking him as either a bishop or an abbot. Birds, probably doves, flank each bishop or abbot, even though their fierce appearance reminds more of birds of prey.
Barcelona, 14th c., restorations in later times
Embroidered silk, linen, leather
Barcelona, Museu de la Catedral de Barcelona, ohne Inv.
The mitre is one of the most important insignia of a bishop and a sign of his power. The mitre shown here was recovered from the tomb of the powerful and influential Saint Oleguer (d. 1137), Bishop of Barcelona and Archbishop of Tarragona. Shortly after Oleguer’s death, there were the first attempts to achieve his canonisation, but it was not until 1675 that this was accomplished. Nonetheless, Oleguer was venerated locally,his tomb opened several times and added a monument worthy of his fame. This mitre was venerated as a relic for centuries and over the years, numerous miracles were attributed to it. The elaborate decorations and places where precious stones used to be incorporated bear witness to its precious workmanship. The embroidered medallions on the front and back show apostles, saints, the Mother of God and Christ. Stylistically, the mitre can be dated to the 14th century. Recent investigations by the Curt Engelhorn Centre for Archaeometry have confirmed this dating for the samples examined.
Catalonia, mid-14th c.
Parchment
Barcelona, Arxiu Capitular, Cod. 105, fol. 81–84v (vita), fol. 84r–87v (miracula)
In the middle of the 14th century, a benefactor left the Flores Sanctum, a collection of various local stories of saints and miracles, to Barcelona Cathedral. Among other biographies of saints, it contains the only known medieval biography of Bishop Oleguer of Barcelona (d. 1137). Magister Renau of Barcelona wrote it between 1115 and 1137, probably with the aim of promoting Oleguer’s canonisation, which did not take place until 1675. The first part is dedicated to the life of this important, far-travelled and well-connected bishop while the second part gives an account of early miracles, for example during his funeral.
Barcelona, after 1117
(copy of an act from January 1117)
Parchment
Barcelona, Arxiu de la Corona d’Aragó, Pergs. Ramon Berenguer III, carp. 31, núm 202
When Count Ramon Berenguer III of Barcelona conquered the city of Tarragona it was largely depopulated. This document records the donation of the city (1117) to Bishop Oleguer of Barcelona. Shortly afterwards, the Pope appointed Oleguer Archbishop of Tarragona, which resulted in the independence of the Catalan Church from the Archdiocese of Narbonne. Efforts to repopulate the city failed and so in 1129 Oleguer granted Tarragona to the Norman Robert Burdet. That was the beginning of the only and short-lived Norman principality on the Iberian Peninsula.
Santa Maria de Tarragona, 2nd half of the 13th c.
White marble
Barcelona, Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, Inv. MNAC 024027-000
The white marble capital is decorated with a tau-cross on a heraldic shield. This motif is found several times in the cathedral of Tarragona and probably refers to the initial of its patron saint, St. Thecla. Plant motifs and fruits surround the shield; the fruits have been identified as apples or olives. If they are the latter, the design of the capital could also allude to the coat of arms of the family of Archbishop Bernat d’Olivella (d. 1287).
Tarragona (?), 1st third of the 13th c.
White marble
Barcelona, Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, Inv. MNAC 24017-000
The holy water font from Tarragona shows some signs of wear and was originally attached to a wall. Intertwined beaded bands frame figurative motifs: an acrobat, a man sitting on a winged creature, a fight between a man and an animal (perhaps a lion) and an upright quadruped. The basin probably comes from the workshops of Tarragona, or perhaps from Lleida. The decoration draws on a well-established repertoire popular in the Eastern and Islamic regions.
Tarragona, 7th of August 1151
Parchment
Barcelona, Arxiu de la Corona d’Aragó, pergs. Ramon Berenguer IV, carp. 38, núm 242
Tarragona, August 1151
Parchment
Barcelona, Arxiu de la Corona d’Aragó, pergs. Ramon Berenguer IV, carp. 38, núm 243
These documents witness the loss of power of the Norman principate of Tarragona. With the relocation of the archbishop’s residence from Barcelona to Tarragona, Robert and his son William Burdet began to compete for power with their overlord. Secular and ecclesiastical powers clashed and conflicts flared up. The escalation is reported in a court verdict (1) in a process, which was decided in favour of the archbishop, who had William accused of destroying ecclesiastical property. With the second document (2), the archbishop returned Tarragona into the hands of the Count of Barcelona. This effectively meant the end of the independence of the principate.