Per la consolidazione del potere normanno giocarono un ruolo importantissimo dappertutto le unioni matrimoniali. Anche tra la contea di Barcellona, poi corona d'Aragona, e i Normanni dell'Italia meridionale esistevano legami di questo tipo. Per esempio Mafalda, una figlia del normanno Roberto il Guiscardo († 1085), sposò un conte di Barcellona. Più tardi una principessa aragonese, Costanza († 1222) andò in sposa all’imperatore Federico II († 1250), diventando così sia regina di Sicilia e imperatrice del Sacro Romano Impero.
Barcelona, end of the 12th/beginning of the 13th c.
Parchment
Barcelona, Arxiu de la Corona d’Aragó, núm. 1, fol. I/480, fol. II/116
The “Great Book of Feudal Deeds” (Liber Feudorum Maior) assembled copies of charters and deeds of the counts of Barcelona and kings of Aragon from the end of the 9th to the 13th century. Around 1800 the illuminated manuscript was badly damaged and partially lost. Today, 114 pages are still preserved and were rebound. Recently, these two stylistically as well as chronologically different miniatures from the Liber Feudorum were rediscovered. They had been reused for binding archival registers. Each shows a subject before the overlord: an act of homage to a king (fol. 480), and the swearing of an oath of allegiance to him (fol. 116).
Palermo, 17 January to 24 March 1128
Parchment
Barcelona, Arxiu de la Corona d’Aragó, pergs. Ramon Berenguer III, carp. 32, núm 258a
Count Ramon Berenguer III of Barcelona (d. 1131) asked his relative Roger II of Sicily for military help in his fight against the Saracens in the western Mediterranean and on the Iberian Peninsula. In this treaty containing the text of both parties, Roger promised to send 50 galleys. In return, Ramon promised his logistical support, to provide his own warriors and to give Roger half of all conquered territories. However, the enterprise, which would have led to the expansion of Norman influence in the Mediterranean, never came to pass.
Tomb in the cathedral of Girona, around 1082
Linen, silk, velvet
Girona, Museu Tresor de la Catedral, Inv. TCG 170
This pillow is from the tomb of the murdered Count of Barcelona, Ramon Berenguer II, who was married to Mafalda, the daughter of the southern Italian Norman Robert Guiscard. The cushion consists of a linen fabric once filled with feathers and a cover of silk and velvet. The hole, which is surrounded by discolouration, indicates decomposition processed immediately after death. This allows a dating to the 11th century, because it is reported that the count died from a massive head wound. His own brother was suspected to have commissioned his murder.
Monastery church Santa Maria de Ripoll, 2nd third of the 12th c.
Limestone
Barcelona, Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, Inv. MNAC 202505-000 (1); Inv. MNAC 214983-000 (2)
The lion’s head and the seated male figure originally belonged together and were once part of the canopy of the high altar of the monastery of Ripoll. It represents the biblical story of Daniel in the lion’s den, symbolising redemption and the victory over evil. Both were probably created between 1146 and 1151, a period of great artistic and building activity at the monastery. It is a testimony to the flourishing of the county of Barcelona under the reign of Ramon Berenguer IV (d. 1162).
Catalonia, 2nd quarter of the 13th c.
Master of Sant pau de Casserres
Tempera, stucco relief and rests of a lacquered metal plate on wood
Barcelona, Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya, Inv. MNAC 003913
The visually stunning altar frontal is influenced by the cult of St. Michael, which was extremely popular in Catalonia since the 11th century. Three of the four scenes refer to the different roles of the archangel and to one legend linked to him in particular. In the two scenes with a green background the archangel fights against the dragon and fulfills his role in the Last Judgement, when he weighs the souls (good against bad deeds). At the bottom right, the founding legend of Monte Sant’Angelo in southern Italy, one of the oldest pilgrimage sites in Europe, is illustrated. This place, the sanctuary on the Monte Gargano, and the veneration of St. Michael led many Normans to southern Italy, the next stop on our journey.