Charters as autobiographies? The Historical Narrationes of Alfonso VI of León-Castile's Diplomatic Collection

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2024

Authors

Gomes, Maria Joana (Author) FLUP

Journal

Title: Initial: a Review of Medieval Studies

No. 12

Pages: 29-48

ISSN: 2334-8003

Publisher: Centre for Advanced Medieval Studies

Other information

DOI: 10.29341/IN.12.0.029048

Abstract (EN): This article examines the charters of Alfonso VI, king of León and Castile (1072–1109), through the lens of literary studies, focusing on a specific diplomatic element: the narrationes. Traditionally used to contextualize and justify juridical acts, these narrationes can also be viewed as micronarratives or micro-chronicles. I explore the possibility of interpreting them as a form of „autobiography“, presenting supporting arguments while also addressing the limitations of this approach. A heuristic appreciation is made between original and copy, followed by an assessment of the historical narrationes in Alfonso’s original charters. Ultimately, the article argues that these narrationes construct a complex, three-layered image of Alfonso, concluding that they can be considered as his imperfect autobiography.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific