A letter from Marie of Montpellier (1197, December)

Translated letter:

In the name of the Lord. In the year of the incarnation of the same, 1197, month of December. It is clear and evident to all who know the customs and laws that women cannot be judges, nor can they preside over the pronouncing of justice; and in the dominion of the town of Montpellier and the castrum of Lattes and of all castrorum and towns belonging to the town of Montpellier, an undoubted and long-standing custom is known to exist that lordship, dominion, holding of power, jurisdiction is never passed to persons of the female sex while there are male survivors. Imperial eternity has also decreed this, that woman should not, by granting, succession, or any situation, have the power to possess or retain manly things. By this establishment it is very manifestly forbidden that any woman can or should have an empire, kingdom, dukedom, principate, county, marquisate, jurisdiction or any other public power, or any public administration. On account of this, I, Marie, daughter of lord William of Montpellier, informed in fact and by law, knowing and understanding with this charter that I am of the age of fifteen years and more, release and abdicate and without any retaining forsake to you lord William of Montpellier, my father, and to you, William, my brother, son of him and of lady Agnes, completely the whole town of Montpellier, with all its appurtenances and adjacent properties, the whole castrum of Lattes, the castrum of Montferrat, New Castle, the castrum of Castro, the castrum of Omellaz, the castrum of Poieto, the castrum of Popiano, the castrum of Cornone-Sicco, the castrum of Mount Baseno, the castrum of Mount Arnaldo, the castrum of Paollano, the castrum of Mazerns, the castrum of Piniano, the castrum of Frontignan, the castrum astle of Lupiano, the fort of Valle, the town of St. Paragorius, the town of Muroveteri, the town of St. George, the town of Vindimiano with all other villas and dwellings, fiefs, vassals/tenants and dominions, and generally absolutely everything that belongs or can belong or should belong to the town of Montpellier or to the aforesaid castra, and all succession, action, request, and every right, ordinary or extraordinary, which can or should or will be able to belong to me on the basis of succession of my father or mother or in any other way. Moreover, I know and recognize in truth with this charter that I have been endowed by you, lord William of Montpellier, my father, with two-hundred marks of pure silver and with nuptial adornments. Concerning all these I profess that I have been satisfied by numbering and payment. And with these two-hundred marks and nuptial adornments I am content now and forever, concerning all paternal and fraternal properties, unless they should come to me in the absence of male heirs. And concerning all these things I clearly renounce every written and unwritten right belonging or to belong to me because, while my mother was living, William, my brother, son of lady Agnes, is said to have been born, and (I renounce) in the same way concerning all males eventually to be born from them; and particularly I renounce the benefit of younger age and the exception of unpaid dowry and suit for assistance of goods owed or its supplement, and all laws resisting the aforesaid agreements, renunciations, remissions and especially that authority by which it is objected that because of past history or disinheritance the testament be void; and particularly I renounce all agreements and oaths made to my mother or me and everything else belonging or to belong to me by right or custom or in any way. But if, God forbid, William, my brother, son of lady Agnes, will perish, in all things and for everything completely, all agreements, remissions, aforesaid releases, and all pacts and oaths I bring about and release without any retention, for me and all my heirs and successors, to my brother William of Tortosa, son of lady Agnes, and all children that lady Agnes at any time will receive from lord William, my father, and their heirs, and thus concerning all males eventually to be born from lord William, my father, and lady Agnes, to the end. Nonetheless it should be known that if lord William, my father, will decease without free males, his heredity, by customary law of Montpellier, reverts with full right to me, as first-born daughter. Moreover, I promise and agree to you lord William of Montpellier, my father, stipulating that I will never make or cause to be made a gift, release, surrender of possession, foundation, abandonment, or bequest, gift, donation, exchange, mortgage or any transfer to anyone, nor will I allow anything that can resist or harm any of these. But if I do initiate a suit, either against my said brother William or, other males eventually born, as was said, or I initiate war, or another does by my doing, skill, contrivance, or my counsel, I release and renounce and abandon perpetually all succession utterly in the future, should males be lacking, for me and for all my heirs and successors, with all the aforesaid renunciations. I, Marie, swear on the four holy Gospels of God, that I will firmly observe and not go against all this as written above. And I, Bernard, count of Comminges, approve, concede, and swear on the four holy Gospels of God to observe in all things and for everything in every time and place, without deceit concerning those same agreements and renunciations, each and every one of the abovesaid things approved, done and sworn by Marie, your daughter, to you, William lord of Montpellier, to your children and to lady Agnes. Concerning each and all of the abovesaid things to be observed firmly on the part of the count of Comminges, lord Raymond, duke of Narbonne, count of Toulouse and marquis of Provence is surety and debtor to the said William lord of Montpellier and his heirs. And if the count of Comminges will not fulfill all these things, or if he changes or violates any of them, under the same oath the said count of Toulouse is bound to be a faithful supporter in war and suit, with all his land and his men, to the lord William of Montpellier and his heirs. Also are surety and debtors concerning all these things to be fulfilled for the lord count of Comminges and his mandate, each one and collectively, with bodily oath taken, Vital of Monte Acuto, Ademarus of Genzac, Water of Nogueriis, B. of Miramon and Tignosus of Castillon. Moreover, Bernard, archbishop of Alsace, Raymond bishop of Comminges, Fulcran bishop of Toulouse, by the command and requests of said count of Comminges, promised and thenceforth obliged themselves to said William, lord of Montpellier and his heirs that unless the count of Comminges fulfills everything as said above, or if he violates anything, they would excommunicate him by name and subject all his land to interdict until emendation be made completely and to full satisfaction concerning all things, according to the will and knowledge of William, lord of Montpellier, and his heirs. Likewise, by the command of the count of Comminges and also of the count of Toulouse, are surety and debtors concerning all the abovesaid things, each and collectively, and each one having sworn bodily oath, William of Les Beau and Hugh of Les Beau, his brother. This charter was made and approved at Montpellier, in the chamber of lord William of Montpellier, in the year and month as above. Witness of all the abovesaid things are lord R. bishop of Agathen, G. provost of Magalone, Helyas his brother, Bertrand canon of Veziano, the priest Bertrand, Berengard monk of Mount Arnald, Rainoard of Momolena, Rostagn of Montarbezon, G. of Mesoa, William of Alba Terra, master Guido, P. Lucian, G. of Rabastecs, Peter of Conques, G. his son, Berengard of Conques, G. Peter, Peter of Portia, William of Salzeto, Bernard Lambert, Raymond Atbrand, R. Lambert his nephew, Gerald Atbrand, Jacob Lombard, Randolph Boniface, P. of Montebeliard, Ermengaus of Azillano, Hugh Pulverellus, B. Ecclesia, P. of Bisancas, G. Capion, P. Deodatus, Robolanus, P. Galvan, G. of Montbarbezon, Bertrand Rainald, R. of Arlens, G. Rigald, Jordan of Conques, P. of Circio, B. Austrin, and William Raymond, notary, who wrote this and witnessed all these things. Moreover concerning all these things to be fulfilled on the part of the count of Comminges, B. lord of Andusia is surety and debtor with bodily oath sworn. Witnesses are Hugh Pulverel, P. Guirald, Bernard Freisnel, B. Ecclesia, Bernard Gandalric, Farssire, P. Lucian, and William Raymond who wrote this.1

Original letter:

In nomine Domini. Anno incarnationis ejusdem M° c° LXXXX0 vii, mense decembris. Clarum et dilucidum est omnibus mores et jura scientibus, quod femine judices esse nequeunt, necjuri dicundo preesse; et in dominatione ville Montispessulani et castri de Latis, et omnium castrorum et villarum ad villam Montispessulani pertinentium, indubitata et inveterata consuetudo esse dinoscitur, quod numquam dominium, dominatio, potestativum, jurisdictio ad feminei sexus personas, superstitibus masculis, transmittatur. Hoc etiam imperialis decrevit eternitas, nec largitione, successione, vel quamvis alia occasione, mulier ea que virilia sunt valeat habere, vel retinere: in qua constitucione nimis evidenter interdictum est, ne aliqua feminarum habere possit, vel debeat, imperium, regnum, ducatum, principatum, comitatum , marchionatum , jurisdictionem , vel aliquam aliam quamvis publicam potestatem. seu aliam publicam administracionem. Eapropter ego Maria, filia domini Guillelmi Montispessulani, cerciorata de facto et de jure, sciens et cognoscens cum hac carta me esse etatis xv annorum et amplius, in perpetuum, per me et per omnes heredes et successores meos, solvo et desamparo, et sine omni retencione derelinquo tibi domino Guillelmo Montispessulani, patri meo, et tibi Guillelmo, filio ejus et domine Agnetis, fratri meo, totam totaliter villam Montispessulani , cum omnibus suis adjacentiis et pertinentiis, et totum castrum de Latis, et castrum de Monte ferrario, et Castrum novum, et castrum de Castriis, et castrum de Omellaz, et castrum de Poieto, et castrum de Popiano, et castrum de Cornone sicco, et castrum de Monte baseno, et castrum de Monte Arnaldo, et castrum de Paollano, et castrum de Mazerns, et castrum de Piniano, et castrum de Fronti niano, et castrum de Lupiano, et forciam Yallis, et villam Sancti Paragorii, et villam de Muro veteri, et villam Sancti Georgii, et villam de Vindimiano, cum omnibus aliis villis et mansis, feodis, feualibus et dominicaturis, et generaliter omnia omnino que ad villam Montispessulani, seu ad predicta castra pertinent, vel pertinere possunt, vel debent; et omnem successionem, actionem, peticionem, et omne jus, ordinarium, vel extraordinarium, quecunque michi competere possunt, vel debent, vel poterunt, ratione successionis patris, vel matris mee, vel alio quolibet modo. Item scio, et in veritate cum hac carta cognosco, me esse dotatam a te domino Guillelmo Montispessulani, patre meo, in cc marchis argenti fini, et in hornamentis nuptialibus : de quibus omnibus solucione et numeratione michi satisfactum fuisse profiteor. Et pro his cc marchis et hornamentis nuptialibus contenta sum, nunc et in perpetuum, de omnibus bonis paternis et fraternis, nisi michi evenerint, deficientibus masculis. Et super his omnibus expressim renuncio omni juri scripto, vel non scripto, michi competenti, seu competituro, eo quod, matre mea vivente, Guillelmus, frater meus, filius domine Agnetis, natus esse dicitur, et eodem modo de omnibus masculis gradatim ex eis nascituris; et specialiter renuncio beneficio minoris etatis, et exceptioni non numerate dotis, et querele debiti bonorum subsidii, vel ejus supplementi, et omnibus legibus adversantibus predictis pactionibus, renunciationibus, remissionibus, et specialiter illi autentico, quo cavetur, ut ex causa pretericionis, vel exheredationis, irritum sit testamentum ; et specialiter renuncio omnibus pactionibus et sacramentis, matri mee, vel michi, factis, et omnibus aliis de jure, vel consuetudine, vel alio modo, michi competenlibus, vel competituris. Si vero, quod Deus avertat, Guillelmus, frater meus, filius domine Agnetis, decesserit, in omnibus et per omnia plenissime, omnes conventiones, remissiones, solutiones predictas, et omnia pacta et sacramenta facio, et sine omni retentione solvo, per me et per omnes heredes et successores meos, fratri meo Guillelmo de Tortosa, filio domine Agnetis, et omnibus filiis quos domina Agnes, quolibet tempore, ex domino Guillelmo, patre meo, susceperit, et heredibus eorum, et sic de omnibus masculis gradatim naseituris ex domino Guillelmo, patre meo, et domina Agnete, usque ad ultimum. Sciendum tamen est, quod, si dominus Guillelmus, pater meus, sine liberis masculis decesserit, hereditas ejus, jure consuetudinario Montispessalani, ad me pleno jure devolvitur, tanquam ad filiam primogenitam. Item promitto et convenio tibi domino Guillelmo Montispessulani, patri meo, stipulanti, quod donum, solutionem, desamparationem, institucionem, relictum, seu legatum, dationem, donationem, permutacionem, impignorationem, seu quamlibet alienationem, alicui numquam faciam, nec fieri faciam, vel patiar, quod, vel alicui istorum obviare, vel nocere possit. Quod si fecero, aut dicto fratri meo Guillelmo, vel aliis masculis gradatim, ut dictum est, nascituris, placitum, vel guerram inde movero, vel alius facto meo, vel arte, vel ingenio, seu consilio meo, omnem omnino successionem in futurum, deficientibus masculis, solvo et in perpetuum remitto et derelinquo, per me et per omnes heredes meos et successores, sub omnibus predictis renunciationibus. Totum hoc, ut superius scriptum est, me firmiter observaturam, et contra non venturam, ego Maria juro super sancta iiiior Dei Euvangelia. Et ego Bernardus, comes Convenarum, omnia supradicta et singula a Maria, filia tua, laudata, facta et jurata, tibi Guillelmo, domino Montispessulani, et infantibus tuis et domine Agnetis, laudo, concedo, et me in omnibus et per omnia omni loco et tempore observaturum, sine dolo, sub eisdem pactis et renunciationibus , juro super sancta iiiior Dei Euvangelia. De his omnibus et singulis supradictis, ex parte comitis Convenarum firmiter observandis, est firmantia et debitor, per sacramentum corporaliter prestitum, dominus Raimundus, dux Narbone, comes Tholose, et marchio Provincie, dicto Guillelmo, domino Montispessulani, et heredibus suis. Et si comes Convenarum omnia ista non adimpleret, vel aliquid ex his infringeret, vel mutaret, sub eodem sacramento tenetur dictus comes Tholose esse fidelis adjutor in guerra et placito, cum tota terra sua et hominibus suis, domino Guillelmo Montispessulani, et heredibus suis. Item sunt firmantie et debitores de his omnibus complendis per dominum comitem Convenarum, et ejus mandato, quisque in solidum, per sacramentum corporaliter prestitum, Vitalis de Monte acuto, Ademarus de Genzac, Gallerius de Nogueriis, B. de Miramon, et Tignosus de Castilon. Insuper Bernardus, Auxensis archiepiscopus, Baimundus Convenarum episcopus, Fulcrandus Tholose episcopus, mandato et precibus dicti comitis Convenarum. promiserunt, et se inde obligaverunt dicto Guillelmo, domino Montispessulani, et heredibus suis, quod, nisi, ita totum, ut supradictum est, comes Convenarum attenderet, vel aliquid infringeret, ipsum nominatim excommunicent, et totam terram ejus interdicto subiciant, donec ad plenum sit super omnibus satisfactum et integre emendatum, ad voluntatem et noticiam ipsius Guillelmi, domini Montispessulani, et heredum suorum. Item, mandato comitis Convenarum, et etiam comitis Tholose, sunt de omnibus supradictis firmantie et debitores, quisque in solidum, et quisque per sacramentum corporaliter prestitum, Guillelmus de Baucio, et Ugo de Baucio, frater ejus. Facta est carta ista et laudata apud Montempessulanum, in camera domini Guillelmi Montispessulani, annoet mense, quo supra. Horum omnium supradictorum sunt testes dominus B. Agathensis episcopus, G. Magalonensis prepositus, Helyas frater ejus, Bertrandus Veziani canonicus. Bertrandus sacerdos, Berengarius de Monte Arnaldo monachus, Rainoardus de Momolena, Rostagnus de Montarbezon, G. de Mesoa, Guillelmus de Alba terra, magister Guido, P. Lucianus, G. de Rabastecs, Petrus de Conchis, G. filius ejus, Berengarius de Concas, G. Petri, Petrus de Porta, Guillelmus de Salzeto, Bernardus Lamberti, Raimundus Atbrandi, B. Lamberti nepos ejus, Guiraldus Atbrandi, Jacobus Lumbardus, Randulfus Bonifacius, P. de Montebeliardo, Ermengaus de Azillano, Ugo Pulverellus, B. Ecclesia, P. de Bisancas, G. Capion, P. Deodatus, Robolanus, P. Galvan, G. de Montarbezon, Bertrandus Rainaldus, R. de Arlens , G. Rigaldus , Jordanus de Concas, P. de Circio, B. Austrinr et Guillelmus Raimundi notarius, qui hec scripsit, et hec omnia vidit. Item de his omnibus complendis, ex parte comitis Convenarum , est firmantia et debitor B. dominus Andusie, per sacramentum corporaliter prestitum. Testes sunt Ugo Pulverellus, P. Guiraldus, Bernardus Freisnellus, B. Ecclesia, Bernardus Gandalricus, Farssire, P. Luciani, et Guillelmus Raimundi, qui hec scripsit.

Historical context:

This is a document of renunciation in which Marie, daughter of William, lord of Montpellier, renounces all rights to the town of Montpellier with its adjacent lands and concerning all things in the dominion of the lord of Montpellier in favor of her father's male children by his second wife, Agnes. One senses from the force and extent of the denial of a woman’s right to rule over anything that the language was imposed on Marie. A castrum is an administrative unit with a foritification/castle at the center.

Scholarly notes:

1. Ashleigh Imus provided the document and this translation.

Printed source:

Liber Instrumentorum Memorialium Cartulaire des Guillems de Montpellier (Montpellier: La Societe Archeologique de Montpellier, 1884) 353-357, doc.205.

Date:

1197, December