Skip to main content

A letter from Alix of Vergy, duchess of Burgundy

Sender

Alix of Vergy, duchess of Burgundy

Receiver

Blanche of Navarre, Countess of Champagne
count Thibaud, her son

Translated letter:

Alix, duchess of Burgundy, to her dearest and faithful Blanche, countess palatine of Troyes and her son Thibaut, greetings and love.  You should know that Ponce of Chaponnay lent us a thousand silver marks to be repaid on these terms:  a quarter in the coming fairs of Bar-sue Aube, a quarter in the next coming fairs of Bar-sur-Aube, another quarter in the fairs of Bar-sur-Aube after that, and another quarter in the fairs following that.  We have made you both principal debtors and pledges in the hand of said Ponce, trusting in you for this.  We therefore ask you, and asking require that you give said Ponce your letters patent (sealed) on this, since if any harm or injury should come to you, we will indemnify you, such that if we do not, we wish and grant that you can hold us pledge without guilt until we do indemnify you.  Enacted in the year of grace 1219, in June. 

Original letter:

Alaydis ducissa Burgundie. Blanche comitisse Trecensis palatine, et Th(eobaldo) filio suo karissimis et fidelibus suis salutem, et amorem. Sciatis quod Pontius de Chaponay mutuavit nobis mille marchas argenti reddendas sub hiis terminis: quartam partem in nundinis Barri proximo Venturis, et quartam partem in nundinis Barri proximo sequentibus, et aliam quartam partem in nundinis Barri postea sequentibus, et aliam quartam partem in nundinis postea sequentibus.Super quo vos ambos principales debitores et plegios in manu dicti Pontii, de vobis confidentes constituimus pro nobis. Vos igitur rogamus et rogando requirimus quatinus super hoc litteras vestras patentes dicto Pontio tradatis, quia si inde aliquid dampnum vel gravamen vobis evenerit, servabimus vos indampnes, quod si non faceremus, volumus et concedimus quod possitis nos vadiare sine mesfacere, donec indampnes vos servaverimus. Actum anno gratie M CC nono X, in junio.

Historical context:

The duchess informs the countess and her son that she has made them pledges for her debt to Ponce of Chaponnay.

Printed source:

The Cartulary of Countess Blanche of Champagne, edited by Theodore Evergates, © The Medieval Academy of America 2010 (University of Toronto Press, 2009), 111, #92.  Reprinted with permission of the press.

Date:

1219, June