LAND GRANT TO ST FACUNDUS AT SAHAGUN

MS 590/53
MS Short Title LAND GRANT TO ST FACUNDUS AT SAHAGUN
Text CONFIRMATION BY ALFONSO VIII OF CASTILLE, AND OF HIS WIFE ALIONORA AND THEIR SON, FERDINAND, OF THE GIFT TO THE MONASTERY OF ST FACUNDUS AT SAHAGUN OF LANDS IN ROYAL POSSESSION AT TRIANOS, VILLANOVA AND SAN IUSTO, FORMERLY GRANTED TO DON STEPHANO? TELLO. ISSUED UNDER THE NOTARIAL MARK OF THE ROYAL CLERK MICHAEL, WITH 44 WITNESSES
Description MS in Latin on vellum, Toledo, Spain, 5 March 1195, 1 f., 43x43 cm, single column and 4 columns (witnesses), (38x41 cm), 33 long lines in a littera minuscula protogothica documentaria formata (formal Romanesque documentary script) by the royal clerk Michael, elaborated ascenders in top line, 6-line decorated opening initial, notarial mark. Annotated on dorse in Spanish.
Binding
Context
Provenance 1. Alfonso VIII of Castille, Toledo (1195); 2. Benedictine monastery of St Facundus, Sahagun, Spain (1195); 3. Dolphin Book Company, Oxford (1960); 4. Bernard Rosenthal Collection, San Francisco, I/108 (1960-1989); 5. Bernard Quaritch Ltd., London.
Commentary

This is a fine, large and early example of a Royal document issued from the Castilian court at Toledo. The Benedictine monastery of St Facundus at Sahagun, between Burgos and Leon, was one of the greatest monastic foundations in medieval Spain and the retiring place of the kings of Leon. It was founded by Alfonso II in 907, extensively endowed by members of the royal family and subsequently rebuilt in 1213. The monastery is now largely in ruins.

St. Facundus was born at Leon and beheaded, ca. 300, by the River Cea, where the Benedictine abbey of Sahagun was later built in commemoration.

The document MS is witnessed by Didaco Lupi, Chancellor; Petro Rodicerus, Keeper of the King's household; Aldefonso Telli; Fernando Garlie; the prior of the abbey of St Facundus; Aldericus, Bishop of Palentinus; Mantico, Bishop of Legionensis; Gutterio Sancii, Gutterio Petri, Domenico Manga, Guillelmo Claver and Domenico Facundus, all of the abbey of St Facundus. It was witnessed in the presence of Munio Gondissalius and his son; Petrus Munionis; Petrus Fernandi; Gomez Martini; Rodericus Sancii; Magister Petrus Alberti; Magister Michael; Don Gomez, chaplain of Sancti Tirsi; Magister Antoninus; Peter, abbot of the Royal Chapel; Don Iohanni, chaplain of St Peter; Don Michael, chaplain of St James; Petrus Bonus, chaplain of the Holy Trinity; Don Isidorus Sancti Martini; Don Paulus, chaplain of St Laurence; Don Petrus, abbot; Guillelmus Aldouarth; Don Bazolin; Guillelmus Durendi Aleaiath; Martinus Decors; Petrus Narrz; Stephen Maior; Don Facundus, son of Peter the abbot; Didacus de Castroterra; Rodericus Arabeza Alcaath; Fernandus Petri, his brother; Nicholaus, son of Don Bazolin; Bernaldus de Luzeche; Garsias Petri; Don Bartolomeus; Egidius Naccarius; Don Romio; Petrus Pelagii Eldiegano; Don Dominicus, a relation; Don Petrus, son of Cavallarii Albi; Garsias de Parales; Facundus Caluus; Petrus Facundi, his son; Michael Piscator; Don Facundus, his relation; Don Silvester.

The Monastery of Trianos was founded and endowed by the original individual holder of the estate, Don Tello Perez, but Alfonso VIII had previously given the estate to the residents of Sahagun, who hereby acknowledge that Don Tello became the rightful owner.

Published
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Mentioned
Boxing
See also
Place of origin Spain
Dates 1195 AD