Description
Infant Pere of Aragon and Anjou: "a most gracious and wise lord"
Book summary
This collective work vindicates the figure of Infant Pere of Aragon and Anjou, a fascinating and multifaceted character from Late Medieval Catalonia. Through a multidisciplinary approach, the reader will discover his facets as a poet, musician, visionary, and active politician, as well as his most visible legacy: the founding of the hospital that gave rise to the current town of l'Hospitalet de l'Infant. The volume, published to mark the 710th anniversary of his birth, rescues from oblivion a prince who, despite not ascending to the throne, was key to the history of the old Catalan-Aragonese confederation.
What is it about?
The book delves into the life and work of Infant Pere, the fourth son of King James II, who held the titles of Count of Ribagorça, Empúries, and the Mountains of Prades. The work analyzes his exquisite personality, capable of combining poetic and musical creation with an intense involvement in the kingdom's politics. His role as a visionary—the promoter of architectural projects such as the monumental hospital he founded—is examined, and his figure is contextualized within the complex dynastic and territorial dynamics of the Crown of Aragon. This miscellaneous volume brings together different academic perspectives to offer a complete portrait of a character who, despite his relevance, has been unjustly relegated by traditional historiography.
Main themes
- Biography and political career of Infant Pere of Aragon and Anjou in the context of the Crown of Aragon.
- Analysis of the infant's poetic and musical production as an expression of Late Medieval courtly culture.
- Study of the founding of the hospital of l'Hospitalet de l'Infant and its impact on territorial development.
- The figure of the infant as a patron and visionary in Catalan art and architecture.
- Historiographical revision of a key figure of the 14th-century Catalan nobility.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at readers interested in the medieval history of Catalonia and the Crown of Aragon, as well as specialists in the political, cultural, and social history of the period. It will also be of great interest to those who want to discover less well-known but fundamental historical figures, and to lovers of rigorous, well-documented historical biography.
What this book contributes
- A complete and updated view of the figure of Infant Pere, rescuing him from historiographical oblivion.
- A multidisciplinary analysis that integrates his political, artistic, and visionary facets.
- Contextualization of his tangible legacy, such as the founding of l'Hospitalet de l'Infant, within local and national history.
- Access to rigorous academic research presented in a miscellaneous and accessible format.
- Understanding of the power and cultural dynamics in Late Medieval Catalonia through the life of an exceptional character.
Technical specifications
- Author: CONEJO DA PENA, ANTONI
- Publisher: Cossetània Edicions
- Language: cat
- Topic: REGIONAL AND NATIONAL HISTORY, EARLY HISTORY: C. 500-C. 1450/1500
- Collection: LES NOSTRES ARRELS
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: March 2016
- Number of pages: 352
- Weight: 870 g
Editorial review
This is an indispensable reference work for anyone interested in medieval Catalan history. The volume stands out for its rigorous and multidisciplinary approach, which allows for the rediscovery of a character of great complexity and interest. The publication, commemorating the infant's anniversary, fills a notable historiographical gap and offers the reader a unique opportunity to learn in depth about a prince who, despite not reigning, left an indelible mark on the territory and culture of his time.