History of Women in Catalonia (I)

In the histories of mankind, women usually do not appear anywhere even though they have always played a central part in human societies. This approach is no longer in fashion, and in Catalonia, women’s history is part of the history of our people.

Origins of the Catalan nation, when it was an administrative and governmental part of the Carolingian Empire.

1. Duoda (9th century): Learned woman who knew Latin, Greek and Arabic. Since 824 she was married to Bernard of Septimània, Count of Barcelona, ​u8203 Toulouse, and Carcassonne. She wrote a handbook of religious and moral advice for her eldest son William, who was thirteen when he was separated from his mother and was taken hostage by his father’s enemies.

For more information: Dhuoda (1997). Manuel pour mon fils. Introduction, texte critique, notes par Pierre Riché. Paris: Édit. du Cerf.

Dhuoda (1998). Handbook for her Warrior Son. ‘Liber Manualis’. Edit. and trans. by Marcelle Thiébaux. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Dhuoda (1991).　 Handbook for William. A Carolingian Woman's Counsel for Her Son, translation and introduction by Carol Neel. The University of Nebraska Press.

Mayeski, Marie (2005). Dhuoda: Ninth Century Mother and Theologian, llibre de tapes dures.

Portet, Renada Laura (2003). El mirall de Duoda, comtessa de Barcelona, duquessa de Septimània. Péronnas: Edit. de la Tour Gile.

Sonya A. Quistslund, "Dhuoda, Ninth Century Mother and Theologian," in Theological Studies (July, 2005).

2. Ermessenda of Carcassone (972/975-1058): Daughter of Roger I of Carcassonne and Adelaide Gavaldà, wife of the Count of Barcelona Ramon Borrell in the year 933. She experienced the death of her husband and her son Ramon Berenguer I, and so was countess and co-governor twice.

Ermessenda accompanied her husband on several military expeditions to the frontiers of the rivers Ebre and Segre (1015). 
She influenced the Church for the appointment of his brother Pere of Carcassonne as Bishop of Girona (1010), in the appointment of the Abbot Oliva (971-1046, third son of the Count of Besalu Cerdanya). Promoter of Pau i Treva (Peace and Truce)) at the headquarters of Vic, and she managed to get Pope Victor II to ex-communicate her grandson Ramon Berenguer I and his wife Almodis de la Marca.

In the year 1018, Ermessenda was widowed and her will left her as joint holder of the counties with her twelve year old son. She took over the government and she surrounded herself of advisers such as Oliva, the lawyer Marc Ponç Bonfill, and other nobles. 

She established the Peace and Truce Assemblies (as a result of feudal violence and the wars between lords.) In 1027 the first Assembly was held in Taluges. In 1033 the following resolutions were written in Vic: Creation of the Truce (suspension of military activities during predetermined periods during religious festivals). Creation of Peace (the right to refuge that the Church granted people and things within a protected territory-sanctuary).

History of Women in Catalonia 2
History of Women in Catalonia 3
History of Women in Catalonia 4