Medieval Narbonne : A City at the Heart of the Troubadour World

This volume charts the development and history of Narbonne, from its Roman origins to its decline in the late Middle Ages, focusing on the period from the mid-11th to the mid-14th centuries and the rule of viscountess Ermengarde in the era of the troubadours. The articles cover the physical growth of the great medieval centre, the relations and conflicts between its secular and ecclesiastical lords, its administrative and religious life, and its political and commercial connections with surrounding areas.

This volume presents a series of studies by Jacqueline Caille, acknowledged as the leading expert on medieval Narbonne, which chart the development and history of the city from its Roman origins to its decline in the late Middle Ages. They focus on the period of Narbonne''s heyday, from the mid-11th to the mid-14th centuries, and a central place is held by Ermengarde, viscountess for half the 12th century, and celebrated figure in the ''world of the troubadours''. The book opens with an important new introductory survey, in English, setting the context for the detailed studies which follow, several of which also appear in English for the first time, and all being updated with additional notes. These articles cover the physical growth of the great medieval centre, the relations and conflicts between its secular and ecclesiastical lords, its administrative and religious life, and its political and commercial connections with the areas around. Ce volume regroupe une série d''études de Jacqueline Caille, spécialiste reconnue de l''histoire de Narbonne au Moyen Age. L''antique cité y est présentée depuis ses origines romaines jusqu''à la fin du XVe siècle, en insistant particulièrement sur la période la plus brillante des siècles médiévaux, du milieu du XIe au milieu du XIVe siècle. Le recueil s''ouvre par un "long survol historique" inédit, en anglais, brossant le contexte général où s''insèrent les études spécialisées qui suivent, réactualisées par des notes additionnelles. Les principaux thèmes pouvant être dégagés des ces articles concernent le développement topographique de cette "grande ville médiévale", les relations et les conflits entre les seigneurs qui la dirigent (archevêques et vicomtes), la vie administrative et religieuse de l''agglomération ainsi que ses relations politiques et commerciales avec les régions environnantes. Enfin, une place de choix est faite à l''une des éminentes figures du "monde des troubadours", la victomtesse