Francesc Echimenis ( Cat. Francesc Eiximenes [fɾənˈsɛsk əʃiˈmɛnis]; genus 1330, Girona , mosquito Girones , Spain - d. 1409, Perpignan , Department of the Eastern Pyrenees , France ) - Catalan writer- Franciscan who lived in the 14th century in Aragonese . He was perhaps one of the most successful medieval Catalan writers, as his works were widely read, copied, published and translated; we can say that in the literary and political spheres he had a great influence. Among his readers were such influential people of that time as the kings of the Aragonese crown Pedro IV , Juan I and Martin I , Queen Maria de Luna (wife of Martin I), and the Avignon antipope Benedict XIII .
| Francesc Echimenis | |
|---|---|
| Francesc eiximenis | |
 Francesc Echimenis | |
| Date of Birth | 1330 |
| Place of Birth | Girona , Spain |
| Date of death | 1409 |
| Place of death | Perpignan , France |
| A country | |
| Occupation | Writer |
Content
Biography
Francesc Echimenis was born around 1330, possibly in Girona . When he was still very young, he became a Franciscan and his education began at a Franciscan school in Catalonia; later studied at the largest universities in Europe: Oxford University and the University of Paris . The University of Oxford had a great influence on him, several English Franciscans (and other British authors), such as: Robert Grossetest , John Wales, Alexander Gelsky , Richard Middleton, Thomas Bradwardin , William Ockham , John Duns Scott strongly influenced him.
In 1371, an attempt was made to attract him to the University of Lleida as a teacher, but he lacked the title of Doctor of Theology; Francesc became a doctor of theology in 1374 at the University of Toulouse , with financial assistance and support from King Pedro IV .
Esimenis subsequently returned to Catalonia; most of his works were written in Valencia, where he was from 1382 to 1408. There he was a consultant to judicial assessors (representatives of the city) and the governing body of the city.
In Valencia he works fruitfully; in 1391, a difficult year for Valencia (many social problems), Echimenis organized a kind of “army of worshipers” in some monasteries around Valencia. In 1392, he was assigned, among others, to check Jewish books that were stolen during the pogrom of 1391. At the end of 1397, he was a member of the commission that advised King Martin I on the Great Schism . In 1397 and 1398 he undertook the organization of two crusades against Muslim pirates of North Africa. In 1399, he was also the president of the commission, which sought to unite all the schools of Valencia.
Eshemenis died in Perpignan, possibly on April 23, 1409.
Proceedings
The work of Esimenis was very successful at the time, as evidenced by more than 200 surviving manuscripts of his works. Another example is Psaltiri devotíssim (Catalan translation of 100 of 344 Psalterium alias Laudatorium prayers). The incunabula of the publication of this book amounted to 2000 copies, that is, more than twice as many editions of the novel Tyrant Bely (Valencia 1490 and Barcelona 1497). This is the largest incunabula of all medieval Catalan literature.
There were also many translations during the 15th and 16th centuries. The book Lliber de les Dones has been translated into Spanish. One of the Spanish translations was used to form one of the four daughters of the Catholic kings (Queen Isabella I of Castile and King Ferdinand II of Aragon ). Llibre dels Àngels was a great international success and was translated into several languages: Spanish, Latin, French, and even Flemish (this was possibly the only book of medieval Catalan literature that was translated into this language); the French translation was the first book to be printed in Geneva in 1478. Vida de Jesucrist was translated into Spanish and French, the Spanish translation was the first book that was printed in Granada in 1496 after the conquest of the city.
There are several modern editions of Esimenis. Most of the contemporary editions of his works have been prepared by Kurt Whitelin and Albert Hauf.
In Catalan
Esimenis wrote the following works in Catalan:
- Tractat d'usura (Usury Agreement). A short treatise on usury; This issue has been the subject of numerous discussions among medieval scholars.
- Lo Crestià (Christianity). The huge project "Sum of theology" written in a popular language. The original project consisted of 13 books, but only four were written:
- Primer del Crestià (First Christian). The basics of Christianity.
- Segon del Crestià (Second Christian). Temptation.
- Terç del Crestià (Third Christian). Different types of sin and protection from them.
- Dotzè del Crestià (Twelfth Christian). The book is about government and politics in general.
- Regiment de la cosa pública (Government of the Republic). A gift for representatives of the city of Valencia - management tips.
- Llibre dels àngels (Book of Angels). A very complete treatise on angelology, but with a few political thoughts. The book is dedicated to the Valencian knight Pere d'Artes.
- Llibre de les dones (Women's Book). It begins as a book on female education, but then four fifths is devoted to theology and the foundations of Catholic morality. The book was dedicated to Countess Prades, Sanxa Ximenes d'Arenós.
- Vida de Jesucrist (Life of Jesus Christ). This is a biography of Jesus Christ with theological thoughts, as well as contemplative content. The book is dedicated to the Valencian knight Pere d'Artes.
- Scala Dei or Tractat de contemplació (Stairway to God or Treatise of Contemplation). This is a short treatise on morality and theology. The book is dedicated to Queen Maria de Luna.
- Two letters in Catalan (dated July 15, 1392 and March 12, 1396). The first (July 15, 1392) was addressed to King Martin I (who at that time was only a prince), and is of some interest, as Esimenis gives him advice on the good governance of Sicily.
In Latin
Esimenis wrote the following works in Latin:
- De Triplici Statu Mundi (On the Three States of the World). This is a short eschatological treatise. There are doubts, however, that Francesc is the author of this work.
- Allegationes (reporting). In Valencia, there was a conflict between the church and the state, and several important people asked Francesca to express their opinion on this.
- A short part of his Summa of Theology. Some theological questions are described.
- Ars Praedicandi Populo (Preaching to the People). Sermon Guide.
- Sermon (or part of it).
- Pastorale (Pastoral). Tips for priests and bishops. The book is dedicated to Hug de Llupià, Bishop of Valencia.
- Psalterium alias Laudatorium Papae Benedicto XIII dedicatum (Psalter or hymns dedicated to Pope Benedict XIII). A collection of 344 prayers. As the name suggests, the book was dedicated to Pope Benedict XIII.
Two other books were attributed to the authorship of Esimenis: Cercapou, and Doctrina compendiosa.
Links
- (Catalan.) Catalan biography of Echimenes
- (Spanish) Biography of Echimenes in Spanish
- (Catalan.) Information about Echimenes .
- (Catalan.) Información sobre Francesc Eiximenis on the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya website .
- (Catalan.) Information on Francesc шимsimemenis at CulturCat, of. Government of Catalonia website
Versions in other languages:
- (Spanish) Francesc Eiximenis at Enciclopedia Franciscana.