Printing Medieval Catalan Historiography and the Politics of Dynastic Exemplarity in Habsburg Spain

Abstract This article studies the political incentives of having the first edition of the memoir of King James I of Aragon (1208–76) published in 1557 Valencia. Printed by Jerònima Galés and dedicated to Prince Don Carlos (1545–68), heir of the Spanish throne, the editio princeps of this medieval historiographical work was part of a larger maneuver of an opportunistic Valencia city council aiming to promote an image of the kings of Aragon as military leaders of classical Roman splendor and influence the prince in his consideration of the Aragonese crown. The choice of the work was the responsibility of Honorat Joan (1507–66), the humanist preceptor of the young prince. The work’s inclusion in the prince’s library sheds light on the young heir’s education as well as on the role that printing medieval Catalan historiography played in the scholarly battle for writing the history of Spain under the Habsburgs.