Robert Ignatius Burns Livres

The book explores the complex cultural dialogue between Islam and the Crusaders, highlighting the ongoing struggle that encompasses both conquest and coexistence over time and geography. Father Burns' research on Valencia reveals that the true essence of this historical confrontation extends beyond military encounters, emphasizing the significance of colonial interims in shaping the interactions between these two cultures.

The introduction to this series highlights the significance of over 2,000 documents from Jaume the Conqueror's registers, housed in Barcelona's Crown Archives. These archives are notable for being among the most impressive outside of the papal series and represent the pioneering use of paper by a European government. The work aims to provide valuable insights into historical governance and documentation practices during Jaume's reign.

The book delves into the lives and legacies of thirteenth-century monarchs Alfonso the Learned of Castile and James the Conqueror of Aragon-Catalonia, highlighting their significant yet often overlooked contributions to Western civilization. It examines the contrasts and connections between their reigns, focusing on the interplay between scholarly and cultural advancements and the military-commercial dynamics of their societies. Through this exploration, readers gain insight into the historical impact of these rulers beyond their immediate realms.

Focusing on the historical context of Valencia, this volume presents the first five hundred documents from the archives of Jaume the Conqueror, highlighting the region's transformation following its conquest. Covering the years 1257 to 1263, it explores the dynamics of a society marked by Christian settlers coexisting with a Muslim majority and a significant Jewish population. The documents shed light on military, religious, economic, legal, and social developments, making this unique collection accessible to a broader audience through detailed paraphrases.

Recently recovered Arabic-Latinate interlinear treaties, between James the Conqueror of Arago-Catalonia and the Muslims of Mediterranean Spain, illumine that hard-fought crusade (1225-1276), its many Islamic and European contexts, and the radically opposed mentalities involved.