Identitats literàries que milloren les reals. Mimesi i historiografia: lligams entre cavalleria literària, historiografia i espais en la (de)construcció de la identitat en les lletres catalanes medievals

Abstract

We analyze how through some chronicles that describe the deeds of kings as examples of knights and rulers, literary mimesis becomes an essential tool to showcase models that can be utilized for the official image of the Crown. We use the four great Catalan chronicles (the first three in particular) and other historiographical accounts which use a great deal of literary mimesis as well as cultural and literary referents (classical tradition, matter of Britain), as well as the Cançó de la croada contra els albigesos. We pay attention to the view offered in them of the Battle of Muret. We also pay attention to Jaume’s conquests (a consequence of Muret) as viewed by the Muslims. We also analyze the consequences of this battle for England, such as the (xenophobic) suspicion that the English barons felt towards the newcomers, members of the retinue of Queen Eleanor of Provence, the daughter of Ramon Berenguer IV of Provence and therefore Jaume I’s niece. Eleanor finally retired to the Abby of Amesbury, which in turn became a place where identities formed and where, now that the queen was there residing, Arthurian motifs could be made credible: it is the place where Queen Genevieve retired after the Battle of Camlaan, which took place (in literature) on the fields of Salisbury, close to Amesbury. In sum, we analyze classical tradition, matter of Britain, victories and defeats, chronicles, chivalries, etc., all of them relevant topics for acquiring identity and that imply transferences: literature and history, mimesis that has an influence on reality.