Crónica Geral de Espanha de 1344 Facsimile Edition

The extraordinary Codex of the General Chronicle of Spain of 1344 has been attributed to Count D. Pedro de Barcelos, based on the Chronicle of Alfonso X the Wise, which was lost. The miniatures of this exceptional codex, written in two columns and in Gothic script, represent the pinnacle of medieval miniature art in Spain.

Since its rediscovery, the text of the 1344 Chronicle has provided important insights into the medieval history of the peninsula, particularly medieval epic and ballads, post-Alphonsine historiography, and Hispano-Arab historiography of the 10th century.

As for the content: the initial contents of the Chronicle refer to the fabulous prehistory of the Iberian Peninsula; the population of Europe and Spain by the descendants of Noah, the arrival of Hercules and his deeds, Espam and Pirus. Following this, a geographical description of Spain, a series of chapters on the domination of the Almonices, Carthaginians, and Romans, and the struggles in the Peninsula of Carthaginians against Romans, of Caesar against Pompey... The history of the Goths. The History of the Muslim invasion (10th century). The detailed history of Spain from the reign of Ramiro I onwards. The last ten chapters belong to the particular Chronicle of Alfonso X the Wise.