Dublin Core
Title
Blanca, widow of Bernat Falcó: Girona, 1437
Subject
Blanca, widow of Bernat Falcó
Description
Blanca was a conversa who had perhaps been baptized in the aftermath of the Disputation of Tortosa (1413-1414). She and her husband had been married as Jews, and then converted, as evinced in the husband's will. (See Planas Marcé, 656 for more on this.) Blanca's husband came from a well-know Jewish family that had been in Girona for a long time. Blanca, her late husband, and four of her children (sons Pere and Antonio, and daughters Elionor and Violante) identified as Catholic. One son, David (likely the oldest child), is identified in her will as Jewish. This fact, and the ready recognition of his Jewishness, is striking.
She testated while very sick and expecting death in the spring of 1437.
Blanca names her late husband's relatives and her son Pere as her executors, and leaves 150 Aragonese gold florins for her minor daughter Elionor, to be paid out when she marries. Elionor is also promised food and other necessities from her mother's estate; it is clear that Blanca is particularly concerned for the well-being of this still-young child. Both her Jewish son David and her Catholic son Antonio receive 20 Aragonese florins. A married daughter, Violante, get 10 Aragonese florins. She leaves her grandchildren 5 sous each. Blanca's son Pere is named the universal heir.
As a practicing Catholic, she orders that she be buried in a convent cemetery and leaves 20 sous for masses to be said for her soul.
TRANSCRIPTION of this will from Sílvia Planas Marcé attached here as a file.
She testated while very sick and expecting death in the spring of 1437.
Blanca names her late husband's relatives and her son Pere as her executors, and leaves 150 Aragonese gold florins for her minor daughter Elionor, to be paid out when she marries. Elionor is also promised food and other necessities from her mother's estate; it is clear that Blanca is particularly concerned for the well-being of this still-young child. Both her Jewish son David and her Catholic son Antonio receive 20 Aragonese florins. A married daughter, Violante, get 10 Aragonese florins. She leaves her grandchildren 5 sous each. Blanca's son Pere is named the universal heir.
As a practicing Catholic, she orders that she be buried in a convent cemetery and leaves 20 sous for masses to be said for her soul.
TRANSCRIPTION of this will from Sílvia Planas Marcé attached here as a file.
Creator
Girona, Spain
Date
17 April 1437
Source
Arxiu Històric de Girona
AHG, Protocols Notarials, Girona 4, notario Bernat Ferrer, vol. 203, fols. 91-92.
Sílvia Planas Marcé, “Aportación al estudio de la sociedad conversa de Girona: el testamento de Blanca, esposa de Bernat Falcó,” 649-663.
Language
Latin
Coverage
Spain
Contributor
Rena Lauer