Ermesidis
ERMESSENDA
THE GODMOTHER
OF THE CATHEDRAL
ERMESSENDA
Ermesidis
Central character in the history, both of Catalonia and Girona, in the eleventh century. He was born in 972 and lives to the age of 85. When she was 17 years old, she married the Count of Barcelona Ramon Borrell, with whom she co-ruled the condominium of the three counties: Barcelona, Girona and Osona, until his death in 1058.
In her beginnings, and at a very young age, she participated in the civil war in the Caliphate of Córdoba, dominated by the Arab caliphs (al-Andalus), together with her husband, who led several military campaigns against the Saracens, which despite the great casualties, were a real military and economic success. After his death, he ruled them alone as regent during his son’s minority, co-governing with him during his coming of age, and also with his grandson until he retired.
We are in a very hard context, marked so much by external tensions: such as the weakening of auctoritas Barcelona county, having to face the feudal revolution, when mere officers take up arms becoming feudal barons, with the epicenter in the Penedès; and also interns, first with his son Berenguer Ramon I, to whom he ceded the counties of Barcelona and Osona until his death in 1035, and later with his grandson Ramon Berenguer, with whom the disagreement was such that he finally ended up selling the domain of the three counted for a thousand ounces of gold
His regency was intelligent, skilful and very long. It began with the guardianship of his son, Berenguer Ramon I, in September 1017. Disputes with him were numerous, especially over control of the condo. These end when he dies suddenly, with less than 30 years of age, which returns to Ermessenda the control of the three counties, until he disputes them with his grandson Ramon Berenguer I, who wants to assume absolute control of the condominium, and also due to his advanced age, decides to sell him before surrendering and swearing allegiance to him. This fact demonstrates his commitment, firmness and fidelity to his principles until the end of his days.
There are many important documents he signs, and the actions he carries out during his lifetime. He appointed Oliba the abbot of the monastery of Sant Miquel de Cuixà and bishop of the diocese of Vic. He constantly contributed generous donations to the Catholic Church, working closely with Oliba himself, Bishop Peter of Carcassonne and Bishop Peter Roger (Ermessenda’s brother).
He promoted the construction of the Cathedral of Girona, as well as the monastery of Sant Daniel and when he died, he donated to the Bishopric of Girona pieces of great value, both material and historical, to be preserved. They are currently on display at the Cathedral Museum.
THE TREASURE OF THE CATHEDRAL
The godmother of the Cathedral
Legend has it that in this case, the reality of what the character has achieved is enough to turn him into a legend. Thus, Ermessenda became the most powerful woman in Catalonia in the eleventh century, and lived 85 years, an extraordinarily long life for her time. On marrying Ramon Borrell, she received from him rights and privileges, which she exercised with great skill. When her husband died, she managed the properties on her own, which was unusual for a woman, since at the time she had to ask her husband’s permission to make any move. She fully performed her husband’s duties: he presided over the court of justice in the year 1,000 and they are very close to domestic policy decisions. She lived beyond her two protectors, Abbot Oliba and Bishop Pedro de Carcassonne, and was firm and faithful to her principles until the last moment, never giving up. So much so that even before he surrendered and swore allegiance to his grandson, he sold him all his rights for a thousand ounces of gold.
Ermessenda’s Ring
But how has such a small object survived more than a thousand years and can we appreciate it today? Legend has it that since his death, he has been embedded in different pieces, which are or have formed part of the Cathedral’s heritage. It is believed that he had even been embedded in the altar itself, and that it ends up in the custody of the corpus, along with another ring. It was given by herself to the Chapter, to be safeguarded and preserved, also as a token of her full confidence. In response, and derived from the great affection and as a gratitude for being the promoter of the Cathedral, she has protected it and will continue to protect it for as many millennia as necessary.
Casket of Hisham II
In the peninsula, dominated in the south by Arab culture, very violent conflicts broke out between the Arab caliphs, framed by the civil war between them at the time. Ramon Borrell, Ermessenda’s husband, makes an appearance with his mercenaries near Córdoba, to help the caliph of Medina Azahara. No one knows for sure, nor has there been any record of it, how the casket of Hisham II, one of the most admired pieces of Arabic silverware, of so much value and at the same time of such exquisiteness, reaches the hands of the Countess of Carcassonne. She may have taken it from her husband on the return trip and given it to her as a gift, but whatever it was, the Cathedral museum, which she promoted, is preserved.
The Scriptures of the Eleventh Century
Legend has it that the Cathedral of Girona was promoted by Emperor Charlemagne, who figures within it in different frankly important representations and who worshipped for centuries. But it is also said that Ermessenda’s brother (Pere Roger) decided to become Bishop and that he wanted to erect a Romanesque cathedral in Girona. The Countess of Carcassonne agreed to help him, and for this reason, he acquired the land on which the Cathedral now stands, also promoting its construction. Ermessenda retired to Girona and when she died, she was buried in its Cathedral, where her image will endure for eternity, carved in stone on her sarcophagus, so that her legend also continues.
The Monastery of Sant Daniel
Legend has it that in 888 the Saracens beheaded an Armenian hermit monk in Arles de Provence (France), whose name was Saint Daniel. The body of the deceased, to prevent it from being desecrated, was taken and hidden by a Christian couple in the Gloomy Valley, located very close to Girona. This holy body would generate a cult that would be sheltered in a small chapel, which would later become a parish church, which would end up becoming the current monastery of Sant Daniel. A now Roman one, along with some other remains from the same period, which are preserved in the monastery, give rise to the idea that this church was built on the ruins of an ancient pagan temple. Between it and the Cathedral there is a path that borders the river Galligants, which is said to have been the Countess Ermessenda, often immersed in deep thoughts, during her retreat in Girona.
Tomb and sculpture of Ermessenda
Legend has it that Guillem Morell, the creator of his tomb, on the death of his brother (who was the sculptor of the Cathedral of Mallorca) was required to return and replace him. But he was the one who wanted to stay in Girona, since he was in love with it. The surprise was that, when they opened the original tomb of Ermessenda, just over fifty years ago, which he had created, they found a great surprise: it was decorated with a series of red stripes on a golden background, which have turned out to be the oldest surviving testimony of the Catalan flag. But this was not the only surprise, they also saw that it was empty. There were no remains that could prove that Ermessenda had been buried there.
The godmother of the Cathedral
Ermessenda de Carcassonne, countess consort of Barcelona, Girona and Osona, ruled the three counties alone after the death of her husband in 1017, the Count of Barcelona Ramon Borrell. He did so actively, participating in decisions and signing documents of great importance, something that was very unusual among consorts of nobles. During a government, decisive relations were forged with some territories and hostilities with others, but the conditions for its rule were extremely complex and difficult. Nor is she exempt from family conflicts, both with her son Berenguer Ramon I, to whom she ceded the government of Barcelona and Osona, remaining only with that of Girona (until the death of the primordial one, when she recovered all three), and with her grandson Ramon Berenguer I (Cap d’Estopes), with whom they live in constant dispute, until he finally retires.
Ermessenda’s Ring
Since ancient times, chalcedony has been a highly valued and appreciated gemstone. It is not surprising, then, that even in medieval times we find powerful characters who use it in the design of their symbols of power, as a seal. In the ring of the Countess Ermessenda, which functions as a seal and is made of this prized material, her name is written in both Latin and Arabic, in reverse, since when pressed hard against liquid wax, the writing is engraved from the right. This object, both simple and small, was capable of capturing the great political power of the nobility in any document.
Casket of Hisham II
It is an Andalusian silverware casket of which we know with certainty that it came from the caliphal “omeyas” workshops and we know its place and date of creation, Córdoba between 974 and 976. It is very well preserved; This means that each and every one of its details, even the smallest ones, constitute a testimony of exceptional value about the way artisans work, as well as the aesthetic concepts of this historical moment. It is a luxury product of the highest quality, only available to a few, a gift of great importance made by Caliph Hakam II to his son, who would be the future caliph and heir Hisham II. For a time it was used in the main altar of the Cathedral, a place it occupied until it became part of the museum.
The Scriptures of the Eleventh Century
The Romanesque Cathedral of Girona, was the building that allowed the episcopal see to be moved within the walls of the city (totally walled at the time). It was consecrated with an act, which was signed by the Archbishop of Narbonne (Wilfre of Narbonne), several guest bishops, highlighting the famous Abbot Oliba and the Bishop of Girona (Pere Roger) and, in between, we also find the signature of the latter’s sister and promoter of the architectural work of the Cathedral, Countess Ermessenda of Carcassonne. It is not unusual for the time that the signature of a woman, and also that it was not part of the ecclesiastical structure, is among the most important personalities of the time.
The Monastery of Sant Daniel
Sant Daniel in Girona is one of the oldest Benedictine monasteries in Catalonia. Founded in 1017, a thousand years later the celebrations of its first millennium begin, ten centuries of continuous presence that carries a great legacy. It was also the countess who founded this monastery, on land that she bought with her husband for her brother Pere Roger, bishop of Girona and for which she paid one hundred ounces of pure gold, which would also be used to repair the cathedral of Girona, so badly damaged that on rainy days the worship could not be celebrated. as cited in the document. Together with Sant Pere de Puel·les, in Barcelona, it is the only female Benedictine monastery that has survived since medieval times in Catalonia.
Tomb and sculpture of Ermessenda
The County Sepulchres of the Cathedral of Girona are two Gothic style sculptural works, from the fourteenth century, made by the great Mallorcan master Guillem Morell, considered the best sculptor in Catalonia at the time. One of them is that of Ramon Berenguer II (Cap d’Estopes) and the other of his grandmother Ermessenda of Carcassonne. The work was carried out at the request of King Peter the Ceremonious, when he ordered the transfer of the original Romanesque tombs, from the galilee (atrium) – where they were at that time – to the altar, one of the most important places in the Cathedral. About fifty years ago, the graves were opened to investigate what was inside. It was a great surprise to find that the original tomb of Ermessenda was still inside, and therefore the other lined it.
