Francesc Eiximenis facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Francesc Eiximenis OFM
Francesc Eiximenis
Born	between 1330 and 1335 Girona
Died	1409 Perpignan
Alma mater	University of Oxford University of Paris
Occupation	Writer

Francesc Eiximenis (died 1409) was a Franciscan writer from Catalonia. He lived in the 14th century in the Crown of Aragon. He was one of the most successful medieval Catalan writers. His books were read, copied, published, and translated a lot.

This means he had a big impact on both literature and politics. Important people of his time read his works. These included kings like Peter IV, John I, and Martin I. Queen Maria de Luna and Pope Benedict XIII also read his writings.

Life of Francesc Eiximenis

Francesc Eiximenis was born around 1330, probably in Girona. When he was very young, he joined the Franciscan order. He started his education in Franciscan schools in the Kingdom of Aragon.

Later, he studied at famous European universities. These included the University of Oxford and the University of Paris. Oxford was very important for him. The Franciscans had a strong school there. Many English Franciscan thinkers influenced Eiximenis.

In 1371, people tried to make him a teacher at the University of Lleida. But he did not yet have his Doctor in Theology degree. This degree meant he was an expert in religious studies. So, he could not take the job then.

Eiximenis earned his Doctor in Theology degree in 1374. He got it from the University of Toulouse. King Peter IV helped him financially to achieve this.

After his studies, Eiximenis returned to Catalonia. People saw him as a very smart person. He had good relationships with the royal court. He was also friends with important people in Barcelona and Valencia. Most of his books were written in Valencia. He lived there from 1382 to 1408. In Valencia, he advised the jurats (city representatives) and the Consell (city government).

Eiximenis was very busy in Valencia, not just with writing. In 1391, Valencia faced many social problems. Eiximenis helped by organizing a "praying army" in local monasteries. In 1392, he helped check Jewish books. These books were stolen during a difficult time in 1391.

In 1397, he joined a group advising King Martin I. They discussed the Western Schism, a split in the Church. In 1397 and 1398, he helped organize two crusades. These were against Muslim pirates from North Africa. In 1399, Eiximenis led a group trying to unite all schools in Valencia. The city government did not approve this in 1400. But it was an important step towards the University of Valencia, which opened in 1499.

His last years in Valencia (1404–1408) were spent on a new Franciscan convent. This convent was called Sant Esperit, near Sagunto. Queen Maria de Luna helped start this convent.

In 1408, Eiximenis attended the Council of Perpignan. There, Pope Benedict XIII gave him two important roles. He became the Patriarch of Jerusalem. Later, he was made the temporary bishop of Elna (the old name for Perpignan).

Eiximenis died in Perpignan on April 23, 1409.

Works of Francesc Eiximenis

Eiximenis wrote many books. They covered various topics from religion to government.

Works in Catalan

Eiximenis wrote these books in the Catalan language:

• Tractat d'usura (Treaty about Usury). This short book discusses usury. Usury is lending money at very high interest. This was a big topic in the Middle Ages.
• Lo Crestià (The Christian). This was a huge project. It was meant to be a big book about Christian beliefs. It was written in simple language for everyone. He planned 13 books, but only wrote four:
  • Primer del Crestià (First of the Christian). This book explains the basic ideas of Christianity.
  • Segon del Crestià (Second of the Christian). This one talks about temptation.
  • Terç del Crestià (Third of the Christian). This book discusses different types of sins and how to fix them.
  • Dotzè del Crestià (Twelfth of the Christian). This book is about government and politics. It also includes many other topics.
• Regiment de la cosa pública (Government of the Republic). Eiximenis gave this book as a gift to the city leaders of Valencia in 1383. It offers advice on how to govern well. This book was also part of the Dotzè del Crestià.
• Llibre dels àngels (Book of Angels). This book is a detailed study of angels. It also includes some political ideas. He dedicated this book to Pere d'Artés, a knight from Valencia.
• Llibre de les dones (Book of Women). This book starts by talking about women's education. But most of it (four-fifths) is about theology and Catholic morals. He dedicated it to Sanxa Ximenes d'Arenós, the Countess of Prades.
• Vida de Jesucrist (Life of Jesus Christ). This book tells the story of Jesus Christ's life. It also includes religious thoughts and ideas for meditation. This book was also dedicated to Pere d'Artés.
• Scala Dei or Tractat de contemplació (Stairs towards God or Treatise about Contemplation). This is a short book about morals and religious ideas. He dedicated this book to Queen Maria de Luna.
• Two original letters in Catalan. One was from July 15, 1392, and the other from March 12, 1396. The first letter was for King Martin I (who was a prince at the time). In it, Eiximenis gives him advice on how to govern Sicily well.

Works in Latin

Eiximenis wrote these books in Latin:

• De Triplici Statu Mundi (About the three states of the world). This is a short book about the end of the world. Some people are not sure if Eiximenis wrote it.
• Allegationes (Statements). There was a disagreement between the Church and the government in Valencia. Eiximenis wrote his strong opinions on the Church's side.
• A small part of his Summa Theologica. This short piece discusses some religious topics.
• Ars Praedicandi Populo (Manual for Preaching to the People). This is an interesting guide on how to give good sermons.
• A sermon (or part of one).
• Pastorale (Pastoral). This book gives advice to priests and bishops. It follows the ideas of Saint Gregory's Pastorale. He dedicated this book to Hug de Llupià, the bishop of Valencia.
• Psalterium alias Laudatorium Papae Benedicto XIII dedicatum (Psalter or Doxology Dedicated to Pope Benedict XIII). This is a beautiful collection of 344 prayers. As the title says, he dedicated it to Pope Benedict XIII.

Two other books are sometimes said to be by Eiximenis: the Cercapou and the Doctrina compendiosa. The Doctrina Compendiosa definitely shows his political ideas. There was also a Spanish version of Llibre de les Dones called Carro de las Donas.

Eiximenis' books were very popular in his time. More than 200 handwritten copies (called manuscripts) of his works still exist today. Another example of his popularity is the Psaltiri devotíssim. This was a Catalan translation of 100 prayers from his Psalterium alias Laudatorium. The first printed edition of this book had 2000 copies. This was more than double the copies of the famous Tirant lo Blanc (a well-known novel). It was the largest first print run for any medieval Catalan book.

Many of his works were translated in the 15th and 16th centuries. The Llibre de les Dones was translated into Spanish. One Spanish translation was even used to educate the four daughters of the Catholic Monarchs. The Llibre dels Àngels was very popular internationally. It was translated into Spanish, Latin, French, and even Flemish. It might be the only medieval Catalan book translated into Flemish. The Vida de Jesucrist was translated into Spanish and French.

There are two more examples of how far Eiximenis' works spread. The French translation of the Llibre dels Àngels was the first book ever printed in Geneva in 1478. Also, the Spanish translation of the Vida de Jesucrist was the first book printed in Granada in 1496. This happened after the city was taken by the Catholic Monarchs.

Today, there are not many modern printed versions of Eiximenis' works. Most modern editions have been prepared by scholars like Curt Wittlin and Albert Hauf.

Images for kids

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  Title page of the Regiment de la Cosa Pública (Valencia, 1499). Francesc Eiximenis is on the right, giving his book to the city leaders of Valencia.

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  Beginning of the Terç del Crestià from a manuscript in the National Library of Madrid.

See also

In Spanish: Francesc Eiximenis para niños