Guillem de Copons facts for kids

Guillem de Copons was a writer and diplomat who lived in the 14th and 15th centuries. He was probably from the Valencian region of Spain. Guillem de Copons was known for translating important books from ancient Greece, ancient Rome, and the European Middle Ages into the Catalan language.

Working for the Kings

Guillem de Copons worked for two kings of Aragon: King Peter IV and King John I. He was a "stableman," which meant he was an important person in the royal household, often in charge of the king's horses and stables. However, his role was more than just that; the kings trusted him with special literary tasks. He also had connections with the Knights Hospitaller, a famous group of knights, and their leader, Juan Fernández de Heredia.

Important Translations

In 1383, Guillem de Copons brought King John I a French version of a famous book called De Civitate Dei (meaning "The City of God") by saint Augustine. This book talks about Christianity and history. Later, the king sent Guillem de Copons to visit the Duke of Berry again. The king wanted to get a copy of another important book, Ab urbe condita (meaning "From the Founding of the City") by Titus Livius, which was a history of ancient Rome.

It is believed that Guillem de Copons was the one who translated these French versions of the books into Catalan. This was a big deal because it made these important works available to more people in Catalonia.

A Diplomat's Role

In 1396, Queen Violant de Bar sent Guillem de Copons on an important mission. He traveled as an ambassador to the Pope's court in Avignon, France, and also visited some French noblemen. His job was to find out about threats of invasion against Catalonia by a powerful count named Armagnac. Sadly, his mission didn't succeed because King John I died shortly after.

Later, in 1418, Guillem de Copons finished his Catalan translation of a book called Treasure by Brunetto Latini. This book was originally written in French and included parts of Aristotle's Ethics, which is about how people should live. This translation was very important because it was the first time Aristotle's ideas were available in Catalan, even though it was translated from a French version and not directly from the original Greek.

See also

• In Spanish: Guillem de Copons para niños