The privilegios rodados of the Ducal Archive of Medinaceli: A Singular Factitious Collection

Abstract

There is a collection of illuminated documents in Spain, made up of about a hundred original twelfth- to fifteenth-century privilegios rodados preserved in the Ducal Archive of Medinaceli and gathered from the holdings of several noble houses throughout the centuries, that is particularly unique, not only on account of its undeniable beauty but mainly because of its high historical value. The name Rodado comes from the characteristic rueda or circular signum regis that appears on this genuine document from the chanceries of the late medieval kings of Castile and Leon. Concessions were granted to subjects and to servant or loyal through these guarantors of rights, propaganda and power. This article discusses this collection with a focus on its content that leaves out its external features.