https://epistolae.ctl.columbia.edu/letter/26122.html
Above: Matilda of Tuscany as shown in the 15th century Nuremberg Chronicle.
Matilda of Tuscany (born 1046, died July 24, 1115) was a powerful feudal Margravine of Tuscany, ruler in northern Italy and the chief Italian supporter of Pope Gregory VII during the Investiture Controversy; in addition, she was one of the few medieval women to be remembered for her military accomplishments, thanks to which she was able to dominate all the territories north of the Papal States.
In 1076 she came into possession of a substantial territory that included present-day Lombardy, Emilia, the Romagna and Tuscany, and made the castle of Canossa, in the Apennines south of Reggio, the centre of her domains. Between 6 and 11 May 1111 she was crowned Imperial Vicar and Vice-Queen of Italy by Henry V, Holy Roman Emperor at the Castle of Bianello (Quattro Castella, Reggio Emilia).
Sometimes called la Gran Contessa ("the Great Countess") or Matilda of Canossa after her ancestral castle of Canossa, Matilda was one of the most important figures of the Italian Middle Ages. She lived in a period of constant battles, intrigues and excommunications, and was able to demonstrate an extraordinary force, even enduring great pain and humiliation, showing an innate leadership ability.
The letter:
In nomine sancte et individue trinitatis. Anno ab incarnatione domini millesimo CI, indictione VIII. M(atilda) dei gratia, si quid est. Dum ad dei honorem eiusque pie genitricis Mariae gloriosum triumphum Pisane ecclesie curam quondam cum nostris [fidelibus hab]eremus eiusque domum miris tabularum lapideis ornamentis incoeptam, qualiter ad effectum perducere dignis possemus auxiliis, sedula mentis intentione animo cotidie volveremus, tam pro nostra quam matris nostre ibi quiescentis anima concessimus illius ecclesie ad operam perficiendam vel ad aliquam restaurationem post peractum opus forte [8-9 letters missing] faciendam campum iuris marchie iuxta palatium situm, cuius caput a meridie in Arnum fluvium terminatur, secundum latus ab oriente strata intercurrens terminat, tercium vero terra Baruncelli, quartum autem terra marchie, eo videlicet modo, ut campus debeat habitari et habitantium pensio et alicuius honoris [red]ditio ad opus fabrice construendum vel restaurandum debeat similiter annue persolvi et dari. De quo nullam aliam nostro iuri potestatem servavimus, nisi, cum forte autore deo Pisam devenerimus, ibi sine damno vel aliqua habitantium oppressione nobis et nostris hospicium habeamus; ita tamen ut, si aliquis in alios, quam supra concessimus, usus vel per foeodum aut per scriptum vel commutationem sive aliquod pactum usurpare vel alienare ab opera vel restauratione ecclesie presumpserit, predictum nostre concessionis campum in nostrum ius et marchie proprietatem redeat. Rogamus igitur atque precipimus, ut nullus dux, marchio, comes, vicecomes, gastaldio, nulla etiam parva vel magna persona ecclesiam de hac concessione audeant ulterius molestare vel minuere. Si quis autem, quod absit, hanc nostre concessionis paginam infringere aut in aliquo temerare temptaverit, centum librarum argenti poenam componat, medietatem predicte ecclesie, medietatem camere nostre, hoc tamen scripto in suo semper robore permanente. Quod, ut verius credatur et futuris temporibus ab omnibus firmius habeatur, propria nostre manus subscriptione firmavimus.
+ Matilda dei gratia, si quid est, subscripsi.
Ego F[ru]gerius capellanus iussu eiusdem do(mi)ne hanc concessionis paginam scripsi sub testimonio bonorum virorum tam Longobardie quam Tuscie: Arduini, Gotefredi, Raginerii et Girardi vicecomitis et Vgonis Gandulfi filii.
English translation:
In the name of the holy and individual trinity. In the onethousand onehundredth year from the incarnation of the lord, indiction 8. M[atilda], what she is by the grace of God. While to the honor of God and of his pious mother Mary we formerly with our faithful had the care of the glorious triumph of the Pisan church and its duomo, begun with wondrous ornaments of stone (copings/mosaics?), we would turn daily in spirit with persistent intent of mind to how we might bring it about with worthy help, we granted, as much for our as for our mother’s soul resting there to complete the work of that church or some restoration perhaps after the work is done [8-9 letters missing], a field in the jurisdiction of the march next to the palace, whose head is bound in the south by the river Arno, a second side running from the highway to the east, a third the land of Baruncellus, the fourth the land of the march, in such a way that the field should be inhabited and the pension of the inhabitants and the payment of any honor ought similarly be paid and given to the construction or restoration work of the building. Over which we have reserved no other power in our right than when we happen to come to Pisa, without harm or any oppression of the inhabitants we might have hospitality there for us and our people; so that if anyone should presume to usurp or alienate the use from the work or restoration of the church to others than we have granted above by fief/fee or by writing or exchange or any pact, said field of our grant would revert to our jurisdiction and property of the march. Therefore we ask and we order that no one, duke, marquis, count, viscount, provost, and no small or great person should dare to harm or diminish the church further from this grant. If anyone, however, God forbid, should boldly attempt to break this document of our grant, he would pay the penalty of one hundred pounds of silver, half to said church, half to our chamber, and this writing would remain in force always. Which, that it may be believed more truly and held more firmly in future times by all, we have signed with the subscription of our own hand.
+ Matilda by the grace of God, what she is, I have subscribed.
I, Frugerius, chaplain by the order of this lady wrote the document of this grant under the witness of good men of Lombardy as well as Tuscany: Arduin, Godfrey, Raginer, and Gerard, viscounts, and Hugo son of Gandulf.
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