The Monastic Rules of Visigothic Iberia - eTheses Repository ...

ut rather in person; 189 an entire section is given over to „valid and invalid documents‟, 190 and
it also mentions slaves writing contracts; 191 another section concerns forgers of documents. 192
The list could continue, but the meaning should be clear that a widespread use of the written
word is implied.
In a similar vein to the law codes, the various Church Councils of the Visigothic
period hint at the importance of the written word; their role in the legislation of monastic
communities was referred to in Chapter Two. The records of the thirty-seven Councils that
remain, edited by Vives (1963), suggest the importance of committing to writing the content
discussed. The Thirteenth Council of Toledo, for example, finished thus: “Huius igitur legis
nostrae decretum, quod in confirmationem huius sacri concilii noscitur promulgatum,
gloriosae manus ad nostrae exaratione subscripsimus et ad perennem memoriam ualorem ei
perpetuum innodamus”. The words “perennem memoriam” and “ualorem [...] perpetuum”
hint at the importance attributed to the written word for preservation and its sense of
authority.
In short, there is strong evidence that Visigothic Iberia was a society that awarded a
central position to the use of the written word in many areas, and that this usage was not
restricted to ecclesiastical or noble circles. This evidence is in keeping with modern re-
interpretations of the important role of literacy and written texts in many aspects of early
medieval society.
former laws, not for the overthrow of ours, but in confirmation of causes which have previously been
determined”.
189 2.4.5.
190 2.5.
191 2.5.6.
192 7.5.
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