year: 1215
initiator: King Leon I of Cilician Armenia
recipient: Genoese
text: Mar. 15. Leon, Dei gratia rex Armenie, makes a sealed grant to all who call themselves Genoese, represented by Ugo Ferrarius vicecomes Ianuensium. He gives them the right to a free court [libera curia] throughout his land, which will be managed according to the customs of Genoa and will judge all cases and offences involving Genoese, except major theft and homicide. He grants the Genoese the right to buy and sell, come and go by sea or land, without the payment of any dues [drictura et passagium], whether their ships are wrecked or arrive safely or not. Excluded from this grant are the land now held by dominus Ottho de Thabaria, [the land now held by dominus Adam de Gaston], the land called Corc held by dominus Vaharan marescalcus, and the crossing duty [passagium] payable to dominus Leo de Cabban over the river called Iahan. Leon also gives the Genoese a vicus, a church and land in the city of Tarsus, on which to build a bathhouse and oven and plant a garden.
Mar. 15. Leon, Dei gratia rex Armenie, makes a sealed grant to all who call themselves Genoese, represented by Ugo Ferrarius vicecomes Ianuensium. He gives them the right to a free court [libera curia] throughout his land, which will be managed according to the customs of Genoa and will judge all... more
sources: Rovere and Puncuh, I Libri 1/2:168-71, no. 346 (RRH no. 875)
year: 1216
initiator: Raymond Rupen, prince of Antioch
recipient: Commune of Genoa
text: Feb. 1-29. In the presence of the patriarch of Antioch and the king of [Cilician] Armenia, Raymond Rupen, Dei gratia princeps Antiochie, makes a sealed grant to the commune of Genoa. He gives a free court [curia libera] in the city of Antioch and throughout the principality, so that the curia Ianuensium and the vicecomes at that time established by the commune of Genoa shall judge all cases relating to those who call themselves Genoese, except for theft and homicide. He gives the Genoese freedom to come and go, buy and sell, without paying dues [de omnibus draituris et de omni passagio] in Antioch and in all the land he can recover or acquire, except in the port of Sanctus Symeon. He confirms the Genoese possession of the vicus Sancti Iohannis de Platea and a third part of the port of Sanctus Symeon and all other properties in the principality of Antioch. Witnesses: Acharias Antioch senescallus; Maios Communie; Otho Tyberiadis; Willelmus de Insula; Rogerius conestabilis; Eschevardus frater senescalli; Thomas Malebrunus; Baudoinus de Memendone; Soherus de Cozieres. The charter was drawn up by Jordanus canceIlarius principis.
Feb. 1-29. In the presence of the patriarch of Antioch and the king of [Cilician] Armenia, Raymond Rupen, Dei gratia princeps Antiochie, makes a sealed grant to the commune of Genoa. He gives a free court [curia libera] in the city of Antioch and throughout the principality, so that the curia... more
sources: Rovere and Puncuh, I Libri 1/2:171-2, no. 347 (RRH no. 885)
year: 1217
initiator: Guido dominus Biblii
recipient: Venetians
text: Nov. 2. With the agreement of Aalis his wife, Guido dominus Biblij makes a sealed grant to the Venetians, represented by Theophylus Genus, Baiulus in Suria [ex] precepto Petris Ziani Ducis Venetie. He gives safe-conduct in his lands in person and goods, going, coming, staying, buying and selling by sea and land. He halves the dues payable on merchandise sold or bought from 4 besants and 4 quarroblae in every 100, to 2 besants and 2 quarroblae. Witnesses: Guillielmus Fornarius castellanus Biblij; Nicolaus Martini; Guillielmus Angelerij; Hugo eius filius; Reginaldus de Biblio; Obertus de Poncan; Guillielmus Taberna; Guillielmus Ligius; Leo eius filius; Johannes, capellanus de Uax, who wrote this charter.
Nov. 2. With the agreement of Aalis his wife, Guido dominus Biblij makes a sealed grant to the Venetians, represented by Theophylus Genus, Baiulus in Suria [ex] precepto Petris Ziani Ducis Venetie. He gives safe-conduct in his lands in person and goods, going, coming, staying, buying and selling by... more
sources: Tafel and Thomas, Urkunden 2:196-7, no. 250 (RRH no. 904)
year: 1218
initiator: Alice, regina Cypri
recipient: Commune of Genoa
text: Jul. 1-31. [Nicosia] In aula regia. With the agreement of Philippus de Ybelino baiulus regni Cypri and the advice of her homines, Alice, Dei gratia regina Cypri, makes a sealed grant to the commune of Genoa and all who reside in the region of Genoa, represented by Petrus Gontardus. She gives freedom to buy and sell, import and export by sea or land throughout the kingdom of Cyprus without the payment of dues [drecture et consuetudo]. She gives a free court [libera curia], that is to say a consulatus and vicecomitatus, with the right to judge in all cases except treason, rapine and homicide. She also gives 2 pecie terre, in Limassol and Famagusta, on which to build houses. She assures the Genoese that the goods in any ship [vassallus] wrecked on Cyprus will be secure. Witnesses: Iohannes de Ybelino dominus Byruth[i]; Galterius Cesaree conestabulus Cypri; Ostus Tiberiensis; Bertrannus Bibliotensis; Galterius de Bethsan; Gormundus de Bethsan; Almaricus camerarius Cypri; Aymericus Barlays; Laurentius de Morto; Petrus Chappe; Iacobus de Rivet; Gavuainus. The charter was drawn up by Radulfus regni Cypri cancellarius et Nicosiensis archidiaconus.
Jul. 1-31. [Nicosia] In aula regia. With the agreement of Philippus de Ybelino baiulus regni Cypri and the advice of her homines, Alice, Dei gratia regina Cypri, makes a sealed grant to the commune of Genoa and all who reside in the region of Genoa, represented by Petrus Gontardus. She gives... more
sources: Rovere and Puncuh, I Libri 1/2:172-4, no. 348 (RRH no. 912)
year: 1219
initiator: Raymond Rupen, prince of Antioch
recipient: Magister and brothers of the Hospital of Saint Mary of the Germans
institution: Hospital of Saint Mary of the Germans
text: Mar. 1-31. [315] Raymond Rupen, dei gracia princeps Antiochenus, son of Prince Raymond, makes a sealed grant to the magister and brothers of the Hospital of St Mary of the Germans. He gives them freedom to sell, buy, enter and leave with their own goods throughout his land, whether within Antioch or outside it, and to export and import by sea without paying dues [dreitura neque consuetudo] to his balivi, pactonarii and homines. Witnesses: Mansellus constabularius et maior Antiochie; Aymarus de Leron; GuilIelmus de Assardo; Amalricus de Crusi; Anfredus de Margato; Willelmus de Flechia dux Antiochie. The charter was drawn up by Jordanus cancellarius aule principalis.
Mar. 1-31. [315] Raymond Rupen, dei gracia princeps Antiochenus, son of Prince Raymond, makes a sealed grant to the magister and brothers of the Hospital of St Mary of the Germans. He gives them freedom to sell, buy, enter and leave with their own goods throughout his land, whether within Antioch... more
sources: Strehlke, Tabulae, pp. 41-2, no. 51 (RRH no. 921)
year: 1220
initiator: Alice, regina Cypri
recipient: Church in Cyprus
text: Oct. 1-31. Limassol. With the agreement of the barones, milites and homines of the kingdom of Cyprus, and at the request of Cardinal Pelagius of Albano, in partibus orientis et Cipri apostolice sedis legatus, of dominus Eustorgius Nicosiensis archiepiscopus, M. Paphensis episcopus, R. Nimociensis episcopus and C. Famagustanus episcopus, Alice, Dei gratia regina Cipri, mother of Henry, verus dominus et heres regni Cipri, makes a sealed grant to the church in Cyprus. She concedes to the archbishops, bishops and all their churches the tithes of all revenues in the kingdom of Cyprus and of all her barones, milites and homines, according to the customs of the kingdom of Jerusalem [secundum usum et consuetudinem regni Ierlimitani]. She also surrenders the chevagia and dimi owed to the crown by the rustici of the church. She gives freedom from the payment of chevagia or labour service [angaria] to all Greek priests and deacons, provided they make canonical obedience to the archbishop and bishops in their dioceses. She rules, however, the Greek priests and deacons must remain in the casalia and lands where they reside at present, unless they have licence to move from the archbishop and bishops. They must, as in the past, seek permission of their lords if they wish to be ordained. They cannot leave the kingdom to seek ordination elsewhere. Greek abbeys should abide by the rules of canonical election of their abbots, confirmed by the archbishop or bishop. Abbots can only be removed according to law. They, and all monks ordained as priests or deacons, must be obedient to the archbishop and bishops in their dioceses. Abbeys can hold the possessions they previously had, but no one can become a monk or conversus without his lord’s permission. Witnesses: Philippus de Ybellino baiulus regni Cipri; Iohannes de Ybellino dominus Dirutensis [Beirut]; Galterus de Cesaria dominus Cesarie et conestabilis Cipri; Galterus de Bethsam; Gormundus de Bethsain; Iacobus de Riveto; Guillermus de Riveto frater carnalis eusdem Iacobi; Aymericus Beillais; Laurentius de Morfo; Johannes Babin. The charter was drawn up by Radulphus regni Cipri cancellarius.
Oct. 1-31. Limassol. With the agreement of the barones, milites and homines of the kingdom of Cyprus, and at the request of Cardinal Pelagius of Albano, in partibus orientis et Cipri apostolice sedis legatus, of dominus Eustorgius Nicosiensis archiepiscopus, M. Paphensis episcopus, R. Nimociensis... more
sources: Coureas and Schabel, The Cartulary, pp. 220-2, no. 84 (RRH no. 938)
year: 1221
initiator: Iohannes de Ibelino Beriti dominus
recipient: Genoese
text: Nov. 1-30. Iohannes de Ibelino Beryti dominus makes a sealed grant to all Genoese, represented by dominus Philippus Embriac and dominus Amicus Streiaporc, consules in terra Syrie. He gives freedom from the payment of dues [ius et consuetudo] on all goods they import and export through the cathena of Beirut and send or have sent to Beirut. They will be free from the payment of all dues on their purchases in the funda of Beirut and from the payment of terciaria on all ships [vasella] carrying goods they have bought in the funda. No Genoese ship applying to Beirut need pay ancoragia. He gives the Genoese a free court [curia libera] in Beirut, with the same rights as those enjoyed by their courts in Acre, Tyre and the kingdom of Jerusalem. He confirms their possession of houses that had belonged to Rubaldus Corvus, which ought to be in the state they were in on the last Feast of St Barbara [4 December]. The Genoese may use the bath house before the castle of Beirut on Thursday every week. The Genoese in general will not suffer if one of their compatriots commits an act of piracy against Iohannes or his homines. The goods on Genoese ships wrecked on the coast of the lordship of Beirut will be secure. Witnesses: Reinaldus de Mimars; Thomas de Orteli; Terricus Breiban; Climens de Gibelli, Matheus de Nefin; Girardus Liece; Gauterius Hardel; Henricus Lepingre; Symon Grimaud.
Nov. 1-30. Iohannes de Ibelino Beryti dominus makes a sealed grant to all Genoese, represented by dominus Philippus Embriac and dominus Amicus Streiaporc, consules in terra Syrie. He gives freedom from the payment of dues [ius et consuetudo] on all goods they import and export through the cathena... more
sources: Rovere and Puncuh, I Libri 1/2:174-6, no. 349 (RRH no. 950)
year: 1221
initiator: Iohannes de Ibelino Beriti dominus
recipient: Venetians
text: Dec. 1-24. Johannes de Ibilino Beryty dominus makes a sealed grant to the Venetians. They are freed from all dues [ius et consuetudo] on all goods they import through the cathena of Beirut and send to Beirut and on all merchandise they buy in the funda of Beirut. All Venetian ships [uasella] importing or exporting merchandise will be exempt from [the payment of] terciaria and all Venetian ships will be exempt from the payment of ancoragia. The Venetians are given a free curia in Beirut, with the reservation to the lord of cases of homicide, force and pillage [rapina]. Other Venetians will not suffer if any Venetian commits piracy at sea against the homines of Johannes. Venetian goods will be secure in cases of shipwreck. Witnesses: Rainaldus de Mimars; Thomas de Retel; Matheus de Nefin; Terricus Breiban; Symon Grimaud; Henricus Pernigre; Girardus Liece.
Dec. 1-24. Johannes de Ibilino Beryty dominus makes a sealed grant to the Venetians. They are freed from all dues [ius et consuetudo] on all goods they import through the cathena of Beirut and send to Beirut and on all merchandise they buy in the funda of Beirut. All Venetian ships [uasella]... more
sources: Marsilio Zorzi, pp. 182-3 (RRH no. 951)
year: 1223
initiator: Iohannes de Ibelino Beriti dominus
recipient: Genoese
text: May 1-31. In the presence of dominus Hugo Ferrarius and dominus Hugo Fornarius, [Genoese] consules in terra Syria, Iohannes de Ibelino Beriti dominus modifies under seal the grant he had previously made to the Genoese [Nov. 1-30 1221]. He confirms their freedom from the payment of dues [ius et consuetudo] on all goods they import and export to and from Beirut, although he limits this to those brought and taken out by sea. He now excludes all pottery [excepto omni opere porterie], wine and oil, which will now be subject to measuring and will be charged either at 1 denarius for every 5 iarri Beritenses, or, if the mensurator ville is involved, at 2 denarii for every 5 iarri, and wheat [bladum], which will be charged at 1 denarius for every 2 modii. He confirms the freedom for Genoese ships [vasella], great and small, from the payment of terciaria and ancoragia. He confirms the right of the Genoese to have a free court [curia libera] in Beirut, with the same rights as those enjoyed by their courts in Acre, Tyre and the kingdom of Jerusalem. He confirms their possession of houses that had belonged to Rubaldus Corvus, adding that the Genoese may improve them, and their use of the bath house before the castle of Beirut on Thursday every week. He gives the right to an oven. He repeats that the Genoese in general will not suffer if one of their compatriots commits an act of piracy against Iohannes or his homines and that the goods on Genoese ships wrecked on the coast of the lordship of Beirut will be secure. Witnesses: Reinaldus de Mimars; Symon Iopensis; Bartholomeus falconarius; Thome de Retel; Clemens de Gibelin; Baldoinus de Gibelin; Hugo de Maçarea; Henricus Lepingre; Galterius Haldel; Guillelmus Harneis; Matheus de Nephyn; Symon Grimaud; Guillelmus de Malembec; Girardus Liece.
May 1-31. In the presence of dominus Hugo Ferrarius and dominus Hugo Fornarius, [Genoese] consules in terra Syria, Iohannes de Ibelino Beriti dominus modifies under seal the grant he had previously made to the Genoese [Nov. 1-30 1221]. He confirms their freedom from the payment of dues [ius et... more
sources: Rovere and Puncuh, I Libri 1/2:176-9, no. 350 (RRH no. 963)
year: 1223
initiator: Iohannes de Ibelino Beriti dominus
recipient: Commune of Marseille
text: Sept. 22. Iohannes de Ybelino dominus Berithi makes a sealed grant to the commune of Marseille. He gives all members of the commune who arrive at the port of Beirut in their ships [naves] or in other vessels [vaiselli] from overseas or Greece [Romania] or from along the Levantine coast [riparia] the freedom to import their goods into Beirut, to sell them, and to export whatever they buy in the funda of Beirut without the payment of dues [sine iura et costuma]. He also gives them the right to have a curia, which can deal with cases involving disputes between themselves and the members of other communes, but he reserves those involving homicide or the spilling of blood. Witnesses (who are all milites): dominus Rainaldus de Mimras; dominus Thomas de Ratel; domnus Clemens castellanus Berithi; domnus Bauduinus de Gibelino; domnus Bauduinus de Rape; domnus Henricus le Pingre; domnus Huguo de Mimras. The charter was written by W. Rostaig magister puerorum domni Rainaldi de Mimars.
Sept. 22. Iohannes de Ybelino dominus Berithi makes a sealed grant to the commune of Marseille. He gives all members of the commune who arrive at the port of Beirut in their ships [naves] or in other vessels [vaiselli] from overseas or Greece [Romania] or from along the Levantine coast [riparia]... more
sources: Mayer, Marseilles Levantehandel, pp. 191-2, no. 8 (RRH no. 965)