Valencian language

Jaime Febrer, «Trovas de Mossen Jaime Febrer: que tratan de los conquistadores de Valencia», edited by Joaquín María Bover, new edition made with reference to the first and an old manuscript, with notes, illustrated with portrait plates and heraldic plates, 312 pages, printed by Pedro José Gelabert, Palma, 1848.

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Historical context and content

Jaime Febrer lived during the reigns of Jaime I El Conquistador, 1207-1276, and his son Pedro III El Grande of Aragon and I of Valencia, 1239-1285. Febrer is believed to have authored a manuscript detailing 278 knights who participated in the conquest of Valencia alongside Jaime I, forming the foundation of many noble lineages in the city and kingdom of Valencia.

The manuscript, dedicated to Pedro III and I of Valencia, is composed in short verses known as «trovas» ~ «trobas», written in the «Lemosín» language, an old form of Valencian. Each trova includes a description of the knights' coats of arms.

A re-edition of this manuscript was published by Joaquín María Bover in 1848 in Palma de Mallorca.

Illustrative example of trova 39, Alpont

The «trova 39» is dedicated to Pedro Alpont, whose ancestor helped the General Otger Kathaló and adopted the surname Alpont following an event involving a bridge. This poem «trova 39» serves as an illustrative example, describing the blazon of Pedro Alpont. The blazon described in this trova is simple: «Argent, a Bridge».

The story included in this trova tells how Otger Gotlant, also known as Oger Catalón or Catazlon, a general under King Pepin of France, was near the Rhône observing the Moors. He crossed the river by one of its bridges to better track the enemy’s movements. Suddenly, he was attacked by a squadron of Saracens, forcing him to retreat hastily. A soldier on the other side of the river saw this and began shouting in the Lemosín language, calling for reinforcements: «Al pont, caballers, al pont» ~ «To the bridge, knights, to the bridge», as Otger and his men were in danger. According to this «trova 39» by Jaime Febrer, from that moment on, this soldier was known by the surname Alpont. One of his descendants, named Pedro Alpont, participated in the conquest of Mallorca and later moved to Valencia, following King Jaime I El Conquistador, leaving behind the Alpont surname for his successors.

Another Alpont, referred to as Alpont II, appears in trova number 40, where his blazon is characterized by a trident.

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Bibliographical reference of century XIII.

Classification: Valencian language and In black and white.

Author: Febrer, Jaime.

External resource:

• Biblioteca Valenciana, Trovas de Mossen Jaime Febrer.

Internal resources: FebrerJXIII.Trobas.BoverJM1848.Parcial.155.Paginas.pdf Partial PDF with the first 155 pages.