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Grant of a ditch in free allod to the inhabitants of Almenar by Count Ramon Berenguer IV

Date
1151
Archive
Historical Archive of Lleida
Document type
Textual
Reference code
CAT-AHL-156-1
Link to the online document
Description

In 1151, Count Ramon Berenguer IV granted the inhabitants of Almenar, in the Segrià, the right to use a ditch in free allod (full ownership). This privilege, granted at a key moment of repopulation and territorial reorganization, made it possible to transform the agricultural landscape and boost the municipality’s economic and demographic growth. Guaranteed access to water not only ensured subsistence, but also promoted the stability and prosperity of an expanding community. This document is a clear example of how the management of natural resources, regulated by legal deed, contributed to the development of Catalan rural societies and, by extension, to the construction of a Europe articulated by local rights, privileges and institutions. It is a testament to the ability of the feudal administration to order the territory and promote community life.