Hebrew manuscripts, from the Jewish aljama of Girona, documenting the collection of the tax on debts, goods, clothing, meat, flour, wine and grapes from 1408 to 1410

Abstract

This article presents a study of the ajuda tax, or levy on loans and consumer and other goods, based on Hebrew documents from the Jewish aljama (a Spanish term of Arabic origin used in old official documents to designate self-governing communities of Moors and Jews living under Spanish rule) of Girona. The documents in question are kept in the Girona Historical Archive. Previously, several tax collection tables and other fragmentary data were catalogued in the archive. They have now been added to with a number of hitherto unpublished Hebrew manuscripts found among the pages of a manual (Gi-09, 37/1408-1409) that belonged to Girona notary Pere Pinós. The manuscripts, which had not been catalogued, attest to the collection of the ajuda tax paid by members of the aljama between 1408 and 1410. They are published in this article, which also analyses the economic data they contain.