Bernat Metge: Life and Literary Legacy of the Catalan Humanist

The Life of Bernat Metge

Bernat Metge was born in Barcelona, where he was raised among doctors and apothecaries. His father, a spice merchant for the court, died when Bernard was very young. His mother remarried Ferrer Sayol, who served as a court clerk and Protonotario. A cultured man with a strong command of Latin, Sayol introduced Metge to the world of letters and the official royal career path.

Thanks to his stepfather's prestige, Bernat Metge gained easy access to the position of foreign minister and served as a clerk to King John I during his reign. Driven by a passion for knowledge, he became a prototype humanist. He served as a teacher and confidant to King John, a position that brought both privilege and challenges, including accusations of embezzlement that were never proven.

Legal Troubles and Imprisonment

In 1396, following the sudden death of King John, proceedings were initiated against thirty-eight royal chancellors. Bernat Metge was accused of providing poor counsel to the King and accepting bribes. He was also falsely accused of causing the King's death by failing to ensure he received the necessary spiritual aid for eternal peace. While imprisoned, Metge wrote Lo Somni (The Dream) to defend himself against these allegations.

In 1398, the brother of King John acquitted all those prosecuted, allowing them to return to their former royal positions. During the reign of Martin of Aragon, Metge served as an ambassador. After the King's death, he held no further official capacity and died in Barcelona in 1413.

Literary Works

Works in Verse

• Sermó: A parody of medieval sermons.
• Medicina: Written while in prison, this work explains the injustice of his incarceration and expresses his confidence in a speedy resolution.

Prose Works

• Walter and Griselda: A significant translation of Petrarch’s epistle, which introduced Petrarch’s work to the Iberian Peninsula.
• The Apology: An unfinished work.
• Lo Somni: A seminal text written during his imprisonment.