Petrus Guteriz: scriptor in Santa María de Meira, Lugo (C. 1173-1192)

Abstract

During the first decades of monastic life, in the private documentation of Santa María de Meira (Lugo) there is a succession of scribes, of variable profession and nature. In fact, in the service of this Cistercian house, writing its patrimonial affairs, we find numerous scribes, both lay scriptores from the surrounding area and educated monks from the community who possess the legal and formal skills of documentary writing. However, the instability of this profession will limit the prevalence of the scribes over time and in the parchment. The only exception will be Petrus Guteriz, who will work for twenty years in more than twelve writings. A constant and prolific activity to whose knowledge this study aims to contribute, trying to answer the traditional questions of the palaeographical discipline: what, who, how, where, when. Their reply will bring us closer to the writing activity of Petrus Guteriz -in particular- and to that of the traditional scriptores -in general- just before everything change with the emergence of the public notary.