year: 1243
initiator: Bohemond V, prince of Antioch and count of Tripoli
recipient: Commune of Montpellier
text: Feb. 1-28. Tripoli. In the count’s palais. In response to the request of the commune of Montpellier, represented by sire Raimont Conte and sire Guillaume Berenger, and appreciative of the renown of the commune and the profit for his land, Bohemond, par la grace de Deu princes dAntioche et cuens de Triple, son of Bohemond, prince-count of Antioch-Tripoli, grants under seal the following rights. The men of Montpellier will pay one third of the dues [dreiture] on everything they sell and buy in the city of Tripoli, except for the dreiture de la tonie, which they will pay entirely. They will pay a third of passage on all goods they bring to the port of Tripoli by sea, whether from a Muslim or Christian source. They will pay one third of the nol with respect to their ships, which they load with goods for export, but they will pay the whole tax on goods brought to Tripoli by land. They are granted a street [rue] in Tripoli, where their consele will have his hostel. Cases on movables or debts arising between the men of Montpellier and those of Genoa and Pisa will be decided by Montpellier’s consele de Tripoli, but excepted from this are disputes involving the funde of Tripoli. The men of Montpellier and their goods are promised security. If any man of Montpellier resident in Tripoli is arrested in a land with which the count has good relations [j’aye pais ou treve] his return will be requested, just as if he was the count’s subject. These privileges are dependent on Montpellier sending to Tripoli each year for ten years a ship [nef] containing no fewer than 40 mariners or more and at least 800 kintaus of goods. The conseles who within these ten years are appointed by Montpellier and all citizens coming to Tripoli will swear to preserve of the count’s rights and will ensure that the privilege applies only to men of Montpellier. Guarantors: Tomas de Ham conestable de Triple; Johan mareschau de Triple; Amauri Saraman; Johan de Farabes; Nicolos Farmac. The charter was drawn up by Johan chancelier de Triple.
Feb. 1-28. Tripoli. In the count’s palais. In response to the request of the commune of Montpellier, represented by sire Raimont Conte and sire Guillaume Berenger, and appreciative of the renown of the commune and the profit for his land, Bohemond, par la grace de Deu princes dAntioche et cuens de... more
sources: Germain, Histoire 2:513-15, no. 43 (RRH no. 1110)