TRANSLATING THE CARTA DI LOGU (14TH CENTURY) BY ELEONORA D’ARBOREA: A LEGISLATOR DEFENDING WOMEN AND NATURA

Abstract

Eleonora d’Arborea (c. 1347-1404), born in Catalonia, is still a symbolic figure on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, representing women’s emancipation, the struggle for political autonomy, and the safeguarding of ecology and local traditions. After the death of her father (1376), the governor of the Kingdom of Arborea—one of the four feudal states that existed in Sardinia during the Middle Ages—Eleonora assumed power and sought to strengthen the state, defend autonomy against external invasions, especially from the Kingdom of Aragon, and improve administration through a code of justice. Among the legacies of her government is the Carta de Logu, one of the earliest documents regulating social and economic life in Sardinia. This study aims to comment on and translate two themes from this document: the articles on ecology and those addressing women. First, a brief biography of Eleonora and the historical context in which she lived will be presented, followed by a discussion on the structure and themes of the Carta de Logu. Finally, the articles on women and ecological issues will be translated, along with their respective comments. The study concludes with an assessment of the significance of Eleonora d’Arborea and her role in shaping laws in defense of women and the environment, emphasizing the importance of studies and translations that shed light on the contributions of women in history, their knowledge, and their ability to think and act on the world around them.