La confraria del Sant Esperit i Agramunt (1272-1400)

Confraternities were lay associations with a religious component dedicated to devotion, charity, and mutual aid. They grew from the 12th century with the rise of urban life and, in Catalonia, became consolidated in the 13th century. Although they were mainly religious in nature, they also played an important social and welfare role within the community.

The study of the confraternity of the Holy Spirit of Agramunt allows us to understand in detail how these institutions functioned and their role in medieval society. It was a structured organization, with its own rules, regular meetings, and governing bodies such as the mayoral officers, and it had resources derived from fees, donations, and legacies. This enabled it to act as a legal entity, managing goods, properties, and both religious and charitable activities.

Moreover, its documentation provides a broad view of Agramunt society in the 13th and 14th centuries: they identify influential families and their religious patronage, show the close relationship with the church of Santa María, and provide information about the urban organization and the surrounding territory. Thus, the confraternity becomes a key source for understanding the religious, social, economic, and everyday life of medieval Agramunt