ABSTRACT
On April 12, 1421, Johana Nanyes appeared before the court of the governor in the city of Valencia, hoping to get a ruling by the local civil justice in the town of Castellnou overturned. In her earlier suit, Johana sought control over half the marital property she owned with her husband, Lorent, as he had contracted numerous debts that threatened the fi nancial integrity of their jointly held assets. The justice in Castellnou had denied Johana’s petition, even though the couple was no longer living together and actually resided in separate towns. The governor in Valencia was equally unconvinced of the legitimacy of Johana’s request and denied her appeal.1 He did not state his reasons for his decision, but one can speculate about his concerns regarding this kind of legal action.
