Page 23 - Delcampe Collections classiques EN-005

Stamps

that in 804, Charlemagne and
Louis the Pious granted the Bi-
shop of Urgel the right to raise
a tithe on the valleys of Andorra.
According to the most recent
research, this was invented
between 1135 and 1162 by an
Andorran to slow the episcopal
goal of having the Andorran val-
leys pledge allegiance.

In any event, the legends above
aside, filiation with Emperor
Charlemagne is always presti-
gious. Thus, the Andorran na-
tional anthem, which was com-
posed in 1914 with words by 7: French, Andorra maxicard, 1963, the 8: French, Andorra maxicard, 2002, the
foundation of Andorra by Louis the
Joan Benlloch i Vivo (9) (1864- Debonaire. founding of Andorra by Charlemagne.
1926), Co-prince of Andorra
from 1906 to 1919 – clearly
claims this filiation (10): “El gran
Carlemany mon pare dels àrabs
em deslliurà…”
“The great Charlemagne, my
Father, from the Saracens libe-
rated us...”

9: Spanish, Andorra, 1980, Joan Benlloch i
Vivo, Co-prince bishop of Andorra, author
of the lyrics of Andorra’s national anthem.

10: French, Andorra, 1980, Charlemagne
and the first words of Andorra’s national
anthem.

Delcampe Magazine 23