Some Account of Gothic Architecture in Spain Part 42

XV.

JOANNES DE GUINGUAMPS, _lapiscida, habitator civitatis Narbonae super praedictis articulis, sicut alii praedicti interrogatus medio dicto juramento deposuit ut sequitur. Et primo super primo articulo interrogatus dixit_:--

1. That the work already commenced of one nave could very well be made and continued; and that when it is done it will be very good, firm, and secure, without any dispute; and that the foundations which are already made in the old work, and the others which will be made in the same way, are good, and have sufficient strength to maintain the work of a single nave.

2. That the plan of three naves latterly continued is not congruous or sufficient, and should not in any way be made or followed, because it never will have reasonable conformity with the Chevet.

3. That the plan of a single nave is beyond comparison more fit and proportioned to the choir of the said church, than would be that of three naves, for several reasons. 1st. That the deponent knows that the plan of a single nave with the said choir would be more reasonable, more brilliant, better proportioned, and less costly. 2nd. Because, if the work is carried on with one nave, there would not be the deformity or difference that disgusts. And though some may say that the plan of a single nave would make the choir look low and small, the more on that account would no deformity be produced, rather it would be more beautiful; and the reason is, that in the s.p.a.ce which would be left between the top of the choir and the centre of the great vault, there would be so large a s.p.a.ce that it would be possible to have there three rose windows: the first and princ.i.p.al in the middle, and another small one on each side: and these three roses would do away with all deformity, would give a grand light to the church, and would endow the work with great perfection.

_Interrogatus._--Whether, if the plan of three naves is adopted, it would be dangerous to open the pillars in order to join in them the springers corresponding to it?--He said that he would not do it or consent to it on any account, because great danger, great wrong, and great damage would result, since in no part could the work be brought to perfection, and such a fissure could not be made without great risk.

XVI.

Postmodum die Lunae, quae fuit vicesima octava mensis Septembris, anno jam dicto a Nativitate Domini millessimo CCCC. s.e.xto decimo, ad instantiam dicti domini Petri de Boscho operarii hoc anno dictas ecclesiae Gerundensis, super ipsius regimine operis una et in solidum c.u.m honorabili viro domino Francisco Sacalani canonico dictae ecclesiae electi et deputati apud domos Thesaurariae dictae ecclesiae Gerundensis coram dictis reverendo in Christo patre et domino domino Dalmacio Dei gratia episcopo et honorabili capitulo ejusdem ecclesiae Gerundensis ad tactum cimbali, ut moris est, ibidem convocatis et congregatis; ubi fuerunt praesentes dictus reverendus dominus dominus Dalmacius, episcopus, et honorabiles viri Dalmacius de Roseto, decretorum doctor, archidiaconus de Silva in dicta ecclesia Gerundensi, Arnaldus de Gurbo, Joannes de Pontonibus, Guillermus de Brongarolis, sacrista secundus, Joannes de Boscho Thesaurarius, Joannes Gabriel Pavia, Petrus de Boscho praedictus, Guillermus Marinerii, Petrus Sala, Franciscus Mathei, et Bartholomeus Vives, presbiteri capitulares et de capitulo ante dicto, capitulum ejusdem ecclesiae Gerundensis facientes, representantes et more solito celebrantes: dicti articuli et dictas depositiones, et dicta a dictis artificibus super eisdem in scriptis redacta et continuata in dicto capitulo publice, alta et intelligibilli voce de verbo ad verb.u.m lecta fuerunt, et publicata per me eundem Bernardum de Solerio, notarium, supra et infra scriptum. Et eis sic lectis et publicatis, illico dicti reverendus dominus episcopus et honorabile capitulum super concludendo et determinando per quem modum juxta opiniones, depositiones et dicta dictorum artific.u.m melius pulchrius et efficacius dictum opus praefatae ecclesiae Gerundensis sub prosecutione videlicet unius aut trium navium prosequatur et consumetur, retinuerunt sibi deliberationem et ad hujusmodi fuerunt pro testibus presentes et evocati discreti viri Franciscus Tabernerii et Petrus Puig presbiteri benefficiati in dicta ecclesia Gerundensi.

XVII.

Deinde vero die Lunae octava mensis Martii anno a Nativitate Domini millessimo CCCC. decimo septimo alius artifex lapiscida infrascriptus juravit et deposuit in dicta civitate Gerundae in posse mei Bernardi de Solerio notarii supra et infra scripti, praesentibus et interrogantibus venerabilibus viris dominis Arnoldo de Gurbo, canonico, et Guillermo Marinierii presbitero de capitulo dictae ecclesias Gerundensis, ad hoc per dictos reverendum dominum Dalmacium episcopum et honorabile capitulum Gerundense, specialiter deputatis super articulis praeinsertis, et contentis in eisdem ut sequitur.

XVIII.

GUILLERMUS BOFFIY, _magister operis sedis dictae ecclesiae Gerundensis simili juramento a se corporaliter praest.i.to super primo articulo dictorum articulorum interrogatus, dixit et deposuit_:--

1. That the work of the nave of the church of Gerona, already begun, could be made and continued very well; and that if it is continued, it will be firm and secure without any doubt, and that the foundations, and others which may be made like them, are and will be good and firm enough to sustain the said work of one nave. And that it is true that the said foundations or abutments, even if they were not so strong, would be sufficient to maintain the said work of one nave, since they have a third more of breadth than is required: wherefore they are very strong, and offer no kind of risk.

2. That the work of three naves for the said church does not merit to be continued when compared with that of one nave, because great deformity and great cost will follow from it, and it would never be so good as that of one nave.

3. That the work of one nave is, without comparison, the most conformable to the choir of the church already commenced and made, and that the plan of three naves would not be so. And that, if the plan of one nave is carried out, it would have such grand advantages, and such grand lights, that it would be a most beautiful and notable work.

XIX.

Post praedicta autem omnia sic habita et secuta, videlicet die Lunae, int.i.tulata quinta decima dicti mensis Martii, anno jam dicto a Nativitate Domini millesimo CCCC. decimo septimo, mane videlicet, post missam sub honore beatae Mariae Virginis gloriosae in dicta Gerundensi ecclesia solemniter celebratam, dictis reverendo in Christo patre et domino domino Dalmacio episcopo, et honorabilibus viris capitulo dictae ecclesiae Gerundensis, hac de causa ad trinum tactum cimbali, ut moris est, de mandato dicti domini episcopi apud domos praedictas Thesaurariae dictae ecclesiae Gerundensis simul convocatis et congregatis: ubi convenerunt, et fuerunt praesentes dictus reverendos dominus Dalmacius episcopus, et honorabiles viri Dalmacius de Raseto, decretorum doctor, archidiaconus de Silva, Arnaldus de Gurbo, Joannes de Pontonibus, canonici, Guillermus de Burgarolis, sacrista secundas, Joannes de Boscho, Thesaurarius, Joannes Gabriel Pavia, Petrus de Boscho, Guillermus Marinerii, Petrus Sala, Bacallarii in decretis, Franciscus Mathei et Bartholomeus Vives licentiatus in decretis, presbiteri capitulares et de capitulo ante dicto, ipsi reverendus dominus episcopus et honorabiles viri et capitulum praenotati, sicut praemit.i.tur capitulariter convocati et congregati, et capitulum dictae ecclesiae Gerundensis facientes, representantes, et more solito celebrantes, visis et recognitis per eosdem, ut dixerunt, praedictorum artific.u.m et lapiscidarum depositionibus ante dictis in unum concordes deliberaverunt, _sub Navi una prossequi magnum opus antiquum Gerundensis ecclesiae_, praelibatis rationibus quae sequuntur: tum quia ex dictis praemissorum artific.u.m clare constat, quod si opus trium navium supradictum opere continuetur jam cpto, expedit omnino quod opus expeditum supra chorum usque ad capitellos ex ejus deformitate penitus diruatur et de novo juxta mensuras cpti capitis reformetur: tum quia constat ex dictis ipsorum clare, eorum uno dempto, nemine discrepante, quod hujusmodi opus magnum sub navi una jam cptum est firmum, stabile et securum si prosequatur tali modo et ordine, ut est cptum, et quod terraemotus, tonitrua nec turbinem ventorum timebit: tum quia ex opinione multorum artific.u.m praedictorum constat, dictum opus navis unius fore solemnius, notabilius et proportionabilius capiti dictae ecclesiae jam incepto, quam sit opus trium navium supradictum: tum quia etiam multo majori claritate fulgebit quod est laetius et jucundum: tum quia vitabuntur expensae, nam ad prosequendum alterum operum praedictorum modo quo stare videntur opus navis unius multo minori praetio, quam opus trium navium, et in breviori tempore poterit consumari.

Et sic rationum intuitu praemisarum dictus reverendus dominus episcopus et honorabile capitulum supradictae ecclesiae Gerundensis voluerunt, cupierunt, et intenderunt, ut dictum est, opus magnum unius navis praedictum, quantum c.u.m Deo poterunt prosequi et deduci totaliter ac effectum. Et talis fuerunt intentionis domini episcopus et capitulum ante dicti praesente me eodem Bernardo de Solerio, notario supra et infra scripto et praesentibus venerabilibus viris, &c. &c. &c.

(I.)

CONTRACT OF GUILLERMO SAGRERA FOR THE EXCHANGE AT PALMA.

_Contract entered into at Palma in Mallorca, March 11, 1426, by which the Architect Guillermo Sagrera bound himself to construct or to continue the Construction of the Exchange of that City, according to Plans which he presented, and to the Conditions expressed._

Recites the names of the contracting parties for the erection of the fabric of the Exchange which is being built in the Place called "del Boters," outside the walls of the city.

(The following conditions were written in the "Lemosin" or Mallorcan idiom.)

_Firstly._--That the said Guillermo Sagrera promises and agrees in good faith with the said honourable members of the Building Council (Fabriqueros), that, G.o.d helping, he will complete the building of the said Exchange, to the covering of its vaults, in the first twelve years from the date of the contract: the said Exchange to be eight "canas[470]

of Monpeller" in height, reckoning from the pavement, to the keystone.

_Item._--That the said twelve years being pa.s.sed, the said Guillermo Sagrera will be obliged in the three succeeding years to make and finish all the towers, turrets, and other works which pertain to the said Exchange above the roof.

_Item._--That the said Guillermo must and is bound to do all the said work at his own cost and charge, as well what may be necessary by reason of his art, as for wooden scaffolding and centering; and also for paying for all the stone, lime, gravel, and all the instruments and tools necessary for the work; and in the same manner for all the workmen, officials, and others working in the said Exchange and outside it; and lastly all the other things necessary for its completion.

_Item._--That the said Guillermo is obliged to continue and complete the said work of the Exchange in the form which was begun, and according to the designs given and put into the hands of the honourable Council of the Fabric by the said Guillermo.

_Item._--That the said Guillermo binds himself to build from the base and to complete all the pillars and keystones of the said Exchange in Santani stone, fluted and according to the said design, and to floor it with the same stone, and to lay the terrace with the mixture of burnt clay and fresh lime which they call "Trespoll."

_Item._--That the said Guillermo binds himself to make the pendents of the said Exchange of Solleric stone.

_Item._--That the said Guillermo binds himself to make on the outside part of the said Exchange, and above the gable of the doorway which looks towards the Royal castle of the said city of Mallorca, a solemn tabernacle with the figure of the modest Virgin our Lady Saint Mary.

_Item._--That the said Guillermo binds himself to make on the other three fronts of the same Exchange, that is on the outside of each one of them, a figure of an angel, each one with his tabernacle over him; and that each of the said angels have on one side the Royal scutcheon, and on the other that of the said city of Mallorca, in the form and manner which may be pleasing to the said honourable Council of the Fabric.

_Item._--That the said Guillermo binds himself to make in each one of the four corners of the said Exchange on the outside a grand statue, each one in his tabernacle, similar to the angels: that is, in the corner which looks towards the Pi Gate, that of San Nicolas; in that which looks towards the church of San Juan, that of St. John the Baptist; in that which looks towards the a.r.s.enal, that of Sta. Catalina; and in that which looks towards the said Royal castle, that of Sta.

Clara; in the form and manner which may please the said honourable Council of the Fabric.

_Item._--That the said Guillermo binds himself to make in one of the four turrets of the corners of the said Exchange a room where a clock can be placed.

_Item._--That the said Guillermo binds himself to cover the abutments or b.u.t.tresses with sharp-pointed stone weatherings, and in the top of each of the said weatherings there must be a great knop on which a flower-pot can stand; and that the bal.u.s.trade which surrounds all the top of the Exchange shall be pierced with openings. And all the things which are at present within the said Exchange shall belong to the said Guillermo; and it is further declared that the aforenamed will not have to make gates nor iron screens in the said Exchange.

_Item._--That the said honourable Council of the Fabric are to give and pay to the said Guillermo, on account of all the things before said and specified, 22,000 pounds of Mallorcan money, in instalments, in the form and manner following: To wit, That the said honourable Guardians and those who succeed them in the office of Guardians of the Merchants'

Affairs shall be obliged to pay each year to the said Guillermo the sum for which they may have alienated the right of dues on the merchandize imposed by the said Mercantile College upon all the stuffs and merchandize entering and sailing from the island of Mallorca, reserving to the said honourable Guardians in each year 150_l._ of the said money of Mallorca for the expenses and business of the College; and the said price of the said dues, the 150_l._ already referred to being deducted, is to be reserved for the said Guillermo every year in payment and satisfaction of the said 22,000_l._; and this for such time and until the abovementioned is wholly and completely paid and satisfied to the whole extent already mentioned. Declaring however and agreeing in which, the said Guillermo shall be bound to spend each year out of his own stock on the said work of the Exchange 500_l._ of the said money beyond that which he shall receive of the said price of the dues of merchandize.

&c. &c.

Signed March 11th, 1426, by Guillermo Sagrera, Francesco Anglada, and Juan Terriola, and by others.[471]