THE CRAFT GUILDS OF FRANCE.
202
In 1562, Pierre de Marromme received 75 livres, and in 1692
however, rapidly increased.
Nicolas de Carpeutier 1500 Kvrcs, besides other emoluments.' This title and office of master
works still existed iu 1777, Fontaine being then the architect.'^
Guillaume de Saint Leonard, mayor, revised the statutes of the plasterers of Eouen
They must, therefore, have been previously drawn up.
of the
in 1289.^
statutes of the tylers of Eouen, in 1399, prove that already their slates were in use.^
"
^
In 1507, Jehan Gougeou is styled taillcur de pierre et Masson," affording another proof
that the masons and stonemasons were virtually one craft, although we have seen that in
The
certain cases distinctions were made.
These notices of the French builders
their charters, preserved in a
volume
may be
fittingly closed
by
a translation of one of
of manuscripts in the library of the Bishop of Mirepoix.*
It is dated A.D. 1586.
STATUTES OF THE MASOXS AND AECHITECTS OF MONTPELLIEE.
Henry, by the grace of God King of France and Poland, to all now and to come, greeting.
Whereas the master-masons (maistres massons) and architects of our city of Montpellier have
shown to us in our council that of old their craft of mason architect {ma^on architecte) was of
number
the
of the
kingdom, and that
sworn [incorporated] trades of that
city, as it is of
for the ordering of the police of that city
the other cities of this
they possessed their statutes
authorised by our predecessor kings, by a strict observance whereof the faults and abuses
which might arise in the said handicraft were prevented ; whereas during the past troublous
times this good order has been perverted, and their said statutes burnt and lost, so that at
this present time many ignorant men have intruded, and usurped the exercise of masonry and
architecture in the said city, to the great disadvantage of the entire public on account of the
abuses, which thereby have arisen. The which being perceived by the petitioners, they have, in
order to apply a remedy and re-establish the good order which was accustomed to be observed
masonry and architecture, caused to be again drawn up in ^\Titing these articles
and statutes which they have presented to our officers in Montpellier; who have ordained that
in the said
is reasonable, should be observed and maintained
subject to our good will,
under the condition of obtaining from us letters of confirmation thereof, the which letters the
said petitioners have very huniblj' supplicated of us to grant them.
We hereby make known,
after having caused to be produced to our council the said statutes,
together with the said judg-
these statutes, as
ment rendered by the governor
of the said city of Montpellier, with the consent of our procureur
for the observance thereof, the
whole being attached hereto under the seal of our chancellerie,
we have deemed good and confirmed, ratified and aj^proved,
by the advice
do deem good and
that
of those present
and approve of our special grace by these presents the said
and please that now and for the future they be inviolably kept and
observed by the petitioners and theii- successors, masons and architects, of the said city, without
being, or a possibility of their being, contravened in any manner, and that the said observance
be imposed upon all whom it may concern by all due and reasonable ways and means, notstatutes,
'
=
and we
confirm, ratify
will
Ouin-Lacroi.x, Histoire dcs Anciennes Corporations de la Capitale de la Normandie, p. 236.
3
^
Ibid., p. 238.
Ibid., p. 238.
Ibid., p. 242.
Keuouvier
et
Ricard,
Des
JIaitres de Pierre, etc., de Jloiitpelier, p. 120.
=
/jiV;.^ p.
244.