Given below are excerpts from two letters written in 1295 from the chancery of Charles II concerning the royal foundation of the Franciscan monastery and church of Saint-Maximin in Provence. The first letter Provides an introduction of the chief architect to Pierre d'Alamanon, bishop of Sisteron and seneschal of Provence, who was temporarily in charge of the administration of the new foundation.

Charles II, by God's grace king of Jerusalem and Sicily .... On behalf of Master Peter, French architect (fabricatore). This is addressed to the Venerable Father, Bishop of Sisteron, Our beloved counselor and steward of Provence ....

I am sending to you the French Master Peter, experienced in the building of houses, churches and other works, for the construction of the church of Saint-Maximin and the Blessed Mary Magdalene, which is close to my affection. I wish and order that he be appointed to direct all those who have been assigned to the fabric because he is acknowledged as being capable and suitable for this appointment on the recommendation of a great many persons. As to Master Matthew, with whom I hear you have reached a certain agreement for the aforesaid position, let him not withdraw from the fabric, and should one of them be prevented from carrying on, let the other continue with it. It is hoped that said Peter will be well received and treated with courtesy. As long as he holds the position his wages should be such that he is satisfied, and he should be provided with a house while he remains on the job. I moreover wish the enclosed letter of mine to be given to said Master Peter to be valid for him henceforth.

Dated at Rome, through Bartholomew of Capua, proto-notary of the kingdom of Sicily, and first magistrate of its central administrative office, on the 5th of December 1295.

The second letter is addressed to the new architect, Master Peter, informing him of his appointment as chief architect of the construction of the new church and giving him full jurisdiction over the craftsmen directly connected with the construction.

On behalf of the administration and construction of the church of Saint-Maximin in Provence.

This is written to the French Master Peter, his faithful friend ....

Relying on thy experience in handling the art of building for which thou art widely recommended, I have thought it fit, in accordance with the purpose of this letter, that thou be put in charge of the fabric and the work which we are having done at the church of the Blessed Maximin in Provence in order that masters and laborers may be governed according to the rules customary in building enterprises and so that they may be assured of governance by rules and regulations. I entrust to thee with confidence the authority to correct and even punish in due fashion individual masters, laborers and other workmen, however they are designated, who work for thee and who are delinquent in anything pertaining to their office. Jurisdiction is given thee by this letter, as far as is proper and necessary but with the priority of said authority in matters other than those which concern thy assignment being reserved for the regular judges. (1)

Dated at Rome through Bartholomew of Capua, soldier . . . on the 8th of December 1295. (2)

(1) In such a case the master mason of the fabric stood between the chapter (the ruling body of the cathedral) or those among the clergy who were in charge of the overall administration and finances and the masons and laborers.

(2) Mortet and Deschamps, II, 324-27, translated from the Latin by Professor Margaret Taylor; see also Archives of Naples, Angevine Registers, 80 (1295-96), fol. 157.

*Teresa G. Frisch, Gothic Art 1140 - c. 1450: Sources and Documents, University of Toronto Press in association with the Medieval Academy of America, 1987.