Mason Corporations in France 153Hellenist, painter, architect, carver, and astronomer, they often pos-
sessed extensive knowledge of all fields. Proof of the high esteem in
which they were held is shown by the many commemorative monu-
ments to the memory of the masters of the works that were erected in
the cathedrals and other buildings they built. Among these we can cite
figures of masters of the works carved on the medallions of the cathe-
drals of Amiens and Reims, the inscription carved in 1257 on the por-
tal of Notre Dame in Paris in honor of Jean de Chelles, and that of
Pierre de Montreuil in the Chapel of the Virgin in the Parisian church
of Saint Germain des Pres.
According to the Livre des Metiers, mortelliers and stonecutters were
exempt from watch duties. These craftsmen claimed to have enjoyed this
privilege since the time of Charles Martel: "The mortar makers have been
exempt from the watch and all stonecutting since the time of Charles
Martel, as men of integrity have heard it passed from father to son." This
declaration presumes an existence of privileges going back to the eighth
century, which is an exaggeration if we take into consideration the time-
frame of the existence of that actual community. It may have a basis in
fact though, to wit the existence of large and influential architectonic
associations in Gothic Gaul during the seventh and eight centuries. This
assertion becomes even more interesting once we know that, according to
the oldest documents of English freemasonry, this art was introduced in
France by Charles Martel before he crossed over into England.
The length of the apprenticeship period for masons was six years.
The statutes of the community of carpenters in the Livre des Metiers are
uniquely based on the deposition of an important figure, the king's car-
penter, Master Fouques du Temple, who stated that he governed the mas-
tery from the time the king had entrusted him with that responsibility,
and this declaration became a craft regulation from that time forward.
Under the unique title of carpenters were gathered all workers who,
according to the text, euvrent du trenchant en merrien, which means
"who worked wood with tools." The different categories under this
heading were numerous, amounting to ten in all. They included stan-
dard carpenters, huchiers,* court clerks, coopers, cartwrights, carters,
* [A huchier is a carpenter specializing in furniture and interior design. —Trans.]