St Vitus Building Accounts (1372–1378): The Economic Aspects of Building the Cathedral

Marek Suchý

Chapter 14 in Money and Finance in Central Europe during the Later Middle Ages, 2016, pp 222-246 from Palgrave Macmillan

Abstract: Abstract The elevation of the Prague bishopric to an archbishopric was followed by the building of the new gothic cathedral at Prague Castle (1344). The ancient seat of the rulers of Bohemia became also a centre of the Holy Roman Empire two years later, when Charles IV was crowned King of the Romans. Building activity started in the eastern vicinity of the old Romanesque basilica which was to gradually give way to the new building. The coexistence of both churches is witnessed in the preserved building accounts, which represent one of the most important sources for studying the history of building in the Middle Ages (PCA, MCA, Cod.XI/1–2; Neuwirth, 1890). Nevertheless, interpreting the accounting records from 1372 to 1378 presents certain problems in that they are composed of a great number of motley pieces that often seem to be unconnected bits of information dispersed over time (the accounting weeks). In terms of methodology, therefore, the first thing that needs attention is determining the integrity of the material, and not only in regards to its physical preservation. To the extent that it is possible, the data of the account entries also need to be ascertained, that is, everything that was and was not recorded and in what manner the entry was made.

Keywords: Building Site; Daily Wage; Building Director; Weekly Wage; Total Annual Income (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:pal:psitcp:978-1-137-46023-3_15

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DOI: 10.1057/9781137460233_15

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