Rentier domestique de moy Joannes Castella bourgeois de Frybourg et Chastellain de la Ville de Gruyère
Description
The first 14 pages of this urbarium consist of various notes
regarding oaths and contracts. Page 15 constitutes the frontispiece
of the register as such: ‟Ici commence mon rentier domestique,
cet assavoir de moÿ Joannes Castella, bourgeois de Frÿbourg et
chastellain de la ville de Gruÿere, le 3me janvier 1681”. This
booklet lists all of Jean Castella’s expenditures (ordinary
expenses such as saddle girths, wages paid to a midwife, purchase
of wood, etc., as well as less ordinary expenses) along with
receipts and, in particular, details regarding his income from
lands. The author also notes down judgments in which he
participated as a jury member or as guarantor for the authorities.
In addition he mentions gifts that he received or gave. The
register lists costs of and earnings from his official function as
well as expenditures and income from his private activities. This
is nothing less than a historical summary of the everyday life of a
notable Gruyère citizen from the late 17th century.
Rights
e-codices - Virtual Manuscript Library of Switzerland
