Portuguese forest indenture relating to shipbuilding

Collection — Box: BW-6

Identifier: MS-0779

Staff Only

Content Description

Rewritten from appraisal documentation, consulted by curator Earle Havens:

This manuscript document is an indenture relating to shipbuilding in Sandomil, Portugal in the fifteenth century, a commercial record between a shipbuilder and a landowner or lumber merchant. The lingua franca, written on parchment, describes the use of timber for the construction of masts in Portuguese caravels, small maneuverable sailing ships utilized during colonial expansion. The indenture is dated approximately 1476 and measures approximately 18 x 30 cm.

An informal, partial transcription of the document is available by request.

Dates

Creation: approximately 1476

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is housed off-site and requires 48-hours' notice for retrieval. Contact Special Collections for more information. Collection is open for use.

Conditions Governing Use

Single copies may be made for research purposes. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright questions. It is not necessary to seek our permission as the owner of the physical work to publish or otherwise use public domain materials that we have made available for use, unless Johns Hopkins University holds the copyright.

Biographical

There is currently no biographical information on the creator.

Historical

Rewritten from appraisal documentation, consulted by curator Earle Havens:

This manuscript document is an example of the late medieval Iberia, from the era of overseas exploration begun under the auspices of Prince Henry the Navigator of Portugal. Written in a hybrid Iberian dialect, the lingua franca was spoken primarily by traders during this period. The upper class in Portugal at this time spoke a Castilian dialect containing Spanish and Arabic words, which is also reflected in the document.

Extent

0.167 Cubic Feet (1 legal size folder)

Language of Materials

Portuguese

Additional Description

Abstract

This document is an indenture written in a hybrid Iberian dialect relating to shipbuilding in Sandomil, Portugal in the fifteenth century, dated 1476 and measuring approximately 18 x 30 cm. There is currently no biographical information on the creator.