Jenson Salvart (1398–1447) was a 15th-century French master builder.

Biography edit

Probably not from Normandy, he is famous for his work. He did his apprenticeship under Jean de Bayeux, master builder of the Rouen Cathedral. In March 1398, Jenson Salvart succeeded him. He continued the work on the western façade with the realization of a series of arcatures filled with statues. It also replaced the cathedral's high windows to provide more light. He also created the canons' bookstore, completely taken over later by Guillaume Pontifs.

In 1410, he became responsible for the work at Château de Tancarville. After the capture of Harfleur by the English, he was charged in 1417 with creating a defence for the port of Honfleur.[1] In 1419, Henry V of England, entrusted him with the construction of a new royal Castle [fr] at Rouen. At an unknown date, he became project manager of the city of Rouen.[2]

In 1427, involved in the conspiracy of Ricart Mittes with Alexandre de Berneval, he was sent to prison. Sentenced to death and pardoned just before his execution, he lost all his possessions, including his house, in the parish of Saint-Lô.[2]

References edit

  1. ^ Philippe Lardin, L'utilisation du bois au château de Tancarville (Seine-Maritime) au cours du XVe in Le bois dans le château de pierre au Moyen Âge, Colloque de Lons-le-Saunier, Presses universitaires Franc-comtoises, 1997, (p. 142-143).
  2. ^ a b Philippe Lardin, Des hommes de terrain : les maîtres des œuvre du roi in Les serviteurs de l'État au Moyen Âge, Congrès de la Société des Historiens Médiévistes de l'Enseignement Supérieur Public, Publication de la Sorbonne, 1998, (p. 148, 159, 166.

External links edit